First time buyer - needing 2bdr always…

[KalamityJane]

I’m debating pitching the husband on buying into DVC. We’ve rented many times and love staying deluxe. We also tend to go in off times for up to 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we will soon no longer fit in a studio or 1 bedroom as we currently have 6 people (baby is 18mo).

Kids are 14. 11, 9 and the baby. We also tent camp at Fort Wilderness I’d love to buy direct but also resale to maximize our points vs cost. My family lives in Orlando and sometimes they stay with us.

Should we still keep renting or buy in, bearing in mind we will need a good amount of points to continue staying DVC? I’ve also debated waiting for the new Disneyland Hotel DVC given we love Disneyland (and it’s much closer to us).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. What do you consider off times? DVC on property has a different high season compared to what people think of as Disney high season. DVC owners love lower points seasons, festivals, and the fall.

2. Are you regularly able to plan 11 months out? When DLH comes online, it is very likely to need home resort booking priority, particularly for 2BRs. The tower is being built as mostly studios, with only 19 2-BR lock-offs (which can be booked as studios and 1BRs, or as a 2BR) and 20 dedicated 2BRs.

 

[KalamityJane]

1. What do you consider off times? DVC on property has a different high season compared to what people think of as Disney high season. DVC owners love lower points seasons, festivals, and the fall.

2. Are you regularly able to plan 11 months out? When DLH comes online, it is very likely to need home resort booking priority, particularly for 2BRs. The tower is being built as mostly studios, with only 19 2-BR lock-offs (which can be booked as studios and 1BRs, or as a 2BR) and 20 dedicated 2BRs.

1. Sept and first half of Dec is usually amazing for us for both flights and timing, and we have usually gone first half of Dec, end of Jan/earl Feb, April/May. We are trying early Sept this time to see if the heat is too much or not!

2. Can I plan 11 months out? Yes, and I likely would for DVC so I can best utilize our points. That being said, I’m also a huge fan of last minute trips and we aren’t super picky about resorts. Right now we have WDW APs and are working our way around trying out the DVC options there to see what we like. I’d likely buy resale for WDW.

I should add, DH can work remotely and we homeschool so it allows us to go whenever. I generally jump on good flights and sort out accommodations after. I do travel hacking so we can always use points to fill in dates that we can’t get DVC even if we book early.

 

[BamaGuy44]

1. Sept and first half of Dec is usually amazing for us for both flights and timing, and we have usually gone first half of Dec, end of Jan/earl Feb, April/May. We are trying early Sept this time to see if the heat is too much or not!

2. Can I plan 11 months out? Yes, and I likely would for DVC so I can best utilize our points. That being said, I’m also a huge fan of last minute trips and we aren’t super picky about resorts. Right now we have WDW APs and are working our way around trying out the DVC options there to see what we like. I’d likely buy resale for WDW.

I should add, DH can work remotely and we homeschool so it allows us to go whenever. I generally jump on good flights and sort out accommodations after. I do travel hacking so we can always use points to fill in dates that we can’t get DVC even if we book early.

Sorry to say September and first half of Dec is definitely not off time for DVC. At least for WDW, not sure about DL

 

[KalamityJane]

Sorry to say September and first half of Dec is definitely not off time for DVC. At least for WDW, not sure about DL

No, it’s just lower point time, I know it’s harder to get reservations then. It used to be a bit lower crowds wise though, but we were there in Dec and it wasn’t so much.

 

[BamaGuy44]

No, it’s just lower point time, I know it’s harder to get reservations then. It used to be a bit lower crowds wise though, but we were there in Dec and it wasn’t so much.

Yeah that's what I mean when I say it's not off time for DVC. Very popular and harder to get reservations because it's lower point time. But I agree with you, there's no "off season" when it comes to crowds right now it seems. There's just crowded and insanely crowded.

 

[havoc315]

I’m debating pitching the husband on buying into DVC. We’ve rented many times and love staying deluxe. We also tend to go in off times for up to 2 weeks. Unfortunately, we will soon no longer fit in a studio or 1 bedroom as we currently have 6 people (baby is 18mo).

Kids are 14. 11, 9 and the baby. We also tent camp at Fort Wilderness I’d love to buy direct but also resale to maximize our points vs cost. My family lives in Orlando and sometimes they stay with us.

Should we still keep renting or buy in, bearing in mind we will need a good amount of points to continue staying DVC? I’ve also debated waiting for the new Disneyland Hotel DVC given we love Disneyland (and it’s much closer to us).

Just don't forget about the option of 2 studios. Typically, that will cost 20%-30% fewer points than booking a 2-bedroom.
A weekly 2 BR will be 350-550 points per year depending on resort and type of year. 2 studios will run you closer to 250-350 points.

 

[jo-jo]

Just don't forget about the option of 2 studios. Typically, that will cost 20%-30% fewer points than booking a 2-bedroom.
A weekly 2 BR will be 350-550 points per year depending on resort and type of year. 2 studios will run you closer to 250-350 points.

With four kids, I'd rather stay a night or two less, and keep the 2 bedroom if only for washer/dryer and kitchen.

 

[KalamityJane]

Just don't forget about the option of 2 studios. Typically, that will cost 20%-30% fewer points than booking a 2-bedroom.
A weekly 2 BR will be 350-550 points per year depending on resort and type of year. 2 studios will run you closer to 250-350 points.

This is a good point. They don’t usually have connecting studios though, right? I could put the older kids in one room but I’m iffy about that right now at their ages. Plus the kitchen really helps with saving money on food and the laundry is super nice.

 

[havoc315]

This is a good point. They don’t usually have connecting studios though, right? I could put the older kids in one room but I’m iffy about that right now at their ages. Plus the kitchen really helps with saving money on food and the laundry is super nice.

Yes, the kitchen and laundry are nice. Subjective question about whether they are worth the additional points.

Remember, DVC is LONG TERM. Your kids won't be their current ages forever, and for now, you can always divide the adults to 1 in each room. Many studios have 3 beds, so can sleep 6 people with each person having their own bed.
At some point (and it comes quick), you won't have any kids left, and you may routinely have only 2 people, or at least less than 6. And when they are adults, if they are traveling with you, they may prefer their own studio.

A good thing about DVC is the flexibility. Just saying you should keep in mind the option of 2 studios before you feel like you MUST buy the points necessary for a 2-bedroom.

 

[CarolynFH]

No, it’s just lower point time, I know it’s harder to get reservations then. It used to be a bit lower crowds wise though, but we were there in Dec and it wasn’t so much.

You also need to be aware that DVC is in the process of reallocating points across seasons, making the more popular seasons (October through December) cost more points per night and the less popular times of year (January through September) cost fewer points per night. For instance, when we bought BWV way back in 1997, we could book a 2BR Preferred view for Thanksgiving week for 300 points. That same week costs closer to 350 points now and could increase. They can change the number of points for a given night only 20% in any given year, so it's a long term project - go to the DVC points charts page and compare the charts for 2022 and 2023 for the resorts and dates you're interested in. You should probably buy 10-20% more points than you think you need.

 

[KalamityJane]

Yes, the kitchen and laundry are nice. Subjective question about whether they are worth the additional points.

Remember, DVC is LONG TERM. Your kids won't be their current ages forever, and for now, you can always divide the adults to 1 in each room. Many studios have 3 beds, so can sleep 6 people with each person having their own bed.
At some point (and it comes quick), you won't have any kids left, and you may routinely have only 2 people, or at least less than 6. And when they are adults, if they are traveling with you, they may prefer their own studio.

A good thing about DVC is the flexibility. Just saying you should keep in mind the option of 2 studios before you feel like you MUST buy the points necessary for a 2-bedroom.

True! How feasible is it to buy extra points from other people if needed during the next few years? Is it a huge pain or fairly easy to transfer in? If it’s not too bad, that might be a good middle option.

 

[KalamityJane]

You also need to be aware that DVC is in the process of reallocating points across seasons, making the more popular seasons (October through December) cost more points per night and the less popular times of year (January through September) cost fewer points per night. For instance, when we bought BWV way back in 1997, we could book a 2BR Preferred view for Thanksgiving week for 300 points. That same week costs closer to 350 points now and could increase. They can change the number of points for a given night only 20% in any given year, so it's a long term project - go to the DVC points charts page and compare the charts for 2022 and 2023 for the resorts and dates you're interested in. You should probably buy 10-20% more points than you think you need.

So are they evening out the points to where there won’t be such a big difference between points cost between the lowest and highest seasons? I’m definitely going to check this out! Thank you!

 

[Sandisw]

True! How feasible is it to buy extra points from other people if needed during the next few years? Is it a huge pain or fairly easy to transfer in? If it’s not too bad, that might be a good middle option.

You are allowed one transfer in or out per UY. So many owners won’t transfer small amounts.

It used to be easier but now it has to be a three way call with MS.

As already mentioned, your travel times are some of the busiest DVC times and people book right at 11 months. Waiting even a day or two, especially December can be a big difference in getting what you want for the number of nights you want.

Both Poly and the new resort studios at VGF connect. While not guaranteed, it’s pretty much been a sure thing at Poly.

VGF might be tough if you don’t own there..and even for 2 bedrooms with all the studio points added we don’t know how that might impact bookings so 11 month will definitely be needed.

 

[jo-jo]

True! How feasible is it to buy extra points from other people if needed during the next few years? Is it a huge pain or fairly easy to transfer in? If it’s not too bad, that might be a good middle option.

We have a friend with a ton of points. About every other year , we rent about a hundred points from him when we need extra for taking the whole family.

 

[Sandisw]

So are they evening out the points to where there won’t be such a big difference between points cost between the lowest and highest seasons? I’m definitely going to check this out! Thank you!

There will still be seasons but they are lowering seasons that were not as popular and raising those seasons that were difficult to book even at 11 months.

Right now, September is in the lowest season but December has slowly been raised.

When we bought we looked at the highest season outside of premium like Xmas as a guide as that would be the highest we’d most likely need to book.

 

[KalamityJane]

You are allowed one transfer in or out per UY. So many owners won’t transfer small amounts.

It used to be easier but now it has to be a three way call with MS.

As already mentioned, your travel times are some of the busiest DVC times and people book right at 11 months. Waiting even a day or two, especially December can be a big difference in getting what you want for the number of nights you want.

Both Poly and the new resort studios at VGF connect. While not guaranteed, it’s pretty much been a sure thing at Poly.

VGF might be tough if you don’t own there..and even for 2 bedrooms with all the studio points added we don’t know how that might impact bookings so 11 month will definitely be needed.

This is great to know about Poly and VGF studios! Poly is on my list to try out (really wanted to try it this upcoming trip but Beach Club won out). I looked at the points cost for 2 studios vs a 2 bedroom and can see where you can save some serious points that way. In some cases, 2 studios nets more occupancy too, which is nice!

 

[Sandisw]

This is great to know about Poly and VGF studios! Poly is on my list to try out (really wanted to try it this upcoming trip but Beach Club won out). I looked at the points cost for 2 studios vs a 2 bedroom and can see where you can save some serious points that way. In some cases, 2 studios nets more occupancy too, which is nice!

I did forget to mention that the resort studios at VGf are basically hotel rooms and don’t have what you normally find in other studios.

They do sleep 5 and have two queen beds with a 5th sleeper couch vs the queen bed and pull down Murphy at RIV, SSR and Poly. . It does not face the TV like it does in deluxe studios.

You also do not have a kitchenette. So no microwave, toaster, mini fridge or full coffee pot.

You do have the single serve coffee maker and a beverage cooler..which may or may not work for your situation. Just be sure to research that

 

[Brian Noble]

Should we still keep renting or buy in, bearing in mind we will need a good amount of points to continue staying DVC?

There are three things that someone might want in their WDW lodging:

1: To be onsite.
2: To have a reasonable amount of space.
3: To spend a reasonable amount of money.

Unfortunately, you can only have two of them at a time—at least, for most definitions of “reasonable.”

So, I think you are trying to get a handle on which of those three you can most easily live without. A 2BR DVC, pretty much no matter how you slice it, will not be cheap. Owning DVC points, purchased resale, is not a bad way to do it, but it still won’t be cheap.

On the other hand, if it is within what you can imagine affording, then why not? For my family, a 2BR is pretty much the smallest unit that I will consider when the four of us (me, DW, DD23 and DS21) are all traveling together, and that’s pretty much been true since the kids were in grade school. If it is just three of us, I will cram into a 1BR if I have to, but only if I have to. For me, ”have a reasonable amount of space” is the one of the three that is non-negotiable.

This is a bit unusual among DVC folks, but I did not get into timesharing to stay in studios. We really like having a living room to be able to stretch out and relax in, where the night owls and/or early birds can do their thing without disturbing anyone who might be sleeping—and that means the sofa bed isn’t being used as a sleeping surface by anyone. We don’t do a lot of “cooking” but it is nice to be able to have a decent breakfast without having to leave the room. In-room laundry means you can throw a load on your way out to the park/dinner/what-have-you without having to worry about hogging a shared machine.

(In fact, I’m typing this from the dining room table in our 3BR condo at Wyndham Smuggler‘s Notch in northern Vermont. It is lovely up here right now.)

The longer the stay, the more important the “home away from home” conveniences are to me. I cannot imagine being in a studio or two for a couple of weeks.

Again, this is going to be a good chunk of change, even as a resale DVC owner. If that’s a stretch, you could also consider (gasp!) staying offsite in a pool home, townhome, or larger condo. We’ve done that both at VRBO/AirBnB-style places (think Windsor Hills) as well as some of the nicer timeshares in the area (our favorite is Wyndham Bonnet Creek). This would cut your lodging costs significantly, but you’d lose being onside. We rent a car whether we are onsite or off, so for us the difference is not particularly important, but YMMV.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

No, it’s just lower point time, I know it’s harder to get reservations then. It used to be a bit lower crowds wise though, but we were there in Dec and it wasn’t so much.

The first two weeks of December are in fact the two highest demand weeks of the year at WDW DVC properties. Have been for years. They are not an off season for booking.

I will add that last minute and a Disneyland 2BR are not two things to happen together. I tend to mention 11 month bookings more strongly at Disneyland because it is so much of a locals park, but booking DVC there is competitive sport. At the new DVC, two studios will certainly be easier than any other unit type, but I do not know if they are building them connecting.