One question I get from almost every buyer who contacts us is some version of: why should I work with DVC Sales instead of just buying directly from Disney? It is a fair question and I am going to answer it honestly, not like someone who is selling you on using our services.
The short answer is that buying through the resale market via an experienced brokerage like DVC Sales saves you significant money on the purchase price. But there is more to it than that, and understanding the full picture helps you make the right decision for your situation rather than just taking our word for it.
The Price Difference Between Resale and Direct Is Real and Substantial
Disney sells DVC directly through their retail channel, and they are very good at it. Their presentations are well-produced, the cast members are knowledgeable, and the experience is designed to be compelling. But direct retail prices are substantially higher than what the same contract sells for on the resale market. We are talking about a significant gap per point, which multiplies across a 150, 200, or 300-point contract into a difference that can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.
On the resale market, you are purchasing from an existing owner who is selling their deeded interest in the property. The underlying membership is the same. The resort is the same. The points are the same. The booking rules are the same. The villa access is the same. What is different is that the previous owner paid retail and is now selling at current market rates, which are significantly lower than what Disney charges for new contracts.
You can compare the two right now: our DVC retail prices page shows what Disney charges for new contracts at each resort. Our resale listings show what the same contracts currently trade for on the secondary market. The gap is often strikingly large, and seeing it in concrete numbers tends to make the decision clearer.
What You Give Up With a Resale Purchase: The Honest Version
I want to be genuinely honest about this because some brokerages gloss over it, and you deserve a complete picture. Resale contracts purchased after 2011 come with some restrictions compared to contracts purchased directly from Disney.
Specifically, resale buyers do not automatically have access to DVC's participation in Interval International, which is an external exchange program that allows members to swap their points for stays at non-Disney resort properties around the world. Resale buyers also lose access to certain Disney Collection perks that Disney has reserved for direct buyers, such as the ability to use points for Disney Cruise Line stays, Adventures by Disney trips, and a handful of other Disney-branded experiences.
For the vast majority of members, these restrictions have minimal impact on how they actually use their DVC membership. The core value of DVC, which is booking stays at DVC resort properties through the 11-month and 7-month booking windows, works identically for resale and direct buyers. The booking windows, point charts, villa access, banking and borrowing, and member services are all the same regardless of how you purchased.
If you specifically plan to use DVC for external exchanges through Interval International or for Disney Cruise Line bookings with points, you may want to purchase direct. If your goal is to stay at DVC villa resorts, which is what the vast majority of members actually do with their points, resale is almost always the financially superior choice.
Experience With the DVC-Specific Transaction Process
DVC resale transactions are not identical to standard real estate purchases. They involve Disney-specific steps that general real estate agents rarely encounter, and the details of those steps matter for timing, pricing, and outcome.
The most significant Disney-specific element is the Right of First Refusal process. When a DVC contract is sold, Disney has the right to step in and purchase that contract themselves at the agreed-upon price, within approximately 30 days of the contract being submitted. This step is standard in every DVC resale transaction. If Disney exercises ROFR, the seller still receives their sale price, but from Disney rather than from the original buyer. The transaction still closes. But the specific buyer does not get the contract, and the process starts over for them.
Understanding current ROFR trends at specific resorts matters for pricing strategy. Disney's ROFR activity varies by resort and by price point, and a broker who monitors these patterns regularly can advise you on pricing that is likely to pass ROFR without leaving money on the table as a seller, or help you as a buyer understand whether a specific listing is priced at a level Disney might want to take back.
Our team at DVC Sales has handled these transactions for 25 years. We know the current ROFR landscape. We know which title companies specialize in DVC transfers and work efficiently through the process. We know how to prepare the paperwork correctly the first time to avoid delays. That depth of experience comes from volume and pattern recognition that only years of working specifically in this market can provide.
Honest Guidance, Not Sales Pressure
Disney's direct sales process is designed to sell you on the program and close a transaction. That is not a criticism, it is simply what it is. The cast members are enthusiastic, the presentations are persuasive, and the whole experience is engineered to build excitement and create urgency around a purchase decision.
What we do is different. We work with buyers who have already decided they want DVC or are seriously considering it, and our job is to help them find the right contract at the right price. If your specific situation does not make financial sense for DVC ownership, we will tell you that. If a different resort would serve you better than the one you are currently considering, we will explain why. If the market conditions at a specific moment make a particular purchase less attractive, we will share that perspective.
I have turned away buyers who I thought were making a mistake with their timing or their choice of resort. That is not something Disney's direct sales team does, and it is not something every resale brokerage does either. We do it because our long-term reputation depends on clients who are genuinely happy with their purchases, not just on the volume of closed transactions.
Access to Inventory That Disney Cannot Sell
The resale market gives you access to something Disney's direct channel simply cannot offer: contracts at resorts that Disney has already sold out. Several of the most beloved and sought-after DVC properties are no longer available directly from Disney because the original inventory was fully sold years ago. Old Key West, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, and other popular properties fall into this category.
If you want a contract at one of these sold-out resorts, the resale market is your only option. Disney cannot sell you what they no longer have. This is actually one of the most compelling reasons for the resale market to exist: it creates liquidity for DVC ownership in properties that new buyers cannot otherwise access.
Our listings page at any given time reflects active contracts across multiple resorts, including many that are sold out in the direct channel. The variety available is genuinely broader than what Disney can offer, and buyers can often find contracts that match their specific needs in terms of home resort, point size, use year, and price.
How the Buying Process Works When You Work With Us
When you work with DVC Sales, here is what actually happens. You tell us what you are looking for: which resort or resorts interest you, how many points you want, what use year works for your travel calendar, and what your budget is. We show you current listings that match and explain the specifics of each one, including anything about the available points, use year, or contract terms that affects value.
You make an offer on a listing that interests you. We present the offer to the seller and negotiate on your behalf. Once we reach agreement, we prepare the purchase contract. The signed contract goes to Disney for the ROFR review period, which runs approximately 30 days. After ROFR clears, the transaction goes to a title company that specializes in DVC transfers for closing. The closing involves the deed transfer and activation of the membership with Disney, after which the points are in your account and your home resort booking rights are established.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed of where things stand, what to expect next, and how long each step typically takes. The full timeline from accepted offer to deed in your name is typically two to three months.
Commission Structure and Cost Transparency
As the buyer in a DVC resale transaction, you pay the listed price for the contract plus your closing costs. Closing costs include title insurance, recording fees, and related transaction expenses. You also pay Disney's $500 Administration fee as part of the transfer process.
The seller pays the broker commission and Disney's $150 Estoppel fee. Our commission rate is 6.9 percent, paid by the seller. Buyers do not pay a separate fee to work with us. We represent your interests in the transaction, and our compensation comes from the seller side when the transaction closes.
That structure means our incentive is aligned with helping you find and successfully purchase the right contract. A transaction that closes because we helped a buyer find exactly what they needed is a transaction that both parties feel good about, and that is the kind of client relationship that has kept our business going for over 25 years.
For more on how DVC ownership works, our how DVC works page covers the full picture of the program. And to start exploring what is currently available, browse our resale listings or reach out through our contact page to talk through your situation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see resale listings without any commitment to work with you?
Absolutely. Our listings page is publicly available and you can browse everything we have available without any commitment. We want you to have all the information you need to make a good decision, whether or not you ultimately purchase through us.
How do I know if a resale contract is in good standing?
Part of the transaction process includes an estoppel from Disney, which confirms the contract details, current point balances, dues status, and any pending reservations associated with the contract. This step happens before closing and protects buyers from purchasing a contract with undisclosed issues. Your broker and title company manage this process on your behalf.
Are there contracts available at resorts that Disney no longer sells directly?
Yes. Several DVC resorts that have sold out in the direct channel are available only through the resale market. This includes some of the original DVC properties and several high-demand resorts that had limited inventory to begin with. If you want a contract at one of those resorts, resale is your only option.
What if I want to buy directly from Disney instead?
That is a valid choice for buyers who specifically want the benefits reserved for direct buyers, including access to Interval International exchanges and Disney Collection perks. For buyers whose primary goal is staying at DVC resorts, we think the resale savings are compelling and worth careful consideration. But we support your right to make the decision that is right for your situation.
What happens if Disney exercises their Right of First Refusal on a contract I want?
If Disney exercises ROFR, the transaction closes between the seller and Disney at the agreed-upon price. As the buyer who missed out, you are free to look for another contract. Your deposit is refunded. It can be frustrating, but it is a standard part of the DVC resale process. We monitor ROFR trends at each resort and price contracts to minimize the likelihood of this happening.
