How many points would just 2 people need?

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Hi everyone! My husband and I recently got married and were considering joining the DVC. I'm still finishing up school so obviously kids are a long way off. However, when I read the FAQ's I can't make heads or tails of anything. It seems the information is geared for a family of 4 in terms of points. I was wondering how many points people here purchased if it is just them and their spouse? We generally vacation once every other year and have week long stays. Just curious and thank you all so much for the help! I know its a bit of a general question but didn't know where else to ask it.

 

[tjkraz]

While the Studio and One Bedroom Villas have a maximum occupancy of 4, there is no reason 2 adults couldn't use a room. Point costs are based upon the size of accommodation--not the actual number of occupants.

Studios are basically a standard hotel room--either two beds or one bed and a sofabed, bathroom with tub/shower combo, balcony and an in-room kitchenette. One Bedroom villas are about 700 sq ft. They have a full kitchen / living room / dinining room and a separate bedroom. The bedroom has a king size bed, bathroom with a shower stall and a whirlpool tub, and there is a washer / dryer in the room.

Actual points will vary depending upon the resort you stay at, time of year, days of the week and size of the unit. At the top of this page is a link to the DVC point charts. Come up with a sample vacation and look up the number of points required on the charts.

Note that the minimum points you can buy direct from DVC is 150. When you buy a contract of 150 points, you get 150 points to use every year until the contract ends. Points can be banked one year forward and also borrowed from the next year. So, if you buy 150 and want to visit every-other-year, you would bank you points in the odd years and have 300 to use every two years.

Unless you must visit during the busiest times of the year, or plan to increase your travel frequency, 300 points per trip is probably overkill for your needs. You could get a week in a One Bedroom for +/- 225 points much of the year.

If you buy on the resale market you can get a contract with less than 150 points. But it will take more time and energy on your part, and you'll have to pay cash for the contract.

Hope that helps.

 

[jcodespoti]

we have 575 points for the two of us. But we like to travel


Joe in CT

 

[Pa@okw95]

You will probably want a one bedroom unit, they are designed for 2 people not 4 like a lot of people here think. If you are only going to go every other year and can get along with less than a one bedroom, I would not join DVC. DVC is for people that like to go to WDW more than you do and like large accommodations. Some people consider the max amount of people allowed in a room to be the recommended amount for that unit. Another thing buying into DVC is not some kind of savings like is pitched by the DVC sales people. It is an expense. I would say you are not a candidate for DVC membership based on the amount of times you go to Florida.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree that you should start out planning for a 1 bedroom unit for the length of time and season you intend to vacation each year.

For example, if you plan right now to mostly vacation in the winter, a 1 bedroom at SSR for a week will be from 182-194 pts per week. Holiday times would be 316 points for the same unit. I would say a 200-250 point contract would be a good starting point. I think Disney made a mistake when they lowered the buy in point so low that folks feel they can't stay in anything but a studio. The whole point of a timeshare is to have larger accommodations that are more like a vacation home. The 1-2 bedroom units fit that, but the studios are really nothing more than a hotel room.

We are two people. We have 380 points, and it seems to be just right for us. We usually travel at the low seasons, so our point costs are lower.

 

[mikesmom]

I think the 150 would be fine. Maybe even 200. I certainly wouldn't make an assumption that because the OP takes one vacation every other year now, that the pattern will continue. We all know how it goes. You get to WDW for vacation (or you read these Boards). You hear about the Food & Wine Fest. Great time at WDW for adults alone. Next thing you know, it's "wouldn't be nice if we tried that, just once". Before you know it, you're taking a summer vacation every other year PLUS you are coming down for the F&W every year. Then it's "gee, we should sneak down just for a couple of days to see the Christmas decorations, just once". Then it's "this is so much fun, wouldn't it be nice to bring along our dearest friends, jus once, we'd have an even better time".

Believe me, DC and WDW cab be addictive.

 

[DrTomorrow]

First, congrats on the "newly married" status!

DW and I are empty-nesters, and we bought 300 points at SSR. That's a bit much for us right now, although we're not having any problems using up the points, and it's nice not to be in perma-borrow mode. I second - or is it third by now - those who said that you probably want to think 1BR, even for the two of you. Our first DVC stay was in a Studio, and while that was nice, once we'd experienced the amenities of a 1/2 BR - full kitchen, separate living/sleeping space, hot tub, lots more room - I think that a Studio may seem, ahem, a bit cramped in the future, particularly for longer trips.

So take a look at the resorts and point charts, figure where you want to stay (SSR from Disney, others via resale), when you're likely to stay and for how long - then see how many points that would be. Then triple that ; no, then buy a few more points than you need. Budgeting for a 1BR will take you through your first two or three children. Be warned, though - you wouldn't be the first to post here saying "we only go every other year", then end up making yearly - or twice-yearly - trips!

If you're talking more generic lifestyle issues, DW and I love WDW as a couple; thrills, excitement, adventure and romance - and that's while we're still in the room! Seriously, DVC is great for all life stages.

Good luck, and keep asking those questions!

 

[dianeschlicht]

You hit the nail on the head, Dr. Tomorrow! We first bought 230 points because we were sure we could get by with that going in low point seasons. After just one year, we decided we needed 150 more, so we added on. It is so true that most of us find when it is so easy to make a reservation and have such spacious accommodations, you tend to go more frequently, and in our case, take more folks along with you!

 

[crisi]

Just because....

We've owned our 150 points for three ...going on four years now. We vacation every other year in either a one or two bedroom (we have two kids) and while a few extra points might be nice, we have resisted the add on bug. While seeing the decorations in December sounds like fun, we don't get vacation then (DH is in retail, no vacation between mid-October and the New Year). More trips to WDW aren't in the cards, with desires and needs to use vacation time other places, unless we have some life changing events (job changes/win the lottery).

 

[DrTomorrow]

Just because....

We've owned our 150 points for three ...going on four years now. We vacation every other year in either a one or two bedroom (we have two kids) and while a few extra points might be nice, we have resisted the add on bug. While seeing the decorations in December sounds like fun, we don't get vacation then (DH is in retail, no vacation between mid-October and the New Year). More trips to WDW aren't in the cards, with desires and needs to use vacation time other places, unless we have some life changing events (job changes/win the lottery).

Which shows the importance of determining what's right for each person's situation! Although, IMHO, you're probably going to have a few life changing events during your DVC ownership (I'll keep my fingers crossed for your lottery win!)

 

[poohj80]

DH and I bought into SSR a couple years ago and started with 200 points. This is enough for two vacations per year in a one bedroom at SSR during the times we travel. Trust me, once you stay in a 1BR you won't go back to a studio. (Of course, I say that and we'll be checking into a studio Sunday for a few nights since the points are so much higher next week.) So far, 200 points have been just right for us, even though we had to borrow last year due to vacation adjustments due to Hurricane Jeanne but we're hoping that's not a trend.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think finding the starting point for you is the real question here. I think too many folks start with fewer point than they should. The great thing about DVC is the flexibility. Until you have experienced it for awhile, you really have no concept of what the right number is for you. That is probably why so many of us add on after a short time. When we first purchased, we planned out our first year of points using a combination of 1 bedrooms and studios for the year. We quickly figured out we wanted to bring a larger group with us occationally, and that meant we needed points for 2 and occationally 3 bedrooms. We now find it very easy to find the right allotment of points per year. We usually reserve a 2 bedroom and have anywhere from 3-7 people in it. When we have larger groups than that, we get the GV. Since you are young, your needs will change over the life of the contract. Start with what seems right for you now.

 

[d-r]

Here's one thing. DVC is amazingly flexible. When we bought our first contract, it was just the two of us with no plans for kids. But we used points then for more than just us, even though we didn't really plan to before we bought them. We invited friends along to go drinking around epcot, and would get two or three or four studios at a time. Not everytime we went, but a couple of times we did that. We also tended to do "long weekends" and not "weeks," so we needed more points for the weekend rooms than if we were doing mostly weekdays.

But the great thing is flexibility. About two years ago my dad and my grandmother passed away, and during that time we decided to have all the cousins come down to florida after a year or so, so we booked 3 2-bedrooms. Now, when we first bought, we never thought about wanting to book 2-bedrooms, we thought we'd just be studios, but there we were booking them.

Now we have a child, and a one-bedroom is a minimum. I'm learning that even with one child, and a toddler at that, we end up booking 2-bedrooms because grandmas or aunts want to come along, and we want them to.

What I'm trying to say is, you'll have dvc points for a long time and things change. Even though you might be mostly studios on long weekends now, you might be 2-bedrooms someday. On the flip side, some folks who have families with two or three kids will still have the points when they are empy nesters and might just take a studio on one trip, and grand villa on another to bring along grand kids. Luckily you aren't locked in to specific rooms are specific weeks. You can always add on later if and when your needs change. And who knows when you might want to do that family or friend thing that right now you don't have any plans for. Life can be funny. So remember you aren't just booking a single vacation, you are buying these for years, and luckily we have the flexibility that we aren't cemented in two specific weeks.

Having said that, here's how we looked at it. We first bought the minimum 150 points, at that time we figured we'd do a couple of long weekends a year or maybe a week and one long weekend a year in a studio, and that was enough points for that. Look at the point charts (you can see them on this site if you follow the links to dvc calculator) and think about what type of room you want to stay in and what times of year and for how long. I'll say that we immediately added on points. You can't plan for everything, and that is OK, because you can use the points in a lot of ways.

 

[d-r]

The great thing about DVC is the flexibility.

we posted the same idea at the same time, but you were much more succint!

 

[crisi]

Which shows the importance of determining what's right for each person's situation! Although, IMHO, you're probably going to have a few life changing events during your DVC ownership (I'll keep my fingers crossed for your lottery win!)

Don't strain your fingers, I'd need to buy tickets!

 

[btrim]

I don't agree with Pa@OKW. Sometimes he seems to be negative about DVC (not sure why he joined). Even if you only go every other year, now is the time to join if you can afford it. It may not be a savings plan, but if you are going to vacation anyway and you like going to Disney, I would join now, get enough points for a studio or 1-bedroom everyother year and then add-on when you start your family. Yes, we love the room in the 1/2 bedrooms, but I would be willing to stay in a studio (just husband and I) for a week if it got me to Disney and on property instead of someplace else. We just enjoy the whole experience (parks, Boardwalk, DTD, Water Parks, etc). We took the tour in 1995 and wish we had purchased then, but didn't think we could afford it. If we added up what we have spent on regular resorts between then and now, we could have paid for our DVC. I think for two people 150-200 points would be more than enough.

We Love DVC

 

[Caskbill]

I've written a program for people to use to help plan their vacations. It can also be used to help figure out how many points might be right for you. You can play around with all kinds of potential 'trips' and accommodations and compare the point requirements. That might give you some ideas.

It's free, and has been downloaded by several thousand members already. Follow the link in the signature below.

 

[spiceycat]

get what you can afford now.

Some people miss the point that we have membership for YEARS - you can try a studio - I happen to like studios - they fit me very well.

I have also stayed in a 1 and 2 bedroom - those are nice - but I generally stay in them ONLY when I have guests.

Studios are fine for two people. don't let anyone tell you that they aren't.

they are much, much better than a hotel room - you have a kitchennett and a balcony - only the deluxe resorts have balconies. You have access to the hot tub - at OKW there is one at every pool. I think SSR is the same way.
So you don't have to have one in your room.

the laundry mat is free for DVC members and guests alike. So you don't need the washer/dryer - yes they are nice - but you don't NEED it.

the only villa that comes with an automatic ice maker in the refrigerator is the OKW - so if you are staying in one of the others - even the 2-bedroom have to get their ice from the ice machine.

You go with what you can afford.

I choose to go more often in studios. It is a choice.

 

[Terry S]

We own and so do my parents. Since it is just the two of them, they get a 1 bedroom. They have 250 points and use up everyone of them and could use more!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I agree with spiceycat, get what you can afford now.

I think a studio works fine for 2 people. The only thing I miss is the DVD player and the washer and dryer. You can get a portable DVD player and the short walk to the free washer and dryers aren't bad. Infact I would stay away from 1 bedrooms really, they tend to spoil you.

We bought 170 points when DD was a baby, we thought a studio one year, one bedroom the next. We didn't count on the WDW/DVC bug bite and we have ended up going much more then once a year (AP will do that.) So we are in constant state of borrowing.

I think you could get away with 150 just fine, even less if you wanted to do resale. However chances are you might want more in the future so buy what you can afford now. I wish we had 250, any more then that and the dues get too high.

If you want to use your points on the weekend, that will eat them up fast. Personally I never use weekend points if I can help it, they are so much more. If I was only going for a weekend I would pay cash and get a code.

Good luck and congraduations, I wish we had bought DVC when we 1st got married. It would of saved us a ton of money!