Looking for Info.

[NowaSki]

My wife and I are thinking about buy into DVC. I just ordered the DVD from the DVC website, and have been reading as much as I can here and at other websites. We are planning on making a trip to WDW during the first weekend in December, and might want to make our purchase then. But, I still feel like I don't know enough. So, here are my questions:

1) How do you determine how many points you should buy? We probably won't be going to WDW that same time each year. Some years we may go during Feb. break, other years during Spring break, and other times during the summer. We also like to try the different resorts when we are down there (not just the DVC resorts, but the regular resorts, too). Also, we are a family of five, and probably would be taking my MIL on occasion, too.

2) We’ve done two DCL cruises and are hooked, so we would like to use our points for a cruise sometimes. Can anyone give me an idea of how many points I would need for a DCL cruise, anytime of year, and cabin? Trying to get an idea of how many points to buy, so as to be prepared.

3) Can I pass on my Points to our children; once we get too old (I know you are never too old for WDW!)?

Thanks in advance

 

[Disney Doll]

You're gonna need a lot of points!!!!!!

1. This website has a points calculator under the DVC section. Put in dates in the most expensive season that you would be travelling in, using the largest accomodation you would need, which sounds like it would be a 2 bedroom unit. As far as using your points for the different resorts outside of the DVC ones...you can certainly do it, but it is not the best use of points. Using points for..say the Poly is going to cost you more points per night than staying at the Boardwalk Villas, for example. Your points, so it's ultimately your choice, of course.

2. I don't know. I am sure that somewhere in the DVC info book there is a points chart which can give you this info.

3. Points are willable. If you decided you wanted to out your children's names on the contract prior to your death, I am sure there is some sort of transferring process.

 

[disney junky]

There are others here who are quite point savvy, but I'd like to point out a few things.
1. Points are used most efficiently within the DVC system. You can use them outside the system but understand, you might get a studio for a week for the points used for one night at the GF.
2. Point amounts for cruises are pretty high and they are per person whereas the points for one vacation home are for the rental and all the people it accomodates. Many here recommend renting your points and paying for the cruise. I've never done that myself. I personally wouldn't buy points with the idea that I'd be using them to cruise.
3. If you travel during different times each year, you can probably take an average over three years (one year a Feb trip, one year a Dec, one year spring break) and buy those points. With the borrowing and banking, you can make it work. One question I have to ask. Are the different travel times based on last minute trips? If you can plan your vacations 11 months or 7 months out, you will have a bit more selection. Otherwise, you may find yourself using the waitlist. It's just something to consider.

 

[Buckalew11]

Our guide also told us that points used for DCL wasn't always such a good deal. A lot of time, he said, it is better to just pay for the cruise.

Also, something to consider is that I have read on here a couple of times that people who have more than 1 child wish they'd have bought seperate points (more easy to will to each child) Say, you decided to buy 450 points you could do it in 150 point increments.
Someone else can say it better because it isn't a concern we have had cause we only have 1 child.

 

[NowaSki]

Thanks for all the replies, it has really given me more to think about.

As for us travelling at different times of the year, we generally plan our trips a year or more in advance. We prefer to not to go to WDW during the summer months, but we sometimes travel with other family members and the summertime is easier for everyone to schedule.

I guess I need to do some more research, (and soul searching) to figure out if DVC is right for us.

Thanks.