New Buyer Needing Points Advice

[RunningAriel]

Hello all! We are looking to purchase a new AKV contract and are trying to figure out what is a good starting point for points. It's just my husband and myself. We are early 40's. I travel to WDW every year for marathon weekend and then we like to take a one week trip together in May, October or early December. I would be in a studio for marathon weekend (usually 6d/5n) and we would be in a 1brm for our other stay. I was thinking a min of 180 points but looking like we would be better off with 200. I know we would save money going with resale but with the current incentives we are okay with spending a little more money to guarantee a blue card and the opportunity to stay at new resorts down the line. Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!

 

[Lorana]

I personally would for for direct. The difference in price between resale and direct is not that significant, and direct gives you unrestricted points and access to discounts.

I’d do at least 200 points. But a 1BR Sav in Oct for 1 week is 253; a standard is still 209. Even if you're going in early May, you’re still looking at 223 and 176 respectively, and that’s not including the studio for marathon weekend (74 for Sav and 59 for Standard, respectively). You might need closer to 250-300 points.

 

[RunningAriel]

I personally would for for direct. The difference in price between resale and direct is not that significant, and direct gives you unrestricted points and access to discounts.

I’d do at least 200 points. But a 1BR Sav in Oct for 1 week is 253; a standard is still 209. Even if you're going in early May, you’re still looking at 223 and 176 respectively, and that’s not including the studio for marathon weekend (74 for Sav and 59 for Standard, respectively). You might need closer to 250-300 points.

Thank you! That makes a lot of sense!

 

[Pens Fan]

Take a look at the AKV point chart:

AKV point chart

Keep in mind that the value rooms are very limited and difficult to book, even at 11 months. I'd use the standard view room as the base for what I needed. As the previous poster pointed out, 200 points is probably not going to get you what you want.

 

[kanerf]

You could buy 200 Direct now and add on resale later to bring you to 250-300.

 

[Sandisw]

I agree with others...you may want to start with the 200 and then add on more later. Depending on the UY you choose, the points you get to start may be enough to help with the first year of traveling to allow more points later on!

 

[Carol_]

Agree with all of the above.

 

[DVChris]

Break them up into smaller contracts so you can always downsize later. I think the extra closing costs upfront is worth the optionality.

 

[CraigInPA]

If you're going for the marathon to actually run in it, are you aware that at CCV there are (or at least was) an opportunity to buy a fixed week and be given a one week advantage in ordering your bib over EVERYONE else? This is what I'd buy direct. For your other trip, I'd get resale points at AKV.

 

[RunningAriel]

You could buy 200 Direct now and add on resale later to bring you to 250-300.

This!! I think we would be best off doing something like this. Easier on the wallet. LOL

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Hello all! We are looking to purchase a new AKV contract and are trying to figure out what is a good starting point for points. It's just my husband and myself. We are early 40's. I travel to WDW every year for marathon weekend and then we like to take a one week trip together in May, October or early December. I would be in a studio for marathon weekend (usually 6d/5n) and we would be in a 1brm for our other stay. I was thinking a min of 180 points but looking like we would be better off with 200. I know we would save money going with resale but with the current incentives we are okay with spending a little more money to guarantee a blue card and the opportunity to stay at new resorts down the line. Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!

I think the incentives step up quite a bit at 200, then slow down. That's where I'd go.

 

[OPDman]

As the other poster indicated, please check into the availability of a Run Disney fixed week! You get multiple advantages, not the least of which is guaranteed registration. Check with your guide. The only downside is the current Copper Creek direct point price. I LOVE my fixed week at Copper Creek.

Good luck and best wishes!

 

[SLThomas318]

Break them up into smaller contracts so you can always downsize later. I think the extra closing costs upfront is worth the optionality.

Yes! This is what we’ve started doing with add-ons. Small contracts sell quickly via resale if you ever want to downsize. We also have 2 kids so we’ve been trying to have equal numbers of contracts to make giving them easier in the future.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I would start with 150 direct now and add on the rest resale. Maybe add on another 100 resale.

 

[DVChris]

I recommend starting with resale so you can pick your use year. Then add on direct and get the better member pricing. That’s what I did. The CM even expedited the loading of my resale points so he can add the direct points.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I recommend starting with resale so you can pick your use year. Then add on direct and get the better member pricing. That’s what I did. The CM even expedited the loading of my resale points so he can add the direct points.

I’d at least speak to a guide first. I’ve been able to select my use year on every direct contract I’ve bought, including my original 150, and the 2 add-ons I’ve bought direct too.

 

[Sandisw]

I’d at least speak to a guide first. I’ve been able to select my use year on every direct contract I’ve bought, including my original 150, and the 2 add-ons I’ve bought direct too.

Was just going to say this. Pretty easy to get the UY you want when buying direct unless buying a sold out resort when they may not have the pointd in stock.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Was just going to say this. Pretty easy to get the UY you want when buying direct unless buying a sold out resort when they may not have the pointd in stock.

And all of my direct points contracts are at sold out resorts: original 150 at SSR, plus two at BRV (25 & 50). All February UY.

 

[DVChris]

It’s also good savings to get the current member pricing. For example Riviera for a new member at 150 points is about $1,050 more than current member pricing for the same 150 points. Just an idea!

 

[Sandisw]

It’s also good savings to get the current member pricing. For example Riviera for a new member at 150 points is about $1,050 more than current member pricing for the same 150 points. Just an idea!

That is true if one is planning to buy resale. It can make sense.

Given RIV is going up soon, no time to now to make that work.