How many points do you own & where?

[nolanboys]

Only 200 SSR pts. Would love more, but we usually take one big trip a year so we alternate Disney with other destinations. Some day, once the kids are through college, I want to add on more points. Our dues are very manageable right now though, so I think we will stay with what we have. I am always looking for the perfect resale contract though, so who knows.....

 

[leelip1982]

In 2009 we bought 160pts and then in 2010 we bought another 150pts all at VGC. Hopefully we can buy more in the near future.

 

[dbs1228]

We have 142 points at SSR. We keep track of airfare at JetBlue and they credit you if a fare drops.

That is good to know, we do the same thing with South West and have really saved money by checking on it! My DD is going with 4 friends this summer and airfare actually went down by 60.00 per person, of course the outbound went down 1st and a few days later the return portion went down. Also with SW the credits can be used by anyone up to 1 year, it does not have to be the person traveling.

 

[dbs1228]

We are empty nesters with a brand new (week old) granddaughter
purchased resale last summer 150 points at BWV. Took our first trip this past November at SSR in a 1 bedroom and already have booked BWV-1 bedroom- for the same time (right after Thanksgiving-although my husband may have to pull me away from our granddaughter)
I am now on the lookout to add on already I heard this occasionally happens!!

Congrats on the new grand baby! One of the reasons we bought in now, 3 daughters 2 in college 1 in HS and some day we would love to take all of them with their families! Of course my dream is to be able to get the GV for 7 to 10 nights but do not have enough home resort points to do that at the 11 month window without using 3 years worth of points

 

[mdsd8700]

We have 270 all at BLT. We have been members just two years. Our points are working well for us now. However I think we will do an add on eventually but that isn't most likely for a couple of years. Booked for Aulani now and possible short F&W trip.

 

[buy24me]

Wow! After reading all your comments, I am afraid that I may not have enough for what we are looking at. We are going back and forth on purchasing 50 points. We would love to purchase more, but we just can't justify the cost right now. We were looking at purchasing through DVC but now really thinking about purchasing resale instead. What is a good price per point if I am looking at about 50-75 points. We figured if we are only getting a studio (its just me, DH, and our two kids who are 10 and 7) and going there once every two or three years and would most likely go during the magic season or premier season but more likely magic season. So am I missing something. Would 50 points not be enough? We would only be staying from Sun-Thurs too so no more than 5 days.

 

[Missyrose]

Wow! After reading all your comments, I am afraid that I may not have enough for what we are looking at. We are going back and forth on purchasing 50 points. We would love to purchase more, but we just can't justify the cost right now. We were looking at purchasing through DVC but now really thinking about purchasing resale instead. What is a good price per point if I am looking at about 50-75 points. We figured if we are only getting a studio (its just me, DH, and our two kids who are 10 and 7) and going there once every two or three years and would most likely go during the magic season or premier season but more likely magic season. So am I missing something. Would 50 points not be enough? We would only be staying from Sun-Thurs too so no more than 5 days.

Which resort were you looking for? You might want to scroll through the ROFR thread to get an idea of what resale prices are for the different resorts.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Wow! After reading all your comments, I am afraid that I may not have enough for what we are looking at. We are going back and forth on purchasing 50 points. We would love to purchase more, but we just can't justify the cost right now. We were looking at purchasing through DVC but now really thinking about purchasing resale instead. What is a good price per point if I am looking at about 50-75 points. We figured if we are only getting a studio (its just me, DH, and our two kids who are 10 and 7) and going there once every two or three years and would most likely go during the magic season or premier season but more likely magic season. So am I missing something. Would 50 points not be enough? We would only be staying from Sun-Thurs too so no more than 5 days.

You sound like we used to be. We didn't consider ourselves the biggest "Disney people". We had planned every other year, and stay in a normal hotel room, Value or Moderate.

As long as in 10 years or more, you will still be going to Disney, I think DVC will work well for you. It's not about how many points you own, it's about the number of points working for what you want to do. We have stayed in 2 br, and were willing to pay a little more to get enough points for 1 br. We are considering booking summer trips with the first 2 nights in a studio, and the rest in a 1br. Since studio's are usually around half the points of a 1br, it would give us a way to add an extra day for the same points, and since we are mostly in the parks the first day or two, the smaller room won't bother us.

With a shorter trip of 3 or 4 days, I like you would barely use the room, and Studio's would work perfectly. The problem with buying 50 points is they sell faster than bigger contracts, and the price is usually less negotiable. When they do show up online, they don't last so you will have to search daily or have the agents email you when one is available. I wouldn't buy MORE points just because you read other peoples comments here. Honestly, if you go only 4 nights in the summer in a studio, that's only 64 points at SSR. If you are going every other year, you would have 100 points for that trip. Any more points would be a waste unless you were staying in 1 br.

One of the reasons I like DVC is that I don't view the expense of the dues as a burden. I truly look at it as a prearrainged budget for vacation. We are terrible at saving or a long period of time unless we set it up automatically. Paying dues Monthly makes it FEEL like were are paying less. The room is taken care of in advance so we can break up the airfare and tickets into smaller chunks. Instead of a $4000 payment for the vacation, it ends up around $2000. I know I've paid the money in dues already, so I don't get that massive in your face number when booking it.

 

[buy24me]

Thank you both for your input and knowledge. I'm new to purchasing but my BIL has a DVC at SSR. MY DH talked to him yesterday and told him how we were interested in possibly buying 50 pts and he told us that is not enough and after coming here and seeing all these comments on how many points people had, it definitely discouraged me thinking 50 may not be enough. My BIL is single and in his 50's. He does have a girlfriend but I have no idea how he has 250 pts yearly and says he uses all of them. Maybe he goes there more than once a year but it made my possible 50 pts looks like pennies. Yes, I am finding that 50 pts resale are hard to find at a decent price. And yes, I definitely don't want to buy more pts than I need and have to pay dues on it either. I am looking at SSR as I have stayed there before from purchasing points through another member but I have never stayed at any other DVC so I really am not sure what I think would be best. I like that the dues at SSR is low but is there another resort that is low in annual dues as well? I know BCV and BW seems to be pretty popular and it's a good location. I thought I would like VWL too but again, I never stayed at any DVC other than SSR onces so any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[luckyman_apd]

Thank you both for your input and knowledge. I'm new to purchasing but my BIL has a DVC at SSR. MY DH talked to him yesterday and told him how we were interested in possibly buying 50 pts and he told us that is not enough and after coming here and seeing all these comments on how many points people had, it definitely discouraged me thinking 50 may not be enough. My BIL is single and in his 50's. He does have a girlfriend but I have no idea how he has 250 pts yearly and says he uses all of them. Maybe he goes there more than once a year but it made my possible 50 pts looks like pennies. Yes, I am finding that 50 pts resale are hard to find at a decent price. And yes, I definitely don't want to buy more pts than I need and have to pay dues on it either. I am looking at SSR as I have stayed there before from purchasing points through another member but I have never stayed at any other DVC so I really am not sure what I think would be best. I like that the dues at SSR is low but is there another resort that is low in annual dues as well? I know BCV and BW seems to be pretty popular and it's a good location. I thought I would like VWL too but again, I never stayed at any DVC other than SSR onces so any suggestions would be much appreciated!

I haven't come across many people looking for 50 points as their only contract. Most pick that up as an add on. But points are points, and all get used the same way. Maybe your BIL likes having the kitchen and extra space and uses 1 br. Maybe he invites friends and gets 2 br. There are all kinds of ways to use the points.

Many might tell you that Studio's might be tight for a family of 4. We had originally planned to buy and stay in studio's, but we did the math and can afford more points to stay in the bigger room. Personally, I don't see a huge difference between a studio and a Standard hotel room. You get a microwave, but you replace a bed with a sleeper sofa (who cares it's for the kids right!) OKW they say has 2 double beds instead of a sleeper sofa. The only downside I see with your plan is the most you could ever use at 1 time is 150 points. But again, it is up to you how you travel. We bought 125 and I thought that was going to be too much as we originally looked at 100.

The real questions you need to ask yourself is, where do you want to buy? Price is clearly one of your concerns. SSR is one of the cheaper resorts in terms of buy in AND dues. You also need to plan a desirable UY. What PREMIER times would you be thinking? Christmas and thanksgiving with magic season you would probably want a June UY. If Easter is more your thinking, then you would want Dec to April UY.

 

[Missyrose]

Thank you both for your input and knowledge. I'm new to purchasing but my BIL has a DVC at SSR. MY DH talked to him yesterday and told him how we were interested in possibly buying 50 pts and he told us that is not enough and after coming here and seeing all these comments on how many points people had, it definitely discouraged me thinking 50 may not be enough. My BIL is single and in his 50's. He does have a girlfriend but I have no idea how he has 250 pts yearly and says he uses all of them. Maybe he goes there more than once a year but it made my possible 50 pts looks like pennies. Yes, I am finding that 50 pts resale are hard to find at a decent price. And yes, I definitely don't want to buy more pts than I need and have to pay dues on it either. I am looking at SSR as I have stayed there before from purchasing points through another member but I have never stayed at any other DVC so I really am not sure what I think would be best. I like that the dues at SSR is low but is there another resort that is low in annual dues as well? I know BCV and BW seems to be pretty popular and it's a good location. I thought I would like VWL too but again, I never stayed at any DVC other than SSR onces so any suggestions would be much appreciated!

I haven't come across many people looking for 50 points as their only contract. Most pick that up as an add on. But points are points, and all get used the same way. Maybe your BIL likes having the kitchen and extra space and uses 1 br. Maybe he invites friends and gets 2 br. There are all kinds of ways to use the points.

Many might tell you that Studio's might be tight for a family of 4. We had originally planned to buy and stay in studio's, but we did the math and can afford more points to stay in the bigger room. Personally, I don't see a huge difference between a studio and a Standard hotel room. You get a microwave, but you replace a bed with a sleeper sofa (who cares it's for the kids right!) OKW they say has 2 double beds instead of a sleeper sofa. The only downside I see with your plan is the most you could ever use at 1 time is 150 points. But again, it is up to you how you travel. We bought 125 and I thought that was going to be too much as we originally looked at 100.

The real questions you need to ask yourself is, where do you want to buy? Price is clearly one of your concerns. SSR is one of the cheaper resorts in terms of buy in AND dues. You also need to plan a desirable UY. What PREMIER times would you be thinking? Christmas and thanksgiving with magic season you would probably want a June UY. If Easter is more your thinking, then you would want Dec to April UY.

In addition to what Luckyman said, you also have to give your home resort a good amount of thought and careful research. If you're unfamiliar with most of the resorts, you may want to plan a weekend trip to Disney to explore the DVC resorts and get a feel for which one fits you best. I wouldn't buy at SSR just because your BIL owns there. You need to look at the point charts and locations for each resort, weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for you and your family (based on the way you like to travel). Once you've really researched all that, you'll have a much better idea of how many points you truly need.

 

[buy24me]

I was not looking to buy at SSR because of my BIL. I was only looking at SSR because of the price per pt and the low annual dues and the fact that we have stayed there once before. I would obviously like a nice location if I can afford it but I think for the most part, I would be driving to Disney and not flying as much. The last time I have been was in 2008 and we just happened to go twice since we found such a deal on a pkg with air. And then went twice in 2007 for the same reason. Cheap RT air and rental car that time.
If going during the Dream Season, I would only be going there near the end of May and first week of June since my kids get out of school before Memorial day and the weather is not as hot. Other than that, possibly during the Magic Season for spring break last week of March or third week of June when my nieces are out of school.
Of course, the last time I have been there and stayed at a SSR studio was in 2007 and my kids are much older now but they are still small so I think a studio would be fine for us for now. IF we were to stay there from Sun to Wed, or Sun to Thurs, we would need either 64 or 80 pts during the dream season. And since we only would be going once every two or three years wouldn't 50 pts be enough or am I missing something? And looking at the prices per pt people have paid, it ranges anywhere from $55 to $69 or so. I thought if I can get one for $50-$55 per pt and get somewhere between 50-65 or 70 pts, that would be more than enough for right now.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We became members in 2010 and have 100 pts at BLT and 100 pts at SSR for a total of 200pts. We typically do stay in studios, except this past trip we stayed in a 1-bedroom at SSR and loved it. I am thinking we are going to have to add on more points so we can keep booking 1-bedrooms, if not 2-bedrooms .

 

[M5ward]

We started with 210 SSR points in 2006 and added 380 more SSR points over the next few years. Last year we bought a 300 point contract at BWV. We have stayed in the whole range of accommodations depending on how many (if any) family members are traveling with us.

 

[dvc-mom]

Can I be REALLY nosy? For those of you who live farther away from Disney, how do you afford to fly down so many times a year? We are a family of four traveling and the absolute cheapest I have found out of Philly is $200/person. This is why we are limiting ourselves to one or less times per year.

We live right outside of Philly & we drive at least once a year....we've been doing it since our kids were little! We leave around dinner & drive all night and we get there by lunchtime....16 hrs door-to-door.

 

[dbs1228]

If you are looking at 50 points then I think OKW might be a great fit, low cost and, low points per night cost and the largest rooms of all DVC's. For instance if you booked a studio for 5 nights in March Su - Fri it would be 70 points at OKW and 80 points at SSR. Those 10 points add up to extra nights over a year or 2. VWL is 85 - BLT std 95 LKV 105, BWV std 70 preferred 90 and so on. Actually AKV value studios are the best deal if you own there at 65 but as I said OKW has the biggest rooms and is close to SSR and Down Town Disney. I think 50 points is doable but to make the most of them I would buy were where my points go the furthest. Good luck

Denise

 

[dbs1228]

BTW there is a 70 point contract for OKW on Fidelty website listed at 60.00pp for a total of 4200.00 which is negotiable. All 70 points coming April.

 

[buy24me]

Thank you all for your help. I was contemplating over OKW as well since I know the rooms are bigger which is one of the pro's. A friend of mine has OKW and she goes at least once to twice a year. I know the contract only goes to 2042 whereas SSR goes to 2054 so that was a reason I was leaning towards SSR as well but the more I think about it, I would be in my early 80's by then so not sure if I will still be going to Disney

It is so hard to figure what I consider more important: location, cost, or number of years remaining, etc. but the more I think about it, years remaining is not as important since I am going to buy resale, I would not be able to dead it to my children anyway and would most likely sell them down the line before I reach 80!

I wish I could find the time to go and check out each of these resorts. That may help my decision a little more. So now I am looking at trying to go there this March or May and buy points and dedicate a day of no parks and just looking at the different DVC's. Any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I love the beautiful grounds and the quiet at OKW...so we bought there...I also love storm along bay pool at BCV...no views to speak of, but I love, love, love the pool and closeness to walk to EPCOT...trade off, but we bought there too. Now, my 'wish' is wilderness lodge, great forest views, but boat ride away from MK...

I think going, taking a look around each DVC will help you make your decision. Check out the grounds and views. I didn't like that 1/2 of kidadi faced the barren pool area...wouldn't like sitting on those balconies...which is a big part of my DVC vacations. We have one night at BLT MK view, in June before we move to OKW in a 2-bedroom. Wanted to check out the views and treat my granddaughters to a first night surprise! It was available at the 7 month switching date.

 

[dbs1228]

The beauty of DVC for me is ALL the resorts I have not stayed at all but will and I have visited all of them. Good luck!