Hi Erin,
I am glad to help you consider becoming a member of Disney Vacation Club!
My husband and I joined Disney Vacation Club when our daughter was an infant - just like your youngest. At that time, we realized that we would want to go to Walt Disney World over and over again, often multiple times per year. Disney Vacation Club made sense for us. It sounds like you are considering an annual trip to Walt Disney World, in which case I believe that Disney Vacation Club is a good option. When you consider joining Disney Vacation Club, you will need to think about how many Vacation Points you would want per year.
We also really like to stay in villa accommodations when we travel. For us, the convenience of a full kitchen as well as laundry in the villa is extremely important. With your family of 7, these amenities, as well as the opportunity to book larger two- and three-bedroom villas, will probably be valuable.
I spoke with my fellow Disney Parks Moms Panelist Lynne, who is from Canada. She let me know that for her, many of the same considerations for joining Disney Vacation Club, such as how many times per year a family visits Walt Disney World, were important.
The next time that you are at Walt Disney World, I suggest that you take the
Disney Vacation Club Open House Tour. During this time, you will be able to see Disney Vacation Club accommodations up close, as well as speak with a Disney Vacation Club Guide about your specific situation. I was amazed when I took this tour how low-pressure, personalized and informative it was. You can also call 877-382-7826 or 407-566-3100 to speak with a cast member at Disney Vacation Club about the possibilities of membership.
I hope that these thoughts are helpful for you Erin. Please do come back if you have any further questions!