Understanding Home Resort Priority

Understanding Home Resort Priority

Many buyers looking to purchase a membership at the Disney Vacation Club, ask whether it matters where they choose to own their DVC points. If a resort sells for $50 less per point, why not buy the contract there and use those points at a more expensive resort?  Isn’t the idea of owning a Disney Vacation Club membership about flexibility and staying at different resorts? The answer to these frequently asked questions is yes—and no. Let me explain….  The purpose of the Home Resort Priority Rule is to allow members to make reservations in advance at their Home Resort. Providing these members the best opportunity to successfully book a stay at their Home Resort without all DVC members having access. This is especially important during the busy times of the year, such as Christmas and Easter Holidays. Another example, members who enjoy the convenience of walking into Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival or the Flower and Garden show in the Spring. If you don’t own your DVC Points at either Disney’s Boardwalk Resort or Disney’s Beach Club Resort, this is a tough reservation to get!    Disney's Explanation: What if you like to travel more in the off-season, or you’re not as tied to a particular week(s). If you have more flexibility in your schedule, you'll likely have more success booking a stay outside of your Home Resort. The Disney Vacation Club program idea is staying at different locations, and that is what members like to do. You may love the pool at the Beach Club, but also enjoy taking the ferry from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort over to Disney Springs to have dinner. Every DVC Resort has a different experience waiting for you to enjoy so you’ll want to try them all!

Home Resort Priority Rule

Members can make reservations up to 11 months ahead of their check-in date using points from their deeded Home Resort.

At seven months before your vacation, you may book at any DVC Resort.  After the first four months, any DVC member can make a reservation at your home resort (just as you can make reservations at other DVC resorts at that time).

Choosing a Home Resort

So, which Disney Vacation Club Resort should you call Home? The most popular philosophy is Buy Where You Want to Stay. If you love a particular resort, then purchase there. Some people have a particular fondness for a resort and want to stay there the majority of the time-- and would be unhappy if unable to get a reservation there.   These folks should buy where they want to stay, provided that they plan and take advantage of the 11-7 month Home Resort booking window. If a specific resort (theme/style, location, villa type or view) is essential to you can take advantage of the 11-month booking advantage. The need for Home Resort priority varies by resort, villa type, and time of year. If you are not a planner and flexible on vacation dates, then take advantage of purchasing one of Disney’s less expensive Resorts. Below is Disney’s explanation of Home Resort Priority and how it works. From 11 months through and including eight months in advance of their desired Check-In day; for a reservation of up to 7 consecutive nights after the desired Check-In day, Disney Vacation Club Members have exclusive access to bookings at their Home Resort. During the Home Resort Priority Period, only Members having ownership interests at the Home Resort and using Home Resort Vacation Points will be able to request reservations at their Home Resort. Members wishing to reserve vacation homes at a DVC Resort that is not their Home Resort may make reservations seven months in advance for up to 7 consecutive nights. During this period, all Members will be able to request bookings at all Disney Vacation Club Resorts.