What Are DVC Annual Dues?
Annual dues are mandatory fees that every Disney Vacation Club member pays each year. No way around it. These dues cover the nuts and bolts of keeping your resort running - operational costs, property taxes, maintenance, all of it. Each resort has its own fee structure based on how many points you own there.
For more on how DVC points work, see our guide on DVC resale points and point calculators.
Here's the thing - if you own 150 points at Polynesian, your dues won't match someone with 150 points at Old Key West. Each resort is different. Polynesian runs about $10.50 per point while Old Key West is closer to $8.20. That's a $345 difference on 150 points. Every year.
We've been selling DVC for over 25 years, and I can't tell you how many buyers forget to factor in these annual costs. They see the purchase price and think that's it. Wrong. These dues keep your resorts looking magical instead of like a run-down timeshare from the 80s.
What Do Annual Dues Include?
Your annual dues cover four main buckets:
- Maintenance Costs: Landscaping, housekeeping, general upkeep of buildings and grounds.
- Property Taxes: Varies wildly by location. Hawaii's brutal. Florida's not bad.
- Operating Expenses: Staff salaries, security, bus transportation, utilities, pool maintenance.
- Capital Reserves: Money set aside for big repairs - new roofs, HVAC systems, carpet replacement.
Disney publishes an annual budget report each year showing exactly where your money goes. Most members toss it in the trash, but you should read it. Shows you're not just throwing money into a black hole. You can find these details in your annual mailing or check the official DVC FAQ on annual dues.
How Are Dues Calculated?
Simple math. Take the dues per point, multiply by your points. Own 200 points at Saratoga Springs where dues are $8.45 per point? You're paying $1,690 this year.
But here's what kills people - these dues go up every single year. Usually 3-5% annually. Inflation, rising wages, property tax increases, it all adds up. That $1,690 becomes $1,950 in five years if dues increase 3% annually.
You can estimate future costs using our DVC Point Calculator or check current resort annual dues before you buy. Do this math upfront. Don't get surprised later.
When Are Annual Dues Due?
Disney mails invoices in December. Payment's due by January 31st. You can pay the full amount or set up monthly payments through Disney's system.
Miss your payment? Disney will suspend your booking privileges. Can't make reservations until you're current. So don't mess around with this.
If you're buying resale, the seller usually pays dues through closing. But not always. We've seen contracts where the buyer takes over dues from January 1st even if they don't close until March. Check your contract. Our $500 buyer-paid admin fee includes reviewing all this stuff so you don't get stuck with unexpected costs.
How Annual Dues Impact Resale Value
Lower dues make contracts more attractive. Higher dues scare buyers away. It's that simple.
Take Old Key West versus Grand Floridian. Old Key West runs $8.20 per point in dues. Grand Floridian hits $11.25 per point. On 150 points, that's $457 more per year for Grand Floridian. Over ten years, that's an extra $4,570 in dues.
Smart buyers factor this into their offers. They'll pay more upfront for a resort with lower annual costs. You can compare total ownership costs using our DVC Compare Prices tool or run scenarios with the DVC Resale Value Calculator.
Dues by Resort: Real Numbers
Here's what we're seeing for 2024 dues per point:
- Aulani - $12.15 (Hawaii taxes and resort amenities kill you)
- Animal Kingdom Lodge - $9.85 (massive resort grounds cost money to maintain)
- Old Key West - $8.20 (lowest dues, contracts run until 2042)
- Grand Floridian - $11.25 (luxury costs extra)
Saratoga Springs sits at $8.45 per point, which is why it's one of our most popular resales. Good dues, decent contract length, nice resort.
For complete current dues, check our DVC Annual Dues page or Disney's official points chart.
Managing Your Annual Dues
- Budget for increases: Plan on 3-4% annual increases. Don't assume dues stay flat.
- Pick your resort carefully: Low dues matter more than you think. That extra $2 per point adds up over 20 years.
- Use our tools: The DVC Resale Checklist breaks down all ownership costs, not just the purchase price.
- Ask questions: Call us at DVCSales.com. We've closed thousands of contracts and can walk you through the real costs. Our commission is 6.9% versus the industry standard 9.5%, so we're not trying to oversell you.
Look, annual dues are part of DVC ownership. Period. But they're predictable, transparent, and they keep your resorts in excellent condition. Factor them into your budget from day one, pick a resort with reasonable dues, and you'll be fine.
The mistake most people make? They focus only on the purchase price and ignore the annual costs. Don't be that person. A cheaper contract with higher dues can cost you thousands more over time.
