DIS Contributors only speak to their own experiences as DVC members. They receive no additional compensation or benefits towards DVC ownership so that they may give their honest opinions about price and value.
A Disney Vacation Club membership is a major purchase. When my family decided to purchase our first DVC contract, here are the three things we focused on in order to get the most bang for our buck:
Purchase Price: Each Disney Vacation Club resort has its own purchase price, which accounts for factors such as age of the property and proximity to theme parks. Before buying at the resort with the lowest purchase price, remember to factor in the years left on the contract. For example, Bay Lake Tower contracts sell at an average of $145 per point. Disney’s Beach Club Villas sell for an average of $139 per point. However, since the Bay Lake Tower contract still has 41 years left vs. the Beach Club’s 23 years remaining, Bay Lake Tower is a better bargain overall.
Maintenance Dues: DVC members pay annual maintenance dues to their home resort. While the initial cost of this might seem unimportant, you will pay more in maintenance dues over the course of the contract than you spent on your initial purchase! In 2019, dues range from $6.30 per point up to $9.47 per point. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, due to its location on the ocean, typically has the highest dues. A 200 point contract at Vero Beach will set you back $1895.32 for dues this year, versus annual dues of $1280.82 for the same size contract at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. As this is an annual payment, that cost difference will add up quickly!
Points Charts: Every year, you receive your allotment of points to use as you see fit; however, all resort point charts are not created equal. In 2019 and 2020, you can stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort in a 1 bedroom for 1 week during the Adventure Season for 157 points. The same room at the same time for the same length will cost you at least 247 points, depending on view, at the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Put simply, your points go further at some resorts than other.
In the end, my family decided to purchase at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. We love the spaciousness of the rooms, and while both the purchase price and maintenance dues were reasonable, the point chart is what sold us in the end. If you’re ready to take a look at DVC contracts available for resale today, visit the DVCstore.com*.
*Editor’s Note: The Timeshare Store is an official sponsor of The DIS.
