#332 - January 2026 DVC News Update | Refurbs, Policies, Price Increases, and MORE!

·57 min·5 clips

Shannon Sikasky slipped that 20% of all DVC room bookings are for point exchanges.

The episode begins with the hosts—Paul Krieger, Amy Krieger, Derek DeBoer, and Jeff Hassel—reuniting for the first time in the new year. They kick off with news from the recent DVC condo association meetings, noting the meetings were uneventful overall. A key highlight is the opening of refurbished rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, with the hosts sharing photos from a community member and discussing the lighter color palette and ongoing refurbishment schedule through 2026. They also cover Grand Californian's announced phase two refurbishment focused on bathrooms, prompted by member complaints. The conversation shifts to policies, where Shannon Sikasky's comment reveals 20% of DVC rooms are used for point exchanges, sparking discussion on commercial renting rules and misconceptions. Point chart changes are analyzed, including rebalancing at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Polynesian Villas due to room recategorization. The hosts detail a new $500 resale fee for buyers and direct price increases effective February 2026, with active resorts rising by $8 per point. They remind listeners about annual dues due January 15th and consequences for non-payment. The episode wraps with mentions of the Epcot Festival of the Arts and speculation on the Lakeshore Lodge project, noting its massive size seen during a fireworks cruise.

As heard by us

A DVC policy update lands best when it turns category-seven room use into real booking stakes.

The DVC Show's January news update is strongest when it settles into the policy questions around DVC room use. The host notes that he is now president of DVC Rental Store, then frames the crackdown as being aimed at members listing premium holiday stays and hard-to-get rooms in…

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Why you'd press play

Want the DVC math behind exchange bookings, rented rooms, and a possible crackdown on premium holiday stays?

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