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What is the Disney Vacation Club Secondary Market?

By Kristen Tutas / June 27, 2025

If you’re looking to join Disney Vacation Club, or considering selling your membership, you’ve likely heard about the secondary market. But what exactly is the DVC secondary market, and how does it differ from buying directly through Disney?

In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of the DVC resale market, how it works, and why it continues to be a popular option for both new buyers and existing owners.

What Is the DVC Secondary Market?

The DVC secondary market refers to the buying and selling of Disney Vacation Club memberships through private owners, rather than directly from Disney. These transactions are facilitated by licensed resale brokers or, in some cases, handled independently by the owners themselves.

Essentially, it’s a real estate transaction involving deeded timeshare interests, but at significantly reduced prices compared to buying new from Disney.

What DVC Resorts can you buy on the secondary market?

Most Disney Vacation Club Resorts are located in Florida, at Walt Disney World, but there are a few properties located in California, Hawaii and South Carolina.

Why People Buy DVC Resale

1. Substantial Cost Savings
One of the biggest draws of the secondary market is the price. Resale contracts can often cost 30–50% less per point than direct-from-Disney prices, depending on the resort and current market trends.

2. Access to Popular Resorts
Some DVC resorts, especially older or sold-out properties like Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk, or Grand Californian, may not be available for direct purchase. Resale offers a chance to own a piece of these in-demand resorts.

3. Same Booking Privileges at Home Resort
Owners who buy resale still get the key benefit of using their points to book at their home resort 11 months in advance, just like direct buyers.

Things to Know About Resale Restrictions

Disney has added some restrictions for resale buyers over the years, depending on the resort and when the contract was purchased. These include:

  • Limited access to Member Extras (like discounts, special events, and lounges)
  • Booking limitations at newer resorts, such as Riviera or The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, unless purchased directly

Despite these restrictions, resale buyers still enjoy the core benefits of DVC ownership, including access to top-tier resorts and significant vacation flexibility.

Learn more: DVC Resale Policy & Restrictions

Why Owners Sell on the Secondary Market

DVC contracts can last decades, and life circumstances change. Owners may decide to sell for various reasons, such as lifestyle or travel changes, kids growing up, financial needs, or no longer traveling to Disney as often.

The secondary market offers a way to recoup a portion of the original investment, especially as many contracts hold value well over time. The resale market provides a secure and effective way to sell. Most sellers work with a licensed DVC resale broker who will market their contract to thousands of potential buyers, coordinate with a trusted title company for closing and handle negotiations and paperwork.

How the Resale Process Works

Working with a trusted DVC resale broker makes the process easy and secure. Here’s what to expect:

  1. Listing the Contract – Sellers list their contract with a licensed broker.
  2. Finding a Buyer – Buyers browse listings and make offers.
  3. Disney’s Right of First Refusal (ROFR) – Disney has the option to match any offer and buy the contract back themselves.
  4. Title Transfer & Closing – If Disney waives ROFR, the sale moves forward with a title company.

The process typically takes 8–12 weeks from accepted offer to closing.

Is the DVC Secondary Market Worth It?

Yes! Whether you’re looking to buy DVC resale to save money or sell your DVC contract to recoup your investment, the secondary market offers tremendous value.

Buyers enjoy deep discounts and access to top resorts. Sellers gain a way to exit their ownership with the help of experts who manage every step of the process.

Need Help With a DVC Resale?
If you’re ready to buy or sell, reach out to a trusted Disney Vacation Club resale broker. Vacation Club Life has been a preferred resale broker for Disney Vacation Club since 2007 and our agents have been selling DVC since 1998. We’ve helped thousands of families navigate the DVC secondary market with confidence and success. Give us a call at 1-866-544-2929 or email us at team@vacationclublife.com and one of our licensed real estate agents will guide you in the right direction.

Posted By:

Kristen Tutas