50 points to start - can it work?

[gildis]

I have been lurking on this board for some time. We went to Disney and stayed in POR from Dec. 23 - 29, 2003. I LOVED IT!!!! I am dying to go back, and would like to make sure I contine to return time after time. Well, that sounds like a DVC owner in the making.

We are a family of 4 (DD's 10 & 7)

Here is the dilema: First, we live in the Seattle area - a long, often expensive flight. I have school age children and teach college - our breaks don't line up (except Christmas and summer) and it makes it tough to vacation when crowds are lower. Also, it is a HUGE investment.

Here is the question: Would it work to purchase a 50 point resale, and use the banking/borrowing to save points for longer stays & or use just the 50 points for 5 week days in September or another low point time?

Has anyone tired this? Or, should I just try to convince the hubby to take the SSR plunge for 150 points and be able to use lots of points when we go to bring friends and family etc. I don't see us being able to go to Disney annually - bi-annually at most.

My last questions, is what would one an average night cost in Disney Land on points? If we were able to use points there and have it make financial sense as well, it would be easier to justify as it is soooooo much closer...BUT not BETTER!!!


Thanks for your thoughts:

Jessica

 

[PamOKW]

The Disneyland costs are all over the map. These are also able to go up over time (and they have). They are not based on a "fixed" point schedule like at the DVC resorts which don't go up (unless something else goes down). Non-DVC choices also always use more points and aren't always the best financial choice. To try and give you some idea of what Disneyland costs--

The Disneyland Hotels have two Seasons -- Value and Peak. Each of the three hotels has 5 categories of room that can be characterized as -- Standard, Desirable View, More Desirable View, Concierge and Concierge with CA Adventure View. Of course, Sun-Thurs nights are one set of points; Fri-Sat are a higher rate.

Looking at all Categories and Seasons --

Disney Paradise Pier goes from a weekday low of 21 points to a weekday high of 44 points. Weekends run 38-79 points.

Disneyland Hotel runs from a weekday low of 25 points to a weekday high of 49 points. Weekends run from 45-88 points

The Grand Californian runs from a weekday low of 29 points to a weekday high of 65 points. Weekends run from 52-117 points per per night.


50 points is a very small contract and you have to pay closing costs on a resale. I've heard that can run several hundred dollars. You also say you're basing this on staying in September but you work in a college and you have children in school. Is that really practical to plan on an on-going basis? You are also smart to consider the expense of coming from Seattle. I'd give this all a lot of consideration. I'm not sure that a 50 point purchase is practical but I also don't think you should overextend your budget to buy 150 points. Maybe it would make sense to save for a bit toward a 150 point purchase as either SSR or on a resale at another resort.

 

[rsschneck]

I am not sure how you would make a 50 point contract work with a family of four. I am sure it could be done.

We are a family of 3 and we are going to try a studio for the first time December of 2004. Otherwise, it has been mostly 2 bedroom (due to guests) and we want a 1 bedroom if it is just the three of us.

The airfare from SEA or PDX runs about the same going to Orlando as it would Anaheim (watch your sales). We have a first grader and are trying to travel during school vacation times, so we have hit peak season which does run more points. We have noticed we usually get the best airfare deals if we travel Saturday to Saturday (weekend points). Plus, we need at least a week because it does take all day to fly West to East Coast.

I know Alaska has a non-stop from SEA to MCO. They are not the cheapest, but they would be the fastest for you all. I also happen to like Alaska Airlines!

DVC is an investment! SSR would be a 50 year contract, so it would pay for itself over time. Tough decision especially when you live so far away!

We purchased end of 2002 and seem to be treating friends and family most of the time. We originally purchased 300 OKW points (resale) and paid those off and then did a SSR add-on of 100 points. Once we pay those points off we will see if we NEED anymore.

Good luck with your decision

 

[johde]

I have a 60 point OKW contract which is all the points I need for right now. Small points are doable they just take more planning and dicipline. I purchased my points primarily to use in early December. I teach college and have gone three times now right after classes let out (two times on points). It has worked out great for me.

I would look at what trips you think you might like to take over the next three years to figure out an average number of points you would need. Try to be honest with your self. Some questions you might want to ask include.

Will you be happy in a studio or will you need a 1-br?
Is 5-days long enough or do you want a longer vacation?
Are you willing to switch rooms for the weekend to visit univeral or try one of other resorts?
What resort do you want to stay at (OKW and BWV Std View are the cheapest number of points)?
Is the 12 extra years at SSR important to you?

Closing Costs are an important consideration when looking at smaller contracts. I purchased my resale through Jaki at http://www.atimeshare.com and she was great. Closing costs amounted to $375 on my purchase. That would add $7.50 a point to a 50 point contract.

If you are interested in a small resale I would contact all four of the major resale brokers and get on their call sheet. Most small resales never make it to their web site. That being said, I would still check their web site frequently. The resale I ended up purchasing I found on the web site even after I was on the call sheet (I had told her I wanted 50 points and it was 60 points).

Good luck and I know you will make the right decision for your family.

 

[rwodonnell]

It absolutely can work. A BCV 1 bdrm, for instance, is 30 points per weeknight during "magic season" in 2004, or 150 for S-Th, which is 3 years of points. You go every 3 years, having banked, and borrow ahead one year. You could extend your time by staying on the weekends on either side of your week in a moderate or value or off-site (if you want to make your tri-annual vacation last longer).

One thing I probably won't do but would like to is to stay at all the various on-site resorts, or at least the ones which appeal to me (which is most of them!) But because we have enough points not to have to do that, I doubt I will get to all of them for a stay.

 

[dianeschlicht]

As others have stated, it is certainly possible, but not always the best deal. I can guarantee if you are going every second or third year, you will not be content with a 5 or 6 day trip for long. I can also guarantee that as your children get older, you will not be happy with 1 bathroom for long! I personally would not do a studio with 2 adults and 2 "children". I would think if you are going to do this, you should try to get a bit closer in points to what you would need every other year. With 50 points, you could only have 150 points to use every third year. That would not get you a 2 bedroom on-site during ANY season, much less during a high season. I would opt for a minimum of 75 points so you would have at least enough for a 2 bedroom in the value season every third year.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Another quick thought: If you are looking at staying in a studio every 3 years, unless you are planning to stay at OKW, you will only have 1 bed. The children will have to share the fold out couch. Will this be what you want to do as they get older? Just something to think about...

 

[mydogdrew]

We just started with 50 pts at VWL resale and just added-on 30 at BWV. This is perfect for us. If we ever need more I would rent a few but I don't think this will be necessary. I like the idea of getting in for a small investment and getting all the benefits of ownership.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The important factor here is YOUR situation. With 2 growing children you will probably not be happy with a studio. I know you stay in a regular hotel room now, but a timeshare isn't really a "regular hotel room" proposition. If you don't think you can swing for the minimum points, it might not be the best idea for YOU. Only you will know that though. If you have not rented points before, I would try that first and see how you like the DVC resorts. It would give you a chance to visit them all and even take the DVC tour to be more informed. Just taking the tour will help a lot, and staying in the accommodations wont hurt either. All of the DVC resorts will show you a unit if you ask at the desk. After you take the tour, if you think 50, 75, or 100 points every year is enough for you, then go home and pursue a resale. I just wouldn't want you to be dissapointed because you made a costly purchase that didn't fit your situation or expectations.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Another quick thought: If you are looking at staying in a studio every 3 years, unless you are planning to stay at OKW, you will only have 1 bed. The children will have to share the fold out couch

This is one of the reasons we really like OKW now that we have young kids. Two queen sized beds and a spacious bathroom work for us. Also, I think a 50 point contract at this resort would be more doable for you because of the lower point requirements. You didn't mention which resort you were interested in for a resale, but OKW might be a good place to start because the points can be stretched farther and you will get 2 beds in a studio. I think you will start to get 1 and 2 bedroom villa-envy in the upcoming years though.....as your kids grow up. Good luck with your
decision

 

[gildis]

Thanks for all the great suggestions and comments!

Just to answer a few questions:

I like the idea of traveling in Sept, I am not teaching, but we would have to pull the kids out of school - not a huge deal for me as I think I do a good job with supplemental education.

For now, a studio is fine. The girls don't mind sharing a bed. I can see if a purchase of 50 points was the decision for now, an add on later would be really great!!!

OKW is the resort I would probably consider for this type of purchase primairly because of the low point requirements for stays. SSR would be the ideal if we went for a 150 point contract. I really like the idea of 50 years...even if that would make me 83. Wonder how soon SSR resales will come out???

Ohhhh the possibilities - it is almost just as fun to wonder, dream, and plan possibilities - ALMOST!!!

Thanks again

Jess

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

gildis,
We also live in WA and had the same concerns. 50 pts. would be doable with your current vacation pattern. If you can find a great deal on 100 pts., go for it. That way you can either rent the pts. you don't use or use them at Disneyland. The value is certainly not as good as WDW but you still come out ahead when you consider how much it would cost to pay cash to stay at one of the on-site hotels. Also, when you use points for DL, you don't have to pay hotel taxes, parking, or resort fees (which can really add up!). As your needs change, you will have the extra points you need to increase the length of time you stay or upgrade to larger accomodations. Feel free to email or PM if you have any other questions.