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We recently did a podcast talking about some of our favorite Walt Disney World hotels, but today we dig deeper into the accommodation options at Disney through the Disney Vacation Club. Our friend Amber from Global Munchkins joins us to share her best Disney Vacation Club tips and how to use DVC points to fund family travel.
ON THE PODCAST
00:32 – Talking with Kim about her OARS trip
03:50 – Kim’s water rafting experience
08:43 – Bringing your own food
09:28 – Bathrooms on the water rafting trip
17:35 – Talking with Amber
18:53 – What is DVC?
20:35 – Where can you use your points?
21:20 – What is RCI?
22:05 – Staying at a DVC
23:35 – Point ranges
26:25 – DVC resort setups
28:30 – Housekeeping or not?
28:52 – Perks of being a DVC member
31:17 – Maximize your point usage
35:42 – Tips on the resale market
39:35 – Tax benefits
40:00 – Amber’s favorite DVC properties
41:15 – Final DVC tips
45:10 – Favorite travel gear
47:10 – App of the week
ABOUT AMBER MAMIAM
Amber Mamian is a freelance writer, family travel expert and founder of GlobalMunchkins.com. She is also a mom to 5 amazing kids through both birth and adoption and crazy passionate about finding deals that allow her to continue her luxury travel lifestyle with kids in tow. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
DISNEY VACATION CLUB TIPS
- You can use DVC points at Disney resorts in Florida, Hawaii, California, and South Carolina.
- DVC members also have access to a concierge collection of upscale hotels, and members are connected to RCI so they can exchange points and stay anywhere in the world!
- RCI is like a timeshare exchange program where you can swap timeshares with other people through other timeshare companies.
- You do not need to have DVC membership to stay at a DVC property
- When you are a DVC member you need to make sure that you take advantage of the other perks that come with membership. For example discount tickets, VIP events, advance movie screenings, percentages off of meals at some restaurants, etc.
- Make sure to look at what your dues would be for your home resort.
- You can rent more points or borrow points from the future to pay for a more upgraded experience now.
- When you are purchasing a resale property make sure to look at what the current dues and the annual dues are and you should also make sure that they have points to use now.
- You can purchase your points online and over the phone. You do not need to purchase the points in person.
FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR
Amber loves to wear her Nike shoes to go along with her athletic wear!
TIP OF THE WEEK
In the summer everyone loves spending time outdoors so you can take advantage and find your favorite star gazing app to learn more about the universe, like Sky View or Sky Walk.
MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST
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If you liked this show, please be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play and leave us a review! Have a question or comment? Send us an email or leave us a voicemail at +1.641.715.3900, ext. 926035# You can also follow our travels on Stuffed Suitcase and We3Travel, or follow the Vacation Mavens on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for listening!
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If you’re considering purchasing resale points through a third party reseller, DVC perks are limited. You do not get the same “value” you get when purchasing directly through DVC.
Right — Amber was telling us about the movie screenings, discounts, etc that you get only through Disney. Are there other perks and advantages as well?