I never believed in Addonitis

[E2ME2]

The Addonitis Variant continues to evolve within our household. We bought Direct in 2010 - 210 Points at SSR, and used those points for 1Week (+/-) in 1BRs for annual vacations. As I approached retirement, we planned to add on, and our first add-on was for 40 more SSR points - Direct in 2018. We thought we had been vaccinated against Addonitis at that point, as Direct Prices had climbed too much, and we took a "wait & see" attitude. BUT - then the unexpected thing that hit everyone, had a unique positive impact on our DVC strategy. I had already targeted Year-End 2020 as my retirement date, and when COVID hit in early 2020 it forced me to work remote for that entire year, and I had a very unceremonious retirement.
(I empathize with others who graduated or retired in 2020 & 2021, without the normal Pomp & Circumstance). The Up-Side, however, was that the DVC Resale Market tanked in 2020-2021, and my Addonitis incurred a major relapse. We bought 225 Points at SSR, 160 Points at AKV, and 30 Points at BCV, between May of 2020 and May of 2021 !! Then our 1BR Variant changed to a Studio Variant, as we have stretched our points to "Snow-Bird" on DVC from January through February since 2021. The latest Variant however was caused by the smallest add-on, as once we stayed at BCV, we were hooked with the "Location Variant". I wish I had picked up more BCV during COVID.
I don't wish any economic disasters on anyone, but if the economy were to dip again next year and, combined with the waning contract life of BCV, that were to cause another huge dip in the resale market, then I will probably add on some more BCV points.
Is there no cure for this thing ???

 

[Arguetafamily]

We started with 50 as well, direct with PVB, that kept us for a couple of years…then Covid. The contracts were too good not to purchase resale and Disney didn’t buy back anything for months! That was only two we said, 240 and 160. Now we are up to five!
It’s real and you never know when it will hit

 

[Carol_]

Vaccines don’t prevent the spread. The long term studies have never been done.
I’m afraid we’ll all just have to save up $$ for the next variant to hit us.
I’ll be hunkering down in an undisclosed location until then.

Side note: please refrain from talking about my preferred deluxes. I don’t need any competition making reservations. They’re all terrible! Yuck! Ptooey! Stay at universal! It’s cheaper and better in every way!

 

[hmccarter]

I am fearful of this variant. I hear there’s no turning back once you catch this so I’m going to avoid it as long as I can. But maybe Disney’s strategy is to pixie dust DVC members one of the trips and then we’re doomed.

Exactly what happened to us! Pixie dusted us right into it

 

[HappyThoughtsTees]

We used the "buy-more-points-at-current-prices-in-anticipation-of-our-kids-getting-older" excuse to stockpile points between 2020-present.

"We'll rent out the extra points to help cover dues!" we told ourselves.
"We'll stay in 1 bedrooms while we can so we don't hooked on larger rooms yet!".
Lies. All lies.
And incredible vacations.

 

[BamaGuy44]

^

I started with 50 and it was such a deal!!!!
Then I proceeded to go for a little more and a little more 4 more times.

In the immortal words of Guns N Roses:
"I started with a little, but the little wouldn't do it, so the little got more and more..."

That song is about heroin addiction, so pretty applicable to DVC, lol

 

[Jack Kerouac]

We haven’t even closed on our first contract (220 at Poly) and I’m looking for small contracts to add on. The 220 should provide a wonderful vacation next September, but I have three young boys. I’m 6’4” and my guess is at least two of my boys will be my height or taller. Something tells me that we may need more points so we can book a 2B at other resorts in the future. And living in IL, I really have no interest in staying less than 6 days. Guess I will be joining all of you sooner than I first thought.

 

[Lorana]

Watch out for the GV and C variants also!

This is what ruined me. ;-)

 

[Jack Kerouac]

If my wife and I wanted to buy smaller contracts to add to our current 220 points at the Poly, what’s the best value to be had, considering accommodations for a 1-2BR for 6+ days. Boys are ages 7, 5, and 2. Right now we love MK, but I’m guessing that may shift as the boys get older. I’m thinking of a separate resort from Poly, but not Riv due to resale. I am open to waiting for Poly2 if that turns out to be a different association and the amount of points to book it aren’t ridiculous.

 

[Lorana]

If my wife and I wanted to buy smaller contracts to add to our current 220 points at the Poly, what’s the best value to be had, considering accommodations for a 1-2BR for 6+ days. Boys are ages 7, 5, and 2. Right now we love MK, but I’m guessing that may shift as the boys get older. I’m thinking of a separate resort from Poly, but not Riv due to resale. I am open to waiting for Poly2 if that turns out to be a different association and the amount of points to book it aren’t ridiculous.

If you want Epcot area, your only choices are Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, and Riviera. BCV and BWV both expire 2042, which is why we picked up RIV.

If you want non-MK area, then that leaves AKV, SSR, and OKW. All three rely on bus transportation to the major parks. OKW is low points charts, two queens in a studio, and larger accommodations in general. SSR is walking distance to Disney Springs, and has the Treehouses as a unique style of accommodations. But I personally would go for AKV. Nothing beats watching the animals from your balcony! The points charts are a great value, and owning means a chance at booking the super-point-cheap Value rooms or splurging on Concierge level rooms.

CCV also offers great points charts and value for 1/2 Bedrooms, but is MK resort area. I really love the theming, and the feeling of really being away from it, but only a short boat ride to MK or short bus ride to Epcot. Because it's not on the monorail, it doesn't get a lot of guests coming through (except for dining), and it's a smaller resort than the other MK ones, so it never feels crazy crowded.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

If you want Epcot area, your only choices are Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, and Riviera. BCV and BWV both expire 2042, which is why we picked up RIV.

If you want non-MK area, then that leaves AKV, SSR, and OKW. All three rely on bus transportation to the major parks. OKW is low points charts, two queens in a studio, and larger accommodations in general. SSR is walking distance to Disney Springs, and has the Treehouses as a unique style of accommodations. But I personally would go for AKV. Nothing beats watching the animals from your balcony! The points charts are a great value, and owning means a chance at booking the super-point-cheap Value rooms or splurging on Concierge level rooms.

CCV also offers great points charts and value for 1/2 Bedrooms, but is MK resort area. I really love the theming, and the feeling of really being away from it, but only a short boat ride to MK or short bus ride to Epcot. Because it's not on the monorail, it doesn't get a lot of guests coming through (except for dining), and it's a smaller resort than the other MK ones, so it never feels crazy crowded.

Thank you for all of that information! That’s super helpful! We are going to take at least trip before we actually do anything about adding points, but I am grateful for all of this information so I have it if we decide to add on in the future.

 

[tom1944]

Do any of you have points at resorts in all 4 areas?

MK
Epcot
Disney Springs
Animal Kingdom

 

[Sandisw]

Do any of you have points at resorts in all 4 areas?

MK
Epcot
Disney Springs
Animal Kingdom

We have three of the four. We do not like AKV so would never own there since we don’t want to stay there.

So we own RIV..direct and resale….VGF..direct..and SSR.. resale. 300 points at each!

 

[Lorana]

Do any of you have points at resorts in all 4 areas?

MK
Epcot
Disney Springs
Animal Kingdom

Yes!

MK: CCV & BRV is where most of our points are at, plus 100 points at PVB.
Epcot: Riviera
Disney Springs: SSR, mostly for SAP and 11-month priority for Treehouses during holidays/peak travel times
Animal Kingdom: AKV, both Jambo and Kidani points. Not that it really matters but we like knowing we own at both. Outside of CCV/BRV, this is where the next largest amount of points we own is at, as we love the Animal Kingdom and the lodge.

Outside of Disney, we own a small amount of points at Hilton Head.

 

[TCRAIG]

Do any of you have points at resorts in all 4 areas?

MK
Epcot
Disney Springs
Animal Kingdom

Same as Sandisw - we have 3 of the 4 - we’re not really big on AK park…

 

[E2ME2]

Do any of you have points at resorts in all 4 areas?

MK
Epcot
Disney Springs
Animal Kingdom

We are also 3 for 4.
We own at AKL (The wife loves the "Freaking Savannah" , and I love the Jambo House Lobby and restaurants) AK is the wife's favorite park
We own at SSR, and always enjoy walking to Disney Springs, and the LBV Golf.
We own at BCV, next to our shared favorite park - EPCOT, and close to my next favorite park - DHS
MK is actually our least favorite park, since its usually just the two of us.
Only on trips with the grandkids, does the proximity to MK become an issue.

 

[tom1944]

So right now my wife and I are discussing an initial resale purchase at 2 resorts for 100 points each.

Looks like we will pursue Copper Creek and Saratoga Springs

I like the concept of having a home resort at each resort but we will need to take a trip to see if my wife and daughter are okay with split stays. If they are I could see a purchase at an Epcot resort also for 100 points down the road. If not any additional points will be added to our 2 initial selections

We have a minimum of several months to discuss all our options