What Are the Benefits of Joining DVC?

What are the benefits of joining the Disney Vacation Club? On its surface, that sounds like such a simple question, yet it’s a nuanced conversation. Everyone has their own personal reasons for joining or at least considering membership. While the broad strokes are often similar, some of the specifics can vary wildly. 

So, we’re starting a series today wherein we discuss the benefits of joining. I’ll begin with generalities, but we will drill down on significant topics during the course of this series. Generally speaking, here are the benefits of joining DVC.

You’ll Enjoy Decades of Disney Trips

Let’s start with the subject that comes up the most…and rightfully so. The people most likely to look into a Disney Vacation Club purchase are longtime Disney fans. We know we adore these characters and the theme parks. So, the idea of visiting the parks for many years to come is a dream come true.

With DVC, you can decide the expiration date and year of your contract. As we’ll discuss, the program is scalable. If you joined right now, the soonest your contract could expire is January 31st, 2042. So, that’s 17 years of Disney trips at the minimum. 

Some current DVC contracts last through 2075. That’s “living on Mars” science fiction territory. Your family could take 54 annual Disney vacations by then! 

Once You Pay for Membership, All Future Trips Are (Nearly) Free

Then, we have the second part of this conversation. For many, DVC is an investment. Some owners will purchase with cash, while the rest will pay over time. Once you no longer owe anything on your DVC contract, all future trips will be nearly free.

Your only continued expense will be annual dues, the maintenance fees that owners pay. DVC asks its members to contribute to the upkeep of the hotels, and it’s in our best interest to do so. After all, these refurbishments guarantee that DVC properties remain in pristine condition throughout the life of the contract. 

Other than this small annual fee, the only other potential DVC expense would be the transient tax that a couple of hotels must charge. Those properties are Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas and The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. All other DVC resort stays are entirely free to guests who have paid for their contracts and annual dues. Who doesn’t love a free hotel stay?!

You’ll Save Money on Disney Vacations

Some DVC members refer to the breakeven point in their contracts. That’s the point in your ownership interest where you have officially saved money on your purchase. 

When you’re not a member of the DVC program or staying on DVC Points, you’ll pay the hotel’s cash rate. At most DVC resorts, that’s several hundred dollars, possibly even thousands of dollars, per night for the nicer suites. So, there’s a calculation you can make regarding your breakeven point.

Let’s say that you’re staying in a hotel room that costs $750 per night, and you’ve spent $15,000 on your DVC purchase. Your breakeven point is the 21st night. Your first 20 nights cost exactly $15,000. Starting on the 21st night, you’ve officially saved money on your Disney vacation.

As you can tell, this date will occur quickly for most DVC members. For example, let’s say that you purchase a 50-point DVC contract at Disney’s Old Key West for $100 per point. On the day I’m writing this, a Deluxe Studio costs an average of $559 per night. 

At a total cost of $5,000, you’d reach your breakeven point after only nine nights. Presuming you spend at least five nights during your vacation, that’s less than two full trips! So, you can easily tell how quickly you’ll save money on your Disney vacation. 

You’ll Stay in Nicer Resorts 

I’ve mentioned a couple of nightly hotel rates, which reflect one of the joys of DVC membership. You stay at much nicer resorts. 

Let’s be honest that most Disney fans rarely venture outside the various All-Star hotels at Walt Disney World. Since those properties are just a fraction of the price of Disney’s nicer hotels, vacationers often stick with the cheapest options. That’s regrettable because these places lack the high-end amenities of even Moderate Tier resorts, much less those in the Deluxe Tier.

Thankfully, every DVC property slots into the Deluxe Tier, meaning that they’re the best of the best. Disney charges accordingly, which is to say that that these places are very expensive. 

That’s precisely why the DVC program works so well for its members. You stay at these nicer hotels, gaining access to Disney’s best amenities. It’s almost as if Disney rewards you for being a smarter vacationer. 

Through the DVC program, you enjoy decades of Disney trips and ultimately save money on your vacations once you fully pay for membership. From that point forward, you’re staying in Disney’s nicest resorts virtually free of charge!