I’ve Spent 30 Years Doing Disney World One Way. Then I Saw How DVC Members Do It.
I’ve been visiting the Disney theme parks since I was 4 years old. That means that, for most of my life, I’ve visited Walt Disney World in essentially the same fashion: book your resort, buy your theme park tickets, fly to Orlando International Airport, secure your Fastpass/Genie+/Lightning Lane reservation, eat popcorn. Rinse and repeat.
I’ve known about Disney Vacation Club for quite some time. Once known as Disney’s “best kept secret,” DVC has stepped into the limelight in recent years, with the lion’s share of the newest resort accommodations focused on providing more options for Members. The next resort opening, Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, opens in summer 2027.
That was more or less what I thought the extent of a Disney Vacation Club Membership included. I once believed a Membership was a way to pre-pay for decades of future Disney vacations, exchanging cash for an allotment of points you would receive each year to book your resorts. What I hadn’t fully appreciated was how much a Disney Vacation Club Membership changes the way you experience Walt Disney World once you’re actually on property.
I recently spent time at Walt Disney World getting to experience all of the benefits that come with eligible Disney Vacation Club benefits. These perks, or Membership Extras, are the real difference you feel when joining Disney Vacation Club. I also realized during my visit there may be many Disney Vacation Club Members out there who aren’t using their benefits to their full potential. If that’s you, continue reading to discover just how much you can get out of a DVC Membership.
Moonlight Magic: Disney Vacation Club Member’s exclusive after-hours party
Did you know that Disney Vacation Club Members have their own party on select nights after the park closes to regular guests? And did you know admission to these parties are included in eligible DVC Memberships?
Offered multiple times a year, Moonlight Magic is a DVC Member-exclusive after hours party that includes unique character meet-and-greets (more on those in a sec), complimentary snacks, shorter wait times for attractions, and more. At Walt Disney World, recent Moonlight Magic events have taken place at Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Typhoon Lagoon.
Moonlight Magic is free of charge (advanced registration is required) for eligible Disney Vacation Club Members and their registered guests. Members may register for one Moonlight Magic event per year.
Unique character experiences
For many families, meeting the characters is the biggest differentiator in comparing a Disney vacation to any other theme park. Any park can have a roller coaster, but you can only meet Mickey Mouse in so many places on Earth. A Disney Vacation Club Membership often provides opportunities to snap a photo with a rare character, or a favorite in a unique setting or outfit. On my recent visit, I had the chance to meet Mickey and Minnie in limited-time seasonal outfits. At this particular meet-and-greet location, they sport different outfits for spring, summer, fall, and winter.
The unique character experiences take place at various events including Moonlight Magic. Duffy, the popular teddy bear that has cemented himself in Disney fandom, had a designated meet-and-greet location at Moonlight Magic. Character encounters like these are only available if you have an eligible DVC Membership!
Private Member lounges hiding in plain sight
When you’re in the theme parks on a hot and crowded day, space to sit back and unwind is limited. Disney Vacation Club currently offers two lounges exclusive to Members that want to take a break from the main thoroughfare, plug in their devices, grab a snack, and enjoy some peace and quiet before catching their next Lightning Lane reservation.
The newer of the two lounges can be found at Magic Kingdom, specifically in Frontierland next to Country Bear Jamboree. The lounge is called McKim’s Mile House – A Member Lounge and was designed after an old-fashioned mile house famous for welcoming weary travelers. Here, you’ll find complimentary Coca Cola beverages, chips and cookies, outlets for your device, and plenty of lounge-style seating.
At EPCOT, the top floor of the Imagination Pavilion is where you’ll find ImaginAtrium. You know that giant pyramid structure that towers over Journey Into Imagination? Yeah, there’s a lounge up there just for Disney Vacation Club Members!
This quiet respite has the same amenities you’ll find in Magic Kingdom, and at select times, it offers character meet-and-greet opportunities.
Disney World’s most exclusive fireworks viewing location: Top of the World
Finding a quiet fireworks viewing location is like striking gold, and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members have access to perhaps the most exclusive spot in Walt Disney World. Many Disney experts know about the fireworks viewing deck located off of California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, exclusive to guests who have dined there that day.
Right next door, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the DVC resort home to Top of the World Lounge, a Member-exclusive rooftop bar and lounge. It serves small bites and cocktails and is currently themed to Disney villains. Top of the World Lounge – A Villains Lair is open from 6:00 PM to midnight daily.
Eligible Members with access to Membership Extras may book a reservation at Top of the World for a “Wicked Wind Down” that includes fireworks viewing, or, you can simply reserve your spot for complimentary fireworks viewing outside – no purchase at the lounge necessary.
Welcome Home Weeks and more perks that make you feel part of a community
One of the biggest differences when you vacation at Walt Disney World as a Disney Vacation Club Member is a sense of community. It’s not simply an allotment of points you use to book your hotel. Rather, DVC Membership gives you special access to promotions that truly give your trip that special intangible touch. If you happen to visit during Welcome Home Weeks (in 2026 it took place mid July through mid August), you’ll find even more promotions like free donuts at Everglazed, located in Disney Springs. Extra dining discounts and character meet and greets are just some of the perks you’ll find during Welcome Home Weeks.
Outside of those select weeks, DVC Members can find perks and unique touches throughout the resort. This includes Member-exclusive merchandise for purchase and the ability to purchase the lower-cost Sorcerer Annual Pass, which is typically reserved for Florida residents.
What are Membership Extras?
Membership Extras, in contract-speak, are incidental benefits that come with eligible Disney Vacation Club Memberships. These benefits may include special events, discounts, offers, and certain exchange options within the Disney Collection.
To receive these benefits, Members must present a digital Disney Vacation Club Membership Card. How does one obtain such a card? It doesn’t come automatically with every Membership. Effective June 3, 2021, to obtain a Disney Vacation Club Membership Card, Members must accumulate a total of at least 150 Vacation Points purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, LLC. Then, you can add Membership Extras onto your Membership for $99 annually.
Membership Extras includes Membership Magic Beyond, which is the optional benefits package that provides access to many of the benefits I listed above, including the ability to book Top of the World Lounge, priority access to the in-park Member lounges, and more.