Buying DVC - does this sound right?

[Dannielle_1]

Hello:

I've done quite a bit of research on the Vacation Club and am looking into buying soon. I just want to bounce this info off you to see if I'm on the right track...

These are my past vacations to Disney World with my husband (no kids, yet):
February 2000 - 10 nights
December 2001 - 10 nights
September 2002 - 9 nights
November 2003 - 12 nights
May 2004 - 11 nights
October 2004 - 11 nights

Sooo, I'm thinking we'd pretty much have 1 long vacation per year, more than likely in the fall, Sept - Dec. I would probably try for Adventure or Choice Season when possible in a studio. The most expensive points for 12 nights over two weekend would be 188 points (this is for BWV - Preferred View, BCV, and WLV) and 172 at SSR (same 12 nights) - my would be home resort.

The way I've read through the information, we would probably want a September Use Year (this gives me until Feb. 28 to bank 100% of my points, correct?) and around 185-190 points. This is based on the high end of what we would need at this point, but being able to bank into the following year, I figure I can slowly collect for an extra vacation.

I know there are ways to maximize points, but I'm not a fan of switching resorts once settled and with work, going over two weekends maximizes vacation time.

So do you all think I'm on the right path? I'd appreciate your input!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

It sounds like a good plan, but I guess I would start with a few more points. You will not be happy in a studio for long! We all planned on those studio stays at first, but most of us find we don't like anything smaller than a 1 bedroom, once we have gone that route! I think I would look at the original minimum DVC contract of 230 points. They originally had that for a minimum because they assumed folks buying into a timeshare would want full kitchen facilities most of the time. I'm not sure that has exactly been true, but when we made our first purchase, we decided to go with that number for flexibility. Of course, it didn't take us long to add another 150 to that!

 

[wtpclc]

Sounds like you're on the right track to me. I don't look at weekend points individually. I look at the cost for a week. You still save a bundle of money! Good luck in your decision!

 

[dianeschlicht]

By the way, I forgot to mention that we can get 12 nights and 13 days on a trip with only one weekend. We usually check in on a Sunday. By doing that, our two weekend nights are the following Friday and Saturday. We can get 12 nights by checking out on the second Friday morning.

 

[SoCalKDG]

By the way, I forgot to mention that we can get 12 nights and 13 days on a trip with only one weekend. We usually check in on a Sunday. By doing that, our two weekend nights are the following Friday and Saturday. We can get 12 nights by checking out on the second Friday morning.

This is the way to do a long vacation while maximizing points usage.

You might want to do a 150 point contract with SSR, then look at adding on at a different resort. There are also incentives for addons above 120 points as well. This would give you a second home resort.

 

[Dannielle_1]

It sounds like a good plan, but I guess I would start with a few more points. You will not be happy in a studio for long! We all planned on those studio stays at first, but most of us find we don't like anything smaller than a 1 bedroom, once we have gone that route!

I had thought about that, but figured I could add on at a later date when necessary as Ken suggests. I figure we've been vacationing in a regular resort room for years, we probably could manage with a studio (at least until we started having kids!) Plus I figure, if I have two kids as I plan, it would be nice to have two equal sized contracts to pass on - ya have to be fair...

Originally Posted by dianeschlicht
By the way, I forgot to mention that we can get 12 nights and 13 days on a trip with only one weekend. We usually check in on a Sunday. By doing that, our two weekend nights are the following Friday and Saturday. We can get 12 nights by checking out on the second Friday morning.


This is the way to do a long vacation while maximizing points usage.

I have thought about this, but maximizing my vacation time from work is also a consideration for me. When I take it is fairly flexible, but I only get so much in a year and need to use some of it for non-Disney related things. I'm sure once I own points, I'll be trying to stretch them as far as possible, but just trying to figure out how many I really need to start with

 

[JimMIA]

The way I've read through the information, we would probably want a September Use Year (this gives me until Feb. 28 to bank 100% of my points, correct?)

Correct

and around 185-190 points. This is based on the high end of what we would need at this point, but being able to bank into the following year, I figure I can slowly collect for an extra vacation.

Sounds to me like a very good plan, and it is obvious that you really have done your homework. You can always add points, in increments as small as 25 points, but you can't give points back if you buy too many.

Having said that, I think the advice that you may eventually want a one bedroom for such long stays (even without kids) is sound. But you don't have to commit yourself to that at this juncture. Try your original plan, and if you find out you need more points, add on later.

 

[Cruelladeville]

TOO MANY POINTS!? Is this even possible??

 

[fishermouse]

We started with 225 points and quickly bought another 100, the one bedroom suite is well worth the extra points, the bathroom alone is worth it.. Plus with our extra points we are able to go down for a few days several times during the year. going down for 4 week days in April. I agree with one of the other posts "no such thing as to many points!!!!