how many points to stay outside DVC

[horselover]

So we just came back from WDW & went on the tour. We're very intereted in AKV, but need to weigh all the options. 3 out of 4 of us love Disney, but I know we won't go there every year. Well I don't know for sure, but it's a good guess. I would say every other year. They gave use the book with all the other "non-Disney" destinations, but nowhere does it mention how points purchased for AKV would translate outside the World. Lets say we buy 225 pts. & we want to go to say Colorado one year. How would those pts. translate? Would they be enough for a comparable vacation or do you need to bank or borrow pts. for these types of trips? Is there a chart somewhere which gives you an idea of how many pts. would be needed for various destinations? I think I also read in another thread something about a booking fee? Is that correct? Does that apply to non-Disney & Disney bookings?

Thanks in advance. I found these boards to be extremely helpful for planning our WL trip. I'm sure the DVC section will be just as great!

 

[Dean]

Most 1 & 2 BR Interval exchanges are 160 to 270 points though some are minimally less for off season. DCL cruises return about $6-7 per point compared to early booking discounts for most options. Using points for other Disney hotels is roughly the cost of a 2 BR at DVC for a hotel room and the Concierge Collection is in that same ball park.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you think you might want to go other places than Disney most of the time, why not get another timeshare that you can trade and just get enough points so that you can go to Disney every third year (bank and borrow).

 

[tiaquessa]

I agree with Horselover- I also am looking into DVC, but would like to be able to use my points at other places. Granted, I would probably use them at WDW 99% of the time, but there might be a time when you need a change of scenery.

 

[Dean]

I agree with Horselover- I also am looking into DVC, but would like to be able to use my points at other places. Granted, I would probably use them at WDW 99% of the time, but there might be a time when you need a change of scenery.

The problem is someone going in thinking of exchanging isn't likely looking at 99% at DVC but more in the 50-75% DVC and the rest other places. Actually a non DVC stay every 4-6 years can be 25-35% of your points over time OR MORE depending on the exchange option in question. For II exchanges it's close to 1 to 1 points but for CC, DC or DCL it may be 2-5 points to one points for a DVC stay. ASSUMING DVC makes sense otherwise, the ONLY reasonable choice in my opinion is to buy the number of points you'll expect to use at DVC over time (maybe a 110% cushion) then look at other options for the non DVC stays. For the CC, DC & DCL; cash is obviously the best choice bar none and is the cheapest option to do so ongoing. Even finding a single example where the planets line up and DVC is better will be next to impossible, a break even is about the best you could ever hope for. For other timeshare stays, a non DVC timeshare or rental privately will usually be the best and will depend on specifics. Obviously one who already owns the points is in a different position and therefore different choices may make more sense in some situations.