Disney Vacation Club

From LoveToKnow Themeparks

The Disney Vacation Club is a great option for Disney aficionados who are not only interested in magical theme park getaways but who also enjoy extensive travel around the world. With a wide variety of options available to suit any vacation preferences, this club can be perfect for anyone.

Vacation around the world with Disney!

About the Disney Vacation Club

Founded in 1991, the Vacation Club now has thousands of members who regularly enjoy luxurious getaways around the globe. This elite travel club is actually a prepaid timeshare vacation plan that allows members a great deal of flexibility when choosing their vacation destinations. While Vacation Club members do select a home resort, they can easily choose different Disney resorts, partner hotels, and other travel tours as part of the club benefits. The type and size of accommodations as well as the length and times can also be adjusted, unlike most time share rentals that have greater limitations on guests’ travel plans.

Points

The Vacation Club operates on a points system. When guests join the program, they purchase a designated number of annual points (the minimum is 160) for their home resort, where they will then receive the best value for their vacation spending. Those points can also be used at other resort properties at Disney theme parks, partnered hotels, and arranged tours around the world. The number of points required for a specific vacation varies with a number of factors, including:

Number of guests
Exact destination
Travel dates
Type of accommodations

For example, a three day stay in a moderate villa at a Disney property during a less busy month would require far fewer points than a one week stay in a luxury foreign hotel during the holidays. If guests do not have sufficient points for their dream getaway, however, they can reserve points from one year to the next or borrow points from future years to make their dreams come true. Club members can also buy additional points at any time to add to their total annual allotment, or they may be able to rent points from other club members for one-time use.

Each club member’s home resort offers the best value for their points as well as other benefits such as the ability to make reservations months ahead of other club members, guaranteeing better availability.

Destinations

Hilton Head Island

The Disney Vacation Club naturally has several luxurious Disney resort properties available for members, including:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Conveniently located at the Disney World Resort, these accommodations offer many both privileges and luxury for a Florida getaway. Properties and Vacation Club amenities are also planned at Disneyland theme park, and guests can also choose to travel to Disneyland Paris or the other Disney parks in Hong Kong or Tokyo.

Guests interested in the luxury, service, and hospitality of a Disney resort without visiting the theme parks can choose from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort along the central Florida Atlantic coast, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina, or even set sail with the Disney Cruise Line. Furthermore, more than 500 additional destinations around the world are available through partnering hotels and tours, including such exotic and popular destinations as:

Costa Rica
Ireland
Tuscany
Washington DC

African Safari

Australia
China
Peru
New York City
Mexico
New Zealand
Hawaii
London
Africa

From adventurous getaways to relaxing retreats, whether guests want to ski, surf, or just enjoy the spa, the Disney Vacation Club can take them there and personal vacation planners will help ensure that every getaway is magical.

Costs

To join this time share travel club, prospective owners must be prepared for the initial buy-in of more than $16,000 plus closing costs. The exact buy-in price depends on the number of points purchased and the home resort selected. Annual dues are also based on total points and home resort, and can run $600 per year or more. Financing options are available.

Is the Vacation Club Right for Me?

Choosing whether or not to become part of a time share vacation plan should be a carefully considered decision that takes into account a typical vacation budget, family member preferences, and the appeal of Disney vacations. The Vacation Club may seem like the perfect way to plan hassle-free, luxurious getaways, but there are some drawbacks to the plan.

Guests who are unable to take regular vacations or who prefer not to visit Disney locations (where the value is best), may find better deals through other time share opportunities or independent travel plans. The buy-in costs can be difficult for families to manage, and the financing costs can quickly override any savings through this prepaid plan, particularly if the annual dues will also be difficult to manage on a regular budget. While young children may love the idea of regular Disney getaways, parents should also remember that as children mature, the appeal of a Disney vacation may wane and the club dollars may be better spent on other vacations or expenses.

At the same time, the Vacation Club is a great deal for individuals who do enjoy regular Disney getaways, particularly if they prefer to stay in more luxurious accommodations for longer periods of time. If the initial buy-in and annual fees are not a significant financial burden, the club’s benefits can represent substantial savings in the long run.