As resort operations gradually return to normal, most Disney Vacation Club resorts will see dues increases of 3-6% for the 2021 calendar year.
Disney's Riviera Resort
Disney Vacation Club owners are obligated to pay annual dues in assocation with their timeshare ownership. Dues cover the operating costs of the resort (employees, park transportation, housekeeping, utilities, etc.) as well as property taxes and some allocation for long-term repairs and upgrades.
Following are the proposed figures for the 2021 calendar year:
| Resort | 2020 Dues | 2021 Dues | Increase |
| Animal Kingdom Villas | $7.6685 | $8.0278 | +4.68% |
| Aulani | $8.3312 | $8.3539 | +0.27% |
| Bay Lake Tower | $6.5770 | $6.8998 | +4.91% |
| Beach Club Villas | $7.0634 | $7.4373 | +5.29% |
| BoardWalk Villas | $7.3650 | $7.8126 | +6.08% |
| Boulder Ridge | $7.7808 | $8.1062 | +4.18% |
| Copper Creek Villas | $7.4471 | $7.5903 | +1.92% |
| Grand Californian | $6.5985 | $6.9927 | +5.97% |
| Grand Floridian | $6.5616 | $6.8118 | +3.81% |
| Hilton Head | $9.1010 | $9.9730 | +9.58% |
| Old Key West | $7.8363 | $8.3578 | +6.65% |
| Polynesian | $6.7912 | 7.0542 | +3.87% |
| Riviera | $8.3082 | $8.3833 | +0.90% |
| Saratoga Springs | $6.7650 | $7.1110 | +5.11% |
| Vero Beach | $10.1257 |
As is often the case, the lowest increases will be enjoyed by owners of the resorts being actively marketed by DVC: Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, Disney's Riviera Resort and Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas. DVC's larger-than-normal ownership in these partially-sold locations leaves Disney paying a significant portion of the budget even after owners' contributions.
For several years now, DVC dues have been steadily rising as a result of union contracts designed to bring employee wages up to a $15 per hour minimum. A 2018 deal with the Service Trades Council Union approved an agreement set the table for a gradual increase over the span of 4 years. 2021 will bring the final phase of this increase, with many employees going from a $14 minimum in 2020 up to the $15 per hour threshold.
Most expense categories include some element of Cast Member wages, especially areas like Housekeeping and Administration and Front Desk. In the past, Disney Vacation Club exectives have stated that 75% of resort operating costs go to employee wages, benefits and taxes.
Property taxes are up modestly for most Walt Disney World properties.
It is important to note that these budgets are based upon projected operating costs for the 2021 calendar year. Earlier this year, DVC suggested that owners may be eligible for a 2020 dues credit as a result of the COVID-19 resort closures. However, that possibility was raised before the resorts had reopened and managers were able to assess the financial impact of new cleaning procedures, reduced transportation capacity and so on.
The 2021 budget statements make no mention of a credit being issued for 2020 dues. However, language which typically appears in the Annual Meeting notice related to the handling of excess assessments from the prior year has been omitted. It seems inconceivable that there is zero budget excess from 2020, particularly for resorts like Aulani and the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa which experienced extended closures. Perhaps this will be addressed in greater detail at the 2020 Condominium Associaton Meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 10 at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Full budget statements can be accessed by clicking on resort names in the chart above.
