Clarification on the points system please

[IATKOTC]

I just returned from a vacation to Disney World (had a wonderful time) and while I was there sat through a presentation on the DVC. I am very interested in this concept but had a few questions that I needed answered. I wanted to get the opinions of "non-Disney" representatives, so through this site, and several others, I have been able to get them all answered - except one. Here it is:

During my discussion at the DVC Open House I think I was told - a point is a point and will always be a point. That is to say, if I think I need a 2 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk in July, then the point equivalent I need is either 350 or 306 depending whether I want a preferred view or not. I think I was told that this same room would always be 350 or 306 points whether it was next year or the year 2030. The security of this assertion is a big benefit to me. My concern is that when I review the point charts in the literature I received each one has the following statement posted at the bottom: "Vacation Point Chart effective through December 31, 2001". THIS CONCERNS ME! If my previous statement is true, then why do they need this disclaimer?? If it is not, I may buy 350 points today but need 450 2 years from now.

Can someone please help straighten me out? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long question.

 

[Disney Adventurer]

I'm not a pro at this buy I'll try to help. The total points for a year can not change at any given resort, but the points for a specific time of the year can change. In other words the points to stay in a 2-bedroom during the summer may go up but then the points some other time of year would have to go down. Or the weekday points may go up and the weekend go down. So it is my understanding that there is no guarntee that a 2-bedroom at the Boardwalk during July will always be 350 or 306 points. The points may fluctuate, others can probably give you a good history, but I wouldn't expect wild swings because to add points somewhere they would just have to take them away somewhere else.

 

[RobDoc]

As already stated, the total points at the resort cannot change, but certain rooms or seasons can- up or down. If one goes up- something else MUST go down.

From a practical standpoint, this has happened only once- at OKW in 1996. A few nights went up a few points- a few nights went down a few points- and most did not change at all.

None of the other DVC resorts have ever changed- possibly because DVC has learned what the appropriate mix of points and seasons would be before the resort opened.

While a reallocation could certainly occur, I don't expect any major changes in the near future.

Enjoy!

 

[drusba]

Disney cannot raise (or lower) total points applicable to a unit for a year. What it reserves the right to do is shift points due to changes in demand. It could raise the points per night during one season but that must be met by an equal decrease in other seasons. likewise it could lower weekend by raising weekday by equal numbers. The seasonal change occurred once at OKW when high seasons got a little decrease and low seasons an increase because demand for low season was significantly outstripping supply.

Nevertheless, that 350 and 306 for July are numbers per week that you should feel virtually certain will not be raised. They are already at "high" season numbers and if ever changed for that season it would likely be down not up.

 

[IATKOTC]

Thank you all very much. I now understand completely. Looks like my only question now is how to come up with the down payment. Thanks again

 

[Dean]

I would second the rest of this thread especially the part about being able to bank on the 350 points. That's what you should count on as you may not be able to get standard view consistently. Worst Case scenario is you would lose one day every 2 or 3 years for summer but other times might be a little less. Of course you could also use OKW which is 296 points for a summer 2 BR. Sounds like 300 or so points is good for you if you want to go to a DVC resort every year and stay in a 2 BR for a week. Good luck and have a great time.

 

[Richyams]

Looks like my only question now is how to come up with the down payment.

$100 on 17 at the roulette table could work nicely.

 

[Dean]

$100 on 17 at the roulette table could work nicely.

Sure, if you had an extra $100 over the down payment, LOL. Reminds me or Daryl Waltrips quote of how to make a small fortune in racing..............start with a big one.

 

[PamOKW]

when I review the point charts in the literature I received each one has the following statement posted at the bottom: "Vacation Point Chart effective through December 31, 2001".

You've already gotten the info about how the total number of points remains the same....and the excellent investment advice from Rich. I just wanted to let you know the primary reason why the charts are dated is because they do adjust the dates each year for Easter and Thanksgiving so that Easter is in Premiere season and the dates around Thanksgiving Day are in Magic Season.

 

[mooses41]

IATKOTC , just to let you konw, you can buy other resorts than the ones disney is currently selling. Look at the ad for the timeshare store at the top of this page. People resell points from resorts that dvc has sold out of.