How Do You Make the Most of Your DVC Membership Outside of Park Visits?

[kimkon247]

Hi everyone,
Curious how other members use their DVC points or enjoy the benefits beyond just theme park days.

• Do you plan relaxing resort-only trips?
• Have you tried using points for non-Disney locations (like RCI or cruises)?
• Any underrated DVC resorts you’d recommend for a quieter experience?

I’m looking to get more out of my membership, especially for trips that aren’t focused just on park hopping. Would love to hear how you all maximize the value of your points in creative ways!
Thanks in advance!

 

[kanerf]

I find BRV and AKL Kidani to be the most relaxing and laid back of the resorts (I own at both). Part of this is because they are adjacent to the larger resort that has most of the facilities, so far less traffic locally. Kidani is particularly nice if you are driving since the garage is under the resort and out of the hot Florida sun.

 

[AnnaS]

Have used our points for stays at Disney Vero Beach and Disney Hilton Head. Vero Beach was always a back to back stay with WDW.

One (possibly two) stays were resort only.

Have taken multiple DCL cruises (see signature). Half of them booked two cabins, once three cabins and rest one cabin. 8 cruises - but early on used a combination of points and cash, points only, cash only.

Have only traded once with II - many many years ago (before RCI/now II again). Royal Sands, Cancun (before they turned into AI).

Always thought we would try a trade again since we had an excellent stay experience (their sales pitch though was high pressure/did not want to attend/long story). We just mixed in other non-DVC/Disney vacations over the years and did not look into it again.

Like many, have invited (points on us) friends and family over the years here and there which were special for different reasons.

You can make any resort as a resort only stay - but if you like DS, OKW & SSR are more convenient and AKL is great for the animals right there. I love all the resorts we have stayed in.

(owner 25 years).

 

[Sandisw]

We have only used our points at WDW but we definitely do trips which are resort only.

Most of our time in the parks is limited even when we do.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We've used points a number of times for DL (Grand Cali is one of our favorites, but we don't go often enough to buy at the current price point!). At WDW, we find the most relaxing resorts to be AKL and OKW. I know OKW doesn't come up often, but the very large rooms, very large decks/balconies, and the peaceful feel do it for us. At AKL, sitting on the balcony overlooking the savannah (with or even without animals) is the best way to start and end a day!

 

[mort1331]

We have loved our times at non park resorts like HH and would never have thought about Hawaii if not for AUL. What a great trip that was and looking forward to going back. We have also just laid back at OKW, golfed a couple of days and chilled on the balcony, no parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

Curious how other members use their DVC points or enjoy the benefits beyond just theme park days.

Coming out of the pandemic, I had a backlog of timeshare assets to burn down. As part of that, I booked myself two weeks into SSR. This was during the Annual Pass Pause, so I could only get a ten-day ticket. I ended up hanging out in the villa quite a bit--I was very near the Paddock pool, and it was a lovely break away from it all. I also caught a concert at House of Blues.

As for RCI/II: I've never exchanged DVC points in them, but I do use them quite a bit. I've really enjoyed the Hiltons in Hawaii, but those are RCI, and not currently accessible to DVC owners. The Marriotts are another possibility on the islands. I've stayed at Kauai Beach Club, which is a "lesser" Marriott but still was an enjoyable stay.

 

[davidhr]

Hi everyone,
Curious how other members use their DVC points or enjoy the benefits beyond just theme park days.

• Do you plan relaxing resort-only trips?
• Have you tried using points for non-Disney locations (like RCI or cruises)?
• Any underrated DVC resorts you’d recommend for a quieter experience?

I’m looking to get more out of my membership, especially for trips that aren’t focused just on park hopping. Would love to hear how you all maximize the value of your points in creative ways!
Thanks in advance!

We do resort weekends without parks every now and then. Or just go to the parks to grab a bite.

We actually love the bubble and we are ok not going to the parks, so for us just being there and having a nice weekend with pools and good dining options is a nice break from the regular day to day stress.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Disney's Hilton Head Island resort is definitely our favorite resort. We can just sit in the wooden swing and watch the marsh for hours, or if the weather's bad, do a jigsaw puzzle. DH golfs 4-5 times while we're there. We go out to eat a lot (there are so many choices. Haven't done a "resort only" trip, but I could.