Adding More Points Later

[Pluto1976]

I have a question for all of you knowledgeable DVC'ers about adding additional points as a member in the future. After much research and a stay at the Poly DVC, I am certain becoming a member is the right thing to do. That said, I am having a dilemma over how many points to start with. I have narrowed it down to starting out at 160 points and adding on 50 points in the future as a DVC member. My guide agreed this was a solid plan. The only thing they said to be aware of was that there were some resorts where even members cannot buy points at anymore and there was not a wait-list available for members to get on to buy points should they become available (ex. GFV, GCV). Can someone explain this a bit more? And, what is the likelihood this same situation will happen at the Polynesian DVC in the next 3 years (I realize this might be hard to predict so just looking for educated guesses)?

Thanks!

 

[mickeyman]

I have a question for all of you knowledgeable DVC'ers about adding additional points as a member in the future. After much research and a stay at the Poly DVC, I am certain becoming a member is the right thing to do. That said, I am having a dilemma over how many points to start with. I have narrowed it down to starting out at 160 points and adding on 50 points in the future as a DVC member. My guide agreed this was a solid plan. The only thing they said to be aware of was that there were some resorts where even members cannot buy points at anymore and there was not a wait-list available for members to get on to buy points should they become available (ex. GFV, GCV). Can someone explain this a bit more? And, what is the likelihood this same situation will happen at the Polynesian DVC in the next 3 years (I realize this might be hard to predict so just looking for educated guesses)?

Thanks!

You can buy resale for pretty much any other resort for a lot less money.

 

[Dean]

I have a question for all of you knowledgeable DVC'ers about adding additional points as a member in the future. After much research and a stay at the Poly DVC, I am certain becoming a member is the right thing to do. That said, I am having a dilemma over how many points to start with. I have narrowed it down to starting out at 160 points and adding on 50 points in the future as a DVC member. My guide agreed this was a solid plan. The only thing they said to be aware of was that there were some resorts where even members cannot buy points at anymore and there was not a wait-list available for members to get on to buy points should they become available (ex. GFV, GCV). Can someone explain this a bit more? And, what is the likelihood this same situation will happen at the Polynesian DVC in the next 3 years (I realize this might be hard to predict so just looking for educated guesses)?

Thanks!

You shouldn't have much issue finding points at some resort but there's no guarantee on home resort and UY and the price will likely be more. The guide is going to think anything is a solid plan that gets you to buy. I presume you're looking at the Poly retail. If that's where you want to stay all of the time it might be a reasonable purchase but likely not for any other approach. Just make sure you're aware of your resale options and the fact you lose NOTHING of value currently with resale. IF you decide to buy the Poly, I'd make certain to buy fixed week options where possible.

 

[disneynutz]

Buy the best UY for your 8 month vacation window. Buy the same UY for future contracts making sure that the contracts are titled the same, that way all contracts will be under the same master contract and membership.

Bill

 

[magicaldisney]

So many of us started with one contract and then added on. Sometimes it's hard to know when you first buy in, exactly how many points you will want. Follow the above advice from Dean and Bill, they are the bombs! They are so knowledgeable and I have never seen them steer anyone wrong.

 

[Pluto1976]

All of the advice makes sense. Thank you!

One more question: What are you thoughts on whether or not I would be able to buy Poly DVC points direct from Disney over the next few years if I am a Poly DVC member? The guide informed me I can and I would automatically get the same UY. The only caveat being if there are no more points to sell and there is not a waiting list to get on I could not buy direct points. He told me this is what happened for the GFV and GCV. The reason I pose this question is because I am on the fence about buying 160 points now and adding 25/30 later, or just buying 190 points right now. I realize there are savings with purchasing resale but I would prefer to buy direct. Also, if anyone could better explain the situation with points at GFV or GCV that would be appreciated.

 

[mickeyman]

Gfv and gcv are much smaller and more desirable and sold out very fast. From what I've heard Poly isn't selling to well so it should still be available for a while

 

[Dean]

All of the advice makes sense. Thank you!

One more question: What are you thoughts on whether or not I would be able to buy Poly DVC points direct from Disney over the next few years if I am a Poly DVC member? The guide informed me I can and I would automatically get the same UY. The only caveat being if there are no more points to sell and there is not a waiting list to get on I could not buy direct points. He told me this is what happened for the GFV and GCV. The reason I pose this question is because I am on the fence about buying 160 points now and adding 25/30 later, or just buying 190 points right now. I realize there are savings with purchasing resale but I would prefer to buy direct. Also, if anyone could better explain the situation with points at GFV or GCV that would be appreciated.

As noted it should be available for a couple of years at least. IMO the best approach is almost always to buy up if looking small and buy less if looking at a large number of points. What's best depends on a number of variables. For most situations I don't feel buying 150-160 then doing a smaller add on later is worth it but for the Poly right now, it may be. If you're set on the Poly and need the 200 or so points, I'd likely buy 2 fixed weeks either concurrently or consecutively depending on your planned usage. But buying less and seeing how it works is a valid approach as well. You might decide you want a different home resort to give you more options and/or cheaper options.

 

[RaymOOOnd]

Perhaps we're all doing it wrong. Seems one can own at SSR or HHI and use the points to book 7-months-out at whichever is the newest, incompletely-sold-out resort! It seems using this strategy over the past five years would have landed stays at BLT, VGF and now Poly...

 

[Dean]

Perhaps we're all doing it wrong. Seems one can own at SSR or HHI and use the points to book 7-months-out at whichever is the newest, incompletely-sold-out resort! It seems using this strategy over the past five years would have landed stays at BLT, VGF and now Poly...

It's a balance. While it's definitely cheaper owning at those resorts, it does limit you to waiting until the 7 month window for what you want and for off property, you can't reserve anything until 7 months out. And there are resorts and times when it's difficult or impossible to reserve. For some this is very stressful. This is the origin of the concept of buying the "cheapest" resort that you aren't going to be unhappy to stay at rather than necessarily where you think you want to stay most of the time. The problem with new buyers is they often think they know what they want but end up having other preferences later. I'd far rather them buy say SSR resale and hate it than the newest resort retail and end up using it the same as they could SSR.

I'm of the opinion that if you want in the system and want to try everything over time, SSR is generally the best value. This assumes day 1 at 7 months out and the use of the wait list though. Sometimes if you want a specific resort it's actually as cheap or cheaper to own there than SSR. This might be BLT standard view, BWV standard view or AKV value. But you've got to use it essentially all the time for the numbers to work out, not just a fraction of the time and you've got to reserve day one 11 months out in most cases. And for BLT, you've also got to add in the lower dues as a reduction as well. I think over time one can get anything using SSR with planning and effort as long as there is a fair amount of flexibility, but one is not going to get the most difficult things routinely like VGF or AKV concierge and it might takes years to get a specific choice. I'd add that in general DVC members are a lot less flexible than they think they are using the sense of flexible generally accepted within the timeshare world.