Questions about DVC contract strategies

[Brian Noble]

We first stayed there because I have 3 daughters, and the two bathroom plan in the studios looked very attractive. It has turned out to be a huge factor. Everyone fell in love with the resort, and nobody wants to stay anywhere else.

Don't mess around. Buy points there, use them there, and enjoy it.

Yes, you can possibly save some money doing something else. And your resort preferences will also probably change over the course of your ownership. But I don't think either of those matter in your case.

In other words, @byurick is right:

Life's too short to spend all that money and be disappointed, just buy at the Poly and be happy.

I made a similar decision. I figured if I was spending five figures anyway, I should buy the thing I wanted, not the thing I could live with.

 

[airjay75]

I look at the most expensive time of the year for the resort and the accommodation type I would normally book. Then I look at the points per week in the more expensive view as I’m not always booking at 11 months out. This gives me some wiggle room.

Then I do what @VGCgroupie does and call my guide to add more points lol

That is exactly what I have been doing with how many more RIV points I want. 2 BR villa - 565 in Standard; 646 in Preferred during Christmas/Easter. Oh, hello guide, I think I'm going to need to do another purchase at the 300 point incentive level, please! And, since I won't need the 2 BR for awhile, it will get me 2 weeks per year in a 1 BR in the meantime - more than that, I'll supplement with resale.

But . . . then I look at the price tag, and start second guessing and thinking of every other strategy I could use to get to a similar place . . . but, then I realize that would be a lot more complicated (split stays, more resorts, waiting for deals, etc.), and how much would I actually save? But what about new resorts? Should I save some firepower for then? But, I'll be able to use my RIV points there, so at least with direct I can use them there. Then I'm back to more direct. Until the entire process repeats in my head .

Just got down to Orlando last night - heading over to AKL today for 4 nights and than 3 nights at RIV - I have a feeling after a few more nights at RIV, I'm going to be giving my guide the news they'll be all to happy to hear .

 

[Takeitforgranite]

The bus is shared with Poly so not sure that would affect a decision on buying VGF or not imo

The bus stops at Poly first and goes to VFG at least half full with little to no seats left in the AM. At least, that has been my experience. Seems like a minor thing, but it’s a definite negative for VGF to me.

 

[eticketplease]

The bus stops at Poly first and goes to VFG at least half full with little to no seats left in the AM. At least, that has been my experience. Seems like a minor thing, but it’s a definite negative for VGF to me.

It may seem minor but if it would have a big impact on your trip then certainly take that into account. We always rent a car and rarely use the buses and certainly not early in the morning as rope dropping is an urban legend in our group.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Did anyone consider the ability to borrow and bank points when buying?

Haha. Yes, that's what I did in 2021 with a little 50 point contract. I also knew that I was going to buy VDH as soon as it was available to buy. I planned on 100 points, but when I found out I could use the lounge in Disneyland if I bought 150, I bought the 150 points at VDH.

So, I was at 200 points. As I looked to the future, I realized I needed over 300 points to not feel like I wasn't struggling with planning vacations in the type of rooms that I wanted. I want good views and as many bathrooms as possible. Now I have 535 points and I plan on using them annually, without banking and borrowing. We'll see how that goes!

Point of the story is that your vacation plans are going to change. Purchase what makes sense for today and you can always add on or even sell some contracts in the future.

 

[Chili327]

How did everyone decide how many DVC points to buy?

Was it as simple as “We are going to need ___ points a year”?

Did anyone consider the ability to borrow and bank points when buying?

I can’t help but think about the savings if you consider the ability to move points knowing that, every few years, you

I look at the most expensive time and room that I would realistically use and then compare to the cheapest one, that’s my “range” then start figuring out how often and what’s the number is if I go every other year and bank or borrow (would rather bank then borrow, but it has to make sense).
So figure out your range first, then you can buy all or a portion of the amount needed.

Point of the story is that your vacation plans are going to change. Purchase what makes sense for today and you can always add on or even sell some contracts in the future.

This!!!

 

[Takeitforgranite]

It sounds like having multiple contracts offers more flexibility if you ever feel like you want to cut back. There’s always the opportunity to add on.

Until recently, I assumed it was difficult to get out of a DVC contract, mainly because I didn’t know you could acquire resale contracts so easily.

For me, maybe it makes the sense to get 150 Poly direct to unlock all the benefits and then consider resale if I need more.

 

[CarolynFH]

How often does WDW change/offer incentives for DVC? The only direct benefit that jumps out at me is the Sorcerer pass. That could save us $2500 per round of APs.

The purchase incentives (lower price per point if buying more points, discounts for Disney Visa holders, Magical Beginnings, etc.) change several times a year. The current incentives started in April and will end on Monday, I think.

The privilege of buying Sorcerer APs is a benefit of being DVC-Y, owning the required number of direct points. Those benefits change much less often.

How did everyone decide how many DVC points to buy?

When we bought, it happened to be our 4th annual visit to WDW and our second annual visit during Thanksgiving week. We thought we'd continue to visit at Thanksgiving, and we wanted a 2BR, so we bought enough points for Thanksgiving week in a 2BR. Very simple!

your vacation plans are going to change.

Exactly - and after we bought we had only one more Thanksgiving week visit! We started coming to WDW for Spring Break, so we could spend Thanksgiving with family who lived away from us. Then when both DH and I retired, January became our favorite due to low points costs and relatively low park crowds.

 

[eticketplease]

It sounds like having multiple contracts offers more flexibility if you ever feel like you want to cut back. There’s always the opportunity to add on.

Until recently, I assumed it was difficult to get out of a DVC contract, mainly because I didn’t know you could acquire resale contracts so easily.

For me, maybe it makes the sense to get 150 Poly direct to unlock all the benefits and then consider resale if I need more.

Usually incentives improve when you go up the ladder. 200 points nets you an extra $2 off for a total of $7 so that might not be worth it.

If you bought a small resale contract anywhere then you would qualify for existing member pricing. They have changed things over the years not sure if you have to be a member for so long now or not.

Existing members also are only bumped up $2 but it ends up being $11 a point off at 200.

Hopefully the new round of incentives will be better.

https://dvcfan.com/news/spring-2025-dvc-direct-sales-incentives/

 

[Takeitforgranite]

Usually incentives improve when you go up the ladder. 200 points nets you an extra $2 off for a total of $7 so that might not be worth it.

If you bought a small resale contract anywhere then you would qualify for existing member pricing. They have changed things over the years not sure if you have to be a member for so long now or not.

Existing members also are only bumped up $2 but it ends up being $11 a point off at $200.

Hopefully the new round of incentives will be better.

https://dvcfan.com/news/spring-2025-dvc-direct-sales-incentives/

Just when I think I’m getting this figured out, you go and tell me this!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Considering SSR, OKW, and AKL only hold 4 in a studio, I think having to leave one of the kids at home may indeed ruin the vacation in the worst case scenario

Lol true