Hi Beth!
I love this question because
Disney Vacation Club is one of my favorite topics! We've been Disney Vacation Club Members for ten years and it has changed the way we vacation! We love it so much, that a few years ago we even added on a second contract.
Disney Vacation Club is a
vacation ownership program where you are pre-purchasing your
resort stays for future vacations. You make an initial purchase, as well as yearly maintenance fees. The thing that made us feel comfortable becoming Members is that unlike other vacation ownership programs, Disney uses a
super flexible points system so you aren’t locked into the same vacation every year. With Disney Vacation Club, you are purchasing Vacation Points that you can use to book your vacations. Want a quick weekend getaway in a studio in February? That uses a smaller number of points. Next summer you’d like to take the entire family and stay in a 2 Bedroom Villa? That would use more points. You can even use your Vacation Points for
Disney Cruise Line and
vacations around the world! Use your Vacation Points to make Membership work for you!
While they aren't guaranteed and can change, there are currently other perks for those who become Members directly through Disney. The
Membership Magic program offers discounts on merchandise, dining, tours, and Walt Disney World Annual Passes, and hosts special events like
Moonlight Magic and holiday celebrations. There is even a
Member Lounge located in Epcot where you can take a break from the heat and enjoy a cool soft drink!
If you are interested in becoming a Member, take a tour on an upcoming visit,
watch this online video, or order a DVD to view at home. That is how we became Members and I appreciated the ability to watch the video and give it thought in my own time. Price is constantly changing, so you should contact Disney Vacation Club for the most up-to-date information. When we were contemplating Membership we ran the numbers, and for us, Disney Vacation Club came out ahead. At this point, we have already gotten our value out of our initial purchase, and we have years of vacations yet to experience!
I hope this helps, and please let me know what other questions you have about Disney Vacation Club!
- Kate