When Should You Save Your DVC Points vs. Splurge?

If you’re anything like me, you know exactly how many Disney Vacation Club points you currently have. You probably know when you’ll get your next allotment, too, and you may already be debating how to spend those points. So, when should you save your DVC points vs. when should you splurge?

When Should You Save Your DVC Points?

Why is this question so challenging? Human instinct drives us to prioritize today over the future. By nature, we struggle to build our nest egg, especially for fun activities such as travel. We all work hard and want to enjoy our downtime as much as possible. As such, splurging comes more naturally than saving, especially with the DVC program.

Of course, I may be the wrong person to ask a question about saving vs. splurging, as I’m notoriously miserly with my DVC points. As I recently discussed, I booked a Treehouse Villa for two people because we had DVC points we would have otherwise lost.

I practice what I preach when it comes to frugality. So, here’s my philosophy for saving DVC points. I advise you to keep a high threshold for what’s necessary.

For example, ask yourself how much time you’ll actually spend in your hotel room. Presuming that you’re making a theme park visit during your trip, your honest answer may be, “Not much.”

BoardWalk Inn

So, why would you spend extra DVC points on a room type? Literally every room in the DVC collection is tremendous. After recently staying in a cheap hotel off the interstate in an emergency, I definitely noticed the lack of all the amenities I often take for granted at Disney.

For this reason, my default DVC ownership strategy is that I save points almost every time. As a rule, I don’t splurge on One-Bedroom Villas even when I have the extra points for them. In fact, I’ve booked a larger Villa less than 15 percent of the time on my DVC vacations. I’m practical to a fault.

I advise others to behave every bit as judiciously. DVC points management is crucial to booking magical Disney vacations consistently.

When Is It Worth Splurging on a DVC Villa?

What if you answered my earlier question differently? Let’s say that you plan to spend more time at your DVC resort. When you’re choosing a place with an idyllic setting, you definitely should.

For example, let’s say you’ve booked a Kilimanjaro Club Concierge room or Savanna View at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas. You can enjoy the club-level amenities or admire the animals from your hotel room, depending on your accommodation. Those are great reasons to skip the parks in favor of your resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Savana View

Similarly, you may have become less enthusiastic about the theme parks. I started feeling that way after a decade of DVC membership. We’d spent literally hundreds of days at the parks. So, my family naturally started hanging out more at the resorts. After talking with countless DVC owners, I’ve learned this happens quite often.

People who fall into this category should definitely consider spending more DVC points on their hotel rooms. After all, you’ll spend much of your time there. If you have the points available for better accommodations and amenities, you might as well book them.

Splurging on Special DVC Vacations and Unique Accommodations

Then, we have the splurgiest vacations. You may want to travel to Hawaii. If you’re going to book a dream vacation at Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, you’ll want a room that shows off your island paradise. Spending extra points for a better view here makes perfect sense, especially if you plan to spend plenty of time enjoying it.

Of course, your destination won’t be the only reason you’ll want to splurge. Sometimes, you may want a bigger or more unique room type. The Villas at DVC properties will take your breath away. Some are next-level even compared to the rest.

Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii

Let’s say that you’ve saved enough points to spend a few nights in a Bungalow at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Who would say no to that? Seriously, I recently told someone I was sailing on the Disney Destiny. They instantly one-upped me by saying they’d booked a Cascade Cabin at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. There’s no topping that.

DVC members enjoy an embarrassment of riches. We can book accommodations of all shapes and sizes, including luxury Villas. Since we can stay at some of the best Disney resorts ever built, DVC points management becomes crucial.

There’s no one true DVC ownership strategy for this topic. Still, you should have a better understanding now of how to approach the idea. Splurging is largely instinctual. You’ll know when the time is right, and I can assure you it will feel so good when you treat yourself. Go on. You deserve it!

If you’re considering adding more DVC points for future vacations, explore the available DVC resale listings to compare contracts, Home Resorts, and point amounts that fit your vacation plans.