Do you love Disney parks, hotels, and restaurants? Have you ever wondered if you could invest in a regular Disney experience? Are you thinking about joining the Disney Vacation Club?

While DVC isn’t for everyone, it’s a worthwhile opportunity for those who plan to visit regularly. There are a number of ways you can save money and get extra perks for your Disney loyalty. What is the Disney Vacation Club, and how can you make it work for you?

Let’s take a look.

What Is the Disney Vacation Club?

When you become a Disney Vacation Club member, you’re essentially purchasing an interest in a Disney resort of your choice, known as your home resort. Your Vacation Points can then be used to book stays at any DVC resort. You’ll have extra time to book stays at your home resort, up to 11 months in advance. You book other resorts for up to 7 months ahead of time. DVC resorts include options like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas, and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian. They also include destinations outside of Disney World. These include the DVC Villas in Hawaii and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. It’s also possible to gift your DVC points. So you may want to give them to friends, family, or your children as they get older.

When you become a DVC member, you’re locking in today’s purchase price on resort stays. DVC will allow you to bank your vacation points, so you can use extra points next year if you don’t use them this year. You can also borrow against your points from the following year. All of the DVC locations in the Disney World Resort are uniquely themed and located close to the theme parks. Many offer all of the comforts of home and showcase the excellence of the Disney name. In addition, a DVC membership can give you a big advantage if you plan to travel with a lot of guests. Many villas can host up to eight or nine folks comfortably.

What Are the Advantages of Becoming a Disney Vacation Club Member?

One obvious benefit of joining Disney Vacation club is the money you’ll save by locking in lower rates from year to year. You’ll also receive a discount annual pass to Disney theme parks. Annual passes will get you a number of benefits during your Disney experience. These include complimentary parking, dining discounts, and savings on merchandise. You’ll also enjoy discounts on entertaining and tours. As a Disney Vacation club member, you’ll also enjoy periodic savings on park tickets. You can also take advantage of what members fondly call “pool hopping.” This means that you can use the pools at whichever resort you want, no matter where you’re staying. As a Disney vacation club member, you’ll be entitled to free use of the laundry facility at whichever resort you’re staying at. In addition, you’ll get access to special events. These could include cruises, theme parties, and tournaments.

Another popular perk is the privilege of using the Top Of The World Lounge, located between the Bay Lake Tower and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This is an exclusive, classy location for Disney Vacation Club members only, and it’s a great place to view fireworks when others are milling around in crowds on the ground. If you prefer Epcot, you get exclusive access to the Imagination Lounge. Perks include free coffee, soda, and charging stations. Plus it’s a great place to get a break from the business of a Disney theme park day.

What Are Some Good Home Resorts?

You may be thinking that joining Disney Vacation club could be a good investment for you and your family. You may even be able to save more money by buying DVC resale. Depending on the ages and interests of your family members, you may choose from a variety of home resorts. One popular option is the Animal Kingdom Villas. If you’ve got little or big animal lovers in your family, you can’t go wrong with the uniquely elegant Animal Kingdom. You’ll get to view animals like giraffes and zebras just outside your window. There are also some top-notch dining options. Some Disney lovers prefer the Copper Creek Villas. Some rooms here will sleep up to twelve people and offer lots of convenient amenities. Copper Creek offers a fantastic arcade, campfire spots, and a health club.

The Wilderness Lodge is also a popular choice for many Disney lovers. It offers a rustic charm that’s inspired by the country’s national parks. The resort is only a short boat ride from the Magic Kingdom and other popular resorts. While the boat arrives every ten minutes, you can also get a convenient bus to transport you to downtown Disney. There’s also a lovely uncrowded beach, a pool with a kiddie zone, and delicious dining options. Others prefer a home resort such as Disney’s Boardwalk Villas. This is conveniently located around Crescent Lake near the Epcot Resort area. You’ll also be within walking distance of over thirty different restaurants and shops. Boardwalk Villas is known for its fantastic dining options and recreation such as boardwalk bike rentals and carnival-style games. Whatever your family values in a vacation, there is a Disney resort for you.

Get Moving!

If you’re a serious Disney visitor who loves a good deal, the Disney Vacation Club could be the perfect investment for you and your family. With the right resort and a little planning, you could get a great price for a lifetime of memorable vacations.

Don’t stop getting smart about your traveling now. For more great advice, read our blog today.