Cons of Purchasing DVC Resale: Understanding the Trade-offs
Purchasing DVC through resale can save you tens of thousands of dollars compared to direct retail prices, but these savings come with trade-offs. We work with hundreds of families each year who weigh these considerations carefully. Some limitations might affect your vacation plans significantly, while others won't matter at all for how you plan to use your membership.
Restricted Access to Member Benefits
The most significant limitation of resale ownership involves Disney's restrictions on certain membership benefits. Depending on when your contract was originally purchased, resale ownership may exclude you from Member Getaways, Disney Collection options, and some member discounts.
These restrictions prevent resale owners from using points for non-DVC accommodations, Disney cruise vacations through the Disney Collection, or Adventures by Disney trips. If you're planning to use these benefits, resale restrictions represent a meaningful limitation.
The timing matters here. Disney has implemented these restrictions in phases over the years. A contract originally purchased in 2019 will have different limitations than one purchased in 2012. Understanding the specific terms of any contract you're considering is essential before making an offer.
Limited Options for Adding Points
Resale owners can't purchase additional points directly from Disney unless they first make a minimum direct purchase from Disney (typically 100-150 points, depending on the resort). This limits your flexibility to expand your point total at sold-out resorts or add points with full membership benefits.
If you think you might want more points later, this restriction could affect your long-term strategy. You can always purchase additional resale contracts, but you won't have the option to add on directly through Disney without first meeting their minimum purchase requirement.
Popular resorts like Bay Lake Tower or Riviera Resort also have limited resale availability. Finding the exact point total you want at your preferred resort can take time, especially during busy market periods.
Right of First Refusal Uncertainty
Disney's Right of First Refusal (ROFR) creates uncertainty in every resale transaction. After you and the seller agree on terms, Disney has 30 days to decide whether to purchase the contract themselves instead of allowing it to transfer to you. This process extends your timeline and can create disappointment if Disney exercises their right.
ROFR exercise is particularly frustrating when you've found exactly the contract you want. Starting over with a new search and negotiation process delays your path to membership. While most contracts do pass ROFR successfully, the possibility of exercise is an inherent part of resale purchases.
Disney's criteria for exercising ROFR aren't public, but we've observed patterns based on resort, contract size, price, and market conditions. Even with this experience, predicting ROFR outcomes with certainty isn't possible.
Extended Purchase Timeline
Resale transactions typically take 60 to 90 days from accepted offer to completed membership. This timeline includes ROFR review, title work, closing, and Disney registration. Direct purchases through Disney complete much faster, often with immediate access to make reservations.
If you want to use your membership for an upcoming vacation, the resale timeline might not work with your schedule. Planning around an uncertain closing date requires flexibility that some vacation timelines can't accommodate.
The timeline can also vary based on factors beyond anyone's control. Title issues, seller responsiveness, or processing delays at Disney can extend the process. Working with an experienced broker helps minimize delays, but some variables remain outside anyone's influence.
No Disney Financing Options
Disney offers financing programs for direct purchases that aren't available for resale transactions. If you need financing to purchase DVC, you'll need to arrange it through personal loans, home equity products, or other consumer financing.
Alternative financing sources often have higher interest rates or less favorable terms than Disney's promotional offers. These financing differences can affect the total cost comparison between resale and direct purchases, especially when Disney runs special financing promotions.
Some families find that the savings from resale still outweigh higher financing costs, but this calculation varies based on individual circumstances and current interest rates. Running the numbers for your specific situation helps clarify the true cost difference.
More Complex Transaction Process
Resale transactions involve brokers, title companies, ROFR review, and coordination between multiple parties. Direct purchases avoid these layers of complexity. Some families prefer the straightforward nature of purchasing directly from Disney.
Understanding resale processes requires more research and engagement than attending a Disney sales presentation. The savings justify this effort for most families, but the added complexity is worth considering if you strongly value simplicity.
The process isn't difficult, but it does require attention to details like contract terms, point status, and transaction documents. Mistakes in evaluation can have financial consequences, so careful review is important.
Increased Due Diligence Requirements
Purchasing resale requires more careful evaluation than direct purchases. You'll need to verify contract details, assess broker credentials, understand point status and use year implications, and review all transaction documents thoroughly.
Direct purchases from Disney provide standardized contracts with Disney's backing. Resale transactions, while generally safe with reputable brokers, require you to take responsibility for evaluating what you're purchasing.
This due diligence isn't complicated, but it does require time and attention. Understanding concepts like banked points, borrowed points, use year timing, and annual dues structures becomes your responsibility rather than Disney's sales team handling these details.
Evaluating What Matters for Your Family
For most families, the substantial cost savings of resale outweigh these limitations. But your specific vacation plans and preferences determine whether resale makes sense. Consider which restrictions would actually affect your intended use and whether the price difference justifies accepting them.
Some families never planned to use Member Getaways or Disney Collection options, making those restrictions irrelevant. Others specifically want access to Adventures by Disney trips, making direct purchase more appealing despite the higher cost.
The right choice depends on your budget, vacation style, and long-term plans. Neither option is universally better. Understanding both the benefits and drawbacks helps you make an informed decision that aligns with how your family actually vacations at Disney.
We've helped families navigate these decisions for over 25 years. The families who are happiest with their choice, whether resale or direct, are those who understood these trade-offs upfront and chose based on their specific priorities rather than just the lowest price or highest benefits.
