The great boom in the timeshare industry that happened during the 1990s may have waned over time, but the timeshare industry is still worth billions of dollars today.

So if you haven’t hopped on the vacation ownership bandwagon yet, should you consider this option? Disney Vacation Club is one of the top players in the realm of vacation points, but is it all it’s made out to be?

These are the real DVC benefits according to members.

1. Cost Saving DVC Benefits

Make no mistake, buying into a timeshare or points scheme is an expensive option. Yet, if you know how to use it wisely, it can yield enormous savings over time.

The average timeshare owner reports that they’ve saved the equivalent of what they paid for their membership in as little as eight years.

Apart from the obvious cost savings associated with your stay, there are also a number of ways to save even more during your holidays.

2. Discounted Disney Vacation Club Benefits

Disney Vacation Club members enjoy a host of extra discounts during their vacations. These include:

Restaurants and Retail Discounts

DVC members get up to 20% off their meals and shopping at Disney Springs as well as all Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts.

During out of season periods, these discounts can go as high as 30% off.

Savings on Annual Passes

All Disney Vacation Club members can buy Gold Passes which are usually exclusive to Florida residents.

What’s more, they also get a $100 discount per person on Platinum or Platinum Plus Annual Passes.

Discounted Day Passes

On the rare occasions when this discount is available, members enjoy substantial savings when visiting Disney’s top attractions.

Great Prices on Events Tickets

Disney Vacation Club members enjoy flat rates on selected shows and 15% off on all theme park tours.

Tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and other special events are cheaper for DVC members.

Free Laundry Services

Free laundry may be low on your vacation wish list, but it comes in handy if you’re flying to your resort destination.

When you can wash your clothes as much as you want during your stay, you can pack light and avoid excess baggage charges at the airport. You’ll also save on packing space if you’re arriving by car.

Self-Catering Facilities

Villas with full kitchens are not only convenient, they mean you can save on dining out. Families with small children love the versatility and cost-savings that a kitchen brings.

3. Extra Savings on Accommodation

When you purchase a Disney Vacation Club membership, there’s one more way you can save on accommodation.

If you ever need to take an extra-long break or feel like an extra Disney vacation, you can book rooms at several Disney resorts at 25% off the usual rack rates.

These include:

• Bay Lake Tower
• Boulder Ridge Villas
• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Villas
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins
• Jambo House & Kidani Village
• Old Key West Resort
• Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Riviera Resort
• Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The BoardWalk Villas
• The Beach Club Villas
• The Villas at Grand California Hotel & Spa

Another one of the top perks of DVC membership is that you can also buy more points as needed, either directly from Disney or via resales.

The benefits of DVC resale vs direct purchases vary depending on your individual needs. If you consistently run out of points before you’ve had your fill of Disney for the year, it’s worth looking at either of these options.

4. Flexible Swimming Pool Access

To the envy of regular guests, Disney guests can make use of any swimming pool facilities they wish, regardless of which resort they’re staying at.

There are a few exceptions to this pool-hopping perk, but this is one benefit that really adds variety to your stay.

5. Access to Exclusive Member Lounges

A place to put your feet up and catch your breath is a wonderful convenience during a busy day enjoying the magic of Disney. To this end, there are two VIP venues available for DVC members to enjoy free of charge at Disney’s resorts.

Top Of The World Lounge

Unless there’s a special event on the go, Disney Vacation Club members can access this Bay Lake Tower facility any time during opening hours.

The lounge is rarely busy, so when you venture up there, you’re assured of some quiet time away from the crowds and the Florida heat.

The views are outstanding from this lofty venue. You have an outlook over the resort pool on one side and panoramas of the entire Magic Kingdom on the other.

You can also dine on all Disney’s usual menu offerings as well as delicious seven-layer cake or craft beers if preferred.

Imagination Lounge at Epcot

Epcot’s Imagination Lounge is available to Disney Vacation Club members as well as five guests. Pop in for some refreshment after your Journey into Imagination, or slip in the private entrance at the side of the building.

Free snacks and cola are on offer in the air-conditioned comfort of this plush lounge and there are a few games and movies to keep the children occupied while you relax.

6. Extra Special Events

Not only do Disney Vacation Club members save on all the usual events available to guests, but they’re also invited to a number of annual gatherings for their exclusive enjoyment.

Unlimited ice cream and other refreshments, free entertainment and the chance to see some of Disney’s fare characters are some of the enjoyments on offer on these occasions.

In previous years, members have enjoyed the following get-togethers:

• Disney California Adventure’s and 25th Anniversary Bash
• Moonlight Magic at the Magic Kingdom
• Safari Spectacular at the Animal Kingdom
• Typhoon Lagoon Beach Bash

These awesome special occasions are the cherry on the top of a trip to the most magical place of all. If possible, it’s worth planning your vacation to coincide with one of them.

More Property Talk

These DVC benefits may not offer enough return on investment for some property buyers. Many others swear by their membership and the long term benefits associated with it.

Keep browsing our website for more honest information about everything to do with all types of real estate.