DVC Resale at Bay Lake Tower
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of the most sought-after addresses in the DVC system, and the resale market reflects that. Buyers at Bay Lake Tower are getting something genuinely different from every other DVC resort: direct monorail access, unobstructed views of Magic Kingdom, and the ability to walk to the most iconic theme park in the world. Those advantages don't come free, but the resale market still offers meaningful savings compared to purchasing directly from Disney.
We've helped many families think through whether Bay Lake Tower is the right fit for them. This guide covers what you're actually getting when you purchase here, what the resale market looks like, and what you need to know going in.
What Makes Bay Lake Tower Different from Other DVC Resorts
The Contemporary Resort opened as part of the original Walt Disney World in 1971. Bay Lake Tower was added in 2009 as the dedicated DVC wing, connected to the main hotel by a covered walkway. The result is a resort that blends modern DVC villa accommodations with one of the most historically significant spots on Disney property.
The monorail connection to Magic Kingdom is the defining feature. You walk from your villa to the monorail platform and you're at the entrance to Magic Kingdom within minutes. No buses, no long walks through parking lots, no waiting at a boat dock. For families whose Disney World vacations center on Magic Kingdom, this access changes how you experience the park. You can realistically go back to your room for naps, come back in the evening, return for late-night fireworks, and walk back to your villa without it being a production.
The monorail also connects to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where the EPCOT monorail line runs. So you have reasonably quick monorail access to EPCOT as well, though it requires a transfer.
The Top of the World Lounge is a Bay Lake Tower exclusive for members staying at the resort. It's an outdoor rooftop space with panoramic views of Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake. On nights when Magic Kingdom has fireworks, the lounge offers a viewing experience you can't replicate at any other DVC resort. Availability is first-come, first-served for members staying on property, but the experience alone is something that Bay Lake Tower owners talk about frequently.
Room Types and What They Cost in Points
Bay Lake Tower offers studios, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas, and grand villas. Studios accommodate up to four guests and are the most commonly booked room type for smaller families or couples. They're equipped with a kitchenette, small dining area, and Murphy bed configuration to maximize space efficiency.
One-bedroom villas sleep up to five guests and offer a full kitchen, washer and dryer, a master bedroom with a whirlpool tub, and a separate living area. This category represents a significant upgrade in space and functionality for families who want more room to spread out.
Two-bedroom lockoff villas are one of the most practical room types in the DVC system. They can be split into a separate studio and a separate one-bedroom, which gives you flexibility to book shorter trips or accommodate different travel configurations. When used as a single two-bedroom, they sleep up to nine guests. For larger families or multigenerational trips, this is often the most economical option on a per-person basis.
Grand villas sleep up to 12 guests and require a substantial point allocation per night. They're genuinely spectacular spaces, but they're practical primarily for owners who have large contracts or who plan their trips far in advance with banking and borrowing.
Point costs vary by season and view category. Standard views are less expensive than Lake or Theme Park views, so if Magic Kingdom fireworks from your room is a priority, plan your point budget accordingly. Bay Lake Tower has some of the most dramatic view options in the system, and many owners find that upgrading to a theme park view is worth the additional points for special trips.
Bay Lake Tower Resale Prices
Bay Lake Tower consistently commands some of the higher per-point resale prices in the DVC system, reflecting strong demand and limited resale inventory. You can see current asking prices on our resale listings page. For context on how these prices compare to what Disney charges for the same points directly, our retail prices page has the current direct pricing.
The savings through resale are meaningful, typically ranging from 40% to 55% off Disney's direct purchase price depending on market conditions and contract specifics. On a 150-point contract, that difference represents real money, often $15,000 or more compared to purchasing the same contract at the DVC sales desk.
Smaller contracts, typically under 100 points, often trade at a slight premium per point because demand for small add-on contracts at Bay Lake Tower exceeds supply. If you're looking at smaller contracts, expect to pay somewhat more per point than you'd find on a 200-point contract at the same resort.
Annual Dues at Bay Lake Tower
DVC annual dues are set by each resort and cover the operating costs, maintenance, and reserves for that property. Bay Lake Tower's dues fall in the moderate range for the DVC system. You can find the current and historical dues rates on our annual dues page.
Annual dues are paid once per year, typically in January, and cover your full point allocation for the use year. If you purchase a contract mid-year, the closing documents will include a proration for any dues adjustment owed to the seller for points you're inheriting.
When budgeting for Bay Lake Tower ownership, factor in both the annual dues and the one-time purchase cost. Many families find it useful to think of the total cost of ownership over the life of the contract (purchase price plus cumulative dues) compared to what they'd spend booking equivalent villa stays at current Disney rates. For families who visit Walt Disney World regularly, the math tends to favor ownership at any of the established DVC resorts.
Right of First Refusal at Bay Lake Tower
Disney actively reviews ROFR submissions for Bay Lake Tower contracts. Because Bay Lake Tower is a high-demand resort, Disney tends to exercise ROFR more often here than at some other properties, particularly on contracts priced well below market. If you're making an offer significantly below asking price, factor ROFR into your thinking.
The ROFR process takes up to 30 days. During that time, your deposit stays in escrow and you wait for Disney's decision. If Disney passes, your transaction proceeds to closing. If Disney exercises ROFR, your deposit is returned in full and you'll need to find a different contract.
Buyers who want to minimize ROFR risk at Bay Lake Tower typically offer closer to recent sale prices rather than trying to find the absolute floor. Our team can give you a read on current ROFR patterns and recent accepted offers to help you calibrate your bid.
The Purchase Process Step by Step
The Bay Lake Tower resale purchase process follows the same steps as any DVC resale transaction. You find a listing on our listings page, submit an offer through your buyer account, and if the seller accepts, you sign the purchase agreement and pay the deposit.
From there, the contract goes through ROFR, then to the title company for closing. You'll sign closing documents electronically, pay the remaining balance and fees, and the deed gets recorded with Orange County, Florida. Disney then processes the membership transfer and sets up your owner account.
Total timeline from accepted offer to active membership typically runs 45 to 75 days. The ROFR period accounts for most of that window.
As the buyer, you're responsible for Disney's $500 Administration fee and closing costs. The seller pays Disney's $150 Estoppel fee. Annual dues may be prorated depending on the closing date and point year. All costs are disclosed clearly in the purchase agreement and settlement statement before you're asked to sign anything final.
Financing Your Bay Lake Tower Purchase
Cash purchases are most common in DVC resale transactions, but financing is available through specialized lenders who work with timeshare and vacation ownership purchases. These are not traditional mortgage products, and they typically carry higher interest rates than home mortgages. But for buyers who prefer to finance rather than liquidate investments, the option exists.
Our financing page has more information on lenders who work with DVC resale purchases. We recommend comparing rates from multiple sources before committing, and factoring the total cost of financing into your decision about whether resale still represents good value compared to other options.
Is Bay Lake Tower the Right Choice for You?
Bay Lake Tower makes the most sense for families who truly center their Disney World vacations on Magic Kingdom. The monorail access, the Top of the World Lounge, the park views, all of it is designed around that one park. If you love EPCOT and Hollywood Studios equally, a resort like Beach Club or BoardWalk Villas might serve you better, since those properties put you walking distance from two parks simultaneously.
Bay Lake Tower also suits families who value convenience above all else. If returning to your room mid-day for naps, having a quick meal in the villa kitchen before evening fireworks, and being able to make spontaneous park visits without logistics planning matters to you, this resort delivers it better than almost any other DVC property.
The per-point price at Bay Lake Tower tends to be higher than the system average, but the premium reflects a real and tangible advantage. If you're comparing Bay Lake Tower to a lower-priced resort and trying to decide whether the premium is justified, think about your family's actual vacation habits rather than abstract comparisons. How often would you actually use that monorail access? For families who go to Magic Kingdom daily during their trips, the answer tends to make Bay Lake Tower worth every extra dollar.
Browse the current Bay Lake Tower listings to see what's available, or contact our team if you'd like help evaluating specific contracts before making an offer.
