Hard time deciding when to purchase

[ClaraOswald]

So a couple days ago, a VGC contract that would have been close to perfect for us popped up. We had a lot of discussions about it. Weighing the pros and cons of buying it vs. buying VDH.

While my husband did joke "offer them $229pp", I was surprised that he didn't seriously say to put in an offer immediately. That showed me that he was really leaning towards VDH more than I expected.

And I think it showed that I'm leaning more that way too. I think because I felt conflicted, even when faced with a near-perfect VGC contract, that says a lot about what my gut is telling me.

Will my gut change? Possibly. I don't know. But as of this moment, I'm thinking we are likely to purchase VDH direct and then alternate locations. It's a bit stressful to think about all the banking/borrowing and the timing of trips but that's a future-me problem.

Now the main question, which is reflected in the title change, is WHEN do we decide to purchase??

 

[VGCgroupie]

So a couple days ago, a VGC contract that would have been close to perfect for us popped up. We had a lot of discussions about it. Weighing the pros and cons of buying it vs. buying VDH.

While my husband did joke "offer them $229pp", I was surprised that he didn't seriously say to put in an offer immediately. That showed me that he was really leaning towards VDH more than I expected.

And I think it showed that I'm leaning more that way too. I think because I felt conflicted, even when faced with a near-perfect VGC contract, that says a lot about what my gut is telling me.

Will my gut change? Possibly. I don't know. But as of this moment, I'm thinking we are likely to purchase VDH direct and then alternate locations. It's a bit stressful to think about all the banking/borrowing and the timing of trips but that's a future-me problem.

Now the main question, which is reflected in the title change, is WHEN do we decide to purchase??

Personally I think right before your UY switches so you can do MB and not pay dues on those points. I have no idea what UY you are buying but that’s my advice.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Our UY is June.

If we purchase between now and May 31st, we would use MB for the 2025 points. And we'd have all of the 2026 points. On paper, this probably seems like the best "deal."

However, I'm not sure we'd actually have use for those 2026 points. So it might make more sense to wait and purchase when we can use MB on the 2026 points instead.

Right now, these are the trips we have "planned" for Disneyland...
June 2026 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 6 nights.
June 2027 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 7 nights
June 2028 - VDH, 1 bedroom, 7 nights

Currently, we have ALL of our 2025 VGC points banked into 2026. So we have 320 VGC points.
Our June 2026 trip will cost 243 points. So that means 77 points are banked into 2027.

The June 2027 trip to VGC will cost 291 points.
160+77 = 237
So we would likely borrow 54 VGC points from 2028. The rest of 2028 would get banked and we'd use VDH 2028 points for a June that year. And then going forward, we would essentially alternate between VDH and VGC every other trip.

So you see...our first VDH trip wouldn't be until June 2028 (would be booked in July 2027.) That trip would use all of the banked 2027 points and almost all of the 2028 points. But that means any 2026 points would have to be rented out. Or possibly used at the 7-month mark to upgrade to a bigger room at BRV (we have trips planned there in a 1-bedroom in January 2027 and January 2028.)

Another option would be to go to VDH in June 2027 instead. That would leave us with 77 points we'd need to rent out or use to upgrade to a bigger BRV room or something.

So yeah...I can't decide if we should purchase between now and May 31st THIS year. Or wait and purchase later.

 

[intamin]

Our UY is June.

If we purchase between now and May 31st, we would use MB for the 2025 points. And we'd have all of the 2026 points. On paper, this probably seems like the best "deal."

However, I'm not sure we'd actually have use for those 2026 points. So it might make more sense to wait and purchase when we can use MB on the 2026 points instead.

Right now, these are the trips we have "planned" for Disneyland...
June 2026 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 6 nights.
June 2027 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 7 nights
June 2028 - VDH, 1 bedroom, 7 nights

Currently, we have ALL of our 2025 VGC points banked into 2026. So we have 320 VGC points.
Our June 2026 trip will cost 243 points. So that means 77 points are banked into 2027.

The June 2027 trip to VGC will cost 291 points.
160+77 = 237
So we would likely borrow 54 VGC points from 2028. The rest of 2028 would get banked and we'd use VDH 2028 points for a June that year. And then going forward, we would essentially alternate between VDH and VGC every other trip.

So you see...our first VDH trip wouldn't be until June 2028 (would be booked in July 2027.) That trip would use all of the banked 2027 points and almost all of the 2028 points. But that means any 2026 points would have to be rented out. Or possibly used at the 7-month mark to upgrade to a bigger room at BRV (we have trips planned there in a 1-bedroom in January 2027 and January 2028.)

Another option would be to go to VDH in June 2027 instead. That would leave us with 77 points we'd need to rent out or use to upgrade to a bigger BRV room or something.

So yeah...I can't decide if we should purchase between now and May 31st THIS year. Or wait and purchase later.

How many points are you thinking of buying? If it's a fair amount like 150+ that's a decent amount of points to leave on the table when you could MB 2025 and then rent out 2026.

 

[ClaraOswald]

How many points are you thinking of buying? If it's a fair amount like 150+ that's a decent amount of points to leave on the table when you could MB 2025 and then rent out 2026.

Thinking 160. VDH in June, for 1 week in a 1 bedroom is 306 points. So we'd need more than just 150 for that. And I figure having 160 at both VDH and VGC would be nice.

I've never rented points out before so the prospect is a bit scary. Ha!

Though with alternating years, we will likely end up with a small excess at VDH every other year and a small excess at VGC every year. So we may have to rent out a night or two each year so they don't get wasted.

 

[juliebee]

I was going to say purchase when you need the points or have trips in mind to use them. Can reasonably afford it (whatever that means to YOU, not randos on the internet). Shortly before your use year (if you want to be really smart about it). Before a price increase or an increase in the number of points required for member benefits.

However, it sounds like you don't need or have plans for the points. It almost sounds like they'd be a burden. And the price increase for VDH is only $3/pt, which isn't terrible compared to the other price increases. This could be the cheapest time to buy, as prices always seem to drive higher and higher, but if you aren't going to be excited about the points and be able to use them... it sounds like waiting is prudent.

 

[intamin]

Thinking 160. VDH in June, for 1 week in a 1 bedroom is 306 points. So we'd need more than just 150 for that. And I figure having 160 at both VDH and VGC would be nice.

I've never rented points out before so the prospect is a bit scary. Ha!

Though with alternating years, we will likely end up with a small excess at VDH every other year and a small excess at VGC every year. So we may have to rent out a night or two each year so they don't get wasted.

I personally wouldn't give up the extra UY of points assuming it doesn't stretch finances too much. I haven't rented points to anyone but friends but that's still giving up 3200 worth minus taxes and fees and etc. Alternatively those are points that could be used on a WDW annual pass or toward a cruise point swap or something. But if you truly don't need the points there's nothing wrong with another year in a taxable brokerage or equivalent lol

 

[juliebee]

Another factor in deciding when... at least for me... was my husband started being very enthusiastic about buying more points and I didn't want that feeling to fade so I had to strike while the iron was hot.

 

[intamin]

Another factor in deciding when... at least for me... was my husband started being very enthusiastic about buying more points and I didn't want that feeling to fade so I had to strike while the iron was hot.

This is me with my wife.. except the iron is never hot but I'm still striking regardless until it gives in . The agreement for this last contract though was it's the last one unless we sell something and she doesn't want to hear another DVC podcast or have it brought up unless it applies to her so safe to say I'm done now

 

[VGCgroupie]

Our UY is June.

If we purchase between now and May 31st, we would use MB for the 2025 points. And we'd have all of the 2026 points. On paper, this probably seems like the best "deal."

However, I'm not sure we'd actually have use for those 2026 points. So it might make more sense to wait and purchase when we can use MB on the 2026 points instead.

Right now, these are the trips we have "planned" for Disneyland...
June 2026 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 6 nights.
June 2027 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 7 nights
June 2028 - VDH, 1 bedroom, 7 nights

Currently, we have ALL of our 2025 VGC points banked into 2026. So we have 320 VGC points.
Our June 2026 trip will cost 243 points. So that means 77 points are banked into 2027.

The June 2027 trip to VGC will cost 291 points.
160+77 = 237
So we would likely borrow 54 VGC points from 2028. The rest of 2028 would get banked and we'd use VDH 2028 points for a June that year. And then going forward, we would essentially alternate between VDH and VGC every other trip.

So you see...our first VDH trip wouldn't be until June 2028 (would be booked in July 2027.) That trip would use all of the banked 2027 points and almost all of the 2028 points. But that means any 2026 points would have to be rented out. Or possibly used at the 7-month mark to upgrade to a bigger room at BRV (we have trips planned there in a 1-bedroom in January 2027 and January 2028.)

Another option would be to go to VDH in June 2027 instead. That would leave us with 77 points we'd need to rent out or use to upgrade to a bigger BRV room or something.

So yeah...I can't decide if we should purchase between now and May 31st THIS year. Or wait and purchase later.

If you dont have the need for points for 2 years then I wouldnt be thinking about buying now. That is just my opinion since it seems that you don't have a ton of excess cash flow, but maybe I am wrong.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Our UY is June.

If we purchase between now and May 31st, we would use MB for the 2025 points. And we'd have all of the 2026 points. On paper, this probably seems like the best "deal."

However, I'm not sure we'd actually have use for those 2026 points. So it might make more sense to wait and purchase when we can use MB on the 2026 points instead.

Right now, these are the trips we have "planned" for Disneyland...
June 2026 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 6 nights.
June 2027 - VGC, 1 bedroom, 7 nights
June 2028 - VDH, 1 bedroom, 7 nights

Currently, we have ALL of our 2025 VGC points banked into 2026. So we have 320 VGC points.
Our June 2026 trip will cost 243 points. So that means 77 points are banked into 2027.

The June 2027 trip to VGC will cost 291 points.
160+77 = 237
So we would likely borrow 54 VGC points from 2028. The rest of 2028 would get banked and we'd use VDH 2028 points for a June that year. And then going forward, we would essentially alternate between VDH and VGC every other trip.

So you see...our first VDH trip wouldn't be until June 2028 (would be booked in July 2027.) That trip would use all of the banked 2027 points and almost all of the 2028 points. But that means any 2026 points would have to be rented out. Or possibly used at the 7-month mark to upgrade to a bigger room at BRV (we have trips planned there in a 1-bedroom in January 2027 and January 2028.)

Another option would be to go to VDH in June 2027 instead. That would leave us with 77 points we'd need to rent out or use to upgrade to a bigger BRV room or something.

So yeah...I can't decide if we should purchase between now and May 31st THIS year. Or wait and purchase later.

I will throw out there that if you talk to your Guide beforehand, you could have them use the new VDH points to book your upcoming stay…. allowing you to then bank your current Grand Californian points to the future.

That’s if there is a 1BD that hasn’t been booked for cash….

 

[ClaraOswald]

Another factor in deciding when... at least for me... was my husband started being very enthusiastic about buying more points and I didn't want that feeling to fade so I had to strike while the iron was hot.

Yeah...my husband is still fairly excited since we just toured the villas last month. I suppose it could definitely fade as time goes on.

This is me with my wife.. except the iron is never hot but I'm still striking regardless until it gives in . The agreement for this last contract though was it's the last one unless we sell something and she doesn't want to hear another DVC podcast or have it brought up unless it applies to her so safe to say I'm done now

I think he's already getting a bit bored of talking about DVC points with me.

I will throw out there that if you talk to your Guide beforehand, you could have them use the new VDH points to book your upcoming stay…. allowing you to then bank your current Grand Californian points to the future.

That’s if there is a 1BD that hasn’t been booked for cash….

We have 160 VGC that is already banked from 2025 so we are pretty set to stay there in June.

 

[juliebee]

We have 160 VGC that is already banked from 2025 so we are pretty set to stay there in June.

Those points would be BURNING a hole in my pocket! That shows what restraint you have and your ability to plan out for your trips. I admire that!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Those points would be BURNING a hole in my pocket! That shows what restraint you have and your ability to plan out for your trips. I admire that!

Well, it's "easy" when you don't want to pull your kid out of school for more than 1 week each school year. That kind of limits the amount of DLR/WDW trips we can take each year. Plus, just the expense of Disney trips is high with tickets, airfare, food, dog sitter, etc. I think our December trip cost us around $5000-$6000 when it was all said and done. Which maybe isn't a lot to some people but it is to me.

Trust me, if money and school weren't a factor...I'd be planning a lot more trips!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Well, it's "easy" when you don't want to pull your kid out of school for more than 1 week each school year. That kind of limits the amount of DLR/WDW trips we can take each year. Plus, just the expense of Disney trips is high with tickets, airfare, food, dog sitter, etc. I think our December trip cost us around $5000-$6000 when it was all said and done. Which maybe isn't a lot to some people but it is to me.

Trust me, if money and school weren't a factor...I'd be planning a lot more trips!

I really think the comment was more about you have excess points currently and since money is a factor buying a direct or expensive vgc resale right now probably isn’t what’s best. Dont forgot you came here asking for advice and that’s what’s being given. So many things can change in 2 years, it probably best to think about what DVC resort is best to buy in 1.5 years.