Disney cracks down on DVC rentals, and it could cost members big

USA Today

2 days ago

Disney Vacation Club recently updated its policy to crack down on commercial rentals, but some say it's leaving some members confused.
DVC, Disney's version of a timeshare, added a new condition to its membership terms and conditions in early June, requiring people to certify their booking is "solely for personal use and not for commercial purposes" by clicking a checkbox, according to Disney Tourist Blog.
It goes on to define personal use as "enjoying the benefits of a DVC Membership with family or allowing use of any reserved Vacation Home to friends and family on occasion."
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This policy of prohibiting commercial use has been long-standing and is now reflected by the new adjustment, according to Disney.
The move is intended to curb large-scale renters who exploit the system for profit. However, some believe the language is too murky for the average member to navigate and doesn't effectively reduce commercial renters.
"It is creating heartburn for average everyday members who want to follow the rules," said Chad Pennycuff, a DVC member since 2017 and host of the My DVC Points podcast.
Cracking down on commercial renters
Social media has proliferated the practice of commercial renting, with some "fringe" members consistently having up to 30 key reservations during peak travel times, such as the winter holidays, according to Pennycuff. "The internet and social media changed all that … people share on Facebook groups to rent out points," he said.
Some members have complained they can't find availability during this time, leading to DVC implementing the new requirement.
Tom Bricker of Disney Tourist Blog told USA TODAY in an email that he believes DVC's visible policy change is "placating members who have complained about the proliferation of commercial renters, decreasing demand for rentals by introducing an element of risk and uncertainty, and scaring some of the large commercial renters into voluntarily exiting the market."
While he thinks it could improve availability "ever-so-slightly," commercial renters are highly efficient and have thousands more points than the average member, so it won't be very effective.
How will the change impact DVC members?
While most DVC members will likely still be able to rent out to friends and family without issues, others may find the new language narrowly defined and worry about breaking the rules, said Pennycuff.
Many members often need to rent or sell their points if they can't take a trip that year, otherwise they lose money. "If you've got two to three years in a row that life hits you and you can't go on vacation … your dues are still due every year," he said.
Can I still book through third-party companies?
Probably not. Reputable third-party companies that specialize in booking DVC stays by acting as brokers between members and outside guests shouldn't be impacted by the update.
These companies act as intermediaries between the two parties and aren't the ones renting the points; instead, they receive a commission for the transaction, said Pennycuff.