First-Time DVC Buyer Guide: What to Consider

You want to buy a Disney Vacation Club contract, but you’re feeling overwhelmed. I’ve been there. We have ALL been there. It’s a big step and a significant financial commitment. 

So, you want to get this decision right. Which factors should new DVC buyers consider? Here’s a helpful guide.

What’s Your Price Range?

Let’s start with Occam’s Razor. You have a price point for what you can afford. At their core, all vacation-related purchases are part of your discretionary income. You shouldn’t purchase anything you cannot afford, although there’s a caveat with DVC.

Since you’re purchasing something that will last anywhere from 16 to 60 years, you can spread the cost a bit. Still, when you’re younger, you’re likely facing more budgetary constraints than you will later in life. 

So, I strongly encourage you to set a finite budget and stay within your means. Allow yourself a bit of wiggle room, but this purchase should bring you joy, never stress. Therefore, you want your purchase and any later payments to be manageable. 

Which Park(s) Do You Prefer?

Here’s another straightforward aspect of DVC ownership. You should purchase where you intend to stay, an idea I recently discussed in a different article. 

The real estate maxim of “Location, location, location!” applies to Disney theme parks as well. As an example, when you plan to spend most of your time at Magic Kingdom, which most tourists statistically do, you should target a Magic Kingdom area resort. Those options include the Monorail Resorts and those in the Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge area. 

Fans of Disneyland Resort should prioritize contracts at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and The Villas at Disneyland Resort. By owning here, you’ll ensure that you can book a reservation at your Home Resort. 

How Long Do You Want to Own?

As I just referenced, some DVC contracts expire in 2042, while others last until 2075. You should take that difference into consideration as you evaluate your budget. You and your family will gain up to 33 more years of DVC Points by choosing a contract with a later Use Year. Then again, you may not need it.

There’s an uncomfortable part of the conversation in that none of us likes to consider our mortality. Some of you reading this will be elderly in 2042, while others may still be in your 30s. So, there’s a huge gap in how long various members need their contracts.

Then, we have the other factor: You can deed your contracts to loved ones. So, even if you don’t plan to need one until 2075 – many of us would be 80+ then – your loved one might. For this reason, I encourage people to evaluate expiration years when buying contracts.

When Are You Most Likely to Visit? 

Here’s an underrated key to evaluating contracts. When are you most likely to visit Disney? This aspect of the conversation impacts your choice of Use Years. 

I realize that your instinct may be to think, “How would I know that?” Well, it’s easier to anticipate than you may realize. You know the date of your birthday and anniversary, if applicable. So, odds are good that you’ll visit the parks at some point during these points on the annual calendar.

Also, you know your vacation tendencies. Do you prefer to travel during the fall, spring, summer, or winter? We are habitual, and while preferences evolve over time, that travel baseline remains our default setting. 

As an example, I’m a huge fan of fall travel, but there’s a Disney-related explanation for that. I love Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as well as the start of the Christmas holiday decoration season. So, I prioritize contracts with Use Years that encourage fall travel. 

As a byproduct of this tip, you may have a favorite Disney festival. Whether you love the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts or Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival, the premise remains the same. You should choose contracts that align with your travel habits. 

By the way, parents of school-aged children have another consideration. You should look for contracts that allow for travel during Spring Break, the summer, or maybe the end-of-year holidays. Those are the times when your family can go on vacation without the kid(s) missing school. 

Could You Sell Later?

Finally, we have a small subset of contracts that merit additional thought. When Disney’s Riviera Resort debuted, DVC, in its infinite wisdom, added a new clause. 

Some resale contracts include restrictions. Our own Paul Krieger wrote a detailed analysis about the change here. The gist is that when you purchase a resale contract at one of these resorts, you’ll only be able to use your points there.

This restriction may not bother you at all. However, you should contemplate how much it could impact the resale value of your contract. I’ve never worked on the sales side of DVC, but Krieger has. He indicates that “the typical time frame for Members to keep DVC contracts is more like 5-15 years.”

So, something that doesn’t bother you now could create complexity if/when you sell in 5-15 years. That concern is mitigated by the fact that DVC contracts typically increase in value. Thus, you may be worrying over nothing. Since nobody really knows, I want to alert you to this possibility, though.

Overall, these should be the defining factors when you search for a DVC contract. Only you can decide which considerations matter the most, but I’d strongly recommend that you evaluate each one before buying.

Buying into DVC is a big decision, but the right contract can create decades of unforgettable Disney vacations for you and your family.

Ready to start your DVC ownership journey? Access all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.

If you’d like to make an offer or request a free consultation about buying or adding to your DVC contract, the DVC Resale Market team is here to help!