A newly discovered clause on the Disney Vacation Club website indicates that beginning January 1st, 2026, DVC will charge a $500 “Contract Administration Fee (CAF)” when resale contracts close.
The language appears within the fine print of the resale-contract FAQ page on the Disney Vacation Club website, which outline the steps for transferring membership: Once a resale contract is sold and submitted to DVC for transfer – all outstanding dues, fees, and loan payments must be settled, and this new $500 CAF will be assessed, before the membership changes hands.
As of now, there has been no formal announcement from Disney Vacation Club Management (DVCM) regarding this new fee or how enforcement and collection will be handled.
What Is Changing
According to the updated resale contract instructions:
- Sellers (or their brokers) identify a buyer and submit a fully signed sale contract to DVC for review at least 30 days before closing.
- Once the buyer is approved (assuming DVC waives its Right of First Refusal), closing proceeds as normal, with payment of dues, fees, and any outstanding loan balances.
- As of January 1, 2026, DVCM will impose a $500 Contract Administration Fee on all resale contract closings before membership is transferred.
This addition is described as part of the “contract administration.”
Why It Matters
For years, those buying or selling a resale contract with DVC have encountered certain typical costs — closing costs, title/escrow fees, and the requirement that dues and any outstanding balances be settled at closing.
But a flat $500 fee assessed solely by DVC is unprecedented.
The addition of a $500 administrative fee could significantly impact the overall cost of resale transactions, especially for lower‑point small contracts where resale buyers count on the savings compared to buying direct from Disney.
Who Will Pay the Fee — Buyer or Seller?
At this point, it remains unclear whether the $500 Contract Administration Fee will be paid by the buyer or the seller.
- In typical resale practice, the buyer usually pays closing costs.
- However, closing-costs and dues have traditionally been negotiable between buyer and seller depending on circumstances.
- With the new fee being imposed by DVC, it remains to be seen whether buyers will absorb it, sellers will be asked to cover it, or it will be split or negotiated as part of the sale price.
At a hefty $500, some buyers might feel it undercuts part of the value proposition that has made DVC resale contracts attractive, especially for lower‑point contracts and first‑time resale buyers.
Why This Fee Might Be Considered “Normal” and Why It Still Stings
In the broader timeshare and vacation‑ownership world, administrative or contract‑processing fees at closing are not uncommon. For many large timeshare brands (Marriott, Wyndham, etc.) buyers or sellers of a resale contract already encounter such fees.
By adding a $500 fixed fee, DVC may be aligning more with broader industry practice, but the timing and lack of formal announcement feels abrupt to many longtime owners and resale watchers.
What We Still Don’t Know — and What We’re Asking
At this point:
- There has been no public statement from DVC explaining the new fee, how it will be enforced, or who is responsible for paying it. We assume title companies will handle this as part of the resale closing process.
- It is unclear whether existing resale contracts initiated before January 1, 2026 will be exempt, or whether the fee applies universally once the date arrives.
We are reaching out to our friends at DVC Resale Market and Magic Vacation Title for clarity, and we will share any updates as soon as they are available.
What This Could Mean for the Resale Market
- The added cost may push up the effective price per point for buyers — especially for smaller contracts where $500 represents a larger percentage of the total transaction.
- Some buyers may be deterred by the unexpected fee — possibly reducing demand or shifting their budget downward.
- Sellers may need to adjust expectations — or absorb part or all of the new fee to keep their contracts competitive.
- The overall resale market could see more negotiation around who pays closing costs and fees, potentially shifting more burden onto sellers.
What You Should Do — If You Plan to Buy or Sell
- If you are planning a resale transaction: contact your broker or title company and ask whether they expect the $500 CAF to be billed to buyer or seller.
- If you are listing a contract for sale: consider adjusting your asking price or offer concessions to offset the new fee, especially if you want to remain competitive.
- If you are buying: factor the $500 into your closing budget (especially for smaller contracts) and negotiate how it will be handled as part of the sale.
- If you are hesitating: weigh the increased cost against resale savings per point and consider whether the extra $500 still keeps resale advantageous vs. buying direct.
Stay tuned to DVC Fan and DVCFan.com for for more developments and Disney Vacation Club News!
