By Bill Diercksen, Senior Vice President, Disney Vacation Club & Aulani
Membership Magic has evolved through the years to represent so much more than just the places you sleep at the end of your vacation days. It’s about the pride that comes from being part of this magical community, the flexibility to customize vacations to meet your evolving needs, the world-class service delivered by our Cast, and, for eligible* Members, the broad spectrum of special perks and privileges that have become the proverbial “icing on the cake.” This includes shopping and dining discounts, special Member events, access to exclusive Member spaces, and more.
But the “cake,” if we’re sticking with that analogy, continues to be your award-winning neighborhood of Disney Vacation Club Resorts. Continuously baking that cake remains a top priority as we expand your vacation options with new resorts and refurbish existing ones to keep them ahead of the curve.
With more work underway on new and existing resorts than at any time in our history, I thought I’d share how we think about these projects.
Let’s start with our development of new Disney Vacation Club Resorts. A key question we ask ourselves before building anything new is, “Will families – whether they’re existing Members adding on, or guests looking to become Members for the first time – want to call this place ‘home?’” But that’s only half the equation. The other half is about all Members – the community that inspires us to ask, “Will other Members want to stay here, and will it enhance the Member experience?”
Answering those questions leads us to projects like Disney’s Riviera Resort, adding a vacation option that connects you to everything from Walt Disney’s travels to the Disney Skyliner system. And to The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, dramatically expanding your access to “The Happiest Place on Earth.” And soon, The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and a new tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will add to the diverse accommodation options at your fingertips at Walt Disney World Resort.
As for the rest of your resorts, we’re deeply proud of the industry-leading frequency with which we refurbish and update your accommodations, ensuring that they, like you, “stay magical year after year.” We’re equally proud of our approach to these updates, which keeps our focus on your feedback.
Features in the pages ahead underscore our dedication to the places you call “home,” highlighting the thoughtful details of Disney’s Riviera Resort and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
I thank you for inspiring our commitment to continuous improvement, and I look forward to seeing you around your ever-evolving neighborhood of resorts. In the meantime, I have a sudden craving for my mom’s famous spice cake!
Trip Tip: You may have heard that, throughout 2025 at Walt Disney World Resort, Members and guests checking into Disney Resort hotels – including Disney Vacation Club Resorts – may enjoy, at no extra charge, a Disney Water Park on their arrival day, subject to availability. (Note that this benefit doesn't apply to Good Neighbor Hotels.) If you’re planning to take advantage of this new benefit during a 2025 trip, consider packing your swim gear in a smaller bag, allowing you to easily drop off larger luggage at your Resort before heading to the water park.
Learn more at Disneyworld.com/StartPlanning.
