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Do you have plans to hit a movie theater this weekend to see “Maleficent”? The film tells the untold story of one of Disney’s most intriguing villains - and officially opens in theaters today! View the full article

As we continue our series of different firsts at Disney Parks, we thought we’d take a look at an experience known for making faces light up with joy at the Walt Disney World Resort - a first pony ride. View the full article

We continue our series of firsts at Disney Parks with a look at an experience known for making faces light up with joy at Walt Disney World Resort - a first ...From:Disney ParksViews:374166ratingsTime:01:08More inTravel & Events

Ralph in Disney's "Wreck-It-Ralph" said it best. "I am bad and that is good. I will never be good and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be than me." View the full article

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will mark 25 years of slip-sliding fun this Sunday, June 1. View the full article

Re-imagined Disney Magic: A Family Affair | Disney Cruise Line | Disney Parks See all the ways Disney Magic cruisers are making memories on our transformed ship, and name your top picks for family fun. SUBSCRIBE: http://di.sn/q7h About Disney Cruise Line: Disney Cruise...From:Disney ParksViews:46570ratingsTime:02:58More inTravel & Events View the full article

Host your very own Star Wars Weekend at Home with these fun finds on Disney Food Blog! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook FanRelated posts:“Food Network Challenge: Star Wars Cakes” This WeekendNews!! Star Wars Themed Character Meals at Disney World During Star Wars WeekendsStar Wars Weekends: Darth Vader Popcorn BucketView the full article

Earlier this spring, before this weekend’s release of Disney’s big-budget, live-action movie “Maleficent,” some observers were worried the film might be too scary for young viewers. View the full article

This week’s Disney Parks After Dark image was snapped at the Boneyard at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Is this one of your child’s favorite places to explore during the day? The dino skeleton at night sure looks pretty cool, too. View the full article

I am a huge fan of Soarin’ Over California at Disney California Adventure park! For me, it’s definitely a must-do attraction. I’m sure many of you who frequently visit Epcot feel the same way about Soarin’. That’s why I’m so excited to give you a first look at some of the new merchandise that will prep your flight crew for their next trip. It’s truly ‘first class!’ View the full article

"The Festival of the Lion King," a popular show at Disney's Animal Kingdom, is returning to the stage -- and to a new theater -- as of Sunday. View the full article

“Festival of the Lion King,” the popular musical stage show that originated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998, will debut at the brand-new Harambe Theatre in the Africa section of the park on June 1. View the full article

Now it's easier than ever to plan a magical vacation with FREE Walt Disney World customized maps! Just click the video above and watch how you and your famil...From:Disney ParksViews:27946189ratingsTime:01:11More inTravel & Events

We're back with another delicious round of Disney Food Pics of the Week! Today, we're celebrating reader pics of Ice Cream Sandwiches! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook FanRelated posts:Disney Food Pics of the Week: Sandwiches!Disney Food Pics of the Week: Turkey!Disney Food Pics of the Week: Mickey Snacks!View the full article

Campfires are a social event like none other. There’s the night sky, the smells of burning wood, the laughs and the kinship. Did you know that they’ve been a beloved and longtime tradition at Walt Disney World Resort? View the full article

Last Friday, Disney Parks officially kicked off summer with the Rock Your Disney Side 24-hour event. Here at the Disneyland Resort, we celebrated with a giant sand sculpture of summer’s biggest fan - Olaf from Disney’s “Frozen.” Today we’ve got a special time-lapse view of the creation of this sculpture, set to - what else? - “In Summer,” performed by Olaf himself! View the full article

For 50 years, Mike Larson has worked in Disneyland Resort Custodial Guest Services – with no plans to retire. Mike’s gentle, friendly approach to guest service is anchored by his enthusiastic admiration for Walt Disney. I recently met up with Mike to journey down memory lane. View the full article

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a timeshare program operated by Disney. The program currently operates twelve resorts: eight DVC resorts at Walt Disney World (with a 9th coming in 2015) and one DVC resort at Disneyland in California, as well as one resort each in Oahu, Hawaii, Vero Beach, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina. This page is primarily focused on evaluating the Disney Vacation Club for those who will buy and use points mainly in a DVC resort at Walt Disney World and/or Disneyland, but there is some information on DVC resorts in general. Introduction Deciding Whether or Not to Join Dues Increases vs. Resort Rate Increases DVC Cost vs. Paying Cash for Your Resort Stay Opportunity Cost Other Expenses and Benefits Long-Term Issues Best Candidates for DVC Membership Resale or Direct From Disney? Incentives Conclusion More Information Owner's Locker Renting Disney Vacation Club Points Disney Vacation Club Members With Extra Points Introduction There are nine DVC resorts at Walt Disney World: Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Villas at Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Villas at Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows. There is one DVC resort at Disneyland in California: Villas at Grand Californian. There are also DVC resorts in three beach locations: Oahu, Hawaii, Vero Beach, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina. DVC operates on a “points” system that allows members to use their points in a flexible fashion at any of the DVC resorts. Those who have purchased their DVC points directly from Disney (or purchased resale DVC points prior to 3/21/11) can also use those points at Disney resort hotels in California, Florida, France, Hong Kong, Japan, the Disney Cruise Line, and other (non-Disney) vacations. While Disney likes to emphasize the flexibility of the points system and your ability to use them outside of Disney, the reality is that the most cost-effective use of DVC points is at the DVC resorts. Using points for cruises or regular hotel rooms just doesn’t give you as much “bang for your buck.” For that reason, DVC membership generally is not worth considering unless you plan to stay at a DVC resort at least every other year. With the exception of Saratoga Springs and Old Key West, the DVC resorts at Walt Disney World and Disneyland are located right next to Disney’s resort hotels. The units are extremely nice — in many respects actually nicer than most of Disney’s hotel rooms. Studio units at the Walt Disney World Disney Vacation Club resorts are about the size of Disney’s Deluxe hotel rooms (355 to 412 square feet) and include a mini-fridge and microwave. Most studios sleep 4 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib) in two Queen beds or a Queen bed and a full-size sofa bed. The studios at the Villas at the Grand Floridian, Villas at Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows can sleep 5; they have a pull-down bunk-size bed (slightly smaller than a twin) under the television, which is big enough for a child or small adult. The Studio units at the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows all have a connecting door to an adjoining Studio unit. You cannot book two guaranteed connecting rooms, but they have so many of them that requests for two connecting rooms will usually be honored. There are also 1- and 2-bedroom villas that include a full kitchen (with all the basic cooking utensils, pots, pans and dishes supplied) and living room in addition to the bedroom(s), plus a whirlpool tub in the master bedroom and a washer/dryer in a closet. · Most 1-bedroom villas sleep 4 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib), with a King bed in the bedroom and a Full-size pullout sofa in the living room. At Animal Kingdom Kidani Villas, the 1-bedroom units sleep 5 (the ones at Animal Kingdom Jambo House sleep 4) and at Bay Lake Tower, Villas at Grand Floridian and Old Key West, all of the 1-bedroom units sleep 5. In the units with a higher capacity, there is an additional pullout Twin-size bed in the living room. Most 1-bedroom villas have one bathroom, but at Animal Kingdom Kidani Villas and Bay Lake Tower, they have two bathrooms. · Most 2-bedroom villas sleep up to 8 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib), with a King bed in one bedroom and two Queens or a Queen and a Full-size pullout sofa in the other bedroom, plus a Full-size pullout sofa in the living room. At Animal Kingdom Villas, most of the 2-bedroom units sleep 9 and at Bay Lake Tower, Villas at Grand Floridian and Old Key West, all of the 2-bedroom units sleep 9. In the units with a higher capacity, there is an additional pullout single bed in the living room. Most of the 2-bedrooms have two bathrooms, but at Animal Kingdom Kidani Villas and Bay Lake Tower, they have three bathrooms. The Treehouses at Saratoga Springs Resort have 3 bedrooms and sleep 9 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib). There is one Queen bed each of the first two bedrooms; bunk beds in the third bedroom; and a Full-size pullout sofa and a Twin-size pullout chair in the living room. The Bungalows at the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows have two bedrooms and sleep 8 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib). There is one King bed in the master bedroom, one Queen bed and one pull-down bunk-size bed in the second bedroom, and one pull-out Queen sofa bed and one pull-down bunk-size bed in the living room. Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower, BoardWalk Villas, Villas at Grand Floridian, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs also have 3-bedroom Grand Villas, for the ultimate in luxury and space — these can sleep up to 12 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib) and offer a full kitchen, laundry facilities and more. The exact configurations vary, but generally there is a King bed in one bedroom; two Queens or a Queen and a full-size pullout sofa in each of the other two bedrooms; and a full- or Queen-size pullout sofa in the living room. Most Grand Villas have 4 bathrooms – one for each of the bedrooms, plus an extra off the living room area. DVC members receive a few extra benefits, including discounts at certain Disney World and Disneyland restaurants and shops (these change frequently), free high-speed Internet at the DVC resorts at Walt Disney World, and discounts on Walt Disney World Annual Passes. Deciding Whether or Not to Join Before purchasing a DVC membership, we think it’s a good idea to consider all of the costs and benefits, pros and cons. It’s really a very complex decision if you want to make sure you’re doing the wisest thing financially. In the sections below, we offer some thoughts on these issues. That said, some people just want to lock in an annual vacation at Disney with family and friends, regardless of whether it’s a “good deal” or not. Ultimately many DVC members have joined because they found the membership emotionally satisfying — and that’s a hard thing to evaluate. The initial cost of joining DVC is significant and you will pay substantial annual dues/maintenance fees, which go up every year. It’s very important to realize that you while you are purchasing a deeded and transferable interest, it is not a real estate investment, but rather a prepaid vacation plan. Among other things, your points are not good forever: they expire on January 31st of 2042, 2054, 2057, 2060, 2064 or 2066 depending on which resort you buy into. When considering a DVC membership, it’s a good idea to run some calculations. We did this, and also looked at spreadsheets done by others. It’s incredibly complex, because there are a zillion variables. Among the factors to consider are your vacation habits, whether you can afford the initial buy-in cost and its associated opportunity and whether you can handle the annual dues (be sure to account for annual dues increases). This may not make us popular in this day and age of “instant gratification,” but realistically; it is hard to argue that DVC membership is a financially responsible decision if you don’t have the upfront cost in the bank. If we had to borrow the money, we definitely would not join. Naturally Disney will suggest otherwise, because it makes a lot of money on the financing. (Of course, we also think it’s unwise to finance a vacation on credit cards. Call us old-fashioned — but we bet most financial advisors will agree with us.) Dues Increases vs. Resort Rate Increases The effect of annual dues increases on the total cost of DVC membership must be considered. One issue to keep in mind is that Disney can increase dues significantly from year to year, subject to a limit of 15% each year and a requirement to charge only for the actual operating expenses (including management of the operation) and reasonably expected necessary reserves. A portion of your dues is allocated to a capital reserve fund for major refurbishments. Adjustments are always possible if the projected reserve needs vary from actual experience, although Disney has been in lodging business for many decades and has considerable experience in what long-term costs to expect. Special assessments are possible if something unforeseen occurs (i.e. hurricane damage). Here are some examples of historical increases: · Old Key West Resort, the oldest of the DVC resorts (thus having the longest track record) had dues of $2.51 in 1991 and in 2014 had dues of $5.54. That means it has averaged a 3.50% increase, compounded annually. · BoardWalk Villas went from $3.70 in 1996 to $6.07 in 2014, an average annual compounded increase of 2.79%. · Villas at Wilderness Lodge went from $3.62 in 2000 to $5.93 in 2014, an average annual compounded increase of 3.59%. In short, it’s hard to gauge exactly what the annual increases will be. As the buildings age, it’s likely the increases will escalate. The smaller resorts are likely to have bigger increases because there are fewer members sharing the costs. In the scenarios expressed on this page, we assumed a 3.2% dues increase, compounded annually. If you think it will be higher, you should adjust your calculations accordingly. To be fair, the cash cost of staying in one of Disney’s resort rooms has also gone up significantly over time, and the cash cost of a resort room starts out much higher than the dues for an equivalent stay. Like the DVC resort dues increases, the rate increases at the Disney resort hotels are not consistent. For example: · In 1992 a standard room at Caribbean Beach Resort in Regular Season cost $77, while in 2014 it was $211 (weeknights) — a 4.69% increase, compounded annually. · In 1997 a studio at Old Key West in regular season cost $229, while in 2014 it was $414 — a 3.54% increase, compounded annually. · In 1998 a standard room at Yacht Club in regular season cost $280, while in 2014 it was $465 — a 3.22% increase, compounded annually. By the way, “compounded annually” means that each year’s increase is added to the total cost the previous year, not the original rate you were paying at the beginning. So if your 2008 dues at Saratoga Springs Resort are $4.21 and go up 3.2%, your new dues in 2009 would be $4.34. If those new dues of $4.34 per point go up 3.2%, your new dues in 2010 would be $4.48, and so on. Thus, the total grows geometrically. Assuming 3.2% compounded annually, the 2014 $4.91 per point dues at Saratoga Springs resort would slowly rise to $16.77 per point by 2053. Of course, the value of your dollar will almost certainly be lower by then, due to inflation. If inflation stays at or above the rate of dues increases and resort rate increases, they are not really significant in terms of your spending power. Recent years have had extremely low inflation, but that’s not guaranteed to continue. We think it’s fair to guess that dues increases and resort rate increases may be roughly equivalent over time. We based our calculations below on that assumption. If you think resort rates will go up faster (and they might) than DVC dues increases that will tend to make DVC membership look more attractive. DVC Cost vs. Paying Cash for Your Resort Stay Let’s say you buy 160 points at Saratoga Springs Resort. For purposes of this example, 160 points would cover 11 nights of vacation in a Saratoga Springs Studio unit: a 6-night stay (including one weekend night) in Magic Season and a 5-night stay (including one weekend night) in Choice season. · Your dues for 160 Saratoga Springs Resort points are $786 in 2014. (This ignores the buy-in cost of $20,800 and the associated opportunity cost.) · If you rented points from an owner to stay in a Saratoga Springs studio for the same dates at $12 a point, it would cost you $1920. · Maybe you’d be just as happy staying in the least expensive Disney Deluxe hotel room, and you’re able to get a modest discount on the hotel room. If you stayed at Wilderness Lodge in Regular Season with a 25% discount, 11 nights would cost you $3724.31 with tax in 2014. · If you paid the full “rack rate” charged by Disney to stay in a Saratoga Springs studio for 11 nights in Regular season, it would cost you $5123.25 with tax in 2014. · Note that Disney Deluxe resort stays are currently subject to 12.5% tax. DVC dues aren’t subject to sales or resort taxes. Deep resort rate discounts (25% off or more), such as Annual Passholder rates and “code” rates, are sometimes available at Walt Disney World. However, the number of discounted rooms has gone down each year lately, and in 2015 Disney eliminated their AAA discount, which was the only discount that was available almost all of the year. If your dates are flexible and you can go in the off-season you can probably get some kind of discount, but if you need to go during school vacations room discounts are going to be harder to get. There are no similar “discounts” on the number of points required for a DVC stay. Opportunity Cost Another factor to consider before buying into DVC is the “opportunity cost” — what you are losing by tying up your money with Disney, instead of using it for another purpose. Let’s say you put the same amount you would have used to buy a DVC membership into investments paying 7% annual interest. Each year you add the same amount of money you would have paid in DVC fees. Then you pay cash for your vacation each year out of this investment account. When you compare such an investment against a DVC purchase, the results will depend on a number of factors, including your vacation habits (how much time will you be spending at Disney World, Disneyland and other DVC resorts in the next 35-50 years? what kind of lodgings do you prefer?), the initial buy-in cost, the annual dues(be sure to account for annual dues increases), and any interest you would be paying if you finance the purchase. Every family can generate a different scenario. We’ve done some calculations based on certain assumptions, and the results are listed below. The assumptions include NOT financing the purchase. We also assumed there would be equivalent annual increases in dues, resort rates and cost to rent points. Most importantly, we assumed you didn’t get any incentives at buy-in. If you were able to buy your points at a reduced “incentive” price, a DVC purchase would be even more attractive than described below. In the following scenarios, DVC purchase beats investing the money (buy-in amount plus annual fees) and paying cash for your annual vacations: · You vacation for 10 nights every year in a Deluxe resort or DVC Studio unit at full “rack rates.” In this scenario, you’ll start saving money after 8 years or less of DVC ownership. In fact, if this is your vacation style, DVC is still a good deal even if you would only stay 10 nights in a DVC Studio every other year and throw away 50% of your points (though it will take longer to break even — about 21 years). · You stay 10 nights at a Deluxe resort each year, with a 25% discount (approx. 13 years to break even). · You stay 7 nights at a Deluxe resort each year at full “rack rates” (approx. 13 years to break even). · You vacation for 10 nights each year at a Moderate resort, paying full “rack rates” (approx. 20 years to break even). · You rent 160 points from a DVC owner each year, starting at $11 a point, for at least the next 24 years. · You vacation for 10 nights each year at a Moderate resort, with a 20% discount (approx. 42 years to break even). DVC purchase is not cost-effective in the following scenarios: · You vacation 7 nights per year at a Moderate resort, paying full “rack rates.” · You rent 160 points every other year from a DVC owner, starting at $11 a point. The break-even amount in 2014 dollars seems to be around $1850. If you would normally average less than that per year for your accommodations, DVC is probably not going to save you money. If you spend more than that per year, on average, and you can afford to write a check for the buy-in amount, it’s worth considering a DVC purchase. Maybe you don’t vacation at Walt Disney World every year, but when you do go, you stay in luxurious accommodations (Deluxe resorts or DVC units). DVC may still be a decent bet. You can bank your annual points, allowing you to skip a year. In fact, by carefully banking and borrowing points, it’s even possible to skip two years and only use the points every third year. Or you can rent out excess points. If you want to see how the above scenarios were calculated, right-click on this link and download the Excel file. Note that calculations were based on 2008 numbers and assume 3.2% annual compounded increases in all figures used. One last note on this topic: the scenarios above do not take into account a major benefit to investing the money instead of spending it on a DVC membership: your money remains liquid and available in case of emergency or changes in your financial situation. If you invest the money and want to stop vacationing at Disney World, you can easily divert the money to other uses. Other Expenses and Benefits Remember that the cost of accommodations is actually a small fraction of the overall cost of a vacation. Walt Disney World annual passes for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids ages 3-9), with the DVC discount, cost over $2000 in 2014. Meals for a 10-day vacation can easily run $1200 or more for a family. Then you have to account for airfare (or gas to drive there), souvenirs, bottled water, extra ticketed events such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and so on. DVC members do qualify for some discounts that may help with these additional vacation expenses. They save a substantial amount on Annual Passes at Walt Disney World, a small amount on first-time Annual Passes at Disneyland, and get some restaurant and merchandise discounts (but this varies and is always subject to change). Also, the villas have full kitchens, which could help a bit with the costs, since some meals can be made in the unit. DVC members and their guests may choose to purchase a Dining Plan when staying on “points” at a Walt Disney World DVC resort. The Dining Plans are available to the general public only as part of a vacation package, so this is a nice benefit for those DVC members. Another DVC benefit: you don’t pay extra when more than 2 adults are staying in one DVC unit. This is true whether you use your own points, rent points or pay cash. By contrast, the Disney resort hotels charge extra if you have more than 2 adults (defined as 18 and older) in a room. Depending on the ages of the people in your group, this may save you a bit. DVC members who are staying on points at a Walt Disney World DVC resort get FREE self-service laundry: laundry rooms near Studio accommodations have the machines rigged so no coins are required; a washer/dryer and a starter packet of laundry soap are included in 1-Bedroom and larger units. You may be able to deduct the property tax portion of your annual dues on your federal and/or state tax return. For instance, in 2004 Old Key West owners paid $0.7959 per point in property taxes, out of their total $3.6766 per point annual dues. For an owner with 150 points, that translated into $119.39 in property taxes that might be deductible. Consult your tax advisor for details. Long-Term Issues DVC contracts last a long time. Will you still want to go to Disney World every year, 25 years from now? 35 years from now? If your lifestyle changes, you get tired of Disney vacations, or you suffer financial reverses, the dues can become a burden. Then you’re faced with selling your membership, or renting out your points to cover the dues. Realistically, there is a reason why there are always DVC resales available: people do get in over their heads or just change their minds. A DVC owner who became a member over 12 years ago mentioned to MouseSavers.com founder Mary Waring that she might not make the same decision today. One thing she didn’t consider, she now realizes, is that your lifestyle changes over time. When she became a member, she had small children and went to Disney World every year. Now her kids are in college, and she says when that tuition bill arrives, she sometimes regrets owing $2000 in annual DVC dues. The single biggest reason people sell timeshares is that they can no longer afford the membership fees, which inevitably go up and up. This is why you’ll find so many (non-DVC) timeshare memberships being given away (or nearly so) on eBay and elsewhere, with the stipulation that the new owner takes over the fees. However, we have never seen a DVC membership being given away, because there is an active DVC resale market. DVC has retained its value better than most timeshares, partly because Disney buys back some resales under its “right of first refusal” clause, which helps to keep the resale prices up. Currently resellers are getting about 50-70% of full retail price, once they pay the associated sales costs. Additionally, there is a healthy demand for DVC point rentals, so it’s often possible for owners to cover their dues by renting out their points. As DVC memberships get closer and closer to their expiration dates, it’s likely that resale prices will drop. If you are contemplating the purchase of a resale for one of the resorts that expires in 2042, it’s possible the resale value might drop significantly at some point, particularly since there are other DVC resorts that don’t expire until 2057 or beyond. Given the success of DVC, there is every reason to expect that additional resorts will be built, with later and later expiration dates. On the other hand, there is a major advantage in your DVC membership having an expiration date: eventually you can get out of it! Most other timeshares are sold in perpetuity, which is not, in our opinion, a benefit: it just means the membership fees will never, ever end, so you are stuck paying those fees forever unless you can sell the membership. Best Candidates for DVC Membership DVC membership might make sense if you meet most or all of these criteria: · You have the cash in hand to pay all of the upfront costs of membership without borrowing. · The cost of dues does not appear to present a financial hardship based on your current expectations. · You vacation at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and/or Disney’s beach resorts (Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Aulani) frequently: ideally at least once every two years. · You plan to continue staying at DVC resorts far enough into the future to make the membership at least break even. · You prefer to stay in Deluxe or DVC accommodations and/or you stay a long time (10 days or more per year). · You are able to plan your vacations well in advance — ideally 7 to 11 months out. Resale or Direct From Disney? Generally only the newest resorts are available for immediate purchase directly through Disney. You can ask Disney to put you on a waiting list to purchase the other resorts, though they are supposedly “sold out.” If Disney exercises its “right of first refusal” on a resale, or it gets back points through foreclosure, it will turn around and sell those points at current full market rates to the next person on the waiting list. You can also purchase any of the resorts from current owners who want to get rid of their memberships, through the resale market. If your offer is too low, Disney will exercise its “right of first refusal” and buy it out from under you — which is nice for the seller, but a waste of the buyer’s time. Be sure to research before making your offer, so that you have a reasonable expectation of actually getting the contract. According to our calculations, the long-term value of a DVC membership is somewhat similar whether you buy a resale of one of the older resorts that expires sooner, or the newest resort direct from Disney. This varies depending on exactly how much you pay for the resale. When comparing buying a brand-new resort direct vs. a very recent resort like Saratoga or Animal Kingdom via resale, resale is almost always a much better value, because the cost is much lower and the life spans of the resorts are very similar. When comparing a brand-new resort vs. an older resort like BoardWalk or Wilderness Lodge that expires in 2042, it’s not always straightforward to tell which the better deal is over the long term. For that reason we think the decision to go with a resale vs. buying from Disney should take into account which resort you want, how much you are willing to pay up front (which will usually be a lot less with a resale) and how long a contract you want (through 2042, 2054, etc.). If purchasing directly from Disney, normally you must buy at least 100 points. It is possible to purchase less than 100 points through resale, though small contracts have much higher demand and lower supply on the resale market, making them less attractively priced for buyers. For years the minimum purchase requirement was 150 points, so there are quite a few 150-point contracts that may come up for resale. Also, some owners have purchased “add-ons” of as few as 25 points, which they may choose to sell off at some point. As of March 21, 2011, newly purchased resale points do not have all the same privileges as points purchased directly from Disney. Resale points are valid for reservations at Disney Vacation Club resorts, RCI exchanges, Club Cordial and Club Intrawest. Resale points are not valid for making reservations within the Disney Collection (including all non-DVC Disney resorts at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disney resorts outside the US), the Concierge Collection (about a dozen high-end hotels and resorts that have a direct relationship with DVC) or the Adventurer Collection (Adventures by Disney). Bear in mind, however, that the redemption options that are no longer available to resale buyers are a very poor use of DVC points anyway, as they require a large number of points in relation to the value received – so low that if you bought DVC points direct and only used them for exchanges like cruises, you would never break even on the purchase. So roughly speaking when you use a year’s worth of DVC points for Disney Collection or Concierge Collection, you are getting no real benefit, because you’re pushing out your break-even date on the initial purchase by approximately one more year. In pretty much every case, you can rent out your points for cash, use the cash to buy the cruise or other exchange, and have money left over. The best “bang for your buck,” by far, is to use DVC points to stay at a DVC resort, and points purchased in the resale market will allow you to do that. But if the ability to use DVC points to go on a Disney cruise or stay in a non-DVC Disney resort is important to you, even though the value you’ll receive for your points is low — well, then you will have to buy your points from Disney directly. Resale buyers still have the same privileges at DVC resorts as those who buy from Disney: the same ability to book 11 months in advance at your home resort or 7 months in advance for other DVC resorts, the same Annual Pass and dining discounts, free Internet access during your point’s stays, etc. Banking, borrowing and transferring of points is the same whether you buy resale or direct from Disney. If you bought a resale on or before March 20, 2011, the points you bought on the resale market are “grandfathered in” and retain full privileges. You continue to receive the exact same benefits and discounts as someone who bought directly from Disney. If you give your ownership to a friend or relative, or leave it to them in your will, Disney will transfer the ownership with full exchange privileges intact. If you are interested in buying a resale, several Florida real estate companies specialize in DVC resales — try a Google search to find them. Incentives Disney offers special incentives for new buyers on the DVC resorts that are currently available for direct sale. These offers are subject to change at any time and may not be available when you make your purchase. A minimum purchase of 100 points is usually required for new buyers. A good source for finding the most recent incentives is DVCNews.com. Conclusion Buying a DVC membership is a rational, financially viable option for some people: namely people with the cost of the initial purchase already sitting in the bank, who plan to stay in the higher-end accommodations at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and/or Disney’s beach resorts on a regular basis. A DVC purchase is a way of committing to an annual Disney vacation with family and friends. For some people, that may outweigh any financial considerations. Only you can determine if DVC membership makes sense for your situation. Information provided by Mousesavers

. Member Benefits Guide 01-26-14.pdf

Banking is the term for moving Vacation Points from the current Use Year to the next Use Year. As a Disney Vacation Club Member, one of the great advantages of your Membership is vacation flexibility. Some years, you may not be able to use all your Vacation Points, while other years you may need more Vacation Points than you have available. In these cases, banking Vacation Points for future use is a great solution. In months 1-8 of your current Use Year you can bank up to 100% of your Vacation Points for use in the following year; you cannot bank Vacation Points in months 9-12. What you need to know about banking Vacation Points You may bank all or a percentage of your Vacation Points from your current Use Year to next Use Year by the date listed on the banking chart . To bank online, select the Bank Vacation Points link in the Points section of My Membership.You may also contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or (407) 566-3800†.Vacation Points can only be banked once.If you've not completed travel on banked Vacation Points by the end of the Use Year they've been banked into, they expire.You cannot return banked Vacation Points to their original Use Year.You cannot borrow or transfer banked Vacation Points.You may apply banked Vacation Points to all Member Getaways exchanges.You'll be given a banking transaction number when you bank Vacation Points; please be sure to record it.All banking transactions are final.In order to bank Vacation Points, you need to be up to date on your Annual Dues and monthly loan payments (if applicable), and not have any other outstanding balances related to your Membership.To maintain a proper balance of Vacation Points in the Central Reservation System, banking may be suspended or limited from time to time.An example of banking Vacation Points Let's say your Use Year begins in February and your total annual allotment of Vacation Points across all of your contracts is 400 Vacation Points. (The banking window is applied to the sum total of all of your contracts, not on an individual contract level.) In March, you decide to bank some of your Vacation Points. Since you are in the first eight months of your Use Year, your banking window is at 100% and you can bank all 400 Vacation Points into your next Use Year. However, you choose to bank only 150 Vacation Points at the time. In August, you decide to bank more of your Vacation Points. You still have 250 Vacation Points available in your current Use Year, and because you are still within the first eight months of your current Use Year, you can bank any or all of your remaining 250 Vacation Points. Note that if you bank the remaining 250 Vacation Points, your bank is "full" and you cannot bank any more Vacation Points. In October your banking window is closed; you can no longer bank Vacation Points as you are now in month nine of your current Use Year. To summarize this example, during your current Use Year that begins in February, you can bank some or all of your 400 Vacation Points at any time from February through September (months 1-8). Once your bank is "full," you cannot bank any more Vacation Points during your current Use Year. Your banking window is closed from October through January of your current Use Year (months 9-12) and you cannot bank any Vacation Points during those months. What are banking deadlines? Check the banking chart for monthly deadlines for banking Vacation Points. Banking percentages are based on the cumulative number of Vacation Points banked as of the banking deadline. The percentages for each banking window refer to the total annual allotment of Vacation Points across all contracts — not the available number of Vacation Points. (The banking window percentage is applied to the sum total of all of your contracts, not on an individual contract level.) To bank all or a percentage of Vacation Points from your current Use Year to next Use Year, select the Bank Vacation Points link in the Points section of My Membership or contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or (407) 566-3800†by the date listed on the banking chart . An alternative to banking Instead of banking your Vacation Points, you may be able to use them to reserve a seven-night stay in a one- or two-bedroom Vacation Home at your Home Resort, then deposit that week through RCI® for exchange use within the next two years. How to bank your Vacation Points? You may bank your Vacation Points online by selecting the Bank Vacation Points link in the Points section of My Membership. On the Bank Points page, you will be shown the Total Vacation Points Available to Bank in the first module. In the second module, enter the Vacation Points to bank from each contract and proceed with the transaction. You will be given an opportunity to verify your request before it is finalized. You may only bank Vacation Points from your current Use Year to next Use Year online. To bank Vacation Points for a Disney Cruise Line® vacation from the next Use Year to the following Use Year, contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or (407) 566-3800†. When you bank your Vacation Points online, you will be sent a one-time confirmation email from Disney Vacation Club. Please save this confirmation for your records.

A Holding Account is a "parking space" for vacation points from a Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation that has been modified or cancelled 30 days to 1 day before your check-in date. The vacation points in your Holding Account can be used for a new reservation booked 60 days or fewer before check-in within the following time constraints. Use Vacation Points Anytime During Your Use Year for: Disney Vacation Club Resorts• Disneyland Resort in California • Tokyo Disney Resort • World Passport Collection Use Vacation Points More Than 4 Months Before the End of Your Use Year for: Disney Collection (except Disneyland Resort in California and Tokyo Disney Resort• Concierge CollectionThese vacation points cannot be banked or borrowed and must be used by the end of the Use Year or they expire.

Disney Dining Plan FAQ The Disney Dining Plan can be a great way for many folks to increase both the quantity and variety of their food consumption at Walt Disney World. That’s all good in our book! But the Dining Plan does have some nuances that can be confusing to first (or second, or third) time users. To see an overall description of Disney Dining Plans, visit our Disney Dining Plan page. Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about the Disney Dining Plan to help you sort it all out. What exactly is the Disney Dining Plan? The Disney Dining Plan is method of pre-paying for meals at Walt Disney World. There are several versions of the Plan at different price points to suit different needs. When you purchase the Disney Dining Plan, you will be issued “Dining Plan credits.” These will be computer encoded onto your Key to the World card, which is also your room key. When paying for food at a Disney restaurant, you hand your server your Key to the World card and tell her that you are paying with Dining Plan credits instead of paying with cash. Dining Plan credits will be deducted from your account. Who can purchase the Disney Dining Plan? The Disney Dining Plan can only be purchased by guests staying at an on-site Walt Disney World owned/operated hotel. This does not include guests staying at the non-Disney-owned Swan & Dolphin, Shades of Green, or International Drive hotels. Can I get the Disney Dining Plan if I’m not staying at a Disney hotel? No, sorry. Only guest staying at the following hotels may purchase the Disney Dining Plan: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas, Art of Animation, Beach Club and Villas, BoardWalk Inn and Villas, Caribbean Beach, Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower Villas, Coronado Springs, Fort Wilderness, Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Polynesian, Pop Century, Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge and Villas, and Yacht Club. How do I buy the Dining Plan? The Disney Dining Plan must be purchased as part of a Magic Your Way package which includes your Disney hotel stay, theme park tickets, and the Dining Plan. There are some modifications to this requirement for Disney Vacation Club members and Walt Disney World annual pass holders. Unless you are a DVC member or AP holder, you can ONLY get the Disney Dining Plan if you also purchase a hotel stay and park tickets as a package. You can buy a Magic Your Way package on the Walt Disney World website, over the phone at 407-WDW-MAGIC, or through an authorized travel agent or vacation planner. Can I get the Disney Dining Plan if I buy my park tickets from an authorized reseller or other vendor? No. You have to buy all three components of the package: room, Dining Plan, and park tickets. Who doesn't want unlimited free Mickey waffles?? Can I decide to get the Dining Plan after I’ve arrived at Walt Disney World? No. The Disney Dining Plan must be added to your reservation prior to arriving at Walt Disney World, usually at least 48 hours in advance. I already have a room reservation. Can I add the Dining Plan? Possibly. It is often, but not always, possible to add the Disney Dining Plan to an existing room reservation. To discuss the particulars of your situation, call Disney directly at 407-WDW-MAGIC. Be prepared with your room reservation confirmation number. What’s a “credit”? Credits are the unit of currency of the Disney Dining Plan. There are table service credits, quick service credits, and snack credits. In general, a credit equals one meal or snack. See “two-credit meals” below for exceptions to this rule. What does “table service” mean? A table service restaurant is one in which you are seated by a host/hostess at a specific table and have some portion of your meal brought to you by a server. At Walt Disney World, buffet-style meals are considered table service because of both the extensive amount of food available and the fact that a server brings your drinks and clears your table. Generally you can, and should, make reservations for table service meals. At a table service meal, you pay your server at the end of the meal, after he or she brings you a bill. What is a quick service restaurant? A quick service (also called counter service) restaurant is one in which you place an order at a walk-up counter. You pay for your meal before you eat it (with the exception of Pepper Market at Coronado Springs where you pay as you leave). You are given your food on a tray which you carry yourself to a seating area. You are responsible for clearing your own table at the end of the meal. Reservations are neither required nor accepted at quick service venues. An out-of-Disney equivalent would be a fast food restaurant or a mall food court. What Dining Plans are available? In 2013 and 2014, there are five different versions of the dining plan: Quick Service Dining Plan, Dining Plan, Deluxe Dining Plan, Premium Dining Plan, and Platinum Dining Plan. What is the Quick Service Dining Plan? Guests on the Quick Service Plan receive: Two quick service meal credits and one snack credit per person, per night of your package. Additionally, each member of the party will receive one refillable mug good for use during the length of the package. Children under the age of three are not eligible to participate in the plan. What is the regular Disney Dining Plan? Guests on the regular Disney Dining Plan receive: One quick service meal credit, one table service meal credit, and one snack credit per person, per night of your package. Additionally, each member of the party will receive one refillable mug good for use during the length of the package. Children under the age of three are not eligible to participate in the plan. What is the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan? Guests on the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan receive: Three meal credits and two snack credits per person, per night of your package. The meal credits may be used on table service or quick service meals. Additionally, each member of the party will receive one refillable mug good for use during the length of the package. Children under the age of three are not eligible to participate in the plan. What is the Premium Dining Plan? Guests on the Premium Dining Plan receive: Three meal credits and two snack credits per person, per night of your package. The meal credits may be used on table service or quick service meals. Additionally, each member of the party will receive one refillable mug good for use during the length of the package. Children under the age of three are not eligible to participate in the plan. In addition to food, guests on the Premium Dining Plan receive: Unlimited selected recreation, including golf, golf lessons, miniature golf, guided fishing excursions, parasailing, water skiing, wake boarding, watercraft rentals, bike rentals, cane pole fishing, tennis, horseback trail rides, pony ride, horse-drawn carriage rides, and archery. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations may be required. Premium plan guests also get unlimited admission to select theme park tours, a Cirque du Soleil ticket for each person, as well as admission to the children’s activity centers. What is the Platinum Dining Plan? Guests on the Platinum Dining Plan receive: Three meal credits and two snack credits per person, per night of your package. The meal credits may be used on table service or quick service meals. Additionally, each member of the party will receive one refillable mug good for use during the length of the package. Children under the age of three are not eligible to participate in the plan. In addition to food, guests on the Premium Dining Plan receive: Unlimited selected recreation, including golf, golf lessons, miniature golf, guided fishing excursions, parasailing, water skiing, wake boarding, watercraft rentals, bike rentals, cane pole fishing, tennis, horseback trail rides, pony ride, horse-drawn carriage rides, and archery. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations may be required. Premium plans guests also get unlimited admission to select theme park tours, a Cirque du Soleil ticket for each person, admission to the children’s activity centers, spa treatments, PhotoPass products, the Richard Petty Ride-Along Experience, and more. There are also additional dining options, such as Victoria & Albert’s, that are not on the Premium Plan. Whoa, the Premium and Platinum plans sound amazing, anything else cool about them? There is no such thing as one or two credit meals on these plans. All meals are created equal, no matter where you want to dine. Nice! What counts as a meal? The definition of a meal varies depending on what time of day it is and which version of the dining plan you’re on. For the Quick Service Dining Plan, adults and children, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one non-alcoholic beverage. In this situation, you could get (for example) juice OR coffee with your meal, but not both. For the Quick Service Dining Plan, adults and children, a lunch or dinner meal consists of an entree, dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage. For the regular Disney Dining Plan, adults and children using their quick service credit, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one non-alcoholic beverage. In this situation, you could get (for example) juice OR coffee with your meal, but not both. For the regular Disney Dining Plan, adults and children using their quick service credit, a lunch or dinner meal consists of an entree, dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage. For the regular Disney Dining Plan, adults and children using their table service credit, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one full buffet. For the regular Disney Dining Plan, adults and children using their table service credit, a lunch or dinner meal consists of an entree, dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one full buffet. For the Deluxe, Premium, and Platinum Disney Dining Plans, adults and children, a breakfast meal consists of an entree and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one full buffet. For the Deluxe, Premium, and Platinum Disney Dining Plans, adults and children a lunch or dinner meal consists of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one full buffet. Tell me again how my credits are calculated? Dining Plan credits are allotted based on the number of NIGHTS of your stay. For example, if you arrive at WDW at 10:00 a.m. on Monday and leave at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, even though you will have spent the better part of five days on site, you have only spent four NIGHTS at WDW. In this example, if you are on the basic Disney Dining Plan, you will receive four snack credits, four quick service meal credits, and four table service meal credits to use during your stay. How can I tell how many credits I’ve already used? This will be printed on your receipt for every meal. The receipt will show how many credits you’ve used and how many are remaining in your account. You are also welcome to stop by the concierge desk of your hotel at any time for a printout of your dining activity. How much does it cost? Quick-Service Dining Plan $39.64 per night ages 10 and up (no seasonal pricing) $15.75 per night age 3 to 9 (no seasonal pricing) (Increase from earlier 2013 pricing of $37.58 and $14.32) Standard Dining Plan $58.66 per night ages 10 and up (may be a dollar or so lower depending on season) $18.88-$20 per night age 3 to 9 (depending on season) (Increase from earlier 2013 pricing of $51.54 and $15.02 during standard seasons and $56.94 and $18.16 in peak seasons) Deluxe Dining Plan $102.94-$104 per night ages 10 and up (depending on season) $28-$29.51 per night ages 3 to 9 (depending on season) (Increase from earlier 2013 pricing of $99.97 and $26.84 during standard seasons and $102.27 and $28.91 in peak seasons) Premium Dining Plan (year round) $189 per night ages 10 and up $139 per night ages 3 to 9 Platinum Dining Plan (year round) $249 per night ages 10 and up $179.01 per night ages 3 to 9 The basic Dining Plan seems like not enough food, but the Deluxe Plan seems like too much. What do I do? Any time you are on the Dining Plan, you are welcome to supplement your eating by paying for more food out of pocket. It’s quite common for guests on the Quick Service plan to supplement their dining by paying cash for a nice table service meal or character breakfast. If the Deluxe Plan seems like too much, you’re likely to be better off getting the basic plan and just buying more food as needed. I have the basic Dining Plan, can I downgrade to the Quick Service plan? Can I upgrade to the deluxe plan? Depending on how you booked your package, it may be possible to upgrade or downgrade the type of dining plan you’ve selected. You should make any changes at least 48 hours in advance of your trip (preferably longer). To discuss the specifics of your situation, you’ll have to contact Disney directly at 407-WDW-MAGIC. My husband is a big eater and I am not. Can we get the deluxe plan for him and the basic plan for me? No. All guests staying in the same room must be on the same version of the Dining Plan. I’m going to be sharing a room with a sorority sister. She doesn’t want the dining plan, but I do, can we make this happen? No. All guests staying in the same room must be either have the dining plan or not have the dining plan. Can I get the Dining Plan for more or fewer days than my hotel stay? No. The Dining Plan can only arranged for the exact number of NIGHTS of your hotel package. The only way around this would be to split your reservation. For example, if you’ll be staying at a WDW hotel for five nights, but only want the Dining Plan for three nights (because, say, you’re going to visit Universal Studios and Sea World), you could make two different room/package reservations. One for three nights and one for two. However, be aware that your Dining Plan credits would only be valid for the package part of your stay. This means that you would only be able to use the credits on the first three consecutive days of your trip. In a variation of this, it turns out that you CAN get a package which includes the Disney Dining Plan, but has park tickets with a fewer number of days than your hotel stay. For example, you could stay for four nights, get a four night dining plan, but only get two days worth of park tickets. How do I know where I can eat on the Disney Dining Plan? When you check in to your hotel, you will be given a brochure that lists all your dining options. It can be helpful to know this information in advance so that you can make dining reservations. The brochures are also available on the Walt Disney World website. There were significant additions to the Disney Dining Plan in 2012. You can now eat almost anywhere on property using the dining plan, with the notable exception of the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin hotels. The Swan & Dolphin are not owned by Disney and do not participate in the Dining Plan. I don’t understand why I don’t get credits for my under-three-year-old child. That’s just the way it is. You may have a 2-year-old with a voracious appetite who you want to put on the dining plan. Don’t do it. While theoretically you could fudge his age and say he was three, but then you’d be required to purchase theme park tickets for him. (Park entrance free for the under-threes.) It will be MUCH cheaper to just buy your two-year-old his own food at the restaurants. How do I feed my 2-year-old at a buffet service restaurant? At buffet and family-style restaurants, children under age three can “eat from your plate” for free. Don’t take this literally. You can get them their own plate of food. They can eat whatever they want. The child’s beverage is included, you don’t have to pay extra. How do I feed my 2-year-old at a quick service restaurant? At quick service restaurants, children under the age of three can share your meal. They will be literally eating from your plate. If you want your child to have their own food, supplemental food, or their own beverage, you’ll have to pay for this separately. How do I feed my 2-year-old at a traditional table service restaurant? At regular table service restaurants, children under the age of three can share your meal. They will be literally eating from your plate. If you want your child to have their own food, supplemental food, or their own beverage, you’ll have to pay for this separately. Do I have to pay for my 2-year-old’s beverage? At buffet and family style restaurants, no. At quick service and traditional menu-based restaurants, yes. What is a “snack”? There are hundreds of different snacks available in Disney’s parks and resorts, from the basic bottle of water, to international treats like Norwegian school bread. Snacks are identified by a little purple and white checkerboard symbol. Some examples of eligible snack options are: ice cream novelty bar, single-serve popcorn box, whole fruit, 12 oz coffee or tea, single-serve prepackaged milk or juice, 20 oz bottled soft drink or water, or a 22 oz fountain soft drink. But keep your eye out for the purple and white checkerboard, amazing and unique snack options are everywhere. Items such as hot dogs, corn dogs, or turkey legs are considered quick service meals, not snacks. I’ve heard that breakfast can be a snack. There are many items that qualify as snacks that are typically thought of a breakfast foods. These include some single-serving muffins, bagels, and other pastries. If you’re happy eating that as your first meal of the day, then you’re good using your snack credit for breakfast. However, if you want a drink to go with your muffin, you’ll have to pay for that separately. What is a refillable mug? Here’s the complete scoop on refillable mugs. Please note that the refillable mug post mentions that the basic Dining Plan does not include mugs. That was the case at the time, but is no longer true. ALL versions of the Disney Dining Plan now come with one refillable mug for each person over the age of three in the party. What counts as a “non-alcoholic beverage” on the plan? Can I get glowing Tinker Bell drinks? Milkshakes? The definition of “non-alcoholic beverage” varies from restaurant to restaurant. In most cases, this means a soft drink, water, coffee, tea, juice or milk. Novelty glowing drinks generally are not included on the plan. However, there are some unique beverages you can get with the plan. For example, the bottomless milkshakes at the Whispering Canyon Cafe can serve as your drink on the dining plan. Can I use my Dining Plan credits at character meals? Yes. With the exception of Cinderella’s Royal Table, all character meals at the Disney parks and resorts are one table-service credit meals. CRT is a two-credit table service meal. Do I need to make meal reservations when I’m on the Disney Dining Plan? Reservations are STRONGLY recommended, particularly at busy times of the year. There are no seats in the Disney restaurants held for walk-ups. If there’s somewhere that you really want to eat, make a reservation. You can do this by calling 407-WDW-DINE or by visiting the Walt Disney World website. Can I order whatever I want from the menu? In general, yes. There maybe some restrictions if a menu item is designed “for two” or includes a double entree. For example, there are occasionally HUGE pieces of meat offered at some of the steakhouses, meant for two guests to share. This could only be ordered using two guests’ credit allotments. Fulton’s Crab House is a new addition to the Dining Plan. They offer a “add surf to your turf” option on some meals, which basically gives you entire steak entree and an entire fish entree on one plate. This may be excluded from the Dining Plan. Overall, if you are ordering a single entree meant for one person, then it is covered on the plan, no matter how expensive. Yes, you can get $30 short ribs at the Wave, the $29 New York Strip Steak at Sanaa, or the $34 New York Strip Steak at Kouzzina using just a single dining plan credit. What happens if I want to order an appetizer or an adult beverage? Adult beverages are never included on the dining plan. Appetizers are not included on the quick service or basic dining plans. You are welcome to order these items, you’ll just have to pay for them separately. Can I use my table service credits for breakfast or do I have to use them for dinner? The dining plan is very flexible. Once you have your allotment of credits, you can use them in any order your wish. While it doesn’t make the most financial sense to do so, you are welcome to use your table service or quick service credits for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What is a two-credit meal? Some of Disney’s dining experiences are called “signature dining.” They are special, fancy, or just plain expensive. If you’re on the regular or deluxe dining plan and want to dine at a signature restaurant you will need to spend two table service dining plan credits per meal. For 2013, the two-credit dining experiences are: Cinderella’s Royal Table, Jiko, Flying Fish Cafe, California Grill, Citricos, Narcoosee’s, Artist Point, Yachtsman Steakhouse, LeCellier Steakhouse, Monsieur Paul, Hollywood Brown Derby, Fulton’s Crab House, and Wolfgang Puck Dining Room. For guests on the Premium and Platinum plans, there is no differentiation between one and two credit meals. They can eat wherever they want. On the regular Dining Plan, do I have to use one snack, one quick service credit and one table service credit each day? Not at all. Once you have your credits, they’re yours to use however you want, in whatever order you want. For example, a guest on the basic dining plan staying six nights would be given six snack credits, six quick service credits, and six table service credits. If that guest wanted, he could use two table service credits at a Cinderella’s Royal Table breakfast, two table service credits at a Hollywood Brown Derby Lunch, and two table service credits at a Jiko dinner. The guest would then be out of table service credits on his first day. We’re not recommending this, but it is possible. If I use two-credits for a meal on day one, how will I eat on day two? You’ll pay for a meal out of pocket. At a two-credit meal, can I pay for it using one meal credit plus some cash? No. Meals must be paid for using either all credits or all cash. Check-in time isn’t until 3:00 pm. Do I have to wait until then to use my Dining Plan credits? No. You room might not be ready until late afternoon, but you can register at your hotel as early in the morning as you like. (If you’re ambitious you could do this at 4:00 a.m.) When you register, you will be given your Key to the World Card encoded with your package components such as park tickets and Dining Plan credits. Go ahead and use those park admissions and Dining Plan credits whenever you wish. Can I combine quick service credits to make a table service credit? Nope. Can I divide table service credits to make quick service credits? Technically, no. But this does happen. It never hurts to ask, but you’re likely to get a different answer every time you ask. Can I divide quick or table service credits to make snack credits? Again, technically no, but it does happen. Ask and keep your fingers crossed. We’re dining with friends who are not on the Dining Plan and we have extra meal credits. Can I buy them a meal using my dining plan credits? Sorry, no. Dining plan credits can only be used for guest who are actually on the plan. What’s going on with in-room pizza delivery? In-room pizza delivery is available at Disney’s value and moderate resorts. A pizza delivery consists of two single-serve, non-alcoholic beverages, two desserts, one full-sized pizza. Two adult table service meals credits will be deducted from your party’s account for each pizza delivery. Can use the Disney Dining Plan for Room Service? Yes. In-room dining (room service) is available at Disney’s deluxe resorts. Each in-room dining meal consists of one non-alcoholic beverage, an appetizer (at lunch and dinner), an entree, and a dessert. Two adult table service meals credits will be deducted from your party’s account for each in-room dining meal. Do all members of my family have to eat together when we’re on the Disney Dining Plan? No. Family members can eat at different restaurants at different times. Can children (ages 3-9) on the Dining Plan order from the adult menu at Table Service meals? No. The Dining Plan clearly states that children must order from the children’s menu whenever one exists. The good news is that all food is for all people at the buffet-style restaurants. Although buffets have child-friendly section with items like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, and pizza, children are not required to limit their food choices to these items. If you have a hungry or adventurous 8-year-old, then the buffets may be a good choice for you. Can children (ages 3-9) on the Dining Plan order from the adult menu at Quick Service meals? Technically no. The Dining Plan clearly states that children must order from the children’s menu whenever one exists. In reality, there is no differentiation between adult and child quick service credits. Cast members will not know if any particular credit is being used for an adult or a child. Let your conscience be your guide on this. Are there places where there is no kids’ menu so I don’t have worry about who orders what? Yes. These are primarily quick service venues, including: Toluca Turkey Legs, Casey’s, Sommerfest, Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Main Street Bakery, Golden Oak Outpost, and others. My older child (age 10 or above) doesn’t like anything on the adult menu. Can he order from the children’s menu? This fairly common occurrence is treated on a case by case basis. Technically, adults (anyone age 10 or over) are supposed to order from the adult menu and kids (ages 3-9) are supposed to order from the kids’ menu. In practice, if an older child (or actual adult) doesn’t like any of the food on the adult menu, the server will be happy to bring a larger-size portion of any of the food on the children’s menu. When this happens, an adult credit will be deducted from your account even though the guest is eating “kid” food. I don’t eat dessert. Can I get an appetizer instead? No. In the past, cast members were fairly lenient with this, but more recently Disney has become quite strict. You can certainly ask; your server may be inclined to bend the rules for you. But in general, you should not expect to exchange desserts for appetizers on the Dining Plan. Check out time is at 11:00 a.m. I have Dining Plan credits left and am headed out to the parks. Can I still use my credits? Disney Dining Plan credits are good until 11:59 pm on the day you check out of your Disney hotel. Feel free to continue using any remaining credits on the last day of your trip. I’m splitting my stay between two Disney hotels. How does this impact my Disney Dining Plan use? It’s quite common for Disney guests to divide their visit between two hotels. There are Dining Plan ramifications to doing this. Each hotel stay will be treated as an entirely separate package. This means that at midnight on the day you check out of hotel A, your dining plan credits expire for that part of your stay. Even if you’re continuing on at WDW, you can’t continue to use credits from your hotel A stay after you’ve moved on to hotel B. This may or may not matter to you, but it does mean you need to be vigilant about managing your credit use. Do you have to tip your server when you’re using the Dining Plan? YES! With a few exceptions, gratuities are NOT included on the Disney Dining Plan. You will need to tip your servers at table service and buffet restaurants. Parties of six or more will automatically be assessed and 18% gratuity with their meal. Others may choose what level of tip to provide their server. Check out the complete scoop on tipping on our Tipping FAQ page. Which meals have the tip included? Cinderella’s Royal Table, in-room pizza delivery, in-room dining (room service), Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, and the Spirit of Aloha dinner show. That’s it. If I’m paying with credits, how do I calculate the tip? The price that your meal would have been if you had paid cash will be noted on your receipt. You should use this number as your baseline upon which to calculate the tip you leave. If one member of my party of six is a baby who doesn’t eat, will we still be assessed an automatic 18% gratuity? Yes. All parties of six or more will be assessed an 18% gratuity. Everyone at the table will be tallied in this count, including children under the age of three. My friends are not on the Dining Plan and we are. Can we dine together? Yes, absolutely. When making your meal reservation, make it for the entire number of people in your party, both those on the dining plan and those not on the plan. When you arrive at the table, tell your server which guests are on the plan and which are not. She will be able to generate two separate bills and charge the two types of guests separately, even though you’re eating at the same table. How is the Disney Dining Plan different from the Tables in Wonderland card? The Disney Dining Plan is method of pre-paying for Disney food. The Tables in Wonderland Card is dining discount program. The TiW Card may only be purchased by WDW Annual Pass Holders, Florida residents, and Disney Vacation Club members. Once purchased, the TiW Card allows holders a 20% discount on food and alcohol at most WDW restaurants, for up to ten guests per meal. If you are an annual pass holder, Florida resident, or DVC member, you’ll want to spend some quality time running the numbers to see what makes the most financial sense for you. Is the Dining Plan good for vegetarians? Picky eaters? People with food allergies? You’ll have to run the numbers yourself, but in general, the Disney Dining Plan makes the most financial sense for guests who are big eaters and who like expensive food. I’m on the Dining Plan. Can I eat at restaurants other than those at my own hotel? Yes, absolutely. You can eat anywhere on property that accepts dining plan credits. Can I use my Dining Plan credits at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival? Yes! All the Food & Wine Festival booths offer items which can be purchased with Dining Plan snack credits. Yummmmy! When I made a reservation for a restaurant, my credit card was charged. How do I use my Dining Plan credits instead? Check out a good answer to this from the folks at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. How can I get the Dining Plan for free? Historically, Disney has offered promotions where guests booking hotel stays at select times of the year receive a free dining plan as part of their package. The dates and exact offer vary with each promotion. Be aware that packages with the free dining offer typically include a room priced at full “rack rate.” It may be possible to shop around and find a room rate at a substantially discounted price. Believe it or not, you can often save more money by foregoing “free” dining with a full price room if you instead get a discounted room and pay for your food. A savvy guest will spend some time crouching the numbers. How do I find out about free dining offers? Keep your eyes open. There are many Disney websites, including Disney Food Blog, that run articles when free dining offers are released. Subscribe to the newsletters such as those at Disney Food Blog, allears.net, and mousesavers.com and you’ll be sure to learn about free dining. I already have a package which includes the Dining Plan. I just heard that free dining will be available during my travel dates. Can I take advantage of this? Possibly. It depends on whether your particular booking qualifies. Call Disney directly as 407-WDW-MAGIC to discuss your options. Is everyone staying at a Disney hotel eligible for free dining? No there are often restrictions about free dining eligibility. You have to read the fine print. In general, free dining is not available to DVC members using DVC points to book their stay. Also free dining is not available to guests staying at the Fort Wilderness campsites. If I don’t have the Disney Dining Plan, can I still make meal reservations? Yes, of course. Anyone is welcome to make reservations for and dine at any Walt Disney World restaurant locations. I’d like to use the Dining Plan to eat at a restaurant inside a theme park. Do I need to use a park ticket to do this? Yes. Any time you enter a theme park you’ll need to use and admission ticket, even if you just want to eat there. If I don’t have the Disney Dining Plan, can I eat at the restaurants in the Disney hotels? Yes, of course. Anyone is welcome to eat at the Disney hotel restaurants. You don’t have to be on the dining plan, staying at that particular hotel, or even staying on WDW property. It’s January and I’m looking at the Dining Plan restaurant list for next year. I don’t see my favorite dining spot that I know has been on the plan is the past. Does this mean that they’ve stopped accepting dining plan credits? Not necessarily. The list of restaurants participating in the Disney Dining Plan changes slightly every year. Many of the restaurants located at WDW are actually owned/operated by outside companies (Rainforest Cafe, for example). Disney has to renegotiate their agreements with these owner/operators each year. If your favorite restaurant is not on the list at the beginning of the years, this is likely because a contract has not yet been signed, not because the restaurant has been dropped from the program. It is quite rare for a restaurant that once took Dining Plan credits to stop taking them. Is it worth it? Ah, that’s the big question isn’t it? Really, the best thing you can do is crunch the numbers. Determine how much you’d spend on food, then see if the dining plan is a good deal for your family. Don’t forget — when Disney releases “free dining” options, hotel discounts do not apply. We’ll be releasing a blog post soon with our thoughts. Credit to Disney Food Blog

PortablePerks-WDW-2013.pdf

Disney World is introducing a dinner-and-show combo in a unique setting: After dark at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. View the full article

As of April 2013 Member Benefits Guide April 2013.pdf