For those with 500 points and up

[cruisehopeful]

I have a little over 500 for now, but getting rid of a small contract soon. My first purchase was in 2021. I acquired a lot of points last year.

I can say that in my subjective opinion, I've already gotten my money's worth. Money isn't worth anything if you don't spend it.

My big splurge is coming up in March. Just my husband and myself will be in a Copper Creek Cabin. I'm still battling internal demons that are lying to me and telling me that I need to be a point miser. I absolutely don't need to be a point miser and I'm working on letting myself book what I want vs what I think is reasonable.

I don't really intend to sell, but I'm letting go of a contract that I'm not getting a lot of use from. I absolutely can use those points on the regular, but I don't need to and I bought some very expensive, very useful contracts last year and I would rather have the money to pay on the other purchases. I'm not opposed to buying more direct sometime.

I haven't needed to rent. I'm driving distance to the California resorts and luckily they use a lot of points. So, I can pretty much use my points eventually. I'm also considering the Sorcerer Pass and maybe some other trades via MS.

 

[Lorana]

How long have you owned your points?

Since 2018

Do you feel like you have gotten your moneys' worth out of it?

Absolutely. It has allowed us to do several extended family trips, and several big friends trips, and splurge on accommodations we otherwise could never afford (nor would have spent the cash price on, even with discounts).

What is the biggest point splurge you have exercised on a trip?

We've done Thanksgiving three times now with my DH's family -- getting a Grand Villa (AKL Jambo first year, CCV Cascade Cabin second time, and PVB Bungalow this past time) and several studios. The Grand Villa was where we stayed and was the central hang out spot, where we all cooked Thanksgiving dinner and ate it together. The studios were so folks had their own sleeping spaces and we weren't all crammed in together.

Though I might say the truly biggest "splurge" was getting a Bungalow for 3 nights when it was just my husband and I for the Flower & Garden Festival. It was also the first time we had ever been in Disney for my birthday, so it was also to spoil me a little, and rates in early May were at least a little better -- certainly better than Thanksgiving week!

Is there a point you expect to sell all or some of your points?

I expect that once we retire, we might downgrade -- but that likely means giving some to our children if they want them, and only selling if they don't. Otherwise, we hope to make use of the contracts to escape the New England winter for a few weeks during retirement.

We have swapped out contracts, though. We used to own more points at BRV, and we used to own at Saratoga Springs and Hilton Head. We've sold all those, but bought into VGC, PVB and more AKV points. When Lakeshore Lodge opens, I will likely sell some contracts to buy into there.

Have you ever rented your points?

Yes. First time honestly was during Covid, when resorts reopened and before Disney announced it would allow points to bank twice. We weren't comfortable going to Disney, so we rented points to those who were. And then we used that to buy more points, lol.
We also have made some friends of some of those renters, who do still rent from us from time to time, and some of our friends/family rent points to use for their own trips, as they cannot afford the outlay cost of buying into Disney and this way they cover the dues cost (and taxes) of points we aren't using.

 

[Disney Spaz]

How long have you owned your points?
We bought in 2013 when VGF was released

Do you feel like you have gotten your moneys' worth out of it?
A million times over. We just came back from a BWI stay for our DS's wedding. We had to stay on the cash side since the wedding was planned in just a few months and the rooms were all booked at BWV. It reinforced for us yet again that we need 1 bdrms or bigger and that DVC was the right choice for us. At one point we stood in the room staring at the wall trying to figure out where the microwave was. Apparently cash side you have to request them.

What is the biggest point splurge you have exercised on a trip?
Ours was a 2bd at Jambo House right before the hotel side reopened. We just added on to our CCV points to move to a 2bdrm every other year at Thanksgiving. We love longer trips so I will always be somewhat of a point miser.

Is there a point you expect to sell all or some of your points?
Nope, our DS has some of his own but would be happy to take more of ours and our DD is absolutely against the points being sold and is trying to talk us into more points pretty regularly.

Have you ever rented your points?
Never, my kids would take them before we ever got to renting.

 

[jcolvin5]

Sooo based on the profile picture, BCV when?

Never say never I guess. It is a very special place. I was ready to buy the first time I walked in. Our girls counting their steps from our room to the Int’l Gateway entrance is a core memory I hope I never forget.

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

We started with a 200 pt resale in 2023. Last week we crossed the comma line with 1,045 pts with 150 pts at ccv (combined with ccv resale for 500 there).

Best splurge? I am writing this from the balcony of our Grand Villa at Copper Creek. We brought both sides of grandparents to treat them to a great experience and a free room.

Went to Aulani on pts this spring. Hadn't been to Hawaii in 12 years but went because the room was already covered in the budget thanks to points. Highly doubt we would have gone otherwise.

Maybe we'll burn out of this after ten years, who knows, but for now I'm fully enjoying it.

Rented a few points the first year because our bcv contract came double loaded and we couldn't use them all in time. Helped offset the buy in.

 

[tx911]

How long have you owned your points?

Initial purchase June 2023, 300 points (150-150) VGF. That was followed very closely by another 150 points during the VGF fire sale, thanks to this board. Since then multiple purchases at Riviera and VGF have brought me up to my current total of 950. I never stop thinking about adding on.

Do you feel like you have gotten your moneys' worth out of it?

100%. Absolutely love going. It doesn't get old for me. I have met lots of great people on every trip, and I'm an introvert!

What is the biggest point splurge you have exercised on a trip?

Nothing super extravagant. A couple of times I've booked a 2BR plus a studio at VGF for large family trips, which were awesome. I tend to take many smaller trips per year rather than fewer larger trips. I just recently stayed solo in a RIV tower studio, and loved it. Those rooms are perfect for one.

Is there a point you expect to sell all or some of your points?

I can't imagine selling at this point. Maybe when I get super old and if my kids don't want the contracts, I'll sell.

Have you ever rented your points?

No. I think I'd do a super splurge like CCV cabin before I'd consider renting.