DVC Right of First Refusal Report (ROFR): December ’19 Report

In 2019, Disney exercised their right of first refusal (ROFR) on 602 Disney Vacation Club (DVC) contracts, and DVC Resale Market (DVCRM) sold 3,690, resulting in a 16.3% buy back rate (Contracts Bought Back in 2019 / Contracts Sold in 2019). The 2019 waiver rate was 83.7%.

Listen to this month’s update on the My DVC Points podcast:

The Similarities and Differences with Disney Buy Backs from 2018 to 2019

Overall, 2019 saw a higher proportion of buy backs than 2018, 16.3% vs. 10.5%.  The question quickly becomes is around 16% the new expectation?  Each year since 2016, the buy back rate has increased:

Despite, this continual increase in buy back rate each year, there is reason to believe 2020 could see a drop in the proportion of buy backs.  The 2nd half of 2019 experienced a buy back rate similar to that of 2018 at 11.4%.  The buy back rate for the 1st half of 2019 was over 20%.  It is believed that this much higher than normal buy back rate early in 2019 was due to a gap period of live inventory in the spring with the sell-out of Copper Creek and only having pre-sales of the Riviera Resort.  For information regarding this, please see the November 2019 ROFR report.

The resorts we observed getting bought back in 2019 were similar to 2018.  In both years, Saratoga Springs, Animal Kingdom and Old Key West led the way.  In 2018, those three resorts represented over 80% of all buy backs and over 60% in 2019.

Highest Monthly Buy Back Numbers by DVC Resort

The DVC Resorts that have been bought back in 2019 are as follows: Saratoga Springs, Animal Kingdom, Old Key West, Bay Lake Tower, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Grand Californian, Hilton Head, Boulder Ridge, and Vero Beach. Additionally, their buy back price thresholds have remained fairly consistent in 2019. Keep in mind these thresholds do not provide a guarantee of avoiding a buy back, but with this much congruity, they should provide great directional information.

Highest Buy Back Price Per Point by Resort for 2019

It is important to note that Aulani, Copper Creek, and Polynesian went untouched for buy backs in 2019.

What is Right of First Refusal (ROFR)?

For those new to the concept of Right of First Refusal, it is the option Disney Vacation Club has to purchase any resale contract after a sales price has been agreed upon, and the contract has been executed. Each contract must be forwarded to DVC for review.

DVC typically takes no more than 30 days to review the contract. At their discretion, Disney may step in and purchase the property themselves at the terms agreed upon by the Seller and original Buyer. DVC then becomes the Buyer, and the purchase is complete. Once DVC is the buyer there is not an opportunity to come back with a better offer in hopes of still purchasing the contract.

Disney Vacation Club Resort Contracts Bought Back in 2019

Please refer to the graph below for the total amount of buy backs at each DVC resort for contracts sold by DVC Resale Market in 2019:

Summary on DVC Buy Backs in December

Animal Kingdom and Old Key West led all DVC Resorts for buy back volume in December with 8 each.  Those two resorts accounted for over 70% of all buybacks from DVCRM in December.

The selling price range and volume summary for all buy backs in December:

Buy Back Rates for Disney Vacation Club Resorts in 2019

The table below shows the percentage of buy backs for all 10 different resorts that have had at least one contract bought back in 2019. Note, the buy back rate for Aulani, Copper Creek and Polynesian in 2019 has been 0%.

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