DVC Resale Restrictions to Know Before You Buy Resale Contracts

Are you thinking about buying a Disney Vacation Club timeshare? With 18 stunning resorts near America’s best theme parks and beaches, immersive theming, and luxurious, home-like suites, it’s no secret why DVC is one of the top timeshare brands in the industry. It’s also no secret why it’s one of the most expensive. While buying your DVC timeshare on the resale market can be a way around the steep purchase price, there are restrictions you should be aware of before you buy resale. So, are Disney DVC resale restrictions worth the savings? Find out in this blog!

What are the DVC Resale Restrictions?

There are a few benefits that do not transfer to new members if they purchase on the resale market. These include discounts on dining, shopping, and park passes. Additionally, if you don’t buy an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Development, you won’t be able to access specific collections of the Member Getaways Program, such as the Adventurer Collection, Concierge Collection, Cruise Collection, or Disney Collection.

In 2019, Disney Vacation Club released new resale restrictions that have since impacted DVC resales like never before. The policy essentially states that if you purchase a contract on the resale market after January 19, 2019, you will not be eligible to exchange your points at any new resorts built by Disney. The only way to exchange for those new resorts would be through the third-party exchange company, Interval International.

You can, however, still trade your points for stays at the original 14 resorts. Those who purchase at new resorts on the resale market, such as Disney’s Riviera and the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, will not be able to exchange their points for any other resort except through third-party exchanges.

Below are the original 14 DVC resorts:

Here’s What Disney Had to Say About the Restrictions:

Effective January 19, 2019, only members who purchase directly from Disney can use their vacation points at the existing Disney Vacation Club Resorts AND all future Disney Vacation Club Resorts—such as Disney’s Riviera Resort. Resale contracts purchased for the 14 original Disney Vacation Club resorts will only be able to exchange points into those 14 resorts unless the contracts were purchased before January 19, 2019.

Does the NEW DVC Polynesian Tower Have DVC Resale Restrictions?

Since the new Polynesian DVC Tower was announced, resale owners had been anxiously awaiting if DVC was going to split it up like they did for Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas, or if it would be a part of Polynesian, so resale owners could use their resale points to access it.

Disney Vacation Club representatives have confirmed that the new tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is part of the existing condominium association, granting access to all current Polynesian owners. This means that resale owners can use their resale points to access the new tower, just like they can with the original 14 resorts.

The new tower offers a range of room types, including two-person duo studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. This is a significant addition to the resort, which previously only offered deluxe studio rooms and bungalows.

Are There Resale Restrictions on Villas at Disneyland Hotel?

Like the Polynesian DVC Tower, which shares its location with Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel occupies the same property as Disney’s Villas at the Grand Californian. But will The Villas at Disneyland Hotel likewise be considered an extension of the Grand Californian, and thus part of the original DVC network, or a separate resort?

Unfortunately, unlike the Polynesian DVC Tower, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel is considered a new resort. Therefore, resale owners at other DVC resorts who bought their timeshares after January 19, 2019 cannot use their points to stay there, even if their home resort is Disney’s Villas at the Grand Californian.

Who is Most Impacted by the DVC Resale Restrictions?

The DVC resale restrictions have a more noticeable effect on certain owners and resorts than others, especially when it comes to the newest properties. If you’re considering purchasing resale at Disney’s Riviera Resort, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, you’ll experience the most significant limitations. Resale buyers at these newer resorts are only able to use their points at the specific property they own—meaning you can’t exchange your Riviera points to stay at other DVC resorts unless you go through Interval International or similar third-party exchanges.

For those purchasing resale contracts at the classic, original 14 DVC resorts, the impact is far less severe. These resorts are located right in the heart of Disney’s most popular destinations, including favorites like Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, BoardWalk, and Beach Club. Because of their prime locations and the ability to continue exchanging within these established resorts, resale demand for the original 14 remains strong.

Families looking to maximize flexibility are most affected if they opt for resale contracts at Riviera, Disneyland Hotel, or Fort Wilderness. For example, as of late 2023, Riviera resale contracts were selling for considerably less than direct-purchase prices, primarily due to these exclusive-use limitations.

In summary, the most impacted buyers are those who purchase resale contracts for the newest DVC resorts—where their vacation options and future resale values may be limited by the current policies. On the other hand, those who buy resale at the original 14 resorts still enjoy broad access within that group, which helps those contracts retain their appeal and value.

Why Has the Resale Value of Riviera Resort Contracts Dropped?

If you’ve been browsing the resale market lately, you may have noticed a sharp decline in the price of Riviera Resort contracts compared to what Disney charges for direct purchases—and there are a few key reasons why. As previously mentioned, unlike the fourteen “original” resorts where resale buyers can still book rooms, Riviera (along with The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort) comes with tighter rules. Resale owners of these newer properties can only use their points to stay at their specific “home” resort—in Riviera’s case, that means exclusivity to Riviera and nowhere else in the DVC network.

Another factor at play is future uncertainty and practicality. While it’s possible to hold onto a DVC contract for decades, most owners end up selling or transferring theirs within 5–15 years—life changes, vacation habits shift, kids grow up, and so on. Prospective buyers on the resale market know that purchasing a Riviera contract secondhand means having fewer choices for future vacations, plus the risk of not finding availability at Riviera itself during peak times. That limited appeal narrows the pool of interested buyers, which puts downward pressure on resale prices.

It’s kind of like buying a fancy new car: while it’s exciting when you drive it off the lot, you know the resale value will take a hit, especially if your car comes with special quirks or restrictions on where it can go. That said, these lower resale prices can make ownership more accessible for those who have their heart set on a particular resort and don’t mind the trade-offs. As always, it’s a balancing act between flexibility and savings, so consider what matters most for your family’s vacation style and long-term plans.

Why Does Disney Place These Resale Restrictions on Certain Resorts?

You might be wondering, “What’s in it for Disney?” when it comes to these resale restrictions. While only Disney knows all the ins and outs of their strategy, we can connect a few dots based on how the timeshare world works.

By putting these restrictions in place, Disney creates more incentive for buyers to purchase memberships directly from them—rather than hunting for a deal on the resale market. Direct sales typically come with a higher price tag, so this approach helps Disney maintain strong profit margins.

There are also other financial advantages at play:

• Increased Buyback Value: When resale prices lag significantly behind direct prices, Disney can benefit from exercising their Right of First Refusal (ROFR). If they buy a contract back at a lower resale price and resell it at the direct price, their profit margin grows.
• More Foreclosures, More Inventory: Some owners finance their original contracts. If resale prices dip too low, these owners could owe more than their contract is worth. They may even end up in foreclosure. This scenario means Disney can regain ownership of more contracts and resell them at direct prices.
• Extra Revenue from Unused Inventory: If a unit hasn’t been booked within 60 days of its use date, Disney can rent it to non-members. Limiting the flexibility of resale owners means more points and inventory could end up unused. This gives Disney more rooms to rent out for extra income during those “breakage” periods.

In short, these policies are designed to protect Disney’s bottom line and keep the direct sales pipeline flowing, all while creating more flexibility for them to manage inventory behind the scenes.

How Do Resale Restrictions Impact Disney’s Buy-Back Margin Through ROFR?

These resale restrictions can actually work to Disney’s advantage when it comes to the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) process. Here’s how: If resale contracts become less desirable due to limitations on future resort access, their resale prices often drop below the cost of purchasing directly from Disney. This price difference can create a larger profit margin for Disney if they decide to buy back contracts through ROFR.

For example, if owners are selling at lower prices because of these restrictions, but Disney’s direct sales price remains high (or even increases), Disney gets the opportunity to repurchase these contracts at a significant discount. They can then resell the points at full market price to new buyers—maximizing their profit in the process. In short, tighter restrictions on resale contracts give Disney more leverage and potential profit whenever ROFR comes into play.

How DVC Resale Restrictions Could Increase Foreclosures and Inventory

The recent resale restrictions don’t just affect where owners can stay—they may also lead to a ripple effect on ownership and inventory across Disney Vacation Club resorts.

If owners are unable to sell the timeshare and cannot continue paying for maintenance fees, it could increase the risk of owners defaulting and, ultimately, facing foreclosure on their contracts. When that happens, those returned points end up back in Disney’s hands. This gives the company even more inventory to manage or resell, including through the right of first refusal process.

How Resale Restrictions Impact Disney’s Breakage Revenue

Here’s where things get interesting for Disney’s bottom line. When a DVC unit goes unreserved within sixty days of its use date—a window known as the “breakage period”—Disney can step in and rent out that room to non-members. Because recent restrictions limit where resale owners can use their points, there’s a greater chance that some units will remain unbooked by members. As a result, Disney has more opportunity to rent these rooms to the general public at market rates, bringing in extra income from what might have otherwise gone unused by DVC members. This creates a win-win for Disney: fewer point redemptions in popular times, and more flexibility to generate direct rental revenue.

Benefits of DVC Resale

The change does not apply to DVC resale purchases submitted before January 19, 2019. Contracts gifted to family members will continue to have the same resort access and benefits as before the ownership transfer. Take a look at the transferrable DVC benefits you keep when you buy resale.

Interval International

Interval International access does not change. That’s why buying on the resale market may not be a bad idea. If you are eager to visit your favorite resort annually or want an Interval International membership, you can still consider going the resale route.

Are Disney DVC Resale Restrictions Worth the Savings?

Ultimately, the answer is up to you. The 14 original DVC resorts are located in fabulous destinations near the theme parks and on beaches in Hawaii, South Carolina and Florida. So, if you purchase at one of the 14 resorts on the resale market, then you still can access these prime resorts without taking on the high price tag. However, if you purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club, then you can visit any future resorts.

That said, there’s a reason these classic 14 resorts remain so popular with resale buyers: location, location, location! With properties like Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, BoardWalk, and Beach Club—many just steps from the parks or nestled along scenic beaches—you’re never far from the magic. These iconic resorts have become fan favorites not only for their proximity to the action, but also because they offer the best real estate Disney has to offer.

With no new major theme parks announced since 1998, the original resorts continue to hold their place as top picks. Newer resorts simply can’t compete with the convenience and prestige of staying at places like Beach Club or BoardWalk. For many, the combination of classic locations and significant savings makes resale at the original resorts a very compelling choice.

On the other hand, resale purchases at resorts built after 2019, such as Disney’s Riviera Resort, the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, and resale purchases at any future resorts, only allow you to stay at the resort you own points at. This can be a significant Disney DVC resale restriction in terms of flexibility compared to other resale options. However, if you have a strong preference for one of those resorts, the savings may still make it worthwhile for you to buy a resale.

Adding DVC Points to Your Membership

Savvy DVC owners will often buy a minimum of 150 points directly from Disney to enjoy all the membership benefits. Then, they will purchase additional points for less from the resale market. This is an excellent compromise for owners because they can save money and avoid sacrificing benefits.

How Long Do Most Members Hold Onto Their DVC Contracts?

When it comes to the lifespan of DVC ownership, most members hang onto their contracts for anywhere between five and fifteen years before deciding to resell. Of course, some Disney fans keep their points for decades—especially if family vacations are a cherished tradition. Others may decide to make a change after just a handful of years, perhaps when travel needs shift or the kids head off to college.

No matter where you land on the spectrum, it’s clear that flexibility is baked into the process. Life changes, priorities evolve, and DVC contracts are regularly bought and sold with these transitions in mind.

About Fidelity Real Estate

Fidelity Real Estate is a full-service Licensed Real Estate Brokerage. We specialize in assisting buyers and sellers with timeshare resales. Our team has been connecting buyers and sellers in timeshare resale transactions for over 20 years. We have an exceptional reputation in the resale industry!

Buy Disney Vacation Club Points on the Resale Market

Are you interested in buying DVC resale points despite the restrictions? If so, you have come to the right place. Our DVC resale market offers contracts for sale at all the top Disney Vacation Club resorts. Start by browsing our DVC listings. Then, simply make an offer on the resort that best fits your needs. Have questions? Give us a call today at 1 (800) 410-8326.

DVC Resorts

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Why We’re The Best DVC Resale Company

Don’t just take our word for it. The facts speak for themselves!

• We have sold more DVC contracts than any other brokerage.
• Fidelity Resales is honored to be Disney’s “Recommended Real Estate Broker” for referring its owners.
• We have the process down to an art, and our experts will be there for you every step of the way.
• Fidelity is known for having the lowest commissions in the industry.
• Our Owner, Bert Blicher, is the Former Chairman of ARDA (American Resort Development Association) and a known advocate for timeshare consumers.

Sell Disney Vacation Club Membership

Fidelity Real Estate is the featured reseller for Disney Vacation Club. If you need help selling your contract, let us help you. Our licensed real estate agents are experts in all things DVC and will help you every step of the way. Just because there are DVC resale restrictions doesn’t mean that people don’t buy resale. In fact, 90% of our Disney Vacation Club contracts sell within 30 days.

If you want to sell Disney Vacation Club points, fill out the form below.