Timeshares have a tricky reputation. The Disney timeshare Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has many hotels to choose from at top family tourist destinations. Annual visits with Mickey Mouse are what many families dream of. So how does DVC differ from other timeshares? Let's look at DVC vs timeshare at other companies. There are a few key differences that make Disney Vacation Club a favorite among vacationers.

DVC vs Timeshare Elsewhere: What is the difference?

First, let's clarify that Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare. However, it operates differently than what many people have come to associate with how a timeshare operates.

Some reasons people typically don't like timeshares:

• high upfront price
• rigid use rules or schedule
• hard to resell or get out of
• pushy sales tactics
• ongoing maintenance costs

Here's where Disney's timeshare is most different than others.

Reselling DVC vs Timeshare Other Places

When you're comparing DVC vs timeshare elsewhere, resale is something that sets Disney in a different category. DVC resale allows Members to sell their contract if they no longer want it. Demand for DVC resale contracts is one of the ways the Disney timeshare differs from others.

Some families may outgrow Disney vacations as their children go off to college. It might make sense for some to sell DVC during this transitional period. There's always another family at the beginning of their journey with little ones though.

Disney destinations are known for their impressive upkeep. These beautifully maintained parks and resorts have been in high demand for decades. Disney Vacation Club launched in 1991 with just one resort hotel. Since then, it has expanded to include 17 properties with more on the way. There is always another generation excited to experience Disney as a family or with dear ones. Disney's impressively maintained and updated destinations keep people coming back and continue to inspire new visitors to book that first trip.

All of this is part of what helps the vibrant DVC resale market. Those who bought Disney Vacation Club way back when have been able to sell their contracts for more than they originally bought them for decades ago. The market continually shifts and DVC resale per point prices change over time. As Disney raises prices every year or so, we often see the resale market prices rise too. It all depends on the specifics of the contract like the home resort, point value and points available at the time of the sale.

Maintenance, the shape the property or properties is kept in, and the ability to sell your timeshare will differ at other companies.

Flexibility with DVC vs Timeshares Other Places

Members love how flexible booking DVC vacations can be. You purchase a certain amount of points based on how and when you like to vacation. See the DVC point charts to get an idea for what might suit you. Many Members buy 150 to 200 points for an annual, weeklong stay in a studio style room. Then, you use those points to book your stay, or stays, each year. You can book a few different weekend stays in one year instead of a week. You could bank, save for the next year, or borrow, use the following year's points early, for additional flexibility. That means you can use double your points every other year if you so choose. Also, when you buy DVC direct from Disney you can use your points to stay at any of the other DVC resorts based on availability.

It's slightly different when you own resale DVC. If you purchase resale points at a newer resort, you can only use them to stay at that resort. An example of this is Disney's Riviera Resort. Properties built after Riviera follow the same rules. If you purchase resale at one of the original 14 DVC resorts though, you have access to great flexibility in booking. You're able to book with resale points at your home resort or at any of the other 13 in that category. That means you can buy at The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and use your points to stay at Disney's Beach Club Villas for example.

Other timeshares can work differently with booking. Timeshares have a reputation for purchasing a certain week of the year.

How is DVC similar to other kinds of timeshare?

There are a few similarities when you compare DVC vs timeshare from other companies.

It's pricey upfront but can save you money over time.

The concept of a timeshare is usually that you're buying or making the financial commitment to enjoy hotel stays for years to come. That comes with a higher cost upfront. After all, you're not just paying a few thousand dollars to stay at the Grand Floridian this summer. You're buying stays at your home resort for many years to come, often decades, depending on when the deed expires. While it's a bigger initial cost, you will probably find it's possible to save a great deal on Disney resort stays with DVC. The savings with resale are usually even better.

DVC does have annual dues to consider.

DVC can provide great rates on hotel stays even though there are annual maintenance fees to consider. Yes, DVC is similar to other timeshares this way and has annual dues as well. These help maintain the property, pay taxes and cover other costs related to the hotel.

Can you actually resell Disney Vacation Club?

Yes, you can sell your DVC. The Orlando theme parks make for one of the best family vacation destinations in the world. Disney destinations are some of the most popular places to travel year round. This is probably what helps DVC's resale value.

If you're curious about how long it takes to sell DVC, you can talk to an Expert about recent timing trends in DVC resales. You can also watch listings and see for yourself. Some properties will be more in demand than others. It's good to be informed before purchasing, especially if you think you may want to sell your DVC contract at some point. You can sell for any reason or no reason. If there is a life event, like the kids grow up or your favorite place to vacation changes, you can leave it behind.

Is DVC an investment? Are timeshares a good investment?

No, DVC is not an investment. No timeshare is an investment. It's money spent toward future vacations which doesn't fit the definition of an investment. When people invest money, they are aiming to get more back than what they put in. When you buy a timeshare, you're simply planning ahead to take vacations for years to come. While it's possible to pay a much better rate for hotel stays when compared to renting a room each year, no financial return should be expected.

If anyone one discusses the idea of a timeshare being a good investment or not, they are probably actually contemplating if it's a good way to spend your money. For Disney Vacation Club, the way to decide if it's a good spend for you is personal. If you're someone who stays in a deluxe resort hotel room at Walt Disney World Resort every year, Disney Vacation Club seems like a natural step. A quick look at current DVC resale listings will show you what you can expect to pay for a contract. Depending on your resort of choice, it's likely you'll discover what you paid to rent a room over the last few years could have purchased a contract instead. There are also annual dues to consider which vary by resort.

A Closer Look at DVC Resale Restrictions

Something else to consider is the resale restrictions. If you purchase resale at one of the original 14 DVC resorts, booking is much more flexible. At these properties, Members can use their points to book at any of the other 13 properties in that category too. That includes, based on availability, the following properties:

Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort*

Beach Club Villas*

BoardWalk Villas*

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge*

Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge*

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort*

Hilton Head Island Resort

Old Key West Resort*

Polynesian Villas & Bungalows*

Saratoga Springs Resort*

Vero Beach Resort

*Resorts located at Walt Disney World Resort are noted with an asterisk.

If you purchase resale DVC at one of the newer properties, you are only able to use your points at your home resort.

Does this affect resale? While the newer properties don't allow you to book outside of your home resort, they have many more years left on the contract compared to some other properties and still provide great value. Some people may only be interested in staying at The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. While it doesn't have the option to book at other properties when you buy resale, that won't deter certain buyers. Likewise, some will only want to own at Disney's Riviera Resort because of it's great location and Skyliner access to Epcot.

DVC Resale Experts Can Help

DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team specializing in resale Disney Vacation Club. Whether you’re buying or selling, the Experts are ready to help you through the process. The Experts are former Disney Vacation Club Guides and continue to provide pixie dusted service to their clients today.

Do you have more questions about DVC vs timeshare elsewhere? The Experts can help.

See what’s possible with DVC Resale listings that are currently available.

If you don’t see what you’re wishing for, join the buyer wish list to be contacted when the right contract becomes available.

Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract to sell DVC.