A Disney hack can save guests hundreds on hotel stays — and they don't have to commit to a long-term membership

12.09.2024 - 19:57 / insider.com

You don't need to be a member of Disney Vacation Club, or DVC, to reap some of its benefits — including the ability to book coveted resorts for a lower price.

DVC is the company's version of a timeshare program where members pay an annual fee in exchange for flexible points to stay in villas across the Disney property at a discounted rate.

The program comes with high sign-up fees, annual dues, and long-term commitments that may not work for everyone. But travelers without memberships can rent DVC points to help them save big on resort stays.

As park prices increase, it's nice to know there are still ways to make the trip more accessible.

Here's how the hack works.

If you've always wanted to stay at resorts like the Contemporary or the Polynesian, which are located a short monorail ride from Magic Kingdom, renting points is a great way to do it.

Online services, like David's Vacation Club Rentals, make it easier for people without DVC memberships to rent points.

Melissa Mullett, the operations director at David's, told Business Insider that in some cases, renting points for a deluxe DVC villa costs the same amount as booking a moderate hotel through the Disney site. For reference, these villas typically cost well over $1,000 a night, and rates for moderate resort rooms can be as low as $200.

Even if you don't find a deal at the far ends of the price spectrum, Mullett said, renters typically save at least 50% on resort stays. DVC accomodations book out pretty far in advance. Based on Disney's reservation timelines, renters tend to find the best deals when they book seven to 11 months out.

Paying half the amount to stay at beautiful deluxe resorts seems too good to be true, but according to the DVC website, renting points is allowed.

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Although you can rent DVC points directly through a member if you happen to know one, the online services work as a middleman between members and regular guests.

When members have unused points that would otherwise go to waste, they can work with these sites to make a deal with travelers outside their network. In most cases, the sites mark up the points (compared to their initial value from the DVC contract) so a profit can be made from the deal.

Mullett said all guests have to do is reach out with an ideal budget and vacation timeframe, and they'll help match them with a member whose points might suit the request.

The booking process is slightly more complex than the Disney website, but the savings can be worth it.

There are some resorts I've always dreamed of staying in (or returning to) that I never thought I'd have the budget for. But I'm definitely planning on renting next time I visit Disney World to cross some off my list.