Disney Vacation Club is now allowing first-time buyers into the program with a purchase of just 100 points.
According to signs posted at Disney Vacation Club booths around Walt Disney World, new members can get into the program with a purchase of just 100 vacation points. The number of points required to buy-in has proven rather fluid over the years. At one time, the minimum purchase was as high as 230 points. Other times it has been set at 200 points, 160 and 150 points. Approximately 10 years ago, DVC also promoted a 100-point buy-in.
Disney Vacation Club's experiements with a lower initial purchase have often been blamed for placing greater strain on the limited number of Studio villas. For many years, DVC emphasized building spacious One, Two and Three Bedroom units requiring 2-3 times as many points to book as the hotel-like Studio rooms. As prices rose and purchase levels decreased, booking the smaller, less expensive rooms became increasingly difficult. However, more recently DVC has placed greater emphasis on building studio rooms with the addition of nearly 400 studios at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, 200 at Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and a heavy studio presence at the forthcoming Villas at Disneyland Hotel.
There is no word on whether this minimum is permitted at every DVC location. Signage promotes how 100 points can be used at Grand Floridian, Disney's Riviera Resort and Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas. Presumably, the option exists at all 3 of those destinations. It is also likely that the 100 point minimum will be offered when sales begin for Disneyland Hotel. In fact, the west coast resort may be responsible for the new minimum as many prospective buyers will have less desire to spend a full week or more per year at Disneyland Hotel.
Villas at Disneyland Hotel
All current DVC purchase discounts require a minimum purchase of 150 points. First time buyers at Grand Floridian currently receive a discount of $5 per point when buying 150 points. However, a 100-point purchase is priced at the full rate of $217 per point.
While the lower minimum purchase is available, DVC has not reduced the number of points required in order to qualify for Membership Extras perks and benefits. Owners must accumulate at least 150 direct-purchase points to qualify for the Walt Disney World Sorcerer Annual Pass, admission to DVC's Moonlight Magic events, admission to the DVC members-only lounges, shopping discounts, dining discounts and more.
Contact a Disney Vacation Club sales representative for additional details.
Contracts with as few as 25 points are available via the resale marketplace through brokers like The Timeshare Store. Resale points are are not eligible for Membership Extras and points may be ineliigble for use at certain destinations. However a resale purchase can yield siginficant financial savings. Refer to our Buying Resale page for additional information and reach out to The Timeshare Store for further details.
