Family of 5 (three kids, two adults) looking to purchase!

[havoc315]

I also just put in another thread to consider VGF resale with a family of 5, especially if the kids are young and you know you'll be at MK a lot. The studios also have the split bath (2 showers)

Oh: I looked up the square footages:

VGF: studio: 374 (!! RIV wins), 1br: 844, 2br: 1232. So comparable to the Riviera but without the pesky resale restriction* and walking distance to MK.

*we own at Riviera too....

Riviera’s biggest positive is that it competes for the biggest and nicest rooms, easily competing with GFV.

Most people would prefer the location of GFV..

But then... what would push me towards RIV...direct points at Riviera aren’t much more expensive then resale points at GFV. Looking at some current listings, direct at RIV is CHEAPER than GFV re-sale.
Direct perks— including staying at current and future resorts — are worth it to me when the point cost is nearly the same.

 

[Rileygirl]

Riviera’s biggest positive is that it competes for the biggest and nicest rooms, easily competing with GFV.

Most people would prefer the location of GFV..

But then... what would push me towards RIV...direct points at Riviera aren’t much more expensive then resale points at GFV. Looking at some current listings, direct at RIV is CHEAPER than GFV re-sale.
Direct perks— including staying at current and future resorts — are worth it to me when the point cost is nearly the same.

Except, I think I just spotted a grand Floridian contract at an somewhat obscure timeshare broker 300 points for 100 pp.......

 

[Sandisw]

Except, I think I just spotted a grand Floridian contract at an somewhat obscure timeshare broker 300 points for 100 pp.......

Which Disney will never let pass....

 

[Rileygirl]

Oh I know. No use year listed, no info on point status, nothing. Just throwing out there InCase anyone was looking for 300 point vgf, and wanted a project

 

[DVC Doctor]

Except, I think I just spotted a grand Floridian contract at an somewhat obscure timeshare broker 300 points for 100 pp.......

that would be a great deal

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Hi! I am generally a Disney expert, but the DVC is some unfamiliar territory for me. We are a young family, with 3 kids under 6. We travel annually, usually during the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend or the Princess Half Marathon weekend (for a full week, with the race weekends kicking off our trip). We are now in a place to buy DVC, and I know it's worth it for families with our Disney spending habits!! I need some advice on
1) How many points we need (minimum and maximum)
2) Do we need a 1BR or 2BR (kids can sleep on sleeper sofas)
3) HOW can we make Beach Club our "home"? Is it possible? If not, Riviera is our choice
4) Where and when is the best time to buy (promotions, when visiting property, etc)?

Thank you all in advance - hoping to make this purchase either this summer or when we travel in Feb 2022 (although I know it'll be 2022 pricing by then). We are also going back in Sep 2022 (staying at Saratoga Springs) for a conference with my work, so I could tour then also but hoping to have made this purchase by then!!

We bought into Beach Club last year via resale. We got a great price and couldn't be happier with the decision. Some will say that BCV isn't a good option because it "only" is available until 2042. But if you really want that as your home resort, then it makes sense to do it and will still "break even" somewhat early into your contract. For example, we are going over Easter week next month. Our total price for the week through DVC (taking into consideration initial purchase price and 2021 MFs) is $1550. The price for booking that stay through Disney (even with discounts) would be $5300. In our particular situation, we will be breaking even on our purchase cost right around the 9 year mark. Of course, every situation is different and there are other factors to consider. But something that is said quite often on this site (which I agree with) is to buy into the home resort at which you would most like to stay. That way, if you can't get reservation at 7 months at another resort you will still be happy.

Here is my take on your questions:
1. Number one and number two kind of are inseparable, because the points escalate when staying in a 1BR or 2BR. And a 1BR technically only sleeps 4, while a studio sleeps 5. It costs a lot more points to stay in a 2BR every time. If you were ok with sleeping in a studio, then 150 points would be ok. Unless you want to go during Christmas or Easter week, in which case you would need 200. For consistent two bedroom stays you would need around 350 points and almost 500 points for Christmas and Easter week.
3. Yes, it is possible! Just buy resale. There are listings out there.
4. This is moot for me, because I would never buy direct. If you go several times a year where an annual pass makes sense, then direct makes more sense. If not, then there really aren't the benefits provided by direct to justify the huge price difference. The only direct resort I would even slightly consider is Riviera, but the resale restriction makes it a deal breaker for me.

Good luck!!

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Do you *need* a villa? Probably not---there are studios that sleep five.

Would you *want* one? That's maybe a more interesting question. The way DVC is priced makes the villas *much* more expensive than the studios---and that's a little unusual in the timeshare world. So, there are some pretty strong rea$on$ to go with a studio.

However, I really prefer the villas. I like having separate sleeping and living spaces--even when it is just the two of us, as I tend to be more of an early bird, and DW is a bit of a night owl. When we had kids traveling with us, it was nice that we had a door---that locked---between us and the kids. (Another DISBoarder refers to this as the "nookie tax.") And, again because of the way DVC is priced, once you are in for a 1BR, the 2BR starts to make a lot of sense for a family so that the living room never has to be a bedroom.

As noted, if you are going to go on race weekends, you need to own at a place you'd be happy to stay.

I have heard several long time DVC people say that beware of staying in a 1BR or 2BR if you are "fine" with a studio. Because once you stay in the 1BR/2BR you will never go back to the studio. They say it in jest of course, but that initial 1BR/2BR stay is a big reason for adonitis. I think there is probably a lot of truth in that.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

I've seen a few people here saying BCV 1 Bedrooms only sleep 4. That's only partially true. They only provide linen and sleeping space for 4 but an air mattress can be used with your own linen and pillow to make capacity 5. I haven't done the BCV air mattress thing (yet...we will this summer) but it's worth pointing out that it is an option.

Here is what I find interesting as a BCV owner. We have two daughters in their mid teens that refuse to sleep in the same bed (one is a "wild" sleeper). Because of this, the studio actually makes more sense than the 1BR for us...even though we would get a 1BR if they were ok with sharing a bed. The studio has both the sofa sleeper and the hideaway bed. Oh well, it saves us on points and they are good with it!

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Do you know what "Disney's Best Kept Secret" really is?

Sometime cash prices are better than using points.

I booked a trip to Aulani and it was cheaper to pay cash promotional rate (direct from Disney) than it was to use points and it may even be cheaper if I used Costco or another travel site, but I stuck with Disney and paid on credit card and can cancel 24 hours before checkin if I have to. If someone rents points, then cancelling becomes a major issue.

Interesting. But can you explain how that is so? I mean, you have already paid your MFs. So yes, "in a vacuum" the room may be cheaper via cash than using DVC points. But in reality, you are paying the MFs AND paying for a cash room. So why not use the points rather than adding the extra expense of the cash booking?

 

[DVC Doctor]

We bought into Beach Club last year via resale. Our total price for the week through DVC (taking into consideration initial purchase price and 2021 MFs) is $1550. The price for booking that stay through Disney (even with discounts) would be $5300. In our particular situation, we will be breaking even on our purchase cost right around the 9 year mark.

Your breakeven is MUCH earlier than 9 years as you should account for the residual value of your BCV investment in the event you sell, but if you keep it until then end, then the huge savings, of course take place after year 9 or so

I have heard several long time DVC people say that beware of staying in a 1BR or 2BR if you are "fine" with a studio. Because once you stay in the 1BR/2BR you will never go back to the studio. They say it in jest of course, but that initial 1BR/2BR stay is a big reason for adonitis. I think there is probably a lot of truth in that.

I totally agree with that. I bought to stay in 2 bedroom and 1 bedrooms as studios have QB only

Interesting. But can you explain how that is so? I mean, you have already paid your MFs. So yes, "in a vacuum" the room may be cheaper via cash than using DVC points. But in reality, you are paying the MFs AND paying for a cash room. So why not use the points rather than adding the extra expense of the cash booking?

I am using $16pp for the value of points and could book Aulani with cash for about $12 or so on my credit card and have the security of cancelling it a few days before my checkin

 

[havoc315]

Interesting. But can you explain how that is so? I mean, you have already paid your MFs. So yes, "in a vacuum" the room may be cheaper via cash than using DVC points. But in reality, you are paying the MFs AND paying for a cash room. So why not use the points rather than adding the extra expense of the cash booking?

Well of course if you already paid for something, it's more expensive to pay for it a second time.
The point is-- there are many times where paying cash is simply cheaper than the cost of DVC ownership and/or DVC point rental.
[Of course most of the time, DVC ownership will be cheaper in raw dollars, but not always. Then it comes down to the size of the "discount" you are ultimately receiving by pre-paying 20-50 years of travel, and whether that discount is big enough to rationalize the pre-payment]

 

[thegash35]

We were in the same boat as you when we bought resale in 2012. Three kids (triplets, 3 years old at the time) and two adults.
We chose AKV because you can sleep 5 in a 1BR and the points charts are very reasonable for what you get. But we stay at Old Key west a lot because that's where my grandparents owned when I was a kid and it's hugely sentimental for me. We travel in the summer and there's always a lot of inventory at 7 months.

Some studios at some resorts sleep 5 now after being reconfigured, but I wouldn't cram 5 people into a studio. We like to visit for around two weeks now, and that's just not enough space for an extended stay.

As our kids are getting older, even 1 bedrooms are starting to feel tight. In 2019 we stayed in a 2BR at Old Key West and plan on doing that again this year assuming that we maintain our vacation plans.

Touring plans has room floor plans and square footage. You should take look there to see what might work for you. I'd personally buy somewhere resale (instead of Riviera direct) and put that difference in capital towards more points that could be used for larger rooms, or longer stays, or both.

 

[kboo]

Riviera’s biggest positive is that it competes for the biggest and nicest rooms, easily competing with GFV.

Most people would prefer the location of GFV..

But then... what would push me towards RIV...direct points at Riviera aren’t much more expensive then resale points at GFV. Looking at some current listings, direct at RIV is CHEAPER than GFV re-sale.
Direct perks— including staying at current and future resorts — are worth it to me when the point cost is nearly the same.

Wow, I hadn't thought of that, but that is kind of what happened to us. We had been thinking of adding on BLT resale (so we could more easily get 2br and bring family), but with pre-opening prices at our price point/# points we wanted, it would have been $5000 more to buy Riviera direct. We figured we could use RIV points at 7mo with our BLT points, but if we added on BLT (after 1/2019) we couldn't use those at Riviera, *and* we would now have a home resort in the EP/HS area.

Here is what I find interesting as a BCV owner. We have two daughters in their mid teens that refuse to sleep in the same bed (one is a "wild" sleeper). Because of this, the studio actually makes more sense than the 1BR for us...even though we would get a 1BR if they were ok with sharing a bed. The studio has both the sofa sleeper and the hideaway bed. Oh well, it saves us on points and they are good with it!

My girls are still young and luckily like to share a bed, but our 9yo takes the loooooongest showers. So the split bath situation in some studios (VGF, Poly, Riv) or +1 at BLT/Kidani are quite attractive to us. When everyone is hangry and needs to shower after pool and before dinner, it is a godsend.

 

[havoc315]

Wow, I hadn't thought of that, but that is kind of what happened to us. We had been thinking of adding on BLT resale (so we could more easily get 2br and bring family), but with pre-opening prices at our price point/# points we wanted, it would have been $5000 more to buy Riviera direct. We figured we could use RIV points at 7mo with our BLT points, but if we added on BLT (after 1/2019) we couldn't use those at Riviera, *and* we would now have a home resort in the EP/HS area.

Yes, there is no universal right/wrong. But for the most part, I don't see a reason to buy re-sale at the more expensive properties unless you already own there and need the points for 11 months, or you're so in love with the property, far beyond the others. For now, the direct pricing of Riviera (with incentives) is close enough to the more expensive re-sales, that the direct benefits could be worthwhile. Anyway, that was our logic when we were choosing between BLT re-sale at about $145 per point and Riviera direct, which we got at $170 per point. My wife preferred Riviera anyway... longer contract... and close enough in price that didn't lose sleep over paying extra for direct. (As with you, a total of a $5,000 difference, to get 200 direct points at Riviera instead of 200 re-sale at BLT). Now, if we had absolutely loved BLT, of course it would have been a different equation.... but to me, if the direct pricing is close to the re-sale pricing, and you're basically equally happy with both properties, that's the time to go direct.

 

[RebelScum]

I have heard several long time DVC people say that beware of staying in a 1BR or 2BR if you are "fine" with a studio. Because once you stay in the 1BR/2BR you will never go back to the studio. They say it in jest of course, but that initial 1BR/2BR stay is a big reason for adonitis. I think there is probably a lot of truth in that.

Very true - We have 3 children (and 2 adults) and bought into DVC with the intention of staying in studios. On a trip to Aulani, we stayed in a 1bdr for a week, and after being spoiled with the extra space to spread out, it was difficult to go back. Needless to say, we have a couple of new contracts now!

 

[RoseGold]

But then... what would push me towards RIV...direct points at Riviera aren’t much more expensive then resale points at GFV. Looking at some current listings, direct at RIV is CHEAPER than GFV re-sale.

Bingo.

Charts are very close, so make your choice. I bought VGF when it dipped and that line briefly crossed over the summer, because I don't think it will ever happen again, (unless direct hikes up the RIV prices to crazytown in a couple years to avoid selling out because they have nothing else to sell). VGF has already gone up so much in value. VGF is small and desirable, I mean right now Fidelity has zero VGF listings. And, well, then there's RIV.

 

[mamaofsix]

Just chiming in to say I think you really need to get enough points for a 2 bedroom. 1 bedroom is going to be so tight as your kids grow. It's much more relaxing when there are separate bedroom spaces and the living room is left for gathering / relaxing.

 

[princesscinderella]

Just chiming in to say I think you really need to get enough points for a 2 bedroom. 1 bedroom is going to be so tight as your kids grow. It's much more relaxing when there are separate bedroom spaces and the living room is left for gathering / relaxing.

This is exactly the point we are at with 3 kids who are 16, 13 & 11. My son who is oldest would make a bed out of the couch cushions at BWV and my girls would share a bed but now that they are older they all want their own space. Sometimes we still smoosh into a 5 person studio but everyone is happier in a two bedroom.

 

[cmarsh31]

I have heard several long time DVC people say that beware of staying in a 1BR or 2BR if you are "fine" with a studio. Because once you stay in the 1BR/2BR you will never go back to the studio. They say it in jest of course, but that initial 1BR/2BR stay is a big reason for adonitis. I think there is probably a lot of truth in that.

And that's the reason I'm currently in the ROFR wait... 3 nights in a BWV studio followed by 2 in BLT 1bd. We came home and immediately started looking for more points (arguably I was ALWAYS looking for more points but now DH got onboard).

 

[crisi]

We are so spoiled. I grew up in a house with five people and a single bathroom. During the Summer, my cousins would come up for a week or two and we'd be ten in a house with one bathroom. We've always enjoyed multi room units with our two children, usually two bedrooms - sometimes Grand Villas - which give everyone some privacy - but thats one of those "how spoiled are you" things.

The one thing I will say with 20 years under my belt - do not assume the travel patterns of today will stay - especially with children in the mix. We had a son who spent years not wanting to go to Disney. We had years where the kids were too busy with jobs/sports/clubs/school to fit in a trip. And my youngest loves Disney, but give them a choice of Disney or a week at the Smithsonian or in London and we are wearing out shoe leather in museums. Picking a resort because its close to the MK for young kids might be regretted when you spend all your time over in the Studios with teenagers. Now with adult children, our points tend to be used for mid-Winter get aways to Hilton Head.