Two Bills, One Budget
When you finance a DVC purchase, you'll have two recurring costs: your monthly loan payment and your annual maintenance fees (called "dues"). Too many buyers focus only on the loan payment and get surprised when that dues bill arrives in November. Let's make sure that doesn't happen to you.
What Are DVC Maintenance Fees?
Every DVC owner pays annual dues that cover resort upkeep, housekeeping, property taxes, insurance, and a reserve fund for future repairs. Disney bills these once a year (with an option to pay monthly through their payment plan). The amount depends on which resort you own and how many points you have.
Current Annual Dues by Resort (Per Point, 2025/2026)
These numbers change slightly each year, typically increasing 3% to 5% annually:
- Saratoga Springs: approximately $7.70 per point
- Old Key West: approximately $8.17 per point
- Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village): approximately $8.93 per point
- Bay Lake Tower: approximately $9.10 per point
- Boulder Ridge (Wilderness Lodge): approximately $9.48 per point
- Beach Club Villas: approximately $9.59 per point
- BoardWalk Villas: approximately $9.72 per point
- Polynesian Villas: approximately $10.36 per point
- Copper Creek: approximately $10.08 per point
- Grand Floridian: approximately $10.89 per point
- Riviera Resort: approximately $10.53 per point
- Aulani: approximately $11.50 per point
So if you own 150 points at Saratoga Springs, your annual dues are around $1,155. At Grand Floridian, that same 150 points costs about $1,634 per year in dues.
Building Your True Monthly Budget
Here's how to calculate your real total cost. Take your loan payment, then add your annual dues divided by 12.
Example: You purchase 150 points at Animal Kingdom Lodge for $18,000 financed over 7 years at 11%.
- Monthly loan payment: approximately $306
- Annual dues: 150 points x $8.93 = $1,340
- Monthly dues equivalent: $1,340 / 12 = $112
- True monthly cost: $306 + $112 = $418
That $418 is your real number. That's what you need room for in your budget. Use our instant quote tool to calculate your specific loan payment, then add your resort's dues to get your complete picture.
The Dues Don't Last Forever (But They Don't Go Away Either)
Once your loan is paid off, the maintenance fees remain. This is the ongoing cost of DVC ownership for the life of your contract (which runs until 2042 to 2074 depending on your resort). Think of it this way: after your loan term ends, your "monthly cost" drops to just the dues portion. In our example above, that $418 becomes $112. Your vacations get dramatically cheaper once the loan is gone.
Planning for Annual Increases
Dues go up almost every year. The historical average increase is about 3% to 5% annually, though some years are higher (especially after hurricanes or major refurbishments). A contract that costs $8.93 per point today might cost $10.50 per point in five years. Factor this into your long term planning, especially if you're taking a 10 year loan.
Strategies for Managing Both Payments
Option 1: Monthly Dues Payment
Disney offers a monthly payment plan for dues at no extra charge. Instead of one $1,340 bill, you'd pay about $112 monthly. This smooths out your cash flow and avoids that big annual hit. Many financed buyers prefer this approach because it makes budgeting predictable.
Option 2: The Sinking Fund
Set up a separate savings account and auto transfer your monthly dues amount into it. When the annual bill comes, the money is already there. Some people find this easier to manage than Disney's monthly plan, and you earn a tiny bit of interest along the way.
Option 3: Shorter Loan, Budget the Difference
If you can't decide between a 7 year and 10 year loan, consider this: take the 10 year term ($276/month on $20,000) and put the $64 monthly difference (versus the 7 year payment of $340) into a savings account for dues. After a few years, you'll have a buffer that covers dues increases and unexpected costs. Read more about choosing your loan term.
What About Resort Choice and Total Cost?
Here's something worth considering: resale prices and dues vary inversely in some cases. Saratoga Springs has the lowest dues ($7.70/point) but also lower resale prices (around $110 to $130/point). Grand Floridian has high dues ($10.89/point) and high resale prices ($180 to $220/point). Your total cost of ownership combines both the purchase price and decades of dues. The DVC resale market provides current pricing data for comparison shopping.
A buyer choosing between 150 points at Saratoga ($18,000 purchase, $1,155/year dues) versus 150 points at Riviera ($27,000 purchase, $1,580/year dues) is looking at very different financial commitments over 10+ years. Compare lender options to find the best rate for your specific purchase amount.
The Comfortable Ownership Test
Before you commit, run this test: Can you afford your projected monthly total (loan payment plus dues divided by 12) and still contribute to savings, cover your regular bills, and handle a $1,000 emergency without using credit cards? If yes, you're in good shape. If it's tight, consider fewer points, a different resort, or waiting until your financial situation shifts.
DVC ownership should make your vacations better, not your daily life harder. Get the math right first, then enjoy the magic. Ready to see your numbers? Start your application here or explore our frequently asked questions for more details on the financing process.