Cons of Buying DVC Resale

Exploring the Limitations of Purchasing DVC Resale

Purchasing Disney Vacation Club resale can save you thousands of dollars compared to retail prices. But like any significant purchase, it comes with trade-offs you'll want to understand before moving forward. We've helped hundreds of families navigate these decisions, and transparency about both benefits and limitations is part of that process.

Here are the main restrictions and considerations that come with resale DVC contracts.

Limited Access to Membership Extras

When you purchase DVC resale, you won't receive access to Disney's "Membership Extras" program. These perks include discounts on dining, theme park tickets, merchandise, and invitations to exclusive member events. Only members who purchase directly from Disney receive these benefits.

The value of these extras varies significantly from member to member. Some families use dining discounts regularly and attend member events, while others rarely take advantage of these offerings. The key question is whether the potential savings from these discounts outweigh the thousands you'll save purchasing resale instead of retail.

Most families we work with find that the upfront savings from resale far exceed the value they would receive from membership extras over time. But if you're someone who plans to dine at Disney restaurants frequently or values exclusive experiences, this limitation might carry more weight in your decision.

Resort Booking Restrictions Based on Purchase Date

Disney has implemented booking restrictions on DVC resale contracts purchased after certain dates. These restrictions vary by resort and can significantly impact how you use your points.

For contracts at newer resorts like Disney Riviera Resort, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian, resale purchases are restricted to that home resort only. You can't use these points to book stays at other DVC resorts. This means purchasing resale at Riviera restricts you to Riviera bookings exclusively.

Older resorts like Beach Club Villas, Saratoga Springs, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Polynesian still allow broader booking access when purchased resale. You can use these points across the entire DVC system, subject to availability and booking windows.

Before purchasing any resale contract, verify the specific booking restrictions that apply. The rules can be complex, and they've changed over time as Disney has adjusted its resale policies. Understanding these restrictions upfront prevents surprises later when you're trying to make reservations.

No Disney Financing Options

Disney Vacation Club offers financing to direct purchasers, but this option isn't available for resale contracts. Resale buyers need to pay cash at closing or secure financing through other sources.

Third-party lenders do offer DVC financing, though rates and terms will vary based on your credit profile and the lender's requirements. Some members use home equity loans, personal loans, or other financing vehicles to fund their purchase.

While the lack of Disney financing adds a step to the process, many families find that the savings from purchasing resale still make it worthwhile, even when factoring in financing costs from other sources. Our financing page provides information about third-party options available to resale buyers.

Longer Purchase Timeline

The resale purchase process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from accepted offer to closing. This timeline includes several steps that don't exist when purchasing directly from Disney.

After your offer is accepted, the contract goes through Disney's Right of First Refusal (ROFR) process. Disney has up to 30 days to decide whether to purchase the contract themselves at your agreed price. If Disney waives their right, the contract proceeds to closing, which involves title work, estoppel preparation, and final documentation.

While this timeline requires patience, it also provides thorough legal vetting that protects both buyer and seller. The process ensures clear title transfer and verifies all contract details before money changes hands.

No Access to Cruise or Adventure Options

Resale DVC contracts can't be used to book Disney Cruise Line vacations or Adventures by Disney trips. These options are limited to direct purchasers only.

Many DVC members find that cruise and adventure bookings don't provide optimal value compared to resort stays. The point requirements for cruises are often high relative to the cabin category received. Most families we work with prefer to use their points for resort stays and pay cash for cruises when they want to sail.

Some members choose to rent out their points and use that income toward cruise or adventure costs. Point rental can provide flexibility to fund other types of Disney vacations while still maximizing the value of your DVC ownership.

Understanding Annual Dues

All DVC contracts, whether purchased direct or resale, carry annual maintenance fees. These dues cover resort operations, housekeeping, maintenance, and property taxes. While not unique to resale purchases, they represent an ongoing financial commitment that factors into your total cost of ownership.

Annual dues vary by resort and increase over time with inflation and operational costs. Current dues range from approximately $7 to $10 per point annually, depending on the resort. Our annual dues page provides current fee schedules for each resort.

When evaluating any DVC purchase, calculate both the upfront cost and projected annual dues over your intended ownership period. This gives you a complete picture of the financial commitment involved.

Contract Expiration Dates

Every DVC contract has a predetermined expiration date when the deed rights return to Disney. These dates vary significantly by resort, ranging from 2042 for some older properties to 2074 for newer resorts.

The remaining contract term affects both value and utility. A contract with 30 years remaining provides three decades of vacation use, while one with 18 years offers a shorter window. Many families find that even shorter-term contracts provide excellent value, especially when the upfront savings are substantial.

Consider your family's vacation timeline when evaluating contract lengths. If you're purchasing for young children who will vacation with you for many years, a longer contract term might make sense. If you're closer to retirement or have grown children, a shorter-term contract might align better with your plans.

Right of First Refusal Process

Disney maintains the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) on all resale transactions. This means Disney can choose to purchase any resale contract at the agreed-upon price before it transfers to the buyer.

Disney typically exercises ROFR when they believe a contract is priced below market value or when they want to add inventory for their own sales programs. The process adds 30 days to your closing timeline and introduces some uncertainty, as you won't know the final outcome until Disney makes their decision.

Most contracts do pass through ROFR successfully, especially when priced at or near current market rates. Your broker can provide guidance on ROFR likelihood based on current market conditions and Disney's recent activity. Our market reports track ROFR trends to help set appropriate expectations.

Evaluating Whether Resale Makes Sense for Your Family

These limitations are real considerations, but they don't eliminate the fundamental value proposition of DVC resale. The average savings compared to retail prices often range from $50 to $100 per point, representing thousands of dollars on most purchases.

For many families, the financial savings outweigh the restrictions. If you primarily plan to stay at your home resort or don't rely heavily on membership extras, the limitations may have minimal impact on your vacation experience. If you value system-wide booking flexibility or membership perks highly, you might lean toward a direct purchase or choose a resale contract at an older resort with broader booking access.

The decision ultimately depends on your specific vacation patterns, financial priorities, and how you plan to use your ownership. We've found that most families who purchase resale are satisfied with their decision when they understand the trade-offs upfront and choose contracts that align with their vacation goals.

Before making any decision, consider running scenarios based on your typical vacation patterns. Calculate the cost per night for stays you're likely to book, factor in annual dues over your ownership period, and compare that total to paying cash for similar accommodations. Our DVC basics page provides tools to help with these calculations.

If you'd like personalized guidance based on your family's specific situation, browse our current listings or contact our team. We can walk through scenarios that help clarify whether resale restrictions would meaningfully impact your vacation plans or represent acceptable trade-offs for the savings involved.