Perverse Addiction--How to Squeeze the most out of DVC points

[jennypenny]

I love reading everything on these boards. But one of my favorite topics is reading how people get the most from their DVC points. It's a perverse addiction. I get a real thrill every time I hear about another way people have figured out how to extend their stays as long as possible.

Going Sunday to Friday is DVC 101 . And paying cash on the weekend is another. What other ways to you squeeze every last drop out of DVC?? What have you learned over the years? When do you arrive/depart? If you switch hotels, what do you do about groceries?

For instance, we get a 2 bedroom in Feb and bring family. We finally figured out (duh) that if we skip the first Saturday night (or pay cash) we have enough points left for a second vacation in August. That stupid Saturday night was 72 points at BCV. So now we pay cash for that first night, *suggest* to our families/guests traveling with us that they could cover that cost as their thank you for the trip (which is usually 10 days), and then we get another week in the summer if we pay cash on the weekend.

What do you all do????

Jenny

 

[rbuzzotta]

We just do the basic DVC 101................go visit other parts of FL for the weekends or pay cash.................

 

[wtpclc]

DVC has created a monster with my dh. We bought looking at the big picture. You save a bundle per week when you just look at the per week points. (I've preached this many times.) Well, when looking at the weekend point structure, he changed! When booking for the marathon, we really did have to conserve points, because of other planned trips. But he seems to be completely off of the weekends at DVC thing.

I told him that we were still saving a bundle. "Yeah, but if we go when your parents are down there, we could visit them for the weekend, make brownie points and stay a whole extra week!" Can't say I can argue with that, but it scares me. Now I just have to figure out how to get that extra week off!

 

[spiceycat]

stay at OKW in a studio.

stay in two studios instead of a 2-bedroom.

Okay I am cheap - I also like my privacy.

 

[ArRzrbk]

Some of what I may have to do, cause I definetly don't have enough points

1.) For large family gatherings, skip the idea of a GV and go for combo of studios, 1 bedroom, and/or 2 bedrooms.

2.) Do weekdays only - I'm breaking this rule for our first trip due to Gram's limited availability, and it's costing us a forture! We're having to borrow from next year's Points. Big no no.

3.) Schedule visits just before or just after costly "peak" seasons. You'll still get nice weather and maybe even holiday feel, but not the Point hit.

4.) Try a studio, at least once. You may find that you don't cook big meals or wash in your room that much and that you never take a soak in the big tub. So, why spend the points! Studio's do have a microwave, sink, and fridge!

5.) Let your "guest" or children sleep on the sofa, at least once. Just do a one bedroom, rather than a two.

6.) Try the lower point resorts and go on waitlist for a Standard View at the BWV, at least once. Who knows, you may fall in love with the savings and the resort!

Good luck - to you and us! Well, at least until we get more points. Then we can both go hog wild and do whatever our hearts desire

 

[Caskbill]

Take a trip to HH for a change. Go off-season (Adventure). It's the lowest points you'll ever get for any DVC resort, and you'll still get that Disney Fix.

HH, Adventure Season, 1-B/R = 11pts/night.

Follow-up immediately by continuing on to WDW and stay at OKW.

 

[Caskbill]

Mooch off your relatives who live in Florida...

5-days OKW, weekend with relatives, then...
5-days SSR, weekend with relatives, then...
5-days VWL, weekend with relatives, then...

Well, you get the picture.

 

[CarolMN]

Mooch off your relatives who live in Florida...

5-days OKW, weekend with relatives, then...
5-days SSR, weekend with relatives, then...
5-days VWL, weekend with relatives, then...

Well, you get the picture.

We don't have any FLorida relatives. Can we borrow yours?

 

[jennypenny]

Yeah, we need a "florida relatives" thread with addresses and phone numbers. We're all just one big DVC family, aren't we?! :thewave:

We may have to try a studio just once, just to see what kind of meals I can cook. Before our DVC days I was known to bring my crock pot to hotel rooms.

Jenny

 

[spiceycat]

you might be surprise how much you can do in a studio - especially these days - there is so much a microwave can now cook.

I generally stay in studios - they are great for saving points - especially OKW.

I have tried to get HH in a studio for Dec - but I guess I just don't do it early enough - they are always gone....

 

[wtpclc]

Quote: "We're all DVC family!"

My parents would take all of you in! Just make sure that you don't squeeze me out of my weekend!

 

[Beca]

We arrive on a Fri., and leave on a Fri. The first two nights, we stay in a smaller room (studio if it is just us, 1-bdrm with family/friends). Then, on Sun, we move to our larger accomodations. It almost makes the points "even" out.



Beca

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Mooch off your relatives who live in Florida...

Well, I don't live in Florida (although I wish I did), but I think my reatives have taken your advice.

Our DVC points are "mooched upon" by our family members...

MG

 

[magicmouse2]

Our stay begins on NYE but there is no way I am staying on points that night!! I booked a standard room cash at BC so we can spend NYE at EPCOT and get to our beds quickly and easily.

 

[paulh]

studio cooking poptarts and microwave popcorn, dounuts and coffee plus a few muffins thats all you need to eat in a studio
Paulh

 

[SoCalKDG]

I'll always be arriving late Saturday night, so staying offsite or in a standard paying cash will always be a given.

My first trip in 3 days is Sunday-Friday BWV, cash Friday & Sat. at WL, then into VWL for Sunday to Tuesday.

 

[ArRzrbk]

Oh, I just have to jump in and say I think staying on property in a less expensive hotel on the first night (if you arrive late or get there on a Saturday) is indeed a great idea

We stayed in a King room at Port Orleans our first trip down as adults (DH and me), and we loved it! It ran us about $135.00. You could stay at All Stars or Pop Century etc. for even less! I shall add this to my tricks list too - again, just until I get rich and buy lots and lots of add-on Points

 

[jennypenny]

OK I like the idea of staying cash the Fri/Sat you arrive, but what do you do about groceries? We usually get the grocery stop that comes with the limo.

Is it better to stay somewhere else at the beginning or the end?

Is it a pain packing again?
Jenny

 

[ArRzrbk]

Perhaps packing a "first night/day" bag is a thought We try and do that when we have to stay overnight on the road, or this time, we're packing a bag for the Autotrain. That way, we are only taking in to the hotel (or train in this case) what we'll need for that little bit of our trip.

The rest of what we're taking on your big adventure stays neatly packed away, waiting for it's final destination. And to save space, you could just plan on wearing the same clothes you wore in - new underwear and socks of course Just think minimimal and sacrifice a little and you'll find that this little one stop bag can be kept pretty small.

 

[bears163]

We Are Also Doing The Studio On Weekends Thing. It Is Saving Us A Bunch Of Points.