If you are shopping for a Disney Vacation Club resale contract, you will quickly come across the term “Right of First Refusal,” also known as ROFR.
At first, Disney Vacation Club ROFR can sound intimidating. Many buyers worry that
Disney may suddenly take away the deal they thought they secured. Fortunately, once you understand how ROFR works, the process becomes much less stressful.
In most cases, buyers pass Disney Vacation Club ROFR without any issues and move forward to closing successfully.
What Is Disney Vacation Club ROFR?
Disney Vacation Club’s Right of First Refusal is a clause included in every DVC resale contract. This clause gives Disney the option to purchase the contract themselves at the exact same price and terms agreed upon by the buyer and seller.
In simple terms, Disney can step into the buyer’s shoes and purchase the contract instead.
How Does the Disney Vacation Club ROFR Process Work?
The Disney Vacation Club ROFR process is straightforward:
- The buyer and seller agree on a purchase price.
- The buyer or broker submits the signed contract to Disney for review.
- Disney reviews the contract during the closing process.
- Disney either:
- Waives ROFR — The buyer and seller continue to closing.
- Exercises ROFR — Disney purchases the contract using the same agreed-upon terms.
If Disney exercises ROFR, the title company fully refunds the buyer’s deposit. In many cases, buyers leave the deposit in escrow and immediately pursue another Disney Vacation Club resale contract.
Why Does Disney Use ROFR?
Disney uses Disney Vacation Club ROFR for several important reasons.
First, Disney wants to help maintain resale pricing by preventing contracts from selling too far below market value. Second, Disney may target specific resorts with strong demand. Finally, Disney can reacquire inventory and resell those contracts directly to future buyers at much higher direct prices.
Because of this, Disney closely watches pricing trends across the Disney Vacation Club resale market.
What Triggers Disney Vacation Club ROFR?
Disney does not publish exact guidelines explaining why they exercise ROFR. However, one factor consistently matters more than anything else: the price per point.
If sellers price a DVC resale contract significantly below market value, Disney is more likely to exercise ROFR.
Other factors that may influence Disney’s decision include:
- Resort popularity
- Contract size
- Banked or borrowed points
- Current market demand
- Availability of inventory at specific resorts
For example, highly desirable Disney Vacation Club resorts may experience more ROFR activity during periods of strong buyer demand.
How Often Does Disney Vacation Club ROFR Happen?
Most buyers pass Disney Vacation Club ROFR successfully and continue to closing without problems.
The key is submitting a realistic offer. Buyers naturally want a great deal, but extremely low offers are more likely to attract Disney’s attention.
A knowledgeable Disney Vacation Club resale broker can help guide buyers toward a competitive offer that still has a solid chance of passing ROFR.
Should You Be Worried About Disney Vacation Club ROFR?
Not really.
The odds are generally in your favor that Disney will waive ROFR (not buyback). While Disney occasionally reacquires contracts, the majority of Disney Vacation Club resale transactions pass ROFR successfully. Our office currently has a 96+% rate of packages passing ROFR. Meaning less than 4% of what we sell is bought back.
Understanding current market pricing, resort demand, and recent ROFR activity can help buyers make stronger offers and improve their chances of success.
Need Help Understanding Disney Vacation Club ROFR?
If you have questions about Disney Vacation Club ROFR, our team is happy to help.
At The Timeshare Store, Inc.®, we specialize exclusively in Disney Vacation Club resale and rentals. Our experienced team can help you better understand resale pricing, ROFR trends, and your chances of successfully passing ROFR.
You can also view our latest Disney Vacation Club resale listings to compare current pricing and availability.
Call us at 407-239-8899 or email sales@dvcstore.com to speak with one of our Disney Vacation Club specialists today.
Written By: Jason Padilla
With over 12 years at The Timeshare Store, Inc.® and a wealth of experience in both the direct and resale DVC markets, JP (Jason Padilla) has helped thousands of families make the most of their Disney Vacation Club Memberships. His reputation for honesty, attention to detail, and treating every client like family sets him apart. Whether you’re buying your first contract or adding to your DVC membership, JP is here to guide you with care and expertise.