How many points and what UY?

[torian]

We are interested in DVC but would like to start out small to make sure that it is right for us in practice - not just on paper

If all we were interested in staying in was a studio for a week in either the first 2 weeks of feb or in may, would 100 points allow me to do that every year, while 50 points would allow me to do this every 3 years?

Also, what UY would be good if I'm basically going between Jan-May?

Thanks!
Tori

 

[Sandisw]

With Jan to May travel, I would try for a fall UY--Dec UY would offer the most flexibility IMO but Oct UY would also work well.

There are a few resorts where you can get an entire week in a studio for the 100 points.

My suggestion would be to look at the point charts (link at top) to get an idea. This way, if you are unsure of home resort, you might want to choose one that gives you a chance to get the cheaper point options.

For example, SV studios at BLT will be 102 in Jan up to 123 in May. Having home resort priority is important for these options. But, at AKV, you can get a value studio for only 69 points in Jan up to 76 points in May. Standard are 81 to 95 for those months.

Good luck!

 

[backyardponder]

One of the most important things to understand before buying into DVC is how the points system works. This includes how many points it takes to stay at a resort and how banking and borrowing of points works. This will help you understand how many points you should consider buying.

Spend some time talking to the salesperson you are dealing with...either a DVC guide or a person at one of the resale companies.

 

[torian]

I was working it out on a spreadsheet, figuring out the whole banking and borrowing thing with 3 scenarios: 50 points, 75 points, and 100 points - looking at around 120 points for a week stay @ a studio villa (average for the most expensive time I'm interested - May).

If I understand, by banking Year 1 points into Year 2, and then borrowing Year 3, I would have 150 points to use in Year 2.

Then I would have to wait for replenishment from Year 4, bank those into Year 5, and borrow from Year 6, with a vacation in Year 5 with 150 points. Is that correct? This would mean I would be vacationing every 3 years.

Doing same for 75 points, I would bank 75 from Year 1 into Year 2 for 150 and use in Year 2. Year 3 I would get 75, bank those into Year 4, where I would get another 75 and then use 150 during Year 4. This scenario would let me vacay every other year, yes?

100 points I figure would allow me to vacay once every year for a week's stay @ studio, give or take, if I mix up resorts and season (alternate between Jan and May stays, for example).

Is this accurate?

 

[CarolAnnC]

I would not recommend purchasing DVC points according to exactly what you expect to need for travel during particular weeks, in a particular villa size. DVC can (and has done so in the past) redistribute points so that the particular week(s) you desire may change point requirements in any given year. Some have found themselves short points for their desired travel times due to this very thing happening.

I would buy a few over what you think you will need just in case.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I was working it out on a spreadsheet, figuring out the whole banking and borrowing thing with 3 scenarios: 50 points, 75 points, and 100 points - looking at around 120 points for a week stay @ a studio villa (average for the most expensive time I'm interested - May).

If I understand, by banking Year 1 points into Year 2, and then borrowing Year 3, I would have 150 points to use in Year 2.

Then I would have to wait for replenishment from Year 4, bank those into Year 5, and borrow from Year 6, with a vacation in Year 5 with 150 points. Is that correct? This would mean I would be vacationing every 3 years.

Doing same for 75 points, I would bank 75 from Year 1 into Year 2 for 150 and use in Year 2. Year 3 I would get 75, bank those into Year 4, where I would get another 75 and then use 150 during Year 4. This scenario would let me vacay every other year, yes?

100 points I figure would allow me to vacay once every year for a week's stay @ studio, give or take, if I mix up resorts and season (alternate between Jan and May stays, for example).

Is this accurate?

Yes, that is correct. Be aware though that using the banking/borrowing to travel every 3rd year can be a little risky. If DVC reallocates and your desired stay changes you would be left either short of points or with points hanging that you would not be using. Just so you are aware. You might end up needing to change times you went, length of stay or where you stay or maybe even adding on or looking for point transfers.

If you go every year or every other year then you can borrow or bank should the points get reallocated and it would most likely be several years before your desired stay might require an adjustment.

 

[EWL]

Hi! We just went through this very same exercise as we're not planning to be every-year DVCers either. I do think it is important to understand well how the banking/borrowing works since you'd be doing this frequently if you go every other or every 2 years. If you have not read through CarolMN's awesome thread explaining use years, you should have a look:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1942668

I found it helpful to work through some examples just to get a handle on what would have to be done when. One thing to realize is that the banking/borrowing happens (if needed) at the time you make a reservation, and once those points are banked/borrowed, they go into that reservation's use year and cannot be reversed. So you have to be committed to traveling that year even if you bank the current use year's points.

I also started thinking that 50 points might work, but then considered 75 and finally settled on 100 for more flexibility. Good luck with your decision!