Buying a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resale contract is an exciting way to enjoy years of Disney vacations. However, choosing the right membership involves more than simply finding the lowest price per point.
These DVC resale buying tips will help you understand what to look for before making an offer. From available points and annual dues to Use Year and closing costs, every detail can affect the value of your purchase.
For example, two DVC resale contracts at the same resort may have identical point allotments but very different benefits. One might include extra banked points, while another may not have points available for another year.
Before purchasing a DVC resale contract, consider these 10 important questions.
1. How Many Points Are Available on the DVC Resale Contract?
One of the most important DVC resale buying tips is to review the available points before submitting an offer.
Not every contract includes the same number of points, even when the annual allotment is identical.
Some contracts include banked points from a previous Use Year. Others may have already used or borrowed points from future allocations.
For example, consider two Saratoga Springs contracts with 150 points each:
- Contract A: 150 points currently available, plus another 150 points in the next Use Year.
- Contract B: No points currently available, with the next 150 points not available until the following Use Year.
Although both contracts have the same annual allotment, Contract A offers more immediate vacation opportunities.
Buyer Tip: Always review the available points for each Use Year. Also, confirm whether any points have been banked, borrowed, or committed to an existing reservation.
Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows Lagoon
2. When Do the Available DVC Points Expire?
Having extra points available can make a DVC resale contract more attractive upfront. However, knowing when those extra points expire is equally important.
Points can generally only be moved forward one Use Year, which is called banking. However, once banked, you can’t bank them again.
For example, a resale contract might include 100 banked points that expire in just four months.
If you’re planning a vacation soon, those points could provide excellent value. On the other hand, if you cannot travel before they expire, they may offer little practical benefit.
Remember that DVC points must be used for stays within their applicable Use Year.
Buyer Tip: Check the expiration date of all banked points before making an offer. If points are expiring soon, consider whether you’ll realistically be able to use them.
3. Is the DVC Use Year Right for My Travel Plans?
Understanding Use Year is another essential part of buying DVC resale.
Your Use Year determines when your annual point allocation begins and when your banking deadline occurs.
| DVC Use Year | Banking Deadline |
|---|---|
| February | September 30 |
| March | October 31 |
| April | November 30 |
| June | January 31 |
| August | March 31 |
| September | April 30 |
| October | May 31 |
| December | July 31 |
Although Use Year does not determine when you can make reservations, it can affect your flexibility if vacation plans change.
If you regularly visit Disney during the same season, choosing a Use Year that occurs before your travel plans can make managing your points easier.
Additionally, existing DVC members may benefit from purchasing an add-on contract with the same Use Year. When contracts are titled identically and have the same use year, managing the points together may be more convenient.
Buyer Tip: Consider when your family typically travels and choose a Use Year that provides the most flexibility if you need to cancel or reschedule a vacation.
4. Who Pays the Annual Dues at Closing?
Annual dues are an ongoing cost of Disney Vacation Club ownership. Therefore, buyers should understand how these expenses are handled during a resale transaction.
Disney generally bills annual dues in January each year. However, in a purchase, who pays the annual dues depends on who receives or will use the current year’s points. Banked points are typically a freebie and are an added bonus to a package.
Other listings may advertise no annual dues due at closing, which is also a perk and will reduce the buyer’s initial expenses.
Keep in mind that having no annual dues due at closing does not eliminate future annual dues obligations.
Buyer Tip: Review the annual dues terms before submitting an offer. Two contracts with similar asking prices may have different total purchase costs.
5. What Is the Total DVC Resale Purchase Price?
When comparing DVC resale contracts, don’t focus exclusively on the advertised price per point.
Your total purchase cost may include:
- The agreed-upon purchase price
- Closing costs
- Contract administration fees
- Annual dues reimbursement, if applicable
For example, a 150-point contract priced at $100 per point has a purchase price of $15,000.
However, the final amount due at closing may be higher once the applicable fees and negotiated expenses are included.
A lower asking price doesn’t always mean a lower total purchase cost.
Buyer Tip: Request a complete purchase breakdown before making an offer. This allows you to compare different DVC resale listings more accurately.
6. Is the DVC Resale Asking Price Negotiable?
Yes! Buyers are welcome to submit offers below the advertised asking price.
However, whether a seller accepts a lower offer depends on several factors.
These may include the resort, contract size, available points, asking price, and current market conditions.
Some sellers are motivated to sell quickly. Others may prefer to wait for an offer closer to their asking price.
Additionally, a listing that has been on the market for several months may offer more negotiating opportunities than a newly listed property.
At The Timeshare Store, Inc.®, our experienced DVC resale specialists can help you evaluate a contract and determine a reasonable offer.
We’ve specialized in Disney Vacation Club resales since 1994, giving our team extensive experience helping buyers navigate the resale market.
Buyer Tip: Don’t be afraid to make an offer. A knowledgeable resale specialist can help you determine a competitive price based on the property and current market conditions.
7. Does the Contract Have a Delayed Closing or Existing Reservation?
Not every DVC resale contract is available for immediate closing.
Sometimes a seller has an upcoming Disney vacation booked using points associated with the membership.
In these situations, the seller may request a delayed closing until after the reservation has been completed.
For example, you might agree to purchase a contract in October, but the seller has a reservation scheduled for February.
As a result, the closing may need to be delayed until after the seller’s vacation. The closing process can occur before the closing date; however, because of the pending reservation, the package would be delayed until the seller’s check-out date. All other parts of the closing can take place prior to the delayed closing.
This is especially important if you’re hoping to use your new DVC membership for an upcoming trip; you may want to avoid a package with a delayed closing.
Buyer Tip: Ask whether the contract has existing reservations, a delayed closing date, or other conditions that could affect when you take ownership.
8. How Many Years Are Left on the DVC Contract?
Disney Vacation Club resorts have different membership expiration dates.
Therefore, the number of years remaining should be an important part of your buying decision.
Disney Vacation Club resorts have different contract expiration dates, which can affect the long-term value of a DVC purchase.
The following chart includes all 17 existing Disney Vacation Club resorts, listed alphabetically, along with their contract expiration dates based on 2026 timeframe.
| Disney Vacation Club Resort | Expiration Year | Years Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| Disney’s Beach Club Villas | 2042 | 16 |
| Disney’s BoardWalk Villas | 2042 | 16 |
| Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | 2042 | 16 |
| Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort | 2042 | 16 |
| Disney’s Old Key West Resort (Original) | 2042 | 16 |
| Disney’s Vero Beach Resort | 2042 | 16 |
| Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa | 2054 | 28 |
| Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas | 2057 | 31 |
| Disney’s Old Key West Resort (Extended) | 2057 | 31 |
| Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort | 2060 | 34 |
| The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa | 2060 | 34 |
| Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas | 2062 | 36 |
| The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa | 2064 | 38 |
| Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows | 2066 | 40 |
| Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge | 2068 | 42 |
| Disney’s Riviera Resort | 2070 | 44 |
| The Villas at Disneyland Hotel | 2074 | 48 |
| The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort | 2075 | 49 |
A resort with fewer years remaining may have a lower purchase price. However, it also provides fewer years of future vacations.
On the other hand, a contract with a longer expiration date may offer more years of ownership.
When comparing resorts, consider how long you expect to use your membership.
Also, think about whether you eventually plan to pass the ownership along to family members.
Buyer Tip: Compare both the purchase price and the remaining years of ownership. A lower price per point isn’t always the best long-term value.
Note: Some Old Key West contracts have different expiration dates depending on whether the ownership was extended.
9. What Happens If Disney Exercises Its Right of First Refusal?
Disney’s Right of First Refusal, commonly called ROFR, is an important step in many DVC resale transactions.
After the buyer and seller sign the purchase agreement, the contract is submitted to Disney for review.
Disney generally has two options:
- Waive ROFR: Disney allows the buyer and seller to proceed with the transaction.
- Exercise ROFR: Disney purchases the contract under the applicable terms instead of allowing the original buyer to complete the purchase.
If Disney exercises ROFR, the original buyer will not receive the contract. The buyer’s deposit is generally refunded according to the purchase agreement.
Although there’s no guaranteed way to predict Disney’s decision, understanding ROFR can help buyers feel more prepared.
At The Timeshare Store, Inc.®, we keep our buyers informed throughout the process. If Disney exercises ROFR, our team can help you explore other available properties.
Buyer Tip: Remember that an accepted offer is not the final step. Your purchase must still proceed through Disney’s applicable ROFR process and closing requirements.
10. Is This the Right DVC Home Resort for Me?
Choosing the right Home Resort is one of the most important decisions when buying Disney Vacation Club resale.
DVC members generally have an 11-month booking window at their Home Resort.
Reservations at other eligible DVC resorts generally become available seven months before check-in.
For example, if you love staying at Disney’s Beach Club Villas, owning there gives you an earlier opportunity to reserve accommodations than members who own at other resorts.
This advantage can be especially valuable during busy travel periods.
However, if you’re flexible about where you stay, purchasing at a resort with a lower price per point or lower annual dues may better fit your budget.
It’s also important to understand that some DVC resale contracts have restrictions on which resorts can be booked.
These restrictions can vary based on the Home Resort and when the contract was purchased.
Buyer Tip: Choose a Home Resort where you would genuinely enjoy staying. The 11-month booking advantage can be valuable when availability at other resorts is limited.
Look Beyond the DVC Resale Price Per Point
Finding the right DVC resale contract isn’t simply about purchasing at the lowest price per point.
Available points, expiration dates, annual dues, Use Year, closing timelines, and Home Resort preferences all affect the overall value of your membership.
By following these DVC resale buying tips, you can make a more informed decision and avoid unexpected surprises during the purchase process.
Every buyer has different vacation goals. Some want the lowest possible purchase price, while others prioritize immediate points, longer contract terms, or a particular Disney resort.
The key is finding a membership that fits your family’s needs and budget.
Ready to Make an Offer on a DVC Resale Contract?
At The Timeshare Store, Inc.®, we’ve specialized in Disney Vacation Club resales since 1994 and have helped thousands of families buy and sell DVC memberships.
Whether you’re purchasing your first DVC contract or adding points to an existing membership, our experienced sales specialists are here to help.
We can answer your questions, explain the purchase process, review available points, and help you determine a competitive offer.
Browse Our Current DVC Resale Listings or contact our team at 1-800-550-6493 or email us at sales@dvcstore.com
We look forward to helping you find the right Disney Vacation Club membership for years of magical vacations!
About the Author:
For over 23 years, Yamilin has been a vital part of The Timeshare Store, Inc.® (DVCstore.com), where she serves as a trusted DVC Sales Specialist and Accounting Manager. Her deep knowledge and commitment have helped thousands of families confidently explore and enjoy the magic of Disney Vacation Club.