Has anyone combated addonitis by constantly renting points instead?

[cruisehopeful]

***Update 4/23 in the comments****

I have 150 VDH direct and 50 Poly resale.
As I look towards the future, I prefer higher point rooms. I keep toying with adding on, but I feel like I have to buy direct because I live in California and if we weren't able to fly, we would use our points in California and VDH is restricted and VGC is so hard to get. That said, I wouldn't want more VDH points because they are restricted.

I've been toying with buying 100 points for Poly direct. It would obviously be great to have more points. We like the best views and will often want a one bedroom. I don't exactly want a third resort, but would love to book other resorts, especially Aulani. However, Lakeshore sounds like the type of place we would love. Part of me says not to add on now and to wait until Lakeshore is for sale, just in case we want that.

With all that said, we're getting old! I'm pushing 60 and my husband is older than that. I'm wondering if a better strategy is to rent points from another owner every couple years when we need a lot more. Does that make sense financially? I feel like we'd be getting the most use of our contracts for about 15 years and then, really who knows. Has anyone combatted addonitis by just deciding to rent whenever you need to? Do you have any regrets?

 

[Sandisw]

For every couple years, maybe. But I would not want to be dependent on rentals personally and would rather just buy my own points and go from there.

 

[Chili327]

Rent or transfer (I’d rather transfer) doesn’t sound like a bad idea for your situation. Usually $18/pp or higher.

If you bought a pricier contract the points would work out to $16/pp or higher. Maybe even higher, I’ve never done the math on Direct points.

 

[petrola]

For two people only I think 200 points is perfect and would probably leave it at that. But if it makes you happy then go for it! I really don't love the idea of renting points anymore for a number of reasons, namely, I like to have control over my own reservations. also I don't want to have to worry about someone randomly canceling my reservation (I don't think it happens often, but it's just one more thing to worry about)

The reason I haven't added on is because we like to stay club level when I'm not using DVC points. It's just too many points to use for a club level room and better value to pay cash. That and DH doesn't want to go to Disney every year.

 

[Mouseforward]

Is there really any availability at seven months for VDH? I know there’s nothing for grand Californian I don’t think resale is worth it unless it’s at a resort where you want to stay. The discounts are terrible for direct if you’re only buying less than 150 points.

I really think renting is the best option for you for your Florida or Hawaii trips.

 

[tom1944]

We are going to skip a year and then go in 2027 for 10 days. We might decide every other year for a 10-day trip works best. If not I start looking at resale contracts. We have gone 3 years in a row since our initial purchase.

I never considered renting on the alternate year as an option.

 

[TCRAIG]

We are going to skip a year and then go in 2027 for 10 days. We might decide every other year for a 10-day trip works best. If not I start looking at resale contracts. We have gone 3 years in a row since our initial purchase.

I never considered renting on the alternate year as an option.

Something to consider - it might be difficult to find a single renter with enough points for 10 days - so you may need to piece together a split stay(s) with multiple renters or rent with one of those ‘mega-point commercial’ renters - and Disney has already stated that they’re looking for ways to crack down on commercial renting…

 

[tom1944]

Something to consider - it might be difficult to find a single renter with enough points for 10 days - so you may need to piece together a split stay(s) with multiple renters or rent with one of those ‘mega-point commercial’ renters - and Disney has already stated that they’re looking for ways to crack down on commercial renting…

I am all over the map on the various purchases I consider. I am lucky that I am pretty slow in actually making a purchase. Right now, beside going to WDW every other year I am thinking of looking into some way to maybe purchase Aulani points for a trip on a 3-year cycle. That would mean some years 2 trips. Who knows. It just is interesting to look into these possibilities.

 

[The Jackal]

We just always borrow, borrow, borrow no renting. This was the first year we banked some points. Still doesn’t seem like enough, by the way I have 550 points.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I shared all the replies so far with my husband. He doesn't fully understand the program, but after I explained the use year thing, the restricted points at VDH, how I would pay for the new contract, how I want to use the points (I kept reminding him about how old we are), his suggestion is to buy VGC direct. I'm actually not opposed to the idea, but it's a longshot, of course.

I'm not in a hurry, so keep the replies coming! It's been very helpful so far. I do love staying club level, so I'm going to price it out a bit to compare having cash club stays vs buying or renting DVC. I also didn't realize that VDH doesn't have 7 month availability so I tossed out the idea of buying more Poly and was looking at 100 more VDH points. Now that my husband is recommending VGC, I'm seeing that I can get 160 points resale for the same price as 100 VDH direct. So, obviously I have a lot more questions and scenarios that I need to look at.

 

[TCRAIG]

We just always borrow, borrow, borrow no renting. This was the first year we banked some points. Still doesn’t seem like enough, by the way I have 550 points.

I borrow, borrow, borrow as well - and I have 1650 points! Its never enough when you don’t stay in studios and love to gift trips to family!

 

[Cfabar1]

I borrow, borrow, borrow as well - and I have 1650 points! Its never enough when you don’t stay in studios and love to gift trips to family!

I have nowhere near that number of points and I will be the first to say 1650 is really not that many points depending on how you use the membership, and if you use it the way I would want to use it!

 

[TCRAIG]

I have nowhere near that number of points and I will be the first to say 1650 is really not that many points depending on how you use the membership, and if you use it the way I would want to use it!

My motto is ABB - Always B Borrowin’!

 

[RichVIII]

After 10+ years of membership, I am finding more points at one resort gives me more flexibility at that resort AND at 7 months. We have three resorts and those that I have smaller amounts of points, I am still piecing together stays at 7 months versus the resort I have the most at. I at least know I have a place in a room type and view I want at 11 months. At 7, I can try for others. Having more at one resort also gives me some flexibility to hold multiple reservations. Sometimes I am giving us two options during different dates for flexibility. And other times, I am splitting up a longer reservation to be able to swap parts at 7 months since sometimes it might be harder to get a much longer reservations.

 

[Chili327]

I shared all the replies so far with my husband. He doesn't fully understand the program, but after I explained the use year thing, the restricted points at VDH, how I would pay for the new contract, how I want to use the points (I kept reminding him about how old we are), his suggestion is to buy VGC direct. I'm actually not opposed to the idea, but it's a longshot, of course.

I'm not in a hurry, so keep the replies coming! It's been very helpful so far. I do love staying club level, so I'm going to price it out a bit to compare having cash club stays vs buying or renting DVC. I also didn't realize that VDH doesn't have 7 month availability so I tossed out the idea of buying more Poly and was looking at 100 more VDH points. Now that my husband is recommending VGC, I'm seeing that I can get 160 points resale for the same price as 100 VDH direct. So, obviously I have a lot more questions and scenarios that I need to look at.

VGC direct is up to $330 I think, is he aware of that? lol
But I do think it solves a lot of your concerns, but is DEFINITELY NOT the most economic solution.

After 10+ years of membership, I am finding more points at one resort gives me more flexibility at that resort AND at 7 months. We have three resorts and those that I have smaller amounts of points, I am still piecing together stays at 7 months versus the resort I have the most at. I at least know I have a place in a room type and view I want at 11 months. At 7, I can try for others. Having more at one resort also gives me some flexibility to hold multiple reservations. Sometimes I am giving us two options during different dates for flexibility. And other times, I am splitting up a longer reservation to be able to swap parts at 7 months since sometimes it might be harder to get a much longer reservations.

Yep, I’m realizing the freedom you get with more points at one resort, so I decided to get more BLT instead of add another resort (SAP) I’m just going with more BLT & using them as SAP+, and booking a good chunk right at 11 months, then fill in gaps before or after with the rest.

 

[cruisehopeful]

VGC direct is up to $330 I think, is he aware of that? lol
But I do think it solves a lot of your concerns, but is DEFINITELY NOT the most economic solution.

Yes, I told him it would be $10K more to buy that vs. VDH. I sent an inquiry to my guide and I also looked at buying a resale VGC today. I have figured out how to pay for each of those, should I go that route.

Ironically, at this particular moment, club level rooms sound most desirable. I'm thinking I could book my points for a one bedroom and then book club level for the days that I don't have enough points for. I didn't do hard math on it, but it looks like I'd probably come out even vs buying VGC at about the 10 - 11 year mark.

 

[Girlstar30]

I haven't even gotten my points yet and i know I'm going to be disappointed with the lack of flexibility and having to book so far in advance for Disney. We love to travel, are blessed to have jobs that have a lot of flexibility and ideally would love to go four times a year to the Disney resorts that are out of state. I am a planner though and know it will work just fine for future trips.

I would love to go to Hilton Head this summer or Aulani, but I know that's probably not going to happen and that's frustrating to me. I also know that living in a state that has dvc resorts is going to mean birthdays and hopefully some holiday time will be spent at the resorts and most of the ones we like require a lot of points I will have 490 points when all is said and done soon this year and I know it won't be enough. We love to travel with family and friends as well.

I would consider renting from others some times just for the home resort advantage, we already did that knowing we are about to have riviera points. I rented riviera points from someone a couple of months ago to ensure we would be able to stay there this September. The 11 month advantage makes a huge difference to stay where you want at some places from what I've seen, but I think we will take trips outside from Disney instead of always renting. There's a whole big world out there and I want to explore as much of it as I can. Before I buy again I would also want to see what Lakeshore Lodge will have to offer as I am very excited for the lazy river.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I wasn't in a hurry, but then today........ I put in an offer on a VGC 160 resale contract. I was looking at transferring in 300 points from another owner and when I looked at the cost, it seemed like once I did that 3 times, I may as well just own my own contract. if it goes through, I'll have a total of 360 points vs the 300 I was going for.

My plan is to use those points for VGC and as a buffer when I need more points for a reservation at Aulani or WDW. I'll be using my VDH points for VDH and any new resorts that I want to stay at such as Lakeshore Lodge.

 

[marmentrout85]

"But, the money we'd spend to rent those points could be put toward a contract" is what the DVC addict in me would say to that idea lol.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Reviving this thread to update. Not sure what to make of today.

I decided to purchase a VGC resale (because direct isn't available right now). I was notified this morning that Disney took it back. I was going to see if my guide could get it for me but she's working on the Wonder and it sounds like she's not going to deal with messages until she gets back. I thought about making an offer on another resale, but the timing is a little off right now.

As the day progressed, my 2 VGC waitlists came through. I was booked at VDH and waitlisted VGC (which is how I often book). So, now I'm wondering if the universe is telling me that I don't need to buy VGC and I can just use my VDH. Worst case scenario - I have to stay at VDH, which I love. I just love VGC more.