If someone told you that you could stay at a deluxe Disney World resort for roughly half the price Disney charges, you would probably think there is a catch. There really is not. Renting DVC points is one of the best-kept savings in the Disney world, and thousands of families do it every year.

But if you have never done it before, the whole thing can feel confusing and a little intimidating. So here is the plain-English version of how it all works.

What Are DVC Points?

Disney Vacation Club is Disney's timeshare program. Members buy a contract at a specific resort, like the Polynesian or Riviera or Wilderness Lodge, and they receive a set number of points every year. They use those points to book stays at any DVC resort.

But sometimes members can't use all their points in a given year. Instead of letting them expire, they rent them to non-members like you. You pay the member directly (usually $18 to $23 per point depending on the time of year and demand), and the member books a reservation in your name.

A one-bedroom villa at Animal Kingdom Lodge that Disney sells for $700 a night might cost you around 20 points per night through DVC. At $20 per point, that is $400 a night. For a week, you would save roughly $2,100 compared to booking through Disney.

Where Do You Find Points to Rent?

There are a few common places:

DVC rental brokers: Companies like David's Vacation Club Rentals act as middlemen. They connect you with a member, handle the payment, and take a cut. It is convenient but you pay a premium and have less flexibility.

Online forums and groups: The DISboards, Facebook DVC groups, and Reddit all have members offering points. The prices are often better than brokers, but you are dealing directly with a stranger. This is where escrow becomes critical.

Friends or family: If you know a DVC member personally, this is the easiest option. But even among friends, having a clear agreement in writing is smart.

How Many Points Do You Need?

Disney publishes point charts for every resort and room type. The number of points per night varies based on the resort, the room size, and the time of year.

Here are some rough estimates for a week-long stay:

You can look up exact point requirements on Disney's DVC website or any DVC fan site. The point charts are public.

What Does the Process Look Like?

Here is a typical DVC point rental from start to finish:

Step 1: Agree on terms. You and the member decide on the resort, room type, dates, and price per point. Get this in writing. Even a simple email or text exchange counts.

Step 2: Payment. This is the most important step. If you are dealing with someone you found online, use an escrow service like DVC SafePay. Your money goes into a protected account that neither of you can touch. The member sees the funds are verified and proceeds with booking.

Step 3: The member books the reservation. They log into their Disney account and book the room in your name. Disney sends you a confirmation email.

Step 4: Verify the reservation. Call Disney at (800) 800-9800 with your confirmation number. Make sure the reservation is real, the dates are correct, and it is under your name.

Step 5: Check in. Show up at the resort on your check-in date with a valid photo ID. Disney checks you in just like any other guest. You get room keys, MagicBand access, and all the same amenities as any DVC member staying there.

Step 6: Funds released. After you check in, the escrow service releases the funds to the member.

What You Get vs. What You Don't

When you rent DVC points, you are staying in a DVC resort room. You get:

What you don't get:

How Much Will You Save?

The savings are significant. Here is a real comparison:

A one-bedroom at Riviera Resort for 7 nights in March 2026 costs roughly $5,600 if you book through Disney. The same room through a DVC point rental at $20 per point costs around $3,000. That is $2,600 in savings on a single trip.

For families who visit Disney every year or two, renting DVC points can save $5,000 or more over a few trips. That is real money that can go toward park tickets, dining, or just staying an extra couple of nights.

One Last Tip

If you take nothing else from this article, take this: always protect your payment. Whether you rent through a broker or find a member directly, make sure your money is protected until you actually walk into that resort. Escrow exists for exactly this reason. And it is a small price for a whole lot of peace of mind.