Is DVC really a value for a family of 5 ??

[KNWVIKING]

My niece and family have discussed DVC membership with DW and I and are very close to making the call. They have two boys- 4 & 2 and a third is 4 months away. For the first few years, 5 in a studio or 1br won't be a problem because of age. But after they don't qualify for a studio or 1br, they will basically need twice the number of points for a 2br. At that point is DVC really a bargain ? Don't let this turn into a 5 in a studio debate,thats not even close to the point of this thread. Right now they would buy BCV. In three years or so they would need to buy more points.Chances are BCV will be sold out. Should they buy more points now then they actually need while they are availible ? Would like to hear from other families with 5,what's your opinion,what do you do. BTW, my niece plans to go once a year.

 

[Mickmse2002]

We are a family of five and the DVC is great for us. Kids are 12, 10 & 8. We bought-in with 200 points and just added another 100. One bedrooms at OKW are very nice for the 5 of us. The two-bedroom is even better. We also go once a year and like staying for around 9 or 10 nights each trip. We normally go in the last two weeks of August to try and conserve points. DVC club actually works better than cash rezzies for most of the hotels on property. Very few actually allow for five. We have had all five of us in the polynesian and it is a great hotel.....but we will never do that again. When you go for 10 days space is very important.

 

[Doctor P]

Boy, I think this is a great question. On the one hand, the 2BR accodmodations are very nice and unique. On the other hand, they do cost a lot more in terms of points than the other accomodations, especially for a family of 5. My guess is that if I was locked into always getting a two bedroom, I would find DVC harder to justify. On the other hand, we bought the minimum number of points originally, and don't plan to go to Disney every year. 300 points is enough to go to OKW in a 2BR nearly any time of the year for a week. Also, most of the other Disney resorts do not easily accomodate a family of 5 either. Two rooms at All Stars at the holiday time has typically cost about $220 per night. If your points truly cost about $5 per point as many people have argued, then $1500 ($5 X 300 points) may not be so bad at all. I am interested to see other people's opinions on this, though.

 

[llp479]

We're a family of 5 - 3dd's 8,8, and 5. We have 270 points at BWV (purchased in 98) and 232 at OKW (resale in 02). We have to have a 2bdr. For us, this has been the best investment we've made.

The problem with getting two regular rooms in most hotels is they no longer offer connecting rooms. This means DH and I are split between the girls.

Know what you mean about the space Mickmse2002! We cringe every time we have to "cram" into a regular room!

 

[Terry S]

Well, we are only a family of 4, but we have a boy and a girl, so we figured we would need a 2 bedroom. As far as the value of a 2 bedroom there was somone on this board who had done a good spreadsheet program that took into account dues increases as well as hotel increases. I asked him to punch in the numbers comparing a 2 bedroom DVC to the price of a room at BC which is where we had been previously staying. I know this was a totally unfair comparison as far as accomidations go because you are getting a much bigger room with the 2 bedroom, but I was just curious Well, it did turn out that in the long run the 2 bedroom was actually cheaper. The break even point was something like 30 years, but that was fine with me considering what I was getting.

As far as buying the points now for the two bedroom when the one bedroom will work, if you can afford it, go for it. That is also what we did, since our son and daughter are young now, they can share a bed, but once they get older, we will need the 2 bedroom. We bought enough for the 2 bedroom and will bank what we don't use. Although, we are doing a trip with our family so they are using some points, and we are going on a cruise so that uses more points and I am sure we will just stay longer in the one bedroom, I don't think we will be able to bank any????

Good luck with your decision.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We are a family of 5 and this August will be our first trip in a 2 BR (DD #3 turned 4!!). Yes, the points don't go as far but I am looking forward to the SPACE!!! We loved the 1BR and DD's #1 and #2 had a blastt sleeping on the pull-out and DD #3 loved the pack n play crib. It was plenty room for us.

I am looking to add more points at OKW once I find a resale that is what I need (between 50-100 more points). We now have to go in the summer months because DD #1 can't miss school, and we leave for the weekend (points too high) and try to stay for 2 weeks (give or take a day or two).

DVC is definetly a good investment for us. It won't be long before all 3 DD's want to take a friend!! Actually DD #1 has already inquired about it for August!! That will work out just fine for us as we don't plan on becoming a family of 6!!!

 

[invalid_char]

DVC has recently obtained clearance to allow five people in a 1BR (and I believe a studio as well). I was honest with the person at MS when booking a 1BR and said that although we are a family of 4, we would likely bring a babysitter with us. She said 5 to a room is no longer a problem. Of course the 1BRs and the studios still only sleep 4, so you may need to bring a sleeping bag or blow up mattress.

Anyway, I thought I'd pass this along because this seems to be an attractive option for a family of 5!

 

[mikesmom]

We are not a family of five. We are three, but DS always brings a friend. We have 300 points and it is well sufficient for a week in a 2 bdrm. We used to get a 1 BDRM, but the boys are much happier when they don't have to share the bed (they're 19 and large!). I'm also happier when the pullout isn't pulled out. It's great being able to use the living area when the boys are sleeping in over in the 2nd bedroom.

 

[Carl]

Be warned! I took the advice of the people on this board and made a DVC purchase. Be very careful and be sure of what you are doing. Know ahead of time what times of the year you are willing to travel to WDW. Also know how much time and effort you are willing to expend in obtaining the dates you want and how far in advance you are willing to plan and book your vacation. People tell you how wonderful it is to stay "right in the middle of the action," and "in deluxe resorts." But, they don't tell you how limited the availability is - especially at certain times of the year. AND, these times are NOT the times you might expect. The most difficult times to book are the times usually thought of as being "slow" times at WDW. I'm not saying that DVC might not be for you, but be sure you don't buy a "pig in the poke." Know what you are getting in to.

 

[Terry S]

Carl.... I am new also, but I have read on this board many times that planning ahead is one of the keys to DVC. Also, to book at the 11 month window. I don't think I have heard of anyone who has tried to book at the 11 month window and didn't get their request?

I am not saying that you can't book in short notice, I have read people doing that also, but I think DVC works best for those that can plan ahead and I have read that here on numerous occasions.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Right now they would buy BCV. In three years or so they would need to buy more points. Chances are BCV will be sold out. Should they buy more points now then they actually need while they are availible?

When we bought into DVC at VWL last year, we were a family of three. We are now a family of four and hope to be a family of five soon.

When we joined, we figured that we would need about 180-200 points for our vacations. We know that at some point we will have to use a two-bedroom so we bought as many points (250) that we could afford. In a few years, we can add on points via resale if necessary.

 

[Mouse Ears]

I'm not a DVC member, but hope to be soon. The main reason I am looking at it is because we are a family of five. My 3rd DD was born in April, so we will get by with 1BR for the next couple years and then it will most likely be 2BR after that. My kids are used to their own rooms at home and just don't do well cramped in with us in a normal hotel room.

So, yes it will be more expensive for the accomodations, but for us it is almost necessary. And, as someone pointed out, the possibility of getting connected rooms on property is nil. And, the major suite options are very expensive and limited. I think DVC will be a good solution for us to stay inside the World.

We are planning to start with 150 points and use them every other year. If we decide that's not enough, then I will have to convince the wife to 'double down'. For now, we don't want to commit all of our vacation times to Disney, but love the idea that we know we will be back every couple of years, give or take.

M.E.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by Carl
Be warned! I took the advice of the people on this board and made a DVC purchase. Be very careful and be sure of what you are doing. Know ahead of time what times of the year you are willing to travel to WDW. Also know how much time and effort you are willing to expend in obtaining the dates you want and how far in advance you are willing to plan and book your vacation. People tell you how wonderful it is to stay "right in the middle of the action," and "in deluxe resorts." But, they don't tell you how limited the availability is - especially at certain times of the year. AND, these times are NOT the times you might expect. The most difficult times to book are the times usually thought of as being "slow" times at WDW. I'm not saying that DVC might not be for you, but be sure you don't buy a "pig in the poke." Know what you are getting in to.

We've seriously never had a problem. For example, we booked Spring Break 2003 at BWV 10 months out and got a 2BR std view- Maybe you could elaborate on some of the issues you had that were so frustrating.

 

[madcoco]

Be warned! I took the advice of the people on this board and made a DVC purchase.

Because you are not happy.Please don't try to put the blame on on most of us that researched our decision and our happy with it.If people were happy jumping off a cliff I think I would look first.

KNWVIKING If she decides to buy, it should be based on when they would plan on going and buy the max amount of points that they would need for that time period.Unfortunately, can't help you as there are only 3 of us. Unless there are extras I don't know about hiding somewhere.

 

[SueOKW]

Me, DH and 3 kids... we stayed at OKW prior to becomming members - after that it was a no brainer. We just couldn't go back to regular rooms. What I find funny (??)now is that my girls have no clue about regular hotel rooms. Anywhere else we go, they are dissapointed and wonder how soon we will get back to OKW!

270 points will usually get us a week / year. I would prefer 300, but never got around to it!

Sue

 

[KNWVIKING]

After reading the posts I started to think about what my niece's options would be if they didn't buy DVC and wanted to stay on-site, (which they currently do every other year,Poly). At present & maybe the next couple years a standard room would be do-able,but after that a 2br almost seems a must. Only other option would be off-site suites. It is nice to know that DVC is now allowing 5 in a studio or 1br,but I personally wouldn't want to share a studio with three kids for a week. I don't know their finances but hope they are in a position to buy more points now then they actually need. Thanks for the advise.

 

[vernon]

Viking, please also take into account the flexibility aspect of DVC. While it is likely that for about 10-15 years they are going to need a 2 bedbroom, that isn't always going to be the case DVC has another 40 years to run. It is also the case that by altering the number of days they vacation at a time when they are using 2 bedrooms or being prepared to pay cash or stay in another resort ( on or off site) for some of their vacation it is going to reduce the number of points needed.

If you're still in the planning mode I would look at the sort of vacations you like to do and work out the number of points you need for that, then assume you have 75% of that total and see if you can come up with a workable plan. For example if your plan would be always 7 day breaks (ie using expensive Friday and Saturday nights) would you accept one day less or staying your first (or last) night at an off site hotel to save those valuable points. If you visit US/IOA could you book two night on site there ( paying cash) and spend the other 5 at DVC. It seems your family have a couple of years before they will need 2 bedroom accomodation, would your needs now, allow you build up a number of points in the bank to help over the times when you need larger rooms. Borrowing ahead would allow you larger rooms, but may mean you have to miss a year ( of DVC use at least ) to build up the extra points you need. For example if you buy say 250 points , and you can get away with using just 175 a year for the next 3 years it means you could bank 225 points going into year 4. IF for a 2 bedroom you need 300 a year it's another 4 years before you need to start borrowing from upcoming years to cover your needs and another 4 years from there before you start "running dry" at which stage ( after 10 straight years of WDW vacations) you might decide to take a break and go somewhere else ( sorry mickey ).

I think it's better to have slightly less points than you think you need, because it will make you work a little harder to maximise their use, with DVC's flexibility there is ALWAYS a way you can pull something out LOL, where as if you buy more than you need, it tends to make you slightly extravagant with your points usage. If you are wrong and you WAY underbuy, you can always add on. trying to sell 100 points that you over bought is probably more hassle ( and more frustrating because it is likely to be a financial loss)

 

[Mickeygolf]

We are a family of 5 and plan on using the 2 bedroom most of the time. What I'm wondering about is there have been a couple of posts stating that MS has said there is no longer any concern with having 5 in a studio or 1 bedroom. Definitely don't want to start the whole 5 in a room debate, but has this been publically announced or is this just information people are receiving while inquiring about rooms?

I think we will will always be more comfortable in the 2 bedroom, but my kids are little and we may take advantage of a 1 bedroom from time to time (pretty unlikely). It would be good knowing that when I called for a reservation and told them I had 5 for a 1 bedroom that I wouldn't encounter any problems.

I guess mostly I'm just happy I have planned for the 2 bedroom and that my family will be comfortable with that for the next 40 years!!!

 

[sitchu2]

Im sort of new here, but I think I should have posted this here, instead of starting a new thread, sorry



Family of 5+ \ solution
I tend to be the conservative sort, I myself have just booked 2 studios for my family of 5. I can stay in one with my daughter and my husband in the other with my 2 sons.
I like to eat out for dinner on vacation but the studio kitchenettes are fine for quick breakfasts\lunches. For the same price in points as a one bedroom you get 2 bathrooms, 2 kitchenettes, and sleeping accomadations for 8!!!!

When I am on vacation I dont need a big house, I spend my days and nights in the world and basically just sleep and shower in my room.

Just my 2 cents Felicia


__________________
CBR 1995
POR 2001
WL 2002
Wonder 4D 2002
BCV owner since 2/02

 

[LisaR]

If they didn't have DVC, would they still go to Disney on a regular basis? If they did, would they be comfortable in a regular room that allows five (I think some of the moderates do). If so, then maybe DVC isn't for them. For us, before we bought into DVC, we booked 2 bedrooms at OKW or BWV using cash......ouch!! We want the space and we will pay for it. DVC made much more sense then paying cash for 2 bedrooms that usually weren't discounted.

Lisa