Old Key West holds a special place in DVC history. It was the first Disney Vacation Club resort, opening in 1991, and it set the template for everything that came after. If you are asking whether you can sell Old Key West points, the short answer is yes. The more interesting question is whether you should, and what the current market looks like for these contracts.
I want to give you a genuinely honest picture here, because Old Key West has some unique characteristics that affect both its value and its appeal to buyers in ways that differ from newer resorts.
Yes, You Can Sell Old Key West Points on the Resale Market
DVC contracts at any resort, including Old Key West, can be sold on the secondary resale market. The process is the same as for any other DVC property. You work with a licensed real estate brokerage, agree on a listing price, execute a contract with a buyer, go through Disney's Right of First Refusal process, and complete the closing through a title company.
As the seller, your main expenses are the broker commission and Disney's $150 Estoppel fee. Closing costs are the buyer's responsibility, and the buyer also pays Disney's $500 Administration fee as part of the transfer. The whole process typically takes two to three months from listing to deed transfer, depending on how quickly a buyer is found and how the ROFR and closing process proceeds.
What Makes Old Key West Unique in the Resale Market
Old Key West has a few characteristics that buyers and sellers should understand before engaging with the market.
First, the resort originally had an expiration year of 2042, but Disney offered existing owners the option to extend their contracts to 2057 for a fee. This means you will find OKW contracts in the resale market with both expiration dates. The 2057 contracts are generally worth more per point because of the extended ownership period. If you are selling an OKW contract, knowing which expiration your deed carries is essential for pricing and for setting buyer expectations accurately.
Second, Old Key West is one of the more spacious DVC resorts in terms of villa square footage. The one and two-bedroom villas are genuinely large compared to many newer DVC properties. Some buyers specifically seek out OKW for this reason. They want the square footage. Studios at OKW are smaller, but the overall property has a roomy, spread-out feel that longtime members often love.
Third, OKW is not adjacent to a Disney theme park. It is connected to Disney Springs and the rest of Walt Disney World via the resort transportation system, but guests take buses or the boat service to reach the parks. For buyers who prioritize park-adjacent convenience, this can be a drawback. For buyers who want a quieter, more resort-like atmosphere removed from park traffic, it is often a selling point.
How Does Old Key West Price in the Resale Market?
Old Key West has historically been one of the more affordable DVC resorts on the resale market on a per-point basis. That affordability is partly a function of its location and partly a reflection of its age. The resort opened in 1991, and while it has been updated over the years, it does not have the modern design elements of newer properties.
I do not want to quote you specific prices here because the market changes and any number I give you will be outdated within months. What I can tell you is that if you compare OKW per-point prices against newer Orlando properties on our listings page, you will typically find OKW on the lower end of the price spectrum. You can also compare against Disney's retail prices on our retail prices page to understand how the resale market differs from what Disney charges directly.
The 2057 contracts tend to command a meaningful premium over the 2042 contracts. If your contract runs to 2042, buyers will factor in the shorter remaining term and price accordingly. This is not a flaw, it is just reality. A contract with 16 years remaining is worth less than one with 31 years remaining, and buyers know this.
Who Buys Old Key West Contracts?
OKW attracts a particular kind of DVC buyer, and understanding that helps set realistic pricing expectations when you sell.
Buyers who specifically want Old Key West are often returning members who have stayed there before and appreciate the spacious villas and relaxed atmosphere. They tend to know the resort well and purchase intentionally rather than ending up there by default. There is also a segment of buyers who want an entry-level DVC contract at a lower per-point cost, and OKW often fits that profile for buyers who want to get into the program without committing the higher prices of more sought-after properties.
The buyer pool for Old Key West is real but not enormous compared to higher-demand properties like Copper Creek or Riviera Resort. That means your contract may sit on the market a bit longer before finding the right buyer, depending on the asking price and current market conditions. This is normal for OKW and is not a signal that something is wrong with your contract.
Pricing Your OKW Contract for a Successful Sale
Pricing is the most important decision you make as a DVC seller. Price too high and your contract sits on the market while the competition sells. Price appropriately and you attract qualified buyers quickly.
For Old Key West, pricing needs to reflect the expiration year of your specific contract, the number of points available with the current year's allocation (meaning how many points transfer with the current year and whether any are banked or already used), and current market conditions for OKW specifically. A contract with all of its current year's points intact is more valuable than one where points have been partially or fully used. A contract with banked points from previous years may attract buyers who can put those points to use immediately.
These details all affect price, and a knowledgeable broker can help you understand how to position your specific contract in the current market. Our team at DVC Sales handles OKW contracts regularly and can give you an honest market assessment.
The Right of First Refusal for Old Key West
When you sell any DVC contract, Disney has the Right of First Refusal, meaning they can step in and purchase the contract at the agreed-upon sale price within approximately 30 days of submission. Disney tends to exercise ROFR more actively at some resorts and price points than others, and their activity fluctuates over time based on their own strategic priorities.
Your broker should be current on ROFR trends for OKW specifically and can advise you on pricing that is likely to pass ROFR without leaving money on the table. If Disney does exercise ROFR, you receive your sale price from Disney rather than from your original buyer, and the transaction closes. The financial outcome for you as the seller is the same either way. You get paid. The difference is that your specific buyer does not end up with the contract.
What to Expect From the Selling Process Timeline
Once you list your OKW contract with a brokerage, the process involves marketing the contract to interested buyers, negotiating price and terms, executing a purchase and sale agreement, submitting to Disney for ROFR review, and completing closing through a title company.
Typical timelines run two to three months from listing to completed sale, though active markets and well-priced contracts can move faster. The ROFR review period alone runs about 30 days. Add marketing time, negotiation, and closing processing and you get a realistic sense of the full timeline. Plan accordingly if you need proceeds from the sale by a specific date.
Our team at DVC Sales has handled Old Key West transactions many times and knows how to price and position them for successful outcomes. We can walk you through current market conditions for OKW specifically and give you a realistic picture of what to expect when you list.
Should You Sell or Hold?
Not every reason to sell is the right reason. If you are considering selling because life circumstances have changed and you genuinely no longer use the membership, that is a reasonable decision and the resale market gives you an exit. If you are selling because you want to upgrade to a newer or more valuable resort, that is also a legitimate choice, and you can use resale proceeds toward a new purchase.
What I would caution against is selling impulsively during a difficult year. One year of low usage is not a reason to exit a contract that has otherwise served you well. Take a longer view. If the pattern is consistent underuse over several years, that is a different story and selling makes more financial sense than continuing to pay dues on points you are not using.
If you are considering purchasing Old Key West instead of selling, browse our current resale listings to see what is available. Old Key West contracts come up regularly and the per-point pricing is often favorable compared to newer properties, making it a popular entry point into the DVC program for buyers who want quality accommodations at a lower cost per point.
For any questions about selling your OKW contract, reach out through our contact page. We are happy to walk through your specific situation and give you an honest assessment of your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2042 versus 2057 expiration date significantly affect resale value?
Yes. More remaining years of ownership translates to more total vacation value for the buyer, which is reflected in price. A 2057 OKW contract typically sells for a few dollars more per point than a comparable 2042 contract, though the exact premium varies with market conditions. Both are legitimate contracts, but the timeline difference is real and buyers price it accordingly.
How long does it typically take to sell an Old Key West contract?
At the right price, OKW contracts typically sell within a few weeks to a couple of months. Contracts priced above market can sit longer. Location and expiration year both affect time-to-sale, with 2057 contracts generally moving faster than 2042 ones at similar price points.
Can I sell just part of my Old Key West contract?
DVC contracts are generally sold as a single deed. If you want to sell a portion of your points, you would typically need to work with an attorney to split the deed into two separate contracts first, which adds cost and complexity. Most sellers find it easier to sell the full contract and potentially purchase a smaller one if they want to maintain some ownership.
What happens to any banked or borrowed points when I sell?
Banked points that have not yet expired generally transfer to the new buyer as part of the contract. Points that have been borrowed from next year's allocation reduce the amount of points the buyer receives in their first use year. Sellers and buyers negotiate how to account for these point situations, and they affect the overall value and price of the transaction.
Do I have to list with a specific broker to sell DVC?
No. You can choose any licensed real estate brokerage that handles DVC resales. Different brokers have different fee structures, market reach, and experience with the DVC transaction process. It is worth comparing your options and choosing a broker who knows the DVC market specifically, as the transaction has nuances that general real estate agents may not be familiar with.
