How Does Disney Vacation Club Work?

by Kylie Keeler

Overview

How Does Disney Vacation Club Work?

Before buying a Disney Vacation Club membership, you should understand how the program works. Taking time to familiarize yourself with the program will help you avoid misunderstandings and disappointment with the program.
The Facts

The Disney Vacation Club is a vacation ownership program. After a one-time payment of $17,920 as of September 2009, you are then allowed to buy a designated number of points that you can trade in each year for vacation accommodations at your designated "home resort."

Points

Points are the currency of the Disney Vacation Club. When you buy your Disney Vacation Club membership, you must buy a minimum of 160 points. Each year, you are awarded the initial number of points you bought with the program. You can then trade in these points for vacation time. As of 2009, one point is valued at $112.
Home Resort

Your home resort is the resort where you buy your DVC membership. As of 2009, DVC ownership is only available through Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower and Saratoga Springs Resort.
Considerations

While DVC ownership is only available through three of the DVC resorts as of 2009, members can buy additional points to secure vacation time at sold-out resorts. You can also use these additional points for vacations at Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and 350 designated locations worldwide.
Misconceptions

While Disney emphasizes ownership through Disney Vacation Club, Disney will terminate this membership in 2042, 2057 or 2060 depending on your home resort location.

Overview