How to Apply for a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Membership

If you enjoy staying at the Disney hotels and resorts at Walt Disney World and Disneyland on a regular basis, you could be a good candidate for a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Membership. The DVC membership program is designed a lot like a timeshare program, except you earn a certain number of points that can be used towards different types of properties. Here's what you need to know about applying for a Disney Vacation Club membership:

The Basics About the Disney Vacation Club Membership Program
Some of the resorts are designed only for DVC members, and you can enjoy VIP perks and other amenities throughout your stay. If you become a member, you are investing in a piece of Disney Vacation Club real estate and are assigned a certain number of points based on your membership level. You can bank and borrow points to use towards Disney cruises and other vacations over the course of the year. You "use up" points when you book accommodations at various types of DVC resorts and hotels, including villas and deluxe studio properties.

For example, in 2010, 102 vacation points was enough to secure a one-bedroom villa at The Villas tat Disney's Grand Californian hotel for three nights. 194 vacation points in 2010 could get you a four-night cruise to the Bahamas on the Disney Cruise Line.

One of the biggest benefits of having a Disney Vacation Club Membership is that you have the freedom to travel to different Disney resorts and destinations throughout the year, and can choose how many nights you want to stay at each property. You can also plan a vacation around one of Disney's exclusive experiences and points can be used towards Disney Vacation Club Collections resorts around the globe.

Applying for a Disney Vacation Club Membership
The first step in applying for a Disney Vacation Club Membership involves deciding what types of accommodations you are most interested in using your Vacation Points for, and how much you want to invest in the DVC program. As of 2011, DVD Membership requires a one-time fee of $12,000, and you are responsible for paying annual dues and closing costs. Financing is available for qualified buyers, and you can choose how many points you want to purchase based on the types of properties you are most interested in.

The entire purchase is completed just like a real estate transaction, so your final costs will vary based on the number of points you select.

When you're ready to apply for a Disney Vacation Club Membership, you can call a Disney Cast Member at (888) 864-0458 or request more information online here. If you want to learn more about the DVC Membership program, you do have the option to order a complimentary DVD that explains all of the Membership benefits, how the timeshare process works, and what you can expect as a DVC member.

Sources:
Disney Vacation Club Membership
MouseSavers.com - DVC