DVC Value Calculator

[CarolynFH]

For the benefit of newbies, you don’t want a 1BR at BWV. At BWV 1BR have sleeping surfaces for only 4 people. A BWV studio has sleeping spaces for 5 people. So don’t worry about booking 1BR at BWV. No, no, no, no need to even consider it.

 

[JamJam2021]

The notion behind 1 bedrooms was not sleeping more people but double the space and providing amenities not in a studio, like the full kitchen and washer/dryer.

For us, that is why we book them...we like having the space. We only do studios if there are one or two people...any more than that, its a 1 bedroom...more than 4 and its a 2 bedroom!

The fact that it’s double the space is why it’s double the points

Who has done a points per sqft analysis for value?

 

[Genie+]

Yeah and those Riviera 1BRs are just ghastly!!!1!



OF course I’m kidding!

 

[jsDisney]

If I have any advice, it's to limit your time on the DISboards DVC forums. The longer you lurk, the more you're going to be enveloped in the subject and craving points-- and then even more points. Before you know it, you'll be talking about your resale contract(s), having FOMO and buying direct. That's a lot of money.

I don't know what your financial situation is, but please be smart if going into this whole process. Take your time, and avoid going from 1 to 100. We're all here to help you should you have any questions.

Welcome and good luck!

I appreciate the words of wisdom. You're absolutely right about it being a slippery slope, and one we wouldn't journey on without doing our due diligence. It's one of the reasons I want to build out another Disney-related workbook that compares the DVC broker rates and our preferred non-Disney resort to buying points via direct or resale markets. At the end of the day, we're still several trips to Disney away from considering it, and even then we may never do it because who knows what our child will want to do as they get older.

 

[jsDisney]

The notion behind 1 bedrooms was not sleeping more people but double the space and providing amenities not in a studio, like the full kitchen and washer/dryer.

For us, that is why we book them...we like having the space. We only do studios if there are one or two people...any more than that, its a 1 bedroom...more than 4 and its a 2 bedroom!

I was pleasantly surprised at how big the 1 bed units were compared to the studios at BLT. I think my wife will win the debate and we will rent a 1 bed unit for now while our child still has a nap schedule. I also think the rooms look nice for the price of a monorail resort.

The fact that it’s double the space is why it’s double the points

Who has done a points per sqft analysis for value?

I like this idea - it's a key metric in buying real estate, why not a DVC contract?!

 

[Sandisw]

The fact that it’s double the space is why it’s double the points

Who has done a points per sqft analysis for value?

If you go back to the POS from some of the original resorts that is exactly how it was determined.

It’s Exhibit A in the documents. And that is how it continues to be determined.

So yes, square footage is the main factor in how the points are determined for those rooms.

 

[JamJam2021]

If you go back to the POS from some of the original resorts that is exactly how it was determined.

It’s Exhibit A in the documents. And that is how it continues to be determined.

So yes, square footage is the main factor in how the points are determined for those rooms.

I was pleasantly surprised at how big the 1 bed units were compared to the studios at BLT. I think my wife will win the debate and we will rent a 1 bed unit for now while our child still has a nap schedule. I also think the rooms look nice for the price of a monorail resort.


I like this idea - it's a key metric in buying real estate, why not a DVC contract?!

It’s definitely a key metric.

Sqft is an objective way to divide and define between the rooms and % ownership…. And hence points required. I do think there are too many different points and “seasons”… they’ve mastered the way to spread out the demand.

I understand that weekdays used to be even cheaper points…. I’m surprised that changed. I know Hilton HGVCstill have weekdays half points compared to weekends

 

[Chili327]

Thank you!

Your journey seems very logical and one our household could go down at some point. I've seen a few contracts listed on https://www.dvcforless.com/ that got my gears turning, hence searching the forum for breakeven tools. A combination of the time and money to find a room at a WDW resort 9+ months ahead of time, learning about the DVC resale market, and reading threads on this forum has gotten me to take DVC membership more seriously. I still have more to read on the topic, including how it has changed for better or worse.

It's a big commitment, but it's one we may be willing to make if our family likes Disney as much as I did growing up.

If nothing else, I enjoy learning and I can appreciate the strategy involved to making the most out of a Disney vacation.

Don’t sweat it too much, you can resell it just as easy as you bought it.

I don't know what your financial situation is, but please be smart if going into this whole process. Take your time, and avoid going from 1 to 100. We're all here to help you should you have any questions.


Welcome and good luck!

Its true, know what you want to buy because you’ve done your due diligence.

I knew I had hit “next level” when I sold my first contract and realized that the funds were going to be wired to me. I was afraid the large deposit was going to draw attention and leave them vulnerable to “reallocation” by the household minister of finance. I considered asking the title company to hold them in escrow until I negotiated a new purchase, but I didn’t want to be rushed. I ended up parking the proceeds in an obscure account that nobody pays attention to, shopped for a new contract, and then wired the money back out. I felt like a secret agent … or an addict

I have wanted to do the same… “”don’t send it back to me just hold it for the next one!!!””

The notion behind 1 bedrooms was not sleeping more people but double the space and providing amenities not in a studio, like the full kitchen and washer/dryer.

For us, that is why we book them...we like having the space. We only do studios if there are one or two people...any more than that, its a 1 bedroom...more than 4 and its a 2 bedroom!

Don’t forget the King bed!!
I’d take a duo that only sleeps 2 if it was a King. lol

 

[eticketplease]

A lot of the time it’s double the points for just 1 extra person!! Rip off!

Sure seems that way if you’re trying to cram as many people in as possible however as @Sandisw mentioned the experience is much better in our options.

While you can do laundry for free while staying in a studio it seems like you have to book an individual lightning lane to get a washer and dryer on your schedule. With a 1 bedroom it’s like you are taking part of a VIP tour throwing in a load and then heading to DS or a park and then whenever you get back you can swap to the dryer or place on a drying rack. No need to worry about being courteous and returning at the right time to switch loads.

 

[CarolynFH]

I understand that weekdays used to be even cheaper points…. I’m surprised that changed.

The difference between Sunday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday points was so great that many owners booked just the weekday nights and paid cash for weekends, including for DVC rooms with the 25% member cash discount. The result was that the DVC rooms weren’t booking up on the weekends. DVC is required by legal documents to reallocate points to manage demand, so they literally had to make the weekday-weekend difference smaller.

 

[eticketplease]

The difference between Sunday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday points was so great that many owners booked just the weekday nights and paid cash for weekends, including for DVC rooms with the 25% member cash discount. The result was that the DVC rooms weren’t booking up on the weekends. DVC is required by legal documents to reallocate points to manage demand, so they literally had to make the weekday-weekend difference smaller.

I still do this when I can for HHI as for the summer the two bedrooms jump by 25 points from 41 to 66 points a night.

Of course sometimes I have to just eat the points as cash inventory is extremely limited there.

 

[CarolynFH]

I still do this when I can for HHI as for the summer the two bedrooms jump by 25 points from 41 to 66 points a night.

Of course sometimes I have to just eat the points as cash inventory is extremely limited there.

Interesting that DHHIR didn’t reallocate. Maybe due to different use/demand patterns - demand at DHHIR might actually be greater on weekends than for weekdays, thus justifying higher points costs for weekends.

 

[eticketplease]

Interesting that DHHIR didn’t reallocate. Maybe due to different use/demand patterns - demand at DHHIR might actually be greater on weekends than for weekdays, thus justifying higher points costs for weekends.

That is certainly possible as it's easier for locals to come and enjoy it during a weekend one would think.

There is a crazy percentage jump on the weekends no matter which of the 4 seasons you go with the one exception being a 2 bedroom in season 1 only going up three compared to the weekday rate.

 

[JamJam2021]

The difference between Sunday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday points was so great that many owners booked just the weekday nights and paid cash for weekends, including for DVC rooms with the 25% member cash discount. The result was that the DVC rooms weren’t booking up on the weekends. DVC is required by legal documents to reallocate points to manage demand, so they literally had to make the weekday-weekend difference smaller.

Is there more availability for cash rooms? Where can I find the availability for the 25% off cash rooms?

 

[CarolynFH]

Is there more availability for cash rooms? Where can I find the availability for the 25% off cash rooms?

At the time, before the reallocation, there was good availability for cash rooms on the weekends because so many owners were booking only weekdays with their points. Nowadays availability for member discount rooms isn’t as great but is worth a try. Call MS to ask about availability for a particular resort and dates that you’re interested in.

 

[JamJam2021]

At the time, before the reallocation, there was good availability for cash rooms on the weekends because so many owners were booking only weekdays with their points. Nowadays availability for member discount rooms isn’t as great but is worth a try. Call MS to ask about availability for a particular resort and dates that you’re interested in.

Members will always find efficient ways to use limited points resources. I should do the same thing with my other timeshares.

 

[CarolynFH]

Members will always find efficient ways to use limited points resources. I should do the same thing with my other timeshares.

If you haven’t already, check out the forums on TUG, https://tugbbs.com/forums/. Lots of general as well as system-specific information there for maximizing TS resources. It’s the Timeshare Users Forum for a reason.

 

[tidefan]

Yeah and those Riviera 1BRs are just ghastly!!!1!

View attachment 1050077

OF course I’m kidding!

Here is finally a picture with one of our biggest RIV complaints. We are the odd people that enjoy cooking in the unit, and the Galley-styls setup in RIV just doesn't work. It's like they gave the one bedroom a kitchenette instead of a kitchen.

 

[eticketplease]

Here is finally a picture with one of our biggest RIV complaints. We are the odd people that enjoy cooking in the unit, and the Galley-styls setup in RIV just doesn't work. It's like they gave the one bedroom a kitchenette instead of a kitchen.

I know you enjoy CFW how would you describe it's kitchen? It has a very similar layout but of course you are not closed in.

I prefer the RIV kitchen compared to BWV style as that one you feel like you are a kid in timeout facing the corner when using the range/oven.

 

[tidefan]

I know you enjoy CFW how would you describe it's kitchen? It has a very similar layout but of course you are not closed in.

I prefer the RIV kitchen compared to BWV style as that one you feel like you are a kid in timeout facing the corner when using the range/oven.

I think that the CFW kitchen is larger, at least in terms of counterspace. Of course, I'm also spending WAAAY less points on a CFW cabin than a RIV 1-bedroom.

I actually prefer the BWV/SSR/BRV kitchen as you feel like you have prep space. That said, just because I like it doesn't make it gospel. It's just my opinion. I'm sure many love the galley setup (which is also in CCV), it's just not my thing.

Also, it's way easier to take my Publix groceries into the cabin (about 5 steps) versus hauling them from the car at RIV to my unit. Again, just personal preference. Everyone is going to be different and that's OK. It's what makes DVC great!