Without a doubt, a visit to Walt Disney World is more magical when staying at a Disney resort. Nobody does it like Disney! Disney resorts are beautiful and the attention to detail is unsurpassed.
If you're like me, you want your vacation to be the best it can be and you want the most you can get for your money. While researching how to experience Disney to its fullest on as little money as possible, I stumbled across a way to enjoy spectacular Disney resorts for much less than I expected to pay.
You can save hundreds of dollars by renting "vacation points" from Disney Vacation Club members who don't plan to use their allotment of points for the year. Here's an example of the savings possible...
It would cost a family of four $2,559 to stay in a one-bedroom villa at Old Key West Resort from May 23-28, 2010, if booked through Disney. That same room would cost $1200.00 if booked using DVC vacation points rented at $10 per point. That's a savings of $1359!
I used rented points to stay at a Disney resort and was so happy with the experience that I became a Disney Vacation Club member. As a member I have rented my points to other people. From both sides I can tell you that it is easy and perfectly safe. Read on to find out how you can save a bundle on your next Disney vacation.
First of all, what is Disney Vacation Club?
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is sort of like a timeshare, only different. Members own "points" that they can exchange for time at select Disney resorts, referred to as "home away from home" resorts by the folks at Disney. Members are allotted a certain number of points each year, based on what they purchased. If they do not use their points they can "bank" them for use in the following year.However, sometimes life happens and members find themselves in the position of not being able to use the points that they banked before the end of that second year. Rather than risk losing their points altogether they will rent them out to other people to recoup their money.
The current rate for renting vacation points ranges from $8 to $13 per point. Most go for about $10 per point. Even at $13 per point, renting points will save you a considerable amount of money on a Disney Resort Hotel.
What the Rooms are Like
- Studio
Studios are similar to typical hotel rooms with either two queen beds or one queen bed and a sleeper sofa. Each studio also has a small kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, coffeepot and sink. Most studios have a patio or balcony. Sleeps four. - One Bedroom Villa
One bedroom villas are more like small apartments with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and whirlpool tub all in the suite. The livingroom has a sleeper sofa and the bedroom has a king bed. Both rooms have a patio or balcony. Sleeps four. - Two Bedroom Villa
Two bedroom villas are basically a combination of a one bedroom suite and a studio with a door that connects the two. Sleeps eight. - Grand Villa
Same as a one bedroom plus two additional bedrooms, each with two queen beds, and a total of either two or three bathrooms depending on resort. Sleeps twelve. Not available at Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge. - Treehouse Villa
These villas have three bedrooms and two baths. Sleeps nine.
Virtual Resort Tours
I used Bing Maps to create this custom map of one of one of the DVC resorts. If people like it I'll add other resorts as well.
Be sure to look at the tour using the "bird's eye view" (the button with the little buildings on it where the arrow is above).
Be sure to look at the tour using the "bird's eye view" (the button with the little buildings on it where the arrow is above).
- Virtual Tour of Saratoga Springs
- Take a walk through Saratoga Springs and Downtown Disney on this virtual tour that I created for friends of mine who were going to Disney World for the first time. We treated them to a room at SSR using our DVC points.
Point Charts
These charts will help you figure out how many points you will need to rent in order to stay at your resort of choice on the dates you want. I've also included a link to a more thorough description of each resort.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas Point Chart
- Capturing the essence of an African savannah lodge, this resort is the perfect blend of nature and architecture. More...
- Bay Lake Tower Point Chart
- Disney Vacation Club's Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort features views of the Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake. More...
- Beach Club Villas Point Chart
- The Disney Beach Club Villas are inspired by the casual elegance of the mid-Atlantic seaside homes of the early 20th century. More...
- Boardwalk Villas Point Chart
- The hustle and bustle of the bygone era of the Atlantic seaside resorts is evident at Disney's Boardwalk Villas. More...
- Old Key West Point Chart
- Disney's Old Key West Resort is reminiscent of the quaint villas of the turn of the century Key West. More...
- Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Point Chart
- At Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, designed after its namesake upstate New York community, you'll enjoy genteel surroundings while being steps away from exciting Downtown Disney. More...
- Treehouse Villas Point Chart
- These octagon shaped units, nestled in the woods, featured elevated views of the tranquil surroundings. More...
- Villas at Wilderness Lodge Point Chart
- This resort will transport guests back to the time of the great American West and the time of the Golden age of railroad travel. More...
- DVC Point Comparison Chart
- This is a handy tool for comparing how many points you would need at all the different resorts on any given dates.
How Do I Rent Points?
Start by figuring out when you want to go, where you want to stay and how many points you will need. The info above will help you with all of that.All that's left is to connect with someone who has points to rent. The most popular place to do this is on the DIS Boards.
Another reputable place to rent from is David's Personal DVC Point Rental Site. He rents out his own points and points that other DVC owners have transferred to him.
Another place to check out is the Mouseowners Rent/Trade Board. They also have a pretty informative info page on renting points.
Guides to Disney World
Need more help planning your trip? These two books are highly regarded as the BEST Disney World guide books available - and I agree.
The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2010 (Unofficial Guides)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/02/2009) 
Used Price: $11.18
PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2010: The Unique Travel Guide, Planner, Organizer, Journal, and Keepsake!
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 12/02/2009)
Used Price: $42.99
Have a Great Trip!
That's pretty much all you need to know to save a bunch of money on your Disney vacation without having to give up on staying at a Disney Resort.I hope you found this lens helpful. If so, don't be shy about rating it! And please check out my other Disney lenses at Focus on Disney World.
Reader Feedback/Questions
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- Senora_M Senora_M May 9, 2009 @ 11:38 am
- We are heading to DW for Thanksgiving with our whole family. It's going to be fun and I'll be looking for money saving tips! 5*s!!
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- lmbattista lmbattista Jan 28, 2009 @ 10:38 am
- Great lens. I own DVC points and wasn't sure where to go rent them out if need be. Would be great to add tips of what to look for in a rental agreement (dos and don'ts). Thanks for the information!
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- Aug 27, 2008 @ 2:55 am
- Nice Lens! I'm actually planning to take my family to HK Disneyland this year. I'll keep these things that you've shared here in mind! thanks for sharing! Please visit our site that caters to all kinds of different personal check designs from Baseball Personal Checks to Barbie checks and yes, Disney or Mickey Mouse checks! For sure, you'll love what you see here! Come take a look!
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- JeniferG JeniferG May 1, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
- I agree with the idea of renting points. I recently rented points for a studio at Saratoga Springs for 3 nights. I paid the same about that it would have cost to stay at Pop Century. Or equal to one night at Saratoga Springs if I had booked it on my own.
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- jfno jfno Apr 10, 2008 @ 11:37 am
- Totally agree about the magic of staying on Disney property. I'll have to check the DVC again.
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by Barrie
One of my favorite places to spend my vacation is Disney World. I've been a Disney Vacation Club member since 2000 and I know lots of ways to stretch... (more)
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