The 5 Biggest Myths about DVC Resale
Our 11 Sales Associates get asked a lot of questions regarding Disney Vacation Club (DVC) and DVC resale. Sometimes those questions are confirming what someone has heard or read about DVC, and the accuracy of what we are asked to substantiate can vary greatly. Some statements are factual and some statements, well, they need a lot of correcting or just a complete expunction.
The DVC Resale Market Team was polled about the most common false truths they are asked about, and as a result, below we ranked the top 5 most common myths about DVC Resale.
5 Biggest Myths about DVC Resale
Myth 1: I Cannot Book my Home Resort at the 11 Month Window
We rated this statement “Completely False”. Whether you purchase resale or direct, you can make a reservation at your Home Resort at the 11-month booking window.
Myth 2: I Can Only Use Points at My Home Resort
We rated this statement “Mostly False”. For those that buy Disney’s Riviera Resort resale and future DVC Resorts, this is true. However, currently, there are 15 DVC Resorts that can be purchased and Riviera is the only resort this applies to. When buying any of the Classic 14 DVC Resorts via resale, you can use those points at any of the Classic 14 DVC Resorts.
Myth 3: I Cannot Use Resort Condominiums International (RCI), also Known as the World Collection
We rated this statement “Completely False”. Whether you purchase resale or direct, as a DVC Member you can travel to over 4,000 villa locations around the world through RCI.
Myth 4: Direct Members receive 1st Choice on Making Reservations
We rated this statement “Completely False”. There is no truth to this statement. Additionally, the logistics of this would be extremely challenging if not almost impossible. While this myth is similar to myth #1, lack of home resort booking window, where it differs is this myth includes the perception that there is almost a secondary inventory resale Members are left with after all direct Members have made their reservations regardless of when the direct Member makes the reservation.
Myth 5: I Cannot Use Magical Express
We rated this statement “Completely False”. Magical Express is available to anyone staying on property at the Walt Disney World Resort whether they are a direct or resale DVC Member or cash paying Guest.
Not every myth could make the top 5, but there were several honorable mentions:
- You receive fewer years on the deed when you buy resale: False
- You don’t receive FastPasses when you buy resale: False
- You call a different Member Services Team when you buy resale: False
- You don’t get the best rooms when you buy resale: False
- If I did a tour at DVC, they will automatically buy back any resale I try to purchase: False
- If you buy direct, Disney will always buy back your contract at the current price they are selling the resort for: False
- You cannot get an assigned DVC Sales Guide when you buy resale: False
The Truth Chart
After discussing so many myths, it might be helpful to see a breakdown of what is factual when distinguishing between a resale and direct purchase. Please see The Truth Chart below:
| Description | Resale | Direct |
| Likely to Save 20-50% off the Price of Membership | yes | no |
| Possible to Purchase a Subsidized Dues Contract* | yes | no |
| Possible to Finance the Purchase with No Credit Check | yes | no |
| Receive a Member ID Number | yes | yes |
| Official Member | yes | yes |
| Receive Magical Express | yes | yes |
| Receive On Property Transportation | yes | yes |
| You Receive All Remaining Years on the Deed | yes | yes |
| Can Rent / Transfer Points | yes | yes |
| Can Sell Membership | yes | yes |
| Can Will Membership to Heirs | yes | yes |
| Overnight Parking Fees Covered Through Dues | yes | yes |
| Disney on Property Complimentary Transportation | yes | yes |
| Resort Package Delivery | yes | yes |
| Resort Room Charging Privileges | yes | yes |
| Complimentary MagicBands | yes | yes |
| Extra Magic Hours | yes | yes |
| Eligible for FastPass | yes | yes |
| Eligible for Disney Dining Plan | yes | yes |
| Able to Bank and Borrow Points | yes | yes |
| Access to Member Services | yes | yes |
| Ability to Book Home Resort at 11 Month Window | yes | yes |
| Online Member Account | yes | yes |
| Eligible for Extra Magic Hours | yes | yes |
| Eligible for Member Cruises (can only use direct points) | no | yes |
| Access to the DVC Member Epcot Lounge** | no | yes |
| Ability to Book RCI | yes | yes |
| Ability to Book Disney Collection | no | yes |
| Ability to Book Disney Cruises for Less via DVCRentalStore | yes | yes |
| Ability to Book Adventures By Disney for Less via DVCRentalStore | yes | yes |
| Ability to Book Concierge Collection | no | yes |
| Receive All Incidental Benefits ** | no | yes |
| Ability to Book All 14 Classic DVC Resorts*** | yes | yes |
| Ability to Book Future DVC Resorts starting with Riviera | no | yes |
*Subsidized dues contracts are available for Aulani and Vero Beach. **Eligible for with 125 points purchased direct. *** Disney’s Riviera Resort when purchased resale can only be used to book stays at Riviera.
Access all DVC resale listings and learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.
Comments
I have a question. I am a bit confused. I am looking at potentially buying someone’s DVC Resale contract but I see a note that worries me. On the article of new DVC restrictions, if I purchase one of the original 14 properties (not the New Riviera) did I read it correctly that I can no longer use my points for one of those 14 properties (in effect after January 19th, 2019? However on this article it says if I buy one of the resale contracts, I can use for any of the 14 properties. Please help
me understand this as if I can’t use my points from my resale membership for one of the 14 properties, its not worth it to me to purchase. Thanks so much. Let me know.
Ruston – if you purchase any of the original 14 resorts via resale you can use your points at any of the 14 original resorts but not Riviera and whatever comes later. If you purchase Riviera via resale, you can just use your points at Riviera. Hope this helps.
Then why would anyone want to buy Rivera if your buyer of Rivera resale are that limited? I want to make sure i do understand if i buy Rivera and then want to sell it the new owner can only use it there? And if there dates are not available they can or can not book at lets say beach club if there is available rooms there? Please respond.
Michael – You are correct, if you purchase Riviera via resale, the points can only be used at Riviera within the Disney Vacation Club collection. If you purchased Riviera via resale and the dates you want to book Riviera are not available at Riviera that does NOT allow you to book other DVC resorts such as Beach Club.
What are FastPasses in the context of this article. Do DVC members get fastpasses?
It’s referring to the ability to be able to get FastPasses. From time to time we are asked if I buy resale I’m I still eligible to book FastPasses just like any on property guest and the answer is yes.
So I stay at Grand Californian I can reserve and book fastpasses for Disneyland? If so, how far in advance can I do this? Thank you Nick!
Kyle, in regards to FastPasses, this blog focuses on myth debunking the idea you cannot get FastPasses if you become a DVC Member via resale. For answers to more detailed questions regarding Disneyland’s FastPass Service, I would recommend reading this recent article by Undercover Tourist: https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/disneyland-fastpass-service/
Nick, how do you access Top of the World Lounge without the blue membership card? Do resale owners get a card too?
Bob, great question. Last time I was their I asked, and the Cast Member said the most common thing they see are Members coming with a picture (on their phone) of their Membership number from their Member Website.
Thank you, Nick! This is precisely what I needed (as I just bought resale from you, 100 pts BCV)! I have been trying to understand what I get as a DVC Resale Buyer versus Direct Buyer. This article spells it ALL out! Now I have to learn are all the WDW DVC abbreviations in the FaceBook / Blog/ Articles I am reading 🙂
Kat – you were part of my inspiration for writing this piece, I’m glad you came across before I could even e-mail it to you 🙂
Any guesses as to the value of RIV resales in a year or two? Sub SSR or above?
Drew – great question, but really difficult to say, obviously the market will determine this regardless of my guess today. With that being said, my best guess would be sub SSR, but north of Vero Beach and Hilton Head. To speculate today you would have to take something like Copper Creek and think, if I could only stay at Copper Creek, what am I willing to pay? Copper Creek currently resales around $150/pt. and to think this could drive down the price $40-$60/pt. is not out of the question.