How many points do you own?

[paults]

400 pts at BWV since 2002 and will never buy anymore at these prices today. May be selling soon.

 

[mort1331]

We are at 440 SSR,,happy but would like more. I am one of the few hoping for a recession so prices drop and the Can$ goes back to par. At the prices today cant pull the plug.

 

[jo-jo]

Feeling like the oddball here. We're at 840 going on 1040 and we almost exclusively stay in studios (just 1-3 nights a year in larger accommodations, typically 1BR). Have never rented out and only once put up family/friends.

I guess we go a lot and we do prefer to stay at some the higher points studios: Poly Lake View, VGC, and Riviera SV.

We're adding on because we're almost always completely borrowed out and specifically don't have enough Riviera points for the stays we want. Planning on continuing to add even after hitting 1040, too (likely AUL and Poly2, maybe VDH).

Just rough math, at 25 points a night, that’s 40 nights. That’s a lot of time at Disney. Do you do long weekends, a week several times a year? I recall someone who seem to hit every festival, every season with weekend trips. They went about once a month.

and yes, I’m jealous. But not of the dues.

 

[ehh]

Just rough math, at 25 points a night, that’s 40 nights. That’s a lot of time at Disney. Do you do long weekends, a week several times a year? I recall someone who seem to hit every festival, every season with weekend trips. They went about once a month.

and yes, I’m jealous. But not of the dues.

Very close on the math. This calendar year we're staying in a DVC resort 38 nights. Last year was unique at 53 (including the nights we put up some family at VGF), and next year was originally planned to be in the low-30s when we had 'just' 840 points but we'll probably stretch it to mid-30s now that we have a bit more breathing room. Though I do want to get out of borrowing mode.

We do a mix of:

• Long weekends at VGC (8-15 nights per year)
• A spring week at WDW
• A fall week at WDW
  • Followed by a cruise then usually also 2 nights of a post-cruise stay--this is when we do the splurge accommodation
• Every other year: a winter week at WDW with friends (we play tour guide but they pay for their own rooms or are DVC members themselves)
• Some days around NYE

 

[cbyrne1174]

Do those of you with rediculous amounts of points just have really high paying jobs or something? Lol, I can't justify adding onto my 50 SSR points because of the resale market for the other companies. I paid 2k for my Wyndham ownership, $1800 for my Marriott and $7,500 for my DVC. Here are my costs so far this year for Wyndham/Marriott/DVC stays calculated as buy in cost + maintenance fees:

Wyndham Bonnet Creek 3 nights Easter weekend - $116/night in a 3 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights week of Memorial day - $50/night in a studio
DVC Boardwalk 1 night late June - $152/night in a standard view studio (13 points)
Wyndham Cypress Palms 2 nights late June - $35/night in a 1 bedroom suite
Wyndham Cypress Palms 5 nights mid July - $50/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Wyndham Bonnet Creek 2 nights end of July - $87/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Harbour Lake 7 nights labor day week - $57/night in a 2 bedroom
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights Thanksgiving week - $52/night in a studio

I only have DVC to add on variety every so often but the bulk of my stays are a good value. I booked 34 nights in Orlando this year and paid $2,107 (avg of $62/night). I calculated my DVC points as $11.7 per point (buy in + MF). $2107 = 180 DVC points. I don't include my buy in costs to my Marriot and Wyndham calculation because the deeds never expire and are worth more on the resale market than I paid.

 

[Sandisw]

Do those of you with rediculous amounts of points just have really high paying jobs or something? Lol, I can't justify adding onto my 50 SSR points because of the resale market for the other companies. I paid 2k for my Wyndham ownership, $1800 for my Marriott and $7,500 for my DVC. Here are my costs so far this year for Wyndham/Marriott/DVC stays calculated as buy in cost + maintenance fees:

Wyndham Bonnet Creek 3 nights Easter weekend - $116/night in a 3 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights week of Memorial day - $50/night in a studio
DVC Boardwalk 1 night late June - $152/night in a standard view studio (13 points)
Wyndham Cypress Palms 2 nights late June - $35/night in a 1 bedroom suite
Wyndham Cypress Palms 5 nights mid July - $50/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Wyndham Bonnet Creek 2 nights end of July - $87/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Harbour Lake 7 nights labor day week - $57/night in a 2 bedroom
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights Thanksgiving week - $52/night in a studio

I only have DVC to add on variety every so often but the bulk of my stays are a good value. I booked 34 nights in Orlando this year and paid $2,107 (avg of $62/night). I calculated my DVC points as $11.7 per point (buy in + MF). $2107 = 180 DVC points. I don't include my buy in costs to my Marriot and Wyndham calculation because the deeds never expire and are worth more on the resale market than I paid.

For us, staying anywhere but on property is simply not worth it. DVC is what works well for us.

We are by no means wealthy..I am a retired teacher…but it’s been worth spending what we have to own DVC.

Heck, before DVC, I didn’t even like the value or moderate resorts and always ended up upgrading to CR mid trip.

Its great that you find value in non DVC timeshares!

 

[aka Charles]

Do those of you with rediculous amounts of points just have really high paying jobs or something? Lol, I can't justify adding onto my 50 SSR points because of the resale market for the other companies. I paid 2k for my Wyndham ownership, $1800 for my Marriott and $7,500 for my DVC. Here are my costs so far this year for Wyndham/Marriott/DVC stays calculated as buy in cost + maintenance fees:

Wyndham Bonnet Creek 3 nights Easter weekend - $116/night in a 3 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights week of Memorial day - $50/night in a studio
DVC Boardwalk 1 night late June - $152/night in a standard view studio (13 points)
Wyndham Cypress Palms 2 nights late June - $35/night in a 1 bedroom suite
Wyndham Cypress Palms 5 nights mid July - $50/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Wyndham Bonnet Creek 2 nights end of July - $87/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Harbour Lake 7 nights labor day week - $57/night in a 2 bedroom
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights Thanksgiving week - $52/night in a studio

I only have DVC to add on variety every so often but the bulk of my stays are a good value. I booked 34 nights in Orlando this year and paid $2,107 (avg of $62/night). I calculated my DVC points as $11.7 per point (buy in + MF). $2107 = 180 DVC points. I don't include my buy in costs to my Marriot and Wyndham calculation because the deeds never expire and are worth more on the resale market than I paid.

I certainly do not have a high paying job, and I don't know if you would consider my 450 points as a ridiculous amount, but I find personal value in staying at DVC resorts.

For me, there is a mind set that I get when staying on site, at a DVC resort, that puts me in a relaxed, peaceful state.
That is worth the higher cost to me.

Think of it this way...
Thousands of people come from all over the world each week to visit WDW.
Why? Because to them, WDW is more than just another amusement park, it's a very special place in their heart.
Likewise, to many of us, DVC is more than just another hotel room, it's a very special place in our heart.

I wish for everyone to be able to find that special place, whether that is with DVC, Marriott, Wyndham, Universal, or anywhere else.

 

[cbyrne1174]

I certainly do not have a high paying job, and I don't know if you would consider my 450 points as a ridiculous amount, but I find personal value in staying at DVC resorts.

For me, there is a mind set that I get when staying on site, at a DVC resort, that puts me in a relaxed, peaceful state.
That is worth the higher cost to me.

Think of it this way...
Thousands of people come from all over the world each week to visit WDW.
Why? Because to them, WDW is more than just another amusement park, it's a very special place in their heart.
Likewise, to many of us, DVC is more than just another hotel room, it's a very special place in our heart.

I wish for everyone to be able to find that special place, whether that is with DVC, Marriott, Wyndham, Universal, or anywhere else.

Oh don't get me wrong. I will VISIT all the deluxe resorts all the frickin' time when I'm park hopping to eat because they're less crowded and better quality. I also frequently park at the TTC and walk to the Poly for fireworks and dole whip when I don't feel like entering the park. I also love the Ohana food you can order at the bar as well as the nachos at Capt Cooks. I've hung out there a few times waiting for fireworks. I just don't need a $200+/night hotel room to enjoy it. Disney lets you roam the resorts without paying for the room. I just don't see the point of paying $150+ more for a room if I don't need access to the pool. A 10 minute drive + 10 minute walk doesn't bother me. I don't drink and I don't overeat. I mostly own DVC for access to their pools. I live an hour away.

 

[Sandisw]

Oh don't get me wrong. I will VISIT all the deluxe resorts all the frickin' time when I'm park hopping to eat because they're less crowded and better quality. I also frequently park at the TTC and walk to the Poly for fireworks and dole whip when I don't feel like entering the park. I also love the Ohana food you can order at the bar as well as the nachos at Capt Cooks. I've hung out there a few times waiting for fireworks. I just don't need a $200+/night hotel room to enjoy it. Disney lets you roam the resorts without paying for the room. I just don't see the point of paying $150+ more for a room if I don't need access to the pool. A 10 minute drive + 10 minute walk doesn't bother me. I don't drink and I don't overeat. I mostly own DVC for access to their pools. I live an hour away.

Which is why it’s so great the there are so many options for so many situations.

It so much more than just using the pool. It’s being immersed in it all the time and for my family, the extra we pay to be onsite is worth it.

We looked into a condo in the area and decided it didn’t make sense because we want to be at WDW when we are at WDW!

 

[NVDISFamily]

Do those of you with rediculous amounts of points just have really high paying jobs or something?

Well, it's not just how much money you make, it's also how you spend it. I've been lucky to get into a good field that pays very well, is growing rapidly, and is likely to yield salary increases well above the rates of inflation for many years. A few years ago when we were looking to make a move into a home with a bigger back yard for the kiddos, I had put down a deposit for a beautiful home in the city that likely would have cost me 600 to 700k. I could have made it work, but that mortgage would have taken a good chunk of our income to live there. Instead we decided to get an even nicer house out in the country for less than half of what we would have paid in town. It ended up being great all things considered given what happened in 2020 and 2021 as we had more space when we were stuck at home for weeks/months on end.

That extra budget that didn't go to that expensive house would also allow us to spend more than we should on goodies and toys for all. I'm a big nerd and recently I was constantly building/upgrading my computers all the time. Plus the wife and I were traveling quite a bit to non Disney stuff while the kids were very young. But now, they are at peak Disney fun age, so it's time to invest in that. Once the cars get paid off in a few months, and starting now going forward. No more computer parts for me for at least the next 3 to 6 years while we get all of our DVC points gathered and build out our plan towards retirement.

 

[LSchrow]

Do those of you with rediculous amounts of points just have really high paying jobs or something? Lol, I can't justify adding onto my 50 SSR points because of the resale market for the other companies. I paid 2k for my Wyndham ownership, $1800 for my Marriott and $7,500 for my DVC. Here are my costs so far this year for Wyndham/Marriott/DVC stays calculated as buy in cost + maintenance fees:

Wyndham Bonnet Creek 3 nights Easter weekend - $116/night in a 3 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights week of Memorial day - $50/night in a studio
DVC Boardwalk 1 night late June - $152/night in a standard view studio (13 points)
Wyndham Cypress Palms 2 nights late June - $35/night in a 1 bedroom suite
Wyndham Cypress Palms 5 nights mid July - $50/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Wyndham Bonnet Creek 2 nights end of July - $87/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Harbour Lake 7 nights labor day week - $57/night in a 2 bedroom
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights Thanksgiving week - $52/night in a studio

I only have DVC to add on variety every so often but the bulk of my stays are a good value. I booked 34 nights in Orlando this year and paid $2,107 (avg of $62/night). I calculated my DVC points as $11.7 per point (buy in + MF). $2107 = 180 DVC points. I don't include my buy in costs to my Marriot and Wyndham calculation because the deeds never expire and are worth more on the resale market than I paid.

We have a bit over 1K points, but those were accumulated over 20 years (started in 1999), stay about 4-6 weeks every year over 2-3 trips (1-bdrm/2 people). We also gift our son & DIL about 3 weeks in a studio every year.
Everybody has different priorities: we have no desire to stay off-site (been there, done that, no desire to do it again). For us, staying on-site is a true vacation vs just being a visitor. We love walking over to Epcot for dinner or to stroll around World Showcase (usually stay at BWVs), going to a park for an hour & easily getting back "home", one of us being able to go back to the resort without everyone having to leave, take a walk at night & feel entirely safe, have a few drinks & not worry about driving, the staff at the resorts who know us by name, the many people we've met at the resort (DVCers are a friendly group!! ).
There are other things we may economize on, but staying DVC is not one.

 

[DougEMG]

For those with 1000 or more, just curious , how do you use the points? Always get 1 bedroom? Rent half?

We have 300, would love more but not the dues bill. Most years 300 is enough. Years we bring family, we have a friend that we rent from.

We get 1 bedrooms and rent out half.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Do those of you with rediculous amounts of points just have really high paying jobs or something? Lol, I can't justify adding onto my 50 SSR points because of the resale market for the other companies. I paid 2k for my Wyndham ownership, $1800 for my Marriott and $7,500 for my DVC. Here are my costs so far this year for Wyndham/Marriott/DVC stays calculated as buy in cost + maintenance fees:

Wyndham Bonnet Creek 3 nights Easter weekend - $116/night in a 3 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights week of Memorial day - $50/night in a studio
DVC Boardwalk 1 night late June - $152/night in a standard view studio (13 points)
Wyndham Cypress Palms 2 nights late June - $35/night in a 1 bedroom suite
Wyndham Cypress Palms 5 nights mid July - $50/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Wyndham Bonnet Creek 2 nights end of July - $87/night in a 1 bedroom deluxe
Marriott Harbour Lake 7 nights labor day week - $57/night in a 2 bedroom
Marriott Lakeshore Reserve 7 nights Thanksgiving week - $52/night in a studio

I only have DVC to add on variety every so often but the bulk of my stays are a good value. I booked 34 nights in Orlando this year and paid $2,107 (avg of $62/night). I calculated my DVC points as $11.7 per point (buy in + MF). $2107 = 180 DVC points. I don't include my buy in costs to my Marriot and Wyndham calculation because the deeds never expire and are worth more on the resale market than I paid.

There are definitely cheaper ways to stay near WDW. But if you want to stay on property with a timeshare DVC is the only game in town. (I'm aware it's possible to trade into DVC from other systems) We like staying on property in the Deluxe resorts, and DVC is a good way to do that.

Plenty of people can't justify the cost, that's fine, everyone decides what's worth spending their hard earned money on. There are plenty of people who could never justify the cost of owning any timeshare, or staying in any deluxe hotel, or ever going to WDW. Those are all expensive ways to vacation in the grand scheme of things.

To answer your question, I do in fact make a very good living, though I only have 160 points. We don't go enough to use many more than that. But my brother makes about the same amount, and they stay at the Hampton Inn in Kissimmee when they go. Where they stay just doesn't move the needle for him, so he's doing the perfect thing for them.

Also my DVC points are also worth more than I paid, so using your calculation method of not including buy in costs, DVC is an AMAZING deal.

 

[kboo]

My question for the high point holders - especially if you stay in studios - is where do you find the time? I could see going more often as empty nesters/when retired but we aren't there yet. 1-2 weeks a year is where we are now ...

 

[WilsonFlyer]

My question for the high point holders - especially if you stay in studios - is where do you find the time? I could see going more often as empty nesters/when retired but we aren't there yet. 1-2 weeks a year is where we are now ...

Not sure if you consider 500 high or not. DD is a Sr. in HS. We still do primarily studios just so we can go more often. I run my own company from home and am semi-retired. My wife works from home. As long as we have solid internet, we're golden, and we can work from anywhere. We're pretty free to go when we want within reason and within DD's school schedule. When she goes off to college next year, assuming we can still afford to go to the parks, all bets are off.

 

[kboo]

Not sure if you consider 500 high or not. DD is a Sr. in HS. We still do primarily studios just so we can go more often. I run my own company from home and am semi-retired. My wife works from home. As long as we have solid internet, we're golden, and we can work from anywhere. We're pretty free to go when we want within reason and within DD's school schedule. When she goes off to college next year, assuming we can still afford to go to the parks, all bets are off.

We are 500+ as well, but work in person, so ... one Christmas/New Year's trip and we are out of points!

 

[ehh]

My question for the high point holders - especially if you stay in studios - is where do you find the time? I could see going more often as empty nesters/when retired but we aren't there yet. 1-2 weeks a year is where we are now ...

We have jobs with fairly generous vacation allowances in addition to certain holiday weeks that we take advantage of (e.g., Thanksgiving, NYE). But really we maximize the weekends, nearly 50% of our park days are weekends.

For DL we can drive to VGC Thursday night, stay for 3 nights and drive home Sunday night but take only 1 day off (Friday) for a long weekend trip.

Or we can do 9 days/8 nights at WDW but only take 5 days off if we do a Saturday-through-next-Sunday trip and maximize the weekend bookends, taking a redeye into MCO Fri»Sat and leaving last flight out on Sunday evening.