Welcome, fellow Disney Enthusiast, to our full comprehensive guide to Disney Vacation Club (DVC)! Whether you’re looking to buy DVC, or if you’re a current owner looking for tips, tricks, and perks, look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to go over everything from defining and buying DVC, to the best listings and how to save money.

If you’re not much of a reader, feel free to watch or listen to our podcast episode where we discuss all the topics in this blog!

What is Disney Vacation Club & How Does It Work?

Disney Vacation Club gives you the opportunity to own a piece of Disney Magic. It’s a membership program that lets you enjoy luxury Disney vacations year after year. When you buy DVC, you’re purchasing a share in a Disney Deluxe Resort, which gives you access to luxurious accommodations to any of the 15 legacy DVC resorts across the United States, from Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii and the Grand Californian at Disneyland, to Animal Kingdom Lodge and the beautiful Polynesian Villas at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Each DVC resort is individually themed and designed to transport you to a different immersive experience that only Disney can provide.

Disney has revolutionized the classic timeshare model. Instead of being locked into specific times a year you can visit, DVC uses a point system, so you can choose where, when, and how long you stay based on availability (first come, first serve).

Here’s how it works: When you join DVC, you purchase a set number of points that renew each year. You can use these points to book stays at Deluxe DVC Resorts. When using these points, you can book different resorts, choose the length of your stay, and even choose the exact dates you want for your trip to best suit your schedule. You can use all your points for one, long trip, or you can spread your points throughout the year for multiple smaller Disney vacations. It’s all customizable to your schedule.

How Do You Buy Disney Vacation Club?

So, thanks to our amazing description above, you’re now considering purchasing DVC! But this raises more questions. How much does it cost? How do you buy it? Where do you go? Do you need all the money upfront?

Worry not! We’re going to cover everything from the best places to purchases DVC points, how much it costs, and how to finance those purchases.

How Much Does Disney Vacation Club Cost?

The cost of DVC can vary quite significantly. The price could changed depending the amount of points you’d like to purchase, which resort you choose, and whether you purchase directly from Disney, or if you purchase through a resale company.

Newer resorts like Disney’s Riviera Resort, or the soon-to-open Polynesian tower will have higher prices per point. However, just because a resort is older, doesn’t automatically mean it’s cheaper. Some of the “older” resorts can still be quite expensive. For example, Disney’s Grand Floridian will have higher prices ($230 per point when purchased direct through Disney) but can be 30% less on the resale market.

Unfortunately, there is no exact cost for the price of DVC across all resorts, but there are different resorts and point amounts that can fit anyone’s budget.

Purchasing Direct vs Resale

Anyone looking to buy DVC will be faced with the decision to either purchase their points directly through Disney, or to purchase from a resale market. When you buy directly through Disney, you’ll receive certain perks from Disney. This program is called “Membership Magic” and includes access to exclusive events like Moonlight Magic, (an after-hours event at Disney Parks that let you enjoy shorter lines), exclusive welcome merchandise, and the ability to transfer points towards a Disney Cruise. Keep in mind, when transferring your points to a Disney Cruise, the exchange rate is rather high, so in some cases it might be more beneficial to pay outright for a Disney Cruise.

Even though you do get some exclusive perks from buying DVC directly through Disney, purchasing points through resale is considerably cheaper. Direct Disney DVC points can cost between $200 and $300 per point, depending on the resort. Resale points will average between $90 to $160 per point. The secondary market for DVC resale allows guests to purchase points from existing DVC owners. Purchasing points through resale, could save you thousands of dollars (and that basically pays for the cruise your resale points cannot convert to, right?!)

Purchasing DVC points through resale is the more flexible, and financially savvy options. You can also sell your points in the future, should you decide, or you can rent out some points to guests if you’re not using them for that year. You can also use the resale market to buy more points to add to your account, even if you originally purchased directly through Disney. Want to get more points so you can reserve the 2-bedroom bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Resort? No problem! Just head to the resale market, and snatch them up!

Whether you purchase directly from Disney, or through a resale agent you will still be  a member of DVC.  Not all Direct perks transfer, for example you do not get the discount on dining and merchandise.  However, you can get the Disney Chase Visa and those discounts will apply (more savings)! Once again, it’s up to you, and what fits you best, but if it were up to us, we’d tell you to go for resale when buying DVC.

Financing Your Disney Vacation Club Purchase

Disney Vacation Club Financing is one of the most popular ways members purchase their DVC resale points. When purchasing points, future members will make a down payment (minimum of 10% including the closing costs added as long as the buyer has a FICO of 600 or better). Vacation Club Loans also offers a No Credit Check option where the down payment is just 15% excluding closing costs of the total purchase price. The remaining amount is financed through a loan, similar to when purchasing a home or a car. Interest rates on these loans can vary depending on creditworthiness, but start as low as 11.9% for excellent credit and may go up to a maximum of 17.9% under the No Credit Check at all. Monthly payments are calculated based on your loan amount, interest rate, loan term. View our calculator to get a better idea of what your monthly payment could be! Here at Vacation Club Loans, we pride ourselves on fast, personal service. We approve all Disney Vacation Club loan applications, regardless of credit score. Our goal is to get you laying out by the pool at your Disney Resort as soon as possible and start saving money by using points for those Deluxe Villas stays.

Best DVC Resorts

Now that you know where you’re going to buy your points from (resale!), and who is going to finance them (Vacation Club Loans!) it’s time to decide which DVC Home Resort you’re going to purchase your deed at. Once again, the “best” DVC Resort isn’t an easy question to answer, because of course, it depends on you!

There are currently 18 DVC Resorts available. 13 in Walt Disney World, FL, 2 in Disneyland California, 1 in Hawaii, 1 in Vero Beach, FL, and 1 in Hilton Head, SC. All of these resorts are great, so it all depends on what you’re looking for! Let’s break down a few of our favorite DVC Resorts! We’ll go through the resorts that stand out to us, and review the pros and cons of each, that way you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward when it comes to purchasing your Disney Vacation Club membership! Keep in mind, even if you purchase points for a specific legacy resort, you’ll be able to use those points to stay at other DVC legacy resort. You’ll just be able to book 11 months in advance at your home resort, and only 7 months in advance for other resorts. So, if you’re looking to take your family on a Disney Vacation during peak seasons (summer, holidays, etc.), then you’ll want to make sure your dream resort is also your home resort.

Saratoga Springs (Best Value)

Saratoga Springs has some of the lowest prices per point of all the resorts. Some are even under $100 a point. Saratoga Springs is a Victorian-inspired resort that celebrates the culture and history of Saratoga Springs, NY, which is known for its horse racing and luxurious spas.

Purchasing Disney Vacation Club points at Saratoga Springs is a great option for anyone looking to buy into DVC at a lower budget. Thanks to its size, it also has great availability, even during peak times of the year. There are great restaurants, quick service food, and activities on the grounds of the resort, so you’ll be sure to be entertained whether you go to the Disney Parks, or just hang out at the resort for the day.

While Saratoga Springs is incredibly close to Disney Springs, it tends to be farther from the Disney Parks. This shouldn’t be much of an issue for anyone, thanks to the complimentary regularly running buses that can take you anywhere on Disney property, but if you’re looking for a resort that is in walking distance to the parks, Saratoga Springs might not be the resort for you.

If you’re interested in what the rooms look like at Saratoga Springs, you can watch our Room Tour here!

Beach Club Villas (Best Park Location)

Beach Club Villas is basically next door to EPCOT, offering an awesome park location. Beach Club is themed after a New England seaside retreat. One of the biggest draws of this resort, aside from the close location to EPCOT, is the pool. The pool has , named Stormalong Bay, is widely viewed as the best pool of any Disney property. It is a sand-bottom pool, making you feel transported to the beach, as well as a lazy river, water slide, and a bar and grill where you can fuel up for your next adventure.

While staying at Beach Club, we were able to walk into EPCOT for the day, then come back to our room, shower, and head to the Boardwalk for dinner. It’s a great location for park-goers, offering a close by entrance into EPCOT’s France Pavilion, and it’s also very close to Disney’s Skyliner, which can take you to many other stops around Disney property.

This is one of the more desirable locations to stay on Disney Property, so prices might be slightly higher than other Disney Vacation Club resorts. Pricing on resale average around $130 per point. So, it’s still cheaper than buying direct, but more expensive than buying at other resorts like Saratoga Springs.

If you’re interested in what the rooms look like at Beach Club Villas, you can watch our Room Tour here!

Animal Kingdom Lodge (Best For Adventurers)

Animal Kingdom Lodge is so unique. There aren’t many places you can wake up, head to your balcony, and see giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and more! Animal Kingdom Lodge is probably one of the most memorable resorts on Disney Property. While it has many of the amenities other Disney resorts have (pool, community hall, restaurants, bars, etc.) it has something that no other Disney Resort in the world has: exotic animals. The Savana’s at Animal Kingdom Lodge are home to over 200 animals from more than 30 species. While you’re there, you’ll see zebra, giraffes, gazelles, okapi, and more.

There are 2 different sections to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jambo House, which is open to DVC owners and renters. Then, there is the more exclusive Kidani Village, which is for DVC owners. While the lobby at Kidani Village is somewhat smaller, it is much more relaxing, thanks to having less people. Whether you want to own at Jambo House or Kidani Village, is totally up to you! You can choose to own at Jambo House, with it’s larger lobby and more restaurants, or you can choose to own in Kidani Village with it’s more laid back atmosphere.

Something to keep in mind when deciding between Jambo and Kidani, is there is no community center at Jambo House. At Kidani, there are many crafts, games, and activities to do in the community center and arcade, but there aren’t any such amenities at Jambo House. So, again, you’ll know what works best for you depending on the activities you’ll want to participate in at the resorts! Whichever you choose, Kidani Village and Jambo House are only a 5-10 minute walk away from each other, and you can also take the complimentary bus in between each location. So, if you were staying at Kidani, but wanted to do dinner at Jambo house, it’s definitely possible!

Animal Kingdom is such a unique resort, but it does have some drawbacks. While it is close to Animal Kingdom, it is farther from the other parks and Disney Springs. This might be ideal for Animal Kingdom fans, but not great for people who primarily want to visit EPCOT or any other park on property. But remember, it’s still possible to get wherever you need to go rather quickly using the Disney Transportation buses that run all day and most of the night. Another possible “con” to Animal Kingdom Lodge i  the theming itself. It’s one of the biggest selling points, but could also be it’s biggest deterrent.

If you’re looking for that “classic” Disney vacation, you might not find it at the African-themed Animal Kingdom Resort. There are definitely Disney themes throughout the resort, but it’s not the most “Disney” of all Disney Vacation Club resorts.

The price per point at Animal Kingdom Lodge tends to vary depending on the listing, but overall the prices range from about $95 to $135 per point.  All in all, it’s a relatively great value for such a dynamic resort.

If you’re interested in what the rooms look like at Beach Club Villas, you can watch our Room Tour here!

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort (Best for Beach Lovers)

You’re probably thinking one of two things right now; 1. Why isn’t Beach Club Resort best for beach lovers or 2. Why in the world is there a Disney resort in Vero Beach, FL.

These are great questions! Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is actually one of the best beach resorts we’ve ever been to. If you’ve ever been on a beach vacation, you know that some resorts can be rather hit or miss. Either they’re amazing resorts you rave about, or they’re the type of resorts you have to swear never to return to. From it’s location to its theming and presentation, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is amazing.

Yet again, its pro is the same as its con. It’s located directly on the beach in Vero Beach, FL. So it’s great for anyone looking to get away for a relaxing beach vacation. But on the other hand, it’s biggest con is that it’s not near a Disney park. It’s less than 2 hours from Walt Disney World, so it’s not impossible to visit the parks, but it’s definitely less convenient than staying on WDW property, and taking a 4 minute bus ride to the Magic Kingdom. The location can be a huge benefit or a hindrance, depending on the types of vacations you’re looking to have!

Choose The Resort That’s Best For You

The resorts we listed were just a few examples, but we would definitely suggest booking a stay at a resort before purchasing your Disney Vacation Club points to make sure you love the resort you choose. You can rent points from DVC owners to stay in a DVC resort before you take the full plunge. No matter which resort you choose, you’re going to have a fantastic time, and years full of magical vacations. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to Disney Resorts. If you need further help choosing a resort, we’d suggest reaching out to a DVC Resale Expert to help you make the best choice!

Thanks for Reading!

We hope this blog helped take away some of the confusion that new Disney Vacation Club shoppers face when trying to get into the program! We know how overwhelming it can seem, because we’ve been there too. If you have any specific questions, we’d love to hear them! Comment on this post, or shoot us an email at info@vacationclubloans.com. We’d love to hear your questions!