The Ongoing Cost of DVC Ownership
Here is something every prospective DVC buyer needs to understand clearly: your purchase price is not your only cost. Every year, you will pay annual maintenance fees (called "dues") on every point you own. These dues fund the operation of your home resort, and they never go away as long as you own the contract.
This is not a bad thing. It just means you need to budget for it honestly before purchasing. Let us break down exactly what you are paying for and what it costs.
What Your Annual Dues Cover
Your yearly dues pay for everything it takes to keep a luxury resort running:
- Operations: Housekeeping, front desk staff, maintenance crews, and management
- Property taxes: Florida (or Hawaii) property taxes assessed on the resort
- Insurance: Property and liability coverage for the entire resort
- Utilities: Electric, water, internet, cable TV in all rooms
- Reserves: Money set aside for future major repairs, renovations, and furniture replacement
- Amenities: Pools, fitness centers, recreation, landscaping, and transportation
Think of it like a condo HOA fee. You are a partial owner of a resort property, and these fees maintain that property at Disney deluxe standard.
2025 Annual Dues by Resort
Here is what DVC members are paying per point this year at each resort:
- Saratoga Springs: $7.71 per point (lowest in the system)
- Polynesian: $8.16 per point
- Bay Lake Tower: $8.34 per point
- Grand Floridian: $8.44 per point
- Animal Kingdom Villas: $8.78 per point
- BoardWalk Villas: $8.86 per point
- Riviera: $8.94 per point
- Copper Creek: $9.05 per point
- Beach Club: $9.12 per point
- Aulani: $9.29 per point
- Boulder Ridge: $9.89 per point
- Old Key West: $10.14 per point
For a 200 point contract, multiply these numbers by 200 to get your annual cost. At Saratoga Springs that is $1,542 per year. At Old Key West it is $2,028.
How Dues Increase Over Time
Dues go up virtually every year. The historical average increase is about 3% to 5% annually, though individual years can vary. Here is a realistic projection for a resort currently at $8.50 per point:
- Year 5: approximately $9.85 to $10.50 per point
- Year 10: approximately $11.40 to $13.00 per point
- Year 15: approximately $13.25 to $16.00 per point
- Year 20: approximately $15.35 to $20.00 per point
That range depends on inflation, property tax changes, and whether the resort undergoes major renovation. Resorts with upcoming refurbishments sometimes see above average increases for a year or two while the work is funded.
When Are Dues Billed?
Disney bills annual dues in January each year. You can pay the full amount at once or set up monthly auto pay through your Member account. Most members choose monthly payments because a $1,500+ bill in January can be a surprise if you have not budgeted.
If you fail to pay dues, Disney can suspend your booking privileges and eventually foreclose on your contract. This is rare, but it happens. Do not purchase more points than you can comfortably afford in annual dues.
Dues vs. Purchase Price: The Real Math
Many first time buyers focus heavily on the per point purchase price and barely think about dues. That is a mistake. Over a long contract, you will pay far more in cumulative dues than you paid for the contract itself.
Example: 150 points at Saratoga Springs purchased for $110 per point:
- Purchase price: $16,500 (one time)
- Annual dues at $7.71/point: $1,157 per year
- Dues over 25 years (assuming 4% annual increase): approximately $42,800 cumulative
The total ownership cost over 25 years is closer to $59,000 than $16,500. That still works out fantastically compared to booking deluxe Disney rooms at rack rates ($500+ per night), but you should plan for the full picture.
Choosing a Resort Based on Dues
Lower dues resorts cost you less each year. The difference between Saratoga Springs ($7.71) and Old Key West ($10.14) on a 200 point contract is $486 per year. Over 15 years, that is over $7,000 extra at Old Key West.
However, dues should not be your only deciding factor. A resort with slightly higher dues but a much longer contract life or better location might be the smarter purchase overall. Contract expiration dates and resale pricing trends matter just as much.
What Happens If You Cannot Afford Dues?
Life changes. If you hit a rough financial patch, you have a few options:
- Rent out your points: DVC points can be rented to other travelers for $15 to $22 per point, covering your dues and sometimes generating profit
- Sell the contract: The resale market is active, and contracts typically sell within 30 to 90 days
- Payment plan: Disney offers monthly billing for dues
You should never feel trapped. DVC contracts have real resale value, and the rental market provides a safety valve during tight years.
Plan Your Budget Honestly
Before you purchase, add up: your monthly loan payment (if financing) plus your monthly prorated dues. That combined number is your real monthly cost of DVC ownership. If it feels tight, consider fewer points or a lower dues resort.
Our instant quote tool shows your estimated monthly payment including a dues estimate, so you can see the full picture before committing. Or learn more about the process first.