How do you decide how many points to buy?

[Chicago526]

Hi!

I love the points concept. It allows for so much flexability as your family grows and your vacation needs change.

But with that said, how on earth do I decide how many points to buy? Here's my situation.

BF and I plan on being engaged by Dec. 04 and married by late spring '05. Figure 1 year together before having kids, that means 1st kid born '07ish, and we want at least 2 kids. But, we want to buy in now, figuring by the time all this happens, the purchase price will be paid off, so all we are paying is the maintenance and taxes at a time when a young family like ours will be straped for cash. That means just airline, park passes, and food. A fantastic vacation for a fraction of the price! But how do we know NOW how many points we'll need/want in 3 to 5 years?

Assuming we have only two kids, we could use either a studio or a 1 bedroom. Our choice would be WL. We hate traveling durring holidays, summers, and other peak times, so that leaves off peak. The most points we need for 7 nights in a 1 bedroom is 214 for the months we're most likely to travel.

But do we really need that many points? What if we decide we can make do with a studio. 1 week in a studio is at most 103 points for off-peak. But if we do buy, say, 215 thinking of the 1 bedroom and like the studio after all, then we get 2 weeks in a studio every year! But will we want to go for 2 weeks a year? Will we even want to go every year at all? Don't any of you get tired of going to Disney every year? Will going so often take away the magic I so love? Maybe we should plan on buying fewer points and banking to go every other year. But then if we do that, what happens if we WANT to go every year?

I could go on and on with all the senarios, and I'm sure you all have had the same thoughts. I just want to know what factors you all used for making these decisions!

 

[tjkraz]

You've mentioned just about everything you need to consider. Now you just need to start making those decisions for yourself.

If it were me, I would assume you will want a 1B. If you end up staying in a studio, your points will go farther. But by the time you have those kiddies, you'll treasure the privacy a 1B provides...not to mention the washer & dryer, kitchen, whirlpool tub, etc.

The more points you can buy now, the more you will save on the back-end as you avoid future price increases.

Regarding your comments about saving money--just be sure you temper those expectations with the reality that more frequent visits means more airfare, park passes, food, souvenirs, etc. You certainly get more bang for your buck, but whether you end up spending less on vacations annually is certainly debatable.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Another thing to consider you might need peak season points too especially when your kids start school. I do pull out my kids for vacations but at some point you do have to take a trip during a school holiday. Also, when I was childless studios were great and always thought a studio would work great with kids. We have two kids 3 and 6 and we hate traveling in a hotel room and avoid it if possible. At minimum we like 1 bedroom but really prefer 2 bedrooms. You are in your room a lot more when the kids are younger than older. JMHO. Anyways, also consider distance from to home to DVC. We live in CA so, I figured at the most we could go every other year and sometimes we'd go during Xmas & Summers. We ended up buying 175 points at BCV and that gives us a vacation every other year during the summer or at Xmas time with a 2 bedroom for either 7 to 10 nights. Good luck! I'm sure once you figure out your preferences you'll figure out the points. With banking and borrowing you can get great vacations.

 

[MrsG]

I say, go for the max you would possibly use in a year. Our Dog Cisco echoes my thoughts. It is hard to pull the kids out of school during the year. Don't forget, you have this for another 40-50 yrs.

We only can vacation during school breaks (I'm a teacher) and we have 2 kids (20&24) so that's a 1 BR at least. Now they are bringing along friends (2BR). Time goes very fast. Also, if you have points left over to bank, you can always do an exchange or take a cruise.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Our theory was to do it like we pack for vacation: Pack everything you need in the suitcase, then take out half the stuff and bring twice the money

The points correllary here would be: figure out how many points you think you will need to take the vacations you have planned, then double it, and make that your target. Since you're thinking of VWL, resale availability may be a bit tight now and then (apparently not right now, but was a few months back), so consider buying one contract initially then another a bit later (with the same use-year preferably, since that makes managing everything a little easier). I know you say you prefer going at off-peak times, but I expect there will be times when you're gonna need to go during school vacations, so you'd better include that in your plans. There will also likely be hangers-on in your family who will want to come with you, so perhaps we should plan for a 2BR eventually. Then of course, after you find out how much fun child-rearing is (hee-hee) you'll want to have a whole pack of them (or if you're not careful enough...). Then again, if you end up exceeding your initial two child family size, you can always add-on (tho again, VWL may not be available).

Good luck with your plans and your impending nuptials! DW and I have been married 15 yrs now, and we figured out what was causing it after two children (both redheads! now 6 and 4).

 

[Rence]

Take the amount of money in your checking and savings accounts.

Add to this the amount of money you can pull out of retirement savings.

Add to this the amount of equity in your home plus the unused credit on all credit cards.

Divide this number by 95

That's how many points you should buy!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Plan to buy more points than you think you will need. If you enjoy going once a year and staying in deluxe accomodations, buy as many points as you can afford, but divide them up into smaller contracts. (That's just in case you ever need to sell some, it's easier to sell smaller contracts than one big one).

HBC

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Rence
Take the amount of money in your checking and savings accounts.

Add to this the amount of money you can pull out of retirement savings.

Add to this the amount of equity in your home plus the unused credit on all credit cards.

Divide this number by 95

That's how many points you should buy!

I don't think I've seen this question boiled down to such a scientific answer before. What a nice service this provides!


On the serious side, I agree that you should look at the points for a 1BR. Personally, I'd look at the summer schedule of points because there will come a time when you aren't as free to vacation during the off peak times.

But most importantly, you should look at what you can swing financially. No need to stress the household budget for vacations...and those dues are significant each year.

Good luck in your decision....you're doing a great job in researching your needs instead of listening to a guide's advice.

 

[Laurabearz]

I agree with others.... DVC 1 bedrooms are great, esp with small children. Washer dryer, full kitchen. Musts. (well cool wants)

I suggest downloadingCaskbil's Planner and playing around with it....

Keep us posted!

 

[av8tor]

Fast forward a few years you will be where I am today, two children, ages 6.5 & 2.5. We have been to disney each of the last three years and stayed on site each time (AKL, POFQ & CB). We love Disney and plan to come at least once a year for the forseeable future. We are buying into DVC (via resell) not to save money but to have even better accomodations without significantly increasing our cost. A studio is essentially similar to a standard resort room, it is adaquate but I am certain more comfortable accomodations will enhance the vacation experience for every member of our family. DVC will also offer us the opportunity to bring other family members and/or freinds along to share the magic.

Thus, I would recommend buying enough points for a 1BR. If you find you need more than this you can always add on later. If it turns out to be too many you can rent your unused points and use the proceeds to pay some or all MFs on all your points. I think HBC's point about buying multple small contracts in case you want to decrease you total points sometime later (very unlikely, can you have enough????) is very valid.

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by Rence
Take the amount of money in your checking and savings accounts.

Add to this the amount of money you can pull out of retirement savings.

Add to this the amount of equity in your home plus the unused credit on all credit cards.

Divide this number by 95

That's how many points you should buy!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

That is the funniest post I have read in weeks!!!

I was going to say..."buy as much as you can afford, then start saving to add on"...but, I like yours so much better!!!!!



Beca

 

[ear_poppin]

We just bought 170 points at SSR. I am already looking to add on /resale at one of the other resorts ( or two !!) as said above the flexibilty of the smaller contract means if you need to off load it quick...they seem to sell quicker IMO!.

This would work for me as I come 3 weeks at a time and as you can see from my counter I do like to move about. Thus I would like the 11 month window at each resort I want to stay at!!

At the end of the day...I would guess that nearly everyone on this board bought a certain amount of points thinking "thats enough" ....then down the line added more on !!! DVC is so addictive and flexible you can do that. I am sure new resorts are in the pipe line so don't worry too much about getting it just right! However many you buy its never enough !!...lol

So think of a figure you want...double it ...add on 100 and there you go...thats how many you should buy !!!

Good Luck and Pixie Dust with your choice

Denise :thewave:

 

[WDWLVR]

We don't have kids, but after looking at the 1 bedrooms we knew that is what we wanted! So we bought what would get us a week at a one bedroom just about any time of year. Later we added on at Vero because we sent my in-laws there with points one year and they loved it. Now we have extra points to share with them or for us to use on things like cruises and getaways.

 

[jomik1]

We just bought 225 points in March and are hoping to add on before the end of the year.

We used to travel whenever we wanted, usually Oct and Nov before we had kids and even when the boys were small.

My boys are now 10(11 in a few weeks) and 9 so now we travel during breaks but even this can get complicated with sports. Both boys play baseball from April thru late June or early July then they start football in early August. Most of our traveling right now will be during spring break.

We are planning to stay in a 1 bedroom but will probably move to a 2 bedroom once the boys are in their mid teens.

Bottom line is buy what you can afford now and leave room for add ons later when your lifestyle changes because of kids school, activities, etc.

Be flexible and have fun over the next 38 or 50 years!!

 

[TC1026]

It is very hard deciding how many points to buy!!! I was in you situation a few years ago..we got engaged at WDW in June of 98 and in the same trip purchased DVC. ( BWV 220 pts) We were strapped for cash and so I purchased with my sister. Two years ago she bought me out and I purchased in again for 220 points at BWV(April use year). We now have 2 boys ( 2.5 years and 3 months) and We take extended family trips every 3-4 years and go about 1 time per year just us. 220 is just enough for us but we don't stay weekends...I may do an add on in a few years for another 80 points. We have stayed in all room types except the grand villa. I use frequent flyer miles and other points (Amex Memership Rewards) to defer my other costs, and put some money away every pay in a vacation account. As for home resports OKW and WLV are very hard to get around from unless you have a car and want to drive...BCV and BWV are very convienent. I would guess that SSR will also be a little hard to get around from..but time will tell. Good luck deciding!!

 

[July]

Add at least 100 points to whatever you thought.

July

 

[ceejay13]

When we originally bought 230 points in 2000 we thought that was more than we would ever need. Then we took our first trip home. Since that time we have added on 3 times for a total of 500 points. It is truly addicting but the best big purchase we have ever made. We love it.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

My first Home resort we bought 200 points and we thought that was enough but that was not true.Wilderness Lodge Villas was our first in 2001.Next we got 200 points in the Beach Club Villas as soon as they opened and thought that was enough.I just bought 100 points in Saratoga Springs and im happy thay now my 3 daughters have 150 points each.If I was starting now I would buy 500 or more points on my first shot.
tiggerguy2000

 

[Kerlynne]

Is there a difference if you bought say all 500 at one time, compared, to just adding them on all at once. Because depending how many we buy, will change the annual dues, correct?

 

[Uncleromulus]

We just decided we wanted to go to WDW twice a year-- a one bedroom at OKW for 7 nights in May and again for 7 nights in September. Then we bought enough points to cover that (with about 30 to spare).