Eligible Disney Vacation Club members and active Annual Passholders can be among the first to book and experience Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. They can take advantage of this opportunity to book during an exclusive special pre-sale window October 7 and 9 for voyages March 1-May 4, 2022.*
This pre-sale booking opportunity has been communicated directly to Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Annual Passholders via email.
As a reminder, general bookings for this immersive adventure in a galaxy far, far away will open less than one month from now, on Oct. 28, 2021.
Earlier this year, we reported that 200 more Disney Vacation Club Villas are coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in 2022. A permit filed for “general construction” at the resort is the first indication that work is set to begin.
The entire Big Pine Key building will be transformed, turning its standard rooms into resort studios that sleep up to five guests. These rooms will be closer to many amenities than the current Disney Vacation Club Villas.
DVCNews.com reports that the company that filed the permit, New Horizon Construction Services, has previously worked on Disney Vacation Club property refurbishments, including Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
With the latest round of price increases for Disney Vacation Club properties comes the first direct price over $300.
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa have increased in direct price from $295 to $310. Disney’s Old Key West Resort has increased from $165 to $170 and Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has increased from $186 to $190.
These price increases go into effect on June 24, 2021 for new members and on July 15, 2021 for current members.
Disney’s Grand Californian previously increased from $280 to $295 in January of this year.
In the past year, only Animal Kingdom Villas and Disney’s Grand Floridian have not had their direct sold-out price increased.
Two of Disney’s popular Disney Vacation Club Resorts are scheduled to undergo refurbishment in the near future. Both Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort will have their lobbies and front desks refurbished.
As reported by DVCNews: “Work at Saratoga Springs will begin with a closure of the connecting lounge that runs between the front desk and Artist’s Palette. On July 12, the porte cochere is slated to close.”
Flying into Saratoga at this time? The great news is Disney’s airport transportation, the Disney’s Magic Express, will continue to run from the normal pick up and drop off location. There will however be a temporarily walkway for guests to reach the front desk. If you’re driving, you will be offered a chance to do curbside check-in at the Disney Vacation Club Preview Center. Thankfully, check-in is also now made super easy right from your phone with the My Disney Experience App. As the Carriage House begins refurbishment in August, front desk and concierge will be relocated to the hallway lounge.
Disney’s Old Key West Refurbishment Details:
It looks like much of the same work can be expected for the neighboring Disney’s Old Key West Resort. DVCNews shares: “Once the den modifications are complete, it will temporarily house Cast Members as the front desk is refurbished.”
Both Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs will begin the updates on the lobbies beginning June 28, 2021. Disney has yet to release a timeline for completion.
Are you interested in becoming a Disney Vacation Club member? If so, there’s a new change you’ll want to be aware of as you better understand the point system. As of June 3, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has increased their point minimum for members to qualify for extra benefits such as the ever-so-important discounts and EPCOT lounge.
As reported by DVCNews: “Effective June 3, 2021, DVC has again raised the point threshold to qualify for owner perks and benefits. Members must now buy at least 150 points direct from DVC in order to access discounts on merchandise, dining, select theme park tickets and other services.”
According to the DVC member-only website: “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, Inc. Disney and Concierge Collections options are not available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc. after March 21, 2011, and, effective April 4, 2016, Members who have not purchased an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc. will not have access to Membership Extras.”
Keep in mind, if you’re looking at a resale market for DVC points, these resale points do not apply toward the minimum point requirement. If you’re already a DVC member, this change only applies to purchases made from June 3 forward. Owners who met the minimum requirement at the time of their purchase will continue to receive access to member perks.
In February 2018, when the minimum point requirement was introduced, the direct purchase requirement was 75 points for Membership Extras. In September 2019 the point requirement was increased to 100 points, followed by 125 required in October 2020. Now, June 2021, another increase has the point minimum at 150.
