A step-by-step guide to understanding how Disney Vacation Club point and contract transfers work for buyers and sellers.
Look, the DVC transfer process can seem intimidating if you've never done it before. But after 25+ years and thousands of transactions, I can tell you it's really not that complicated once you know what to expect.
There are basically two kinds of transfers we deal with. Full contract transfers - that's when you're buying or selling an entire DVC contract. And points transfers - that's when current members want to move this year's points between accounts.
We handle the contract transfers every day. The points transfers? Those you've got to do directly with Disney Member Services.
What Is a DVC Transfer?
A DVC transfer is exactly what it sounds like - moving ownership or points from one member to another. Here's the breakdown:
- Contract Transfers: This is the big one. Full resale transaction where deeded ownership moves to a new buyer. That's our bread and butter at DVC Sales.
- Points Transfers: Member-to-member transfer of current-year points only. Disney limits you to one transfer per use year, so don't waste it.
Contract transfers are where things get serious. You're talking real money - anywhere from $45,000 for a small Saratoga Springs contract to $200,000+ for a Grand Floridian contract. Points transfers? Maybe you're helping out family or friends with 50 points here or there.
Both have rules. Both have fees. And if you mess up the paperwork, you're looking at delays and headaches.
Steps in the Contract Transfer Process
- Agree on Terms: Price, closing date, who pays what fees. We negotiate this stuff for you.
- Broker Assistance: This is where we earn our keep. Licensed broker, experienced with DVC contracts, handling all the paperwork so you don't have to worry about Florida real estate law.
- Disney's ROFR: Right of First Refusal. Disney can swoop in and buy your contract at the agreed price instead of letting it go to your buyer. Happens about 15-20% of the time these days.
- Title and Escrow: ROFR waived? Great. Now the title company takes over, prepares the deed, handles the money.
- Final Transfer: Disney updates their records. You're officially the new owner.
Timeline? Plan on 8-12 weeks from contract to closing. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower. Disney's ROFR review alone takes 30 days minimum.
And here's something the other brokers won't tell you - ROFR isn't random. Disney's more likely to exercise ROFR on certain resorts (they love Bay Lake Tower) and at certain price points. We've tracked this for years.
Transferring DVC Points Between Members
Points transfers are simpler but limited. You can transfer current-year points into another member's account once per use year. That's it.
The transferred points keep the original contract's rules - home resort priority, use year, expiration date. So if you transfer February use year points in August, those points are still expiring in January.
You can't transfer banked points. Can't transfer borrowed points. Just current-year points that haven't been used yet.
Call Disney Member Services directly at (407) 566-3800. Don't try to do this online - it won't work. Have both membership numbers ready and the exact number of points you're transferring. Disney charges about $25 for this service.
Costs and Fees Involved
Here's where it gets real. Contract transfers aren't cheap:
- Closing Costs: Buyers pay these. Usually $500-800 depending on contract size and title company.
- Annual Dues: Sellers typically owe prorated dues through closing. Bay Lake Tower runs about $8.74 per point annually, Saratoga Springs around $9.19.
- Transfer Fees: Disney charges $500 admin fee, paid by buyer. Plus $150 estoppel fee paid by seller.
Our commission? 6.9% vs the industry standard 9.5%. No upfront costs for sellers - we only get paid when your contract closes.
For a typical $80,000 Riviera contract, you're looking at about $5,500 in total costs and commissions. That's still way better than buying direct from Disney at $240 per point.
How the Transfer Process Impacts Buyers and Sellers
Buyers get security. The escrow process means your money's protected until Disney officially transfers ownership. You're not sending $75,000 to some stranger and hoping for the best.
Sellers get certainty. Once we have a signed contract and the buyer's deposit, we know the deal's probably going to close. ROFR is the only wild card, and even then, you still get your money - just from Disney instead of the buyer.
The whole process protects market stability. Disney's ROFR keeps prices from dropping too low. The licensing requirements keep fly-by-night operators out of the business.
But here's what Disney won't tell you - resale contracts lose some perks. No new resort booking at 11 months for resale purchases after January 2019. No Moonlight Magic events. No merchandise discounts.
For most families? Those restrictions don't matter. You're buying DVC for the rooms, not the mouse ears.
Before you start, check our DVC Resale Value Calculator. It'll give you realistic pricing based on actual recent sales. Don't trust Zillow for DVC pricing - they don't understand this market.
What Nobody Tells You About Transfers
The transfer process works, but it's not perfect. Title companies make mistakes. Disney's computer systems are older than some of our buyers. Documents get lost.
That's why you want an experienced broker. We've seen every possible problem and know how to fix them quickly. Last month we had a title company lose a deed three days before closing. Our contacts at Disney got it sorted in 24 hours.
The other thing? Not all contracts transfer smoothly. Older contracts from the 1990s sometimes have outdated language that confuses modern title companies. Contracts with multiple owners (like divorces or inheritances) take extra time.
We screen for these issues upfront. Most other brokers don't bother until problems surface at closing.
The DVC transfer process protects everyone involved - buyers, sellers, and Disney. It takes longer than buying a car, but you're dealing with real estate that could be worth six figures.
Work with professionals who know the system. Don't try to save a few hundred dollars on commission and end up losing thousands in delays or mistakes. After 25+ years, we've earned our fee by making sure your transfer goes smoothly.
