The post contains affiliate links. See disclosures for details.
Disney Vacation Club is Disney's version of a timeshare. Not all, but many Disney resorts double as Disney Vacation Club Resorts (timeshares). While you can buy a DVC contract, renting the DVC points from a current DVC owner is the best value. Likewise, you might want to test-drive the product by renting DVC before taking on the considerable cost of buying a DVC contract and paying the hefty annual dues. For those booking a resort room for a single vacation, renting DVC can save you a lot of money! Suppose you typically stay off-property or at the Disney value resorts, like Pop Century or All-Star Movies. In that case, renting DVC probably won't cost less because most DVC resorts are the more expensive deluxe accommodations. However, if you've always dreamed of staying at the Grand Floridian or Aulani, you may save up to 50% off the room cost by renting. As my family has returned to Disney time and time again, we've found we keep stepping up our accommodations. Renting DVC has allowed us to stay at better resorts and take more Disney vacations.
So, which resorts are part of the Disney Vacation Club? Luckily, all of the best Disney has to offer!
Walt Disney World Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kildani Village
Disney's Beach Club Villas
Disney's BoardWalk Villas
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Disneyland Resort
The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel
Independent Locations
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort
DVC members can reserve rooms for their home resort 11 months in advance and can reserve at a different resort 7 months in advance. When they purchase their DVC contract for a specific resort, they get priority to book that "home resort" starting 11 months in advance. Ideally, if you want to rent points for a popular resort or room type, you should request your rental before the 11-month window. In this instance, the agreement to rent can be set in advance, and the DVC member can book as soon as your reservation dates are open. Your last night should be within the 11-month window, not just your first night. While you might be able to ask a friend to walk out a reservation day by day for you, the rental companies will not do this.
If you haven't planned that far in advance, you can still request a reservation, and they will confirm availability. In addition, you can rent an existing reservation. In this instance, the DVC member has an existing resort reservation for set dates and room type and is selling that specific reservation as-is. This can be a great way to score a late stay at highly sought-after resorts. My recent 10-night stay to Aulani was an existing reservation at more than 50% off the room rate and scored less than 6 months in advance.
How do you coordinate renting points from a DVC member?
I recommend renting your points using a reputable company, like David's Vacation Club Rentals. The company pays DVC members for their points and collects payment from potential rents to use the points. The company handles all the details and provides secruity. I would not recommend renting from a stranger, as people have been scammed. However, an individual you know and trust may also be a safe bet. Renting with David's Vacation Club is relatively easy and secure. However, I hesitated to use the service for a long time. I wasn't sure how it worked, I was scared off by the small payment, and the website didn't fill me with confidence. Because of this, I will walk you through reserving on their website later. After having leaped, I'm converted and have used David's multiple times. While you must pay a $105 deposit with your request, this money will be fully refunded if your exact room and dates can not be secured! If your room is secured, it will go towards the payment. If your specific reservation (resort, room type, view, and dates) isn't available, they will reach out and discuss it with you. They might tell you nothing is available, or maybe just the specific view you wanted isn't available. Perhaps only one of your desired nights isn't available. Regardless, if they can't get you exactly what you requested, they will discuss it with you and give you the option to get a refund or adjust your request. It's that easy! While making your DVC rental request, you may have the option to list a second choice, but I don't recommend it. I would rather they call and discuss options with me.
What are the benefits of renting DVC?
You can stay at the best properties for less money.
You will get all the Disney Resort perks
early entry to theme parks
extended hours at theme parks and
free parking at the resort
free parking at theme parks
DVC Villas are set up for more extended stays and include kitchenettes or full kitchens, and larger villas have in-room laundry.
DVC Villas can accommodate large groups (up to 12 guests for 3-bedroom villas)
What are the downsides of renting DVC?
You will have to pay in full in advance.
Your reservation will code as travel, so if you're into travel rewards, use your top-earning travel spend card. I used my DVC rental to meet the spend for a nice sign-on bonus. Another note is that the transaction may be coded as foreign (Canadian), so use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
Your reservation can not be canceled or refunded once made.
For this reason, cover your stay with travel insurance. Allianz is my go-to for travel insurance. Allianz offers plans for single trips or annual travel plans, which cover you for the year and could save you money. You can check out my blog post regarding annual travel insurance here. You can request a quote for either type of travel insurance here.
Most of the DVC resorts are expensive.
While you'll save considerable money by renting versus booking the DVC Deluxe resort by another means, you could stay at a value or moderate resort for less.
Navigating a DVC Rental Request with David's Vacation Club Rentals
Find out what the DVC rental will cost.
Under "DVC Guest," select "Cost Calculator."
Scroll down to the calendar and select your desired travel dates.
You will see the cost for every DVC resort and room type displayed. Note: This does not mean the room is available, but it shows you what you will pay if the room is secured when you request it.
Check to see if there is an existing reservation that meets your needs. Existing reservations may be discounted and could save you even more.
If you request before 11 months, you can skip this step, as a reservation can not be made before this.
Under "DVC Guest," select "Confirmed Reservations for Rent."
Use the filters to narrow the displayed list by Resort, Room Type, or Dates.
If you find an existing reservation you want, click on "Book Now" and follow the steps to complete your reservation.
If you don't find an existing reservation that works for you, move on to the next step.
Put in your DVC rental request.
Under "DVC Guest," select "Reservation Form."
Review the disclosures.
Select your reservation dates on the calendar.
Select your 1st choice resort and click "Next."
Select your 1st choice of room type and click "Next."
Note if you need an accessible room and click "Next."
Decide if you want to enter a second choice.
Enter your personal contact information and payment.
Wait to hear from David's
Prepared to be spoiled.
"it's hard to go back to less expensive
accommodations after experiencing the best.
I know flying business class lie-flat seats
to Hawaii has spoiled me forever."
Honestly, waiting to hear back that our Polynesian stay had been confirmed was exciting. We had booked a week at Animal Kingdom Lodge with the Savanna View, and, as the reservation window was not open yet, we had to wait to hear if we got our Polynesian booking. The convenience of staying at a monorail hotel across the lake from the Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World doesn't get better. After your reservation is booked, you can let David's know about any special requests you have, like wanting to stay in a particular building, etc.
Educating people on a way not to use my services as a travel agent isn't a smart business move, but my policy is to find a way to stay afloat without costing you any more money. Sometimes Disney has the best offer for the hotel you want, and I hope you'll consider booking with us if you plan to book a hotel room with Disney directly, as we can get you the same price. Sometimes booking with Disney isn't the best option. If you plan to use David's Vacation Club Rentals, please consider using our affiliate link, which, as promised, will not cost you more. Your support will allow us to continue to provide great content. Thanks!
Comments