Some time ago we reported on Disney Vacation Club (DVC), our article may be read here. When it comes to companies that have high loyalty rates, DVC is definitely near the top. There are families that would never dream of taking their holiday anywhere other than the Disney Parks and Resorts. However, with the uncertainty many have faced during the last year and a half due to the pandemic, countless families have put travelling to Disney on the back burner.
DVC is a timeshare program that allows guests to purchase Disney Vacation Club points; purchases allow owners to stay at not only Disney-owned Resort hotels but also at locations throughout the world. Depending on what time of the year they travel and where they would like to stay, different locations will cost different amounts of points per night. However, the impact of the pandemic has meant that many DVC members are not using their points as often as they once did.
According to DVC News, some Disney Vacation Club members are receiving emails from Disney offering to buy back the points that they have not used. Initially the buyback scheme was only offered for those who had purchased points for Walt Disney World’s Old Key West Resort, but now Disney is also offering buybacks for points purchased for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas and Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
Interested members must contact DVC to receive a buy-back price on their specific contract. Offers are generally in the range of $80-100 per point, depending on the resort, size of the contract and status of points. These rates are generally lower than may be obtained on the resale market. DVC is attempting to appeal to buyers who seek a quick return, without the need to engage a resale company and pay their commission or attempt to sell them privately. Many buyers are wary of purchasing privately as certain benefits are lost against buying directly from Disney.
DVC can then sell the re-acquired points to new owners. Direct sale prices are currently $186 per point for Animal Kingdom, $170 for Old Key West and $165 for Saratoga Springs. Below is a copy of the recent communication from Disney.
We recently noticed that you haven’t been utilizing your Disney Vacation Club Resort. It is always our goal to ensure that you are getting the most out of your Membership so that you and your family can enjoy magical vacations year after year.
We understand that now may not be the right time for you and your family to travel. Or perhaps you were saving up for that extra special vacation. Don’t forget that you can bank points from your current use year to give you even greater flexibility for future vacations.
However, if your family has decided that your Disney Vacation Club Resort isn’t the right fit for you right now, we would welcome the opportunity to speak to you if you are interested in selling back your ownership interest at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
While we never want to see a Member leave, we understand that sometimes circumstances change. If this is the case for you and your family, please contact us at 800-782-6767 to speak with a Quality Assurance Cast Member. Business hours are 9am-6pm EST, 7-days a week.
Additionally, for a limited time, you may be eligible for a 10% increase over the price per point that Disney Vacation Club would currently offer when choosing to exercise its options to reacquire an ownership interest.
Disney has not said at this time whether or not the offer will extend to other Guests who purchased their Disney Vacation Club points at different Disney Resorts. While Disney has quietly bought back in the past, this is the first time they have cast a wide net for buyback offers to DVC members.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk