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The Guide to Disney Vacation Club

Travelers willing to commit to decades of Disney theme park vacations may benefit from this timeshare-like program.

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Updated · 13 min read
Sally French
Written by 
Lead Writer/Spokesperson
Meg Lee
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Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a timeshare-like program operated by The Walt Disney Co. Members buy Vacation Points redeemable at Disney resorts and for other Disney travel. The program can save dedicated Disney fans real money over the long term — but only if the decades-long commitment makes sense for your travel style.

What is Disney Vacation Club?

DVC works like a timeshare, but with more flexibility. Instead of being locked into a specific property or week each year, you buy points and spend them across all DVC resorts — or use them for other Disney travel worldwide.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Need the DVC member login? Head here.
Major hotel companies run similar programs (Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacation Club and Hyatt Residence Club), but DVC's key differentiator is its points-based system and the broader Disney ecosystem attached to it.
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How to become a Disney Vacation Club member

To join, you purchase a "real estate interest" in one of Disney's Vacation Club resorts — this becomes your home resort. Most resorts are at Walt Disney World in Florida, with others in California, Hawaii, South Carolina and beyond.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Home resorts are established on your contract when you join DVC. Your home resort comes with a few perks, but you’re not locked into staying at that property or only at that property as a member.
In 2026, the minimum purchase is 100 points at $243 each ($24,300), plus closing costs starting at $383 and a $250 document preparation fee. Annual dues start at around $70/month. You're also signing a contract that typically runs 50 years from the resort's construction date — so this is not a decision to take lightly.

Choose a home resort

Home resorts come with perks like the Home Resort Priority Period, which gives you early access to booking stays at the property. You can reserve lodging at your home resort 11 months in advance of your desired check-in date, a full four months before booking windows open for DVC members with other home resorts.
Choose carefully — you cannot change your home resort. Consider the property's desirability, resale value of its points, and the likelihood of dues increases. Older resorts with higher maintenance needs often see steeper annual hikes.
Though, you might never actually stay at your home resort. It’s not required that members complete any stays at this property; it’s more so used as a system for determining how many Vacation Points you’ll buy annually.
Nerdy Perspective

What are your tips for going to Disney (either in Orlando or Anaheim)?

Do the most popular rides on your must-do list first (or reserve a Lightning Lane). The lines only get longer throughout the day. I usually rush to Rise of the Resistance, get in a quick round of Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, and then put my name on the waitlist for Oga's Cantina, the bar in Galaxy's Edge, first thing. It's one of my favorite experiences in the park because the food, drinks and atmosphere are so inventive.
Profile photo of Meghan Coyle

Meghan Coyle

Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel

Have a plan. When the parks open, it's a mad rush of people heading to the most popular attractions first. Be sure to look at a map and make sure there's a flow to your agenda so you aren't going back and forth across the park all day. My favorite attractions in Orlando are conveniently in the same park — Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land.
Profile photo of Craig Joseph

Craig Joseph

Lead Travel Writer

You have to get there early, like before the gates even open. Power walk to your top attraction as soon as you can get in. I usually get more rides done in the first hour of park opening than the next four hours combined. Most vacations are for sleeping in, but a Disney vacation is not one of those.
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Sally French

Lead Travel Writer

Decide how many Vacation Points to buy

The minimum is 100 points, but how far they go depends on when and where you travel:
  • 100 points can cover modest travel, like multiple nights at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort (starting at 6 points/night).
  • 275 points ($66,825) is Disney's estimate for a family of four spending 7 nights at Walt Disney World in summer.
  • A single peak-season night in a grand villa at a premium resort can run 200+ points.
Points can be banked (saved from the prior year) or borrowed (pulled from the next year), giving you some flexibility — though both come with rules and limitations.

Using Vacation Points

As is the case with redeeming hotel points through pretty much any hotel points loyalty program, DVC’s nightly point rates vary depending on factors like resort, room type and date.
The smallest rooms on low-demand nights at the lowest-cost properties, such as at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, start at six points per night. An annual allotment of 100 points could get you up to 16 nights at lower-end properties like this.
Fancier properties, such as The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, start at 17 points per night for a deluxe studio in the offseason (though deluxe studios on peak nights cost 37 points per night). A three-bedroom grand villa (which sleeps up to 12) runs as high as 224 points per night.
The Great Hall Lobby at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Other ways to use DVC points

Beyond DVC resorts, members can book other Disney vacations including Disney Cruise Line, National Geographic Expeditions and Adventures by Disney trips. Points can also be used to book other Disney vacations beyond the DVC resorts, including hotels at international theme parks such as Tokyo Disney Resort.
But these non-DVC redemptions tend to devalue your points, so NerdWallet generally doesn’t recommend using them outside of official DVC resorts.
While you could exchange your DVC points for a National Geographic Expedition Cruise, like this trip to Antarctica, such redemptions are usually a bad deal. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Disney Vacation Club resorts

U.S. Disney Vacation Club resort options

Here is the full list of U.S.-based DVC resorts.
Disney Vacation Club resorts
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
  • Disney Vacation Club Villas — Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Jambo House.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Kidani Village.
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas.
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas.
  • Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort.
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort.
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
  • Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
  • The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
  • The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
  • The Villas at Disneyland Hotel.

What are DVC resorts like?

Unit types

While you can use DVC points to book a classic hotel room at Disney-owned hotels, most members use them to book DVC studios or villas at designated DVC resorts.
Disney Vacation Club villas: DVC villas are more akin to vacation homes. They offer full kitchens and complimentary access to laundry facilities.
Separate bedrooms (villas have as many as three bedrooms) can accommodate larger groups and offer more privacy; the largest villas accommodate up to 12 people.
Deluxe studios: You might save points and book the (typically cheaper) deluxe studios, which still offer a kitchenette but sleep only up to five people.
And many of these studios and villas aren’t just a generic set of four walls.
DVC members at the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge might stay in one of the waterfront Cascade Cabins, which feature a double-sided stone-hearth fireplace and screened-in wraparound porch with built-in hot tub.
The Cascade Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. (Photo courtesy of Disney)
At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, you can sleep 10 feet off the ground in a Treehouse Villa.
And you don’t have to head to the other side of the globe to stay in an overwater bungalow. You can book one at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, where you’ll also get a private back deck and plunge pool. Plus, bungalows overlook Bay Lake, which makes for an incredible spot to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks in the evening.

Design

Especially if you’re buying into a newer DVC resort such as Disney’s Riviera Resort and the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, rooms are spacious and thoughtfully designed to a tier higher than most other resorts. Older options with less impressive amenities include Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, which opened in 1996.
For example, Disney’s Riviera Resort was the 2021 winner of the American Resort Development Association’s ACE Project of Excellence Award, an award within the timeshare industry. It’s hard to overlook touches throughout the grounds, like the two 20-foot-tall mosaic murals depicting scenes from “Peter Pan” and “Tangled” made from more than 1 million hand-cut tiles.
The archway at Disney's Riviera Resort is made with more than 1 million mosaic tiles. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

How much does DVC cost?

As of 2026, Disney membership costs at least $24,300 to join in your first year (though financing options are available). Then there are annual dues of at least $1,000 until your contract is up, which is typically decades from now. Plus, expect annual dues to increase each year.

Costs in your first year

As of 2026, you must purchase a minimum of 100 points to start your membership. Because points cost $243 each, that’s a minimum of $24,300 for just the points.
Disney's minimum buy-in cost is about average compared to the national average across all timeshares. According to the American Resort Development Association, which is a trade association representing over 350 companies within the timeshare industry the average price of a timeshare transaction is about $24,000.
Then there are closing costs based on points purchased and resort type that amount to hundreds of dollars.

Can you finance your upfront costs?

Disney’s financing options might be worth it for some buyers, but it brings separate costs (and is available only to qualified purchasers).
Financing rates range from 10% annual percentage rate for a 10-year loan up to 15.009% APR. But financing is not a guarantee, and you may not qualify for financing depending on your credit score or financial history.
If you’re offered an interest rate on the high end, you could end up paying more in interest than the initial cost of the loan.

Costs in future years

Members also owe annual dues, which pay for operating costs, administrative expenses, refurbishment expenses and real estate taxes. Dues can be paid in one annual lump sum or monthly installments.
Note that dues generally increase every year, typically between 1-5%.
Disney doesn’t exactly make this fact clear in its marketing pitch, but realize that what might feel like a minor 5% increase can quickly compound year after year — so your dues will likely be far higher years (and decades) from now than what you paid upon joining.
That’s because inflation makes the same operating expenses cost more. Then there may be increased costs for repairs and upgrades, especially at older resorts or those in harsher climates.

Hidden costs

Then there are other potential costs you may or may not face, like late fees, bank fees and transaction fees to book non-DVC properties on points.
A one-bedroom villa within The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

A hypothetical breakdown of possible costs

The exact cost of a Disney timeshare varies based on the resort, but here’s a sample breakdown using Disney's Riviera Resort as your Home Resort.
Let’s assume you’re not financing and you never get hit with extra fees like late fees. We also won’t account for additional costs like tickets or food because presumably all Disney vacationers would pay for those, DVC members or not.
The budget assumes you joined in 2024 and remain a member for the next 46 years until the resort’s contract expires (which is in 2070). In this example, you bought 100 points, which is the minimum:
  • Initial purchase price of 100 Vacation Points at 2024's cost of $225 each: $22,550.
  • Initial closing costs: $676.93.
  • Annual dues over the next 46 years (assumes 4.1% annual increase, which was the 2024 dues increase): $120,333.65.
Grand total: $143,510.58.
When all is said and done, you’d have paid more than $143,000 total (or an average of nearly $3,120 per year), for 46 future years of 100 annual DVC points.
Of course, every resort has varied closing costs, dues and dues increases — and each person will desire a different amount of Vacation Points — so run your own calculations to estimate the true cost of joining DVC over your lifetime.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
The program's promise is that members who plan to stay at Disney resorts (or travel to other destinations associated with the program) can save money in the long term. The company estimates that in the majority of cases, it will take 6-14 years' worth of trips before savings begin. But if you remain a member throughout the entire contract, Disney claims your savings can add up to 50%. Your mileage may vary.
And note that you wouldn’t actually pay that $3,120 estimate equally every year. In actuality, you’d pay the biggest amount in your first year given the down payment. The next year would cost far less because you owe only annual dues. But annual dues costs will likely increase every year.
The Grand Villa within The Villas at Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Is Disney Vacation Club worth it?

DVC makes the most sense for travelers who visit Disney frequently, prefer villa-style accommodations, and are confident they'll remain enthusiastic Disney fans for decades. Even Disney acknowledges in its own fine print that ownership interests should only be purchased "for personal use and enjoyment" — not as a financial investment.

Pros of a DVC membership

The upfront costs and risks are high, but even those who either breakeven or lose money might still come out “ahead” given the other DVC benefits.

Spacious accomodations

The Grand Villa, located within The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Photo courtesy of Disney)
Villas with full kitchens and laundry access are a significant upgrade over standard Disney hotel rooms, especially for families or groups.

Discounts

DVC members get discounts at hundreds of restaurants and shops. Discounts are usually 10%, but they're occasionally higher. DVC members can also find discounts at after-hours theme park parties, backstage tours, and on activities like golf and dessert cruises.
See the entire list of current DVC discounts.

Surprise gifts

Disney occasionally surprises members with small gifts, like pins, buttons and beignets.

Access to DVC member lounges

The entrance to the first-ever Member Lounge at Disneyland Resort in California, named “Disney Vacation Club Star View Station – a Member Lounge.” (Photo courtesy of Disney)
DVC has a few members-only lounges sprinkled throughout Disneyland and Disney World. Perks vary by lounge, but you might find free refreshments, premiere views and rare Disney memorabilia.

Members-only events and trips

You might snag a reservation to Moonlight Magic, an after-hours party limited to DVC members. There are also paid DVC-only trips including cruises, which often sell out.

Cons of Disney Vacation Club

High upfront cost

The minimum buy-in is many thousands of dollars.

Redemption limits

Using points outside of official DVC resorts (Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, international parks) tends to be a poor value.

Points expire

While you can bank and borrow points from either last year or next year, the process comes with its own rules and limitations. Generally speaking, plan on using your allotment of Vacation Points each year — as points otherwise expire.
Disney’s H2O Glow After Hours transforms Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park into an energetic glow-filled party. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

You’re committed for decades

Exiting early is painful. Resale prices are typically 50%+ below what you paid, and there are additional selling costs.
Further, anyone who's on the financing deal can only transfer ownership once their mortgage loan is paid in full.

Renting Disney Vacation Club points can be complicated

Perhaps you’re not vacationing this year. If so, you can rent out unused Vacation Points to someone else, as long as it’s not for commercial purposes (Disney has a policy against a “pattern of rental activity,” though rentals every once in a while are OK). There are plenty of third-party DVC rental websites, but while you’ll recoup some costs of unused points, you’ll still usually come out in the red.
After all, buyers expect to snag Vacation Points at a discount and these websites take a cut of profits. The going rate that major DVC rental websites pay owners tends to be about $18 per point.
Aulani, A Disney® Resort & Spa is one of the most expensive resorts to spend your DVC points at. (Photo by Sally French)

Your heirs are likely saddled with paperwork when you die

What happens to your DVC contract if you die? While no one has to inherit an unwanted timeshare, it’s not as simple as yours heirs simply ignoring its existence.
If you want someone to inherit it (and they want it too), add that person as a joint owner. But adding their name after the initial contract was set up requires paying a title company or attorney to assist with recording a new deed.
If you die before adding someone to your contract, then your family will need a probate attorney.

Multiple people per contract can get messy

Multiple families might also share one contract to reduce upfront overhead costs and alleviate pressure to take every vacation at Disney (one family could use the points one year, while another family claims them the next).
But contracts binding multiple people can get messy.
Splitting up points in divorces or friend splits can be painful. Disney won’t let you divide your Vacation Points. Though you might divide points and payments in your own, separate agreement, it might be better to use an attorney if you can’t agree.
Have a contingency plan if one party stops paying their share, as you’ll still be on the hook for unpaid dues (Disney doesn’t care who flaked). If your contract’s balance is unpaid for long enough, Disney can foreclose on the deed, which can negatively impact your credit scores.
You might just remove their name from the deed, but that saddles you with their portion of the costs — and it also incurs a fee to change the name on the deed. Even if it doesn’t get to foreclosure levels, one party refusing to pay their share can bring interpersonal fallout, which might be the biggest cost of them all.

Alternatives to DVC

Some people love timeshares because they guarantee time at a resort without the inconvenience of buying a vacation home. Depending on your travel style (and especially if you travel often at that same location), timeshares can save some travelers money. But timeshares come with no shortage of pitfalls — and DVC is not immune to them.
If you want to save money on a Disney vacation without becoming a DVC member, here are some alternatives:

Rent DVC points

Non-members can book DVC resort stays by renting points from existing owners through third-party broker sites. This lets you experience the accommodations without any long-term commitment, often at a meaningful discount over cash rates.

Buy in from the DVC resale market

Third-party resellers offer DVC contracts at discounts often exceeding 50% off Disney's direct prices. The trade-off: resale buyers lose out on some of DVC’s best membership benefits, including lounge access and restaurant discounts.

Use hotel points and travel rewards

Look to properties near Disney that are affiliated with major hotel loyalty programs so you can book stays on hotel points.
In Florida, there are more than a dozen hotels you can book on points within walking distance of Disney Springs, the resort’s shopping and dining district (which also has an abundance of Disney-run bus lines that can zip you around property at no cost). There’s also no shortage of points hotels within walking distance of Disneyland.
Earn points by holding certain credit cards, including some of these best credit cards for Disney vacations.
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Pay cash

The same DVC villas are often available to book directly on Disney's website. Third-party authorized resellers like Undercover Tourist frequently offer the same Disney hotel rooms at a discount with transparent pricing. Cash booking also lets you mix budget-friendly All-Star Resorts, deluxe properties and off-site hotels depending on your budget each year — with zero decades-long obligations attached.
» Learn more: Undercover Tourist review: are the discounts really that good?
(Top photo courtesy of Disney)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
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