Are Timeshares Worth It?

There is no clear answer to be given to this question, as it depends on your goals, desires, and finances. In general, the biggest drawback to timeshares is that you don’t own the real estate, the perpetuity of the contract, and recurring fees. Still, if you plan on using it and it makes financial sense, it can be worth it.

Or are they, really? Whether you’re stuck between buying a timeshare or exiting yours, keep reading to get the full behind the scenes look at timeshare ownership.

What do timeshares actually cost over time?

The average cost of a timeshare ownership for 2025 is around $23,160, and $1,480 on maintenance fees per weekly interval equivalent, according to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the association representing vacation ownership and resort development. This is before taking into account the interest of a timeshare loan, if you took one, and the rising costs of maintenance fees.

These numbers are all about a single year of ownership, and not taking into account special assessments, so let’s break it all down briefly.

Hidden fees most buyers miss

Maintenance fees are the most common rising fee, as these change year after year. Some users, as chronicled by a Forbes article, have complained about the ballooning of these over the years of ownership. Yet, these are not the only fees that might be incurred in an owner’s time.

Special assessments are the extra charges that are not charged yearly, but instead when there is a need for repairs or upgrades. An example of this can be after a natural disaster. This applies to real estate property and even to resorts, with  Aaronson Law Firm citing a beachfront resort charging a 25% fee for funding essential upgrades.

And all of this is not even touching potential travel costs and taxes and other costs that will come up during your ownership.

How much does owning a timeshare cost across 10 years? 

Owning a timeshare will cost around $37,000 after 10 years. That is if you took a 2 year personal loan in 2025 to pay for a $23,160 timeshare at an 8.73% interest rate and then you add the $1,480 of yearly fees, which according to ARDA’s numbers will rise.

Are brand-name timeshares worth It: Hilton, Disney, and Wyndham Compared

If you’re either thinking of acquiring or exiting a timeshare contract from one of the big timeshare companies, you must know the pros and cons of having a contract. 

Are Disney timeshares worth it?

Disney timeshares are worth it for families and Disney fans who want to use their points in their 13 Disney Vacation Club resorts. The drawback is that if you resell it or buy secondhand, the second owners can’t use their points for the Concierge Collection, Disney Collection, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line or receive the Disney Vacation Club membership discount.

Are Hilton timeshares worth it?

The Hilton Grand Vacation Club can be worth it depending on the resort and unit you choose. As Hilton has 64 resorts around the world, their contracts make users choose a unit and assign points to it, which they can use or exchange. A big plus for this branch is that there is no difference between buying directly from Hilton rather than from a resale, giving owners the option to sell.

Are Wyndham timeshares worth it?

Wyndham has over 100 resorts affiliated with Resort Condominiums International. Usually the contracts are points-based at a specific resort and can be booked up to 13 months in advance. Unlike all the others, there is only a minimal issue with resales, being that there is no right to convert into Wyndham Hotel Points or getting VIP status for the resale.

Are timeshare presentations worth sitting through?

Timeshare presentations are worth it only if you’re thinking of acquiring a timeshare and if you have a strategy to avoid falling for hard-sales tactics. In truth, if you’re on a vacation and you get invited to a presentation and enticed with a free gift, then this is not worth it as you might spend your whole day in there.

Frequently Asked Questions about Timeshare Value

Are timeshares worth it financially?

A timeshare can be worth it if you’re planning to use it year after year. But a timeshare means that you don’t get to own the property, the contract lasts for many years, and there are continuous fees.

Are timeshares ever worth it for families?

Yes, timeshares can be worth it for families that want to commit to traveling at a certain time of the year to the same place or willing to get a timeshare with a points system to travel to different locations.

Are Hilton and Wyndham timeshares worth it compared to Disney?

Hilton and Wyndham timeshares can be worth it for people who want to use their points system in a varied way, since Wyndham has over 100 resorts available and Hilton over 60. Disney only has 13 resorts, by comparison.

Are timeshare presentations worth it for the free gift?

No, timeshare presentations are not worth it for the gift. A timeshare presentation can take up a whole day and you might face hard-sales tactics that can be really overwhelming. So, if you’re choosing to go to a presentation just for the gift, it’s better to skip it.