Is DVC Resale Worth It? An Honest Answer from a Licensed Broker
Updated August 2026 — By the team at DVC Sales, a licensed Florida real estate brokerage specializing in Disney Vacation Club resale since 2016.
We get this question every week. And because we are a licensed broker who has closed thousands of DVC resale transactions, we can give you a straight answer based on real numbers, not marketing copy.
Here is what you need to know.
The Price Difference Is Significant
Disney Vacation Club sells points directly at retail prices ranging from $165 per point (Hilton Head) to $310 per point (Grand Californian). The resale market sells the same contracts at a significant discount because the previous owner is moving on and just wants fair market value.
Here are Disney's current direct prices for a selection of popular resorts:
| Resort | Disney Direct Price (2026) | Resale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Saratoga Springs | $205/pt | View listings |
| Old Key West | $205/pt | View listings |
| Animal Kingdom Lodge | $210/pt | View listings |
| Grand Floridian | $230/pt | View listings |
| Boardwalk Villas | $240/pt | View listings |
| Riviera Resort | $243/pt | View listings |
| Polynesian Villas | $243/pt | View listings |
| Copper Creek | $250/pt | View listings |
| Bay Lake Tower | $275/pt | View listings |
Resale prices change with the market. Browse our listings for current pricing on any resort.
On a 150-point contract at Saratoga Springs, buying resale at $100 per point costs $15,000. Buying the same 150 points direct from Disney at $205 per point costs $30,750. That is a $15,750 difference on a single contract.
What You Give Up Buying Resale
Disney changed its resale policy in 2011. Contracts purchased on the secondary market no longer qualify for the Blue Card, which is the membership tier that unlocks access to certain Disney-brand properties outside the standard DVC resort network.
Here is exactly what resale buyers lose and what they keep:
What You Give Up
- Blue Card membership tier
- Disney Collection hotels (non-DVC Disney resorts)
- Concierge Collection properties
- Some merchandise discount programs
- Club 33 waitlist access
- Ability to book Riviera, Cabins at Fort Wilderness, or Disneyland Hotel (unless you purchased there)
What You Keep
- All DVC resorts at Walt Disney World, Aulani, Hilton Head, Vero Beach (except restricted new resorts)
- 11-month home resort booking window
- 7-month all-resort booking window
- RCI exchange (available, though not recommended — the point value is poor)
- Interval International exchange
- Disney Cruise Line points exchange
- Standard member discounts and DVC events
- Full ownership rights and resale ability
The honest assessment: the Blue Card perks that resale buyers give up are things the vast majority of DVC members rarely or never use. The Disney Collection and Concierge Collection hotels are available at lower cost through standard hotel booking channels anyway. If your reason for buying DVC is to stay at Disney Vacation Club resorts, resale delivers the exact same experience.
One additional fee to know about: Disney charges a $500 resale transfer fee when a DVC contract changes ownership. This is separate from broker commission and closing costs, and it is paid at closing.
The 10-Year Cost Model
The fairest way to evaluate DVC is over time, not just at the purchase price. Here is a 10-year comparison for a 150-point contract at Saratoga Springs for a family that uses their points every year:
150 Points at Saratoga Springs — Resale Buyer
150 Points at Saratoga Springs — Direct Buyer
Exit value estimated at 150 pts × ~$100/pt net of 6.9% commission. Actual resale value varies by market conditions at time of sale. Direct buyer pays Disney's retail price but can only sell at prevailing resale market prices — the premium paid to Disney is not recoverable.
For comparison, a studio villa at Saratoga Springs for one week in a standard season requires approximately 90-110 points. A comparable hotel at a Disney resort without DVC membership runs $350-550 per night, or roughly $2,450-3,850 for seven nights. Over 10 years, the hotel cost alone would be $24,500-38,500, before any price increases.
Who Should Buy DVC Resale
Resale makes sense if you meet most of these:
- You visit Walt Disney World, Aulani, or other DVC resort locations at least once a year
- You would otherwise pay for hotel rooms at those locations
- You plan to own the contract for at least 5-7 years
- You do not specifically need Disney Collection or Concierge Collection hotel access
- You want to buy 50-400 points rather than the larger minimums Disney sometimes requires when buying direct
Who Should Buy Direct
There are a few situations where buying direct from Disney makes sense over resale:
- You specifically want the Blue Card and plan to use Disney Collection or Concierge Collection hotels through DVC
- You are buying a brand-new resort at opening (resale contracts are not available until original buyers sell)
- You are purchasing fewer than 50 points as an add-on and Disney is offering a small-contract incentive that closes the price gap
How to Buy DVC Resale
The process is straightforward. You find a contract that matches your resort preference and point total, make an offer, and the contract goes through Disney's Right of First Refusal (ROFR) process, where Disney reviews the contract and can choose to buy it at your offered price. Most contracts pass through in about 30 days. From accepted offer to closing typically takes approximately 45 days.
You need a licensed resale broker to handle the transaction. We are a Florida-licensed brokerage and have been closing DVC resale contracts since 2016. Browse current DVC resale listings or contact us to discuss what is available at your target resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you lose buying DVC resale?
You lose the Blue Card, which provides access to Disney Collection hotels and Concierge Collection properties. You also cannot book at Riviera Resort, Cabins at Fort Wilderness, or Disneyland Hotel unless you purchased at one of those resorts. What you keep: access to all other DVC resorts, home resort booking priority, RCI exchange (available, though the point value is poor), Interval International exchange, and standard member benefits.
How much cheaper is DVC resale vs. direct?
Resale is typically 40-60% cheaper per point than buying direct from Disney. Disney's direct prices start at $165/pt (Hilton Head) and go up to $310/pt (Grand Californian). Resale prices change with the market — browse our listings to see current pricing. On a 150-point contract, resale buyers often save $10,000 or more compared to buying the same points directly from Disney.
Is DVC resale a good investment?
DVC is not a financial investment in the traditional sense. The value is in guaranteed Disney accommodations at predictable annual costs. Resale contracts do hold value reasonably well compared to most timeshares. Families who visit Disney once or more per year and would otherwise pay $350+ per night for a comparable hotel room typically break even in 5-8 years buying resale.
What is the DVC resale restriction?
Since 2011, DVC contracts purchased on the resale market do not qualify for Blue Card benefits, specifically the Disney Collection and Concierge Collection hotel programs. Additionally, resale buyers of older resorts cannot use their points at Riviera Resort, Cabins at Fort Wilderness, or Disneyland Hotel — those newer resorts are only accessible to buyers who purchased there. Disney also charges a $500 resale transfer fee at closing.
Is it safe to buy DVC resale?
Yes, when you use a licensed real estate broker. A proper resale transaction includes a title search, estoppel from Disney confirming the contract status, escrow protection, and a deed recorded in your name with Orange County, Florida. The only risk in a resale purchase is skipping proper due diligence or working with an unlicensed seller.
FL License BK511192. Mark sold DVC directly for Disney from 1993 to 2016, closing 10,000+ contracts and earning Salesperson of the Year twice. He founded DVC Sales in 2016 and has closed 10,000+ resale transactions since. Last updated: August 2026
I've dealt with Mark for over 20 years, he's always available to answer my silly questions, and give honest advice, even if it's to his detriment. When the time comes to sell, Mark will be my first call.
Bruce Haynes / Verified Google ReviewWe want to thank the staff at DVC Sales for their great help and outstanding service while our family purchased our Vero Beach contract. We spoke with Mark Webb who helped us submit our offer. Within the week, the transaction was closed.
Frank Knight / Verified Google Review, Vero Beach buyerDisclosure: DVC Sales is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage (License BK511192). We earn revenue from seller commissions at 6.9%. We don't charge buyers a fee. This article is written to inform, not to minimize trade-offs or push a sale.
