Author: Nick the Disney Devo
Looking into becoming a DVC member. We vacation there all the time minimum of 12 to 14 nights a year. So to do it or not to do it? Any tips on advantages and or disadvantages of becoming a member.
An excellent question!
For us, there are 2 big advantages.
The biggest advantage for us is the ability to stay at deluxe resorts multiple days for extended stays.
It’s simple economics.
We would never be able to stay at the Boardwalk Resort, one of our home resorts, for 9 nights on a cash reservation. But with DVC, this is a yearly possibility.
The second biggest advantage of DVC for us is discounted rates on Annual Passes.
DVC members save approximately $100 on Annual Passes. There are multiple benefits to having an AP, among the biggest for us is the 10% on merchandise, and ability to purchase a Tables in Wonderland Card for $75, which entitles you to a 20% discount at many Walt Disney World restaurants on food AND drinks.
(Even without an Annual Pass, as a DVC member, you can purchase a Tables in Wonderland Card for $100!)
AND as if that wasn’t awesome enough, from October 1 through December 31, 2012, DVC Members will be able to purchase a Walt Disney World Premium Annual Pass for just $399 (that’s a savings of $300 off the regular price!). Premium Annual Passholders enjoy unlimited admission to four Theme Parks, a year’s worth of unlimited access to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (greens fees only) and more!
If you go for 12-14 nights, an Annual Pass is the way to go.
Those are just to advantages for us. For some friends, they enjoy the ability to cook in their rooms.
1 bedroom and larger rooms have kitchens.
And of course the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom accommodations are great for large families, but we have some couples that prefer the 1 bedrooms for the kitchens AND whirlpool tubs.
Many more benefits can be found at this official Disney Vacation Club site.
As for disadvantages, there are only a couple that I can think of.
Annual Dues. Keep these in mind when purchasing points. They increase every year, and, obviously, the more points you purchase, the more expensive these dues. They add up!
No discounts on Magic Your Way tickets. If you are only going to go one week a year, an Annual Pass doesn’t make sense, and DVC has no discounts on any other park tickets.
You’re not eligible for the Free Dining Promotions. Which is a bummer for sure.
We love DVC, and if you decide to buy in, we hope you do as well!
Welcome Home!
Nick is co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog with his wife, Barbie.
Hi there! Thanks for this…we are starting to investigate DVC. Didn’t know about that huge discount on AP…that is huge! But, one other disadvantage (am just in preliminary stages of investigation so I am sure I will have more pros and cons later) is that you can’t purchase the Disney Meal Plan when you have DVC. At least…not last time I checked. We LOVED the meal plan so that is a big bummer for us. Thanks again for this list!