DVC for Retirees

Have you recently or not so recently retired?
If so, the Disney Vacation Club was literally made for you. When Disney officials planned the program, they drew inspiration from timeshare businesses of the era. Many timeshares then targeted retirees as the primary demographic for the Florida lifestyle.
While the concept has faded a bit in popularity recently, a generation of Americans has dreamed of retiring and moving to Florida. So, DVC sells plush villas on hotel campuses that feature recreational activities like golf and tennis. But that’s the old-school approach.
DVC also includes many amenities and vacation opportunities that are popular with recent retirees. I know this because my brother recently retired early, and he has taken half a dozen Disney vacations over the past two years. Here are a few suggestions for retirees that I’ve picked up from watching my brother relish DVC the past couple of years.
How Disney Vacations Change
The best part of being a retiree is that you no longer answer to anyone. So, you can vacation whenever you want for as long as you want. You don’t have to worry about being back at work on Monday or risk losing extra vacation days. That’s because you’ve earned a vacation every day.
Your flexibility gives you tremendous advantages when using your DVC Points. My first suggestion here is that you should always keep a handful available.
I say this because you never know when you may feel like heading to Disney. Last-minute cancellations are a thing, and spontaneity can be your friend when booking. You might be bored in your living room, glance at your phone, and realize the next two nights are available at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Unlike most DVC members, you can grab your keys and go whenever the mood hits you.
Then, there’s the other benefit of setting your own schedule. You can stay at Disney as long as you like. Since you don’t have a boss now, you’re free to do as you please. That’s a great reason to treat yourself to a few more DVC Points. You WILL use them if you have them.
Where You Should Go
Another benefit of being a retiree is taking some of those dream vacations you’ve always imagined. After all, what’s stopping you now? I watched my parents do this after Dad retired, as they sailed around the world. Now, history is repeating itself in my family as my brother does the same.
Over the past three months, he’s visited Walt Disney World and Disneyland. That could easily be you, although I suspect that you’ve already been to both if you’re of retirement age. You probably want something more exotic.
Disney definitely has you covered. You can head to one of the iconic southern tourist destinations, Hilton Head or Vero Beach. At Hilton Head, you’ll find some of the finest golf courses and tennis clubs on the East Coast.
Meanwhile, Vero Beach provides the ideal opportunity for a split vacation. You can spend a few days at Walt Disney World, followed by as long as you want at the beach. But you may prefer something more tropical.
Aulani is calling your name, and you can heed that call whenever you like. DVC members treasure their time at O’ahu, and it’s precisely the sort of retirement vacation you’ve always envisioned.
Remarkably, Disney offers you other options as well. You can tour the world via Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney. Extended European vacations are on the menu now since you can stay away from home as long as you like.
You don’t even need to figure out the DVC Points yourself since World of DVC offers a comprehensive Points Swap program. All you need to do is spin a globe, point to a spot, and book a trip there. Wouldn’t you like to see Reykjavik or Prague? Nothing’s stopping you now!
How Disney Takes Care of You
We should have one other conversation about your upcoming slew of dream vacations. As you grow older, your body will change. It’s a fact of life, and I don’t want it to impact your trip. Thankfully, neither does Disney.
So, you may never have noticed before, but Disney will take care of you during your visit. When booking DVC reservations, look directly below the “Room Type” selection options of Studio, 1-Bedroom, and so forth. You can check a box beside “Show me accessible rooms only.”
At some point, you should try this simply to recognize the options. Disney offers several amenities to ensure that people of all ages and medical conditions enjoy magical vacations.
For instance, some hotels offer roll-in showers, ideal for anyone using a wheelchair during the trip. Other hotel rooms include hearing-accessible amenities. Room features include visual alarms, visual doorbell alerts, and TTY access.
Disney has also designed its accessible hotel rooms to accommodate wheelchair access. Similarly, Disney promises an accessible path from transportation areas to the hotel lobbies. In short, as you advance deeper into your retirement years, DVC takes care of all your needs to keep your Disney trips stress-free and joyous.
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