Here’s How I Saved $5,166 on My Weeklong Family Vacation to Disney World

Ever since becoming a parent, I’ve been dreaming of a big family trip to Disney World—siblings, cousins, grandparents and all. But how do you bring 12 people to Disney without taking out a second mortgage on your home?

There’s a hotel hack most Disney insiders don’t want you to know about (because it’s that good). David’s Vacation Club Rentals is the under-the-radar service getting travelers major savings by booking accommodations with unused Disney Vacation Club points. If it sounds confusing, I promise it’s not. Here’s everything you need to know, including how I saved more than $5,000 on my weeklong, multi-generational trip. 

Let’s back up. Disney runs a membership-based timeshare program that gives travelers a deeded real estate interest on future stays at multiple Disney resorts, known as Disney Vacation Club (DVC). The twist? Instead of a specific visitation timeframe, members buy into an annual allotment of points that they can use to book accommodations whenever they want at any DVC resort (all Deluxe-level hotels, but more on that later). Though there is flexibility on where the points can be applied, members have chosen “home resorts” where they are given access to an 11-month advance booking window. All other non-home resorts are subject to a 7-month booking window.

So, what’s the main draw? Because it’s a 50-year agreement, DVC members have a locked-in rate at the time of purchase, protecting them against inflation and general price increases. The DVC villas also offer more than a standard hotel room, including a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, living space and an in-unit washer/dryer.

I know what you’re thinking. But what if I don’t use all my points each year? Members can bank, borrow or rent out their unused points through a third-party broker. This is where David’s Vacation Club Rentals comes in.

For the commitment-phobes, 50 years is a long time, and though the DVC accommodations are great for large families and longer stays, not everyone wants to be tied up in a timeshare. David’s Vacation Club Rentals isn’t affiliated with Disney, but it helps bridge that gap, connecting DVC owners with non-members looking to save money by renting those coveted points. David’s Vacation Club Rentals (or DVCR, for short) was founded in 2005 and is one of the largest third-party brokers currently available. Thanks to the timeshare benefits, savings typically net out around 40 to 60 percent compared to the regular cash rate. On a weeklong vacation at a Deluxe Disney resort, that could add up to thousands of dollars.

Here's a simple breakdown of how DVCR works:

1. Owners list their unused points for rent (mostly to recover costs, sometimes to turn a profit).
2. Guests submit a booking request noting their preferred resort, room type and travel dates. Since there’s no guarantee your specific combination will be available, guests also have the option of submitting a second and third back-up choice.
3. DVCR coordinates a match, finding an owner with available points that matches your desired reservation. If found, they’ll book the reservation in your name and manage all the financials.
4. Once confirmed, guests receive a Disney confirmation number that they’ll link to their My Disney Experience account. After linking, you’ll see your reservation noted in the “My Plans” section of the My Disney Experience app (which is where you’ll manage your daily trip itinerary from park tickets to dining). From here, check-in and check-out follow the same standard process as any direct Disney booking.

A few important things to keep in mind:

• All completed DVCR sales are final and non-refundable, so many regulars suggest buying third-party travel insurance to cover your bases.
• DVCR requires a $105 deposit paid in conjunction with your booking request submission. If your request cannot be fulfilled, your deposit will be refunded. If your request is fulfilled, the deposit will go toward your final invoice, meaning you only pay the remaining balance once your reservation is secured. If DVCR does find a match and you choose to back out, the deposit is non-refundable (so make sure you have your ducks in a row before adding your credit card info).
• Since you’re staying at a Deluxe Disney hotel, you’re granted full resort guest perks, including early park entry and extended evening hours.