Disney Vacation Club is more than just a timeshare. For many Members, it’s years of memories, pictures you’ll smile at and knowing you always have another trip on the horizon. Disney Vacation Club can also mean perks depending on how you buy it. For those wanting access to all of the Disney Vacation Club perks but also wanting to benefit from DVC resale savings, it’s possible. You can have both resale and direct points as a Member. Perhaps you own a DVC contract you bought from Disney and want to add on points. That’s totally doable and will not change your status as a DVC Member if you qualify for Member extras already. The current amount of points new Members need to qualify for Membership Extras, like discounts, is 150 direct from Disney. What if you own DVC resale, then buy direct? What use year should you get? Let’s talk a bit about Use Year basics and things to consider when adding on points.
What Use Year: DVC Resale then Adding on Direct Ownership
Short and simple, your Disney Vacation Club Use Year is when your annual points are issued into your account each year.
The Use Year, along with other specifics of the contract, is clearly shown on resale listings. This can be part of determining if a contract is a good fit.
The Use Year also determines your banking window and dates regarding cancellation policies.
Your Use Year may not be as important of a detail if your travel party has flexibility in booking dates and travels at different times throughout the year. However, for those who always travel at the same time of year, the best Use Year is the one right before travel time or possibly a few months before it.
Should you get two different Use Years with DVC contracts?
For specifics on owning DVC resale and adding on points through Disney after, we turn to DVC Resale Expert Lauri. She says, ‘When adding on directly through Disney, they will automatically default to match your current use year. There’s no true reason to ask for a different use year, as it would create a separate membership number and banking window for the member family. While workable, having a second (or third, etc.) membership number comes with some guidelines and rules about transferring from one membership number to the other. It’s seamless with only one use year and member number, so Disney makes it as easy as possible.’
You can get more great DVC resale insight and helpful tips from Lauri in our buying and selling DVC points Q and A series.
How long does it take to get new DVC points with the same use year?
In our post How Long Does It Take to Buy DVC Resale?, we go over the full resale buyer timeline. This will give you an idea of how things typically move along and when you’ll be able to start using your new addition if you add on resale points.
If you’re already a Member and add on through Disney directly, you will probably see your new contract in your account quickly. Since you are already established as a Member, if you have the same Use Year, you have the same Member number. Your account is already set up and it’s simpler than when you originally became a Member.
Do resale DVC points count toward your 150 points?
Any resale Disney Vacation Club points you own won’t count toward the number of points you need to qualify for the perks. It doesn’t matter when, or in what order, you purchase them. Let’s say you own DVC resale, then added on 50 direct points at some point. You are able to add on additional direct points to accumulate the 150 needed today for full benefits.
Can you change your Use Year?
What happens if you get a Use Year and don’t like it? Are you able to change your Use Year? Why would somebody not like their Use Year? Unfortunately, you can’t change the Use Year on your DVC contract. With resale, you see the contract as it is before you buy it. You’re able to choose carefully.
One reason someone might not like their Use Year is because it’s too close to when they vacation. You’ll want to have some wiggle room to rebook if you need to cancel.
With Disney, if you’re buying as a new Member, talk to your Disney Vacation Club Guide about your Use Year.
As mentioned above, if you’re already a Member and add on direct points, you’ll be assigned the Use Year you already have.
What are the different DVC Use Years?
Here is the full list of all the DVC Use Years a Member can have.
- February
- March
- April
- June
- August
- September
- October
- December
What is the point banking deadline for each Use Year?
Each Use Year has its own banking deadline for points you don’t plan to use.
| Use Year | Last Day to Bank Points |
| February | September 30 |
| March | October 31 |
| April | November 30 |
| June | January 31 |
| August | March 31 |
| September | April 30 |
| October | May 31 |
| December | July 31 |
DVC Resale Experts Provide Pixie Dusted Service
Do you have additional questions about what Use Year, DVC resale details or anything else DVC related? There’s a lot to know about ownership. Talk to an Expert about buying or selling Disney Vacation Club. With resale listings, it’s easy to see the Use Year on a contract.
DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in resale DVC. Whether you’re adding on points, buying or selling Disney Vacation Club, the Experts can help you find the right price to place a bid with or list your contract for. Our independent, licensed real estate agents are former Disney Vacation Club Guides. They have decades of pixie dusted experience selling DVC and delight in providing excellent service to their clients. The Experts have seen it all and are happy to answer your questions throughout the process.
See our resale DVC listings listings for a look at real time availability and pricing.
Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract to sell DVC.
