A small number of points to get started?

[ClaireinTN]

I am thinking about buying a small number of points to see if DVC would really work for us. If I bought somewhere between 25 and 60 pints, could I use them for one trip every couple of years?

Also, last time I thought this through, I think the smallest number of points you could buy directly from Disney was somthing like 160 points, but now it seems you can buy 60 points direct? So now I am wondering what would be the advatage of buying directly vs. resale (we would not finance this purchase, so that's not a factor).

 

[JKMJ441724]

I read on another thread that you can now buy a smaller number of points directly from Disney.

I bought 100 points resale. We are a family of 4 and we use them to go every year in the next-to-lowest season. But that's not going to work for us for much longer. My kids are beginning to complain about having to sleep on a pull-out couch. They want their own beds. So we are either going to have to purchase an add-on or begin going every other year or so.

So depending on your family situation, 60 points may be fine for a while.

We had ZERO problems buying through the Timeshare Store. I still look at their inventory ALL the time. The only problem that I could see going that route is that the smaller contracts go FAST. If you have the time to constantly review their inventory looking for a contract that's right for you (number of points, home resort, banked points/borrowed points) and not already taken, then that's the way to go. If you want to get your points and get to the WORLD, then direct from Disney may be your best bet.

 

[ClaireinTN]

Thanks. We have been to WDW every other Christmas for about 10 years, but with a family of 6 and traveling during the peak season, DVC didn't make sense--it would take more points than we can afford, and I don't want that much money committed to Disney as the kids are getting older. BUT my daughter and I have recently become hooked on the Disney races and we are currently planning to run the Princess half-marathon next February, so I am thinking a small DVC contract might work for our race wekeends.

 

[belias21]

I bought 100 points resale. We are a family of 4 and we use them to go every year in the next-to-lowest season. But that's not going to work for us for much longer. My kids are beginning to complain about having to sleep on a pull-out couch. They want their own beds. So we are either going to have to purchase an add-on or begin going every other year or so.

We're in a similar situation. I'm in the process of buying 100 points right now as well. We have 3 children (7, 4, and 1). For the next year or two, a studio will suit us just fine and we'll be able to do a 4 or 5 night WDW trip PLUS a long weekend at HHI each year for that 100 points.

I know that when our 1yo gets to be 3 or 4, it will be time to start booking 1BR's and we'll need to add on a small 50 or 60 point contract.

The the OP, I'm not sure what you could do with 25 points unless you travel every 3 years, but I think 60 or above can get you a short trip every year in a studio or maybe a longer trip every other year. YMMV.

 

[cz4ever]

I am thinking about buying a small number of points to see if DVC would really work for us. If I bought somewhere between 25 and 60 pints, could I use them for one trip every couple of years?

That depends on the time of year (DVC season), size of unit you want, and how long you want to stay. You can use at most three years worth of points (banked prior year's, current year's, and borrowed next years's), so multiply the contract size by three and compare against how many points you'd need using one of the points calculators, e.g., this one.

Also, last time I thought this through, I think the smallest number of points you could buy directly from Disney was somthing like 160 points, but now it seems you can buy 60 points direct? So now I am wondering what would be the advatage of buying directly vs. resale (we would not finance this purchase, so that's not a factor).

This came up in another thread very recently. Very small contracts are one of the situations where buying direct starts to make sense from a financial perspective, because (a) re-sellers can demand a substantial per-point price premium ($20-$30 more per-point than a large contract), (b) the amortized (per-point) closing costs are substantial (another $10/point), and (c) availability is very low and when they do come on the market they tend to sell very quickly. You would still save money versus direct, but not nearly as much as for a larger contract, and you might need to wait a while before the right contract comes on the market. When it does, you'd better be ready to move quickly.

 

[auralia]

I have 50 PTs presently. We go every 2-3 years in low season or mid season. We can do a studio for a week at OKW for 79 points a year.

 

[rg35]

If my kids get to go to disney every year and start complaining about sleeping on a queen size pullout couch, I will tell them they can stay home if they really want to sleep in a bed.

 

[ELMC]

This came up in another thread very recently. Very small contracts are one of the situations where buying direct starts to make sense from a financial perspective, because (a) re-sellers can demand a substantial per-point price premium ($20-$30 more per-point than a large contract), (b) the amortized (per-point) closing costs are substantial (another $10/point), and (c) availability is very low and when they do come on the market they tend to sell very quickly. You would still save money versus direct, but not nearly as much as for a larger contract, and you might need to wait a while before the right contract comes on the market. When it does, you'd better be ready to move quickly.

This point is very well made and it perfectly illustrates the reason why I advise against buying smaller contracts (less than 100 points). Like I've said before, I dont' see myself buying direct because for me, the value isn't there. And for resale, the economies of scale that exist in larger contracts aren't there in smaller ones, so I don't see the value there either.

 

[ELMC]

I am thinking about buying a small number of points to see if DVC would really work for us. If I bought somewhere between 25 and 60 pints, could I use them for one trip every couple of years?

I think you may have this backwards. I think you should figure out if DVC would work for you before you purchase, not after. A good way to do this would be to rent points from a broker to try DVC out. Good luck!

 

[jockotaco]

I would first figure out if DVC is right for you. We decided that at this point it was for my family and I. We purchased a 125 point contract so that we could get a 1 bedroom every 2-3 years. At this point we are supplementing points as needed by purchasing on the rent/ trade board. We are evaluating if we want to commit to another contract.

 

[jlovesee]

Every once inawhile I will respond to these threads. I started with a 25 point OKW contract in 2007, back when that gave us 3 nights in a studio. Over the years I have added on in small contracts, now I am at 163 points, which I am happy with. I am VERY glad I started this way. A lot of people say get your feet wet with renting... Well I didn't want to show up and not have a reservation. So buying only 25 points worked perfectly, we got to try it out, and didn't spend a TON, plus they were OUR points no having to rely on someone else. Plus all of our points have been bought straight out, no loans.

So I am all for buying small and adding on. Plus if you need to sell the smaller point contracts are typically easier to unload.

We bought when the minimum through disney was still 160, if they had the minimum buy in at 50 points then we probably would have bought direct. All of our other contracts (5 total) have been bought direct since then.

Jennifer

 

[Sandisw]

I started with 50 points with the intent to add on at a later time. Of course, I ended up adding on within a week. But, for someone who has a plan like you do, it makes sense to start small. I have to agree though that you should be sure you understand the ins and outs of DVC before buying but no reason to. UY more than you need,

In terms of direct vs resale, if you are flexible on home resort, then it may be easier to find one of those smaller contracts and you will save going resale. The drawback is time and if you have a cash stay booked, sometimes Disney guides are able to get you a reservation to replace it which allows you to use your points and put that cash towards the purchase.

My first suggestion is to look at the points charts and get an idea of how many points you would need or want for the different times you might want to use it. That will give you an idea of what size contract might suit your needs to start.

Good luck!!

 

[Sandisw]

This point is very well made and it perfectly illustrates the reason why I advise against buying smaller contracts (less than 100 points). Like I've said before, I dont' see myself buying direct because for me, the value isn't there. And for resale, the economies of scale that exist in larger contracts aren't there in smaller ones, so I don't see the value there either.

By the same token, though, buying more points than you want, need, or can afford because the price per point is less can end up not providing the value if those points go to waste or someone feels obligated to do Disney more often.

As we know from these boards, the term value is not defined the same by everyone and each persons situation is different. Personally, I can see situations where buying through Disney make sense. That doesn't mean its a cheaper option or even an equivalent option, but one in which the benefits one would get buying direct outweighs the price difference.

At some point, I would like another 25 to 30 BWV points. I won't hesitate buying from Disney, even though it will be at least $1000 more...why? Because it will allow me to have them to use right away, be the same UY that I have, and allow me to take 6 months to pay--even though I could pay cash..

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think you may have this backwards. I think you should figure out if DVC would work for you before you purchase, not after. A good way to do this would be to rent points from a broker to try DVC out. Good luck!

Amen. Stay in a DVC resort first to see if you like it. DVC doesn't save you money. You'll spend more over the life of your contract. Don't plan on using your points for stays anywhere other than DVC resorts. It's a timeshare and you will still owe your annual fees whether you go or not that year.

If you currently stay in value or moderate resorts, if you look for free dining and other deals, if you don't mind staying offsite to save money, save the money you were planning on spending on DVC because none of those will happen with DVC. It is an expensive way to vacation at pretty much the same place year after year, unless that is what you really want to do.

 

[Dean]

Thanks. We have been to WDW every other Christmas for about 10 years, but with a family of 6 and traveling during the peak season, DVC didn't make sense--it would take more points than we can afford, and I don't want that much money committed to Disney as the kids are getting older. BUT my daughter and I have recently become hooked on the Disney races and we are currently planning to run the Princess half-marathon next February, so I am thinking a small DVC contract might work for our race wekeends.

I'm not sure where you've stayed for those trips but if you stayed at a deluxe for that time in Dec, it's likely that DVC still makes sense. If you stayed in a value or even a moderate, DVC may never make sense for you unless you're willing to pay more to get more. You'll have to do the math to see and make your own decisions. Renting a week for a future trip can be a good trial run. Buying a smaller package can make sense for some but will 60 points every other year (EOY) be enough to satisfy your needs, it sounds like it may not.

 

[disneybass]

I am thinking about buying a small number of points to see if DVC would really work for us. If I bought somewhere between 25 and 60 pints, could I use them for one trip every couple of years?

Also, last time I thought this through, I think the smallest number of points you could buy directly from Disney was somthing like 160 points, but now it seems you can buy 60 points direct? So now I am wondering what would be the advatage of buying directly vs. resale (we would not finance this purchase, so that's not a factor).

I think that is a great idea. I would buy resale and get enough to stay every couple of years to see if DVC is for you. You can allways add on when you want to. I would suggest that you buy where you want to stay because with the small contract you will need the booking advantage for standard view in some instances. I would suggest OKW or BWV. Good luck!