How many point? and Why?

[nmere]

last night, DW and I were having a discussion as to how many points we want to end up with in the big picture, Currently we just passed ROFR for 300 VWL points, we did the research and decided that we needed at least that many to accomplish our vacationing goals for the near future, Long term is still in discussion!!!! lol, I was curious as to how many points others have purchased, and why the total? Are you considering add-on?
Thanks in advance neighbors!!
Nick

 

[Pluto 2]

i started with 150 points 6 years ago. thought that will be enough got tired of studios so last year i added on 175 to make it 325 points thought that will be enough, added on this year 130 points to make it 455 points. there will be always something more you want you might want to go on a disney cruise, you might want to trade out, you might want to check out some of the hotels you can stay at worldwide.
buit you are starting at 300 points thats a good start. you might find out that will be enough for you.

 

[spiceycat]

work with what you have for a while. if you need more points you can always add on later.

remember the maintence fees go up with every purchase - and those must be paid way until the contract ends.

 

[DVCLiz]

I started with 165 points at HH, which I bought directly from Disney. 165 points will get us a 2BR villa in the summer high season, and my thought was that we might get tired of using those points at Disney, but we would always enjoy a summer beach trip. It's practically a law in NC that you spend a week at the beach each summer!!!

At almost the same time I saw a resale at BCV for 165 points, and I bought it. Again, it would be useful as a second HH week if we chose not to go to WDW one year - the Saturday and Sunday night stays at HH are equal in points use to a Sunday - Friday stay, so with 330 points we could stay a full 7 nights at HH, or we could have a second 5 night stay later in the summer.

We have used those points at both HH and WDW, however, and I am planning to add on when VAKL becomes available. Eventually I would like to have enough points to have a 5 night stay in a 2BR villa during my preferred season at HH, BCV, VWL, and VAKL.

We would like a 2 week stay at WDW, with 2 5 nights stays at DVC villlas and a weekend at a non-DVC resort or an off-site resort in between.

 

[lisareniff]

We started with 300pts. We wanted enough points to go during magic season (Feb break) for a week and a day or two, every 2 out of three years. We thought 270 points would be good. On the last telephone call with our guide, when asked I upped it to a nice round 300! (really shouldn't have done that!)

After a stay at VB, we really wanted to stay in one of those Beach Cottages once every 2 or 3 years so purchased another 150 contract through resale.

Would really like to add on at AKV but don't know if DH will go for that since we really have enough points.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I started small at the min 150 pts. I wanted to try it out to see how I liked it. We did a small add-on --30 pts-- in May- all at the BWV. So far that gets us 6-7 nights in a 1 bedroom during most seasons we go. I'm content with what I have at this point, but would love some VB points or Contemporary points(Hey I can dream right)

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If you're going to want more points in the future, my advice would be to buy as many now as you can comfortably afford.
Many people in your situation end up adding on later... after the price goes up!

MG

 

[browniemtb]

We started with and still have 310 points. We bought according to the point value of a 1 bedroom at BWV during April vaca or xmas vaca. Also that we will travel every year. If you are thinking of every other year you should start with 1/2 the amount of points needed.
Brownie

 

[tor]

We started with 350 @ BWV it wasn't enough with the cruise every other year and Hilton Head. So we added 120 @ SSR with the 100 onetime free. Still it only seems like enough when you pay the dues in Jan the rest of the year it always seems like another 100 or 150 would be nice, but then reality of how much time can I get off from work and the cost of park admission and the meal plan and rental car creeps in.

So basically its never enough when you think about the fun and it is what was I thinking when it is time to pay the piper.

 

[DisneyDVCdad]

We started at SSR with 160 2 years ago. Now we are waiting on AKV to buy another 160. Our thought was with one child and another in the oven that a studio would just not cut it! Not to mention other family members coming! The other thought was that we could pass each contract on to our children!

 

[tomandrobin]

We currently have 330 points. Eventually I think we'll be around 500 points.

 

[rie'smom]

We have 300 at BWV. It's enough for a 2 bd standard for a few days in May and a 1 bd standard for a few days in November. Because we bought in September of this year, we actually have 300 this year + 300 next year, so I've been having fun playing with 600 points. We gave my brother,his wife and kids a 1 bd standard for several nights in June. We will add 150 more points in 2007 because we have 3 kids and should hubby and I 'kick the bucket', each child will have 150 pts.. Meanwhile, I'll have fun with all the points hee hee.

 

[dwelty]

We started with 350 and just added another 150 for a total of 500. Due to the size of our family (5) we need a 1 BR minimum. We like to go 2 weeks a year, and also will be booking a GV for a family reunion next year. We figure if we cannot use all the points one year we can bank, and if it comes down to it use excess points at DLR (We live 1 hour away)

 

[eporter66]

150. We live in NY and we estimated that would be enough, and so far it has. Here is how we decided :

1. Figured we would go every other year, that way we can bank and have 300 points

Reality :
So far we have gone 1 to 2x a year. SSR is our home, and what we have ended up doing is borrowing instead of banking. We stayed in studio's (no problem with 150 pts). Now - we have stayed our last two visits in 1 bedrooms. Love the accomodations, and so far the 150 has worked for us. Now - we will always try to do the vacation with a one bedroom. They are just so much more convienent - we loved it.

January will be our 3rd vacation in a year. Wife went last January for the 1/2 Marathon. October was a one bedroom at the Boardwalk, and January will be a 1 bedroom at SSR.

We usually try to book Sunday-Thursday for the less expensive point days. The way everything has worked, we have 95 points for 2007 use year right now. We can borrow from 2008 and be fine, and continue to work it that way.

We are happy with DVC, and have been able to work it out with 150 so far - no problems. Granted - we are not going at the busiest times, so the points are less.

We also plan on other vacations that are not Disney, so at some point I think we will not go down so often. But we love the flexibility - and are very satisfied so far with joining.

Eric

 

[Tess'smom]

Would DVC owners recommend buying from Disney directly or go resale?

 

[tomandrobin]

Both are ways are good. Do your homework. Use a reliable resale broker (like our sponsors). If you are adding on at SSR, you might be better with Disney (cost works out about the same). If choosing another resort then SSR, I would go resale (unless the point amount you want is not available resale).

 

[crisi]

We have 150. That is enough to put us in a two bedroom every other year for a week when we travel. Since we enjoy non-Disney vacations, this works for us - we aren't (generally) Disney every year people. We've been doing more Disney with little kids (paying cash for cruises) but with a seven and eight year old, those years are quickly twilighting.

 

[Jynohn]

We currently have 300 points. Initially that was more than enough for us as we went to WDW only once a year. But with inexpensive flights on Southwest, AP's, and the DDE card (plus an extra week's vacation at work each year!) we've found ourselves going on more and more frequent trips. Our son also likes to bring a friend along with us, so we usually stay in at least a one-bedroom, preferably two. So we're finding that our points are getting stretched thinner and thinner all the time.

Our current plan is to add on about 50 points per year, as the budget allows. Ultimately, we'd like to have enough points at retirement to be able to stay a month or two each winter. At least I can dream!

 

[DisneyKidds]

We purchased a total of 325 points. Our thinking was to buy enough points to allow us to stay in a 2BR once a year during the summer months. Eventually we'll need the space of a 2 BR, and eventually we'll have to stop pulling the kids out of school. Haven't gotten there yet, so in the mean time we;ve been making two trips a year.

 

[mikesmom]

We started with 200 points at BWV. That was enough to get us a 1 bdrm for a week in May or June, which was our usual vacation pattern. Then we "discovered" the Food & Wine Fest, which was another vacation. Added on 100 points at BWV just before they sold out. Took a trip to OKW and fell in love with the place. On the same trip we tried a 2 bdrm - with 2 teenage boys along it was a no brainer to get hooked! DH also thought sometime we might want to get the GV at OKW for an extended family trip, so we would need points there to have access. Bought 150 points at resale.

Quantity wise I think we're done. Have to admit though, a DVC at Animal Kingdom sure sounds tempting!