Unlike a traditional timeshare, Disney Vacation Club, or DVC, works on a point system. You purchase a certain number of points, and you then receive certain vacations. The more points, the better the vacation. Although points are assigned at a specific number per year, it's possible to bank your points for future years, or to borrow from next year's points. You can also break your points up and take more than one vacation a year. There is a set amount charged for each point, with a 150 point minimum.
Many people like the freedom of a prepaid vacation. Others like the variety of choices that are offered by DVC. Disney offers many added benefits for members. You can receive discounts on Disney annual passes, restaurants, water parks and behind the scenes tours. DVC members don't have to worry about the rising cost of hotels and inflation; the villas at Walt Disney World, are suites with full kitchens, which can save money.
Buying a timeshare is considered a real estate interest purchase, which makes many people wary. They may not want to own a timeshare 10 years from now. There are resale opportunities, but it's a hassle. Make sure you really think about it before you purchase your DVC membership. Write down the pros and the cons, and weigh the decision carefully. Some people make a decision on the spot, and soon regret it.
A large number of people who purchase membership in DVC do it because they love Walt Disney World. Several resorts are included in the program, making a different vacation possible each year. One year your family can wake up feeling like they're in an African savanna, the following year you can choose historic Saratoga Springs in New York. There are a number of different resorts to choose from, with more planned in the future.
One of the nice features of DVC is that vacations are offered worldwide. Broken up into "collections", there's something for everyone. The Disney Collection includes vacations at the different Disney parks worldwide, and also includes Disney Cruise Line. The Adventures Collection features the 18 world itineraries offered by Adventures by Disney. The World Passport Collection has over 400 destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Mexico and Central America. The final option is the Concierge Collection. It includes beach destinations, ski and mountain resorts, and visits "on the town" to cities like New York, Boston or London.
