WDW Daily News

We have been discussing Disney Vacation Club membership over the last few articles. I want to share some of the terms I find most useful while using my points and planning vacations.
• Home Resort– Disney Vacation Club members actually own a portion of a Disney resort hotel. That owned resort is called a Home resort.
• Booking window – Owners can begin booking a Home resort ELEVEN (11) months from the desired arrival date. However, reservations at non-Home resorts cannot be made until SEVEN (7) months from the arrival date. What this effectively does is give the owner a four month head start booking the resort at which he/she owns. In periods where demand is particularly high or certain room classes are in short supply, having that four month booking advantage is critical, for example during holidays.
• Annual Dues – Dues paid by each member are based upon one’s Home resort. It doesn’t matter where that member chooses to use his points. An owner can elect to book most or all of his trips at other resorts, but he will continue to pay the published dues amount for his Home Resort.
• Contract end date – Ownership at each resort has a stated ending date. After this date the DVC ownership is effectively over and points will no longer be issued. The ending dates vary greatly from one resort to another and can (should) impact purchase prices. My ownership ends in 2042 at the Boardwalk.
• ANNUAL DUES- Fees paid each year to cover things like operating expenses, refurbishment and real estate taxes.
• Points- the key to Membership and the basis of the Disney Vacation Club reservation system. With the purchase of a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort, members are given an annual allotment of a certain number of Vacation Points. Each reservation requires a certain number of points depending on resort chosen, time of year and number of days.
• USE YEAR- determined at the time you purchase your Ownership Interest and marks the time each year when you receive a new allotment of Vacation Points. It affects when you can bank and borrow Vacation Points, and sets the deadline for certain vacation decisions.
• BANKING POINTS- the term for moving Vacation Points from the current Use Year to the next Use Year
• BORROWING POINTS- the term for using Vacation Points from your next Use Year in the current Use Year
• PERKS – Discounts and benefits only available for DVC Members. Definitely look for those!

I hope with the information I have given you over the last few articles, you can decide if DVC is right for you and your family. Have a magical day!!!

With so many inclusive vacation elements at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai‘i, you can enjoy days of fun from the comfort of your Resort – and with no additional charges for most activities!

We have been Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members for 15 years now. Wow how time flies when you can share the magic each year. We have been able to add on and I have learned to ‘budget’ our points each year for 3 getaways for my husband and me as well as a family vacation each year. For us, the decision to purchase DVC points has been a good one.

The DVC is a vacation ownership program offering convenience, flexibility and affordability to its members. Dates and length of stay, room types and destinations are all offered with the added benefit of the high level of quality and service with a smile that is a Disney staple. There are 9 DVC Resorts at Walt Disney Worlds, one at Disneyland, one in Hawaii, one in Vero Beach and one in Hilton Head. Each resort has various types of accommodations that can be booked with vacation points. There are many other options for travel available to members including RCI trade possibilities. My family and I have only used our points at Walt Disney World so far.

I realize this isn’t a cheap purchase and my family had to do much thinking and budgeting before we bought into the program. The program may not fit everyone’s budget but if you travel, take family vacations and like to include a Disney destination you should take a look at the program. You can find many of the particulars including other options, fees and rules at http://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com . As with all contracts be sure and check all the fine print.

DVC has allowed my family vacation accommodations that were roomy and comfortable as our children grew. It helped with our food budget by allowing us to cook in the room or at least stock snacks for growing teenagers! It afforded us a resort where we could walk to two Parks! Our home Resort is the Boardwalk. We have met countless great Cast Members over the 15 years and now call many of them friends. We look forward to going home for vacation! Many perks go along with membership as well. Dining and merchandise discounts. Annual Pass discounts. And others. The best one is feeling like part of the magic!

Over the years I have seen many changes in the DVC program from all our documents being on paper to residing on line, from phone reservations to on line reservations. Magic Bands are also a change for members. There is even a new logo! At times we have felt as if members were losing benefits as cost cutting has been done over the years, but overall it remains a great experience. The main constants are the Disney attention to detail and commitment to friendly service.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort hosts the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s annual “Tour de Turtles” event which allows sea turtle fans to follow the marathon migration of 12 sea turtles.

Take a look at some more construction photos from around the Polynesian Village Resort.

Click on the photos for a larger view.

Take a look at the latest construction photos of the Disney Vacation Club Bungalows at Polynesian Village Resort.

Click on the photos for larger view.

Take a look at one of the 20 Disney’s Polynesian Villas Bungalows.  What do you think?  Are you excited about DVC at the Polynesian?

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa has been named the Top Family Hotel in the United States by Travel + Leisure readers in the magazine’s World’s Best Awards 2014.

The World’s Best Awards are selected by Travel + Leisure readers who participate in an annual survey and rate hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and more on a variety of criteria.

Located on the white sandy shores of O’ahu in Ko Olina, Hawai’i, Aulani is a family paradise with a touch of magic – where everyone can enjoy amazing adventures, both together and on their own. With spectacular entertainment, an interactive kids club, themed pool areas, as well as an award-winning spa and incredible dining – Aulani is a whole new world of family fun.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has granted permission for Disney Vacation Development to begin selling ownership in the 13th Disney Vacation Club property.

Full Story – DVCNews.com

Many people think that a Disney resort is only for keiki (kids). Here at Aulani, we have something for you, even if you donʻt have keiki at your side, or with you at all. Aulani is a place that the entire family can enjoy, both together or separately. While the kids are taking a break from the sun in Aunty’s Beach House, mom and dad can choose from a number of activities to enjoy on their own. Here is our Top 5 video on what adults can enjoy here at Aulani.