What ROFR Means for You as a Seller
After both you and the buyer sign the purchase agreement, the contract goes to Disney for their Right of First Refusal review. Disney has up to 30 days to decide whether to purchase the contract themselves at the same price and terms you agreed to with the buyer, or to waive their right and let the sale proceed.
For sellers, ROFR sounds more complicated than it actually is. If Disney exercises it, you receive the exact same proceeds you would have received from the original buyer. Disney simply steps into the buyer's role. Your sale still closes, your timeline is roughly the same, and your net proceeds don't change. There is no financial downside to ROFR for a seller. If Disney waives, which happens in the majority of transactions, the original sale proceeds as planned.
Why You Sign the Contract Before ROFR Review
A lot of sellers are surprised to learn they sign the purchase contract before Disney even reviews it. This is standard practice in DVC resale and it's legally normal. Disney needs to see a real, executed agreement before they can decide whether to match it. The signed contract is what triggers the ROFR review.
You're not taking on unusual risk by signing first. All funds are held in escrow by the title company. Nothing moves until ROFR clears and closing is complete. Think of signing as the step that starts the official process, not a final commitment that could be undermined by what Disney decides.
What Happens During the 30-Day ROFR Wait
After both parties sign, the title company submits the contract to Disney. From that point, you wait. There's nothing for the seller to do during this period. You don't call Disney, you don't follow up daily. The title company manages the submission and monitors Disney's response.
Disney typically responds within 30 days, though the turnaround can be faster. Some contracts clear ROFR in two weeks. Others take the full 30 days. The DVC Sales dashboard shows your current status throughout the process. You'll see updates as the contract moves through each stage.
If Disney Exercises ROFR
This happens occasionally. It's more common when a contract is priced at a level Disney considers attractive for their own inventory, typically at or below the current market average for a given resort.
What you need to know: you get your money. Disney pays the exact same price the original buyer agreed to. Your net proceeds, after commission and fees, are identical. The original buyer steps aside and Disney completes the purchase. Your 6.9% commission remains the same regardless of whether Disney or the original buyer closes the deal.
After Disney Waives ROFR
Once Disney sends written confirmation that they're waiving, the title company moves into the active closing phase. Things start moving more quickly from here. The title company will contact you directly to request any remaining documents and to coordinate the closing paperwork.
You don't need to reach out to the title company proactively. They'll come to you. Your job at this stage is to respond promptly when they do. Delays on the seller's side are one of the most common reasons closing takes longer than expected.
Documents You'll Sign at Closing
The two main documents are the deed and the closing disclosure. The deed transfers ownership of the DVC contract from you to the buyer. The closing disclosure is a financial summary showing the sale price, fees, and your net proceeds.
Review the closing disclosure carefully before signing. Confirm the sale price, the $150 Disney estoppel fee that you as the seller pay, and the 6.9% commission amount. The buyer pays their own $500 Disney administration fee separately. If anything on the disclosure looks off, contact the title company before signing.
All documents are signed electronically. You'll receive a link by email. The signing process takes about 10 to 15 minutes once your documents are ready.
How Long Closing Takes After ROFR
Once ROFR clears, closing typically takes about one week. The title company coordinates deed preparation, gets signatures from both parties, and records the deed with the county. Recording is what makes the transfer legally official.
The full contract-to-close timeline, from accepted offer through receiving your proceeds, is generally 30 to 45 days. Almost all of that time is the ROFR wait. Closing itself moves quickly once it starts.
How to Receive Your Proceeds
After the deed records, the title company releases your funds. You can receive payment by ACH bank transfer or by check. ACH is faster, typically arriving 2 to 3 business days after the deed records. Provide your banking information to the title company early in the process so nothing delays your payment.
Your net proceeds equal your sale price minus the 6.9% DVC Sales commission and the $150 Disney estoppel fee. The cost to sell DVC page shows the full fee breakdown so you can calculate your expected net before you list.
Tracking Your Sale From Contract to Close
Your DVC Sales dashboard shows your position at every stage: offer accepted, contract signed, ROFR submitted, ROFR cleared, closing in progress, and closed. You don't need to call anyone to find out where things stand. Status updates as each milestone is reached.
If something looks stuck or you haven't seen an update in an unexpectedly long time, that's when to reach out. The team at DVC Sales can check with the title company on your behalf and get you an update.
For a full look at the selling process from listing through proceeds, including pricing guidance and what to expect when offers come in, see our complete seller's guide. And if you haven't listed yet, the DVC market report is the best place to start understanding what your contract is worth right now.
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