How Many Points Have You "Downsized"?

[BWV Dreamin]

Can easily afford the MF's and paid cash for our points, but we are having more fun doing other trips than going to WDW 2x per year.

We will be at DL this November and the earliest we can fit WDW will be November 2013 or January 2014.

Same here. Also as the family dynamic changes so do the vacation habits. We are traveling differently as empty nesters. Once I have some grand children, I'll vacation differently .

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We have gone from wanting more to being happy with what we have.

We have 100 points.

 

[mouseclick1]

We originally bought 200 BWV points in 2000. We added on multiple times at different resorts and eventually owned 570 points total. Now that our kids are adults, we are looking at selling two of our contracts bringing us to down to 405 points. We'll see how we do with that, and maybe even drop another contract in another year or so. I don't think we will ever get rid of all of them, but you never know.

 

[eva]

We had 800 points and found that our travel habits changed. While we still go to WDW once or twice a year, we want to do other things too. DH decided to sell after we used points for a Med cruise and people at our table made last minute reservations for $995 each. So we sold all 400 of our AKV points. We chose those points after staying there for the first time last year. We just aren't fans of that resort. Now we can afford to go to WDW a couple times a year plus another trip. Next year it will be a 2 week Greek/Italy cruise with Celebrity.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We had 800 points and found that our travel habits changed. While we still go to WDW once or twice a year, we want to do other things too. DH decided to sell after we used points for a Med cruise and people at our table made last minute reservations for $995 each. So we sold all 400 of our AKV points. We chose those points after staying there for the first time last year. We just aren't fans of that resort. Now we can afford to go to WDW a couple times a year plus another trip. Next year it will be a 2 week Greek/Italy cruise with Celebrity.

I took advantage of that same deal ($995/pp) for the DCL Med (we went end of August). It really makes it hard to rationalize using points for a cruise when they throw deals out there like that.

 

[Anal Annie]

Not joining the cruise debate 'cuz I'm already convinced cash is the way to cruise but just adding that we're holding steady with our 250 points at SSR. No plans to sell or add-on. I think it's actually been a good number of points for us although I frequently crave more. We didn't over buy to start with and most of the time I still feel "points challenged". DS(15) just said to me last week that he "wished we could live at Disney" so I don't see our habits changing a whole lot (yet).

After visiting Europe last summer on our Med cruise we DO hope we can vacation there again one day - which those are the sorts of trips that create space between our Disney trips...and then there's Hawaii. Still hoping we can manage to see Aulani & maybe DL next summer... We used to go to Hawaii every 5 years but the flights have gotten so high that's sort of a deal breaker now - and a reason why I am just hoping we don't HAVE to own there & at VGC to get in next summer at 7 months. We normally only book studios and don't usually book rooms with a view but we banked some points from this year & I am prepared to book a 1 bedroom or upgrade the view if we have to...long as I can in for 3 or 4 nights. I would plan 4 or 5 if we could get an IV studio but if we have to blow more points we will just cut back on the number of nights we stay there if necessary and will spend longer on Maui which is our fav anyway. Would probably never spend a full week on Oahu...we just want a few nights. At this point (from a financial standpoint) hoping that 250 pts. remains a good number for us.

 

[jekjones1558]

My stomach is churning as I type. I need to read threads like this to assure myself that life does go on if you downsize DVC.
It is getting harder for DH to travel. I am so grateful for every trip. I know that someday the challenges will outweigh the fun for him. If I were smart I would start selling a few small contracts now while they still have some value (we own mostly BWV and 230 non-extended OKW). But I just can't pull the trigger to do it. In fact I look at the resale listings and drool. We are still at 1150 points but I don't know how much longer....

 

[edk35]

We originally purchased three 100 pt. contracts at SSR In 2007 and added on 100 at AK Kidani in Sept. 2008. Then we sold 100 pt. contract at AK and bought two resale contacts at VWL totaling 150 points. We have 450 now and are content!!! I really wanted another 100 points at SSR when we added on AK but our guide talked us into AK with the special incentatives. Nice resort but after staying there, I really didn't want to own there,but would stay there.

 

[robinb]

My stomach is churning as I type. I need to read threads like this to assure myself that life does go on if you downsize DVC.
It is getting harder for DH to travel. I am so grateful for every trip. I know that someday the challenges will outweigh the fun for him. If I were smart I would start selling a few small contracts now while they still have some value (we own mostly BWV and 230 non-extended OKW). But I just can't pull the trigger to do it. In fact I look at the resale listings and drool. We are still at 1150 points but I don't know how much longer....

{{hugs}} I also look at the resale listings and think "What a bargain!" but we have plenty of points. Because the market is still in the toilet, you should probably just hang onto your contracts for a while yet until Disney starts to tighten up on the ROFR price. If you find you're not using all your points you can always rent them out and recoup the maintenance fees for the points you rent plus some of the ones you use.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

My stomach is churning as I type. I need to read threads like this to assure myself that life does go on if you downsize DVC.
It is getting harder for DH to travel. I am so grateful for every trip. I know that someday the challenges will outweigh the fun for him. If I were smart I would start selling a few small contracts now while they still have some value (we own mostly BWV and 230 non-extended OKW). But I just can't pull the trigger to do it. In fact I look at the resale listings and drool. We are still at 1150 points but I don't know how much longer....

It's a very hard thing to do. I will say that presently DVC is on a quest to buy back OKW contracts. There are people actively looking for OKW, so that may bode well if this is the resort you were thinking about selling.

 

[DenLo]

My stomach is churning as I type. I need to read threads like this to assure myself that life does go on if you downsize DVC.
It is getting harder for DH to travel. I am so grateful for every trip. I know that someday the challenges will outweigh the fun for him. If I were smart I would start selling a few small contracts now while they still have some value (we own mostly BWV and 230 non-extended OKW). But I just can't pull the trigger to do it. In fact I look at the resale listings and drool. We are still at 1150 points but I don't know how much longer....

I know what you are saying. We had a wake up call this year when I had two hospitalizations for different reasons. But it sounds like you are already getting full value out of your contracts by using them when you can. And that you will continue to get full value for as long as you can. Unless the money is a factor why not hold onto the contracts?

 

[Pootle]

My stomach is churning as I type. I need to read threads like this to assure myself that life does go on if you downsize DVC.
It is getting harder for DH to travel. I am so grateful for every trip. I know that someday the challenges will outweigh the fun for him. If I were smart I would start selling a few small contracts now while they still have some value (we own mostly BWV and 230 non-extended OKW). But I just can't pull the trigger to do it. In fact I look at the resale listings and drool. We are still at 1150 points but I don't know how much longer....

I can imagine how this feels. I'm always borrowing points, and have even made cash reservations for 2013 because after considering adding more points, realised that in 10 years' time (we're in our early 60's), our twice-yearly flights across the Atlantic (from the UK) to WDW might not seem quite so appealing. On the other hand, I think I'll be convincing myself of the health benefits of some winter sun in Florida for as long as I possibly can

I hope to be reading your posts for many years to come

 

[spiceycat]

had 450 now have 280 - sold all of vb and OKW - but got my money back and a little more on both.

brought more BLT than I planned - only planned for 120 - but because of the raise in point cost added 50 more.

now if I could get my family to buy their own points - would never need anymore.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I will say that presently DVC is on a quest to buy back OKW contracts. There are people actively looking for OKW,

and if I may inquire, you come by this information how? and why is there such an interest in OKW at this time?

 

[jarestel]

At one point we owned 750 points distributed across VWL (4 contracts), BCV (2 contracts) and AKV (1 contract). As Disney burn-out began to set in a few years back, we have eliminated all but one small VWL contract that we use for alternate year WDW vacations.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

and if I may inquire, you come by this information how? and why is there such an interest in OKW at this time?

It's been reported on this board and another, OKW has been the most bought back resort in at least the last 3 months. There is a chart somewhere here in which it shows just this ( I think WDLR is keeping track of this). Also scroll the ROFR thread on Purchasing. You will see. Talk is Disney is converting the 2042 contracts to the extended 2057.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My stomach is churning as I type. I need to read threads like this to assure myself that life does go on if you downsize DVC.
It is getting harder for DH to travel. I am so grateful for every trip. I know that someday the challenges will outweigh the fun for him. If I were smart I would start selling a few small contracts now while they still have some value (we own mostly BWV and 230 non-extended OKW). But I just can't pull the trigger to do it. In fact I look at the resale listings and drool. We are still at 1150 points but I don't know how much longer....

In our family, it isn't DH, it's me! However before I start downsizing DVC, with the exception of the HHI points, I will sell my Cape May house. My time at the shore isn't as much fun if I can't walk on the beach or go in the ocean. Disney still gives me pleasure & I love the pools.

People are saying that DVC wants to sell something reasonably priced like extended OKW direct, and that's why the rush of OKW contracts that are ROFR'd.

This is a very tough decision! Best wishes!

Bobbi

 

[jekjones1558]

In our family, it isn't DH, it's me! However before I start downsizing DVC, with the exception of the HHI points, I will sell my Cape May house. My time at the shore isn't as much fun if I can't walk on the beach or go in the ocean. Disney still gives me pleasure & I love the pools.

People are saying that DVC wants to sell something reasonably priced like extended OKW direct, and that's why the rush of OKW contracts that are ROFR'd.

This is a very tough decision! Best wishes!

Bobbi

Let's hope we are both enjoying WDW with our DHs for many more trips!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Let's hope we are both enjoying WDW with our DHs for many more trips!

Amen!

 

[nunzia]

We have 225..in 4 small contracts..all at VGC and am on a waiting list for 65 more (already been on for 3 months so hopefully something comes up soon) The only points I have ever sold were 25 OKW which I bought to get into the system so I could buy small VGC chunks. My kids all still love to go and with 9 grandkids we are hopeful of many more trips. Each of my kids have 3 kids and are outgrowing studios, so 1BR are needed unless we want various grandkids bunking with us. After a long day a bit of quiet is appreciated