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

Understand how the new Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) affects your stay at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, including how it's calculated and how it compares to other DVC resorts. Disney Vacation Club (DVC) officials have confirmed that guests staying at the upcoming Villas at Disneyland Hotel will be required to pay a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for their stay. If you're unfamiliar with transient taxes, don't worry, here's what you need to know to prepare for your next Disney adventure.

Transient Occupancy Tax: What It Means

If you plan to stay at the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel, a TOT will be charged during your visit. This fee is calculated based on multiple factors:

• Number of DVC points used for the stay
• Annual dues rate
• Local tax rate in Anaheim

This tax is disclosed at check-in and will be billed either during or after your stay. According to the 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.”

What Is a Transient Occupancy Tax?

Local governments impose a transient tax (also known as a hotel occupancy tax) on short-term hotel stays. Many cities, including Anaheim, charge this tax to generate revenue from visitors without raising taxes for residents. Guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World hotels have been paying this tax for years.

Historically, Aulani was the only DVC property where members had to pay a transient tax out of pocket. Now, the Villas at Disneyland Hotel join that list.

TOT at The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

Members staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa also pay a transient tax. However, the TOT here is built into DVC annual dues, making it a seamless cost for owners.

For 2023, the TOT at Grand Californian is listed as $0.5123 per point, collected by Disney and remitted directly to the local taxing agency.

TOT at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel: A New Approach

Unlike the Grand Californian, the Villas at Disneyland Hotel will require guests to pay TOT separately at checkout. Here's what to expect:

• TOT is a nightly fee based on your DVC point usage
• In 2023, the rate is set at $2.73 per point
• A week in a studio could cost $380–$500 out of pocket in addition to your DVC points
• Anaheim city officials determine the tax rate and may change it annually
• This fee will not be included in your DVC annual dues and must be paid at the end of your stay.

Impact of TOT on DVC:

Anaheim officials determine the TOT, 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 an excellent source of revenue for Hawaii, so it 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. 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.

How Does This Compare to Aulani?

At Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, the transient accommodations tax is calculated as follows:

Transient Tax = 9.25% x Points Used x 50% of Annual Maintenance Fee

This formula applies to both DVC members and non-members, and all guests are required to pay the tax.

Cost Comparison: Grand Californian vs. Disneyland Villas

There's a notable difference in how the TOT is handled between the two Disneyland-area DVC properties:

Property TOT Included in Dues?2023 Dues per Point2023 TOT RateGrand CalifornianYes$8.04$0.5123 per pointDisneyland VillasNo$9.06$2.73 per point (paid at checkout)

As you can see, VDH owners pay $1.00 more per point in annual dues, on top of a separate TOT cost. Learn more about dues and tax breakdowns with the DVC Resale Value Calculator.

What Should DVC Buyers Know?

• TOT is mandatory and not negotiable
• It's not covered in resale or retail pricing, so be sure to include this in your budgeting.
• TOT may increase over time, as seen at Aulani, where rates have nearly doubled since 2016

To better understand the implications of taxes and fees at your preferred DVC resort, speak with the team at DVC Sales or review their Why DVC Sales page for expert insight.

Conclusion

The Transient Occupancy Tax is an important consideration when staying at the Villas at Disneyland Hotel. It adds a new layer of cost that is calculated differently than at other DVC resorts like Grand Californian or Aulani. Whether you're booking your first stay or investing in DVC points, understanding TOT helps you plan smarter.

For questions or help purchasing a resale contract, visit the Contact Page or view active listings at DVC Resale Listings.