Choosing the Best DVC Home Resort For You

There is a lot to consider before choosing your DVC home resort. Each Disney Vacation Club timeshare property has its own theme and special qualities. There’s also a matter of your budget, how close you want to be to your favorite Disney theme park, and more. Even though DVC uses a flexible, points-based system, choosing your home resort matters!

What is a Home Resort?

Your home resort with Disney Vacation Club is the property that your points belong to. When it comes time to make the purchasing decision, make sure to look closely into every resort that the club offers. The points you own at your home resort have priority booking privileges, making it easier to make reservations every year before every other DVC owner can. 

While Disney Vacation Club is a points-based system that gives owners flexibility in which resort they vacation at, your home resort is the one that you still own a part of! It’s the one that will be listed on your contracts when it comes time to buy. And on the resale market, your home resort is the one you can travel back to every year.

Does Home Resort Matter for DVC?

The short answer is, maybe. While Disney Vacation Club does use a points-based system, there is a priority given to owners reserving at their home resort. With home resort priority, owners can make reservations 11 months in advance. Members of other resorts can only make a reservation for up to seven months in advance, giving you priority. 

With the latest DVC resale restrictions, your home resort especially matters. Disney Vacation Club enforces new restrictions with resales that block resale owners from transferring points to new resorts within DVC’s network. For example, if you were to buy resale points from the Grand Floridian now, you will not be able to transfer them for a stay at the brand new Riviera Resort. Resale owners that purchased a DVC timeshare before the restrictions took place are still able to make reservations within the network, but any resales after January 2019 follow these restrictions.

Learn More About the Important of DVC Use Year.

Can I Change My DVC Home Resort?

If you’re finding that you would rather have home resort priority at a different DVC resort, you have to buy points for that resort specifically. Unfortunately, you cannot transfer or change your DVC home resort! Which plays a big role when it comes time to choosing the best DVC home resort for you and your family. If you are considering expanding your options, you can add more DVC points to your membership on the resale market for less.

Finding the Best DVC Home Resort For You

When making the decision to purchase a DVC resale, your home resort will give you access to 14 other resorts within DVC’s network. So, keep in mind where you will want to be vacationing every year! Disney Vacation Club has resorts across the country, from Hawaii, Hilton Head Island, California and Florida. You’ll also want to take a look at each resorts point charts, so you can determine how many DVC points you need.

Animal Kingdom Villas

If animals are your thing, you won’t want to miss making this your DVC home resort. Animal Kingdom Villas welcome guests with an open “savanna,” with real wild animals you might find in Africa.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• Near the parks

Aulani

Does vacationing with Mickey on Oahu sound like your ideal family vacation every year? Aulani is Disney’s very own resort in Hawaii, bringing the magic from Orlando across the ocean! Many owners consider it one of the best DVC resorts out there, besides its location away from the actual theme parks.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Spa
• Beach Activities for families

Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary

A huge perk to the Bay Lake Tower resort is the Top of the World Lounge, exclusive to DVC owners. Get stunning views of the nightly fireworks shows while enjoying delicious cocktails and dishes. This resort is also only one transfer away from Epcot and Magic Kingdom on its own monorail. Quite an amenity if you ask us!

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining

Beach Club Villas

Take a walk around New England right in Orlando, Florida at the Beach Club Villas. You’ll feel like you’re staying in a cottage on Cape Cod. The pool area, Stormalong Bay, replicates an antique shipwreck, so the kids can climb on the masts like a real pirate. If you need to get away from the activity, there’s also an elevated tanning deck, where you can laze the day away.

Amenities: 

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

BoardWalk Villas

Perhaps one of the most famous Disney destinations in Orlando, BoardWalk Villas takes inspiration from Atlantic City with antique, old-fashioned charm reminiscent of the 1940s. Sitting waterfront with shops, dining and carnival-themed activities, you’ll find yourself spending just as much time at the resort as the parks. It’s even within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, so keep that in mind when choosing your DVC home resort!

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

Boulder Ridge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

For the outdoors-y types of families, Boulder Ridge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is like staying in the mountains of Colorado, except without the snow! Its inspiration comes from America’s own National Parks and the transcontinental railroad. Tucked away behind the pine trails of Bay Lake, this resort offers enough proximity to the parks without being too close to the hustle and bustle.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

Copper Creek at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

For the ultimate outdoor retreat in Central Florida, Copper Creek offers 26 waterfront cabins, with wraparound porches to enjoy the environment. You can even catch glimpses of the firework shows of the parks. Take a dip in one of two incredible pools, spend a day at your favorite Disney park and enjoy the outdoors all in one vacation.

Grand Californian

The one and only DVC resort in California, head to Anaheim’s Walt Disney Land at the Grand Californian. Only steps away from California Adventure Park with its own entrance, the Grand Californian is nothing short of luxurious.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

Grand Floridian

This is what everyone thinks of when they hear “Disney Vacation Club.” The Grand Floridian has some of the most elegant amenities and ambiance. It’s own “beach,” fabulous character breakfasts and dining, as well as close proximity to the parks makes the Grand Floridian quite special. Enjoy the spa or take a dip in one of two pools on-site.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping
• Chapel

Hilton Head Island

Do you envision your vacations on a hidden island in the Carolinas? Take the kids along at DVC’s Hilton Head Island resort. This location embodies Southern hospitality, all while sitting on the Atlantic Ocean of the Carolinas. Spend your afternoons lazing on the beach while expecting all the services and amenities that make DVC resorts so outstanding.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the beach
• Shopping

Old Key West

A Florida vacation is simply not the same without taking a visit to historic Key West, but if you don’t have the time, make a reservation here instead! Boat rides take guests right to Disney Springs, making you feel like you’re actually on the ocean. When searching for Old Key West points on the resale market, be aware of contracts with differing DVC expiration dates! You’ll most likely come across an Old Key West contract that expires in 2057. This is because owners were given the option to extend their contracts passed the original year of 2042. Those may still be floating around out there!

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

The Polynesian

Undergoing some serious renovations in 2014, the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are a modern tropical paradise. With the spirit of the South Pacific, this resort is the first ever to offer accommodations that float on the water! Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show features all-you-can-eat, delicious dishes that embody island flavors. You’ll even get an incredible view of the Magic Kingdom evening fireworks to show at your table! The Polynesian also has its own monorail stop to Magic Kingdom.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

Riviera Resort

The 15th Disney Vacation Club resort and most recent project, the Riviera Resort allow guests to travel to Europe without a passport—almost. You’ll feel like you’re in the Tuscan landscapes of Italy and France with its modern decor and aesthetic. Walt Disney himself took inspiration from the European riviera countryside. And that’s what the Riviera is all about! Take the brand new Skyliner Gondola straight to Hollywood Studios.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

Saratoga Springs

What’s not to like about Saratoga Springs? 65 acres of property with its own spa, two feature pools and boat ride transportation to the parks makes this a favorite among DVC owners. With unique accommodations and treehouse villas elevated 10 feet off the ground, you’ll enjoy the quiet seclusion here.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the parks
• Shopping

Vero Beach Resort

Orlando locals that are also DVC owners love their getaways to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Instead of visiting the parks, head to one of Florida’s best beaches on the Atlantic’s Treasure Coast. The beach is right at your doorstep, and it carries the same Disney magic you would expect from DVC.

Amenities:

• Swimming Pools
• Free Wi-Fi
• On-site dining
• Near the beach
• Shopping

Which DVC home resort do you own at? Do you have a personal favorite? Let us know in the comments.