Is 130 points enough for a family of 4?

[pennst8r]

Totally loaded question!

It all comes down to preferences. My biggest issue with everyone in one room is that everyone has to go to bed at the same time, and everyone is up at the same time! Love having a 2br!

 

[dmoore22]

Trust me when I tell you this.....there is NEVER enough

How true! How true!

We are now up to 400 pts. We visit twice a year, 12 nights each. We have 6 kids, most of them are now grown, so, when we visit its usually my DW and two of our children. The season you visit will also influence the number of points you will use/need. We've become addicted to Christmas at Disney (12 nights, or rather the 12 Days of Christmas) which is an overlap of the Choice, Premier, and Adventure seasons. Our spring visit is during the Dream season.

 

[alamode]

Ok, I gave in. Just put in for another 50 point contract.

 

[Tiger926]

Ok, I gave in. Just put in for another 50 point contract.

Wow! That was fast. Congrats, Tiger

 

[dianeschlicht]

Ok, I gave in. Just put in for another 50 point contract.

That sounds better!

 

[dmoore22]

Ok, I gave in. Just put in for another 50 point contract.

This is just the beginning. There will be days you have buyers' remorse. That's normal. It all goes away when you hear the CM say HOME!!!! Of course your kids are going to think your the best parents in the world!! Priceless!!!

 

[AirGoofy]

Now that everyone's decided that I need more points, it's collection time. Donations are appreciated.

Seriously, thanks for all the advice. I think waiting for a few trips under our belts is a good idea, although having our first trip in a 2 bedroom value could put an end to our studio days before they even start.

Who knows, we might only want/afford a trip every other year. I think it's best to go at least once before I start adding on.

I think your points are fine. We have a family of 4 and have 120 points at SSR. We stay in the studio, and will get an extra 4 day trip in this year. The 1 bedrooms are awesome, but since we do parks or pool so much, we are happy with what we have.

 

[sweetdana]

I have a 160 SSR for a family of 3. I also am open to renting points from others. I mix and match Dis sale/rentals and use of my points.

I set up about 6-8 nights in a 1 bedroom, with my points and rent FQ or POR for a few extra days. When time gets closer I use the rental boards and find something at less points I have found as little as 6$ a point. I have always been able to get a room for the extra nights, but if I wasn't able to I am fine with the 1st 3-5 nights being at FQ. So far 3 trips all of them, booked extra days at FQ all of them found last minute point sales.
You would need to be open to a split stay as if you wait until 30-60 days out for the sale prices the room choices are less in option as well .. Check out the rental boards.. Only not when I am going, as I prefer to take all the 6$ a point I can use.

Consider, a transfer if you need it also. I also bought a 200 point transfer into my account I think at 9$ a point. This is another option to go a few times to see what you need. It will take me 2-3 years to use the full 200 points, even adding in an extra trip. (Using these in April and banking mine instead.) A cheat we will call it for adding on more points, but not for say 50 yrs. A cheat that I will do again as soon as I run out of points again!

 

[dzorn]

Well I run out with 225 and a family of 4.

Denise in MI

 

[thelionqueen]

Congrats on your add-on

We are a family of 4 with 350 and it still doesn't seem like enought. We do go twice a year for at least 10 nights each though.

And I totally agree, once you stay in a 1br you will likely not go back to a studio. I cannot imagine my kids in the same room with me anymore and I'm sure they can't either

 

[jpolak]

We felt that in order to really see the benefit of DVC vs. regular hotel rooms we had to stay in 1BR or larger units for the additional room, full kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. We didn't feel studios did it justice and knew that as our kids got older a studio would no longer be adequate. We bought in with 1BR units in mind from the start.

That's our story too. When we were looking at points we looked at the most expensive week of the year and what it would cost for a one bedroom and that's how many points we bought. Not that we would go that week, but if we wanted to we could.

 

[UConnJack]

I say stick with 130 pts for now and see how the studios fit you and you family. Once the kids start getting older and maybe the room feels too cramped, get a 1-br and try it out for size (maybe go 5-6 instead of a full 7), and then decide. Some people see the room as just a place to crash, usually eating out and spending most of their time at the parks or other activites. If you family ends up eating in a lot or spending a lot of time at the resort vs. parks, or if your later teenage children become intolerable in such close quarters, then add on.

For us, we got 210 points in 2000 based on how much a std 1-br would cost for a week at BWV during dream season. Originally by ourselves then with our young kids (currently 3 and 7), we have ended up usually going twice a year for between 6-9 days and staying in studios. We have stayed in 1-brs a couple times, and while nice to have the room, we can't help but to be point-misers. The studios are fine for us now, and should continue to be for a few more years while the kids are still young. Even when we drive and bring our own food, the kitchenette is fine as we just bring a skillet/roaster and a crock pot.

When the kids get older (preteens/teens), I suspect the studio will be less attractive for us and them. I also suspect/hope that a once-a-year trip in a 1-br or 2-br will be enough for us by that time. Part of the reason we go so frequently now is that there are always new rides the kids want or can do. Once we hit the pre-teen and teen ages, I don't think there will be the imperative to go every 6 months.

 

[clutter]

Well, here's the thing. My dd12's biggest complaint is the sofa bed. (it's just the two of us.) But going up to a 1 BR doesn't get you away from that. So, I'd stick with the studio. Sure, the kitchen and washer/dryer are nice. But I'm on vacation, I don't cook or do laundry. We can make breakfasts in the studio with the little kitchen, and then we're eating out after that! Now, if your plan is to do parks days only and nights in the room, then go for the more points. But if you're out in the evenings, you will be fine in the studio.

 

[NARM Forever]

Congratulations, good time to buy with the exchange rate!!

We are a family of 4 with 150 points. We tried studios for the first year trying to stretch the points but we've decided that we prefer 1-brm and tend to stay for 8-10 days.

Much as I'd like more points, I'm always cautious about developing adonitis, due to the MF and fluctuating dollar.

NARM

 

[alamode]

We're the type that go for rope drop and come back to the hotel around 7pm or so, do an hour or two in the pool then head to bed. Except, of course, if we're staying for some fireworks.

With three small kids, staying in a hotel room is actually more work than taking them to the parks. Keeping everyone happy on a ride or in a show is pretty easy, but in a hotel room someones always upset about something.

Hopefully the 2 bedroom stay won't turn me into a "no studio" snob. I'm sure they're much better than the all star music room we stayed in last time.

As mentioned earlier, I just put in an offer for another 50 point contract. With the Canadian dollar so high, prices still low, plus a nice work bonus and (hopefully) tax refund, I figured now was the time.Having 180 points should give me a little more flexibility, either a few more days in a studio, or save up some points and do a 1 bedroom.

 

[crisi]

Now that everyone's decided that I need more points, it's collection time. Donations are appreciated.

Seriously, thanks for all the advice. I think waiting for a few trips under our belts is a good idea, although having our first trip in a 2 bedroom value could put an end to our studio days before they even start.

Who knows, we might only want/afford a trip every other year. I think it's best to go at least once before I start adding on.

We do the every other year thing, and probably at this point have too many points since we have become bored of Disney and enamored of other places to vacation. With 130 points a very nice vacation every other year in a one bedroom is easily done, and your son can sleep on an air mattress when he gets older.

Disney was a great vacation when the kids were younger, and we still enjoy it - but now we like to fit in the beach in Mexico or touring Boston or even going to Europe as well.

For now, while your kids are younger, you can squeeze all of you into a studio and go every year.

 

[lugnut33]

Now that everyone's decided that I need more points, it's collection time. Donations are appreciated.

Seriously, thanks for all the advice. I think waiting for a few trips under our belts is a good idea, although having our first trip in a 2 bedroom value could put an end to our studio days before they even start.

Who knows, we might only want/afford a trip every other year. I think it's best to go at least once before I start adding on.

Family of 4 with an initial 120 points. Planned trips every other year, so it's really like having 240 points. Second year, with some saved points we did a huge family trip where we brought along the grandparents and stayed in a 3 bedroom Tree House Villa.

Well, I just added on a 50 pt. contact so our every other year stays now will have 340 points because we loved the THV's so much.

I have a feeling there might be another 120 pt add-on coming in the next year or so we can do it every year. Personally, I'd like to live at the THV's, that's how much I liked them.