Can someone help us figure out best number of points for us?

[Kebby]

We have been researching doc for many years, and up till now have always rented. We always said if poly went DVC we would buy in, and the time looks like now!

We have four kids, and right now could fit in a studio, but long term we would need connecting studios. We would like to go every other year, at the end of September or first week of December. Assuming the point chart linked in another thread is correct, that puts a standard studio at 16-19 points. That's 118 points per week per studio, right? So if I want to go every other year, can we buy 120 points and make it work? Also, if we want September and December, what UY is best?

 

[SpaceMountain77]

We have been researching doc for many years, and up till now have always rented. We always said if poly went DVC we would buy in, and the time looks like now!

We have four kids, and right now could fit in a studio, but long term we would need connecting studios. We would like to go every other year, at the end of September or first week of December. Assuming the point chart linked in another thread is correct, that puts a standard studio at 16-19 points. That's 118 points per week per studio, right? So if I want to go every other year, can we buy 120 points and make it work? Also, if we want September and December, what UY is best?

If the traveling party will include 2 adults and 4 children, then 1 studio will not be sufficient (unless you are traveling with infants and toddlers). If you are a party of 6, with preschoolers through adults, you will need the connecting studios.

If you purchase 120 points and plan on going every other year, then you would be able to book 2 connecting studios through banking.

Regarding UY, if you intend to vacation regularly in September, then I would suggest selecting a month just before your preferred booking window, like August.

 

[MAO]

It sounds like you've got it planned correctly. Just be aware that the number of points per night for any resort may change - and new resorts often have that happen. This year an "old" resort (Vero Beach) and a "new" (Aulani) resort both had changes significant enough that the member website makes a point of drawing your attention to them. However, you can "buy" up to 24 extra points once a use year so that would give you up to 264 points every other year.

As far as use year is concerned, it really doesn't matter because when you can book is based on when the vacation starts. It has nothing to do with when your use year starts. As long as you've got the points at the time of the vacation you'll be fine. I do think there are some people who prefer certain use year Months based on potential decision limitations they might hit, but I can basically give a 99% certainty to my vacation dates a couple of years in advance so I'm afraid I've not paid much attention. I'm sure someone will come along and explain the potential issues -- basically, if you might not decide until less than 4 months before you want to stay at a non-DVC hotel such as Coronado Springs then you have to worry about whether or not that 4 month timeframe is at the end of your use year. Of course, if you're not buying direct from Disney, that is a moot point as you only have the DVC set of resorts to consider staying at using your points.

So, the major questions you have to ask yourself are:
a) will every other year be sufficient for many years in the future
b) will you buy direct from Disney or save money by buying resale
If you buy direct - will you ever want to use DVC points for something other than a DVC resort -- like a cruise, or a stay in New York City? Then you need to consider likely timing considerations to determine a use year starting month you want (if you can make such a request; I don't know if you have a choice when buying direct.) If you buy resale, do you understand that you only have the DVC resorts to use your points on? If you want to stay somewhere else, you won't be able to do it via the DVC system. (You can, of course, basically rent out a reservation to a stranger to recoup your costs but many people are not comfortable even considering that.)

I suspect that last paragraph is old information to you and, if so, I apologize. Hopefully, however, I was able to get the information you were looking for at least basically covered. Good luck!

 

[DonaldDuck21]

Can I ask what you mean by "buy" 24 extra points per year? How much does this cost? I am a BLT owner and was not aware of this.

 

[MAO]

It's pretty new to DVC - as in the last year or so? Since you're a member, you can go to the member website and read the details yourself (Vacation Planning -> How to Book -> Need More Points? -> One Time Use Vacation Points) but, basically, once a Use Year for one transaction you can 'buy' up to 24 points for $15 each point. So if you just need 11 points for a reservation you'd really like to have but don't have quite the points needed, you just call Member Services and talk to them about using your points plus how to pay for those extra 11 you need to get the room you want. There's a few restrictions, which I won't put in this thread, but for one reservation in a year it's a little extra breathing room in terms of how many points you need to get that particular reservation you're really wanting.

eta: do note that they seem pretty serious about the fact that it's just for one reservation per use year, which is why I was bolding that word. For the OP, it should work out just fine as they're talking about going only once every couple of years.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can I ask what you mean by "buy" 24 extra points per year? How much does this cost? I am a BLT owner and was not aware of this.

It's pretty new to DVC - as in the last year or so? Since you're a member, you can go to the member website and read the details yourself (Vacation Planning -> How to Book -> Need More Points? -> One Time Use Vacation Points) but, basically, once a Use Year for one transaction you can 'buy' up to 24 points for $15 each point. So if you just need 11 points for a reservation you'd really like to have but don't have quite the points needed, you just call Member Services and talk to them about using your points plus how to pay for those extra 11 you need to get the room you want. There's a few restrictions, which I won't put in this thread, but for one reservation in a year it's a little extra breathing room in terms of how many points you need to get that particular reservation you're really wanting.

You can only purchase them at seven months out as they have no home resort. We've done it twice so far.

 

[a742246]

I believe that 24 points "rent from Disney" is only good at the 7 month window.

 

[Dean]

We have been researching doc for many years, and up till now have always rented. We always said if poly went DVC we would buy in, and the time looks like now!

We have four kids, and right now could fit in a studio, but long term we would need connecting studios. We would like to go every other year, at the end of September or first week of December. Assuming the point chart linked in another thread is correct, that puts a standard studio at 16-19 points. That's 118 points per week per studio, right? So if I want to go every other year, can we buy 120 points and make it work? Also, if we want September and December, what UY is best?

As noted, a studio isn't a workable plan and I suspect, not workable from day one for you. Do we have confirmation that there will be connecting studios? If so, the only way to guarantee them would be to buy them as a fixed week times two as requests are guaranteed. So assuming Magic season due to school calendars, around 340 points would be the minimum, more for Xmas & Easter or a higher view. And the Poly would be the only one that had connecting studios at WDW if it does though those points would get you around a 2 BR at most resorts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Connecting studios at the PVB will not get you a washer and dryer or full kitchen.

 

[Kebby]

Thanks all! So confused! My heart is with the poly, BUT for the same price I can buy double the points resale. Due to how many studios there are at poly I'm inclined to think getting two at value season at the 7 mos mark won't be too hard, and then we could go yearly.....

 

[MAO]

Oh, *please* buy where you want to stay. More and more I see people complaining that they can't get in where they want at the 7 month mark.

 

[Dean]

Thanks all! So confused! My heart is with the poly, BUT for the same price I can buy double the points resale. Due to how many studios there are at poly I'm inclined to think getting two at value season at the 7 mos mark won't be too hard, and then we could go yearly.....

Take enough time to make a non emotional decision. Look at how you'd use it and whether buying at all makes sense. Assuming buying in as a general choice is good for your situation, then the question is what/how many and how will you use it. If you have enough experience (I get the impression you do) and you already know the Poly is your favorite, that might still be your best bet. However, if you just want to try everything and stay at the Poly periodically, it's a poor choice to buy at for almost all situations. Of course you could do both if you wanted and still come out cheaper.

I'd suggest that buying elsewhere and trying to stay at the Poly routinely is not a workable plan. Plus, though you may find access at The Poly with non Poly points, I think it's pretty guaranteed you will not get standard view. The reason this matters is that since you'll need 2 studios, the price difference for a week is a fair amount different between standard and lake view. For me personally I'd either buy elsewhere, maybe SSR, or buy elsewhere with a smaller add at the Poly to give some future options. My worry is that once you stay in 2 studios and a 2 BR, you'll abandon the studio plan and thus the Poly.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[com_op_2000]

Wait until later this year, some people who buy into Poly on a whim, will find that DVC is not what they thought. They will then put their points up for resale at a rate lower than what they bought in for. This has happened at all the newly opened resorts including BLT and GFV.

 

[rlovew]

Thanks all! So confused! My heart is with the poly, BUT for the same price I can buy double the points resale. Due to how many studios there are at poly I'm inclined to think getting two at value season at the 7 mos mark won't be too hard, and then we could go yearly.....

The only place you will be able to get 2 connecting studios is the poly- early December is the hardest time to get into any DVC that is not your home resort- you would need to consider that you likely would not get connecting studios at that time of year if you don't buy into the Poly itself- that will leave you with the points to vacation in 2 studios which will be as close as possible for the room assigner- which means you and your DH will not be in the same room since children can't stay by themselves and may not even be on the same floor of the resort- sometimes a traveling with is 2 rooms right on top of each other (but do to elevator positioning could be a 5-10 min walk) no other studios connect so if you plan to buy into somewhere else plan to stay at that resort in a 2 bedroom during your Dec trips. Also early Sept may not be hard but if you plan on going during the 2nd half of Sept during food and wine your choices of resorts at 7 months will be more limited as well.

 

[robinb]

We have been researching doc for many years, and up till now have always rented. We always said if poly went DVC we would buy in, and the time looks like now!

We have four kids, and right now could fit in a studio, but long term we would need connecting studios. We would like to go every other year, at the end of September or first week of December. Assuming the point chart linked in another thread is correct, that puts a standard studio at 16-19 points. That's 118 points per week per studio, right? So if I want to go every other year, can we buy 120 points and make it work? Also, if we want September and December, what UY is best?

Unless you home school, your time frame is bound to change as your kids get older. Once they hit middle school and high school it becomes difficult to take time off right when classes start or right before winter break. I would recommend that you consider buying enough points to cover August vacations once your kids get older and the only time you can take off is school vacations. That's 169 points right now for a SV.