Just how many points should I get??

[4greatboys]

We are looking into DVC I was thinking for our family of 6 we would prob need atleast 200-300 points because we will either need a 2 bdrm or 2 rooms. Another dvc member told me to get about 150 and then bank or borrow points. Or I could rent points from someone else. This sounds like a lot of trouble to me but Im new (or Im going to be new) to this. Anyone have any suggestions.
At the very least I want to go to Disney every other yr and somewhere else on the yrs we dont hit Disney. Our trip is in Sept so I would like to have all or most of my questions answered before we whip out the money, lol.

 

[kem330]

Everybodys needs are different, with a family of 6 you will definitely need a 2 BR or two studios (keep in mind these don't connect). Check out the points calculator on this site to get an idea what it would take for the # of days and season you prefer to travel in. I would think you would want at least 200.

 

[DemoBri1]

I struggled with the number of points to initially purchase as well. I have a family of four and we went with 170 points figuring that we would be going at least every other year, and in some instances we could do every year for a stretch even staying in 1 br, so long as we went in the perceived "off season".

That is the real determining factor regarding points in my opinion. What time of the year do you think you will be going down, and will that possibly change?

As kem said go to the point calculators and figure out when you think you will be going, how long you'd like to stay, and then do the math.

Sounds like you may be looking at more than 250 if you want a 2br for a week and you don't want to hassle with banking or borrowing points.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

4greatboys, if you are actually planning on going to WDW every two years, my guess is 150-200 pts would do it, depending upon what time of year you plan to vacation.

I don't know how much of a Disney fanatic you are, but many of us go more than once a year. You may also find an interest in Vero Beach as a primer/unwinder (another DIS poster coined that phrase). This will also cost you points.

You can always add-on later, but the price will undoubtedly go up in the future.

Good Luck, and keep us posted!

After Thought: I would not recommend purchasing the exact number of points that you need. I would give it a little buffer.

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

I hear your question almost once a week. The one thing about DVC that seems to hold true: People always want more points! I have people buy from me, then call back within the year lookin to "add-on".

I advise you buy the most points you can financially afford without strapping yourself that you "think" you will use...because you Will use them and probably then some.
Keep in mind if you're buying from Disney, the prices are steadily increasing, so you'll want to cut costs buying now.
Or, if you are buying resale, you will save in additional closing costs of an "add-on" by making sure you have enough points now, not to mention resale prices steadily increase as well.

If I can help in any way, just give me a call on the toll free line.

Best regards,
Shontell

 

[OkieDisney]

Just as a comparison for you.

For our family of 4 to go every 18 months in a one bedroom for 8 nights we got 200 points.


Good luck

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Originally posted by Shontell_Crawford
The one thing about DVC that seems to hold true: People always want more points! . . .

I advise you buy the most points you can financially afford without strapping yourself that you "think" you will use...because you Will use them and probably then some.
Keep in mind if you're buying from Disney, the prices are steadily increasing, so you'll want to cut costs buying now.
Or, if you are buying resale, you will save in additional closing costs of an "add-on" by making sure you have enough points now, not to mention resale prices steadily increase as well.

Thanks Shontell - that's pretty much what I was going to post.

4greatboys - buy as much as you can reasonably afford. Down the line, you will use the points.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Don't short change yourself on points. We originally bought 230 points, but added on another 150 about a year later. I think we just about have the right number now. We are only 2 adults left at home, but we like to take friends and our grown children with us every year. We usually get a 1,2,or 3 bedroom (depending on how many are coming with) and stay for 1-2 weeks at a time. It becomes our "comfort" vacation! We have also used points for an exchange to Hawaii.

 

[4greatboys]

Thanks everyone for your input. It has helped me deciding that will need more points. Even if we do not do Disney every year I will still want to use the points to take other vacations. Maybe a Disney cruise or back to Hawaii. I have checked the points calculator and we are planning to hit off season as much as we can simply because I do not like standing in line for a very long time with 4 kids, lol. But we may do Thanksgiving, Spring Break or even splurge on a Disney Christmas. Thanks again and hope to see some of you some time at Dis...........

 

[pwoodham]

Hi 4greatboys! We have 5 great boys, and also need a 2 bedroom every time we go. We initially bought 270 points at BWV, which gave us enough points for a 2 bedroom for a week each year. Our plan, however, was to go every other year and have extended family travel with us. That was in 1998. This year, however, unforeseen circumstances (my FIL's death) caused us to change our plans at the last minute. We realized we did not have enough points for any flexibility at all. If we wanted to bring my MIL (which we were determined to do, regardless of the cost), we needed more points. We had already borrowed from the next year, and didn't have enough left for another room. Another issue was that we were late in the game - making ressies in July for a Sept vacation - and availability of any DVC accomodation was limited. Long story longer, we purchased another 270 points at BCV. We now had the flexibility to reserve what was available (2 bdrm vs. a 1 bdrm) and get on the waitlist for what we really wanted. We also were able to rent some points, which is helping with our expenses on this trip. Because we look at DVC as a prepaid vacation rather than as an investment, our additional purchase will allow us to go on our 2004 Disney Cruise using points for everyone (like you, we need 2 rooms) by banking and borrowing. We are also making plans for just me and our 2 oldest boys to take a short trip in December to the Contemporary. I know my boys will love it and it will be a time for us to be "alone together." We would never have considered it without the additional points. I'm telling this long story just to encourage you to buy what you can afford to, these vacations with your family will be wonderful, bonding experiences. I believe investing in that is always worthwhile.

 

[4greatboys]

Thanks for the info pwoodham. It was really helpful. Looks like we are neighbors to, I also live in Texas. I think I would really like to have an Epcot resort has my home resort. What do you think about buying my min of 150 BCV and then buying a resale for the extra points. Do you think I would be bettr off money wise to do that or just go with 200-300 BCV?? Thanks

 

[pwoodham]

You may want to get contracts smaller than 270, just in case you have to sell at some point, I guess, but I would definitely get enough points at one resort, one use year, to be able to book a "standard" vacation for just your family. In our case, we wanted 7 nights in the value season at BWV. That's 270. We don't want to move in the middle of the vacation (too many kids, too little time!), and I want to be able to book all our nights at the 11 month window. I think the decision to go resale or buy from Disney depends on when you want access to the points and how long you're willing to wait for the right contract. I looked for about 6 months, waiting for a good resale to appear, and did not find the "right one." (That was before we were SURE we wanted more points!) I tried to contact one agency and got NO response, so I didn't try anymore. Taking Shontell's advice about getting on their lists may increase your chances of finding something you want.
We liked the convenience of buying from Disney. The points were available the day after I called, long before we closed. We also only wanted to buy at BWV or BCV, because we want the convenience of being close to Epcot and MGM. Two fewer days to get everyone in and out of the car.
One other comment about multiple contracts - you may find it easier than I did, but it's certainly more complicated to keep track of two contracts and the points borrowed and banked in each than one. I'm not sure how it works to transfer between them, but I understand you can only do that once/year. Ours are not so bad, because we have enough for a full week in one contract. If we needed to use both contracts every vacation, it gets trickier. I think you have to have the exact number of points for one night in one contract or face the transfer issue. You probably want to ask someone more experienced with this than I am.
Good luck with your decision, neighbor! (We're near Dallas, in Flower Mound)

 

[crisi]

I'd recommend not "planning" on using your points to cruise or exchange out. The number of points needed for this is subject to change from year to year, and you don't get great value (or great flexibility) from trading out. I think you are better to spend your money on regular cash reservations. Same thing with Disney collection.

We have 150 points and plan on every other year vacations. This gives us a little over a week in a one bedroom during the times we travel. On our off years, we will take cash vacations to non-Disney places (some where there is no opportunity to trade out). If we really want to visit the Poly or GF, we will pay cash for those vacations.

Get enough points that you don't feel cheated. Don't get so many points that you get sticker shock with each bill for dues.

 

[mb168]

I just bought last weekend from Disney at BCV. My idea was to get the minimum 150 and pay them off over a year and then do an add on later after this was paid for. It was kind of my way of short term financing and if I ever wanted to sell either of the two contracts, it would be easier to sell 1 and drop back to the other single contract than sell a large one and buy a smaller.