What About the Disney Perks? Part I WHAT ARE THE PERKS? 

What About the Disney Perks? Part I

Understanding the Perks

Many potential Disney Vacation Club members ask about perks when considering a resale purchase: "What Membership Extras will I miss if I don't purchase directly from Disney?" We get this question regularly at DVC Sales, and it's a smart consideration. In this three-part series, we'll break down the differences between purchasing a DVC membership on the resale market versus purchasing directly through Disney. Let's start with what these perks actually include.

Disney Vacation Club Member Benefits

All DVC members enjoy the same core benefits, regardless of whether they purchased direct from Disney or through the resale market:

• Stay at 15 Disney Vacation Club resorts located at:
  • Walt Disney World (12 resorts)
  • Disneyland (2 resorts)
  • Hilton Head, South Carolina
  • Vero Beach, Florida
  • Aulani in Hawaii
• Exchange vacation points to stay at non-Disney resorts worldwide through the RCI program
• Access to Member Services for booking assistance and account management
• Stay in accommodations ranging from studio villas to three-bedroom Grand Villas
• Enjoy views from Cinderella Castle to African savanna wildlife
• Receive that signature "Welcome home!" greeting when you arrive at your DVC resort

These benefits represent the heart of DVC membership. You're purchasing points that provide access to some of the most desirable resort accommodations Disney has ever created.

Additional Membership Extras for Direct Purchases

Members who purchase at least 100 vacation points directly from Disney receive additional "Membership Extras." These include:

• Access to member-exclusive events and experiences
• Discounts on Disney merchandise at select locations
• Discounts on Disney theme park annual passes
• Option to use vacation points for Disney Cruise Line vacations
• Discounts on Disney dining at participating restaurants
• Special offers on Disney experiences and tours

Disney markets these extras as valuable add-ons to membership, but the key question is whether they justify the price difference between direct and resale purchases. We'll examine that calculation in detail in our next post.

Important Details About Membership Extras

Disney considers these Membership Extras as "incidental benefits" that are subject to change or elimination without notice. This distinction is important because it means Disney doesn't guarantee these perks will continue throughout your membership term.

The cruise point exchange, for example, typically offers poor value compared to other options. Most members find better results by renting out their DVC points through a service like David's DVC Rental and using that cash to book their cruise directly. The point values Disney assigns to cruise cabins rarely match what you could get by converting your points to cash first.

Annual pass discounts vary in value depending on the current discount percentage and how frequently you visit the parks. Merchandise discounts are typically 10-20% at select Disney locations, which can add up if you're a frequent purchaser of Disney goods.

Maximizing Your DVC Membership Value

Whether you purchase direct or resale, these strategies will help you get the most from your DVC membership:

• Master the booking windows: Book at your home resort 11 months in advance for the best availability, or book at any DVC resort 7 months in advance
• Understand point values: Different room types, seasons, and resorts require different point amounts. Learn to identify good value opportunities
• Plan your banking and borrowing: You can bank unused points to the following use year or borrow from the next year to maximize flexibility
• Consider the RCI exchange program: Your DVC points can access thousands of non-Disney resorts worldwide, expanding your vacation options
• Factor in annual dues: These maintenance fees vary by resort and increase over time. Current Walt Disney World resort dues range from about $7 to $10 per point annually

The Resale Consideration

Resale DVC contracts typically cost 30-50% less than purchasing the same contract directly from Disney. That's a substantial savings that often far exceeds the value of the Membership Extras you'd give up.

For example, if you're considering a 150-point contract at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, you might pay around $275 per point direct from Disney (approximately $41,250 total) versus around $150 per point on the resale market (approximately $22,500 total). The $18,750 difference represents significant savings that could fund many years of Disney vacations.

Most resale purchasers find they can recreate many of the "lost" perks through other means. Annual pass discounts are available through other sources, and you can often find better merchandise deals through Disney's regular promotions or outlet stores.

Looking Ahead

In our next post, we'll run the numbers to show exactly how the financial benefits of resale purchasing compare to the value of Membership Extras. We'll also explore creative ways to enjoy similar perks without paying the premium for a direct purchase.

The core DVC experience remains the same regardless of how you purchase your membership. You'll still wake up in a Disney resort, walk to the parks, and create the same magical memories. The question is whether the additional perks justify the additional cost, and we'll help you make that determination based on your specific vacation patterns and priorities.

If you're ready to explore DVC resale options, browse our current listings to see what's available. We've helped hundreds of families find the perfect DVC contract at substantial savings compared to purchasing direct from Disney.