Help me decide on amount of points...

[hmire]

I have been looking around and the average is 160 points. We have a family of 5. So we would always need a 1br. We are going to Disney in Nov. When I priced out my trip if it was DVC members it would be 161 points. (Nov 15-20). But I really wanted to do more than one time a year. (maybe one time to enjoy the parks and another time to just enjoy the resort (so a shorter trip). Would 160 be enough for going 2 times a year if our days were different? I am a teacher so times to go would be right before holidays, during holidays, Mardi Gras, Easter week, or fall break, are just a few of the times of the year we would probably go.

 

[AJA]

Being a teacher it's going to be hard to stretch your DVC points. Anytime you can go is a moderate to peak season.

Have you looked at the point charts for each resort? You'll need to do a lot of research to see if DVC is right for you. We're a family of 3 with an open schedule and have been tossing around DVC for two years now. I'm still not sure I want to make a 40+ year commitment even though we can go anytime and have no restrictions on what type of room we have.

I think only Animal Kingdom and Bay Lake Tower offer 5 in a room for a one bedroom. Compare the point charts for those two resorts for the time you'll have off to travel. At first quick glance it doesn't look like 160 points will get you seven days anywhere but value or choice season at a value room at Animal Kingdom. That is a very limited choice IMO to take on the expense of DVC.

I hope this doesn't sound rude because it's not meant that way: Having 3 children seems to be a con for DVC unless you have the ability to purchase enough points to have a 2 bedroom on a regular basis.

 

[hmire]

Not rude at all. I was just looking through the points. I guess I just figured a 1br at each resort fits 5. My home resort(?) AKL did, so I just thought all it. SHOOT.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think you've already gotten the right slant on this - it all depends on how frequently and how long you want to visit. While 160 might be the "most common" amount of points, that may not work for you. The best thing to do is to look at the points charts for the places you want to stay and figure out some kind of average of the points you'll need per year. If you're going to switch from a solid week annually, to say a 5-night at one time of year and a 3-night at at different time, then take a look at how many points that would take.

Also, remember that some of us "stretch" our points by avoiding (or minimizing) the higher cost friday/saturday nights. Flying in early on a Sunday, and home late on a Saturday gives you a full week in the park, but only takes 6 nights of points.

Of course, the big pitfall of DVC is that before you know it you've got Annual Passes burning a hole in your pocket and you're headed down for just a quick weekend, necessitating an add-on.

 

[hmire]

OK looking into maybe 2 studios sometimes. So rooms connect like hotels do. There is a few results that I can rent 2 studios for way less points than a 2 bedroom. (I know I am not getting a kitchen). But could that be a choice???

 

[OKW Lover]

There are no connecting studios. Studio units only connect to 1BR units (which makes them a 2BR lock-off).

 

[hmire]

Do all studios have 2 queen beds??? Are they a nice size. With 2 studios family could come and could have their own room.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

You also need to think about your vacations in the longer term. It sounds like your kids are young, so having them in a fold-out couch and sleeper chair works. Will that continue to work when they're teens? Of course, there's always the option to add points when you "graduate" from a 1-Bdr to a 2-Bdr.

But I digress...

160 points doesn't seem to compute for your needs. The stays you describe seem to indicate you'll need more points. (I think 160-point contracts are so popular because it's the minimum number of points to purchase, and people just make it work. Mostly, this number of points will work for folks who take shorter trips, don't visit every year, and/or who stay in studios.)

I travel with a teacher, as well, which means that most of our trips correspond to the Magic Season (summer break) or (gulp) the premier season at Spring Break or Christmas. Sounds like you're lucky on that you get a longer Thanksgiving break. (Ours is only 1/2 day Wednesday and Friday of Thanksgiving week.)

Also, don't assume that you'll always be able to get a value or standard view villa at AKV. These are limited in availability. If you don't have the flexibility to change your dates because of your school calendar, you may wind up in a Savannah view on some trips, as these constitute most of the rooms at AKV. Also average out the fact that you'll want to (at least occasionally) stay at other resorts, and villas at different resorts require different numbers of points. You can very effectively use banking and borrowing to account for these fluctuations, but you don't want to be in a situation where you're always borrowing from the next year's points.

You also shouldn't assume that the points it takes you to travel this year (2011 or 2012 point charts) will be the exact number of points it will always take. DVC can reallocate points. The total number of points for all rooms for the entire year can't increase, but DVC can change points by season, room type, day of week, etc. You'll want to have a few extra points on your contract to cover this. (For example, if you think your annual vacation will be 161 points, you wouldn't want to buy exactly 161 points.

Only you can decide what your exact vacationing habits will be, and so you're the one that will have to decide on the exact points you need. We've added on twice since buying in 2006 as our vacation habits have changed. Mostly, this was wanting bigger villas (to invite family and friends), and longer/more stays.

Now, with all that said, for a one-week trip in a 1-BR each year, our 250 point contract seemed to work well. You results will vary.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Do all studios have 2 queen beds??? Are they a nice size. With 2 studios family could come and could have their own room.

The only studios with two queen beds are those at Old Key West. All other studios have a queen-sized bed and a fold-out couch. Also, not all couches are created equal. There are several different styles, some more comfortable than others. There are also different sizes.

Studio bedding description by resort:

• Alunai: Queen-sized bed and Queen-sized sleeper couch
• VGC: Queen-sized bed and Queen-sized sleeper couch
• AKV: Queen-sized bed and Queen-sized sleeper couch
• BLT: Queen-sized bed and Full-sized sleeper couch
• SSR: Queen-sized bed and Full-sized sleeper couch
• VWL: Queen-sized bed and Full-sized sleeper couch
• BCV: Queen-sized bed and Full-sized sleeper couch
• BWV: Queen-sized bed and Full-sized sleeper couch
• OWK: 2 Queen-sized beds
• VB: Queen-sized bed and Full-sized sleeper couch
• HH: Queen-sized bed and Full-sized sleeper couch

 

[hmire]

Thanks so much!!!!!!!! I have tentative dates for the next 3 years. I am seeing how many points those would be. I figured 160 won't work for us forever (exactly when the boys get older). But I think we will add on more points later on. Thanks so much again for all y'all help!!!!!

 

[ffcheff]

We are also a family of 5 and we just did an add on because our 180 pts at bay lake tower were not enough. If you can afford it buy an extra 10 or 20 points up front. I would say 300 to 330 would be better for you.

 

[luckyman_apd]

You also need to think about your vacations in the longer term. It sounds like your kids are young, so having them in a fold-out couch and sleeper chair works. Will that continue to work when they're teens? Of course, there's always the option to add points when you "graduate" from a 1-Bdr to a 2-Bdr.

But I digress...

Not trying to be a PIA, but I have thought about this. At the end of the day, if the kids are coming on vacation with us, they are gonna suck it up and sleep on the damn pull out.....untill they are old enough to buy there own place

I'm 34 and sleep on an air mattress at times when we travel. I'm taking them to Disney, and they will learn to appreciate what they are given, not complain about their bed. Just MHO.

I am also a teacher, and have limited travel dates. I'm actually looking for less points. I only have 2 kids, so it definitely makes it easier for accommodations, but BLT and AKV are the ONLY 1 br that can hold 5 people. If you are alright with staying at AKV every time, the points do stretch farther their than other resorts. Plus they are cheaper to buy in at then BLT. We don't plan to go every year, so less points will work for us. What about looking at 180 Pts? I've seen resales with that amount.

 

[hmire]

Yea I don't mind the boys sleeping on the sofa beds...Shoot I wish we could fit in a studio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (especially when they are as young as they are)...Can I just hide one?? lol

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I own 210 points at AKV.

In 2012 we are planning 2-one week trips. One in May and the other in Oct for Halloween. This is how I used my points...and stretch them.

I called at exactly 9:00 am on the dot at my 11 month booking for Oct...in fact I called at 8:59:50, but who is concerned about timing, right?. I got 2 VALUE studios at Jambo. One for us and one for MIL. This cost 69 points x 2=138...Then after I was sure I got the VALUES..I booked a trip for May (during the same phone call) in a standard at Kidani.

THe studio at Kidani costs 95 points for our week. I didn't even try for a VALUE since I was within the 7 months. Guess I at least could have asked but didn't. So know I have used 138 of my 210 points, leaving me 72 points for May. I was able to purchase the one time 23 points for a total of 95 points that week. It was an extra $345 (23 X $15 for one time points). So we do not have to add on in 2012 as my trip is planned and booked.

I understand that this is not the scenario you were asking about but I hope it helps you see how things can stretch if you plan. But it sounds like you are stuck with certain times of the year.

At least you are thinking and approaching DVC the right way, and researching. I cannot imagine owning DVC and not understanding the rules.

I would buy the 160 if that is what you can afford. Since your youngest is under 3 he can be in a studio with you at AKV, right. At least for a year. Learn the system and bank and borrow until you can add on. DVC will be here a long long time. Plus it will make you travel to Disney yearly almost--which can be expensive when adding in food and tickets. I would even think about renting for now from DVC and saving a bit for the points you need.

You need to decide over the next couple of years if you are a once a year Disney kinda family--you may find that you and your DH want to do other things as they get older. Of course you could be like DH and I and Disney is our vacation destination almost exclusively which we love.

 

[Chuck S]

A reminder that all occupancy discussons are limited to the DVC Occupancy Thread.

You may continue discussing the number of points you'll need, but if the this thread becomes an occupancy discussion, it will need to be closed.

Thanks.

 

[A&M's Mommy]

I don't think 160 points will be nearly enough for you. 5 nights in a standard view 1 BR at AKV cost us 164 points this past June. There is no way you would get more than 1 trip per year with 160, unless you borrow your entire next years allotment. I may be the wrong person to ask, though, as we own 650 points at BLT. With young school aged children, we travel during school breaks which use a lot of points.

 

[mousefan1972]

I agree that 160 points might not be a good starting point for you. Check out the points charts and see what would be a realistic amount. I'm guessing the # will start with a 2 or a 3.

 

[hmire]

If that number needs to start with a 2 or 3..lol...I need to look more into resale maybe. Or wait a few years

 

[mousefan1972]

If that number needs to start with a 2 or 3..lol...I need to look more into resale maybe. Or wait a few years

Lol. It seems like a lot of people underestimate the amount of points they will need. I know we did. Less than a year after our initial purchase (which was a healthy 450 points), we added on 200 more. Good luck!

 

[Pikezh638]

We bought in with 100 points at Saratoga Springs in October '11 (just to see how it was etc and we didn't want to spend a whole lot if we didn't need it etc) we haven't even booked our first vacation yet, and I can already tell we will need at least 250-400 points so we don't have to bank/borrow/buy extra.

You may have to save and wait a few years but it is definitely worth it. For what it cost us we will "make our money back" in 2 vacations. I wouldn't go resale but that is just me, I like having ours from Disney even if it did cost more.