How many points should I buy?

[MJ6987]

We are thinking of buying into DVC via resale. I like the look of BWV at the moment.

As we are from the UK, we would plan to travel to WDW every other year, staying for around 14 nights each time. I am happy with a Studio at this point. I would try to stay at "lower point" times like October.

I would mix BWV (where I would be happy to stay in a Standard room sometimes, if available) with other WDW DVC resorts, including possible split stays.

Question is, how many points should I be looking to buy?

Thanks

 

[disneynutz]

You need to buy as many as you need. Take a look at the point charts for the dates that you will usually vacation for the different resorts. Since you will be using your points every 2 years, you can buy only half of the number of points.

The problem is that you don't know what resorts you like or what size room. You may think that a value studio seems like the right fit but I have a feeling that you will want a larger room in a few years.

You can always buy small and add another contract later.

Bill

 

[MJ6987]

You need to buy as many as you need. Take a look at the point charts for the dates that you will usually vacation for the different resorts. Since you will be using your points every 2 yours, you can buy only half of the number of points.

The problem is that you don't know what resorts you like or what size room. You may think that a value studio seems like the right fit but I have a feeling that you will want a larger room in a few years.

You can always buy small and add another contract later.

Bill

Thanks. I have edited to say that I am happy with a Studio at this point, also that I will generally stay in lower point times like October. Looking at the point chart, I was thinking that 100-120 point contract would do it, although I notice that contracts at that size are around $10 per point more than contracts of 150 points.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks. I have edited to say that I am happy with a Studio at this point, also that I will generally stay in lower point times like October. Looking at the point chart, I was thinking that 100-120 point contract would do it, although I notice that contracts at that size are around $10 per point more than contracts of 150 points.

Smaller contracts tend to sell at a higher price. When we buy direct we always purchase 50 point contracts for possible sale later.

Bill

 

[MJ6987]

Smaller contracts tend to sell at a higher price. When we buy direct we always purchase 50 point contracts for possible sale later.

Bill

So, do you feel that 100 points would be enough at this stage?

 

[Breyean]

Thanks. I have edited to say that I am happy with a Studio at this point, also that I will generally stay in lower point times like October. Looking at the point chart, I was thinking that 100-120 point contract would do it, although I notice that contracts at that size are around $10 per point more than contracts of 150 points.

I don't think you gave your family size, but 14 days in a studio is a long time in what is pretty much a hotel room.

You might quickly find what many others here have - one bedrooms have the allure of the extra space along with a full kitchen. We have replace many meals in restaurants with easily prepared breakfasts and dinners made in our room. Saves money, saves the waist line, and gives a chance to unwind and relax.

 

[HokieGCC]

Looking at the month of October it is "Choice Season" and the studio prices are:
Standard view - 78 points/week (or 156 weeks for 2 weeks)
Preferred View - 107 points/week (or 214 points for 2 weeks)

You would need 78+ points to stay 2 weeks every 2 years with Standard view or 107+ points to stay 2 weeks every 2 years with preferred view.

You will get different results at different resorts and potentially a slight tweak even just at the BW in other years. However, your 100 points is in the ballpark.

 

[MJ6987]

Looking at the month of October it is "Choice Season" and the studio prices are:
Standard view - 78 points/week (or 156 weeks for 2 weeks)
Preferred View - 107 points/week (or 214 points for 2 weeks)

You would need 78+ points to stay 2 weeks every 2 years with Standard view or 107+ points to stay 2 weeks every 2 years with preferred view.

You will get different results at different resorts and potentially a slight tweak even just at the BW in other years. However, your 100 points is in the ballpark.

That's what I was thinking. Plus, I imagine that 100 points is quite a common number at resale(?) given that it is a nice round number?

 

[JamesA1]

Keep in mind that October is the Food & Wine Festival and the standard studio can book quickly at the 11 month mark for BVW. If this is your preferred resort you may want to consider buying there especially if you can plan 7 - 11 month in advance.

When booking reservation you are only allowed to book seven days at a time. That means you will be booking you first seven day and will have to wait a week to book the last seven days. Did you consider looking at the number of points you might need if week two was at a different resort?

I like your idea of staying a week at two different resorts. I already typical do split stays on week long trips. It feels like two different vacation in one since each DVC has a different atmosphere.

If you find you have bought to few you could add on later with a smaller contract or for that matter a larger contract. Start with the size and cost you are comfortable with.

 

[Dean]

We are thinking of buying into DVC via resale. I like the look of BWV at the moment.

As we are from the UK, we would plan to travel to WDW every other year, staying for around 14 nights each time. I am happy with a Studio at this point. I would try to stay at "lower point" times like October.

I would mix BWV (where I would be happy to stay in a Standard room sometimes, if available) with other WDW DVC resorts, including possible split stays.

Question is, how many points should I be looking to buy?

Thanks

Assuming DVC makes sense for you, the likely number of points that would accomplish your plans is around 110-120 per year banked to use every 2 years. Long term you'll likely need more so I'd look at around 150-170 to give you access to more and better priced contracts and to give you options going forward for larger rooms or more expensive resorts at times. If DVC only makes sense at BWV standard, OKW or AKV value; one likely shouldn't buy in for this this applies to (doesn't seem to for you).

 

[ldo]

also, keep in mind that except for OKW, all other DVC studios have a Queen bed and a double pullout sofa, not 2 beds.

 

[HokieGCC]

That's what I was thinking. Plus, I imagine that 100 points is quite a common number at resale(?) given that it is a nice round number?

Yea, you see a decent number of resale 100 point contracts. It seems 150 is the most common but you see 100's too.

You can also double up on 50's. You'll pay more but will also have much better luck selling if you need or want to some day.

 

[disneynutz]

Yea, you see a decent number of resale 100 point contracts. It seems 150 is the most common but you see 100's too.

You can also double up on 50's. You'll pay more but will also have much better luck selling if you need or want to some day.

Remember that resale contracts were originally sold with the number of points that met Disney's minimum at the time. Sometimes you had to buy 160 minimum, other times it was 200. Sometimes they let you buy 4- 50 pointers to meet the minimum, other times they wouldn't.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Remember that resale contracts were originally sold with the number of points that met Disney's minimum at the time. Sometimes you had to buy 160 minimum, other times it was 200. Sometimes they let you buy 4- 50 pointers to meet the minimum, other times they wouldn't.

Bill

Bill, IIRC historically it was originally 210 I believe, then 190, then 150 then back to 160. They've had specials at 100 & even at 50. I don't recall a post where people were not able to break it down to smaller groups if they asked but maybe I missed it or simply having a senior moment. I know it's only been a somewhat more common approach more recently, say the last 10 years or so. Another size that pops out is 120 (SSR only)due to the incentives at SSR early on for developer points. Often the break point for incentives was 100, AKV that was the case. I'm sure others can add info about other incentives and resorts as I haven't followed that as closely since AKV.

 

[Disney Doc]

When booking reservation you are only allowed to book seven days at a time. That means you will be booking you first seven day and will have to wait a week to book the last seven days. Did you consider looking at the number of points you might need if week two was at a different resort?

But if it is your home resort, at 11 months, just call 6 days after you made the original reservation and you are guaranteed to extend the stay another 6 days. One more call anytime during the next week will get you the 14th night - guaranteed. Nobody can reserve the room out from under you until 11 months from your checkout date. This is why "walking a reservation" is guaranteed to work at the 11 month mark. (except for unusual circumstances, such as planned renovation that pulls your reserved room from the available inventory.)

 

[Dean]

But if it is your home resort, at 11 months, just call 6 days after you made the original reservation and you are guaranteed to extend the stay another 6 days. One more call anytime during the next week will get you the 14th night - guaranteed. Nobody can reserve the room out from under you until 11 months from your checkout date. This is why "walking a reservation" is guaranteed to work at the 11 month mark. (except for unusual circumstances, such as planned renovation that pulls your reserved room from the available inventory.)

I agree, however there are circumstances where one could be shut out due to maint/refurbishement plans or a decision on the resorts part as to how to allocate the various unit combinations for L/O villas. Not likely but possible if you're as lucky as I am with such matters.

 

[janischa]

One small thing to maybe keep in mind is your family plans in the future. Once there are kids, it's often much more convenient to get a one or even two bedroom.

We're from Belgium and bought 150; We assumed we'd go every 3 years for ten nights give or take. That'd allow us a 2 bedroom. If we didn't need it, we could always trade up to more expensive resorts, or extend our stay.

The one thing we also always do, is puzzle around so we can make the most of our stay, because we want to minimize the number of wasted points.

 

[lynrip]

We are from the UK and usually go over for two weeks give or take a few days spent at the coast we decided to buy 200 points at SSR.

We have just had out offer accepted, deposit paid and are now waiting for ROFR.

 

[Kerchak]

Hi - we're also from the UK, and bought into DVC 3 years ago after 3 years of deliberation (it was a big commitment). We bought OKW 210 loaded points via resale, and in April this year added another 230 loaded points at OKW. We bought at OKW because it is cheaper to buy points there than most. Since 2007 we have been to WDW every year, and often twice for 14 days at a time. We travel outside of peak times in early May and early September, when the weather is hot, but not too hot, and the parks are relatively quiet. Flights are also cheaper and your points go a LOT further. In September 204points will give you 2 weeks at AKV in a savannah view studio or BLT standard studio. Also in September 214 points will give you 2 weeks at BWV in a preferred studio or at BCV, or for 156 points you can stay at OKW. You will need 20-30% more points to stay in May. We've never stayed at OKW on points, and have never had a problem booking what we want at the 7 month window. We usually do split stays so we can enjoy multiple hotels on each trip. Our favourites are BWV, SSR and Kidani. We've also just returned from Aulani, which was Amazing. We've never looked back If I were in your shoes and looking to stay in a studio every 2 years, I would look for a loaded contract for between 120 and 140 points. Good luck.

 

[Minniesgal]

We are also from the UK and plan to travel every other year although sometimes we might skip two. We started with 220 points looking for 18 nights in a 1 bedroom. We have since added on as we found we love 2 bedrooms as we are a family of five. We now have 430 points and can have 15-16 nights in a 2 bedroom in summer which is what works for us now. In two years we will go from 5 traveling to most likely 3 and we will then go back to 1 bedrooms and hopefully stay 20 nights. Eventually we will be free of school calendars and the plan would be to stay for the whole of September.

Needs change, sometimes quite substantially. We built our membership up gradually as we could afford and as our needs grew. We might even built
D it back down a bit eventually as our needs reduce but I think we will keep most of our points and just stay longer or go more often. We are lucky in that we really,I've just staying at the resorts so even if we don't want to go to the parks we will still want to go. In fact we have planned in 2015 8 nights at WDW and no parks. This will give us the time to do all the things we nor ally squeeze to a very small window out of the parks.

I think starting at 100 points or so is an excellent idea. You can use gem a few times even if you have to supplement with a hotel room for a few nights, get your feet wet see what you like etc then buy more if you need to.

We have someAkV points and we love the resort but if I had my time again I'd have half the AKV points I have and I'd have some BLT points as well. Not a big deal as we have always got the BLT we want at7 months but it is an example of why I'd go in lower and get my feet wet before increasing g