SO HOW MUCH IS IT??
The million dollar question is how much DOES IT COST to own? To answer that we have to quickly talk about the ways to get points.
Points are finite in the system once the resort is built. The number of points never changes. How you buy them can change. With today’s market you have a choice to buy “RESALE”; that is somebody either bought direct themselves or is selling a resold contract that they themselves bought; OR you buy “DIRECT” from DVC via their property subsidiary Disney Vacation Development Inc (“DVD”).
The simplest way to describe the two is as follows. There will be an in depth discussion on these later. This is to just to understand costs.
- RESALE is cheaper, but you lose access to the full program offerings of DVC. You may get stuck at exactly one resort like Riviera, and you can never stay at NEW DVC properties. These restrictions are following changes made AFTER 2016.
- DIRECT is exactly what it sounds like: you got it direct from DVD aka Disney. No matter what they do the resale market you always have full access to what the program offers. Book any resort, new or old! You pay full price based on Disney’s current Values
At the time of this writing we have finished the pandemic and our economy took a massive dive downwards. These numbers reflect cheaper costs in resale that normal. Let’s look at both! Let’s look at basic cost of ownership numbers. Per Point (“PP”) cost listed!
February 2023 – Low Market Example!
| Cost | Resort | Resale | Direct | Savings | Dues | Cost Resale 150PTs/Due | Cost Direct 150PTs/Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | Vero Beach | $70PP | $150PP | $80PP/53% | $12.8503PP | $12427.55 | $24,427.55 |
| Most Expensive | Grand Californian | $248PP | $320PP | $72PP/23% | $8.0409PP | $38406.14 | $49206.14 |
February 2022 – High Market Example!
| Cost | Resort | Resale | Direct | Savings | Dues | Cost Resale 150PTs/Due | Cost Direct 150PTs/Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | Vero Beach | $84PP | $140PP | $56PP/40% | $11.9450PP | $14391.75 | $22791.75 |
| Most Expensive | Grand Californian | $301PP | $310PP | $9PP/3% | $7.4824PP | $46272.36 | $47622.36 |
In the above examples I set the bare minimum point buy-in at 150 Points. This is because Direct will not sell new members less than that. If you have points either from resale or direct previously, then you can buy as little as 25 points. But for consistency I based all numbers based off a hypothetical 150 point buy. Also note I included that year’s due’s cost, which you would be on the hook for (on a prorated basis). I calculated the numbers based on the assumption the contract was purchased January 1 of that year meaning you would be on the line for the full cost of dues. This is to show you the “worse” case numbers.
As you can see in a “bad/low” market it can range from ~$12427.55 to $49206.14.
In a “good/high” market, it can range from $14391.75 to $47622.36
All of the numbers above also assume the absence of addons: closing close, financing cost, paperwork, notary, etc which can be $500 or more.
Average interest rate from financing with Disney can range from 10-14% or worse. That interest rate also depends on your down payment structure which can be 10/20%.
It is NOT recommended you finance this. Try to buy it upfront cash to save the most. If you have to finance try to get it done ASAP!!
That’s the basic overview of costs!
°”Offer requires new purchasers to participate in a Resort sales tour, either telephonically, online, or in person (“Tour”), and buy an ownership interest of at least 150 Vacation Points in AULANI, Disney Vacation Club® Villas, Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi, Disney’s Riviera Resort or The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Savings is a credit off the purchase price and does not represent any portion of the minimum down payment required of at least 10%, depending on qualified financing. Prices do not include one-time closing costs. Offer expires and all Tours must be completed by 365 days from date when new purchaser input their personal information into the Dream it Forward information request form. Offer cannot be combined with other select offers or discounts and may be extended, modified, or withdrawn at any time without notice. Current Disney Vacation Club Members are not eligible for this offer. Must be a legal resident of one of the fifty (50) United States or Washington D.C. to be eligible for this offer. Void where prohibited. Additional restrictions and terms may apply.”