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How to Rent DVC Points: A Complete Guide for Non-Members
You don't have to own Disney Vacation Club to stay in a DVC villa. DVC owners can rent their unused points to non-members, giving you access to the same studios and villas — at Disney Deluxe resort quality — for far less than Disney's cash rate. Here's exactly how the process works.
How to Rent DVC Points: Quick Answer
To rent DVC points: (1) choose a licensed broker or find a private owner, (2) search available reservations or request a specific resort and date, (3) pay $20–$23/pt through a broker or $16–$19/pt privately, and (4) receive your confirmed reservation in your name. You stay in the same DVC villa a member would — with zero ownership commitment. Total cost is typically 30–50% less than Disney's cash rate for the same room.
What Does It Mean to Rent DVC Points?
Disney Vacation Club members receive a fixed number of points each year, which they spend to book Disney resort rooms. When a member can't use their points — maybe they can't travel that year, or they have extra after banking — they can rent those points to non-members.
As the renter, you pay the owner for their points. They then book a reservation at a DVC resort in your name. You check in, use the room, and check out — just like any other guest. Disney cannot tell the difference between a member using their own points and a member booking for a guest.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent DVC Points?
Point rental prices depend on how you find an owner and how much protection you want. There are two main channels:
| Channel | Price per Point | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed broker | $20–$23/pt | High — escrow, cancellation policies, refund guarantees |
| Private owner (forums, Facebook) | $16–$19/pt | Low — depends entirely on the individual owner |
For first-time renters, a licensed broker is strongly recommended. The $3–$4/pt premium buys you escrow protection, a verified reservation, and a cancellation policy — all of which matter if Disney changes your room or a hurricane hits Orlando.
What Does a Typical Rental Cost?
Point costs vary by resort, room type, season, and day of week. Here are realistic estimates for common rental scenarios at broker rates ($21/pt average):
| Scenario | Approx. Points | Est. Rental Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5-night studio, WDW value season | 55–75 pts | $1,155–$1,575 |
| 7-night studio, WDW regular season | 100–130 pts | $2,100–$2,730 |
| 5-night 1-bedroom, regular season | 130–180 pts | $2,730–$3,780 |
| 5-night studio, Aulani | 80–130 pts | $1,680–$2,730 |
| 7-night studio, peak (Christmas) | 175–210 pts | $3,675–$4,410 |
Compare these to Disney's cash rates for the same rooms — typically $400–$900+/night for studios and $700–$1,500+/night for 1-bedrooms at peak times. DVC rentals typically save renters 35–55%.
Step-by-Step: How to Rent DVC Points from a Broker
Using a licensed broker is the safest way to rent DVC points. Here's the process from start to check-in:
Choose your resort, dates, and room type
Decide where you want to stay and when. Popular choices include Saratoga Springs (most affordable), Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club (Epcot walk), Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Aulani in Hawaii. Studios sleep 4–5 and include a kitchenette; 1-bedrooms sleep 4–5 with a full kitchen and laundry.
Contact a licensed broker and request availability
Submit a request to the broker with your resort, dates, and room type. The broker will search their inventory of available owner point allocations and match you with a confirmed reservation. Response time varies — popular dates book out quickly, especially for peak seasons.
Review the reservation details and pay into escrow
Once the broker finds a match, you'll receive a rental agreement with the confirmed reservation details (resort, room type, dates, confirmation number). Payment goes into escrow — held by the broker, not released to the owner until after you check in. This protects you if the owner cancels or if the reservation has a problem.
Receive your reservation confirmation number
After payment clears, the DVC owner books the reservation with your name as the lead guest. You'll receive a Disney confirmation number that you can verify directly on the Disney website. You can also link it to your My Disney Experience app to manage dining reservations and Lightning Lane passes.
Check in and enjoy the stay
Check in at the resort front desk or via Disney's online check-in. You are a guest of the owner — bring a valid ID and your confirmation number. You will not have access to any DVC member-only benefits (lounges, Moonlight Magic), but the room itself is identical to what a member would stay in.
Where to Rent DVC Points: Brokers vs. Private Owners
The best place to rent DVC points for most people is through a licensed rental broker. For experienced renters comfortable with more risk, private owners on fan forums can offer better rates.
Licensed DVC Rental Brokers
The major licensed brokers charge $20–$23/pt and handle the escrow, verification, and documentation. All provide rental agreements and confirmation verification. Well-known options in the DVC community include DVC Rental Store, David's Vacation Club Rentals, and DVCRequest. Rates and inventory levels vary, so checking more than one is worth the time.
Private Owners (Forums and Facebook Groups)
DVC fan communities — including the DISboards forum and dedicated Facebook groups — have active private rental markets. Rates typically run $16–$19/pt, but there is no escrow and no formal protection if something goes wrong.
Popular Resorts to Rent DVC Points At
You can rent points for most DVC resorts, with availability varying by season and lead time. These are the most popular choices for renters:
- Saratoga Springs — Most affordable, walkable to Disney Springs, large resort with good availability. Best value for budget-focused renters.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) — Savanna views, fan-favorite villas. One of the best DVC rental values for the experience you get.
- Beach Club Villas — Walking distance to Epcot, access to Stormalong Bay pool. Books out fast; book 7–10 months in advance through an owner if possible.
- Polynesian Villas — Monorail access to Magic Kingdom, overwater Bungalows available. Higher point cost at peak times.
- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa (Hawaii) — The most popular DVC rental destination outside Walt Disney World. Cash rates of $600–$1,200+/night make the $20–$23/pt rental rate an exceptional value. A 5-night studio rents for roughly $1,600–$2,750.
What You Won't Get as a Rental Guest
DVC rentals give you the room — but not the membership. As a rental guest, you won't have access to:
- DVC member lounges (Top of the World at Bay Lake Tower, Epcot Member Lounge)
- Moonlight Magic after-hours park events
- Member discounts on Annual Passes, dining, or merchandise
- The ability to modify the reservation yourself (the owner must do it)
- Early check-in or room requests (those go through the owner)
Renting DVC Points vs. Buying DVC: When Each Makes Sense
Renting DVC points is the right choice if any of these describe you:
- You visit Disney once every few years and don't want a long-term commitment
- You want to test the DVC villa experience before deciding whether to buy
- You can't pay cash for a DVC purchase (financing at 11–12.5% APR destroys the math)
- You want Aulani specifically but only visit Hawaii occasionally
- You prefer flexibility over locking into a 30–50 year contract
Buying DVC makes sense if you would stay at Disney Deluxe resorts 5+ nights every year for a decade or more — and can pay cash. See our full DVC worth-it analysis and use the DVC cost calculator to compare your specific scenario.
For a detailed side-by-side comparison of the financial math, see our buying DVC vs. renting points guide, which breaks down the break-even point for different travel patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting DVC Points
Can anyone rent DVC points, or do you have to be a Disney Vacation Club member?
Anyone can rent DVC points — you do not need to be a member. You rent from an existing member, who books the reservation with your name as the guest. No membership, no application, no background check required.
How far in advance should I book a DVC rental?
Members can book their home resort 11 months out, and any DVC resort 7 months out. For popular dates — summer, spring break, Christmas — DVC availability thins quickly after the 7-month window. Aim to book through a broker at least 4–6 months in advance for high-demand periods, and 2–3 months for less popular dates.
What happens if the DVC owner cancels my reservation?
Through a licensed broker, cancellations are covered by the broker's guarantee — you get a refund or a replacement reservation. With a private owner, your protection depends entirely on your rental agreement. This is the main reason first-time renters should use a broker.
Can I change or cancel my DVC rental reservation?
DVC rentals are generally non-refundable or have strict cancellation policies. The owner cannot easily reallocate the points once a reservation is made — especially close to the arrival date. Read the broker's or owner's cancellation policy carefully before booking, and consider travel insurance for added protection.
Is renting DVC points safe?
Through a licensed broker, yes — it is a well-established market with thousands of successful rentals each year. Risks include the owner canceling or the reservation not appearing as expected, both of which reputable brokers cover. Private rentals carry more risk; always verify the confirmation number in the Disney system before paying.