Make the Most of Your Time at Disney World by Using These Tips

While purchasing a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) contract is an exciting move, picking the ideal resort can be difficult. As there are numerous DVC properties to select from, each with distinctive features, it's critical to know how to match a resort to your preferences. You can use this guide to compare important aspects and identify the DVC home resort that best suits your needs and vacation needs.

1. Location And Proximity To Favorite Destinations

The location of your DVC home resort is crucial, depending on your favorite Disney destination and park preferences:

• Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida): provides a variety of resorts, such as Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Disney's Beach Club Villas, and Bay Lake Tower. Think about which theme park, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or Magic Kingdom, you would rather be closest to. Resorts like Saratoga Springs and Old Key West are ideal if you prefer proximity to Disney Springs.
• Disneyland Resort (California): Features the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Proximity to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park is a key factor here.
• Beach Resorts: Aulani, Disney’s Vero Beach, and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort offer a different experience, focusing on beachside relaxation rather than theme park access.

2. Contract Expiration Dates

The expiration date of your DVC contract can influence your decision, especially if you plan to pass it down to future generations:

• Newer Resorts: Resorts like Disney’s Riviera Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, and the Villas at Disneyland Hotel offer longer contract lengths, expiring between 2068 and 2074.
• Older Resorts: Some resort contracts, like those for Disney's Beach Club Villas, Boulder Ridge, and Disney's BoardWalk Villas, expire as early as 2042. Resale value and long-term planning may be impacted by this.

3. Price Per Point

The cost of DVC points can vary significantly between resorts, affecting the overall investment:

• Economical Options: Resorts like Copper Creek Villas & Cabins may offer lower price points, allowing you to purchase more points for frequent stays.
• Premium Resorts: Prices per point may be higher at popular resorts like Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Beach Club Villas. Some people believe that the better location and availability justify the increased price.

4. Room Types And Accommodations

Different DVC resorts offer various room types, which can impact your choice based on your typical travel party:

• Standard Options: Resorts like Disney’s BoardWalk Villas and Disney’s Old Key West offer a range of room types, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas.
• Specialty Rooms: Resorts like Disney’s Riviera Resort, Villas at Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows feature unique room types like Tower Studios or Duo Studios designed for couples or small groups. Consider the room types that best suit your family or travel group size.

5. Transportation Options

Ease of transportation can greatly enhance your vacation experience:

• Monorail Access: Resorts such as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bay Lake Tower, and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows offer monorail access to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
• Boat and Skyliner: Resorts like Disney’s Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek provide boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom, while Disney’s Riviera Resort offers Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

6. Points Chart And Usage

The points chart for each resort affects how many points you need for a stay, which impacts how far your points will go:

• Lower Points Requirements: Older resorts like Old Key West and BoardWalk Villas often have lower points charts, meaning fewer points are needed per night, which can help stretch your points further.
• Higher Points Requirements: Newer or more desirable resorts might have higher points charts, affecting how many points are required for each night’s stay.

7. Annual Dues And Additional Costs

Annual dues and additional costs such as transient taxes can vary:

• Annual Dues: These cover the maintenance of the resort and can range from $7.57 per point at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to $12.16 per point at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Increased dues have a big effect on the total cost of ownership.
• Transient Taxes: Additionally, temporary taxes may be assessed by resorts such as Aulani and the Villas at Disneyland Hotel and must be paid at check-out. You should account for these extra expenses in your budget.

Conclusion

Various considerations must be balanced while selecting a Disney Vacation Club property, including location, duration of contract, cost per point, types of rooms, modes of transportation, point charts, and annual dues. You can choose a DVC home resort that fits your family's needs and improves your Disney experience by carefully weighing these factors against your own preferences and travel objectives. Making the correct decision can guarantee happy and memorable trips for years to come, regardless of your priorities, closeness to theme parks, distinctive hotel kinds, or budgetary constraints.