Buying DVC vs Renting Points: Which Is Right for You?

What Is Renting DVC Points?

DVC owners can rent out their unused points to non-members. You pay the owner (usually through a broker), and they book a DVC room in your name. You get the same room, same resort, same experience — without owning anything.

Current rental rates:

• Broker rentals: $20-23 per point (guaranteed, insured)
• Private rentals: $16-19 per point (more risk, more savings)

Buying vs Renting: The Math

Let's compare a 150-point Saratoga Springs resale contract to renting 150 points every year:

Break-even point: Around year 7-8, buying starts to pull ahead of renting. By year 20, ownership has saved over $29,000 compared to renting every year.

When Renting Makes More Sense

Renting is the better choice if:

• You visit Disney every 2-3 years or less — The upfront cost never gets amortized with infrequent trips.
• You want maximum flexibility — No commitment, no annual dues, easy to skip a year.
• You're testing DVC — Rent first to see if you like the rooms and booking process before committing $15,000+.
• Your kids are teenagers — If Disney trips will naturally decline in 5 years, buying doesn't make sense.
• You prefer last-minute bookings — Rentals can sometimes be arranged closer to travel dates (though selection is limited).
• You'd need to finance — At 10-12% APR, financing destroys the buying advantage. Rent instead.

When Buying Makes More Sense

Buying wins if:

• You'll visit every year for 10+ years — This is the core DVC use case. Consistency is rewarded.
• You can pay cash — No financing interest eating into savings.
• You want guaranteed future pricing — Lock in today's room costs while only dues increase.
• You have young kids — A 15-20 year Disney horizon maximizes value.
• You want home resort booking advantage — Owners book at 11 months; renters depend on what's available at 7 months.
• You value the "home" feeling — Many owners love returning to their resort year after year.

The Hidden Factors

Beyond pure math, consider:

Opportunity Cost

That $15,550 invested in the S&P 500 instead of DVC could grow to ~$30,000 in 10 years (7% average return). DVC "savings" need to beat what your money could earn elsewhere.

Resale Value

If you buy resale and sell later, you'll likely recoup 50-80% of your purchase price (depending on when you sell and market conditions). This reduces your effective cost but isn't guaranteed.

Life Changes

Divorce, job loss, health issues, changing interests — life happens. With renting, you just don't rent next year. With ownership, you're paying dues no matter what. DVC can be sold, but not instantly.

Where to Rent DVC Points

Reputable rental brokers include:

• David's Vacation Club Rentals — Largest and most established
• DVC Rental Store — Good customer service, price matching
• DVC Request — Direct owner connections

The Hybrid Approach

Some families buy a smaller contract (100-125 points) and rent additional points when needed. This gives you:

• Home resort booking advantage at 11 months
• Lower upfront cost and annual dues
• Flexibility to scale up when you want bigger trips
• Ability to skip renting in years you travel less

This can be a smart middle ground if you're on the fence.

Our Recommendation

Start by renting. Book one DVC trip through a rental broker. See if you like the rooms, the booking process, and the overall experience. If you love it and can see yourself visiting annually for 10+ years, then consider buying resale.

Use our calculator to model your specific scenario. Plug in your travel frequency, point needs, and see exactly when (or if) buying becomes cheaper than renting for your family.