Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare program operating across Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and other destinations across the U.S. Members have access to special perks and experiences that regular park and resort visitors do not, so we went on a mission to find out how the experience differs from our usual trips.

Wondering what a Disney pro like me could still learn after spending my whole life traveling to, writing about, and dreaming of Disney parks? It turns out, quite a bit. Before my summer trip to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, I would have been hard-pressed to explain the special feeling and added value that visiting Disney World as a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Member can bring.

The Blessing of Space

I travel a lot, for both work and pleasure, and have spent nearly 800 nights away from home over the past 20 years. Most of the time, I travel frugally, saving my budget for food, activities, and future trips instead of lavish accommodations. I’m very used to small hotel rooms, especially in Europe and Asia, and I’ve never minded the limited space. Until now.

Within 15 minutes of checking into my Cabin, I was extremely relaxed and felt right at home. I think I’ve been underestimating how refreshing it is to have space to spread out, enjoy a little privacy from my travel companions, or even have more than one suitcase open at once. The spacious DVC accommodations made this feel like a vacation to indulge in, not a voyage to be undertaken.

Snack Time

The kitchen facilities were a game-changer for me. Having a full-size fridge—and my very own ice maker!—to store groceries made a huge difference in my family’s comfort. Not only could we keep water and sodas actually cold (the beverage chillers in most resorts don’t quite cut it when you want a crispy Diet Coke), but we could also store Mickey Bars in the freezer for late-night treats and an ice pack to comfort my husband’s Achilles injury.

On a longer stay, I’d really stock up on groceries, but this time, the facilities were perfect for making breakfast and snacks and reheating leftovers without trudging halfway across the resort to pick something up.

VIP Treatment

One of my biggest struggles when making it through a park day without a resort break is that it’s nearly impossible to find a seat in a chilly location that you can occupy for more than a few minutes. Coming from the north, I can’t handle the heat for much of the year and really relish those breaks. But as a DVC Member, I was granted access to McKim’s Mile House at Magic Kingdom and the ImaginAtrium at EPCOT. These spots are perfect for cooling down, resting your feet, charging your phone, and enjoying a complimentary snack and soda.

Most non-members don’t even know these lounges exist, so heading inside feels extra special.

Getting Around

Disney World is huge, and there are so many modes of transportation available, but I mostly stick to the buses based on where I stay. Almost every DVC resort has another mode—or two!—of transportation to try, including boats, the Monorail, and the Skyliner. I really loved taking the boat from Fort Wilderness to the Contemporary or Magic Kingdom. It was peaceful and provided some beautiful views I don’t usually get to see.

And specifically at Fort Wilderness, you can use bikes and golf carts to get around the sprawling campground, which felt incredibly novel. Tooling around the Fort in a golf cart is now a core memory!

Extra Activities

Many DVC resorts have special areas called Community Halls for their members, which are essentially recreation rooms filled with games, sports equipment, crafts, and more.

The resorts also offer many free (and some paid) activities, including yoga, movies under the stars, character meetings, lawn games, scavenger hunts, and nature walks. With so much to do, taking a resort day or two during your trip becomes much more appealing. These resorts are definitely more than just a place to lay your head!

Animal Encounters

I couldn’t believe my eyes, but one night, as we were driving back to our Cabin, we spotted a deer! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so close to one before.

At other Disney resorts, I’ve seen the occasional duck, bunny, lizard, and one startled armadillo. But at DVC resorts, I’ve also spotted beautiful wild egrets, turtles, and turkeys. The lush landscaping creates a wonderful habitat for creatures great and small.

Exclusive Events

Special DVC Member-exclusive events happen throughout the year, and I was able to experience two of them. They really made me feel like I was part of a special club. At Moonlight Magic, I experienced one of the best after-hours parties I’ve ever attended, with minimal waits, a special showing of Fantasmic!, and loads of free snacks. I even checked off my lifelong dream of meeting WALL-E!

Welcome Home Weeks is less grand in scale, but it provided the chance to mingle with other members, enjoy free treats, and take advantage of great dining discounts.

Before my stay, I knew about the financial considerations involved in becoming a DVC Member. But having the chance not only to stay at one of these beautiful resorts, but to truly experience it as a member, opened my eyes to the potential value of a membership in ways my beloved spreadsheets can’t quite capture. There’s more to membership than I realized, even as a publisher of three Disney magazines!

Thank you to Disney for hosting us on a three-night Disney Vacation Club Membership Magic stay.