How Being a DVC Member Has Changed My Visits

I’ve now passed 15 years of Disney Vacation Club membership. Does that make me an old-timer in the program? Well, I wish I could claim that, but I was 20 years slow in joining DVC. Actually, I’m not sure if I could have legally signed the paperwork at my age in 1991 anyway. 

Still, I’ve been a member longer than many, and I realized during my last visit how much the experience has altered my tourist tendencies. Here’s how being a DVC member has changed my visits. 

I’m Less Aggressive at the Parks

Before joining DVC, I attacked the parks like I was playing a video game. I wanted to min/max every second of my visit to get the absolute most entertainment for my money. My family treated Disney like bloodsport, aggressively grabbing every FastPass we possibly could. 

Soon afterward, we lost the fabled paper FastPass system in favor of digital, as Disney switched to MyMagic+. Then, we lost that to Disney Genie+, followed by the current Lightning Lane setup. All of these changes have occurred since I was a member. 

When I think about the program in those terms, I realize that Disney holds some responsibility for my changing behavior. Back then, the parks rewarded proactive guests. We could learn the system and strategize the best ways to minimize our time spent standing aimlessly in line. 

The only way that guests can do that today is by purchasing either a VIP Tour or a Lightning Lane Premier Pass. I’m lucky enough to say that I have done both, and each one has its place in the Disney theme park ecosystem. Honestly, I don’t see the need, though. 

Once you’ve visited Disney theme parks five or six times, you’re like a classic rock band touring in their 60s. You’re just playing the hits. Sure, the show is comfortable and familiar, but everyone has heard it all before. 

New Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro appears to take umbrage with this philosophy. He’s intentionally reinvigorating everything from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to the historical Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. So, my aggression could return at a later date. I doubt it, though. 

After this many Disney vacations, I’m much happier just taking it easy. We should all savor the Disney Bubble more than we do anyway. 

Magic Kingdom: TRON Lightcycle/Run Ride (Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog)

I Visit Several Resorts Per Trip Now 

Fifteen years ago, if you’d told me that I would go entire afternoons without setting foot in a park, I would have laughed in your face. Every fiber of my being demanded that I see and do everything I could at the parks. 

I’m one of those psychos who has done the Every Walt Disney World Ride in a Day challenge. I’ve Park Hopped to all four theme parks in a single day at least a dozen times. During a Disney vacation a decade ago, my Fitbit tracked me as taking 35,000+ steps for nine consecutive days. 

So, I honestly cannot believe how much I’ve changed over the past decade or so. About ten years ago, my wife and I stayed at Jambo House. During that fateful visit, I fell asleep in the hotel lobby and experienced one of the most tranquil moments of my life.

At that point, I started wondering what I was missing. Immediately afterward, I entered my Resort Hopping phase, bouncing from property to property. While I don’t do this as much today, I quickly learned the value of every property. 

At the time, I viewed the experiences as research for my DVC writing. With the benefit of hindsight, I was falling in love with all the DVC resorts. That love remains to this day, which explains why I try to make time for as many as I can during a vacation.

I’m no longer obsessed with experiencing every Disney attraction. My new hobby prioritizes various hotel amenities instead. I sample all the restaurants, find all the best spots in the various lobbies, and meticulously rank all the pools.

Before I joined DVC, I never would have done resort days. Similarly, I rarely did any swimming. I valued the parks so much that I wanted to spend every second there. I’m a much more laid-back vacationer since joining the program.

Walt Disney World DVC Resorts

I’m a Foodie?!

In 2024, I experienced a minor medical emergency. As part of the discovery phase, I visited an allergist for the first time. Let’s just say that the testing went poorly, as the nurse actually tracked down a new employee to show them my back. I’d tested positive for literally everything except mold. I wish I were joking. 

What’s my point? Well, I’m one of those people who triggers alarms at Disney. Whenever I order, the chef must come speak with me to guarantee my safety. I absolutely hate that Disney does this, but it’s their policy with no exceptions. 

I’m under medical orders to eat the blandest food possible so that my insides don’t explode. And that’s another way that DVC has changed me. When I’m dining at a Disney restaurant, the chef knows what I can and cannot have.

For once, I can eat with complete confidence. So, I do! During my most recent Disney trip, I selected more distinct entrees than I had during the previous four months combined. Again, that’s a real thing that happened. 

At this point, I have a list of places where I can go to eat things I would never dare to try at home. I can have pesto at Disney! All those decadent cupcakes are fair game since many of them are sugar- and gluten-free. 

Disney has restored my love of food after some genuinely grim years. For that, I’m grateful. If not for DVC, I would never have known this, as I would have stopped visiting Disney after my diagnosis.

Ohana Restaurant at Polynesian Resort

If you’re ready to start your own DVC journey, or add on to an existing membership, DVC Resale Market can help you find the right contract. Access all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.

If you’d like to make an offer or request a free consultation about buying or adding to your DVC contract, the DVC Resale Market team is here to help!