Okay 150 point people chime in--even if it's history!

[SSDonut]

We purchased 150 pts at BCV and had our first trip home this month. Okay, I know you guys can picture me as the first-time DVCer who had read over the DISboards and thinks (at least for the 1st time) she has things adequately under control and is thrilled to have only used 130 of their 150 pts for a 9-night vacation I must confess that we were on the phone to MS after our first night, trying to move into a 1BR from a Studio.

(It's me, DH and DDs (6 and 3) and DH's and my first reaction to the studio for our first "real" vacation for a few years was not totally positive.)

Okay, so we couldn't move into ANY 1 BR (I was, in my mind borrowing points like a mad-woman, and my DH--who has been involved in the whole purchase and everything, but doesn't bother himself with Any of the details was telling me I could feel free to use a recent "bonus" check he had received to get an "upgrade.") Let's just say, I knew what I had to work with (which was 20 pts still from this year and all of next years 150 to borrow)--and I was willing to rob Peter, Paul and Solomon for the moment--next year (I thought) would have to come from 2006 pts or additional points purchased over the next 6 months, and if it took the bonus check to do that, okay. . .

"Sorry, folks, stuck in the Studio you chose.. "In the end, we managed fine--even terrifically--in fact, DH and myself were giving each other and our daughters tons of pats on the back for being able to manage so fantastically as a loving family unit in that Studio.

I must confess, though, that I now Want that 1 BR next year. We figure we will have to go Thanksgiving Week from now on (school schedules and all).

Who's started with 150 and either kept it or added on, and Why and has it been Worth it? I read these boards and can get totally taken away by the add-on bug, but paying for the initial pts is one thing, but then you have the annual dues and (let's not forget as much as we'd like to!!) the costs of trips, and Sure, I'd love to go more than 1/yr, but that's not really feasible, either.

So, please chime in, you original (or still!) 150 point-ers--I need to know what's happened to the real people!!

By the way, I'm near Phila and there's 4 of us, so figure airfare can be $1000 easily--I was thrilled to get us all to MCO this last time for $750 total, but I don't expect I can count on that. Anyone who has been sort of in our shoes, what have you done/???—Really, I want to know!

THANKS! :chat

 

[goofy4dvc]

We started off with 150 points, then added on 100, then added on another 100. We feel we're about where we need to be right now. We used points to book the Member Cruise. When we cruise we will borrow and when we don't we can maybe bank some points. But we think it will average out to about right.

While, it's just DH and me right now, we have been taking kids and grandkids with us on some trips. When it's just DH and I we stay in studios to conserve points. Some people pay cash or stay off site on weekends to save points.

 

[jodifla]

We started off with 150 points in 96 and was able to use them frugally for about 7 years. We added on 56 points right before BC sold out.

We had the advantage of living in Florida, so no airfare, and we'd just stay Sunday through Friday. Shaving off the weekend really saves on points, and will make give you the opportunity to stay in larger places.

 

[jel0511]

I started with 175 points, so I hope I can help. When we bought in, it was with the feeling we'd go every other year in a one bedroom or every year in a studio. Well, that first stay was in a one bedroom, and we never looked back. Right after we got home, we added on 50 points because that got us 6 nights in a one bedroom every year. Now, 1 1/2 years later, we decide that we want to stay for an entire week, with maybe adding a couple of nights at a hotel, also just want more points, so another 50 point add-on happens. Again 1 1/2 years later (3 years after our first purchase) we take our 2nd 2 week vacation to the World. We stay a week at GF and a week at BWV. After our stay at GF we were ready to GO HOME. Now, it's a beautiful resort, but we felt cramped in one room. After 2 hours at BWV, we felt at home and completely relaxed. Our vacation had finally started. Well, when we got home from that one, we then added on 150 points at BWV (we own the 275 at VWL). We love our 2 week vacations to WDW, and wanted it to be all in a one bedroom, as it works best for us. So, we're up to a total of 425, and that probably will go higher when my kids get older (they are now 6 and 3) and we need a two bedroom. I'll probably pick up another 150 points in about 3 more years. It truly becomes an addiction. We were on DCL last week, and I was telling the DVC CM about our add-ons. She couldn't believe how many points we have with how little we started out with. I'm thinking we're definately not the norm with DVC members! Oh well, I love my DVC and wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!

 

[mom23boys]

We own 150 points, bought in Dec 2002. So far we took one trip in Oct 2003. We stayed 7 nights in a 2 bedroom and BCV. Our intention was to only go everyother year. So in Aug 2005 we are getting three rooms for 300 points. We are getting 2 studios and 1 2 bedroom for our family members and us. We will go Sun-Thur. Since we are using our points for our inlaws they are paying for our rooms at the All Stars for 3 nights before our stay at BCV. We bought 150 because thats is what we could afford. And honestly that is all I need so far. We are a family of 5 so I can stay confortably in a 2 bedroom Sun -Thurs during most seasons.

We are also from the Philly suburbs and like to go to the Jersey Shore or North Carolina on off Disney Years.

 

[perdidobay]

We started out with 150 points, first trip was a one bedroom that used all the first years points. We planned on just using a studio since it's just DH and I for most of the trips ( that first trip was 4 people)
And a studio works fine for us 2. But we began thinking of when we want to invite our two DD's ( grown) and their BFs and our future grandchildren. We have added on 4 times now for a total of 300 points. I don't know if this is the end to add ons or not

 

[laceemouse]

We started out with 160 points at BCV, bought through DVC. We have 4 kids so we HAVE to get a 2 bedroom. Our plan was to go every 2nd or 3rd year. The first year we went twice, 3 nights at BCV in March (went to Clearwater Beach after) then 4 nights at OKW in October. That used up 2 years worth of points, so we went ahead and bought more, 250 VWL re-sale points. Now we are planning a Christmas 05 trip. DH would like to get 90 more BCV points to make it even, but those are hard to come by. We may go ahead and get on the waitlist through Disney. I can say that a studio would be great for a couple, but with kids I think you would feel cramped, plus need some seperation and privacy. That is one thing I have never understood about folks wanting to push the occupancy limits. I know DVC is expensive, but being cramped up all the time is no vacation IMO. Plus, my husband and I really like some PRIVACY, who wants a kid in the bed, or even the same room all the time? I would either buy more points or go less often. We vacation to other places too, not just Disney, so if I could not afford more points I would just space out my trips, but that is just me.

 

[Disney-Kim]

We started with 150 pts and added 50 more on. But we are just the 2 of us, no kids. so a studio is perfect for us. It feels like a regular deluxe hotel room to us and we like that. We have also managed to take another couple with us and get them there own studio twice.
I guess it depends on how big your family is. with kids I would want the 1 bdrm.

 

[kathyseb]

We started put at 313 points at SSR as we normally go four weeks a year.
One week in late April-early May, two weeks in September and the week after Thanksgiving.
Those 313 points would allow us to stay in a studio (just myself and DH) for those four weeks.
We are at the parks from openeing to closing, so no need for a big room.

We recently added on 50 points at BW as we liked the idea of being able to walk to EPCOT or MGM.

So we will borrow and bank the BW contract and stay there every two -three years.

The 363 points we have now are more than enough.

 

[CarolynK]

Originally bought 150 points at BWV in 1998, then quickly (after our first stay on those points) added on two more 150 point contracts (all thru Disney); added on 310 thru resale about two years ago. We go about four times a year - and at high point times - so this is actually about the right amount for us (we're actually still borrowing).
Adding on has allowed us to splurge on weekend nights, as well as high-point times (like 75 points for NYE). It's nice not to have to worry about "can we afford the points" though we still occasionally stay off-site our first night to save a few points!

We own at BWV and almost always stay (4 of us) in a 1-BR.

Let me tell you (woe is me) how totally confusing it is to have two different use years!!

 

[crisi]

Have 150. We go every other year in October, have enough points to stay in a two bedroom for a week. We find this to be just about perfect. Our state has teachers education every October, so we pull the kids for three days and get a week. When the kids get older, we will probably need to move to late August and drop a day.

When we do talk about adding on (which we do from time to time) its usually so we can afford to invite guests along, rather than to take more trips.

Next trip we will be staying in a one bedroom, saving points to use 450 to get two two bedrooms the following year (for a little shorter period of time) to treat my family.

One thing we have considered is renting more points, rather than buying more. After our first DVC trip, we were ready to book a lot more trips and invite the world along, but the desire has cooled a little as the reality has set in - we don't have time, and not everyone we'd like to invite along will be able to accept the gift of a free room (and the expense of plane tickets, park tickets, etc). Also, we know there are other things we want to do with our vacation time and money. So when add-on-itis hits, I remind myself its only a few years until the kids are old enough for Europe, Washington DC, Korea.....and in meantime, there is cruising.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We have 150 points and I keep scouring the resale websites looking for the "perfect" add-on. The only problem is when I find one, I am hesitant to make an offer because I am afraid we might be put in a situation where we'd have to rent points instead of using them ourselves. I know this works for many people but we are west-coasters and don't have the kind of schedules where we could just randomly take time off to visit WDW. Also, I am frugal enough that losing unused/unrented points would probably give me an ulcer! In my case, I think I will give it another year before we seriously consider adding on. Who wants to bet that I keep watching though...

 

[disneymom99]

We started out with 150 points, and still only have 150 points! We are a family of 4 with 2 DD ages 13 and 9. We always go in July as this is when my DH has a week shut down at work. We stay in a 2 bedroom at OKW for 150 points Sun - Thurs. It works fine for us right now. Would we like to be able to add on more points? OF COURSE!!! But, with 2 DD in private school, add ons will have to wait.
We are just thankful that we are able to go once a year. We always have the time of our lives!!

 

[LuvnMickey]

We purchased 150 pts in April 2002 for BCV. We've been going to WDW for 15 years and lately had stayed most often at the Beach Club Hotel.

We're a family of 5 with 3 DS. Our first trip was in March 2003 at BCV with 2 studios (one for us and one for the boys!). Last year we used points to stay at the Grand Californian (loved it!) and banked 100 points. This year (March) we'll be back at the BCV with two college age sons, a high schooler and perhaps a friend or two in a 2 bedroom for 5 days. We usually do an off-site for a day or two to save points.

So far--it's worked well for us. We like feeling like we have flexibility to use the points in different ways. And not too far down the road, it will be just DH and I so we can go during less busy times (not around the school calendar) and use fewer points.

 

[bwvBound]

We're at 150 ... but that is probably because DVC is only part of our overall plan.

Striving to get the most bang for each vacation dollar we maintain small ownerships across several different timeshare products:

• a 1BR "every other year" at a property 20 minutes from home provides year-round access to resort pools, mini-waterpark, fitness center (etc). We trade the actual unit (1BR, SoCAL summer coastal week) for high-end RCI destinations every other year.
• an annual "red week" in South Africa provides a cost-effective trader for fairly easy-to-get resort stays. We typically combine years to book either multiple units or multiple weeks.
• Worldmark (WM) credits provides access to 50+ resorts across the US (mostly western states), Mexico, Canada, and Fiji. Like DVC, WM is a flexible points-based system allowing nightly stays, banking/borrowing in addition to exchanging through both RCI and II. (I've traded WM into DVC twice and hope to do so again?)
• our "ranch" ownership is a blend of country club membership + timeshare. It has 250 cute cabins, natural hot springs, spa, golf, tennis, and equestrian in one neat package. While we tend to use it for day-use and weekends -- it trades through II should we choose.
• DVC to guarantee us a place (when exchanging in might fail) and for the discounts offered to members.

Overall, we use timeshare for plenty of purposes: work, play, alone time, and family time. Two properties allow day-use and three offer the ability to book short stays and multiple units. Each property will allow sufficient flexibility using banking/borrowing to ensure great stays in great places for many years to come!

In your case ... I'd suggest you go for the borrowing plan. Plan to spend 200 credits each year (or whatever will be required to book the 1BR). Perhaps by the time you run out of credits, after 2 or 3 future vacations, your family will be ready for a change of pace. Play it by ear for that "year out" then resume borrowing credits for the next few years.

You might also want to consider that DVC, while fantastic for WDW stays, isn't the only great vacation product on the market. You may want to consider Hershey, the Poconos, Atlantic City or other "drive to" locations. Look for products that meet your family's needs in different ways ....?

 

[pplasky]

We have 160 points, three kids. We live in South Jersey, so airfare is an issue for us as well. We could not add on if we wanted to. 50 points=over $4,000. We work out vacations(usually in a 1BR, usually Sun-Sat) by borrowing a few points each year. Eventually(about 9 years from now) we will probably have to skip a year to catch up. Works for us.