How many points should we try and buy?

[LilMamiBella]

We're in the process of buying into Saratoga Springs with Disney. We were going to buy 160 points. But, I have to put down a deposit tomorrow and now I feel like maybe we should be getting more points. We have to put 30% down which we're paying in three payments. I think maybe we need like 250-300 total points. We have two small children ages 6 and 3 and also my single mom who wants to come. I know that with 160 points, I could swing maybe a week in a studio. I'm thinking that a studio won't be big enough after awhile and that if we're going to buy points we might as well buy as many as we can. I'd like to stay at least two weeks out of the year in a studio and a one bedroom. I'd like to go in May, December, January, February or August. Any of those months so I need to have enough to go at those times. How many points do you recommend we buy?

 

[LilMamiBella]

I suppose we could just borrow points and go every other year or something..is there a limit or penalty on borrowing points every year or every other year?

 

[bobbiwoz]

There is no penalty to borrow. If you go to WDW every other year and you have 160 points, you COULD borrow all of your points and use the 320 for one large vacation. Or you could just borrow some of them.

Good luck as you make your decision.

Bobbi

 

[RoyalCanadian]

We were at SSR for a week in January in a 1BR -- cost us 182 points, including the "dreaded" weekends. Christmas decorations were still up all over the place; low crowd levels=short lines and easy-to-get FastPasses.

There is no cost or penalty to borrow or bank, although DVC does reserve the right to limit borrowing or banking at any time.

It has been suggested to other new DVC purchasers that they consider breaking up their contracts if they are purchasing large quantities of points. (e.g. 2 x 150 point contracts=300 points; 150pt. contract + 30 pt. contract = 180pts. -- you get the idea) You could also work it so that you purchase your 150 pt. contract and then add-on an additional contract and take advantage of add-on incentives such as the developer points.

However you do it -- WELCOME HOME!

 

[DebbieB]

I would buy the 160 and then do add-on's. They often offer promotions for add-ons, for example if you buy 120 or more points right now you get 100 bonus points for this use year.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You need to narrow your requirements.
2) I think you are jumping in without enough future planning
3) Once set, you can judge the points necessary
4) Set a min and max points required, then buy to your budget
5) You need to consider
. . . minimum number of days each year to visit
. . . number of days that would be weekday and weekend
. . . the most probable season-week to go
. . . how many years kids can sleep on a pull-out sofa together
. . . how many years Mom will attend

 

[sjdisneywedding]

truth is you need to a bit more planning. How are going from 160 to 250-300 points per year. thats a huge difference!

decide what you think your vacationing habits will be. Are you planning on visiting once per year or do you think it may more likely be once every other year. Is your mom coming every trip? if not she may be able to rent extra points on the years she is going and get her own studio room or you can all upgrade.

also buy on the lower end now, you can test it out see how it fits your family and upgrade if need be. The resorts arent going anywhere, there will be plenty of points available for quite a while though DVC at SSR or on the resale market.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

6 years ago, we bought 210 and we have added on another 75 since then. If I were to do it all over again, I would by 12,831 points. This is the total number of points to stay at the BWV in a one bedroom for a year.

 

[LilMamiBella]

We ended up going with the 160 points. We didn't have enough to make a bigger down payment so we'll add on after a year or two. I want to go at least two weeks out of the year. I'd like to spend one week in a one bedroom around December and then spend a week in a studio in the summer. My mom has never went to Disney..she thinks the price to go, even in a value resort is sky high, so the only way she'll be able to experience the magic is if we let her stay with us. I doubt she'll be going each time with us, but I do want to her to come with us the next time we go. For now, we'll try out the studio and see how it'll be for us. We can always borrow points but I don't want to be borrowing points forever. My agent said that I'd probably need like 305 points ..

 

[senecabeach]

LilMamiBella........


TheRustyScupper and sjdisneywedding........are giving you great advice!!

Plan...plan...plan..

Ask yourself...ALL of TheRustyScupper questions;

. . . minimum number of days each year to visit
. . . number of days that would be weekday and weekend
. . . the most probable season-week to go
. . . how many years kids can sleep on a pull-out sofa together
. . . how many years Mom will attend

then you will be able to figure out how many pts. you should go with!! Dont forget the ongoing Mtc fee increases.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

good luck I am sure it will all work out. I think 160 is a perfect start for you. seems most get the add on bug anyway so if you started with 300 you might have 400 by time you were done