For many people planning a Disney vacation, maximizing the magic without spending a fortune is a key goal.
Most people want to stay at one of the Disney Resort hotels on Disney property during their vacation for both the convenience it offers and the way it adds more magic to the trip. That convenience and extra magic can come at a premium, though.
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Recently, my family had the chance to stay a night at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort at Walt Disney World prior to a Disney cruise out of nearby Port Canaveral, which set the tone for a magical vacation full of Disney charm.
Rather than book our stay directly through Disney, we used a trusted travel service that helps vacationers save big on their Disney Resort stays. They do this by connecting vacationers with Disney Vacation Club members who have unused Disney Vacation Points available to rent.
Disney Vacation Points are used to book Disney accommodations, and by renting these vacation points from members, families can stay in deluxe Disney villas at a fraction of the cost of booking directly through Disney.
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David’s Vacation Club Rentals offers discounted Disney resort stays
You do not need to be a Disney Vacation Club member to take advantage of this money-saving service. It's provided by David’s Vacation Club Rentals (DVCR), a family-owned travel company that’s been helping make Disney resort stays more affordable for families for the last 20 years.
“When booking a Disney Vacation Club villa through DVCR, guests can often save 30–50% compared to Disney's direct pricing,” DVCR CEO Melissa Mullett told Come Cruise With Me.
You can simply search availability through the DVCR website, submit a reservation request for your desired resort and travel dates, and from there the DVCR team coordinates with verified Disney Vacation Club owners to secure a booking.
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“We’ve built strong relationships with both Disney Vacation Club owners and guests by making the rental process easy, reliable, and enjoyable,” Mullett explained. “Word-of-mouth and repeat customers have fueled our success, along with a dedicated team that genuinely cares about helping families experience Disney vacations in a more accessible way.”
Saving money on your hotel stay could help you stretch your overall vacation budget farther, especially if you want to combine your Walt Disney World trip with a Disney cruise.
“Those savings can free up budget for a Disney cruise, character dining, or special experiences,” explained Mullett. “Plus, our team provides personalized support to help coordinate your vacation, streamlining what can otherwise be an overwhelming process.”
Tips for combining a Disney cruise with a Disney World trip
The DVCR team also helps families who want to combine a Disney cruise and Walt Disney World trip in one vacation to maximize their time and make the transition between the parks and their cruise seamless. After deciding on your Disney cruise itinerary and dates, Mullett recommends planning your Walt Disney World days carefully.
“Plan strategically around your cruise dates, either by front-loading your trip with park days or saving the excitement for after your cruise. We recommend building in a buffer day to relax and transition between the two experiences,” she said. “Also, consider using a travel service like ours to simplify logistics, especially if you’re coordinating accommodations, transportation, and park tickets across multiple days.”
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Mullett says it’s also important to book all parts of the trip as early as possible for the best availability and lowest prices.
“For the best availability and pricing, we recommend booking your Disney Vacation Club stay 11 months in advance, especially for popular resorts or travel seasons. Cruises should also be booked early, ideally 12–18 months out, to lock in preferred itineraries and staterooms,” she said.
Mullett and her team caution first-time Disney vacationers to be careful not to overbook their trips as they plan ahead, though.
“Do your research, plan ahead, and build in downtime! Disney experiences can be magical but also high-energy,” she said. “For cruises, don’t miss the onboard entertainment, and for the parks, take advantage of tools like Genie+ or Lightning Lane. Our team is also happy to provide guidance tailored to your travel dates and party size.”
