Average Point Package

[mickeyfromtheIE]

My wife and I purchased in California yesterday. The guide told me that the average point purchase is 250-300 points but now we're thinking it's too many. Do any of you know what the average point package is? I'm starting to think that someone just pulled a fast one on me.

 

[browniemtb]

Nobody pulled a fast one on you. 250 to 300 points a year will give you a nice vacation or two every year. If you plan on vacationing every other year then you may have purchased to many. But there are alternatives for the use of the extra points - renting or transferring. I believe you will find that most owners in this forum will admit to not having enough points. We purchased 310, 2 separate contracts, because we probably will go every year and enjoy staying in a sizable rooms.
Good Luck and congratulations,.......
Brownie

 

[mickeyfromtheIE]

The only thing that makes me feel strange about it is that I was told that 250-300 points was average and the guide told me I needed to but today to get the promotion. When we got home we spoke to a friend and he told us it was strange.

 

[Olaf]

If you're going to purchase 300 points, do it in two 150 point contracts. It makes it much easier should you ever need to sell them.

 

[CALNEVA DISNEYFANS]

I think he's full of it. The average has got to be lower IMO. In addition, I believe that is a lot of points. Not everyone is a disney freak. I love disney, but you can do alot with less points... remember, if your ever short a few points, you can rent points from someone on this board. why be commented to such a high point count every year. I'd say buy 150 and see how that works for you... you can alway add on later.

 

[4mcbjCtr]

My guide told me the average is around 210. You only have to purchase 150 minimum. I am surprised he lied to you like that. We just purchased last October. We purchased 200 points, but know we will definately add on later down the road. What you should do is plan out your vacations for a full year during the times you would take them and then go to your point chart and figure out how many points that is. Purchase based on your need, not what the guide thinks you need.

 

[rayzke]

For what it is worth we bought 280 points... Our thought was this will force us to take a nice vacation (since we will need to use the points). Not too mention with that amount of points you lodging is covered and all you have to worry about is food, fun stuff and getting there...which for us makes it a little easier.

 

[Anewman]

It may depend on the size of the family. If it is a family of 6, I can see 300 points being about average. 300 points is close to the average point requirements for one week in a 2bedroom villa. For families that fit in a 1bedroom villa around 200 points get you one week(depending on season). Also if you plan on exchanging 360 points pretty much gets you a 2bedroom during any season(if I remember correctly).

So the averages quoted maybe based on his/her own experiance with families the same size as yours.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I could see the average (mean) being that high because it's skewed by the small percentage of people who own huge numbers (1000+). I also don't think this board is necessarily representative of the average DVC owner; I think the average here would tend to be higher than that of the DVC membership at large.

What would be more representative is the *median* number of points owned by a DVC member.

We have 200, and that's fine for us in studios (long weekends) and one-bedrooms (week-long trips). We plan to do cash travel to other destinations in addition to DVC travel and the occasional trade through II.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Well, we have 550 points and it's never enough for us, but then again, I take my brother and his wife and kids, and my children and their boyfriends/girlfriends every year, so we need the points. It really depends on how many times you plan to go per year and what types of accomodations you will be staying in. We have two contracts, the first one at VWL for 300 and the second one at BCV for 250, so I guess we're the "average" people your guide was talking about.

 

[Aneille]

I think it depends on the size of your family and when you expect to be travelling.

We purchased 210 it seems to be just enough for now. We are a family of 4 soon to be 5. (me, dh, 4 yr, 2 yr and one to be arriving in a few weeks!) We have rented pts but it was for a family gathering.

I would eventually like to add 50 or 60 more pts to our total because we will need to bump up to a 2 bedroom and will need to travel during peak time. But that will not be a for a few years until the kids get older.

 

[kellyf2626]

DH and I own 150 points, and have been able to experience wonderful vacations every year! Granted, we would LOVE to purchase more points. But DH tells me saving for a new house and the hope of a baby next year is more important! Can't we do it all?!?!

Anyway...if we ever don't have enough points, we either purchase them and have them transferred to our account, or pay for weekend nights w/cash using the member discount.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Who cares what the average is! You need to base your decision on your family...not everyone else's. Take a look at your vacation patterns as far as how often you go to WDW and how long you stay, plus what season it is and what accomodations you need. How many points is that per year? That's how many you need to buy (keeping in mind that the minimum purchase from DVC is 150 points). Buying DVC is no different from buying a new car: buy what you need and only consider all the bells and whistles if you've got the finances to cover it. Good Luck...and Welcome Home !!!

 

[Doctor P]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if that is pretty close to the average ownership interest, but I also think it is probably high in terms of what the average initial purchase is. We don't go every year, and stay in studios, but we own 274 points (though our original purchase was only 150 points). As almost everyone says in terms of their regrets--"I wish I had purchased more points up front."

 

[lovinthemouse]

I think that no matter what the average is. You should have been able to look over the points and made a decision best for your family. Your guide may not have lied, however, he obviously made your decision for you. We bought 160 points and have 3 trips planned for this year. There are only 3 of us. Two of our trips are in a studio and one in a one bedroom. So you can have wonderful vacations with less points. On the other hand congrats and Welcome Home

 

[Jen D]

I guess it isn't surprising that he would say what he needed to to get you to buy, but as others say, the average purchase isn't important, the only correct number is the number that is right for your family based on how often you want to go, how long you want to stay, what size accomodations you want, and how much you are willing to pay at that time (for me that last one was my number one concern!) We bought 200, which is probably slightly less than ideal but will work for us. We would like to stay most often in 1 bedrooms for about a week and go every 12-18 months. To comfortably do this we could probably use a few more points than we got, but for now, this will work very nicely-- since we're starting out with a point surplus we can slowly work through the banked points, and mix it up with the season we go, and occasionally do a studio or sun-Fri stay to save points. In a few years I could see us wanting the 2 bedroom. But we will probably never go more often than once a year. Right now we just didn't want to spend any more than the $$ for 200.

I'd advise you look at your number and map out your ideal vacation schedule / rooms for the next 3-4 trips-- be realistic. Then if you still think you bought too many, I think there is still time to do a new contract. Good luck.

 

[CMedley78]

It all depends on when you want to go and the size of your family. My husband and I have 160 pts which allows us a studio during the busiest seasons at Disney. We are also banking some points next year, and then getting a 2-bedroom the year after. I would buy the minimum of what you need to travel right now, then add on later. Consult the point charts for all the information you need. Surely when my husband and I have kids, we will be adding on about 50 points so that we can book a one bedroom on most visits. Don't break the bank now...you might want 150 or 160 points at one resort now, then maybe buy a separate contract if and when Disney announces a new vacation club resort.
Good luck!

 

[dvc-NE]

My guide told me the average is around 210. You only have to purchase 150 minimum. .

I was told the same thing about 2 years ago when we bought.

 

[Laurabearz]

To the OP.... I would download CASKBILL's planner (I dont have the link handy on this computer, but if you do a search here on the DIS or even Google Caskbill it will pop up)

Once you load it, play around with it. See what points will really do for you. It is not too late to contact your guide and either split up your contract into smaller ones, or even change the number of points you are buying.

BTW, how many points did you sign up for???

 

[sean-1966]

You probably did the right thing. We bought 160, then 2 weeks later we bought another 50. On our first trip home we were so excited we bought 50 more, but paid $6 more a point. We now own 380 points. More than we need but we'll just rent out the extras. The current deal is great. I have to agree with splitting up the points into 2 contracts though. You can always sell one if it seems like way too much.