Do you have to be a DVC member to stay at a DVC resort?

[FairyDust2008]

We aren't interested in buying into a timeshare/vacation but I liked the space of the DVC resorts because they seem more homelike. Do you have to be a DVC member to stay here or can you just book regularly like with the deluxe resorts? Thanks in advance

 

[marivaid]

No, anyone can book a DVC resort. I think some of the bigger Villas may be reserved for members though.

 

[Hopefully]

First of all, Welcome to the DIS!!! You will find lots of great information and friendly folks here.
No, you do not need to be a DVC member to stay at a DVC Villa. We are not and have stayed in OKW, BCV and the BWV. We love staying in the Villas. Disney maintains ownership of a small percentage of the DVC inventory which they make available through CRO for rental.
You will also see lots of information here on the DIS about renting points from a DVC owner. This is significantly cheaper than renting through CRO, but it takes a lot of trust from both parites, and firm plans. In essence, once you know your travel dates, you find a DVC owner that will rent you a reservation that they have made using their points. An owner can book their home resort 11 months in advance, and 7 months in advance at all other resorts.
Depending on the day of the week and the time of the year, each day "costs" a certain number of points. They price each point and you pay the total for the total number of points for your stay.
You sign a contract with the owner, and their is very little flexibility in the contract, as the owner will loose their points if you cancel. Most require at least a partial payment (if not full) in advance.
There is lots of information on the DVC Boards here on the DIS.
Have Fun Planning!

 

[Cindie-rella]

You don't have to be a member. Yes, you can book these rooms through Disney but they can be expensive. A better option would be to rent points from a DVC member. The cost of the points may vary from each member, but most of the members sell their points for about $10./per point. This ends up costing way less than going through Disney. For my upcoming April trip at the Ak Villa's I paid only about a third of what it might have cost otherwise. However....you need to be cautious about who you rent these points from. You can find out all you need to know on the DVC boards. It's worth looking into.

 

[DVC Mike]

You can certainly save a lot of money on great accommodations in a “Disney Deluxe Villa Resort” (Disney Vacation Club) by renting a reservation direct from a DVC member rather than making the reservation with WDW reservations (aka CRO).

However, please be sure and educate yourself on how a DVC reservation is very different from a regular hotel reservation, and the basics of “renting points”, as it is often referred to.

See: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669863

 

[fla4fun]

I'm not a DVC member and I check into Boardwalk Villas tomorrow for two weeks, so you can definitely stay there. I choose to book through Disney because you get the same cancellation policy as any other room only booking, and I get daily mousekeeping. I can usually get an AP, Florida Resident, or AAA discount to help with the costs. I have noticed that booking through Disney I can't see availability until about 7 months out, so if you like planning farther ahead than that (and you don't typically cancel your reservation) you might prefer the cost savings of going through a DVC member. They can book their home resort 11 months ahead.