Crucial Disney Tips: How to Save BIG on Disney Deluxe Resorts (Without Sacrificing the Magic)
- The Family Travel Spot
- Aug 7, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
THE SECRET TO SAVING BIG ON DISNEY DELUXE RESORTS AND MAKING YOUR FAMILY'S DREAM STAY A REALITY!
Have you always dreamed of staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort but thought it was simply out of reach? What if we told you there's a completely legitimate way to enjoy all the incredible theming, unbeatable locations, exclusive perks, and deluxe amenities for a fraction of the cost—sometimes nearly half the price? Discover our insider tips and strategies for saving BIG on a Disney Deluxe Resort stay and making your family’s dream vacation a reality!
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HOW TO BOOK A DISNEY DELUXE RESORT AT MODERATE TO VALUE RESORT PRICING
Need a vacation from your Disney vacation? Welcome to the world of Disney Deluxe Resorts, where immersive theming, incredible amenities, unforgettable dining, relaxing spaces, and a little extra pixie dust are sprinkled into every corner.
Let’s face it… if you’re a Disney fan, you know exactly what we mean when we say “my Disney bucket-list resort.” (Ahem… Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Wilderness Lodge — we see you!)
What if we told you that staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort might be more attainable than you think?
That’s right — you could experience the upgraded amenities, incredible theming, and unforgettable magic of a Deluxe Resort for a price closer to what you would expect to pay for a Value or Moderate Resort...... sometimes even less!
And before you think, "Okay... this is too good to be true. What's the catch?"—we promise, this is the real deal. There's no catch, and this isn't a sales pitch. It's simply one of our favorite Disney planning tips for making a dream Disney Deluxe Resort stay far more affordable.
Let us teach you the exact method we use to book Disney Deluxe Resorts for our own family vacations—so you can enjoy a dream Disney stay for a fraction of the usual cost.
“Welcome Home.” ✨
What you can expect from this post:
How to book a Disney Deluxe Resort for a Fraction of the Cost
✨Why you should consider renting DVC points
🏰 Why stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort
🎟️ What does renting DVC points mean and how does it work
⏰ When should you book DVC points
🏨Important things to know before renting DVC points
🍿 Adding your Disney DVC reservation to your "My Disney Experience"
Disney World Resort Essentials: Don't Forget Your Disney Resort Essentials!
👟 Comfortable Shoes — For exploring the beautiful resort grounds and walking to nearby transportation, restaurants, and amenities.
🔋 Portable phone charger — A must for long Disney days, especially when using your phone for My Disney Experience.
🏊 Resort Pool Bag — Perfect for carrying sunscreen, swimsuits, sunglasses, and everything you need for a relaxing resort day.
📱 Waterproof Phone Pouch — Great for pool days and keeping your phone protected while enjoying the resort.
✍️ Disney Autograph Supplies — A fun extra if you're traveling with kids and planning character experiences.
🌙 Mickey Night Light — A cute little addition that can make an unfamiliar resort room feel more like home.
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER RENTING DVC POINTS
Have you ever heard of renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points? If not, you're about to discover one of the best-kept secrets for saving hundreds—sometimes even thousands—on a Disney Deluxe Resort stay.
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is Disney's vacation ownership program. Members receive an annual allotment of points that they can use to book stays at Disney Vacation Club Resorts. If they aren't planning to use all of their points, Disney allows them to rent those points to other guests through reputable DVC rental companies.
The process is completely legitimate and benefits everyone involved. DVC Members can offset the cost of their vacation ownership, while non-members can enjoy significant savings on Disney Deluxe Resorts—often paying 40–60% less than Disney's standard room rates.
Think of renting DVC points like booking a vacation rental. Instead of reserving directly through Disney, you're booking a Disney Vacation Club room through a trusted DVC rental company, much like using Airbnb or Vrbo to rent a vacation home. The experience at the resort is virtually the same—you'll enjoy the same accommodations, amenities, transportation, and Deluxe Resort perks as other Disney resort guests.
To put the savings into perspective, during a typical Spring Break week, a spacious Disney Vacation Club studio with a balcony at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge that sleeps a family of four may cost around $289 per night through a DVC rental company. During those same dates, a standard room at Disney's Art of Animation Resort can cost approximately $267 per night. For about $20 more per night, your family could enjoy a Disney Deluxe Resort with upgraded amenities, larger accommodations with mini kitchenette, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
(Prices vary by travel dates and availability. The example above reflects pricing available when this article was written.)
WHY STAY AT A DISNEY DELUXE RESORT
So, what makes a Disney Deluxe Resort so special—and why should you consider staying at one?
Disney Deluxe Resorts are designed to be destinations all on their own. From immersive theming and signature dining to incredible pools, exceptional amenities, and unforgettable experiences, these resorts take your Disney vacation to an entirely new level. We might even go so far as to say you could actually slow down, relax, and enjoy some downtime at Disney. (We know... relaxing at Disney? Unheard of! 😉)
Let's be honest—standard Disney hotel rooms can feel a bit cramped after a long day in the parks. Having extra room to spread out, enjoy breakfast on your balcony, or prepare a quick snack before heading to the parks can make a huge difference in your vacation experience.
Beyond the rooms themselves, Deluxe Resorts are home to some of the best restaurants, lounges, pools, and recreation on Disney property. Whether you're unwinding with a cocktail while the kids enjoy resort activities, relaxing by an elaborately themed pool, working out in a fitness center, gathering around a cozy fire, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, these resorts make it easy to slow down and enjoy the vacation between and after your park days.
To this day, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Wilderness Lodge remain two of our family's all-time favorite Disney resorts. They are the kind of places where the resort itself becomes part of the vacation memories—and we find ourselves recommending them again and again to families looking for a truly unforgettable Disney experience.
SO, WHAT EXACTLY DOES RENTING DVC POINTS MEAN AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
If you've never rented DVC points before, the process may sound confusing—but it's actually much simpler than you might think.
When you rent DVC points, you are essentially reserving a Disney Vacation Club villa using points from a DVC Member. Instead of booking directly through Disney, you work with a reputable DVC rental company (also called a broker) that connects you with DVC Members who have points available to rent.
The process typically works like this:
Choose a DVC rental company and search available resorts and dates.
DVC rental companies will show available accommodations, resorts, room types, and current pricing, allowing you to review your options and compare availability before submitting your rental request.
Submit a rental request.
Once you have selected your preferred resort, dates, and room type, you can submit a rental request through your chosen DVC rental company. Depending on the company, you may be required to provide a refundable deposit or security deposit while they work to secure your reservation. If your requested accommodations cannot be secured, this deposit is typically refunded according to the company's policies.
Receive your Disney reservation number.
After your reservation is completed and secured, you will receive a confirmation number that you can link directly to your My Disney Experience account.
Plan the rest of your Disney vacation.
Once linked, your resort reservation will appear in your Disney account just like a reservation booked directly through Disney. From there, you can purchase theme park tickets, make dining reservations, add experiences, manage Lightning Lane selections, and plan the rest of your magical vacation—just as you would if you had booked directly through the Disney website.
Two reputable DVC rental companies we recommend considering are David's Vacation Club Rentals and DVC Rental Store. Both companies are known for helping guests navigate the rental process and providing support before and after booking. Keep in mind that each company has different policies, and pricing may vary between providers. Be sure to review the details carefully before deciding which option is the best fit for your family.
And just in case you’re still wondering... YES, we have booked our own Disney Deluxe Resort stays this way!
WHEN SHOULD YOU BOOK DVC POINTS?
One of the biggest things to know about renting DVC points is that availability can be limited—especially for popular resorts, value room categories, and peak travel times.
For the best chance of securing your first-choice resort and room type, we recommend beginning your search as early as possible, ideally around 11 months before your travel dates when DVC reservations first become available. Having a backup resort or room option is always a smart idea, just in case your first choice isn't available.
Before submitting a request, take time to research the exact room type you want. DVC rental websites typically provide room details but may not include many photos. We recommend searching YouTube for room tours, as they are a great way to see the layout, views, and amenities before making your decision.
Insider Tip: Book as soon as you can once he booking window opens to increase your chances of securing your first (or second) choice of resort, room type, and travel dates. DVC rentals can be competitive, especially during peak travel times, holidays, and popular seasons, so planning ahead can make a big difference.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE RENTING DVC POINTS
Before finalizing your reservation, carefully review the policies and guest information provided by your chosen DVC rental company. Every company has its own terms regarding payments, cancellations, modifications, and transfers.
We also strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your DVC rental. While travel insurance is something we recommend for any vacation, it is especially important with DVC rentals because reservations are generally considered non-refundable once the DVC points have been used to secure the booking. Travel insurance can help protect your investment and provide peace of mind by offering coverage for eligible cancellations, interruptions, or unexpected situations that may arise before or during your trip.
Life happens—especially when traveling with kids—and protecting your investment can provide valuable peace of mind.
ADDING YOUR DVC RESERVATION TO MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE
Once your DVC rental is completed, you will receive a Disney reservation confirmation number. You can add this reservation to your My Disney Experience account under the reservations section.
Be sure that the guest name on your DVC reservation matches the name on your Disney account exactly. A small difference in spelling or information can cause issues when linking your reservation.
If you haven't created a Disney account yet, you can set one up through the official Disney website. Once your reservation is linked, you can manage the rest of your vacation planning, including theme park tickets, dining reservations, and Disney experiences.
If you would like to add a Disney dining plan, the DVC Member who owns the points can add this to your reservation. You can also let them know if you are celebrating a special occasion, and they can add a celebration note to your reservation for you too!
Insider Tip: Don't Forget Your Disney Deluxe Resort Trip Essentials: ✨ Comfortable leisure shoes, Portable phone charger, Resort pool bag, Waterproof phone pouch, Disney autograph supplies, Mickey night light, matching family outfits ✨
A NOTE FROM US
We created this guide because renting DVC points is one of those incredible Disney planning strategies that many families simply don't know exists. We wanted to share this information because we believe it can help more families experience the magic of a Disney Deluxe Resort in a way that feels much more attainable.
And just in case you're wondering... our family has personally used this strategy for our own Disney vacations. Our kids have referred to our Deluxe Resort stays as the "trip of a lifetime"—because honestly, it really does feel that special.
Side note: The parents also agreed—our recent Disney trips were truly magical, and we experienced some serious vacation withdrawals after returning home! We may or may not have been missing those relaxing resort evenings, including our favorite downtime cocktail hours!!
We were not approached, sponsored, or paid by any DVC rental company to share this information. We created this guide independently because these are tips and resources we genuinely believe are worth knowing when planning a Disney vacation.
If you are still unsure whether renting DVC points is right for your family, we encourage you to do your own research. Compare the cost of booking a Disney Deluxe Resort directly through Disney with the pricing available through reputable DVC rental companies, and don't hesitate to reach out to rental companies with any questions before making a decision. We have found them to be most helpful!
Here's to planning your own magical Disney vacation—and hopefully 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! Be sure to check out some of our other posts! If you loved this post be sure to check out our guide on: Crucial Disney World Tips: Everything You Need To Know Before Planning Your Next Vacation
Rented DVC points yourself? Share your experience with us in the comments!
Martha is a Family Travel Planner and Travel Blogger who loves creating unforgettable vacation experiences for families. When she’s not traveling or planning incredible getaways, she enjoys living life in beautiful Upstate NY with her husband, two boys, and two dogs.
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