How Much Do DVC Points Cost: The 2026 Price Guide
TLDR: The DVC points cost in 2026 ranges roughly from $210 to $255 per point when buying direct from Disney, and about $90 to $170 per point on the resale market. Your total cost depends on the resort, how many points you buy, and ongoing annual dues. If you travel to Disney often and prefer deluxe resorts, DVC can make sense. Alternative, if not, it can get expensive fast.
If you’re trying to figure out the DVC points cost for 2026, you’re not alone. I get asked about this more than almost anything else in the Disney world. People want straight answers. Not hype. Not vague “it depends” talk. Just real numbers and what they actually mean for your wallet.
Here’s the thing. It isn’t just one number. It changes based on where you buy, how you buy, and what you plan to do with those points. And yeah, it can get confusing fast.
But don’t worry. I’m going to walk you through it in plain language. No corporate fluff. No sales pitch. Just what you need to know if you’re even thinking about buying, using, or reselling DVC in 2026.
Let’s get into it.
What Is It Really Based On?
The cost depends on one main thing: where you buy your points. You’ve got two options. Direct from Disney or resale through a third party. And the price gap between those two is not small.
Buying direct from Disney usually costs more. In 2026, most people are seeing direct prices land somewhere between $217 and $255 per point, depending on the resort. Some specialty resorts push even higher. Disney controls these prices and raises them whenever they feel like it.
Alternatively, Resale is cheaper. Sometimes a lot cheaper. In 2026, resale prices often range from $90 to $160 per point. Same points. Same resorts. Just bought it from another owner instead of Disney.
That gap is why people spend so much time comparing options. It’s also why I always tell folks to slow down before buying. Once you’re in, you’re in for decades.
DVC Points Cost in 2026 by Resort
Let’s talk real numbers. They will change a lot by resort. Some resorts always sit at the top of the price chart, and others stay more affordable.
Here’s a rough breakdown of what people are seeing in 2026:
Luxury tier resorts like Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Riviera often run $235 to $255 per point direct. On resale, they might be $140 to $170.
Mid-tier resorts like Bay Lake Tower, BoardWalk, and Beach Club usually sit around $220 to $235 direct and $120 to $150 resale.
Lower-cost resorts like Saratoga Springs and Old Key West tend to run $210 to $220 direct and $90 to $120 resale.
Why the difference? Location. Demand. Point charts. And how new the resort is. Newer resorts always cost more. Disney prices them that way on purpose.
Also, honestly, a “cheaper” resort isn’t worse. I’ve stayed at Old Key West more times than I can count. It’s huge, green, and relaxed. Price doesn’t equal quality here.
Direct vs Resale: How It Changes the Price
This is where people either save a ton of money or overspend badly.
Buying direct means you’re purchasing straight from Disney. You get all perks. All discounts. All access. You also pay top dollar.
Buying resale means you’re buying from another owner. You usually lose a few minor perks, like certain discounts or special events. But your core benefits stay the same. You still book resorts. You still use points the same way.
In 2026, the price gap between direct and resale can be $80 to $100 per point. Multiply that by 150 or 200 points, and you’re talking tens of thousands of dollars.
Some people say the perks are worth it. I’m not one of them. Most owners I know don’t use half those extras anyway.
If you want to see how transfers and ownership shifts work, this explains it well: this covers the legal process of transferring timeshare ownership, including title requirements and steps you’ll need to complete a transfer.
Actually, if you’re curious how Disney handles it on their end, check this: Disney Vacation Club’s own FAQ page explaining how to transfer points and membership details through their Member Services, including instructions and contact info for handling transfers.
How Many Points Do You Need
This part matters more than people think. They will mean nothing if you don’t know how many points you’ll use.
Points needed depend on:
Which resort your staying, the room, the season and Day of the week.
A studio at Saratoga Springs in the low season might be 90 points for a week. The same stay at Grand Floridian in peak season could be 200 points or more.
Let’s do simple math.
If the DVC points cost is $230 per point and you buy 150 points directly, that’s $34,500 before closing costs.
If you buy the same 150 points resale at $120 per point, that’s $18,000.
Same vacations. Very different bill.
You don’t have to use the same number of points every single year. DVC lets you bank points from one year and borrow from the next. That means if you take a small trip one year and a big trip the next, you can even things out without buying more points.
Let’s say you own 150 points. One year, you only use 90. You can bank the extra 60 into the next year. Now you’ve got 210 points to play with. That can mean a bigger room, a better season, or a longer stay. This flexibility is one of the few parts of DVC that actually feels generous.
Borrowing works the other way. If you want a big trip now and a lighter year later, you can pull points forward. But be careful. Borrowing feels fun until you realize next year’s balance is smaller. People get into trouble when they borrow too often and forget they’re stealing from future vacations.
Additionally, think about is weekday versus weekend stays. Weekends cost more points. A lot more. If you travel Sunday through Thursday, your points go further. If you always want Friday and Saturday nights, expect to burn through points fast.
Some owners design their trips around this. They stay offsite for a night or two, then move into DVC for the cheaper point nights. It’s not glamorous, but it stretches the value of it in a real way.
Things to Consider
Also, be honest about how you travel. Do you go every year, no matter what? Or do you skip years when life gets busy? If you skip too many years, banking only goes so far. Points do expire if you don’t use them correctly.
I’ve seen people lose points because they forgot deadlines. That’s painful. It’s also avoidable. Set reminders. Treat your points like money, because that’s exactly what they are.
One more thing. Bigger is not always better. People love the idea of owning a ton of points. But unused points feel like wasted cash. It’s usually smarter to buy slightly less than you think you need, then rent points if you ever want a bigger trip. Renting costs money, but not as much as owning extra points you barely use.
If planning makes you tired just thinking about it, DVC might not be for you. But if you enjoy mapping out trips, comparing seasons, and squeezing value out of every point, it can actually be kind of fun.
Extra Costs That Affect Them
Here’s what people forget. This isn’t just the price per point. Other costs sneak up on you.
First, closing costs. These usually run $500 to $1,500, depending on the contract size and seller.
Second, annual dues. Every DVC owner pays maintenance fees. In 2026, these range roughly from $7.50 to $10.50 per point, depending on the resort. If you own 150 points at $9 per point, that’s $1,350 every year.
Third, financing. If you finance through Disney, interest rates are usually high. Like a credit card high. Resale lenders are sometimes better, but still not cheap.
Fourth, travel costs. DVC doesn’t cover flights, food, or park tickets. Some people forget that and get mad later.
All of that means these are more than the sticker price. It’s a long-term commitment.
Is It Worth It?
This is where I get opinionated.
For some people, they are absolutely worth it. They travel every year, love Disney and they stay deluxe anyway. For them, it can save money long-term.
For others, it’s a bad deal. If you travel once every few years, hate planning, or like changing destinations, DVC can feel like a trap.
Here’s my rule. If you already spend a lot on Disney deluxe resorts, DVC might save you money over time. If you usually stay value or moderate resort, DVC probably costs more.
Also, people underestimate commitment. Most contracts last until 2054 or later. That’s a long time to predict your life.
I’ve seen owners thrilled for 20 years. I’ve also seen owners desperate to sell after five.
If you want consumer-style advice before jumping in, this is useful: An official guidance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission offers real consumer-focused advice on evaluating timeshare offers, recognizing high-pressure sales tactics, and understanding ongoing costs before you buy.
DVC Points Cost in 2026 and Resale Value
One big reason people accept them is resale value. Unlike many timeshares, DVC holds value better.
Some older contracts bought cheaply have doubled in value. Others stayed flat. Some dropped.
Resale prices depend on:
- * How many years are left on the contract
- * Resort popularity
- * Disney policy changes
- * Market demand
Right now, contracts with long expiration dates sell better. Resorts expiring soon sell more cheaply.
If you think you might sell one day, buy smart. Avoid overpaying. Shorter contracts are cheaper but harder to resell later.
How to Get the Best of Them
If you’re set on buying, here’s how to keep them as low as possible.
First, consider resale. That alone can save you tens of thousands.
Second, shop around. Prices vary by broker and seller.
Third, don’t rush. Disney uses pressure tactics. Limited offers. Expiring deals. They want you emotional.
Fourth, know your needs. Don’t buy more points than you’ll use.
Fifth, budget for dues. If annual fees stress you out, DVC will too.
And finally, don’t buy just because someone else loves it. This is your money. Your vacations.
Common Myths About Them
Let’s bust a few myths.
Myth one: DVC always saves money.
Not true. It only saves money if you already travel often and stay deluxe.
Myth two: You can’t lose money with DVC.
Also false. Markets change. Policies change. Nothing is guaranteed.
Myth three: Resale points are bad points.
Nope. They work the same for stays.
Myth four: You must buy now or miss out.
Disney has said that every year for decades.
The DVC points cost in 2026 is high. There’s no sugarcoating it. But high doesn’t always mean bad. It just means you need to be honest with yourself.
FAQs
✨ How much is the average points cost?
Most buyers see prices between $210 and $255 per point when buying direct from Disney, and about $90 to $170 per point on the resale market. The exact number depends on the resort, how new it is, and how many years are left on the contract.
📈 Are they going up again next year?
Honestly? Probably. Disney raises prices often. There’s no public schedule, but history shows a steady upward trend, even in slower travel years.
💸 Is resale always cheaper than buying direct?
Almost always. Resale prices are usually much lower, but you might lose a few small perks. For most owners, the savings are worth far more than the extras.
🏦 Can I finance my DVC purchase?
Yes, but be careful. Interest rates are usually high, especially through Disney. Financing makes the total cost much higher over time than paying cash.
⏳ Do points ever expire?
Yes. Every resort has an end date, usually between 2042 and 2068, depending on when it was built. You don’t own forever, even if it feels like it.
🧳 Can I rent points instead of buying?
Absolutely. Renting lets you try DVC without committing long-term. It’s a smart way to test if the lifestyle fits before taking on the full cost.
The Truth About It!
So what’s the real takeaway on this?
It’s expensive. There’s no way around that. But whether it’s “too expensive” depends on how you travel, how often you go, and what you normally spend. If Disney deluxe resorts are already your thing, they can make sense over time. If you’re more casual, it might feel like overkill.
The smartest move is to slow down, run the numbers, and ignore the hype. Look at resale. Factor in dues. Think about your future. Not just your next trip.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about dollars per point. It’s about whether this style of travel actually fits your life. If it does, great. If not, that’s okay too.
Claim Your Best DVC Deal
You don’t have to guess your way through the DVC points cost in 2026. Let us help you get it right the first time. Use our tools to compare resorts, estimate your real long-term costs, and see exactly how many points you actually need. No pressure. No sales tricks. Just clear numbers and honest guidance.
Start with our resort comparison, run your personal point calculator, and explore real-world pricing. If you’re serious about Disney vacations, this is the smartest place to start. Above all, your future trips deserve better than guesswork. Get Started Today.