
We bought into Disney Vacation Club (DVC) back in the mid-2000s, long before Genie+, MagicBands, or mobile ordering were a thing. At the time, it felt like a big commitment — and honestly, it was. But nearly two decades later, we’ve finally done the math.
Spoiler: It paid for itself a while ago.
If you’ve ever wondered whether DVC is “worth it,” or how long it takes to break even, here’s our honest breakdown — using real-world numbers, annual dues, and the trips we actually take.
🏡 What We Own

Our home resort is Saratoga Springs, and over time, we added additional points from Vero Beach through resale. Altogether, we now manage 280 points per year.
This allows us to:
- Book a 1-bedroom villa for about a week at a deluxe resort most times of year
- Or break it into multiple shorter trips in deluxe studios or off-peak stays
It’s a flexible system — one we’ve been using year in and year out.
💸 The Annual Cost: Dues
DVC isn’t a one-and-done expense. Members pay annual dues, which cover resort upkeep, operations, and maintenance.
Across our points, we pay just over $2,000 per year — and that’s it. No room taxes, no nightly rates, no resort fees.
That $2,000 gives us access to accommodations that would easily cost $3,500–$4,000 or more if we paid Disney’s cash rate for a deluxe villa.
📈 When the Numbers Started Making Sense

We realized the tipping point came around 12 years in. That’s when the total savings on all those DVC stays began to surpass what we originally spent.
Every trip since then? Pure savings.
We’re now staying in deluxe resorts for about half the cash price, every single year — just by paying our dues.
🧠 Is DVC Right for You?

DVC makes the most sense if:
- You go to Disney at least every 1–2 years
- You prefer staying at moderate or deluxe resorts
- You like having a kitchen, washer/dryer, and extra space
- You see this as a long-term relationship with Disney
If you’re a value-resort, once-every-few-years kind of family, the math may not work in your favor. But if you’re already taking regular trips — and plan to keep doing so — DVC starts to look pretty smart.
🏁 Final Thoughts
We didn’t buy DVC expecting it to be a money-maker. We bought it to lock in the magic. But seeing the numbers now — and realizing it’s actually saving us thousands in resort costs over time?
That’s just the Disney magic working behind the scenes.