A timeline of what happens from accepted offer to points showing up in your DVC account — including paperwork, ROFR, and typical wait times.
When seller accepts your offer, the broker drafts a purchase agreement. You'll sign it electronically and submit a deposit (usually $1,000 or 10% of the purchase price). The deposit is held in escrow by a title company. From this point you are under contract pending ROFR and closing.
The broker submits the agreed-upon contract to Disney's ROFR department. Disney has up to 30 days but usually responds within 10–15 business days. You can't do much during this window except wait. Plan accordingly — don't book travel using these points until ROFR clears.
Once ROFR clears, the title company orders an estoppel certificate from Disney — a document confirming the seller's point balance, dues status, and that the contract is clear of liens. Estoppel typically takes 2–3 weeks. The title company also prepares closing documents and runs title insurance.
When estoppel arrives, both buyer and seller sign closing documents (usually electronically or with a mobile notary). The buyer wires the remaining purchase amount plus closing costs — typically $500–$1,000 covering title insurance, recording fees, and the title company's fee. The deed is then recorded with the county.
After closing, the title company sends the recorded deed to Disney. Disney takes another 2–4 weeks to process the membership transfer. You receive an email with your new member number and instructions to set up online access. The full timeline from accepted offer to active membership is typically 45–75 days, with 60 being most common.
Common delays include slow estoppel from Disney (especially in December/January), title issues if the seller has a mortgage, and processing backlogs after Disney's annual maintenance shutdown. Stay in regular contact with your broker — they handle 95% of issues, but you need to be responsive when documents need signatures. Once your account is active, banked and current-year points are immediately usable.