DVC Transient Occupancy Tax: Everything You Need To Know For TOT

Disney Vacation Club officials have confirmed that guests staying at the upcoming Villas at Disneyland Hotel will be required to pay a transient tax for their stay. If you're unfamiliar with transient taxes, don't worry - we've got you covered. Here's what you need to know about this tax.

If you plan to stay at the If you plan to stay at the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel, you'll be charged a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) during your visit. This fee is based on a complex calculation that considers various factors, such as the annual dues rate, the number of points required for the stay, and the local tax rate. This will be disclosed to you upon arrival and will be billed either during or after your visit.

Official DVC point Chart Disclaimer:

“The City of Anaheim charges a nightly transient occupancy tax based on the number of Vacation Points used for a stay at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. The tax must be paid at check-out and can vary each year depending on the tax rate set by the city.”

Understanding the Transient Tax Occupancy

A transient tax, also known as a hotel occupancy tax, is a tax many state and local governments add to the cost of staying in a hotel, especially in popular tourist areas. This tax is an effective way for politicians to generate revenue from non-residents without raising taxes on residents. Guests staying at Walt Disney World and Disneyland hotels have been paying transient taxes for years. Anaheim, for example, requires a 15% tax on hotel rentals. DVC members have historically only paid transient taxes at Disney's Aulani Resort. But now the upcoming Villas at Disneyland Hotel will also require a transient tax.

Transient Occupancy Tax At Villas At Disney's Grand Californian Hotel 

As a member of the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, it's important to know that you'll also be subject to a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). However, unlike Aulani, the TOT for Grand Californian has always been included with members' Annual Dues, making it a seamless part of ownership. For the year 2023, the TOT has been listed in the budget as $.5123 per point. This amount is collected by Disney Vacation Club from members and remitted directly to the appropriate taxing agency.

The Villas At Disneyland Hotel Approach To TOT

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will have a new approach to the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). According to newly released documents, guests will now pay the TOT based on the number of Vacation Points required for their stay. Unlike the Grand Californian, this TOT will not be included in the annual dues.

Here’s what you need to know about the transient tax for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel:

•       The transient tax is a nightly fee charged for hotel occupancy.
•       For 2023, the transient tax for The Villas at Disneyland Hotel is set at $2.73 per point.
•       The transient tax is determined by Anaheim officials and is subject to change.
•       A week in a studio at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will cost an additional $380-$500 out of pocket on average, in addition to the DVC Points you'll spend.

Impact of TOT on DVC:

The TOT is determined by Anaheim officials, and Disney has no control over it. It's important to note that the TOT for Aulani has doubled since 2016, so there is a possibility that it may increase in the future.

Taxes at Aulani VS. Disneyland Villas

The government officials in Hawaii are the ones who decide how much tax tourists will pay when visiting Hawaii. This tax is a great source of revenue for Hawaii, so the tax is expected to continue to rise.

In summary, it's important to note that these two DVC properties are unique in that guests are responsible for paying the transient taxes out of pocket during their stay, unlike other DVC resorts.

Comparison of TOT Charges of Grand Californian vs. Disneyland Villas

The new DVC villas at Disneyland Hotel require guests to pay for the transient tax separately, unlike The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where the taxes are already included in the annual membership dues for members. It's worth noting that you may not have been aware that you were paying the transient tax at Grand Californian in this manner. The cost for these taxes for Grand Cal members in 2023 is approximately 51 cents per point.

In 2023, the annual dues for Grand Californian will be $8.04 per point, while for VDH; it will cost $9.06 per point. This means that VDH members will need to pay an extra dollar in annual dues per point owned, compared to Grand Californian owners. Disney Vacation Club officials have confirmed that guests staying at the upcoming Villas at Disneyland Hotel will be required to pay a transient tax for their stay, not included in their dues.

What is the resort fee at Aulani, and what does it cover?

To calculate the tax at Aulani, you use this formula:

Transient Tax = 9.25% x Number of Points Used for Reservation x 50% of the annual Maintenance Fee.

Do travelers who are not DVC members have to pay the Transient Tax at Aulani?

Certainly! Everyone who stays at Aulani, including members and non-members, has to pay the "Transient Accommodations Tax." This tax applies to all visitors as it is based on the transient nature of their stay.