What Is a DVC Favorite Week or “Guaranteed” Week Contract?
A Disney Vacation Club Favorite Week contract is a unique type of DVC contract that gives the owner a guaranteed reservation for a specific week, room type, and resort every year. Favorite Week contracts are essentially a blend between a traditional timeshare and the flexibility of the DVC points system. Disney will automatically book a guaranteed week (Sunday-Sunday) reservation for you each year, but you can also opt out each year to utilize your points the normal way.
Why Buy a Favorite Week Contract?
- Guaranteed Reservation: Member Services will automatically book your specific reservation for your week each year. This is particularly helpful for very popular room types and seasons.
- Points-Based Flexibility: You can opt out each year to receive your allotment of DVC points, which you can bank, borrow, or use for a reservation as normal.
The DVC “favorite week” contract type is one of the most misunderstood DVC concepts due to the small number sold each year.
What Resorts Offer Favorite Weeks?
- Aulani
- Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (including the Island Tower)
- Riviera Resort
- Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Villas at Disneyland Hotel
How Do Favorite Weeks Work?
You’ll need to decide on these options:
- Home Resort
- Room Type
- Specific Week
Favorite week resort reservations always run from Sunday-Sunday. The week does not change from year to year (with one exception – see the RunDisney contract FAQ below). Each eligible resort has a Favorite Week points chart showing what it will cost to buy a specific week. A favorite week contract typically requires you to purchase approximately 10% more points than the week would normally cost to book.
Favorite weeks are limited and may not be available when purchasing direct for certain room types and weeks, especially at “sold out” resorts like the Grand Floridian and Copper Creek.
Certain weeks may cost higher than a 10% premium or even save you points when purchased. This is because the favorite week points charts do not change yearly with the standard points charts.
For example, in 2024, I bought a Riviera Week 7 Resort View Studio contract, which cost 153 points. However, under the 2026 regular points chart, that stay would require 155 points.
In any year, you can opt out of the favorite week reservation and utilize the points on the contract. For example, I would have the full 153 points to use should I opt out of my reservation.
This is the biggest misconception of DVC Favorite Week contracts – most people assume they can’t be swapped out for points and must be used as a fixed week reservation each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Favorite Week contracts cost more per point?
When buying direct from Disney, the price per point is exactly the same as buying a regular direct contract. You are entitled to the relevant incentives and discounts that apply to normal DVC direct contracts as well.
Can I buy a Favorite Week contract on the resale market?
Yes! These contracts have a special filter on the DVC Resale Market website. Due to the uniqueness of these contracts, they often sell for a premium.
Can I buy a Favorite Week for a time period other than Sunday-Sunday?
No, they are set as Sunday-Sunday reservation and the week does not shift each year. (See the note on runDisney below.)
Can I add a Favorite Week option to my existing contract?
No, Favorite Weeks must be written into your specific contract at the time of purchase direct from Disney. The Favorite Week will stick with the contract should you choose to sell it at a later date.
How do I cancel a Favorite Week reservation?
To ensure that the correct number of points is returned to your DVC account, you should call Member Services to cancel your reservation or to opt out.
Can I bank/borrow points as normal?
Yes. You can bank or borrow points as normal. Note that this may impact your favorite week reservation for the year, as you must have the full allotment of points from your use year available for Member Services to book the reservation. If you have borrowed points from a future use year associated with the contract, your reservation will not be automatically made for the year you have borrowed from.
I heard something about runDisney guaranteed contracts…?
These were previously offered by DVC but are not currently available direct. You may still find these rare contracts on the resale market. They guarantee a reservation around a specific runDisney race each year.
What other questions do you have about DVC Favorite Week contracts? Share in the DVC Fan Facebook Group, and we’ll be happy to answer them!
