Why we bought DVC, and the math we used to decide
DISNEY VACATION CLUB - OUR NUMBERS
We own 200 Disney Vacation Club points at the Polynesian. Before we signed anything, I put every number in a spreadsheet. Here's exactly how I ran it, plus a calculator so you can run your own.
We are a Disney family and visit both Disneyland and Disney World multiples times per year. Growing up in Southern California, I have been an annual passholder at Disneyland for 20+ years. The past few years, we started expanding our annual travel plans to Disney World and Disney Cruises. When we first started visiting Disney World, we would stay at value or moderate resorts because we spent most our waking hours in the parks. Now that we visit more often, we have learned to love the resorts, relaxing and enjoying the amenities, so we prefer Deluxe Resorts. I never gave Disney Vacation Club much thought until this past year and I started researching it intently. I ran the numbers over and over, even with our discounts (from Disney Visa to Disney+, and the occasional travel agent rate), it still made sense for our family to purchase DVC. I will caution, this is not for everyone and there are some specific factors that I will discuss below that you should consider before making this purchase.
What we bought
We ended up with two Polynesian contracts: 150 points bought directly from Disney and 50 points bought resale. Both expire in 2066, so our points are good for decades.
We started the resale contract for only 50 points because we wanted to “test it out”. Shortly after, I realized we are going to need more. We had an upcoming Disney Cruise, so decided we would stop by the DVC desk and speak to someone. We were on the fence about direct points and if we needed or wanted the perks. The savings on resale is definitely enticing!
By the end of the cruise, we decided to purchase 150 points at Polynesian direct. Our 50 point resale contract was still in process of closing, so we would end up with 200 points total. We were able to get the same use year, which was helpful as well!
Buying 50 of our points resale brought the average price per point down. Compared with buying all 200 points directly, the combination saved us about $1,470, even after the $500 resale fee. The 150 direct points means we get the perks of a direct contract.
Our purchase at a glance
Polynesian, direct: 150 points at $238 per point, plus $783.88 in closing costs = $36,483.88
Polynesian, resale: 50 points at $174 per point, plus $623 in closing costs and Disney's $500 Contract Administration Fee = $9,823.00
Total: 200 points for $46,306.88 all-in, about $231.53 per point
Disney's $500 Contract Administration Fee applies to resale contracts signed on or after January 1, 2026. If you're comparing resale listings, add that $500 to the price.
Calculation 1: annual dues
Every DVC owner pays yearly dues (Disney calls them annual dues; most people call them maintenance fees). They're charged per point, and the rate depends on your home resort.
Points × dues per point = annual dues
200 × $8.33 = $1,666 per year
$8.33 is the Polynesian's 2026 rate. Disney usually announces the next year's dues in December, and they go up most years.
Calculation 2: what it really costs per year
The upfront price is the scary number, so I spread it across every year left on the contract and added the dues back in. That gives one yearly number I can compare to what we'd normally spend on Disney hotels.
(Upfront cost ÷ years left) + annual dues = cost per year
($46,306.88 ÷ 39) + $1,666 = $2,853 per year
Divide that by our 200 points and each point costs us about $14.27 a year.
Does it actually save money?
This is where it clicked for us. For an April trip, I priced a Deluxe Studio at Beach Club Villas for four nights:
Cash price, no discount: $3,546.01
With DVC: 80 points × $14.27 = $1,141.47
Difference: $2,404.54
Your points aren't limited to your home resort. With a Polynesian contract, you can book any DVC resort starting 7 months before your trip, and your home resort starting at 11 months.
What this math leaves out
Dues go up. My numbers use today's dues. Hotel cash prices go up too, so I think of this as a comparison in today's dollars. To see the effect, put a yearly increase in the calculator.
You pay dues even in years you don't travel. You can bank points into the next year, but the dues bill still comes.
The upfront money could have been invested. If you finance the purchase, add the loan interest to your upfront cost.
Prices change. Direct and resale prices, closing costs, and dues are as of when we bought. Check current numbers before you decide.
Run your own numbers
The calculator starts with our numbers. Change any field, add or remove contracts, and price a stay you'd actually book.
DVC Cost Calculator
Example values are our own purchase. For the most accurate number, enter the all-in cost of each contract: the purchase price plus closing costs and any fees. For resale contracts signed on or after January 1, 2026, include Disney's $500 Contract Administration Fee.
For planning only. This calculator doesn't include financing. If you take out a loan, add the total interest you'll pay to the all-in cost. Contracts usually expire January 31 of the year shown, and your number of use years depends on your use year month and when your first points arrive.
The annual pass perk for out-of-state families
If you don't live in Florida, the only Walt Disney World annual pass you can buy is the Incredi-Pass. DVC members can also buy the Sorcerer Pass, which is normally only for Florida residents.
Incredi-Pass (anyone): $1,749 new, $1,499 renewal
Sorcerer Pass (Florida residents and DVC members): $1,139 new, $969 renewal
Savings per pass: $610 new, $530 renewal (before tax)
For a family of three buying new passes, that's $1,830 a year before tax. That's more than our $1,666 in annual dues. The two passes don't have identical blockout dates and perks, so compare them on Disney's site before you buy.
Prices as of Disney's October 6, 2026 increase. Check current prices before you buy.
Annual Pass Savings Calculator
For out-of-state guests: compare the Incredi-Pass with the DVC member Sorcerer Pass. Prices start at Disney's current rates; update them if they change.
Sales tax default is 6.5%, the Orange County, Florida rate. Pass eligibility, blockout dates and perks are set by Disney and can change.
Thinking about DVC?
If our numbers helped and you're ready to talk to Disney about buying direct, use our member referral link below.
Disclosure: this is our Disney Vacation Club member referral link. If you buy through it, we may receive a referral reward from Disney at no extra cost to you. We're DVC owners sharing our own numbers, not financial advice.