How to Rent DVC Points to Save Money at Disney World

The resorts at Disney World have some of the most amazing themed hotels around the world.

And while there are offerings at multiple price points, the deluxe hotels come with impressive luxury offerings.

What many Disney guests don’t know is that there is a simple trick to save money on Disney vacation.

I’m talking about renting Disney Vacation Club points.

Read on to learn how to rent DVC points to save money on a deluxe Disney resort stay.

What is the Disney Vacation Club?

The Disney Vacation Club, often called DVC, is a points-based vacation membership for Disney hotels and resorts.

DVC members buy points for a set price up front, then pay dues each year during their membership.

It’s a bit like a timeshare, although points can be used across most DVC resorts.

Points can also be used for some Disney Cruise Line cruises and tours via Adventures by Disney.

If a DVC member chooses to not use all or some of their annual points, they can rent them to others via third-party brokers (i.e., not affiliated with Disney).

You do not have to be a DVC member to rent points.

This is how you can reap the benefits of a DVC membership and save money on a stay at a deluxe resort at Disney World and other Disney resorts in the US.

How much money can renting DVC points help me save?

The amount you can save by renting DVC points depends on when you plan to travel, which DVC resort you select, and when you book your reservation.

All in all, it’s pretty typical to save as much as 50%, but it’s also not unheard of to save more.

For all you procrastinators out there: the longer you wait to book a DVC rental can actually work out in your favor.

Most brokers charge less per point the closer your vacation dates are from when you book.

That said, the further out you book from your vacation start date will cost more, but the advantage is a better chance at getting the DVC resort and dates you have in mind.

Can you show me how to rent DVC points?

Of course I can! Let’s dig in.

Points are rented via a third-party broker, such as David’s Vacation Club Rentals.

The rental process is easy. Visit the website for the broker of your choosing. Then, fill out their widget or request form, including your desired vacation dates and DVC resort.

Once the request is received, the broker will check to see if your DVC resort is available during your desired date range and get back to you with a price quote. 

If your desired property is not available, most brokers will let you know of similar properties available for your desired date range.

At David’s Vacation Club Rentals and The DVC Rental Store, you aren’t under obligation to make a reservation, even if what you’ve requested is available.

Which resorts are a part of Disney Vacation Club?

Now that you’ve learned about why and how to rent DVC points, let’s talk about Disney Vacation Club resorts.

As I mentioned earlier, Disney has some of the most impressive resorts, especially their deluxe resorts and DVC villas.

In general, only the US-based hotels are included, with most at Walt Disney World Resort.

Points can also be rented at the Disneyland, Aulani, Hilton Head, and Vero Beach resorts.

Availability depends on the dates selected.

Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Disney World

There are 10 Disney Vacation Club resorts at Disney World:

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas at Wilderness Lodge
• Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village
• Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
• Old Key West Resort
• Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The Villas at Grand Floridian Resort

The studio rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House or Kidani Village are often the cheapest option for renting DVC points.

The Polynesian Bungalows are usually the most expensive (but also the most impressive and excellent for large families).

My favorite pick, however, are the Beach Club Villas. This resort has an epic sand-bottom pool, plus you can walk to and from Epcot, as it’s right next door.

Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Disneyland

Disneyland only has one DVC resort: The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

This DVC resort is located next to Disney California Adventure Park, so you can enter the park from the resort.

It’s also nearby Downtown Disney, where there’s lots of shopping, restaurants, and a movie theater.

Aulani Disney Hawaii Resort

Aulani is Disney’s resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Disney’s Hawaiian resort is located in Ko Olina, just under 30 minutes from the Honolulu airport.

Although it is outside of the main tourist area of Waikiki, it’s a great spot for jetting off to the many wonderful things to do on the island of Oahu.

Renting DVC points is usually your best bet if you’re aiming for a discount at Aulani.

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is located in Hilton Head, SC. This is a great spot for a relaxing getaway.

Hilton Head is known for its excellent golf courses (over 30!) and has several beautiful beaches.

There’s plenty of opportunity for water sports in Hilton Head, such as fishing and kayaking, too.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort in Florida

The Vero Beach Resort is located in Vero Beach, FL. It is located 2 hours from Disney World, on Florida’s Atlantic coast.

This resort is excellent for those interested in wildlife, as the resort is nearby nests for Loggerhead turtles, as well as a state park and botanical garden.

Pros and cons for renting DVC points

Although DVC rental brokers are not affiliated with Disney, you still get most of the perks that come with staying at a Disney property.

For example, one of the perks right now is extended evening hours on select nights for guests staying at select resorts and DVC properties.

You can also use online check-in and sync everything with your My Disney Experience account.

The downside to staying at a DVC resort is that housekeeping, or “mousekeeping” as Disney calls it, only comes every few days for the majority of properties.

If you want daily housekeeping service, it will cost extra. This really isn’t too big of a deal, unless you prefer to have your room cleaned every single day.

Will you rent DVC points to save on your next Disney vacation?

Don’t forget – aside from renting DVC points to save money on your next Disney vacation, there are also military discounts available. If this applies to you, check out my post on military discounts at Disney World.

This post was original published on March 8, 2016 on Frost + Sun. It was last updated on May 4, 2021 when it was moved to The Park Pixie.