Do ever feel like you need/want more points if you always book 2 bedrooms? If not...

[edk35]

how many points do you have? How often and for how long do you usually go to WDW for??


We have 400 points and really if we use them every year we can get about 8 nights out of them when we travel in the summer months depending on which resorts. However we like BCV in the summer and that is 350 a week and I believe the same goes for AKV.

Just curious .....do you borrow so you can stay longer? Do you bank and skip a year inbetween trips? Do you go for less than a week? How do you get the best bang for your points?


Thanks.....

 

[GrumpyBelle]

This was our first year as DVC members. We stayed in a 2 br at SSR for 7 nights on a combination of developer points and some of our 08 AKV points. Next March, we have used our banked 08 points and some of our 09 points (DEC UY) for 5 nights in March (3-8 so not even premier season) in a 1 br SV at Kidani. We will use some of our remaining 09 points for at least 1 night before our cruise in August. We have quickly realized that we will NEED more points after next year if not sooner. They really tried to sell on the point that we could get into a studio for a week each year for 160 points. Little did we know how much we would come to appreciate the full kitchen and the washer and dryer of the 1 and 2 BR units. I think they sell the basic amount knowing most end up with add-ons.

 

[discott71]

We just added 50pts to our 160. We are new to dvc and our first stay was in a 1bdrm at Kidani. There was definitely plenty of room for us, but our kids are young right now. We are a family of 5 and have decided we would like to be able to book 2 bdrms for longer trips. We're not sure if we plan on visiting every year, but we figure the extra points we bought, banking and borrowing should keep us comfortable. We also like to stay for 8 nights, so there probably will be a year we skip here and there to make up for the shortage.

 

[cvjw]

We are in the closing process for 175 BCV points and 170 VWL points. That is enough for a 2 bedroom in May for 8 or so days. We quickly realized that wasn't enough points for us, and are in ROFR right now for 200 OKW points. If we are able to buy those points, it will enable us to take a short fall trip in a one bedroom, and a few days in HH in a one or two bedroom. We will have 545 points if all contracts go thru. We could stay for longer in a studio, but we decided it just wasn't worth it for us, there just isn't enough room in them. We would rather have a nicer place to stay, than be cramped in a small room for a longer time.

 

[edk35]

We are in the closing process for 175 BCV points and 170 VWL points. That is enough for a 2 bedroom in May for 8 or so days. We quickly realized that wasn't enough points for us, and are in ROFR right now for 200 OKW points. If we are able to buy those points, it will enable us to take a short fall trip in a one bedroom, and a few days in HH in a one or two bedroom. We will have 545 points if all contracts go thru. We could stay for longer in a studio, but we decided it just wasn't worth it for us, there just isn't enough room in them. We would rather have a nicer place to stay, than be cramped in a small room for a longer time.

I don't think I could ever downgrade unless it was just my dh and myself. I think then we would still get a 1br. I am so used to space and I too like a nice spacious place to stay. We spend time at the resort and in our villa. When we used to stay in regular resort rooms...we basically showered and slept in them.

 

[BlakeNJ]

We have 150 SSR points and bought with the intention of going every other year, staying 7 nights in a 2br over Thanksgiving. We juggle points a bit by banking and borrowing.

We skipped our first Thanksgiving owning and banked our points. We did use a few of our developer points to stay at OKW for 4 nights in a 1br. The next year we splurged and invited family giving them 2 studios and we stayed in a 2br with our 3 kids. A 2br was a lot of space for us but very comfortable.

That spring, we borrowed points to stay at BCV for 2 nights in a 2br.

Our points have caught up to us and this year we are staying in a studio on a weekend night then moving into a 1br for 5 nights. I don't think we'll catch up again unless we skip a year and that would pain me!

As you could probably guess, I am lobbying for more points--specifically at BCV!

 

[Hunclemarco]

We use 2 bedroom units most of the time when we go to the mouse. in fact many times we use (2) 2 bedroom units. We're constantly borrowing, and we have 910 points to work with. We'd love even more points...my current goal is 1000, but trying to use some restraint. Those MF's do get to you a little.

 

[rentayenta]

More points will be in my future as well. Just joined and here's the bank/borrow breakdown thus far:

Using 160 2008's points for a week in Mexico next March.

Need 251 for a week at the THV (with our friends) next October plus between 50-120 depending on where/what kind of room we want for the 4 remaining nights (just my family). This entails using 10 banked points from 2008, 170 from 2009, and borrowing the rest from 2010. I really don't want to dip into 2011's unless I am assured from DH that we'll be buying some GCV points if they are still available. Basically I have 350 points to work with without borrowing from 2011.

 

[SLM]

We have 300 points to work with-we only need a 2BR when my DD and her husband can come with us (only in the summer) and they can only do that every 2 or 3 years-we've stretched our points with trips to Vero (a week in an ocean view inn room) and HH (1 BR in September)-so we haven't had to borrow yet. Our first year of ownership we purchased in September and were give two years of points so we've always been a little ahead. I have my eye on cruises for next year, though, so that could change!

 

[AnnaS]

We have 460 points and go at least once a year. We go anywhere from 3 nights to 10 nights.

It depends on party going and if WDW stop is in addition to a cruise or HH like this upcoming trip or Jupiter, Florida where my in-laws have a condo.

We have taken my son's two friends, our friends, family and celebrated my daughter's 16th birthday where I invited just my sister and three of my daughter's friends.

We are a family of five (three kids are 23, 21 and 16) but for a few of the trips it has not been all five of us.

My son is leaving Wed. with his girlfriend (using my points of course - BWV).

My other son will be there on the 23rd for 5 nights with his girlfriend - AKV Jambo - my points).

We have booked a variation of rooms but we have not had anyone sleeping in the living room since we first became members. I love having the LR free for us to get up and have coffee, breakfast or stay up late chatting while everyone is sleeping in their own space.

If my kids start using my points on their own, I might have to consider an add-on.

 

[DVC Mike]

Since there are only 2 of us, we don't have a need for a 2-BR unit. However, early on we decided that staying in a Studio just wasn't as nice as a 1-BR so we bought more points to ensure every trip can be a 1-BR.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, it's certainly true that points don't go as far as they used to....even at OKW. We started out 12 years ago with just 230 points. We stayed in a 2 bedroom every trip and went two trips one year and 1 trip the third year. This is how we could get a 2 bedroom each trip with borrowing and banking. We then added on 150 and felt like we were in the lap of luxury with points. Now we have a total of 449, and we find we have less opportunity to reserve 2 bedrooms, so most of our trips are 1 bedrooms. Of course, we do like to go more often and for longer periods of time, but the point re-allocation has made more of a difference to our points than I expected it to.

 

[edk35]

Since there are only 2 of us, we don't have a need for a 2-BR unit. However, early on we decided that staying in a Studio just wasn't as nice as a 1-BR so we bought more points to ensure every trip can be a 1-BR.

Now Mike you know that you have a zillion points and can stay in a GRAND VILLA every trip. You are my DVC HERO!!!!

 

[work2play]

I would say that we are in the "conversion" stage. We joined DVC this year and have 420 points between a BWV resale and a BLT add on. We still like to take advantage of the free dining option, so we book multiple trips with some on DVC points and some as cash reservations when the deals become too good to resist!

 

[edk35]

I would say that we are in the "conversion" stage. We joined DVC this year and have 420 points between a BWV resale and a BLT add on. We still like to take advantage of the free dining option, so we book multiple trips with some on DVC points and some as cash reservations when the deals become too good to resist!

Another MD DVC'er!!! I think Disney will continue to bring out good deals with the way the economy is. We can also stay at Shades of Green and we enjoy staying there on occasion too.

 

[toniosmom]

I bought 160 points at AKV in 2008 with the thought that we would never need more than a studio (it's just my son and me). After staying at SSR on developer points in a 1BR, I have clearly decided that nothing less than a 1BR will do -- I need that full kitchen and in-room laundry. So....I added on 50....and then a few months later added on another 50, for a total of 260 points -- all at AKV.

We are staying in a 2BR at Kidani next March -- my parents are joining us. With all of my banked points, I plan to take a 2nd trip in December and that will be just us in a 1BR. Not sure if my parents will join us again the following year. If I book 1BRs each time, I should have enough to take one trip each year and possibly a shorter 2nd trip every few years (with banking the leftovers.)

My goal is to buy a 100 point contract (or two 50-point contracts) at another resort -- perhaps BCV and then with banking and borrowing, travel there every 2-3 years. However, it's going to be a while before I have enough cash to do that.

 

[zackiedawg]

I bought 440 points, with the idea that it would be enough for 10 days in a 2 bedroom at our home resort during the times we are most likely to go. But over the years, I have learned to stretch out the points by planning trips on short notice and taking cheaper resorts, or taking advantage of value seasons. I also tend to use 1-bedroom and studio use sprinkled in throughout, to give me a little more flexibility and maximize points. Now, I can usually manage between 30-35 days a year on my points. I have the obvious advantage of living in short driving distance, so I can go more often for shorter stays at a time, I can head up on as little as 3 weeks notice, just booking whatever DVC happens to be available and not being fussy where I stay, and I can go in a studio when I'm traveling solo or with a friend, and don't need the room for family. Typically, I still get a 2-bedroom at least once a year, for a larger family trip, and a 1-bedroom at least twice a year. The rest of the times, it's usually a studio. I've occasionally had points left to bank to the next year, giving me the excuse to splurge for a 2-bedroom or a nicer resort when it wasn't really needed - but so far I've never had to borrow forward.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I have 210 points and always stay in a 2 bedroom. We live in Fl so it's much easier for us than most DVC'rs. A typical stay is Sun-Thu twice a year plus a long week-end in October. We beg, borrow, buy, transfer during any given year depending on the occasion. Realistically I could use another 100 points and I'd be satisfied, however I don't want to pay additional maint. so 210 point is what I have to work with. If we had to fly in and do week-ends 210 points wouldn't cut. I won't stay in a studio unless it's just for a day or two (I don't sleep much and I have to get up ) and since we always travel with friends and family it has to be a two bedroom. I could save a lot on points if my friends and family would get with the program and buy into DVC, but's it's been nine years now and that doesn't seem to be happening! Anyway, I love them and happily extend my DVC to them as long as we're part of the deal!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

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