Disney Vacation Club is one of the best-known and well-established vacation brands worldwide, with a 30-year record of good service.
Yet, signing up for one of these timeshare contracts is an expensive, long-term undertaking, and not a great fit for everyone. So, if you’re considering this option, you’ve got some thinking to do first.
How do you know if DVC is a good choice for you, and is it as good as the salesmen make out?
Fortunately, you can try-before-you-buy through Disney Vacation Club rentals. Here’s your Disney Vacation Club rental guide.
What Are Disney Vacation Club Rentals?
Just like you can rent accommodation at any other hotel or resort, you can spend time in DVC timeshare properties by paying a daily rate. You can still access most of the perks available to DVC members and occupy the same resorts.
These are the vacation club rentals Disney offers at or near Walt Disney World:
- Bay Lake Tower
- Animal Kingdom Villas
- Beach Club Villas
- BoardWalk Villas
- Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Villas
- Boulder Ridge Villas
- Copper Creek Villas and Cabins
- Old Key West Resort
- Reflections
- Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
You can also spend time at California’s Grand Californian Villas, Hawaii’s Aulani Resort and Spa, Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina, or Vero Beach Resort in Vero Beach, FL.
How do You Rent DVC Accommodation?
There are three ways you can reserve time at these prestigious properties. These are directly from Disney, via a DVC rentals website, or from a member.
Renting from DVC Direct
In the first instance, you can simply contact your preferred resort booking agent and complete your booking. They send you the required confirmation of your booking, and you’re good to go.
Disney Vacation Club has fixed rates depending on the season, size of the condo, and resort amenities. They do offer discounts from time to time.
Renting From a DVC Member
When you rent directly from a member, you’ll likely see their weeks advertised online or in a local newspaper. Simply call the relevant party and make arrangements with them.
This is a risky proposition, as it’s easy for unscrupulous people to pose as DVC members, take your money, and disappear.
Disney Vacation Club members can rent their weeks out for any amount they desire.
Renting Via a Third Party
One of the best Disney vacation club rental tips is to rent your vacation via a DVC rental broker. It’s by far the cheapest option for vacationing at a DVC resort.
The procedure for renting your vacation this way works as follows:
You contact the broker with your request. They work out how many points you need to reserve the space you want and find one of their clients who wants to rent equivalent points.
They get in touch with that person and ask them to reserve the accommodation with DVC on your behalf. Once you pay the required fee, they’ll ask the resort to issue a guest certificate in your name.
When they receive the confirmation, they send it to the broker who will forward it to you.
Sometimes, the member books a week at a desirable property in advance and then advertises it for rent. You’ll have limited flexibility if you opt for one of these pre-booked rentals.
The Benefits of Staying at a DVC Resort
The first and most obvious benefit of a DVC rental is close access to some of the USA’s most exciting vacation destinations.
What’s more, it’s a lot cheaper to rent accommodation from Disney rather than pay ongoing costs toward a timeshare membership.
When you stay at a timeshare resort, you’ll also enjoy a host of other ways to save money. Timeshare villas have full kitchens and laundry facilities in the room.
That means you can save on the costs of dining out during your stay, as well as laundry expenses. You’ll also enjoy a free parking bay, as well as access to a host of onsite entertainment and amenities.
Most DVC resorts boast fantastic restaurants and snack options onsite, as well as stunning pool areas. They usually have games rooms and play areas for children, as well as a daily program of free activities for all ages.
Some resorts allow pool-sharing if you want to try something new during your stay, too.
Although you don’t get all the perks of DVC membership, you’ll still get to enjoy the magic of the Disney experience at a much cheaper rate than renting a hotel.
How Do DVC Rentals Work for Members?
Often, DVC members opt to sell their timeshares due to affordability issues. In these cases, they must resell their weeks themselves, as DVC won’t simply cancel their contract.
These Disney Vacation Club resales can take some time. In the meantime, DVC members can rent out their points to help earn some money toward their annual fees.
It’s convenient for DVC members to rent out their weeks via a broker since these agents have a good reputation for integrity and excellent service.
As such, there’s no shortage of people wanting to book accommodation via this means. Brokers also market and promote DVC rentals online, and charge a reasonable commission on bookings.
A Win-Win Situation
Disney Vacation Club rentals offer benefits for everyone involved.
They’re an excellent and affordable way to enjoy the timeshare experience before you sign up. They’re also a good option for DVC members who want to cover some of their annual costs.
Are you keen to discover more leisure and entertainment options? Discover more how-tos and other useful information by browsing our website.