DVC Buyer Checklist: 9 Things to Know Before You Buy
As former Disney Vacation Club Cast Members, we understand how important it is that you feel comfortable purchasing a DVC resale membership. This checklist covers the key things you need to know about how your membership works once you close. Questions? Email lori@dvcsales.com or call (407) 205-1435.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
You become a member of the Disney Vacation Club by purchasing a real estate interest in a DVC resort.
HOW LONG DOES MY MEMBERSHIP LAST?
The term or expiration of the vacation plan depends on your Home Resort. The expiration date for your selected resort is referenced in paragraph 3 of your purchase agreement. You can view all DVC Resort expiration dates here.
WHAT DO I OWN?
Upon closing of the transaction, you will be provided with a deed. This represents your ownership of a percentage interest in a particular unit and its common elements. This interest is expressed as an annual allotment of Vacation Points which are then used to reserve your accommodations.
WHAT ARE THE YEARLY FEES?
Each Member pays Annual Dues, which include real estate taxes and resort maintenance costs. The amount of dues paid is based on the number of points you own and your Home Resort. You can view the Annual Dues for all DVC Resorts here.
HOW DO I MAKE RESERVATIONS?
You may book your reservation by calling Disney's Member Services at (800) 800-9800 or by logging on to your account on the Disney Vacation Club website. At your home resort, you may reserve up to 11 months in advance. At all other DVC Resorts, reservations can be made up to 7 months before check-in.
WHEN DO I GET MY POINTS EACH YEAR?
Vacation Points are deposited into your account on the 1st day of the month of your Use Year. For example, a contract with a February Use Year will have that year's allocated points deposited on February 1st. Your Vacation Points will expire if you do not use or bank your points by the end of the 12-month period.
MAY I SAVE UNUSED POINTS?
You may BANK up to 100% of your Vacation Points during the first 8 months of your Use Year. You may also BORROW Vacation Points from the next Use Year to use in the current year. This means that you could have up to 3 years worth of Vacation Points available to book your reservation during the current Use Year.
MULTIPLE CONTRACTS
If you purchase another ownership interest with the same Use Year, you will receive a separate deed. Disney will add this additional deed to your existing Membership Number with the same banking window. For existing members who purchase a different Use Year, you will be issued a new Member Number for that contract.
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS WHEN PURCHASING A MEMBERSHIP ON THE RESALE MARKET?
DVC memberships purchased on the resale market can be used for reservations at the original 14 Disney Vacation Club resorts and at non-Disney resorts around the world through the RCI program. Resale buyers cannot use points to book at Disney's Riviera Resort, for Disney Cruise Line, or Adventures by Disney. Some Incidental Benefits such as discounts on dining, shopping, and member exclusive events are not included.
Common First-Time Buyer Mistakes (and How This Checklist Prevents Them)
Most DVC buyers who regret their purchase made one of a handful of avoidable mistakes. After 25 years in this market, the patterns are clear. Here's what trips people up and what to do instead.
Choosing the wrong home resort
The home resort advantage is real: you get an extra 4 months of booking access compared to all other DVC owners. If you buy at Saratoga Springs but always want to stay at Animal Kingdom, you lose that advantage every time. Pick the resort where you actually want to stay, not the one with the lowest price per point. The 11-month booking window at your home resort is one of the most valuable things DVC ownership gives you. Don't give it up to save a few dollars per point.
Ignoring the use year
Your use year determines when points deposit and when they expire. A February use year means your points arrive February 1st and must be used, banked, or borrowed by the following January 31st. If you typically vacation in January, a February use year is almost perfectly timed. If you vacation in March, you'd be using fresh points and have plenty of flexibility. But if you vacation in December, a February use year means your points are nearly 10 months old when you book, which limits your banking window significantly. Match your use year to when you actually travel, not whatever contract happens to have the best price.
Buying too few points
People consistently underestimate how many points a Disney vacation requires. A standard 2-bedroom villa at Bay Lake Tower during peak week can run 500+ points for a 7-night stay. First-time buyers often buy 100 points, plan a big trip, and find they don't have nearly enough. Think about where you want to stay, when you want to go, and how many nights, then work backward from actual point charts before you commit to a contract size. It's cheaper to buy the right number of points now than to add a second contract later.
Not accounting for annual dues
The purchase price is a one-time cost. Annual dues are forever, or at least until the contract expires. A 200-point contract at a resort charging $9.50 per point runs $1,900 per year in maintenance fees, every year, whether you vacation or not. Add that recurring cost to your analysis before you buy. The checklist above covers dues because they're one of the most overlooked factors in the total cost of DVC ownership.
Ready to Start Your DVC Journey?
Our team of former Disney Cast Members is here to help you every step of the way.
Mark Webb — Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
FL License BK511192 · 25+ years in DVC resale
14422 Shoreside Way Suite 120, Winter Garden, FL 34787
"We went through this checklist before we bought and it answered every question we had. Chose the right home resort, got the right use year, and we have never looked back. Saved over $15,000 versus buying direct from Disney."
Bruce Haynes · DVC Buyer
