Top 6 Annoying Things About Being a DVC Resale Member in 2025

I get it: you’re browsing attractive DVC Resale listings and dreaming of many Disney vacations you could have if you just purchased a contract.

Trust me, every DVC Resale member (including me) have been there at least once.

DVC resale contracts often look like the best option for new members, especially when you compare DVC Resale VS direct.

After all, DVC Resale points are priced notably lower than direct points the vast majority of the time. So, value for money is often better on the resale side.

However, it’s not that easy. Sadly, there are DVC Resale Restrictions and drawbacks that every potential Disney Vacation Club member should consider before committing to that DVC Resale contract!

One of the biggest questions you should consider is: ‘What are the drawbacks of buying DVC Resale?’.

Let’s discuss, DVC Resale member to potential DVC Resale member!

This post is all about the top 6 annoying things about being a DVC Resale member in 2025.

DVC Resale

1) The Lengthy DVC Resale Process

Let’s cut to the chase: the DVC resale process can test your patience.

Typically, the entire process will take 6-12 weeks (usually quite a lot longer than a direct purchase).

Which sucks when you just want to book that vacation at the DVC Polynesian tower or a refurbished room at Bay Lake Tower!

Why Does DVC Resale Take So Long?

Offer Negotiation: Unlike buying direct, sellers might counter-offer or go back-and-forth.
Contract Signing: Once you agree on price, both sides sign legal documents.
Right of First Refusal (ROFR): Disney gets a shot at buying the contract back at your agreed price. Sometimes this moves fast, other times…not so much. This step alone can drag on for several weeks—usually the heart of the delay.
Estoppel & Closing: Next, an official company verifies details of the contract (called estoppel), and then your title company does all the legal legwork.
Recording & Membership Transfer: Everything wraps up only after all documents are recorded and Disney finally recognizes you as the new owner.

That’s why, in total, the DVC Resale Timeline often takes 2-3 months from start to finish.

How This Impacts Your Vacation Planning

This long process throws a wrench in vacation plans, especially if you’re trying to time your purchase with a certain trip. You can’t book with points until every box is checked, and the membership is transferred to you.

2) Unable to Use Points at Resorts That Opened Since 2019

Disney’s 2019 DVC Resale Rule: What Changed?

Back in 2019, Disney drew a line in the sand. If you buy a DVC contract on the resale market, your points can’t be used at any resorts that opened in 2019 and beyond (unless your resale points were purchased before January 19th, 2019).

This includes the following Disney Vacation Club Resorts:

Disney’s Riviera Resort – Walt Disney World Resort

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel – Disneyland

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – Walt Disney World Resort
Disney Lakeshore Lodge (due to open at Walt Disney World in 2027).
Any future DVC Resort additions.

To be honest, this is only a problem if you’re not interested in the original 14 DVC resorts, and you really want to stay at the newest resorts.

Anecdotally, as a DVC Resale member, I have rented DVC points to stay at Riviera and The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, and it is a little disappointing that I couldn’t simply use my own points to book my stays (especially now that I discovered these are two of my favourite DVC resorts!).

3) The Off-Limits DVC Member Lounges

Hands down, one of the parts that grinds my gears as a DVC resale member is being locked out of certain DVC lounges.

If you become a DVC Resale member today (or since the 2016 changes), you don’t have access to Membership Extras (essentially DVC perks, that could go away at any time).

So, if you become a DVC Resale member now, you won’t be able to go to any of the exclusive DVC Member Lounge,

Here are the DVC lounges that resale members don’t have access to:

Disney Vacation Club ImaginAtrium at Epcot, Walt Disney World.
McKim’s Mile House at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World.
Top of the World Lounge – A Villains Lair at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Walt Disney World.
Gateway to Discovery at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World.
Star View Station at Disneyland Park, Disneyland in Anaheim.

These off-limits lounges are a big reminder that not all memberships are treated equally.these off-limits lounges are a big reminder that not all memberships are treated equally.

I have been a DVC member since 2023, but because I own DVC Resale points, I have never been able to visit any of these lounges.

Don’t get me wrong, the lower DVC resale prices are way more worth it than being able to go to a lounge. It would just be nice to have this small benefit.

For more details on DVC Member Lounges, check out this post.

4) Missing Out on DVC Member Cruises

Not interested in Disney Cruises? Then this really doesn’t matter.

But as someone who has never been on a Disney Cruise, but is interested, it’s a little disappointing.

It can be frustrating seeing promos for the exclusive DVC Member Cruise and realizing you can’t even book a spot!

A DVC Member Cruise offers an experience you can’t find on your standard Disney Cruise (see details here).

What Are DVC Member Cruises and Why Are They So Special?

DVC Member Cruises are filled with exclusive extras that Disney markets as the ultimate show of appreciation:

Unique entertainment you won’t see elsewhere.
Limited edition swag bags and merch
And more

5) Stuck Buying the Disney IncrediPass: No Real Choice for DVC Resale Members

If you’ve looked into getting an annual pass as a DVC Resale member, you know the pain—Disney doesn’t exactly hand you a menu of options.

There is no DVC resale annual pass available if you’re looking for a cheaper option.

Instead, they push members who don’t qualify for perks into buying the pricey Disney IncrediPass (unless you are a Florida resident).

It’s Disney’s top level Annual Pass, full of perks but carrying the highest price tag ($1,549 + tax, as of 2025).

Direct members with Membership Extras can purchase a cheaper annual pass – Disney Sorcerer Pass (only for Florida residents and eligible DVC members), costing $1,079 + tax in 2025.

Sure, it has a small number of blockout dates, but unless you’re exclusively visiting on those days, a Disney Sorcerer Pass would be a great, and less pricey option.

6) No Access to Member Events Like Moonlight Magic

One thing that grates on me as a DVC Resale member is missing out on big member-only events—especially the infamous Moonlight Magic.

If you’re not familiar, these are after-hours park parties have shorter lines, exclusive entertainment, rare meet-and-greets, with complimentary treats.

And it sounds great until you remember that you don’t qualify to attend!

On the bright side, Disney hosts other amazing after hour events that everyone with a valid ticket can attend, such as:

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (on select nights August 15th – October 31st, 2025)

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (on select nights November – December. Dates TBC for 2025).

Disney Jollywood Nights (on select nights November – December. Dates TBC for 2025).

Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park

Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney After Hours at Epcot
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Frequently Asked Questions about Being a DVC Resale Member

What do I lose buying DVC resale?

Essentially, you don’t get perks and discounts just for being a DVC member.

You will be able to use your points to stay at the original 14 DVC resorts, and little more.

A couple small perks you still get as a Resale DVC member include:

You can do your laundry for free at DVC resorts (not that exciting if you’re staying in a villa with a washer/dryer, but if you’re staying in a studio, this is helpful if you’re using the hotel laundry facilities).
You can pool hop at select DVC pools when available (see exclusions and be aware that as of 2025, this perk is suspended).
You can buy Disney Vacation Club member merch by showing your card.

Is Disney buying back DVC?

If you put in an offer on a DVC Resale contract that is accepted by a member, that doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get the contract.

Why? ROFR (AKA Right of First Refusal). Disney has the option to buy that contract back from the current owner.

If they do, it means you will have lost a contract to Disney.

Ta Ta For Now

In conclusion, DVC Resale is a wonderful option, especially if you’re looking for value for money. It isn’t super uncommon to see resale contracts for half the price of the equivalent direct option (i.e. same number of points and same home resort).

But before you dive headfirst into becoming a DVC Resale member, it’s super important to be aware of these downsides.

If you’re not a DVC Resale member, do you think you will be in the future?

And if you’re currently a resale member, which downsides bother you the most?

Thank you for reading and please share your thoughts in the comments 🙂

This post was all about the top 6 annoying things about being a DVC Resale member in 2025.