Disney Vacation Club is not a traditional timeshare, and the financing that goes with it reflects that difference. DVC is structured as a deeded real estate interest. That means it can be financed like a piece of real property, not like a typical resort vacation package. The rate structure is different as a result.
How DVC Financing Differs from Standard Timeshare Loans
Most timeshare resort developers offer financing directly to buyers, often at rates well above what a secured loan would carry. These loans are typically unsecured personal loans packaged as resort financing. DVC financing works differently. Because a DVC contract is a recorded deed, a lender like DVC Loans can secure the loan against the deed itself. That security reduces lender risk, and lower risk produces lower rates. DVC Loans starts at 9.90% APR.
Disney Financing Program
Disney offers financing through their own program for buyers purchasing directly from Disney Vacation Development. If you are buying a new contract at retail from Disney, that program is available to you. If you are buying resale on the secondary market, it is not. Disney financing is tied to new direct purchases only. Resale buyers need a third-party lender.
Current DVC Loan Rates
DVC Loans rates are determined by three factors: the loan option you select, which reflects how much equity you contribute upfront; your credit profile; and the term length you choose.
The best available rate is 9.90% APR. This applies to borrowers with excellent credit selecting the highest equity option on a shorter term. Rates increase from there, reaching 17.90% at the highest end for longer terms and no-credit-check borrowers. You can see your specific rate in real time using our instant quote tool without a hard credit pull.
Terms run from 3 to 15 years depending on the resort. Some resorts have shorter maximum terms based on the remaining years on the underlying deed. Vero Beach contracts max out at 5 years. Hilton Head Island Resort contracts max at 7 years. Most other resorts allow terms up to 12 to 15 years.
The ROFR Process and Your Loan
One aspect of DVC resale financing that does not apply to direct purchases is the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) process. When you buy a resale contract, Disney has 30 days to review the purchase price and decide whether to match it and reclaim the contract. During that window, your loan is approved but not yet funded. Once Disney waives ROFR, closing moves forward. The full timeline from accepted offer to funded closing typically runs 45 to 60 days.
Disney has not publicly disclosed the exact criteria they use to select ROFR targets. Contracts priced at or below recent market levels generally pass through. Your resale broker should be able to give you a read on current ROFR activity for the resort and price range you are considering before you make an offer.
Minimum Loan Amount and Eligible Resorts
DVC Loans has a minimum financed amount of $4,000. Smaller add-on contracts that fall below that threshold would need cash or other financing to complete the purchase. We work with contracts at all Disney Vacation Club resorts including Animal Kingdom Villas, Aulani, Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Hilton Head Island Resort, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Vero Beach Resort. Term limits vary by resort based on deed expiration dates.
What You Need to Apply
You will need a government-issued photo ID, proof of income, and the purchase contract once you have one. Getting a rate estimate before you find a contract is also an option. That estimate gives you your rate, payment options, and loan structure based on your credit profile, with no hard credit pull required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a prepayment penalty?
No. You can pay off your DVC loan at any time, make additional principal payments, or refinance without any prepayment fee.
What happens to my loan if Disney exercises ROFR?
If Disney exercises ROFR and reclaims the contract, the transaction is cancelled. Your deposit is returned in full. The loan approval is also cancelled because there is no longer a transaction to finance. You can reapply when you find a new contract.
Can I finance a contract at Riviera Resort?
Yes. DVC Loans can finance Riviera Resort contracts. Keep in mind that Riviera carries permanent resale restrictions written into the deed. Resale buyers at Riviera can only use those points at Riviera Resort. They cannot use Riviera points at other DVC resorts. Buyers need to understand this before purchasing.