Newbie Purchasing Question

[T-i-double-g-err]

We've almost completed the decision/rationalization process for buying into DVC. I thought I'd come to those with more experience for some advice on our thought process regarding points.

We are a family of 5 and are looking at BLT as our potential home resort. We'd like to travel for about a week each year in early June. The kids' school ends in late May, and DW's teacher work days extend into the first week of June. I've been getting cross-eyed staring at the BLT point charts to try to decide how many points we should purchase.

I'm thinking that 280 would work as a good round number. 276 is the weekly total a 1-BR LV for Dream Season (June 1-10). If our trip goes over into Magic Season for a day or two in a given year, I should have a point buffer banked to make up the difference (280DP incentive for this summer - 8 nights in SSR 1-BR in Magic Season, bank 280 points from 2009 Use Year for use going forward). If we need to take a trip fully in Magic Season for a given year, we have enough points for a 1-BR SV or 1-BR LV (w/18 banked or borrowed points). That point total would also get us a 1-BR during Dream or Magic Season at pretty much any other DVC resort, or a 2-BR at some.

Our thinking was also to break the points into 2 contracts, a 200 pt and an 80 pt. Our oldest is 11, so in 7-10 years, who know if she will want to continue vacationing with us at Disney. Similarly, a couple years later for each of the other kids. I hope they will want to come, but I'm not sure. If they continue to come, we may need more points, or use the point where and when we can get a 2-BR. If they don't, a 200 point contract will leave us with enough points for a Studio at BLT during Premier Season for 6 or 7 nights depending on the view choice, and at least a full week MK view in any other season.

If you've made it this far, you are free to tell me how far I've over-analyzed this. Any suggestions, comments, or pointing out holes in my reasoning will be appreciated.

 

[drusba]

You have not over analyzed and, if, in fact, you will go every year early June you are on the right track. Just be aware of a rule that will go into effect in January -- at BLT the minimum add-on will be 100 points. In other words, after your initial purchase, if you later decide you want more points, you will have to buy at least 100 at BLT (other resorts remain at the 25 point add-on minimum). Thus, if you are doing math of points needed now and it is cutting it close as to exactly what you need you are better off getting an extra cushion of 10 or 20 points now than facing the 100 point minimum add-on later.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not over analyzed at all. We have all gone through those same machinations when we purchased. Suffice it to say that no matter how much you plan, in all likelihood you will find yourself adding on in the near future anyway.

You see, DVC is a disease! Once you buy that initial contract, you find you WANT to go more frequently than once a year. SOOOO....you add on some more points here and more points there, etc. etc.

I do think you are doing the right calculations for your initial purchase, and I agree that two contracts is a good way to go. Just remember that if you plan to do those two contracts at BLT, you will need to do them before Jan. 15, because after that time, an 80 point add on contract will not be possible there.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

I analyzed for months before we decided to buy. Point charts galore even in my dreams! We finally bought, and have not used the first point yet, and are ready to add on at BLT. Your analysis is right on it, but beware, you might want to go more often, and those points will have kids:

 

[jrbdad]

I agree with everyone above -- I wish we'd have bought more to start with and with I'd gone through your analysis. I'm either going to have to buy more points or borrow from the next year to get a week this summer. BUT -- now we want to go for longer than a week and more than once per year.

We used our Developer Points to go during Thanksgiving -- after having been this past July.

Can't wait for the next trip!

 

[Tara]

Your mulling over of points sounds EXACTLY like ours. We actually started with 276 but then had our guide rewrite the order for contracts of 160 and 120 so that the totals were a little closer for future willing purposes in case we never add on. (Not likely, but who knows.)

 

[hsteacher]

Overanalyzing/rationalization -- took us 27 years!!! Yep -- wasted lots of money going to DW without DVC and finally bought this year. We've regretted not buying so many times when we'd go to DW and spend all that $$$. Over the past 27 years, we could have accumulated so many points we could live at DVC! Bad decision on our part not to buy in. So happy now especially since our DD is beginning her Disney College Program next month.

 

[aurorafan]

I agree with everyone above -- I wish we'd have bought more to start with and with I'd gone through your analysis. I'm either going to have to buy more points or borrow from the next year to get a week this summer. BUT -- now we want to go for longer than a week and more than once per year.

We used our Developer Points to go during Thanksgiving -- after having been this past July.

Can't wait for the next trip!

We did do some analysis, and 160 is enough to do what we want once a year. But we've found we'd like to go twice a year if possible and 160 isn't enough for that . The thing is, we knew when we bought we could only afford 160 at that time, so even if we'd calculated how many points we'd need for twice a year it wouldn't have mattered. So for now we're borrowing, and when we get this contract paid off we'll add on some more points

 

[Kmango]

I don't know if they'll let you do this, but since you're buying more than the minimum, they might: I'd break it down into three contracts -- 100, 100, and 80. That would make them even easier to resell if necessary, and also to leave/give one contract to each of your kids someday.

 

[T-i-double-g-err]

Thanks for the responses thus far. I've got a couple of follow-up questions.

Assuming we do want to go ahead with the purchase, is there any advantage or disadvantage to waiting until after the first of the year?

My understanding is that there is a 10-day rescission period. Are we better off waiting to 1/6 or 1/7 so that the announcement of potential incentive changes on 1/15 falls within that 10-day period? We can work with the current incentives and our schedule/situation, but I'm wondering if the possible new incentives would work better for us. If an incentive shake-up were a few months away, I'm not sure this question would even come to mind, but with the possible change only a few weeks away, it seems prudent to consider the option of delaying the purchase by a couple of weeks to put us in the 10 day window when the change occurs. Would we then be in a position to ask for the new incentive if it worked better for us? Or, am I missing something?

Thanks!

 

[jrbdad]

Sounds like a good plan. That way you are covered either way.

Good luck. Hope you hear "Welcome Home" very soon.

 

[aurorafan]

I'm new to all this, but I do wish we'd had the money to add on this summer when the AKV incentives were better. They went from $8 off per point to $6.25 (I think?), and while $2 per point doesn't sound like much it does add up . They changed it when they offered BLT, so if rumors/guesses are correct, and the new price increase is going along with a GCV announcement, I'd expect the incentives to get less again...

I mean, if the price at AKV goes up to $115 per point they'd have to offer one heck of a discount to get it even close to what it is now, and I can't see them doing that (they are there to make money after all ).

Now of course I'm coming at this from an AKV perspective as it's our home resort and we have no interest in owning at BLT. If BLT isn't selling like they'd like maybe they will have better/more incentives for it after the price increase.