Buy DVC Points: What You Need to Know Page title

Purchase DVC Points: What You Need to Know

Owning Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points represents an investment in decades of memorable vacations. Unlike booking individual hotel stays, DVC points give you access to numerous resorts across Florida, California, Hawaii, and South Carolina. With this flexibility, you can decide when and where to stay, making each trip unique for your family.

How Flexible Vacation Ownership Works with DVC Points

DVC points function as vacation currency. Each year, your contract provides a set number of points to use at any eligible DVC resort. Points are allocated based on your selected dates, resort, and room type. For added flexibility, you can bank unused points for the following year or borrow from next year's allocation to plan a special trip. This system allows you to customize your vacations based on your family's changing needs.

The beauty of the DVC system is its adaptability. One year you might want a quick weekend at Bay Lake Tower, the next you could plan a two-week stay at Aulani in Hawaii. Your points work the same way regardless of which resort you choose, giving you the freedom to match your vacation to your mood and budget each year.

Understanding the Home Resort Advantage

Each DVC membership is tied to a "home resort," where you enjoy an 11-month booking window, compared to a 7-month window at other resorts. This four-month advantage proves crucial for securing accommodations during peak times like Christmas week, spring break, or at the most popular resorts.

We've helped hundreds of families through this process, and I'd suggest you consider which resort you'd want to visit most often when making your home resort choice. If you're drawn to the monorail resorts like Grand Floridian or Polynesian, those would make logical home resort choices. If you prefer the Epcot area, Beach Club or BoardWalk might be better options.

Why Purchase DVC Points on the Resale Market?

Purchasing directly from Disney remains one option, but the DVC resale market often offers significant savings. When you purchase resale, you're acquiring an existing membership at a substantial discount compared to direct retail prices, making DVC ownership more affordable and allowing for more vacations within your budget.

Current Disney retail prices range from $150 per point at Vero Beach to $310 per point at Grand Californian. Walt Disney World resorts range from $205 per point at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West to $275 per point at Bay Lake Tower and Beach Club. Resale contracts typically sell for 30-50% below these retail prices.

Key Benefits of Purchasing DVC Resale Points

• Lower Cost Per Point: Resale contracts generally cost 30-50% less than direct purchases, making it a cost-effective way to join the DVC family without the premium markup.
• Full Resort Access: Most resale contracts offer access to the same resorts, room types, and seasons as direct purchases, so you won't miss out on the core benefits of DVC ownership.
• Banking and Borrowing: Points can be banked for the following use year or borrowed from next year's allocation, providing the flexibility to plan both spontaneous trips and special celebrations.
• No High-Pressure Sales: The resale process allows you to research and compare options at your own pace, so you can make an informed decision without sitting through lengthy presentations.

When you purchase through our resale marketplace, you pay a $500 buyer administration fee and we charge sellers a 6.9% commission (compared to the industry average of 9.5%). This streamlined approach keeps costs reasonable while providing full service throughout the transaction.

What to Consider Before You Purchase DVC Points

Each DVC contract carries its own characteristics that affect both your vacation options and long-term costs. Here are the key factors to evaluate:

Home Resort Priority

You can book 11 months in advance at your home resort and 7 months in advance at others. This isn't just a minor perk. During busy seasons, those extra four months can mean the difference between getting your preferred dates and room type or having to adjust your plans.

Choose a resort you genuinely want to visit regularly, not just one that seems like a good investment. Your home resort advantage works best when you actually want to use it.

Contract Size and Your Vacation Plans

The right number of points depends on your typical vacation style. Every family is different, and every family's needs change over time. The most practical approach is to estimate your vacation plans for the next 2-3 years, calculate the points needed for those trips, and purchase based on that average.

A studio at most Walt Disney World resorts requires 11-25 points per night depending on the season, while a two-bedroom villa might need 25-60 points per night. One-bedroom villas typically fall between these ranges. Check the current points charts for specific resorts you're considering to get accurate planning numbers.

Contract Expiration Date

Each DVC contract has a fixed end date, ranging from 2042 to 2077 depending on the resort. Contracts with more years remaining typically cost more per point, but they also provide more total vacation value over time.

Consider how long you expect to use DVC. If you're purchasing in your 40s with young children, a contract that expires in 2070 gives you decades of family vacations. If you're closer to retirement, a 2050 expiration might provide plenty of vacation years at a lower per-point cost.

Annual Dues Structure

All DVC contracts include yearly maintenance fees that vary by resort and typically increase 3-4% annually. These annual dues cover resort maintenance, housekeeping, and Disney's management of the vacation club program.

Current annual dues range from about $5-8 per point depending on the resort. Newer resorts often have lower current dues, but they may increase more rapidly as the properties age and require more maintenance.

Use Year and Banking Considerations

Your use year determines when your annual point allocation is deposited and when unused points expire. Common use years are February, April, June, August, October, and December. If you typically vacation during specific seasons, matching your use year to those travel patterns can provide more flexibility with banking and borrowing.

Understanding the Resale Purchase Process

Purchasing DVC resale involves several steps that differ from buying Disney direct. The process typically takes 60-90 days from contract execution to closing, with Disney's Right of First Refusal (ROFR) being the most variable element.

Right of First Refusal (ROFR)

Disney maintains the right to purchase any resale contract at the agreed price, effectively taking your place as the purchaser. This process typically takes 30-45 days. If Disney exercises ROFR, you receive your full deposit back and can look for another contract.

Disney tends to exercise ROFR on contracts priced significantly below current market rates or at resorts where they want to maintain inventory control. Our team can provide guidance on current ROFR trends when you're evaluating specific contracts.

Estoppel and Closing

Once a contract passes ROFR, Disney provides an estoppel certificate confirming the contract details, current point balances, and any outstanding fees. This document ensures you know exactly what you're purchasing. The seller pays a $150 estoppel fee as part of the transaction.

After estoppel approval, the closing process involves transferring ownership through the appropriate county records and updating Disney's membership database. You'll receive your new membership materials and can begin making reservations once the transfer is complete.

Financing Your DVC Purchase

Unlike Disney's direct sales program, most resale transactions require full payment at closing. However, financing options are available through third-party lenders who specialize in vacation ownership transactions.

These loans typically require 10-20% down with terms ranging from 5-15 years. Interest rates vary based on your credit profile and the loan amount. If you're considering financing, it's worth getting pre-approved before making an offer so you understand your total monthly costs.

Choosing the Right DVC Resort

Each Disney Vacation Club resort offers distinct advantages depending on your vacation style and priorities. Walt Disney World resorts provide the most variety and typically the strongest resale values.

Magic Kingdom Area Resorts

Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Bay Lake Tower offer monorail access to Magic Kingdom and premium resort amenities. These resorts command higher point costs but provide the ultimate in convenience for families focused on Magic Kingdom visits.

Epcot Area Options

Beach Club and BoardWalk provide walking access to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, plus proximity to the BoardWalk entertainment district. These resorts offer a more sophisticated atmosphere while maintaining family-friendly amenities.

Value-Oriented Choices

Saratoga Springs and Old Key West require fewer points for most stays while still providing full Disney resort benefits. Both offer spacious villas and extensive recreational amenities at lower point costs than the deluxe villa resorts.

You can explore detailed information about each resort, including current point charts and amenities, on our resort guide pages.

Getting Started with Your DVC Purchase

Ready to begin exploring your options? Start by browsing our current resale listings to see what's available across all DVC resorts. You can filter by contract size, use year, home resort, and other factors to narrow down options that match your needs.

If you're not sure where to start, our licensed agents are available seven days a week to help you compare contracts, answer questions about specific resorts, and guide you through the purchase process. Many of our team members are former Disney cast members with firsthand DVC experience.

We've helped thousands of families find the right DVC contract over our 25+ years in the resale market. Whether you're looking for a small contract for occasional getaways or a larger membership for extended family vacations, we can help you find options that fit your budget and vacation goals.

The DVC resale market offers excellent value, but it requires more research than purchasing Disney direct. Take time to understand the different resorts, contract terms, and annual costs before making your decision. With the right contract, you'll have decades of Disney vacations to look forward to.

Ready to explore your options? Browse all current listings or contact our team for personalized guidance on finding the right DVC contract for your family.