how many points should we get????

[KYCruiseCrazy]

We are looking into DVC. been doing it for the past 3 -4 years. should we plan points as if we were going to WDW every year or what? there are many DVCers out there. are family size is 5. 2 adults and 3 girls should we look at a 9-10 day vacation(to get moneys worth on annual pass) since i know for new we cant go on vacation but once a year. so what do ya think? i know it also should be on what we can afford too!! i know a max point plan would be 210-240 points. AK villas is the plan and a suite or 1 bedroom is our idea. thanks for your help

 

[StitchFan73]

You forgot to add when you usually go, or if there is a certain time you have to travel in. That weighs heavily on how many point you would need to fulfill your vacation plans

 

[Sandisw]

I think it really depends. We are once a year people as well and currently own 180 points (hopefully, will be doing another 25 point add on in January).

Anyway, we plan to visit each summer for 6 nights (2 in a studio, and 4 in a 1 bedroom at BLT) and then vary the timing by one week so we get two trips out of one AP. We will go the 2nd week of August one year and then the 1st week the next.

This way, we only have to buy the passes every other year. In addition, my DH and I are trying to work it so we can go on an adults only trip for a few nights every other year in the fall (October or December).

When we were deciding on how many points, we looked at keeping the # of nights the same as we do now and then picking a point level that allowed us to stay for the same length of time vs. increasing the number of nights yearly.

Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

I'm not sure what you mean by "a suite or a 1 bedroom". The choices at AKV are studios or 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. With 5, you need at least a 1 bedroom.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

You forgot to add when you usually go, or if there is a certain time you have to travel in. That weighs heavily on how many point you would need to fulfill your vacation plans

we for now can go during fall break(thanksgiving week for now)

 

[DenLo]

One week during 2010 Magic Season at AKV a one bedroom (to sleep five), the points run:

Standard view: 224 per week (7 days) plus another 28 pts per week night
Savanna view: 270 per week plus another 34 pts per week night

I didn't list the value rooms as they only sleep four.

So if you plan to visit yearly for 9 days you would need about 280 points to stay the entire time at AKV. However, if you check the charts you might be able to stay at OKW for less points. You would need to provide a air mattress for the 3rd child (with bed linens) though since that resort does not have a pull out chair.

So if you want to stay for less points you'll need to stay a resort that requires less points, like OKW or even a standard view BWV.

 

[StitchFan73]

Well if you go the 20th of Nov. (Sat) until the 28th of Nov. (Sun), stay in AKL in a 1 bedroom for 2010 you would need:

198 for a Value room
232 for a Standard room
281 for a Savannah view room
327 for a Club level room

It looks like a standard room would fit into the amount of points you said you could afford.

 

[StitchFan73]

One week during 2010 Magic Season at AKV a one bedroom (to sleep five), the points run:

Standard view: 224 per week (7 days) plus another 28 pts per week night
Savanna view: 270 per week plus another 34 pts per week night

I didn't list the value rooms as they only sleep four.

So if you plan to visit yearly for 9 days you would need about 280 points to stay the entire time at AKV. However, if you check the charts you might be able to stay at OKW for less points. You would need to provide a air mattress for the 3rd child (with bed linens) though since that resort does not have a pull out chair.

So if you want to stay for less points you'll need to stay a resort that requires less points, like OKW or even a standard view BWV.

I didn't know that about the value room only sleeping 4. Learn something new everyday

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

I'm not sure what you mean by "a suite or a 1 bedroom". The choices at AKV are studios or 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. With 5, you need at least a 1 bedroom.

i mean a studio or 1 bedroom

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

One week during 2010 Magic Season at AKV a one bedroom (to sleep five), the points run:

Standard view: 224 per week (7 days) plus another 28 pts per week night
Savanna view: 270 per week plus another 34 pts per week night

I didn't list the value rooms as they only sleep four.

So if you plan to visit yearly for 9 days you would need about 280 points to stay the entire time at AKV. However, if you check the charts you might be able to stay at OKW for less points. You would need to provide a air mattress for the 3rd child (with bed linens) though since that resort does not have a pull out chair.

So if you want to stay for less points you'll need to stay a resort that requires less points, like OKW or even a standard view BWV.

we want AK to be our home resort. so if you stay 7+ days you start at the per week cost or do you go by daily for thanksgiving/holiday time? thanks

 

[DebbieB]

we want AK to be our home resort. so if you stay 7+ days you start at the per week cost or do you go by daily for thanksgiving/holiday time? thanks

The weekly totals are just there for convenience - they are 5 weekday and 2 weekend dates for that season. If your stay goes into a different season, you have to add each night individually.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

The weekly totals are just there for convenience - they are 5 weekday and 2 weekend dates for that season. If your stay goes into a different season, you have to add each night individually.

ok. that is good to know!!!

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

what are the "hidden perks" the DVC online dvd talking about? what publications? thanks for the great info.

 

[DenLo]

what are the "hidden perks" the DVC online dvd talking about? what publications? thanks for the great info.

Maybe you should talk to a guide about these questions since they are in direct response to a promotion DVD. The guides do really know this stuff.

 

[CMOORE185]

I would buy 1000 points and be done with it.

 

[kristenrice]

i mean a studio or 1 bedroom

Just an FYI, as a family of five, you will not be able to stay in a studio since they have a 4-person limit. Only BLT and AKV have 1BR's that will sleep 5 (in a bed/sofabed). Anywhere else and you will need a 2BR.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Just an FYI, as a family of five, you will not be able to stay in a studio since they have a 4-person limit. Only BLT and AKV have 1BR's that will sleep 5 (in a bed/sofabed). Anywhere else and you will need a 2BR.

5 people is family max for a few years. but as the kids get older that means less kids down the road

 

[sweetdana]

You can always start with 1 and add more. Smaller contracts always sell better/faster and you can get add ons at 25, 50, 100 points later. IE buy on the lower end right now, even borrow to make vacations and add on if you need more. If you are deciding between 180 and 220 go low like 160 and add on 50 or 100 or even a 25 contract when next sale goes on. There are sales alot free AP or 1,500$ off a 100 ppoint purchase or what ever. Also a side note it is tough to sell larger contracts. Some how they are worth less per point on resale. You will 100% of the time get 3-15$ more for 2 100 point contracts then 1 200 point cotract.. crazy right? (But true.) Things get tight, you get older and need studio instead.. you can always sell 1 or the contracts.

Go with 2 smaller contracts and not 1 bigger one for resale. ... For the record buying resale will save $$ too unless it is BT or California.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

You can always start with 1 and add more. Smaller contracts always sell better/faster and you can get add ons at 25, 50, 100 points later. IE buy on the lower end right now, even borrow to make vacations and add on if you need more. If you are deciding between 180 and 220 go low like 160 and add on 50 or 100 or even a 25 contract when next sale goes on. There are sales alot free AP or 1,500$ off a 100 ppoint purchase or what ever. Also a side note it is tough to sell larger contracts. Some how they are worth less per point on resale. You will 100% of the time get 3-15$ more for 2 100 point contracts then 1 200 point cotract.. crazy right? (But true.) Things get tight, you get older and need studio instead.. you can always sell 1 or the contracts.

Go with 2 smaller contracts and not 1 bigger one for resale. ... For the record buying resale will save $$ too unless it is BT or California.

thanks for that info. we wont want to sell our vacations we are looking to get DVC so we can enjoy WDW vacations paid for(room wise) for 35-50 years at a low cost. we want to be able to enjoy WDW. we are looking at many different ideas. we love AKL(never stayed there) we have dont pop century,allstar sports and POR. loved them all. now we are trying to figure if BLT or AKV is going to be our HOME resort. we are putting together ideas from what we are looking at and reading on the DIS.

we have done a lot of stuff at WDW since 2003. one thing we though we would never do is a deluxe type resort. we try to make the most out of our vacations at WDW. i have to thank everyone on DIS and YouTube!!

so any and all ideas are very helpful. one note is this.......we are planning to use DVC as a honeymoon gift for DD if and when she gets married

thanks everyone for all of the great info so far!!

 

[sleeping beauty 1]

We have 3 children and stay in a 1-bedroom. I am always reminded by MS that there will not be towels and linens for the 5th person, but there isn't a problem with 5 in a 1-bedroom. Now mine are still younger and can share a bed, but square footage/fire code wise you are allowed to stay in a 1-bedroom with 5.

You can stay in BWV in a studio with 5, but the little bed is very small. As long as the room is over 400 square feet you can stay in a room with 5. Our last two 13-day stays have been at BWV in a 1-bedroom!!

It may not be ideal, but my kids are so tired after days in the parks they don't mind sharing a bed!

I hope that helps!!