Hi Craig,
Just to underline what Paul was saying. If you look at the cost of a 14 night stay at OKW using a studio at 188 points or a one bedroom at 376 points, that "cost" drops to 140 points for a studio and 280 for a one bedroom if you can avoid one of the weekends. With banking and borrowing ( you can roll over unused points or borrow from the next year ) if you miss a year out every 4 or 5 I think you should be able to work with about 200-230 points. I think it likely that you'll generall find you like the 1 bedroom units but can make do with a studio if pushed on points, but some of that depends on, as they get older, if the kids mind sharing a bed. If you're flexible and imaginative in your plans then you can get a lot of use out of DVC points. If for example you would usually fly on a Saturday, arriving late Saturday night, by checking into a hotel near the airport ( afterall there aren't many of us that do much more than grab a snack and go to bed on the first day) you can save 24 points for a studio or 48 for a one bedroom. Finishing your holiday with a couple of nights staying at one of Universal's hotels ( or along I-Drive for a cheaper stay) visiting the USF parks or SW would save another 32 points for a studio and 64 for a one bedroom. Obviously if your departure days are different you can start at USF and finish on WDW. I wouldn't buy the exact amount of points you think you'd need as, IMHO that tends to lead to you taking the "easy option" which isn't usually the best economical use of the points. By having slightly less than you'd really need tends to sharpen the mind a little for the task of getting the most out of things.
I don't usually use DVC for all my vacation needs on a holiday but as a highlight to a trip. 5 days in a one bedroom is a wonderful way to round off a great holiday
. It's also a nice option to using Vero Beach as a break away from the parks as this is a beautiful beach resort just a couple of hours drive away. I know many people prefer to stay in justone hotel for their whole trip, but if you don't mind changing accomodation you can get some fantastic accomodation at a very reasonable cost using DVC.
Just to clarify the room types at DVC a studio is basically what you would call a standard hotel room, a one bedroom unit has a huge bedroom with ensuite jacuzzi, a separate walk in shower/toilet, a washer dryer room and an open plan living room/dining room/full kitchen. A two bedroom is a one bedroom with a studio attached and the 3 bedroom grand villa just has to be seen to be appreciated. If you've not done the tour that is really worth a few hours of your next vacation, as a short term answer I would suggest calling DVC sales and asking for them to send a promo video (specify you need one that is formatted to UK specs as they don't always realise that's what you need, even though they are mailing it to the UK
LOL )
