The Downside of DVC

There’s lots to love about DVC, but like anything else in life, DVC isn’t perfect.  While we are all clearly fans of DVC here, it’s important to acknowledge some of the less favorable aspects of being a Member.  If you’re new to DVC, here are a few things to be aware of to keep expectations in check.  

Availability Can Be Tough

Although you do get the 7- to 11-month booking window at your home resort, availability is still not guaranteed.  During the more popular travel periods, it is possible to not find a room at your home resort.  This is especially true during the Fall when points charts are low, and DVC Members want to visit for the holidays.  

For example, Wilderness Lodge is a fan favorite resort for the holiday season.  That demand combined with the tight inventory of Deluxe Studios at Copper Creek makes it very challenging to book even if you own points at Copper Creek.  Instances like this make it important to plan in advance to get the best chance of booking the room you want.  

Check-in Starts at 4pm

A big gripe of DVC Members is that check-in time is officially after 4pm.  While you may be lucky and get your room earlier than 4pm, it’s not a guarantee.  Oftentimes you may not get into your room until close to 5pm. That is less than ideal if you feel tired from flying in early, have little ones who need a nap, or want to freshen up before dinner.  It can also be disappointing to get your room close to 5pm if you have a short stay since you have a lot less time to enjoy the room.

Dues Increase Annually

DVC isn’t a small purchase. However, the cost of dues over the life of the contract can be more than the initial cost of the contract.  This is particularly true of resorts with higher dues like Vero Beach ($13.86 per point in 2024) and Hilton Head ($11.31 per point in 2024).  Though typically not a drastic change, annual dues do increase every year, so it’s something to budget for when you are researching to purchase a contract.

Housekeeping Is Not Daily

If you’re accustomed to booking cash stays for Disney resorts, you may not be used to the housekeeping schedule of DVC stays.  For stays booked with DVC points or DVC Member cash discounts via Member Services, you get trash and towel service on the fourth day of your stay. If you are staying more than eight nights, you will have a full cleaning on your fourth day and trash and towel service on the eighth day of your stay.  Cast members also collect trash as part of the daily room inspection for “maintenance, security, and other purposes.”  

You can always contact Housekeeping if you are in need of more towels before your fourth or eighth day.  In addition, you can pay for an additional full cleaning of your room if desired.  Studios cost $30 for a full cleaning, One Bedrooms cost $45, Two Bedrooms cost $60, and Grand Villas cost $75.

Resale Restrictions Still Impact Those Who Buy Direct

Throughout DVC’s history, there have been a few rounds of resale restrictions which put limits on what incidental benefits DVC Resale Members receive as well as how resale points can be used.  While some may view resale restrictions as more significant to those who purchase resale DVC contracts, the restrictions impact all DVC Members, including those who purchase direct.  

For example, should you have a direct contract at Riviera and then decide to sell it, it is likely to sell for slightly less than a comparable contract at Copper Creek.  Copper Creek and Riviera have similar contract lengths, but you can only use the resale Riviera contract to book at Riviera. This lack of flexibility detracts from its value.

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The pros of DVC outweigh the cons for many, but it’s good to be an informed consumer if looking to become a DVC Member.  For more experienced DVC Members, what are some of your least favorite aspects of DVC?