Transient Tax at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get a lot of Disney fanfare—taxes. Specifically, the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) that comes into play when you use your Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points at one of the two DVC resorts in California: The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Now, don’t click away just yet—this is important if you’re a DVC member (or plan to rent DVC points) and are heading to beautiful Anaheim. This Transient Tax isn’t a hidden “gotcha” fee from Disney; it’s a city-imposed tax that affects your stay depending on how you book. Let’s break it down.

What Is the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)?

The TOT is a fee charged by the City of Anaheim on short-term hotel stays, including resorts, hotels, Airbnbs, and, yes, even DVC point reservations. If you’re staying at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel using DVC points, this fee will be added to your bill at checkout.

Important: This TOT tax does not apply to any Walt Disney World DVC resorts or Disney’s Vero Beach or Hilton Head properties. It’s a California and Hawaii thing – the Aulani Resort also has a TOT tax. 

Grand Californian vs. Villas at Disneyland Hotel

Here’s where it gets a little nuanced:

• At Disney’s Grand Californian, the TOT is already baked into your annual dues, so there are no additional taxes for fees due at checkout. No surprises.
• At The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, the newest DVC property at Disneyland, the TOT is billed separately and must be paid at checkout.

This only applies when you stay using DVC points. If you pay cash (even as a non-member), you’re still paying the TOT, but that’s rolled into your nightly rate.

How Much Are We Talking?

As of 2025, the TOT runs around $2.73 per point being used for the stay. Since point charts vary by season, room type, and view category, your tax bill can range from “just a little” to “whoa.”

Here are a couple of real-world examples:

• Standard View Studio during the Jan 1–31 season, Sunday to Thursday:→ ~$28.69 per night
• Preferred View Grand Villa during the Dec 18–31 season, Friday to Saturday:→ ~$573.79 per night

Yep, it can climb quickly, especially if you’re booking a big villa over a holiday weekend.

Who Pays This Tax?

If you’re using points to stay at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, you’re paying the TOT—whether you’re a DVC member, renting points, or booking through a third party. Again, this is only at this specific DVC property in California. If you’re staying at WDW resorts using points, this tax doesn’t apply.

Why Does This Tax Exist?

While it might feel like a bit of a buzzkill, the TOT supports Anaheim’s infrastructure and services that help keep the city running smoothly for all the visitors pouring into the area—Disney guests included. From street maintenance to public safety, your TOT dollars are going to good use.

Budget for the TOT 

If you’re planning a magical getaway to The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, make sure to budget for the TOT. It’s not included in your dues and it’s not optional—it’s part of the deal when staying at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel with DVC points.

It may not be as exciting as fireworks or churros, but knowing about the TOT ahead of time can help you avoid sticker shock and keep your vacation planning on track. After all, the magic is in the details—even the not-so-sparkly ones.

Written by Scot Decker

Scot has been a senior member of The Timeshare Store, Inc.® (DVCstore.com) sales team with over 19 years experience, serving as a dedicated DVC Sales Specialist. With decades of experience and a personalized approach to every client, he has helped thousands of families discover and enjoy the magic of Disney and the Disney Vacation Club.