Walt Disney World is the most magical place on earth, Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. Families return to these and other Disney Destinations, like the international parks and Aulani, every year to have fun, relax and make happy memories. It’s no wonder why Disney Vacation Club, the point based Disney timeshare, is so popular. Purchasing Disney Vacation Club is an investment into your future Disney vacations. Purchasing resale DVC points usually means you’re getting the best possible price! Becoming a Disney Vacation Club Member through resale is exciting and there’s a lot to know. Does the Disney timeshare work the same when you buy resale? Can you book different resorts with resale DVC?
Where Can You Use DVC Resale Points? The Original Resorts
You can use DVC resale points at most Disney Vacation Club Resorts but there are some exceptions.
If you buy resale at one of the original 14 DVC resorts, you can book there and at any of the other first 14 DVC resorts.
The following properties are the most flexible when booking with resale points. All are located at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida unless otherwise noted:
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Vero Beach Resort in Vero Beach, Florida
- Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California
- Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Buying Newer: Resale DVC at Riviera, Disneyland Hotel, Fort Wilderness Cabins
Then came Disney’s Riviera Resort which opened in 2019 as the 15th Disney Vacation Club Resort. Prior to this resort, DVC Members could use their points at all other Disney Vacation Club Resorts, based on availability, whether they purchased resale or direct. When Disney’s Riviera Resort was built, things changed for those using DVC resale points.
Disney Vacation Club updated it’s policy to reflect that when purchasing DVC resale with a Home Resort other than Riviera, Members can not use those points book at Riviera.
Furthermore, resale DVC points purchased with a Riviera Home Resort can not be used at other resorts.
These rules also apply to The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. This property debuted as the 16th DVC resort in 2023.
When the 17th Disney Vacation Club resort opened in 2024, it also fit into this category. That’s The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
Based on the wording, we can expect all new resorts to work this way. You can only book there with resale points if it’s your home resort. If you own resale somewhere else, you can’t book at one of these newer resorts.
Can you book at the Polynesian tower with resale points?
There are some exciting exceptions. When Disney added on DVC room capacity by renovating a building at Grand Floridian, it was considered part of the original home resort. This could have been considered a brand new home resort like we saw with Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek at Wilderness Lodge.
The same kind of home resort expansion is happening at the Polynesian with the new Island Tower rooms addition. This is part of the existing home resort that is one of the original 14 home resorts. That means when Disney adds on a brand new DVC building like this, you can use DVC resale points to book there.
How important is it to you to have flexible booking?
This may or may not have an effect on your purchasing decisions but it’s good to be aware of. For those who love one of the newer resorts but also want flexibility, it’s always an option to purchase a resale DVC contract there and elsewhere.
You could bank or borrow your points to alternate staying at Riviera and staying at other resorts depending on which points you use. This is just one scenario.
Knowing how DVC works and considering how you like to vacation, or would like to vacation, can help you decide which home resort to choose.
Talk to a DVC Resale Expert about finding a contract that will fit your vacation needs.
The Experts can answer specific questions about different resorts and how booking works!
Count on the Experts at DVC Resale Experts
DVC Resale Experts is a company that specializes in resale Disney Vacation Club. You can count on an Expert for guidance throughout the DVC resale buying or selling process. For a look at what DVC resale contracts are for sale right now, see our DVC resale listings.
Get in touch today to have your specific questions answered or to move forward with buying DVC resale!
