Thinking about buying DVC resale? Learn how the Disney Vacation Club resale process works, the pros and cons of ownership, and whether buying resale was worth it for my family.

I’ve always dreamed of becoming a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member. In the past, I attended a presentation at the BoardWalk Inn and spoke with a DVC representative about a potential purchase. However, it always felt out of reach for me. That changed when I learned about the DVC resale market and discovered the option to buy a preexisting contract. 

Why I Chose DVC Resale Instead of Buying Direct

When considering purchasing a DVC resale, you’ll first want to ensure you’re working with a reputable DVC resale company. You’ll also want to establish the amount you’re willing to spend on the contract and how many points per year will work for your family. 

Photo by CJ Ayd

When purchasing a resale, you’ll also want to consider which resort you’d like to buy at, as that will be your home resort and where you can book 12 months in advance. The term left on the contract also matters: with a resale, some contracts might have only 20 years remaining, while others might have 60 years remaining.  And finally, you’ll want to determine the contract’s use year, which is when your points renew. (My use year is October) So the first of October every year is when my points are released. 

How the Disney Vacation Club Resale Process Works

I had my heart set on owning at BoardWalk, and with my budget, I could purchase 150 points annually. You’ll also want to consider the annual dues, as they will vary depending on which resort you purchase at, and factor that into your cost, as you’ll pay the annual dues every January for the length of your contract. 

Once you find a contract that meets your needs, you’ll make an offer. I submitted three different offers before a seller accepted one, and I had very little room to negotiate.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Once the seller accepts your offer, both parties sign the contract and send the paperwork to Disney for its Right of First Refusal (ROFR) review. After Disney waives or declines to exercise ROFR, the title company processes your payment and transfers ownership of the contract into your name. Several weeks later, you’ll hear the words every new member loves: “Welcome Home!” At that point, you officially become a Disney Vacation Club owner.

Be prepared to wait throughout the process. From submitting an offer to taking ownership, the timeline often stretches several weeks before you can officially book vacations with your new membership. You’ll need to be extremely patient. 

The Biggest Benefits of Buying DVC Resale

Once the process is complete, you become a Disney Vacation Club owner with access to many of the same accommodations and booking benefits that direct purchasers enjoy. You can still book at all of the original DVC resorts, like Old Key West, Grand Floridian, and The Polynesian, to name a few. 

Photo by Laurie Sapp

You can book outside your home resort up to 8 months in advance, and you can even bank your points to save up and stay in 3-bedroom villas (I know you’ve watched the room tours!), or borrow points if you know you might not go one year but might go twice the following year. It allows you to know you can take a Disney trip every year, and it’s pure magic! 

The Drawbacks You Need to Know About

The biggest con, from my perspective, is that you don’t get all the same benefits as a DVC member who purchases directly from Disney.  The main reasons to purchase a resale for me were the overall cost and the shorter terms; from my perspective, that ultimately led me to choose a resale rather than go directly through Disney. At the time of my purchase, a 150-point BoardWalk resale contract cost significantly less than buying those same points directly from Disney.

DVC resorts like Disney’s Polynesian Villas offer unique views and room types. Photo by Laurie Sapp

When you purchase a resale, you won’t have access to stay at the Riviera or any new DVC properties, like the Polynesian Tower or Lakeshore Lodge (coming soon!), or some of the discounts available to DVC owners. It’s something you have to seriously consider when deciding whether a DVC resale is right for you, as it could be a deal-breaker for some people. I know I’m definitely sad I’ll miss out on Lakeshore Lodge! 

Who Should Consider DVC Resale?

Disney Vacation Club resale isn’t the right fit for every family, but it can be an excellent option for the right traveler.

First and foremost, DVC resale tends to make the most sense for families who visit regularly. If you’re planning a Disney vacation every year or every other year, purchasing points can potentially provide long-term value compared to paying cash for Deluxe Resort rooms each trip.

If ownership doesn’t appeal to you, consider renting points through David’s Vacation Club, which is a great way to enjoy Disney Deluxe Resorts.