So you found a DVC resale contract you like and your offer got accepted. Now what? The transfer process takes about 60-90 days from accepted offer to active DVC membership. Here's everything that happens during those weeks and what you need to do at each step.
Step 1: Accepted Offer (Day 1)
You made an offer, the seller accepted (or you negotiated to a price you both agreed on), and now there's a signed purchase agreement. This document lays out the purchase price, who pays what in closing costs, and the timeline for completing the sale.
At this point you'll put down an earnest money deposit, typically $500-$1,000. This deposit goes into an escrow account held by the title company, not to the seller. If the deal falls through because of ROFR, you get it back. If you walk away for a non-contractual reason, you may forfeit it.
Step 2: ROFR Submission (Days 1-5)
Your broker submits the purchase agreement to Disney for Right of First Refusal review. Disney has 30 calendar days to decide if they want to buy the contract at your agreed price.
This is the waiting game. There's nothing you can do to speed it up or influence the outcome. Disney either waives ROFR (you proceed) or exercises it (the deal is dead and you get your deposit back).
During ROFR review, do not make any plans that depend on owning DVC points. Don't book flights. Don't promise your kids a Disney trip on specific dates. Wait until ROFR clears before getting excited.
Disney exercises ROFR on about 10-15% of submitted contracts. If your price is at or near current market rates for the resort, your odds are very good. Disney typically takes contracts priced well below market, not fairly priced ones.
Step 3: ROFR Waived (Day 30-35)
You'll get a notification that Disney waived ROFR. This is the moment you can start feeling good about the purchase. The hard part is over.
Sometimes Disney notifies before the full 30 days. Sometimes they take all 30. And occasionally they ask for a short extension. Your broker will keep you updated.
Step 4: Title Work and Estoppel (Days 35-55)
Once ROFR clears, two things happen in parallel:
The title company does its work. They run a title search to make sure the contract has no liens, judgments, or other encumbrances. They prepare the closing documents. They coordinate with both buyer and seller to get everything signed.
Disney issues the estoppel certificate. This is a document from Disney that confirms the current status of the contract: how many points are available, whether dues are current, whether there are any outstanding issues. The estoppel is critical because it's Disney's official statement of what you're buying. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for Disney to issue the estoppel after the title company requests it.
The estoppel fee is $150 and is paid by the seller. The buyer pays the $500 Disney Administration Fee (sometimes called the CAF, Club Administration Fee).
Step 5: Closing Documents (Days 50-65)
The title company sends closing documents to both buyer and seller. These include the deed, closing statement, and various disclosures. You can close remotely by mail or via a mobile notary, which is how most buyers do it.
When you receive your closing package, review it carefully. Confirm the purchase price, closing costs, and point balance match what you agreed to. Check that your name and mailing address are correct on the deed. Mistakes at this stage are fixable but cause delays.
Sign everything, get it notarized, and send it back. The title company handles the rest.
Step 6: Funds Transfer and Recording (Days 60-75)
Once both parties have signed, the title company collects the buyer's funds (purchase price minus deposit already paid, plus closing costs). They pay the seller, pay off any outstanding dues, pay Disney's fees, and record the new deed with the county.
Recording takes 1-3 weeks depending on the county. Orange County (where most WDW DVC resorts are deeded) typically processes recordings within 5-10 business days.
Step 7: Disney Transfers Membership (Days 75-90)
After the deed is recorded, the title company sends the recorded deed to Disney. Disney then transfers the membership from the seller's account to the buyer's account. This is when your DVC membership becomes active.
Disney's transfer process takes about 2-3 weeks from when they receive the deed. You'll get a welcome email from Disney Vacation Club with your new member number and instructions for setting up your online account.
Once your account is active, you can start booking reservations, managing your points, and planning your first trip as a DVC owner.
Common Delays and How to Avoid Them
The most common delays happen at the ROFR stage (Disney takes the full 30 days), the estoppel stage (Disney can be slow), and the recording stage (county offices have backlogs).
Things you can control that speed up the process:
- Return your closing documents quickly. Every day your package sits on your kitchen counter is a day added to your timeline.
- Wire funds instead of mailing a check. Wires clear same day. Checks take 5-10 business days to clear.
- Respond promptly to any questions from the title company. They're waiting on you.
- Make sure your identification documents are current. An expired ID can hold up notarization.
What You're Paying at Closing
Here's a typical closing cost breakdown for a $25,000 DVC resale contract:
| Item | Who Pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Contract purchase price | Buyer | $25,000 |
| Buyer closing costs (title, recording, etc.) | Buyer | $500-$800 |
| Disney Administration Fee (CAF) | Buyer | $500 |
| Pro-rated annual dues | Buyer | $0-$1,700 (varies) |
| Broker commission (6.9% at DVC Sales) | Seller | $1,725 |
| Estoppel fee | Seller | $150 |
Total buyer outlay: approximately $26,000-$28,000 depending on the closing date relative to annual dues.
After Closing: Your First Steps as a DVC Owner
Once Disney activates your membership, here's what to do:
- Set up your online DVC account if you haven't already
- Verify your point balance matches the estoppel certificate
- Link your DVC membership to your My Disney Experience account
- Familiarize yourself with the point chart for your home resort
- Start planning your first owner vacation
Congratulations. You're a DVC owner. And you saved tens of thousands of dollars doing it through resale.
Questions about the transfer process? Call us at (407) 205-1435. We walk every buyer through each step so nothing is a surprise.
How long does the DVC resale transfer process take?
The typical DVC resale transfer takes 60-90 days from accepted offer to active membership. The main timeline components are ROFR review (30 days), title work and estoppel (2-3 weeks), closing document exchange (1-2 weeks), deed recording (1-2 weeks), and Disney membership transfer (2-3 weeks).
What does a DVC resale buyer pay at closing?
Buyers pay the purchase price plus $500-$800 in closing costs, a $500 Disney Administration Fee, and pro-rated annual dues. On a $25,000 contract, total buyer outlay is typically $26,000-$28,000. The seller pays the broker commission and estoppel fee.
What happens if Disney exercises ROFR on my DVC resale contract?
If Disney exercises ROFR, the deal is cancelled and your earnest money deposit is returned to you. You can then find another contract and try again. ROFR is exercised on about 10-15% of contracts, mainly those priced below market value. Most fairly-priced contracts pass ROFR without issue.