Is there any other vacation that’s as magical as a trip to Disneyland or Disney World?
If the thought of unlimited Dole Whip and rides on Splash Mountain excites you, so might a Disney Vacation Club membership! This vacation ownership program is a cost-effective way to get you to the happiest place on earth a little more often.
If you’re on the fence if a Disney membership is right for you, let us help your decision-making process. Keep reading to learn all the DVC perks you need to know before becoming a member.
1. Annual Pass Savings for More Discounts
One of the best perks of being a DVC member is the Annual Pass discount. Disney tickets aren’t $3.50 anymore like when the park opened in 1971. Tickets can cost a pretty penny, but you can garner some savings with your DVC discount.
Members of the club will save $100 per person on both the Platinum and Platinum Plus Passes. That means a family of four will save a whopping $400 on their annual passes alone.
If you live in Florida or travel there often, an annual pass is a no-brainer. The benefits are always changing but often include perks such as:
- complimentary parking (see more in point 3)
- discounts on tours
- passholder-exclusive Magic Band designs
- merchandise discounts (10-20% off regular-priced merchandise)
- dining benefits and discounts (10-15% off your meal)
- PhotoPass downloads
- recreation discounts (such as bike rentals, horse-drawn trail rides, and motorized boat rentals)
If you’re a golfer, you’ll love the Disney golf membership discounts. As a DVC member, you’ll get specially priced rounds of golf at some of the Disney World courses. You’ll also receive a DVC logo golf shirt and access to instructional programs and play dates.
2. Access to Members Only Special Events
Every year Disney hosts special events that are available to Disney Vacation Club members only. These events run the gamut from parties in the parks to unforgettable Cruises just for members.
Don’t miss seasonal events like parties on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve. Try a Members-Only cruise on the Disney Cruise Line chock full of insider shows and commemorative gifts.
If the thought of crowds makes your skin crawl, you’ll love having access to Extra Magic Hours. These hours permit you to come to the park before rope drop to enjoy a quieter and more personal Disney experience. Imagine going on your favorite rides without having to wait in line!
Moonlight Magic is a great after-hours event held at various Disney Parks. Members will enjoy small crowds, free food, and the chance to meet “rare” characters.
3. Free Parking (to an Extent)
One of the most common questions we get is, “Do DVC members pay for parking?” The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no.”
DVC members do not have to pay for standard overnight parking if they’re staying at specific resorts. These resorts include Disney World’s Vacation Club Dexlue Villa, Vero Beach Resort, and Hilton Head Island Resort. Members paying in cash for their stay will have to pay overnight parking fees.
Standard daily parking is $25 for each of the four Disney World parks. DVC members and guests staying at Disney World resorts don’t pay for parking when visiting the theme parks.
4. Access to Free Laundry Facilities
Is there anything worse than running out of clothes three days into your two-week vacation? How annoying is it to have to run to the laundromat so you have clothes to wear the next day?
Another great perk included in your Disney club membership fee is free laundry. Every DVC resort has a laundry facility that members can use for free. Some of the villas and larger rooms even have laundry machines inside.
5. Pool Hopping for Endless Pool Day Possibilities
If you or your children love to spend a few days of your vacation in the pool, you’ll love this perk. DVC members have pool-hopping privileges at most of the resorts in the Walt Disney World umbrella. You can use the pools even if you’re not staying at that specific resort.
However, there are a couple of exclusions to this rule, but we don’t think it’s a deal-breaker. Any chance to get in the water during a hot Florida day is good enough for us.
6. Magical Express For Fuss-Free Transporation
Put down your phone and cancel your taxi or Uber. Kick-off your magical vacation right by getting a special ride from the Orlando airport straight to your hotel. Disney’s Magic Express will pick you up at your arrival gate and usher you off to your resort.
When it’s time to pack away the Mickey ears at the end of your vacation, the Magical Express will be there to take you back to the airport.
Don’t forget to reserve your ride in advance, though! You don’t want to get stuck on vacation day one without a ride to your resort.
7. MagicBands to Up the Magic Quotient of Your Trip
MagicBands are one of the coolest perks included with your Disney club membership fee. These handy little wristbands mean you can travel lighter and smarter. The bands are not only useful in the theme parks but your resort, too.
MagicBands provide you with access to your hotel room, meaning you don’t need to worry about always having your room key on you. They also connect you with every PhotoPass image that the Disney photographers take on your vacation. You can use them to charge goodies like food or merchandise to your account, too.
DVC Perks Make the Investment Worthwhile
A Disney vacation is like no other. While often very costly, the memories you’ll glean from your trip are irreplaceable. A Disney Vacation Club membership provides more bang for your buck and is a perfect investment for any Disney lover.
Now that you know the DVC perks, you can decide if membership is the right decision for you.
Keep reading our Travel blogs for more tips on planning your next vacation.
