Crucial Disney Tips | How To Save BIG on Disney Deluxe Resorts (And We Mean Big)
- The Family Travel Spot
- Aug 7, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 28
HOW TO SAVE BIG ON DISNEY DELUXE RESORTS
Don't miss these surprising and critical insider tips! Read more below.
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HOW TO BOOK A DISNEY DELUXE RESORT AT A VALUE RESORT PRICE
Have you been dreaming of a Disney World vacation at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, or maybe a stay at the Polynesian?
What if we told you that you could stay at a Deluxe Disney Resort with all the amazing upgraded amenities for the same price you would pay for a room at a value or moderate resort???
I PROMISE, THIS IS FOR REAL, AND IT IS NOT A SALES PITCH.
We have a HUGE, lesser-known Disney tip for you! Let us explain exactly, how you can book a Disney Deluxe Resort, with all the amazing perks and amenities that come with Deluxe Resorts for a fraction of the cost. It is completely legit. In fact, it's how we have booked our family's Disney vacations.
KEEP READING TO FIND OUT HOW TO PLAN A LUXURY DISNEY VACATION AT A VALUE-MODERATE RESORT PRICE!
Have you heard of point rentals through Disney's Vacation Club?
The Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare program, that DVC (Disney Vacation Club) members pay into in exchange for points. DVC members can choose to use their points, or they can opt to rent a portion of their points out to non-DVC members.
The renting of DVC points is a completely legitimate process allowed by Disney which grants perks to both DVC members and non-DVC members. DVC members can recoup money on their timeshare investment, and non-DVC members can reap the benefits of BIG DISCOUNTS on Deluxe DVC Resorts.
Think of renting DVC points like your would when reserving an AirB&B. You are renting a timeshare through a DVC management company, much like renting a condo through AirB&B also a management company.
Here's a scenario for you. A spacious DVC studio room that sleeps a family of 4, with a balcony at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, during Spring Break week will run you around $289 per night. To compare, a smaller traditional room with no balcony, that accommodates a family of 4 at Disney's Art of Animation Value resort, will run you $267 per night for the same dates. For around $20 more per night, you can book a serious vacation experience upgrade.
Renting DVC points will typically save you 40-60% off the rack rates!
(Prices accurate at the time this article was written)
So what are the benefits of staying at a Deluxe Resort and why should you?
Deluxe Resorts offer incredible immersive theming, unique experiences, additional perks, and upgraded amenities for Guests.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, for example, will take you and your family on a journey where you feel like you're in Africa! There's even a safari!
DVC rooms at Deluxe Resorts offer larger more luxurious spaces with balconies, and will often include small kitchenettes or even full kitchens. DVC properties also include villas that have multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry centers!
Disney hotel rooms in general are tiny! We have always felt that having a little additional space with a kitchenette and a balcony is a huge upgrade.
In addition to upgraded rooms, you will enjoy multiple themed bars and restaurants onsite at Deluxe Resorts, which have some of the best food and drinks on Disney Property. We can't lie, my husband and I really loved our cocktail hours and adult time during our last vacation. Deluxe Resorts also offer beautifully themed upscale pools and grounds, with leisure areas for relaxing, fitness centers, family adventure activities, and more. Value, and Moderate resorts, can not compete and will not offer you the same level of experience you will enjoy when staying at a Deluxe Disney Hotel.
To date, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge remains one of our family's most beloved resorts of all time.
So what exactly does renting DVC points mean and how do you do it??
When you rent DVC points, you submit a request to purchase your accommodations through a DVC rental site (broker), to which the DVC Member selling the points approves your rental request. Once your request is approved, and you have your reservation number from the DVC Member, you can then book the rest of your Disney vacation through your "My Disney Experience" account. Everything including your accommodations will be displayed on your My Disney Experience account, as if you had booked your entire trip through Disney directly. Both David's Vacation Rentals and the DVC Rental Store are excellent DVC rental companies to work with. They are very prompt in answering any questions or providing any support you may need before and after your booking. The companies' policies do differ a little so you will want to review their policies when considering which company is best for you.
Both DVC rental sites will list available rooms with current pricing. It's important to try to secure your booking 11 months out, when the reservations first open to ensure you can secure your first choice of room options (it's good to have a backup plan just in case). Renting DVC points can be competitive and the best rooms and rates go quickly. Before making your room selection, we encourage you to contact the rental company for more room details, OR you can search for the type of room you are considering in a YouTube search. YouTube is a great place to find room tours. It's important to know which room type you want to book as the DVC sites do not provide images.
Before confirming your booking request, it is important to read through the guest information located on the DVC rental websites. There will be important need-to-know information and policies, as well as a recommendation for travel insurance. We recommend purchasing travel insurance for any vacation you take (even vacations booked entirely through Disney), for the full amount as life happens, especially with kids.
If you don't have insurance coverage it could mean losing your investment. After your reservation is completed it is considered non-refundable (but possibly transferable depending on the circumstances) as DVC points can not be recouped once they have been applied to make a room reservation which is why we recommended the travel insurance.
Once your rental request is approved and completed by the DVC owner, you will receive a reservation number to enter into your "My Disney Experience account" under the reservation section. Your name on the reservation, and in your Disney account must match exactly, so be sure to double-check this.
If you haven't done so already, you can set up your Disney vacation account, by visiting the Disney website via disneyworld.disney.go.com. Once your account is set up you can enter your DVC rental reservation information under the reservation section. Once your reservation is entered you can then make and purchase the rest of your vacation booking selections, such as theme park tickets, Disney experiences, and more under your "My Disney Experience" account (you can also hire a travel agent to do this portion which we recommend). If you would like a meal plan, let the DVC member know who you purchased points from and they will add it to your account. You can also tell them if you are celebrating anything special and they can add a note to your reservation for that as well.
Something, important to note, we put this post together all on our own because we felt this was some great information to share that most people don't know about. We were not approached or paid by either of the DVC companies to share this information with you.
Renting DVC points is a simple process, and so worth it considering the amount of money you will save for such an upgraded vacation experience.
Our kids referred to our last Disney vacation as the "trip of a lifetime", as they were thoroughly enjoying Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The parents agreed it WAS an incredible vacation and we all had some serious vacation withdrawals after we got home.
If you are still unsure about renting points, I would encourage you to do some price work-ups comparing the rack rate pricing on Disney's website vs. DVC rentals and contact the DVC rental sites with any questions or concerns you may have.
Here's to planning your magical Disney vacation, and your own "trip of a lifetime".
Until our next "Disney Tips" installment,
Cheers!
Martha
PS - Don't forget to PIN this post so you can find it later!
Martha is a Family Travel Planner, Blogger, and member of The Main Street Travel Co. Martha thoroughly enjoys living life in gorgeous Upstate NY with her husband, two boys, and two dogs.
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