Credit: Chad Sparkes, FlickrFor years, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has marketed itself as one of the most flexible and cost-saving ways to enjoy Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and several other Disney destinations around the world.
And for many families, the numbers absolutely do work in their favor—especially for those who visit Disney every year and want guaranteed access to Deluxe-level accommodations without paying nightly hotel rates.
But beginning in 2026, the cost of entering the DVC system—specifically through resale—is about to become more expensive. Disney has officially added a new $500 Contract Administration Fee to all resale transfers, and the change has already sparked concern among current members, prospective buyers, and the broader Disney Vacation Club community.
While direct-from-Disney purchases have always carried higher price tags, many guests choose to buy their contracts on the resale market to save thousands of dollars. This new fee adds another layer of expense to a process that was once a straightforward cost-saver. And with DVC dues already rising heading into 2026, members are paying very close attention.
Before diving into the specifics of this new resale fee, it’s worth taking a step back to understand exactly what DVC is, why people buy it, and how resale works—because that context is essential to understanding how impactful a $500 fee actually is.
What Exactly Is Disney Vacation Club? A Quick Breakdown for First-Time Buyers
Disney Vacation Club is Disney’s version of a timeshare, but with far more flexibility than traditional week-based systems. Members don’t buy particular dates—they buy points, and those points can be used for stays at:
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Walt Disney World Resort
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Disneyland Resort
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Disney’s beach properties (like Vero Beach Resort and Aulani in Hawai‘i)
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Select Disney Cruise Line itineraries
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Hundreds of partner hotels worldwide through RCI/Interval International (depending on the year and partnership agreements)
Why People Want to Join DVC
Many buyers join because DVC offers:
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Access to Deluxe-level Disney resorts at locked-in yearly dues instead of nightly hotel rates
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Priority booking windows (11-month home resort window, 7-month window elsewhere)
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Spacious rooms with kitchens, kitchenettes, multiple bedrooms, and laundry
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Member-exclusive lounges, events, and discounts (varies by direct vs. resale contract)
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The ability to bank and borrow points to take larger or more luxurious vacations
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Contracts that last decades—some up to 2068
DVC is often described as a “lifetime of vacations,” which is exactly why the resale market is so robust. Some families sell their contracts once their kids grow up, and others purchase resale to avoid paying full direct prices.
The New $500 DVC Resale Contract Administration Fee Explained
Disney Vacation Club News recently discovered an updated Q&A page on the official DVC website, and buried within it is a new addition that will impact every resale buyer and seller starting January 1, 2026.
Here’s the exact wording from Disney:
“Effective January 1, 2026, Disney Vacation Club Management, LLC (DVCM) charges a $500 Contract Administration Fee (CAF) for all resale contract closings.”
This fee is new, and it applies to every resale contract—no exceptions listed. It does not matter:
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Which resort the contract is for
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How many points are included
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Who pays (likely determined in negotiation)
It is simply a required administrative fee Disney will now collect each time a resale contract transfers ownership.
What Else Disney Says a Resale Contract Must Include
Disney also reiterated the mandatory details required for a valid resale contract:
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Sales price
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Closing date
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Buyer and seller responsible for closing costs
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Recording fees
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Annual dues
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Attorney fees
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Any real estate commissions
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Signatures from all involved parties
There’s nothing unusual about that list—those elements have been standard for years. The new and most significant addition is the Contract Administration Fee.
Why Disney Likely Added the Fee (And What It Means for Buyers)
Disney Vacation Club has been moving steadily toward tightening and controlling its resale market for the past decade. Over the years, Disney has already:
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Removed certain perks for resale buyers
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Limited booking abilities for resale contracts at Riviera and newer resorts
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Increased buyback activity through ROFR (Right of First Refusal)
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Raised direct purchase minimums for blue-card perks
The $500 fee is simply the newest way to raise the cost of entry through resale without raising Disney’s own direct prices.
Who Pays the Fee?
In most resale negotiations, costs are traditionally split or assigned depending on contract value and buyer-seller agreement. Some buyers may insist sellers cover it, while sellers may push it back onto the buyer. In reality, it will likely be paid by the buyer in most transactions—just like other closing fees.
Will This Discourage Resale Purchases?
Probably not dramatically, but it certainly adds friction. A $500 fee:
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Makes lower-point contracts less appealing
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Gives direct DVC guides more leverage in convincing buyers to purchase straight from Disney
It won’t kill the resale market, but it will impact negotiation and pricing trends.
DVC Dues Are Also Increasing in 2026
On top of this new fee, DVC recently released the 2026 dues, which are increasing between 3% and 9% depending on the resort. For long-time owners, dues tend to be the most meaningful cost, since they rise annually and are required every year until the contract expires.
This means that 2026 resale buyers will be paying:
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Higher resort dues
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A new $500 administration fee
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Standard closing costs
It’s not insignificant.
What This Means for Disney Fans Looking Toward 2026
If you’re planning to buy DVC resale, the window before January 1, 2026 may be your final chance to avoid this new fee altogether. After that date, every resale contract will carry this additional cost, regardless of point size or resort.
For many families, DVC remains an incredible way to secure decades of Deluxe-level Disney vacations. But with higher dues and now a new fee, the resale path—long considered the most affordable way into DVC—is becoming slightly less budget-friendly.
Disney is clearly tightening the system, and this latest change signals that the company intends to keep the resale market under closer control than ever before.