Renting DVC Points: A Smart Way for Families to Stay Deluxe at Disney Without Paying Deluxe Prices

Staying at a Disney deluxe resort can feel completely out of reach for many families. That’s why renting DVC points for Disney has become a popular strategy for families who want to stay at resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge or Polynesian Village Resort without paying full deluxe prices.

We’ve rented Disney Vacation Club points twice, once at Saratoga Springs and once at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and both trips taught us a lot about when this approach works, when it doesn’t, and who it’s really best for.

In our case, renting DVC points made it possible to stay at resorts we never would have booked at full price. One trip went smoothly from start to finish. The other involved a COVID-era curveball, school travel restrictions, and a last-minute resort switch. We still had an amazing experience, but it also highlighted the trade-offs families need to understand before committing.

If you’re a planner who wants a deluxe Disney stay for less, renting DVC points can be an incredible option. But it’s not a perfect fit for every family, every budget, or every stage of kids, and that’s exactly what I’m breaking down here.

And once your hotel is set, park tickets are usually the next biggest cost, so we typically price tickets through Undercover Tourist before finalizing the rest of our Disney budget.

Want to see all our Disney World planning tips in one place? Head to our Disney Planning page for hotels, Lightning Lane strategies, and what to know before you go.

What Does It Mean to Rent DVC Points for Disney?

Disney Vacation Club is Disney’s version of a timeshare, and you can learn more about how it works directly on the Disney Vacation Club website.

Owners buy points that can be used to book stays at Disney’s deluxe villa resorts, including places like Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian Village Resort, and Saratoga Springs.

When DVC owners don’t plan to use all of their points for a given year, they often rent them out. Families can book those points, usually through a reputable broker, and stay in Disney deluxe resorts for significantly less than Disney’s standard cash prices.

When you rent DVC points, the DVC owner makes the reservation in your name using their points, rather than you booking directly through Disney. Even though you didn’t book the room yourself, you’re still considered a Disney deluxe resort guest during your stay.

That means renting DVC points for Disney comes with the same on-site perks as booking a deluxe resort directly, with things like early park entry, access to Disney transportation, and the immersive on-property experience that makes staying at a deluxe resort feel special. These stays can range from studio-style rooms to larger one- and two-bedroom villas, depending on the resort and how many points are used.

Why Families Choose Renting DVC Points for Disney Trips

For many families, renting DVC points for Disney opens up resort options that don’t usually fit into a typical Disney budget. Deluxe resorts like the ones on the monorail can feel hard to justify if you’ve mostly stayed at value or moderate hotels.

In our case, I stayed at the Polynesian as a child, and it held a lot of nostalgia for me. As an adult, though, we had only ever stayed at Disney value and moderate resorts. Renting DVC points felt like the first realistic way to finally experience one of Disney’s deluxe resorts again without paying full deluxe prices.

That’s what makes this strategy so appealing for families. Renting DVC points turns “maybe someday” resorts into realistic options. It opens the door to experiences you might not otherwise prioritize, and it can completely change how you think about where you stay on a Disney trip.

At the time, some DVC studio rooms were priced similarly to Disney moderate resorts, which made the upgrade feel especially worthwhile. It allowed us to enjoy a deluxe resort experience without blowing our budget, especially when our kids were younger and the room layout worked well for our family.

Renting DVC Points for Disney Works Best for Planners

One of the biggest things families need to understand about renting DVC points for Disney is that it rewards early planning. This strategy works best if you have specific travel dates and a specific resort in mind, and you’re comfortable booking well in advance.

For the best availability, especially at popular resorts like Polynesian or Animal Kingdom Lodge, it’s recommended to book around 10 – 11 months out. That’s when DVC owners can secure reservations at their home resorts, which gives renters the best chance at getting exactly what they want.

There are last-minute DVC rentals and “confirmed reservations” available, but those come with limitations. You’re locked into the exact dates and resort being offered, and the most sought-after deluxe resorts are rarely available this way. While these deals can work for flexible travelers, they’re not ideal if you have your heart set on a specific hotel or travel window.

In other words, renting DVC points is fantastic for planners, but much trickier for families who need flexibility, or like to book trips closer to travel dates.

If you’re the kind of planner who likes to maximize early entry and park strategy, you might also like how we plan our Disney days with older kids without overcomplicating things.

If you’re weighing different ways to stay on property, I also break down other options in how we actually save money on Disney hotels without overcomplicating things.

Our First Experience Renting DVC Points for Disney (Saratoga Springs)

Our first experience renting DVC points for Disney was at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and it couldn’t have gone more smoothly. We booked through David’s Vacation Club Rentals, which made the entire process feel straightforward, well-organized, and easy to understand for first-time DVC renters. At the time, our kids were younger, and we were mostly used to staying at Disney value and moderate resorts.

In fact, the Disney trip right before this one had been at All-Star Movies, so the contrast felt especially noticeable. The buses alone felt like night and day. At All-Star, there were long lines, crowded bus stops, and a lot of noise, especially with large sports groups coming and going. Saratoga Springs, by comparison, felt calm, orderly, and much quieter, which made a big difference after long park days.

We booked well in advance and worked through David’s Vacation Club Rentals, which made the entire process feel straightforward and well-organized. From start to finish, everything worked exactly as explained, and it immediately showed us why so many families recommend renting DVC points.

The room layout also worked really well for us at that stage. Like many DVC studio rooms, it had one bed plus a pull-out sofa, which was perfectly fine when the kids were little. The room itself felt noticeably larger than what we were used to at value resorts, and at the time, the price was comparable to what we would have paid for a Disney moderate resort.

Overall, Saratoga Springs felt peaceful and spacious, and it was such a nice place to return to at the end of the day. That first trip really sold us on the idea that renting DVC points could be a smart way to experience Disney deluxe resorts without paying full deluxe prices.

Our Second Experience Renting DVC Points for Disney (A Different—but Still Special—Disney Stay)

Our second time renting DVC points for Disney didn’t go exactly as planned, but it still turned into a really special Disney experience for our family. We originally booked Polynesian Village Resort in December 2019 for a November 2020 stay, securing the reservation about 11 months in advance.

Like so many families, our plans changed when COVID happened. At the time, we weren’t comfortable traveling, and my school district wouldn’t allow me or the kids to travel out of state without a two-week quarantine afterward. Missing that much school simply wasn’t realistic, so traveling in November 2020 was no longer an option.

Under normal circumstances, we would have canceled the trip altogether. However, because renting DVC points involves a non-refundable contract, canceling wasn’t an option. Instead, the rental company allowed us to postpone the trip a few months later due to the circumstances.

When we looked at rescheduling for March 2021, the cost to stay at the Polynesian had increased significantly compared to November. Rather than adding several hundred dollars more to keep the same resort, we chose to switch to Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village for the price we had already invested.

The Disney experience at that time was very different from what we were used to. There were masks, canceled shows and events, no dining plan, and no FastPass system. It wasn’t the typical Disney trip we were used to, but we still found ways to enjoy ourselves and make meaningful memories together.

And despite everything, we truly loved staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The resort itself felt incredibly special and unlike anywhere else on Disney property. It ended up being one of those experiences we’re really grateful we had, even if it’s not a resort we’d choose again for every trip.

We’ve also looked closely at add-ons like whether the Disney Dining Plan is actually worth it for families like ours.

What We Loved About Staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Even with all the changes to our trip, staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge felt incredibly special. The atmosphere was unlike anywhere else on Disney property, and it truly felt like an experience in itself rather than just a place to sleep. We loved it and It’s one of those stays we’re really glad we experienced.

Cons Families Need to Know Before Renting DVC Points for Disney

As much as we’ve had positive experiences, renting DVC points for Disney isn’t for every family or every situation. There are a few important trade-offs to understand before deciding if this strategy is right for you.

One of the biggest drawbacks is that DVC point rentals are typically non-refundable. Under normal circumstances, we would have canceled our second trip when COVID happened, but because we were locked into a DVC rental contract, canceling wasn’t an option. While we were able to postpone, that lack of flexibility is something families need to be completely comfortable with before booking.

Because DVC rentals are typically non-refundable, I strongly recommend looking into travel insurance before committing to your dates—especially when you’re booking far in advance. After our experience, travel insurance is something I would absolutely include if we rented DVC points again.

Since DVC rentals often require firm plans, we also like to lock in tickets early. Undercover Tourist  is usually where we check first for discounted Disney tickets and flexible refund policies.

Another consideration is that renting DVC points usually requires paying in full far in advance, often 10–11 months before travel. If you prefer flexible plans, or like to book trips closer to your travel dates, this can feel like a major downside.

Room layout is also a key factor, especially as kids get older. Many of the most affordable DVC options are studio rooms, which typically include one bed plus a pull-out sofa or Murphy bed. This worked really well for our family when our kids were younger, and at the time, the pricing was comparable to a Disney moderate resort. Now that our kids are older, that same setup wouldn’t work, and we’d likely need a larger and more expensive room, changing the overall value. 

As our kids have gotten older, how we plan trips has shifted as our kids have gotten older, which I talk more about in what Disney feels like with older kids and how it evolves over time.

It’s also important to note that while we typically book studio rooms or standard hotel rooms when we visit Disney, renting DVC points can actually be an even better value for families who want villa-style accommodations. One- and two-bedroom DVC villas, with separate bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and full kitchens, are often extremely expensive when booked directly through Disney. Renting DVC points can make those larger spaces far more affordable, especially for bigger families or multi-generational trips.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they are important realities to weigh. Renting DVC points works best when your plans are firm, you understand the room layouts, and you’re comfortable trading flexibility for value.

Would We Rent DVC Points for Disney Again?

Yes, with a few important caveats.

We had two very different experiences renting DVC points for Disney, and both helped shape how we feel about this strategy today. Renting DVC points made it possible for us to stay at deluxe resorts we never would have booked at full price, and for that, it was absolutely worth it.

That said, if we were to rent DVC points again, we would do two things differently. First, we’d be even more intentional about travel insurance, especially knowing how limited cancellation options can be. And second, we’d be very thoughtful about room type and resort choice, especially now that our kids are older and space matters more.

For this most recent trip, using points at the Swan made more sense for us using Marriott points instead, which I explain more in why we like staying at the Swan and Dolphin and what makes it so convenient. But that doesn’t take away from how valuable renting DVC points has been for us in the past, or how useful it can still be for the right family.

Renting DVC points isn’t a one-size-fits-all Disney hack, but for planners who know their dates, understand the trade-offs, and want a deluxe experience for less, it can be an incredibly smart option.

Renting DVC points is one way we’ve saved on Disney hotels, and I also show how this fits into our bigger strategy in how we use points and miles to save on a Disney trip overall.

Final Thoughts: Is Renting DVC Points Worth It for Families?

Looking back, renting DVC points played a big role in how we experienced Disney during that stage of our family’s travel. It allowed us to stay at resorts like Saratoga Springs and Animal Kingdom Lodge…places we likely wouldn’t have booked otherwise, and gave us a new appreciation for what deluxe resorts can add to a trip.

Renting DVC points isn’t something we’d use for every Disney visit or every phase of family travel. But for the right trip, at the right time, it can be an incredibly rewarding option. When you understand the trade-offs and plan accordingly, it can turn a dream resort into a realistic and memorable stay.

Related Disney Planning Posts You May Like

• 10 Ways to Add Extra Magic to Your Disney Vacation with Kids
• Should Kids Miss School for Vacation? A Teacher + Mom’s Honest Take
• Learning at Disney: Hidden Educational Moments in Every Park

Sharing is caring!