Hard time deciding how many points we truly need.

[ClaraOswald]

I'm kind of struggling trying to decide how many VGC points we really want/need. So I just thought I'd start a thread to kind of talk through it. This will be long...

Right now, we have 160 VGC points. (I know, that's nothing compared to the amount of points most people here have.) Purchased them in early 2023 for $235pp. We've only used them at VGC once so far, in a studio for 6 nights. Our next trip will be December, also in a studio for 6 nights.

But we've decided that we would like to have enough points for a 1-bedroom, especially as our son gets older.

The issue is that we don't necessarily know how often we will want to or be able to go to Disneyland. Also, we have 200 BRV points that we plan to use for WDW trips. We are not the type of people that like to have trips super close together. So we have to work DLR trips around WDW trips.

Just to kind of show what our past/current/possible trip schedule is......

June 2022 - DLR (Off site)
February 2023 - DLR (Grand Cal, hotel side)
January 2024 - WDW (6 nights, studio)
June 2024 - DLR (6 nights, studio)
January 2025 - WDW (7 nights, 1-bedroom)
December 2025 - DLR (6 nights, studio)
June 2026 - DLR (6 nights, 1-bedroom)
January 2027 - WDW

Beyond that, not sure because I can't think ahead quite that far. Though I've written down some possibilities so see how many points we might need for a 1-bedroom each time.

But the problem I'm running into is this - we really have no idea if we'll continue to mostly travel in January/June (fairly low points seasons) or if we might want to do some Spring or Fall trips in there too down the road. If that's the case, we would likely need some more points.

So....do we just buy a 100 point contract within the next couple years to 'plan' for that? Or do we buy a smaller 50 point contract instead and just worry about possibly needing more when the time comes?

Right now, we will actually be banking all of our 2025 VGC points (June UY) into 2026. (And we'll be losing 2 points that were previously banked and expiring in 2025.) So that will give us 320 points in our 2026 UY which is plenty for a 1-bedroom in June 2026. Excess will be banked for a June 2027 trip, which we will also probably be able to get a 1-bedroom.

That means, we don't technically NEED anymore VGC until after that. So if we were to purchase extra points, even just 50, now or in the near future, we'd likely have to rent out excess points. That just seems like a pain and maybe a bad idea just based on the per point cost of VGC contracts.

My concern with waiting would just be the possibility of VGC points really jumping in price. But maybe that doesn't really matter that much for a small contract? Especially when you consider we'd be "saving" by not having those extra annual dues for a few years.

My other concern would just be the lack of contracts available in our UY for the smaller amount of points. Since I've started paying attention the past 6 months or longer (can't remember now)...really only a couple contracts have popped up that would have been what I wanted. So many are 160 points and we definitely don't want that many.

Anyway, thanks for reading this, if you did. Sometimes it just helps to write it all out. I think, right now, we're still leaning towards just waiting until we actually need the points. And realistically, we don't have the extra money right now anyway. I just wish I knew how many points would be the best for us, in the long run.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I am in a similar situation. I actually think you're better off waiting for now until you need the points. I'm not sure that the price will jump much higher considering the overall economy. What you could possibly do is have a mental note for what you would consider a buy it now situation and then buy it if you happen to see a contract. Or, if you want direct, let your guide know exactly what you want and only buy exactly that if it becomes available.

 

[NVDISFamily]

It's been fun watching you go on this journey @ClaraOswald

A few thoughts -

• Don't forget to factor in dues over a long period in whatever you decide to do
• Will you ever take even more people with you? Grandma and Grandpa to have more family and someone to watch the kid(s)? If you ever do, you will love it. Gives you a chance to sneak into the park for some parent time when the kids are tired and also just makes it a much more fun experience to share with family. I ask as a 2BR is much more efficient way to get that extra space vs a 1BR. Going from a Studio to a 1BR is double the points but it's not quite the same jump from a 1BR to a 2BR to get that extra 3rd of a living space/room (or a bonus studio if you do a lock off).
• Your likely to be able to get a better deal on a slightly larger contract.
• VGC points rent well and it's easy to extract the value of extra points if needed. We have rented a few VGC points to get tickets to WDW, Universal in Florida, and hotel rooms at Universal. You kind of have to stalk the broker site to see when they increase the renting value of VGC but I've seen the board sponsor increase them to north of 20 bucks a point at times. Not a bad value at a tax free exchange into something we need.
• I doubt we'll see large changes in the value of points in the short run but who knows in 10 years.
• Always think very ahead of your need of the points as you well know the whole ROFR process can take it's time and you may also have to battle the ROFR monster for these points. I would not be shocked if we continue to see some ROFR activity on VGC as the guides there are likely screaming that they need more VGC points to sell in addition to VDH.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I'm kind of struggling trying to decide how many VGC points we really want/need. So I just thought I'd start a thread to kind of talk through it. This will be long...

Right now, we have 160 VGC points. (I know, that's nothing compared to the amount of points most people here have.) Purchased them in early 2023 for $235pp. We've only used them at VGC once so far, in a studio for 6 nights. Our next trip will be December, also in a studio for 6 nights.

But we've decided that we would like to have enough points for a 1-bedroom, especially as our son gets older.

The issue is that we don't necessarily know how often we will want to or be able to go to Disneyland. Also, we have 200 BRV points that we plan to use for WDW trips. We are not the type of people that like to have trips super close together. So we have to work DLR trips around WDW trips.

Just to kind of show what our past/current/possible trip schedule is......

June 2022 - DLR (Off site)
February 2023 - DLR (Grand Cal, hotel side)
January 2024 - WDW (6 nights, studio)
June 2024 - DLR (6 nights, studio)
January 2025 - WDW (7 nights, 1-bedroom)
December 2025 - DLR (6 nights, studio)
June 2026 - DLR (6 nights, 1-bedroom)
January 2027 - WDW

Beyond that, not sure because I can't think ahead quite that far. Though I've written down some possibilities so see how many points we might need for a 1-bedroom each time.

But the problem I'm running into is this - we really have no idea if we'll continue to mostly travel in January/June (fairly low points seasons) or if we might want to do some Spring or Fall trips in there too down the road. If that's the case, we would likely need some more points.

So....do we just buy a 100 point contract within the next couple years to 'plan' for that? Or do we buy a smaller 50 point contract instead and just worry about possibly needing more when the time comes?

Right now, we will actually be banking all of our 2025 VGC points (June UY) into 2026. (And we'll be losing 2 points that were previously banked and expiring in 2025.) So that will give us 320 points in our 2026 UY which is plenty for a 1-bedroom in June 2026. Excess will be banked for a June 2027 trip, which we will also probably be able to get a 1-bedroom.

That means, we don't technically NEED anymore VGC until after that. So if we were to purchase extra points, even just 50, now or in the near future, we'd likely have to rent out excess points. That just seems like a pain and maybe a bad idea just based on the per point cost of VGC contracts.

My concern with waiting would just be the possibility of VGC points really jumping in price. But maybe that doesn't really matter that much for a small contract? Especially when you consider we'd be "saving" by not having those extra annual dues for a few years.

My other concern would just be the lack of contracts available in our UY for the smaller amount of points. Since I've started paying attention the past 6 months or longer (can't remember now)...really only a couple contracts have popped up that would have been what I wanted. So many are 160 points and we definitely don't want that many.

Anyway, thanks for reading this, if you did. Sometimes it just helps to write it all out. I think, right now, we're still leaning towards just waiting until we actually need the points. And realistically, we don't have the extra money right now anyway. I just wish I knew how many points would be the best for us, in the long run.

Good read. Very well thought out, logical, and contains data to back up your decision process.

6-nights in a one bedroom is 243 to 252ish points. Let’s say 252-160 is 92 more points. Given how point charts can fluctuate… it seems that around 100 points is the sweet spot if looking for a resale contract.

Given that will probably cost you around $26,000 with closing costs…. I wouldn’t buy more than you need.

Your other option would be to buy into VDH and then alternate years. 100 points gets an $18pp incentive and you could use magical beginnings to knock of another $20pp. So, $245 base less $38pp gets you to $207pp.

I’m not sure when school starts there, but the last two weeks of August are pretty inexpensive at VDH and you could get 6-nights in a 1 bedroom for 205 points. The tax adds about an extra $105 per night to a one-bedroom. Given the advice to buy 110% of what you think you need, you might just pop up to DVC-Y.

Given that your BRV goes to zero in 16-years… you may want some direct points you could use anywhere at WDW… including a BC or BW 2.0…. or even BRV 2.0….

 

[ClaraOswald]

I am in a similar situation. I actually think you're better off waiting for now until you need the points. I'm not sure that the price will jump much higher considering the overall economy. What you could possibly do is have a mental note for what you would consider a buy it now situation and then buy it if you happen to see a contract. Or, if you want direct, let your guide know exactly what you want and only buy exactly that if it becomes available.

Yeah...we thought about direct but if we only want 50-100 it didn't make much sense since we still wouldn't have enough for benefits. So definitely just going to look at resale. It's hard because there is a 100 pointer out there now that I would consider but I just don't think we could swing it right now. And then I still question if that would be too many points anyway.

It's been fun watching you go on this journey @ClaraOswald

A few thoughts -

• Don't forget to factor in dues over a long period in whatever you decide to do
• Will you ever take even more people with you? Grandma and Grandpa to have more family and someone to watch the kid(s)? If you ever do, you will love it. Gives you a chance to sneak into the park for some parent time when the kids are tired and also just makes it a much more fun experience to share with family. I ask as a 2BR is much more efficient way to get that extra space vs a 1BR. Going from a Studio to a 1BR is double the points but it's not quite the same jump from a 1BR to a 2BR to get that extra 3rd of a living space/room (or a bonus studio if you do a lock off).
• Your likely to be able to get a better deal on a slightly larger contract.
• VGC points rent well and it's easy to extract the value of extra points if needed. We have rented a few VGC points to get tickets to WDW, Universal in Florida, and hotel rooms at Universal. You kind of have to stalk the broker site to see when they increase the renting value of VGC but I've seen the board sponsor increase them to north of 20 bucks a point at times. Not a bad value at a tax free exchange into something we need.
• I doubt we'll see large changes in the value of points in the short run but who knows in 10 years.
• Always think very ahead of your need of the points as you well know the whole ROFR process can take it's time and you may also have to battle the ROFR monster for these points. I would not be shocked if we continue to see some ROFR activity on VGC as the guides there are likely screaming that they need more VGC points to sell in addition to VDH.

Yeah, the dues makes me want to lean more to 50 points, if we think it would be enough. I guess if it's not, we just add another 50 later. But that seems like such a waste since the 50 point contracts are always priced so much higher.

We will likely never take anyone with us, sadly. I would love for my parents to join us but he are pretty. firmly against it.

I've honestly never looked at the price of the 2-bedrooms at VGC. I suppose it's possible we could want a dedicated one (do they have those at VGC or only lock-offs??) when our son is an adult. He has an intellectual/developmental disability and will likely live with us forever. We are actually thinking of trying 2 bedrooms at BRV since we will have enough points for that and would like 2 bathrooms. Kind of excessive when it comes to space/sleeping areas though.

I know next to nothing about the rental process so I'll definitely need to do more research on that. It seems overwhelming though.

I tried to plot out possible trips between now and 2030/2031ish. And we would definitely need more to get out of studios around that time. So maybe 5-7 years from now.

Of course, to add to all of this....there has been a slight (very, very slight) chance that we would consider alternating between VGC and VDH for our California trips. We could get 150 direct VDH points at not much more or about the same as resale VGC. But then we'd have direct benefits. We would essentially bank points on both accounts and alternate where we stay and would likely be able to afford a 1-bedroom in both with that strategy (I think.)

But....I worry about the availability of 1-bedrooms at both locations.
And still think we might not like the extra walk to VDH.

Needless to say...I'm all over the place and will probably be thinking about this for literally years! And you all will have to deal with me talking about it.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Good read. Very well thought out, logical, and contains data to back up your decision process.

6-nights in a one bedroom is 243 to 252ish points. Let’s say 252-160 is 92 more points. Given how point charts can fluctuate… it seems that around 100 points is the sweet spot if looking for a resale contract.

Given that will probably cost you around $26,000 with closing costs…. I wouldn’t buy more than you need.

Your other option would be to buy into VDH and then alternate years. 100 points gets an $18pp incentive and you could use magical beginnings to knock of another $20pp. So, $245 base less $38pp gets you to $207pp.

I’m not sure when school starts there, but the last two weeks of August are pretty inexpensive at VDH and you could get 6-nights in a 1 bedroom for 205 points. The tax adds about an extra $105 per night to a one-bedroom. Given the advice to buy 110% of what you think you need, you might just pop up to DVC-Y.

Given that your BRV goes to zero in 16-years… you may want some direct points you could use anywhere at WDW… including a BC or BW 2.0…. or even BRV 2.0….

The thing with an extra 100 is that it's not likely we'll travel in every single use year. For example, when I tried to think about the next 5 years or so, I did have us skipping a DLR trip in the 2029 (I think, I'd have to check my notes) UY. So we end up banking a bunch of points that year.

So it would be similar to how we are right now - For 2025, we have 162 points (2 were banked and therefore will expire.) We have our December trip booked that we used all banked points for. So for 2026 we have double points. I suspect that will happen from time to time....which is why with these current points, I think we have enough for a 1-bedroom in both June 2026 and June 2027. So that's when I worry that 100 would be too many, maybe?

My son typically in is school in mid-August. I think the 13th this year...yuck!

I hadn't really thought about using direct at WDW eventually. Definitely something to consider as well. I'll be really curious to see what we think of VDH when we walk over there this December!

 

[AstroBlasters]

The thing with an extra 100 is that it's not likely we'll travel in every single use year. For example, when I tried to think about the next 5 years or so, I did have us skipping a DLR trip in the 2029 (I think, I'd have to check my notes) UY. So we end up banking a bunch of points that year.

So it would be similar to how we are right now - For 2025, we have 162 points (2 were banked and therefore will expire.) We have our December trip booked that we used all banked points for. So for 2026 we have double points. I suspect that will happen from time to time....which is why with these current points, I think we have enough for a 1-bedroom in both June 2026 and June 2027. So that's when I worry that 100 would be too many, maybe?

My son typically in is school in mid-August. I think the 13th this year...yuck!

I hadn't really thought about using direct at WDW eventually. Definitely something to consider as well. I'll be really curious to see what we think of VDH when we walk over there this December!

So then once every 5-years you end up in a 2 bedroom?

On VDH @ WDW…. no TOT…

 

[ClaraOswald]

Well, my husband just spent some time looking at pictures/videos of the VDH rooms. Then at the Disneyland Forward map.

Then he went looking at all the DVC lounges.

So that makes me think we will definitely need to wait on more points until at least after we get a look at VDH in person in December. I still have a feeling we won't end up buying there. But there's maybe a slightly better chance now after he watched all those videos.

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

Checking out of VGC right now. Waaaa. We were in a studio and it was fine (newly refurbished and the best view you could imagine)…. but even just the two of us if we could stay in a 1 bedroom every time that’s the dream. VGC I think of a flex - living larger than a hotel room size. Having a bonus bathroom even for the two of us is so nice and Steve is an early riser and can go to the living room and enjoy tv quietly and coffee while princess Nich sleeps in.
So… we bought an extra 100 (direct haha) recently (bringing us to 500 at VGC) as you know so that if we aren’t super splurging on a 2-3 bedroom we could make every trip a 1 instead of a studio.
But we did do unwise things like finance .
Everyone’s situation is different and it’s fun to watch your journey.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Checking out of VGC right now. Waaaa. We were in a studio and it was fine (newly refurbished and the best view you could imagine)…. but even just the two of us if we could stay in a 1 bedroom every time that’s the dream. VGC I think of a flex - living larger than a hotel room size. Having a bonus bathroom even for the two of us is so nice and Steve is an early riser and can go to the living room and enjoy tv quietly and coffee while princess Nich sleeps in.
So… we bought an extra 100 (direct haha) recently (bringing us to 500 at VGC) as you know so that if we aren’t super splurging on a 2-3 bedroom we could make every trip a 1 instead of a studio.
But we did do unwise things like finance .
Everyone’s situation is different and it’s fun to watch your journey.

Niiiiiice!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Checking out of VGC right now. Waaaa. We were in a studio and it was fine (newly refurbished and the best view you could imagine)…. but even just the two of us if we could stay in a 1 bedroom every time that’s the dream. VGC I think of a flex - living larger than a hotel room size. Having a bonus bathroom even for the two of us is so nice and Steve is an early riser and can go to the living room and enjoy tv quietly and coffee while princess Nich sleeps in.
So… we bought an extra 100 (direct haha) recently (bringing us to 500 at VGC) as you know so that if we aren’t super splurging on a 2-3 bedroom we could make every trip a 1 instead of a studio.
But we did do unwise things like finance .
Everyone’s situation is different and it’s fun to watch your journey.

How often and for how long do you guys go to VGC?

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

How often and for how long do you guys go to VGC?

Usually 4 nights at a time and we alternate between VGC and VDH. On average 5 times a year. Since we’re teachers we tend to go:
Presidents Day weekend
Memorial Day weekend
“Summer”
Oogie Boogie
New Years

Sometimes the seasons are totally different between the two point charts so it makes a lot more sense points wise to stay at one or the other (we have 350 at VDH).

 

[ClaraOswald]

Wow....living the dream, for sure!

 

[juliebee]

Do you think that you will continue to want to stay for 6 nights? Maybe this is blasphemy, but I am done with Disneyland after 3-4 days. Sometimes I add a resort day or day for other area attractions, but typically just focus on the parks. If you are consistently going every year, perhaps a shorter trip would fill that need and let you get by with a few less points?

As for having extra VGC points, look into doing a transfer with a member. Plenty of people (including myself) that look for small 50-75 point transfers, so I don't think you'd have any trouble making some money on that.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Honestly, it's so hard to say what our traveling will look like as the years go on. I have a hard time seeing us getting sick of Disneyland. My husband was an AP holder for over a decade or more and went all the time when he lived in Orange County. I only lived there about a year and a half, but during that time, I went several times a week and never got bored. Now....what our son will think as he gets older....who knows. But there's also plenty to do in the area if we cut back on park days.

I can't see us doing less than 6 nights though. Just because travel is such a pain that we want to make the trip worthwhile. To fly, we always have a layover, which is annoying. When we drive, it takes us 3 days each way. We're more likely to space 6 or even 7 night trips out farther than to take shorter, more frequent trips.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Honestly, it's so hard to say what our traveling will look like as the years go on. I have a hard time seeing us getting sick of Disneyland. My husband was an AP holder for over a decade or more and went all the time when he lived in Orange County. I only lived there about a year and a half, but during that time, I went several times a week and never got bored. Now....what our son will think as he gets older....who knows. But there's also plenty to do in the area if we cut back on park days.

I can't see us doing less than 6 nights though. Just because travel is such a pain that we want to make the trip worthwhile. To fly, we always have a layover, which is annoying. When we drive, it takes us 3 days each way. We're more likely to space 6 or even 7 night trips out farther than to take shorter, more frequent trips.

We are going to VGC for 6 nights in August. However, one day we are going to La Brea Tarpits/Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Another day we are going to hang out in Newport. There is so much to do in SoCal and DVC can be a home base where you pop into the park in the morning, do something during the day, and then go back to the park in the evening. #MagicKeyLife

 

[NVDISFamily]

Between VDH and VGC we have about 6 trips planned for this cycle. I'm sure one extra will sneak in there too.

We like to do the following in a "typical" DLR/Magic Key cycle -

Late June or July - This year moved out a bit for the 70th and hosting family for their first trip to DLR in a long time.
October - OBB and/or Nevada Day
November - Thanksgiving week. Usually at VGC in a 2BR. We cook the bird and such on a off day as my brother is a 1st responder and often has to work the holiday. Our favorite week to go by far. Love seeing the resort and parks decorated in the holiday decor and the weather is amazing. It's not too busy in the parks.
January - don't always do this one but good time to visit before back to work/school for the kid's winter break and it's our son's b-day.
Spring Break in March/April (changes each year based on the school cycle). If it aligns with Dapper Day = win.

Sorry if I say this too much but check out those garden studios. That extra balcony space makes the room a bit more easy to live in for a few days and it's just so magical. We are starting to do a lot more split stays. Start at VDH in the garden studio and then expand into a larger villa at VGC to finish strong. I like the resort/pool vibe just a bit more at DH so usually a good pool day or half day to start the trip or when we have a blocked day for our Believe key isn't bad.

@AstroBlasters advice about the future of points and VDH for the long run for when resorts become more restricted in 16 years is something to consider. Plus the lounge at DL is awesome......

 

[cruisehopeful]

Sorry if I say this too much but check out those garden studios

I was able to get one night in July in a Garden Room. I hope I don't get addicted to them.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I was able to get one night in July in a Garden Room. I hope I don't get addicted to them.

It’s a different vibe than the main tower. Definitely my preferred way to duo/studio for solo trips.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Between VDH and VGC we have about 6 trips planned for this cycle. I'm sure one extra will sneak in there too.

We like to do the following in a "typical" DLR/Magic Key cycle -

Late June or July - This year moved out a bit for the 70th and hosting family for their first trip to DLR in a long time.
October - OBB and/or Nevada Day
November - Thanksgiving week. Usually at VGC in a 2BR. We cook the bird and such on a off day as my brother is a 1st responder and often has to work the holiday. Our favorite week to go by far. Love seeing the resort and parks decorated in the holiday decor and the weather is amazing. It's not too busy in the parks.
January - don't always do this one but good time to visit before back to work/school for the kid's winter break and it's our son's b-day.
Spring Break in March/April (changes each year based on the school cycle). If it aligns with Dapper Day = win.

Sorry if I say this too much but check out those garden studios. That extra balcony space makes the room a bit more easy to live in for a few days and it's just so magical. We are starting to do a lot more split stays. Start at VDH in the garden studio and then expand into a larger villa at VGC to finish strong. I like the resort/pool vibe just a bit more at DH so usually a good pool day or half day to start the trip or when we have a blocked day for our Believe key isn't bad.

@AstroBlasters advice about the future of points and VDH for the long run for when resorts become more restricted in 16 years is something to consider. Plus the lounge at DL is awesome......

Do those garden studios overlook the pool area? I'm super sensitive to noise so I worry that would be a problem for me.