160 Point Contracts -- What Am I Missing?

[JWhiz]

Apologies if the answer is out there, but as I'm looking for a DVC resale contract to purchase, I'm amazed at the number of 160 point contracts, particularly Bay Lake Tower. Maybe I'm a traditionalist about the "round numbers" or 25, 50, 100, etc. So I would expect 150, not 160. Any idea why 160 seems to be what people purchase? All I can think of is maybe folks somehow were sold it as a traditional amount for a week, like say 20 per day for 8 days (which would be a Saturday to following Sunday trip). I have no idea.

Just a curiosity more than anything important, but would love to know if someone has the answer.

 

[lilsonicfan]

At some point that was the minimum number of points when buying direct.

 

[CarolynFH]

When DVC started in 1991, the minimum purchase for a new member was 230 points. Later that minimum was reduced to 160 points, which it was when BLT was on sale. Later it dropped to 100 points. So that’s why you see so many contracts for 160 points at BLT and other resorts.

 

[JWhiz]

When DVC started in 1991, the minimum purchase for a new member was 230 points. Later that minimum was reduced to 160 points, which it was when BLT was on sale. Later it dropped to 100 points. So that’s why you see so many contracts for 160 points at BLT and other resorts.

Interesting. Thanks to you both for the response. Yet still an odd amount. I guess they had reasons at the time. Maybe a multiple of 160 added up to all the points they wanted to sell.

 

[CarolynFH]

Interesting. Thanks to you both for the response. Yet still an odd amount. I guess they had reasons at the time. Maybe a multiple of 160 added up to all the points they wanted to sell.

In a promotional video early in DVC history, the narrator explained that 230 points allowed a family vacation in a 2BR as well as another vacation that year in a studio for just the owners. I don’t know when they dropped the minimum to 160 - half as many - but it was before 1997 when we bought in. The reduction to the 100 came with later resorts, as points became ever more expensive, and I think it was an effort to make buyin more affordable for more families, although 100 points might allow only a studio for a week each year.

 

[JWhiz]

Great stuff. Yeah I’m one of those newer ones who have paid the high prices (since 2016) wish I had joined sooner when they were much more affordable.

 

[lilsonicfan]

In a promotional video early in DVC history, the narrator explained that 230 points allowed a family vacation in a 2BR as well as another vacation that year in a studio for just the owners. I don’t know when they dropped the minimum to 160 - half as many - but it was before 1997 when we bought in. The reduction to the 100 came with later resorts, as points became ever more expensive, and I think it was an effort to make buyin more affordable for more families, although 100 points might allow only a studio for a week each year.

Did DVC ever make a video about why people might want to own 1,000+ points?

 

[CraigInPA]

I believe 160 was chosen as the minimum number of points because that figure would get you about a week in a 1BR at OKW during the slow period, or a studio during the peak period. The previous minimum, 230 points, would get you about a week in a 2BR at OKW during the slow period, or a 1BR during the peak period.

The fascinating historical tidbit is that DVC looked at traditional timeshares, which were primarily 2 bedroom units, and figured that was what people wanted. So, their initial resorts were heavy with 2BR dedicated and 2BR lock offs. As they've built more and more units, they've building a higher ratio of studios to larger units to meet the demand for studios.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I feel like the demand for studios is almost entirely driven by their low point cost relative to a 1BR. If they were more like 75% of the points of a 1BR I think the demand would be more balanced. I’m sure I’m not suggesting anything new here!

 

[Lorana]

I feel like the demand for studios is almost entirely driven by their low point cost relative to a 1BR. If they were more like 75% of the points of a 1BR I think the demand would be more balanced. I’m sure I’m not suggesting anything new here!

I agree! I much prefer 1BRs, but sometimes I just can't bring myself to spend double the points and we settle with a studio for a trip, or at least part of it.

 

[Cfabar1]

I believe 160 was chosen as the minimum number of points because that figure would get you about a week in a 1BR at OKW during the slow period, or a studio during the peak period. The previous minimum, 230 points, would get you about a week in a 2BR at OKW during the slow period, or a 1BR during the peak period.

The fascinating historical tidbit is that DVC looked at traditional timeshares, which were primarily 2 bedroom units, and figured that was what people wanted. So, their initial resorts were heavy with 2BR dedicated and 2BR lock offs. As they've built more and more units, they've building a higher ratio of studios to larger units to meet the demand for studios.

Yes, OKW is clearly the most "timeshare-esque" of the DVC resorts, along with HHI and VB. You can really see after that how DVC created a distinct model built on smaller rooms, lots of studios, etc.

 

[heynowirv]

Great stuff. Yeah I’m one of those newer ones who have paid the high prices (since 2016) wish I had joined sooner when they were much more affordable.

The trade off was we didn't make as much then and were raising small children.

 

[Cfabar1]

The trade off was we didn't make as much then and were raising small children.

Yeah, that is always the debate...

I wish I had been in a position to buy a DVC membership 10 years ago... but I just wasn't... Glad we will still have many years to make memories!

 

[heynowirv]

Yeah, that is always the debate...

I wish I had been in a position to buy a DVC membership 10 years ago... but I just wasn't... Glad we will still have many years to make memories!

We bought in 2007,it was an OKW 190 point resale contract. I think we paid 72 pp. A year or so later we were offered the extension to 2057 for 15 pp which we declined because we couldn't afford the extra 2850. I'm sure glad we've been grandfathered for "member's benefits". Hard to believe it's been almost 18 years.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I noticed with VGC, there are tons of 160 as well. that's what I bought resale in 2023. Now I'm waiting around for the perfect 50-75 point contract to add to it. But so far most things in my use year are 160 or higher.

 

[KPeterso]

The minimum was 150 in 2007 when I purchased SSR. But I believe it was going up to 160 a month or 2 after I purchased when AKV went on sale. I know my guide and I discussed that. 150 was a stretch for me and the SSR deal offered was really good at the time so I went with that instead of waiting for AKV to go on sale where I would have to buy 160 without a good incentive.

 

[JWhiz]

I noticed with VGC, there are tons of 160 as well. that's what I bought resale in 2023. Now I'm waiting around for the perfect 50-75 point contract to add to it. But so far most things in my use year are 160 or higher.

That’s where I’m at. Looking for something at another resort for a 75-100 range and all I’m seeing is 160 which is a little above my interest.

 

[CraigInPA]

I started with 160 points at BLT. While booking my first trip, I realized that I needed another 30 points because I wanted to stay more than a week in a studio. Then, when booking my second trip, I realized I needed another 25 points because I realized that "just an extra day or two" would be meaningful. Then, recently, I realized I needed 125 more because we got spoiled having 1BR and 2BR units, and thought that a week was too short a vacation.

So, while 160 might be more than the 100 you hope to buy, you'll avoid addonitis for longer than I did...

 

[skier_pete]

Interesting thread because I never much thought about it but yeah the minimum direct contract for a while was 160 points for new members. Why a lot of resorts (BLT, SSR, AKV all come to mind) have a ton of 160 point contracts on resale and I suppose why both my resale AKV contracts are 160 points each. I just did a quick search and it seems like this must've ended with the BLT years, because Grand Flo which was the next one on sales doesn't seem to have any 160 point contracts.

I think the minimum now that they will sell you direct for a first contract is actually 100 points, even though you need 150 points to get the member benefits. I am not sure how long that has been going on for at one point they would sell you even less direct but the 100 points has been for several years now.

 

[bakerworld]

We have 160 points at AK because it was the minimum required. I have to say we can stay in a value 1br on 160 during certain times of the year.