How many points needed???

[Ms.Mouse]

We're going to WDW to our "home resort" for the first time as DVC members. There will be 7 of us. At this time, I'm reserved for a 2 BR BW view and using my 2005 points, my 2006 points and 65 of my 2007 points (we own 180 points). The thing is that we would only bring the "whole family" every other year or every third year. My feeling is that we would be "cramped in a 2BR and that we should do a GrandVilla (and like I said, the GV would only be needed every 2-3 years). I'm looking for all of your "expert advice".... Do you think I should "add on" points before the $$$ goes up more??? Thing of it is, I don't know if I can use all the other points on the "off years" unless we use them to go to the non-dvc hotels while on our mini vacations... What do you think????

 

[sleepydog25]

Sounds like to me that just doing the "whole family" thing every second or third year will pretty much eat up your points each time leaving you little or no points for a "regular" trip in between those years. Grand villas will really cost you point-wise. Further, I will mention that if you do an add on you can always rent those extra points should you ever need to do so. However, only you can truly figure if buying more points is the correct choice. Good luck!

 

[Granny]

My feeling is that we would be "cramped in a 2BR

I tend to agree with this statement, especially since you are only travelling to WDW every two or three years. For us, DVC provides an ability to vacation with luxury accommodations, so we are predisposed to that (we use a 2BR for the four of us). I'm not sure when you are travelling, but if you're within the 7 month window, you might find it difficult to book a GV at this point anyway.

If you haven't stayed yet at a DVC resort, I'd wait until you go to decide whether to add on or not. A few dollars more per point for a few add-on points won't be all that much more if you wait, and you might make a better informed decision.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

Maybe I didn't make it clear.... We travel to WDW every year BUT because my kids are now grown, they both agree that they don't want to make the trip every year BUT every 2-3 years... That's why I'm torn about points... It may be enough for us to go every year but it's taking many points (banked, borrowed etc. to get the whole family down there this time and possibly every 2-3 years.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi, we have 4 generations in our family who travel to WDW. We were not planning to host all 4 so soon (August). We think that some year, we would like to have 2 2 bedrooms to accomodate all of us, but for this year, we're doing 1 2 bedroom and 2 studios. Can you try it with the 2 bedroom and a studio for this trip and see how that goes?

We could have at most 11 people (2 are making up their minds), but 3 of them are aged 1,2,3.

One of our DS's doesn't WANT to go to WDW as often as the rest of us think we will go together, but I'm thinking that just being there with his Dnieces/nephew will win him over. IF that happens, then we may have to add on more points to always get 2 2 bedrooms but I'm waiting to see how it goes this year.

Bobbi

PS. I do think that if you want to do the mulit-generational visits that you will need more points eventually.

 

[sleepydog25]

Maybe I didn't make it clear.... We travel to WDW every year BUT because my kids are now grown, they both agree that they don't want to make the trip every year BUT every 2-3 years... That's why I'm torn about points... It may be enough for us to go every year but it's taking many points (banked, borrowed etc. to get the whole family down there this time and possibly every 2-3 years.

Granny's words about waiting to see how this trip goes is solid advice. Though the cost of points is going up, it's not a severe hike in price. Further, Disney has, thus far, done a fairly good job of offering incentives to help lower the price of purchases or offering discounts/giveaways of other high-cost items (APs, e.g.). So, I wouldn't jump too quickly into the add-on craze. That being said, however, if you are certain about the "whole family" concept every 2-3 years, then you may not have enough points for your "regular" yearly visits. Again, good luck with your decision.

 

[castleri]

My feeling is that we would be "cramped in a 2BR and that we should do a GrandVilla (and like I said, the GV would only be needed every 2-3 years). I'm looking for all of your "expert advice".... Do you think I should "add on" points before the $$$ goes up more??? Thing of it is, I don't know if I can use all the other points on the "off years" unless we use them to go to the non-dvc hotels while on our mini vacations... What do you think????

You can also do what we do which is get a 2BR and a studio to save points and then you have more room. This works well at OKW because the central living areas are so big in the 2 BR you can all eat and hang out together but when it is bedtime you have beds for everyone without being cramped and you have a total of 3 bathrooms. I haven't stayed in a 2BR at BWV so don't know how tight it will be but if they are about the same size as BCV or WLV I wouldn't put 7 people in there on a bet. Depending on when you travel you might be able to get the GV at OKW and save points that way over staying at BWV. I would agree that you should wait until after this trip to decide if you need more points.

 

[LisaS]

Granny's words about waiting to see how this trip goes is solid advice. Though the cost of points is going up, it's not a severe hike in price. Further, Disney has, thus far, done a fairly good job of offering incentives to help lower the price of purchases or offering discounts/giveaways of other high-cost items (APs, e.g.). So, I wouldn't jump too quickly into the add-on craze. That being said, however, if you are certain about the "whole family" concept every 2-3 years, then you may not have enough points for your "regular" yearly visits. Again, good luck with your decision.

I agree. Take your first trip and then decide whether you really want to purchase more points. I did want to clarify one thing, though. The incentives that sleepydog25 mentioned only apply if you purchase points at SSR. If you add on at your home resort (BWV) then you will not be eligible for any incentives. But if your goal is to book a GV at BWV every 2-3 years, you will want to have all your points at BWV so that you have the 11-month booking advantage.