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Home › How to Buy DVC Resale

How to Buy DVC Resale in 2026

Buying DVC resale means purchasing an existing Disney Vacation Club contract from a current owner, typically at 30 to 50 percent below what Disney charges for new memberships. On a 150-point contract at Saratoga Springs, that gap is roughly $10,000 to $15,000. This guide covers the full process, resort-by-resort pricing, and what to watch out for before you make an offer.

Resale vs Direct Prices (2026)

The table below shows the current resale price range per point at every DVC resort alongside Disney's direct price. Resale prices reflect recent market transactions and active listings. Direct prices are Disney's current retail price before any incentives.

Resort Resale $/pt Direct $/pt Savings
Animal Kingdom Lodge $90 – $115 $175 ~40%
Aulani (Hawaii) $110 – $140 $225 ~38%
Bay Lake Tower $120 – $155 $220 ~34%
Beach Club Villas $85 – $110 $200 ~47%
BoardWalk Villas $80 – $105 $195 ~55%
Boulder Ridge (Wilderness Lodge) $75 – $100 $170 ~47%
Copper Creek (Wilderness Lodge) $110 – $140 $215 ~40%
Disneyland Hotel (CA) $95 – $125 $195 ~45%
Fort Wilderness Cabins $65 – $85 $160 ~54%
Grand Californian (CA) $125 – $165 $235 ~40%
Grand Floridian Resort $140 – $175 $250 ~40%
Hilton Head Island Resort $55 – $75 $140 ~50%
Old Key West (expires 2042) $65 – $85 $155 ~52%
Old Key West (expires 2057) $110 – $135 $175 ~33%
Polynesian Villas and Bungalows $115 – $145 $225 ~40%
Riviera Resort $85 – $115 $210 ~51%
Saratoga Springs Resort $85 – $115 $175 ~42%
Vero Beach Resort $45 – $65 $130 ~58%

Resale prices reflect active listings and recent closed transactions as of mid-2026. Direct prices are Disney's current retail before promotions. Prices vary by contract size, use year, and banked points.

The Buying Process, Step by Step

The DVC resale transaction follows a predictable sequence. Understanding each step helps you set realistic timelines and avoid surprises.

1

Search and compare listings

Start by browsing current DVC resale listings across all brokers. Filter by resort, point total, price per point, and use year. Price per point is the standard comparison metric: two identical contracts at the same resort with the same use year should have similar per-point prices, so outliers are easy to spot.

2

Make an offer through the broker

Each listing is held by a licensed resale broker who represents the seller. You contact the broker directly, negotiate a price, and sign a purchase agreement. Buyers do not pay a broker commission; the seller pays that fee. You will typically pay closing costs of $500 to $1,000 plus Disney's $500 transfer fee at closing.

3

Disney ROFR review (Right of First Refusal)

Once a purchase agreement is signed, the broker submits it to Disney. Disney has 30 days to exercise its Right of First Refusal, meaning it can buy the contract from the seller at the price you agreed to pay. Disney waives ROFR on the majority of contracts submitted; it tends to act only when a contract is priced meaningfully below recent market transactions for that resort.

4

Closing and title transfer

After Disney waives ROFR, a title company prepares closing documents and records the deed transfer. This step typically takes 2 to 5 weeks. Total time from accepted offer to recorded deed is usually 45 to 75 days, though some closings run longer if sellers are slow to execute documents.

5

Member activation with Disney

After the deed records, Disney processes the membership transfer and activates your account in their system. This final step takes an additional 2 to 4 weeks. Once complete, you can log in to the DVC member portal, see your points balance, and begin making reservations at the 11-month owner priority window.

What Resale Buyers Lose: Resale Restrictions

Resale buyers retain full use of all 17 DVC resort locations worldwide, including every WDW resort, Aulani in Hawaii, Hilton Head, Vero Beach, the Disneyland Hotel, and the Grand Californian. The restrictions are narrower than many buyers expect.

What resale points cannot book: the Disney Collection (non-DVC Disney and Four Seasons hotels using DVC points), the Concierge Collection (non-Disney hotels), and Adventures by Disney vacation packages. These options matter mainly to buyers who want to use their points to book hotel rooms outside the DVC resort network. Most buyers never use these features.

Important: The Riviera Resort has an additional resale restriction. Resale contracts purchased at Riviera cannot be used to book any other DVC resort location. A Riviera resale buyer can only book stays at Riviera itself. This restriction does not apply to any other DVC resort. Buyers who want flexibility to book across multiple resorts should not purchase a Riviera resale contract.

Which Resorts Have the Best Resale Value

Contract length matters most for buyers who plan to hold long term. The three longest-running contracts are Riviera Resort (expires 2070), Copper Creek Villas at Wilderness Lodge (expires 2068), and the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (expires 2066). Old Key West 2042 contracts expire in 16 years and are priced accordingly.

Annual dues affect the true cost of ownership every year. Fort Wilderness Cabins has the lowest dues at approximately $5.35 per point annually. Saratoga Springs Resort runs about $6.89 per point. Bay Lake Tower is around $7.62 per point. On a 200-point contract, the difference between Fort Wilderness and Saratoga Springs dues is roughly $308 per year, compounded over 40 years.

Location carries a premium at two resorts that consistently hold resale value above their peers. Bay Lake Tower sits adjacent to Magic Kingdom with tower-room views of the castle and fireworks. Grand Floridian is on the monorail loop with direct rail access to both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, making it the only WDW resort with monorail access to both parks. Both resorts command higher per-point prices and lower percentage savings versus direct, but they maintain stronger resale demand.

Hilton Head Island Resort and Vero Beach Resort trade at the lowest per-point prices on the resale market, which looks attractive until you factor in what you are buying: neither resort has park access, both have above-average dues, and the travel cost to reach a Disney theme park from either location is substantial. For buyers whose primary goal is WDW vacations, these two resorts are poor choices at any price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ROFR and how often does Disney exercise it?
ROFR stands for Right of First Refusal. When a DVC resale contract goes under contract, Disney receives a copy of the purchase agreement and has 30 days to buy the contract at the same price you agreed to pay. Disney exercises ROFR on roughly 5 to 15 percent of contracts, typically targeting those priced significantly below current market value. Contracts priced at or above recent comparable sales are almost never taken. Disney waived ROFR on nearly all contracts during 2023 and 2024, but began exercising it more selectively again in 2025.
Can resale DVC be used at Aulani?
Yes. Resale buyers can book stays at Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii, using their DVC points. The resale restriction only removes access to the Disney Collection (non-DVC hotel bookings), the Concierge Collection, and Adventures by Disney packages. All 17 DVC resort locations worldwide, including Aulani, are fully bookable with resale points at any home resort.
What is the minimum points contract I should buy?
Most DVC travel planners recommend a minimum of 100 to 150 points. A studio at most WDW resorts costs 10 to 18 points per night during standard season, so 100 points covers roughly 6 to 8 nights in a studio per year. If you want a one-bedroom villa or plan to travel during peak season (holidays, spring break), 150 to 200 points is more practical. Contracts under 75 points are hard to use effectively: the annual dues cost per night often makes them no cheaper than booking a cash room.
Are DVC annual dues tax deductible?
DVC annual dues are not deductible as personal vacation expenses. However, if you rent your DVC points for income, the dues allocated to that rental activity may be deductible as a rental expense. DVC is structured as a deeded real estate interest, so mortgage interest on any DVC financing may qualify as deductible qualified residence interest under IRS rules, subject to applicable limits. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation before relying on any deduction.
Can I rent out my DVC points?
Yes. DVC members can rent their points to other guests, and there is a well-established rental market. Current rental rates run approximately $18 to $23 per point depending on resort, season, and room type. On a 150-point contract, renting all points at $20 per point generates $3,000 per year, which often exceeds annual dues at most resorts. Disney member rules prohibit commercial-scale renting operations, but occasional personal renting is widely practiced and generally accepted.
How long does the DVC resale closing process take?
From accepted offer to member activation typically takes 60 to 90 days. Disney has 30 days to exercise or waive ROFR after receiving the contract. After Disney waives, the title company manages closing, which takes another 2 to 4 weeks. Disney then processes the membership transfer, adding another 2 to 4 weeks. Total time from offer to booking access averages about 75 days but can stretch to 110 days if any step is delayed.

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