Help on joining DVC

[pplasky]

My DH and I are planning on becoming DVC members. We have two DD and a DS. I am trying to figure out how many points we will need. Does anyone know if we will have to reserve a 2 bedroom. We could definitely get by with a one bedroom, since kids sleep together, just don't know if they'll let us. Thanks for the help.

 

[carlos1117]

Go to points charts on this web site. The charts will tell you how many point are needed for the accomadation you desire. They also breakout the points by season. First, decide what DCV you'd like to purchase at.

 

[DVCconvert]

sounds like your minimum requirement is really only a studio.


Here's how a studio is described on Deb's site (Boardwalk Villas)

Studios: - These rooms are 359 square feet and come with one queen bed, a double sleeper sofa, small dining table and two chairs, armoire, TV, bathroom and a private balcony or patio which has two chairs and a small table. Also included are a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, mini-refrigerator, wet bar, hair dryer, iron, ironing board and vacuum cleaner. Outside the bathroom is a small area with vanity, large mirror and one sink. You will find coffee, paper plates, plastic utensils and "real" glasses and coffee cups in the room. Per Disney, this Studio will accommodate "four adults maximum, plus one child under the age of three in a crib". The Studio has very limited drawer space for clothes.

 

[rocketriter]

4 is normal occupancy for a 1-bedroom, 2 on the master bed and 2 on the sleeper sofa. You can squash in a 3rd if the kids are little, but you'll soon want that 2 bedroom.

 

[Scoootch]

Think FUTURE too

Right now your kids may be young enough to all sleep together and BATHROOM space while they're young isn't as big a deal but years from now (esp. with 2 DD's ) You're going to want to have that 2nd bathroom as well as having the extra bedspace.

Remember too that if you decide to purchase less points now with the intention of doing an add on contract later as they grow older, the earlier you purchase points, the less expensive it will be. They go up in price every year so unless you want to go resale the price will keep going up.

Just some things to consider

 

[SSRex]

Ok, family of 5, but:

How old are the kids?

What time of the year to you plan to go (effects points needed)?

What resort would you prefer to stay at (also effects points)?

Are you willing to stay Sunday-Friday only and avoid weekends or pay to stay elsewhere to save points?

Will you go every year or every other?

You could make the minimum 150 points work, even for a 2 bedroom, with banking and borrowing, but need more info.

We are a family of 6 with 150 points and stayed for 5 nights at BCV in summer 2004 and have reservations for 5 nights at SSR for summer 2005 both in a 2 bedroom, so it can be done. Any more questions will probably require more information from you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Rex is right, there are a lot of variables. I would say you need to plan on at least a 2 bedroom. If price is an issue, look at an OKW resale. Not only will the per/point price be lower, but the point cost of a stay is lower at OKW, and the accommodations are larger. If location is what turns your crank, then you might want to look at VWL to be near MK or BWV/BCV to be near Epcot and MGM. If taking a bus doesn't bother you, and you don't care to walk to the parks, OKW and SSR are both near DTD.

 

[carlos1117]

SSRex,

How do you stay in a two bedroom for 150 points?

 

[Pa@okw95]

The max allowed in a one bedroom is 4 with a child under 3 not counting. If your children are over 3 you will need a two bedroom.

 

[SSRex]

Originally posted by carlos1117
SSRex,

How do you stay in a two bedroom for 150 points?

Our 200 points 5 night (Sun-Fri) stay @ BCV in July 2004 used all 150 of our 2004 points and required borrowing 50 from 2005 pts.

Our June 2005 5 night (Sun-Fri) stay currently reserved at SSR will use the remaining 100 2005 points and require borrowing 55 from 2006 for a total of 155 points. I may try to switch at 7 mos.

That leaves only 95 2006 points, but I'll have another 150 2007 points available to borrow on 6/1/2006 based on June use year.

We should still be OK for 2007 using borrowed 2008 points also.

Around this time, we'll need to skip a year or I hope to have done an add-on by then. I am seriously looking at the current SSR deal for 130 points and the 2 "free" APs. I'd take the 2005 $85 points.

We can't do BCV or VWL every year with 200 points, nor do I feel that they would be available, but alternating them with staying at the less points needed SSR and OKW will allow us to be just fine.

Any comments or suggestions that would make things easier. Rex

 

[spiceycat]

pplasky

you can get two studios for the same amount of points required to get a 1-bedroom.

however this has problems the kids can't stay alone until they are 18 years old - so your husband and you would sleep in different studios....

It is a solution - but I don't think it is one you will want to do.

• OKW June 1-10, Aug 16-31 2 studios 100 points Sun-thur
• SSR (same time) 2 studios 120 points Sun-thur

• OKW June 1-10, Aug 16-31 2 bedroom 135 points Sun-thur
• SSR (same time) 2 bedrooms 155 points Sun-thur

 

[SoCalKDG]

The max allowed in a one bedroom is 4 with a child under 3 not counting. If your children are over 3 you will need a two bedroom.

This is the written rule. If you call to make reservations and tell them you have 5 for that 1 bedroom, they will allow it, as of now.

 

[pplasky]

Thanks for all the info. It helps!

 

[Caskbill]

For what it's worth I've created two different tools for planning DVC vacations that many have found useful. One or both might be of help to you in determining the correct number of points you would need for your specific vacation requirements.

Try either the simplier DVC-Chart program or the more detailed DVC-Planner program, or both. Click the link in the signature block below.

Whatever you decide, DVC is a great choice.

 

[pplasky]

I wasn't aware there was a DVC planner. It's great.

 

[littlestar]

We had friends that joined at BWV because they were a family of 5 and Boardwalk had Studio Plus rooms (meaning they had a small day bed - very small day bed by the way). The only thing is now, Disney can't guarantee you'll get a studio plus at Boardwalk when you make your reservations. What our friends do is bring a sleeping bag just in case Boardwalk's not able to find them a studio with the daybed. Of course, once kids get past a certain height, these plus room daybeds aren't big enough in my opinion. They aren't as big as the daybeds in the Beach Club, Boardwalk, or Yacht Club hotel rooms. The child would need to be pretty small for it to work.

 

[NMW]

I think as long as your kids are pretty young a studio or one bedroom would be fine. A family of 2 adults and 3 kids fits fine in a regular room in the BWI, BC, POLY and these rooms are smaller than a one bedroom villa. As your kids all get older you might want to add on points for 2 bedroom stays, bit I don't think it's a necessity at this point. Of course every family is different, you should do what you feel most comfortable with.

 

[pplasky]

We usually stay in the contemporary when we go, and I've heard the one bedrooms were bigger than those rooms as well. I'm going to start with 150 and add points later if necessary. My main concern was if disney would give us a hard time making ressies, but that doesn't seem like it will be a problem.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by pplasky
.. My main concern was if disney would give us a hard time making ressies, but that doesn't seem like it will be a problem.

The only problem would be if DVC decided to enforce the documents that they give you when you buy. This could happen any time or never. Even if MS or your guide says that you can fit five in a one bedroom, it could change.

 

[CVW]

pplasky,

I would suggest looking at the "occupancy thread" listed at the top of the page under "Important:Ongoing DVC Discussion Topics".

There's exhaustive discussions of five people in a room, etc. under that thread. I'll also warn you that if this thread turns into a room occupancy discussion it will likely get tacked onto the end of that thread. (Don't feel bad if it does. It happened to me on my first ever post, before I bought in last year.) You've probably already discovered that the vacation world discriminates against families larger than four (we have six) so feel free to PM me if you want more info.

In the meantime, you're safe asking us any question that doesn't involve room occupancy, rental point values, pool hopping, refillable mugs, bus service, the presidential elections, and Michael Eisner.

When you do get a chance to read the occupancy thread, you really only need to read MY posts, as I'm the most level-headed person on this board, and the ONLY one who can speak with any real objectivity!