🚝 Dad at Disney Weekly #050 ✨

Hi All,

Big one this week — I finally wrote the post people email me about more than any other: what it actually costs to rent DVC points. Plus a new spot opening at Disney Springs, Soarin' gone patriotic, and a deal alert for anyone with flexible summer dates. Let's get to it:

LATEST NEWS

The post you've been asking me for…. "How much does it actually cost to rent DVC points?" I finally sat down and did the real math — current per-point rates ($13–$23), three of our family's actual bookings next to Disney's cash prices, and the one tradeoff first-timers need to know. The 1-bedroom at Bay Lake Tower that Disney quoted at $6,800? We did it for $3,630 — same villa, same week. Read the full cost breakdown — three real examples included.

A new spot opens at Disney Springs June 29…. LEVEL99 — a giant maze of 60-plus challenge rooms and duels — opens on the West Side, and it's the largest LEVEL99 location to date. File this under great rainy-afternoon backup if you've got older kids, or a date-night break while the littles nap back at the resort.

Soarin' just got patriotic…. for summer 2026, Soarin' Around the World became Soarin' Across America for "Disney Celebrates America" (the country's 250th) — new scenes across U.S. landscapes and cityscapes. Worth a re-ride even if you've flown it a hundred times.

Heads up on Disney Springs transportation…. starting June 28, you can't board a bus or boat from Disney Springs unless you have an overnight resort reservation or a dining reservation. If you like parking-hopping over to the Springs, plan your exit before you go.

Want the whole DVC playbook? Grab my free DVC Savings Guide — it shows you exactly how to stay at Deluxe resorts for 40–60% less.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KALSHI

Messi. Ronaldo. Mbappé. Every goal has a live market.

These aren't predictions on a message board. They're live markets on Kalshi, the only federally regulated prediction market exchange in the US. You buy "Yes" or "No" shares on any outcome. Who scores, who advances, who takes the trophy. Prices shift with every result, every substitution, every upset. Earn if you're right. Peer-to-peer. No house edge. Cash out before the final whistle. Trade $10, get $10 free to start.

Trade These Markets

_{Trade responsibly.}

DISNEY DEALS

The cheapest way into a Deluxe villa right now…. confirmed DVC reservations are running as low as $13–$14 per point, with a 10%-off last-minute promo floating around. If your summer or early-fall dates are flexible, that's a Deluxe villa for close to Value-resort money. Browse confirmed DVC reservations 🔥 (Affiliate link — I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

Doing the math before you book?…. the quick formula is points your room needs × about $20 per point = your total. A studio week runs ~80 points (~$1,600); a 1-bedroom week ~165 points (~$3,600). Compare that to Disney's cash quote and the gap is the whole story — the full breakdown is in this week's top post above.

The #1 thing in my park bag every summer…. the JISULIFE handheld mini fan does triple duty — up to 19 hours of cooling, a built-in flashlight, AND it works as a phone power bank when your battery dies at 4pm. 🔥

Stop paying $5 for water in the parks…. the Owala FreeSip water bottle has a spill-proof locking spout, keeps ice cold for hours, and fits the stroller cup holder. Refill at the quick-service fountains 💧

Florida afternoon downpour incoming…. the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite 2 Poncho packs into a pouch and beats the $20 gift-shop ponchos every time ☔️

Skip the $35 headband line…. these mouse ears headband 2-packs run under $15 for two — soft, comfy, and the kids genuinely can't tell the difference 🎀

Halloween costume hack…. Amazon's kids' Disney costumes for MNSSHP 2026 — way cheaper than parks pricing, way more comfortable for a long park night. Order now if you're going in August 🎃

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 28: Disney Springs transportation change takes effect (resort/dining reservation required to board)

June 29: LEVEL99 opens at Disney Springs (West Side)

July 4: Independence Day — fireworks across all four parks

July 22 – Aug 26: DVC Welcome Home Weeks Summer 2026 (rental inventory tightens — book early)

Aug 7 – Oct 31: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 (select nights)

VIRAL FOOD OF THE WEEK 😍 

@dadatdisney

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