Info gathering mode

[kbovenizer]

I am starting the process of gathering information about DVC and trying to determine if this makes sense for our family. I hope you don't mind me asking some questions.

One area that I've had a hard time finding information on is how many points are required to book specifics resort options.

Also, how do you determine how many points to purchase?

We have 2 little boys (currently ages 3 & 4) and hope to add to our family in the future. I think we'll have Disney in our plans for many many years to come. DH and I loved Disney even before kids. I'm already kind of sold on DVC, but need to come up with answers to all the questions DH has about how this works and how it's going to (eventually) save us $.

Thanks in advance!

 

[chalee94]

One area that I've had a hard time finding information on is how many points are required to book specifics resort options.

look at the top right hand corner of the screen for the link to "DVC Point Charts."

Also, how do you determine how many points to purchase?

depends on your vacationing habits.

evaluate the different resorts. some are within walking distance of epcot...some are quieter and more secluded...some are more luxe and some more casual...some...well, one...has animals on a savannah. most resorts expire in 35 years...SSR in 47 and AKV in 50.

then figure how many points you'd need at that resort to vacation the way you like.

We have 2 little boys (currently ages 3 & 4) and hope to add to our family in the future. I think we'll have Disney in our plans for many many years to come. DH and I loved Disney even before kids. I'm already kind of sold on DVC, but need to come up with answers to all the questions DH has about how this works and how it's going to (eventually) save us $.

my standard post with general rules:

A) the DVC works best for people who:

1) go to disney at least every other year
2) prefer to stay on-site at the mods or deluxes
3) can plan their vacations 10 or 11 months in advance
4) intend to use DVC primarily for staying at a DVC resort at disney (rather than trading out for other timeshares or cruises, etc.)
5) don't stay mostly on weekends

(also: are financially prepared to handle the annual maintenance fees.)

once you decide to buy into the DVC,

B) buy where you want to stay (or at least, where you won't be disappointed to stay.)

if you don't really want to stay at SSR or AKL, rooms may be available at the other resorts at the 7 month window or they may not. BCV, BWV and VWL are popular and relatively smaller - if you want to stay primarily at one of those resorts, don't be afraid to shop for a resale or push disney for a contract at a sold-out resort.

C) once you have your resort narrowed down, look at the point chart to figure how many points you need each year. if it's more than the 160 minimum, you may be better off buying 2 separate contracts. it's generally easier if you eventually decide to sell to get rid of a 160 pt contract and a 60 pt contract than it is to sell a larger, more expensive 220 pt contract. (if it's less than 160, you would need to look for a resale contract.)

D) if you have a choice of use year months, it only really matters if you vacation consistently at the same time each year. the rule is that you can bank 100% of your points up to 6 months after your use year month. (example: if i always go to disney around christmas, it's good to have a november-use year month since that gives me till may of the next year to decide whether to bank the points or use them.)

E) maintenance fees per point per year for reference:

Year OKW BWV VB HH VWL BCV SSR AKV
2007 4.40 4.85 5.63 4.98 4.73 4.63 4.12 4.62

scanning threads on the DVC boards (and searching for old threads on topics you are curious about) is a great way to figure out what you're doing.

and here's an old thread (with some outdated info) that still has some useful information:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634&page=1&pp=15

ask more questions if this doesn't make sense.

 

[kbovenizer]

THANK YOU!

I knew this board would help. The points chart, which I had been previously unable to find mostly cause I didn't know what I was looking for will be MOST helpful!

Thanks again! I'm off to do some reading!

 

[vandy]

The ability to book at the 10-11month window is not a big neccesity EXCEPT if you are booking for holidays and at the smaller resorts (BWV, BCV, VWL). The 7-month booking window is usually no problem for the bigger resorts and can be done at the smaller ones as well. This flexibility in making reservations is for us, a big plus for DVC. You will just need to work within the confines of your points.

 

[crisi]

Mary has a pretty good financial analysis on Mousesavers and there are a few essays on Mouseplanet as well.

I would be VERY aware that most of us don't manage to save a dime. DVC is an excellent way for Disney to keep us happy sucking more money out of our pockets. Pre-DVC many of us went less often. We never dreamed of treating relatives to a room. With a hotel bill at the end of the trip, we didn't eat expensive dinners each night. Five at POR was crowded, but "it was Disney." There was no AP to tempt us to sqeeze in an extra trip because there wasn't the oh-so-tempting AP discount. Course, we'll need a few more points to squeeze in that extra trip.

There are a few of us who manage to continue to stay in studios or who use the kitchen to save on meals and in one fashion or another actually do save. But I think the majority of us are a lost cause.