Hard time deciding how many points we truly need.

[ClaraOswald]

On the drive to our son's swim lesson today (takes about 30 minutes), we were chatting more about future points.

If we end up wanting VDH points, to simplify things, we were talking about selling our 200 BRV points and then basically using VDH points at the 7 month mark for WDW trips (as well as using VDH points to alternate DLR trips between VGC and VDH.) Of course, if we did this, we'd basically need more than 150 VDH points to cover that. Maybe as much as 250+ points. So not sure if that's worth the cost or not. It's obviously more than our BRV points (plus more in dues) but it would give us points to use at WDW beyond 2042.

Our other possible plan would be to keep our 200 BRV. And then add 75-100 VGC resale. So our total points would be 200 BRV and up to 260 VGC. So 460 points total.

If we still wanted 460ish points, total, and we ditched the BRV points, that would mean we would want 300 more west coast points. Obviously this would cost more up front and in the long run (paying dues until we decide to sell.)

I feel like everytime I think about this topic....it ends up being more and more expensive.

 

[MartyParty]

On the drive to our son's swim lesson today (takes about 30 minutes), we were chatting more about future points.

If we end up wanting VDH points, to simplify things, we were talking about selling our 200 BRV points and then basically using VDH points at the 7 month mark for WDW trips (as well as using VDH points to alternate DLR trips between VGC and VDH.) Of course, if we did this, we'd basically need more than 150 VDH points to cover that. Maybe as much as 250+ points. So not sure if that's worth the cost or not. It's obviously more than our BRV points (plus more in dues) but it would give us points to use at WDW beyond 2042.

Our other possible plan would be to keep our 200 BRV. And then add 75-100 VGC resale. So our total points would be 200 BRV and up to 260 VGC. So 460 points total.

If we still wanted 460ish points, total, and we ditched the BRV points, that would mean we would want 300 more west coast points. Obviously this would cost more up front and in the long run (paying dues until we decide to sell.)

I feel like everytime I think about this topic....it ends up being more and more expensive.

For what it’s worth, you could almost get $20k selling your BRV points to offset a new purchase. BRV is a lovely resort but at some moment in time the value will decline as 2042 approaches.

Having re-read through your posting of thoughts, how many points / trips do you think you’ll want to do 2032 - 2042? When your son is older. Or, how many trips after 2042?

It’s tough to think about or plan that far ahead. For comparison, our daughters are now in there 20’s. They still want to travel to Disney and said they would do so when they have their own families one day. In fact I recently learned that the youngest has made Disney travel a part of her future spouse requirement! Who knew?

Family aside, my wife and I have made a few trips sans kiddos and loved it. Not retired yet but I can see a plan formulating around the food and wine festival, Halloween, and Christmas. We live in TX so it’s an easy pivot between WDW or California. And you’re right in that it’s much easier getting something at the 7 month mark in WDW versus Disneyland.

How likely are you to continue to travel to Disney if it’s just you two?

Continue to think on it. There’s plenty of points out there (except for VGC .

 

[Mouseforward]

A lot depends on if you’d like studios or one bedrooms.

Frankly, I don’t think seven month availability at Walt Disney World for Studios is reliable enough if you’d like to do one week trips. I personally hate switching resorts during the week but some people love it. Since I only do studios for the majority of my travel, I don’t bother with sleep around points. I get my points where I wanna stay and just enough to do what I want.

If I was interested in one bedrooms, there’s usually enough availability at Walt Disney World to consider the sleep around approach.

To me California seems like a buy where you wanna stay type of place.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I feel like everytime I think about this topic....it ends up being more and more expensive.

In a way the good news is that the price of VDH has been somewhat flat and the price at 300 point with discount is only a few dollars more than the intro member price when it first went on sale. With how aggressive they have been with marketing at the DLR, I would wonder how well it's selling and if there is any pressure to lower the price even more. Having a large bucket of direct points will do you well for the future if they ever build another property at DLR and as you already mentioned for when they flip any 2042 resorts at WDW. Having a bit more points than you need is also helpful as those point charts as most of the resorts will likely grown when they are resold less perhaps BRV as it will be strange to have CCV as the "value" point chart after 2042 but who knows if DVC will care at that time

 

[AstroBlasters]

On the drive to our son's swim lesson today (takes about 30 minutes), we were chatting more about future points.

If we end up wanting VDH points, to simplify things, we were talking about selling our 200 BRV points and then basically using VDH points at the 7 month mark for WDW trips (as well as using VDH points to alternate DLR trips between VGC and VDH.) Of course, if we did this, we'd basically need more than 150 VDH points to cover that. Maybe as much as 250+ points. So not sure if that's worth the cost or not. It's obviously more than our BRV points (plus more in dues) but it would give us points to use at WDW beyond 2042.

Our other possible plan would be to keep our 200 BRV. And then add 75-100 VGC resale. So our total points would be 200 BRV and up to 260 VGC. So 460 points total.

If we still wanted 460ish points, total, and we ditched the BRV points, that would mean we would want 300 more west coast points. Obviously this would cost more up front and in the long run (paying dues until we decide to sell.)

I feel like everytime I think about this topic....it ends up being more and more expensive.

The commissions to sell and the closing costs to buy new points are quite onerous.

 

[MartyParty]

On the drive to our son's swim lesson today (takes about 30 minutes), we were chatting more about future points.

If we end up wanting VDH points, to simplify things, we were talking about selling our 200 BRV points and then basically using VDH points at the 7 month mark for WDW trips (as well as using VDH points to alternate DLR trips between VGC and VDH.) Of course, if we did this, we'd basically need more than 150 VDH points to cover that. Maybe as much as 250+ points. So not sure if that's worth the cost or not. It's obviously more than our BRV points (plus more in dues) but it would give us points to use at WDW beyond 2042.

Our other possible plan would be to keep our 200 BRV. And then add 75-100 VGC resale. So our total points would be 200 BRV and up to 260 VGC. So 460 points total.

If we still wanted 460ish points, total, and we ditched the BRV points, that would mean we would want 300 more west coast points. Obviously this would cost more up front and in the long run (paying dues until we decide to sell.)

I feel like everytime I think about this topic....it ends up being more and more expensive.

Another direction of thought is perhaps short term instead of long term.

Buy the points you want now and need for the next 5-10 years then sell some later.

At the end of the day, none of our points last forever. They all expire.

 

[ClaraOswald]

For what it’s worth, you could almost get $20k selling your BRV points to offset a new purchase. BRV is a lovely resort but at some moment in time the value will decline as 2042 approaches.

Having re-read through your posting of thoughts, how many points / trips do you think you’ll want to do 2032 - 2042? When your son is older. Or, how many trips after 2042?

It’s tough to think about or plan that far ahead. For comparison, our daughters are now in there 20’s. They still want to travel to Disney and said they would do so when they have their own families one day. In fact I recently learned that the youngest has made Disney travel a part of her future spouse requirement! Who knew?

Family aside, my wife and I have made a few trips sans kiddos and loved it. Not retired yet but I can see a plan formulating around the food and wine festival, Halloween, and Christmas. We live in TX so it’s an easy pivot between WDW or California. And you’re right in that it’s much easier getting something at the 7 month mark in WDW versus Disneyland.

How likely are you to continue to travel to Disney if it’s just you two?

Continue to think on it. There’s plenty of points out there (except for VGC .

Our son has a developmental disability and autism and will likely be living with us forever. So I can't see couples trips ever being an option for us.

It's so hard to know what he might be like as an adult though. It's possible he will continue to always love Disney trips (he definitely loves the familiarity and "routine" of these trips.) But it's also possible he starts hating them. You just never know. With Disneyland-based DVC contracts, I could still see us using the hotels as a "base" for taking non-Disney California trips in the future as well.

A lot depends on if you’d like studios or one bedrooms.

Frankly, I don’t think seven month availability at Walt Disney World for Studios is reliable enough if you’d like to do one week trips. I personally hate switching resorts during the week but some people love it. Since I only do studios for the majority of my travel, I don’t bother with sleep around points. I get my points where I wanna stay and just enough to do what I want.

If I was interested in one bedrooms, there’s usually enough availability at Walt Disney World to consider the sleep around approach.

To me California seems like a buy where you wanna stay type of place.

When we originally bought BRV, we thought we'd stick with studios for a while so that's why we ended up choosing points there instead of some place like Copper Creek, with a longer contract length. We knew we wanted to stay in BRV and would want the security of 11-month booking.

We actually planned to just get 50 points and go every other year. Then we decided we wanted to go more often so added 150.

And then...we stayed in a 1-bedroom this January. I LOVED the space and having the washer and dryer. So I feel like there's no going back to a studio at BRV.

Plus, we will almost exclusively be planning all WDW trips in late January or maybe early February. Not during any "peak" times.

Whereas at DLR, I could see us going all times of the year.

The commissions to sell and the closing costs to buy new points are quite onerous.

Can you give me an idea of how much I might looking at for those two things? I honestly have no clue.

Our 200 points at BRV is in 2 different contracts.

Another direction of thought is perhaps short term instead of long term.

Buy the points you want now and need for the next 5-10 years then sell some later.

At the end of the day, none of our points last forever. They all expire.

Yeah, I've considered that. I actually thought if we want VDH, we could buy a smaller amount (150) now. And just use it for VDH stays (alternating with our VGC stays.) And then when our BRV expires, we can decide at that time if we want to purchase more VDH, more VGC, or maybe buy into something at WDW.

Still, one of my bigger concerns with VDH, even if we really like the looks of it, is being able to get a 1-bedroom villa.

 

[Wedgeout]

Think over analyzing and with too much current ‘what if’ about VDH. I’m sure you will joy stays there but not to the point of putting all that money in on it with a 2074 commitment mindset.

You have a wonderful home base portfolio. BRV for Florida & VGC for California. I’d embrace those home resorts for the life of each contract. Focus on adding more resale VGC to solidify your points usage patterns there. Rent points for VDH occasionally.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Can you give me an idea of how much I might looking at for those two things? I honestly have no clue.

It can vary. Closing costs on a direct purchase especially in CA is very minimal in the grand scheme of things. If you go on the website and pretend like you want those points it’ll tell you your closing costs.

As for commissions for selling I’ve seen a range of 5%-10%, just depends on what broker you use. I personally think the fees don’t outweigh the benefit of extending a contract to 2074 vs 2042 if VDH is something you want to buy.

The only downside I see is 1 bed availability at VDH, but if you can plan 11 months in advance, I think you have a very good shot at making it work out every year. As for WDW again I think even at 7 months you have a great chance of getting a 1 bed most places. I know some will disagree, but I heavily stock availability and that’s just how I feel about it.

But at the end of the day you’re not buying for quite a while, so many things can change between now and then.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Also… as you can see not all of here agree on what is the best move, really only you will know what is best for you and your family. But I hope our differing opinions can help you decide.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Our son has a developmental disability and autism and will likely be living with us forever. So I can't see couples trips ever being an option for us.

It's so hard to know what he might be like as an adult though. It's possible he will continue to always love Disney trips (he definitely loves the familiarity and "routine" of these trips.) But it's also possible he starts hating them. You just never know. With Disneyland-based DVC contracts, I could still see us using the hotels as a "base" for taking non-Disney California trips in the future as well.



When we originally bought BRV, we thought we'd stick with studios for a while so that's why we ended up choosing points there instead of some place like Copper Creek, with a longer contract length. We knew we wanted to stay in BRV and would want the security of 11-month booking.

We actually planned to just get 50 points and go every other year. Then we decided we wanted to go more often so added 150.

And then...we stayed in a 1-bedroom this January. I LOVED the space and having the washer and dryer. So I feel like there's no going back to a studio at BRV.

Plus, we will almost exclusively be planning all WDW trips in late January or maybe early February. Not during any "peak" times.

Whereas at DLR, I could see us going all times of the year.



Can you give me an idea of how much I might looking at for those two things? I honestly have no clue.

Our 200 points at BRV is in 2 different contracts.



Yeah, I've considered that. I actually thought if we want VDH, we could buy a smaller amount (150) now. And just use it for VDH stays (alternating with our VGC stays.) And then when our BRV expires, we can decide at that time if we want to purchase more VDH, more VGC, or maybe buy into something at WDW.

Still, one of my bigger concerns with VDH, even if we really like the looks of it, is being able to get a 1-bedroom villa.

9.25% commission to sell, $150 estoppel from Disney, and then whatever closing costs are on a new contract (higher if resale).

 

[ClaraOswald]

Also… as you can see not all of here agree on what is the best move, really only you will know what is best for you and your family. But I hope our differing opinions can help you decide.

I definitely like hearing all the different perspectives. Gives me things to think about that may never have occurred to me before.

 

[MartyParty]

Think over analyzing and with too much current ‘what if’ about VDH. I’m sure you will joy stays there but not to the point of putting all that money in on it with a 2074 commitment mindset.

You have a wonderful home base portfolio. BRV for Florida & VGC for California. I’d embrace those home resorts for the life of each contract. Focus on adding more resale VGC to solidify your points usage patterns there. Rent points for VDH occasionally.

Like your suggestion, Wedge. Keep the home bases going BRV/VGC (as that's what they like) and occasionally rent a VDH 1 bedroom stay. That could work as well.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I don't know if I ever see us renting points. From what I understand, if something comes up and you need to cancel, you're basically out of luck. As we get older (and my parents get older), you just never know what kind of health-related emergencies could pop up. We pretty much always book flights, hotels, etc. that are fully refundable. Even if we get points that go into holding on our contracts, I feel we have a safety net of renting things out, if needed, to recoup some money.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I don't know if I ever see us renting points. From what I understand, if something comes up and you need to cancel, you're basically out of luck. As we get older (and my parents get older), you just never know what kind of health-related emergencies could pop up. We pretty much always book flights, hotels, etc. that are fully refundable. Even if we get points that go into holding on our contracts, I feel we have a safety net of renting things out, if needed, to recoup some money.

This is why I would’ve never rented.