Large initial point purchase vs. small points with add-ons

[ccoymsrd]

Are there any benefits to buying most of the points you think you'll need at your initial purchase? Or would it be better to buy a small contract and do add-ons at different resorts you know you will want to stay at? We are looking at buying AKV through Disney right now. We think we will want to stay at BCV and/or BWV also because we really like the location and activities available there.

Can anyone tell me the pros or cons to doing it one way over the other?

Thanks!

 

[chalee94]

if you buy resale, you can typically save money by buying a larger contract initially. (but if you have to finance it, you can throw away some of those savings.)

it really varies depending on how you plan to use it. if you want to stay primarily at BCV, it's better to buy a BCV contract and book 10-11 months in advance to take advantage of the home resort window. if you're happy anywhere on wdw property, then buy whatever is cheaper (such as SSR, with cheaper resale prices and low annual dues), and take your chances on rebooking elsewhere at 7 months if possible.

but if you buy at different resorts, be aware that the 11 month window is only good for the pts you buy there. if you get 200 AKV pts and add-on 30 at BWV, be aware that you only get the 11 month window at BWV for those 30 BWV pts.

 

[Dean]

As a rule smaller contracts give you more flexibility and more value than larger ones for the same purchase price. It's much easier to sell smaller contracts than larger ones and it gives you the option of having multiple home resorts and thus more options 11 months out. The only caution I'd give is for those thinking about transferring them later such as to family members, each contract will be deeded separately. For example, we have 100 AKV points (4*25) and recently changed all 4 deeds. I'd agree that you may be able to get a better deal on a larger contract resale and if you're pretty set on what your needs are, I wouldn't pay significantly more to have smaller contracts.

 

[50 years Too!]

I'm sold on small contracts for several reasons.

1. My first 70 pt resale allowed us to buy in without a large expenditure of
cash.

2. I've added on an additional 12 contracts, none being larger than 100 pts.
(range 30-100 pts in 4 different resorts). I'll be able to divide between my
children. (Total of 840 pts.) Most 50 pointers.

3. If you want to sell one or more;very easy, with a higher selling cost.
(Just sold my original 70 pt. BCV contract for $100 apoint. Took 2 hours).

4. Can sell small contracts in resorts not as fond of to buy in favorite resorts.

5.. Can have 11 month booking advantage at more than one resort.

Good luck with your decision.

Deb

 

[ccoymsrd]

Thanks so much for all of your input! I was leaning in the direction of buying a small contract, so I'm much more at ease with this decision (plus I can afford it this way too ). I also like the 11 month booking window that we will have for our home resort(s). Looks like we'll be going down to DL on Sunday to make our first purchase!

 

[sandiedvc]

You may want to call DVC and find out what the minimum purchase is for new members buying directly thru Disney.

I have heard numbers ranging from 100 to 150 points.

I believe that when new members are talking about starting with small (i.e. 50 point) contracts, they are buying resale.

--Kathy