tell me why my husband is right...

[John-DVC]

Doesnt sound like there’s a big drive to do the add on since you don’t want the perks. DH sounds on board but wants to test it out first. Not buying gives you more optionality in the future. Who knows you might want to add a lot more points after.

 

[mustinjourney]

If you are going on a 6 day trip one year and then a smaller trip the next year, you may want to consider getting Annual Passes. Just as long as the 2nd trip is less than 12 months from the 1st trip (It could be 11 months and 3 weeks apart). This will save $$$ rather than purchasing passes for both trips. If you can justify the Annual Passes, a 25 point add-on direct will save you $$$ on these passes. AND you will get 1 or 2 extra nights each year.

exactly! don't give up on the AP just yet!

 

[Donna M]

Not sure if I caught anyone mention that when you buy the extra 25 points they will not open up the 11 month window for all your points. Those 25 points will only help for that resort which they are tied to.

If so, the availability opens up for us and we don’t have to just stay at our home resort then.

This part makes me wonder if I misunderstand you, or if I have it all wrong. I didn't think a small contract will pull old points into a future reservation.

 

[Wakey]

You seem like a well researched buyer. The SSR resale for a 1 bed, is the ultimate value for those who wish to sleep around all the resorts.
I'm like you, every other year. I am in UK and am lucky enough to have a lot of vacations all over the world- normally 4 per year. The world is a big place. I like my kids to experience different places. Whilst I love Disney, I would not have that as one of my main vacations every year. My wife and I do love the USA so much we do come every year, but we like to travel about every other year, 25 States and counting, but we've been to Florida maybe 15 times as well (some years we came to USA twice). This year we went to NYC and New England, Portugal, Canary Islands, and Rhodes (Greek Island) The kids saw lots of stuff, not just Disney and not just USA. Having said that, I am really looking forward to our WDW trip next summer, I think the once every other year is a sweet spot.
You won't get much benefit out of the perks. If you really need a small add on, buying direct is now the way to go due to inflated resale prices, but if I were you I wouldn't buy just for perks or to feel like a 'real' member. That would be the marketing winning.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

Not sure if I caught anyone mention that when you buy the extra 25 points they will not open up the 11 month window for all your points. Those 25 points will only help for that resort which they are tied to.


This part makes me wonder if I misunderstand you, or if I have it all wrong. I didn't think a small contract will pull old points into a future reservation.

I was thinking of doing 25 at my home resort. What I meant was that on off years, the additional points would put us in range for 1 bedrooms for shorter trips instead of studios. From what I have read, the 1 bedrooms have a better availability rate at 7 months.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

You seem like a well researched buyer. The SSR resale for a 1 bed, is the ultimate value for those who wish to sleep around all the resorts.
I'm like you, every other year. I am in UK and am lucky enough to have a lot of vacations all over the world- normally 4 per year. The world is a big place. I like my kids to experience different places. Whilst I love Disney, I would not have that as one of my main vacations every year. My wife and I do love the USA so much we do come every year, but we like to travel about every other year, 25 States and counting, but we've been to Florida maybe 15 times as well (some years we came to USA twice). This year we went to NYC and New England, Portugal, Canary Islands, and Rhodes (Greek Island) The kids saw lots of stuff, not just Disney and not just USA. Having said that, I am really looking forward to our WDW trip next summer, I think the once every other year is a sweet spot.
You won't get much benefit out of the perks. If you really need a small add on, buying direct is now the way to go due to inflated resale prices, but if I were you I wouldn't buy just for perks or to feel like a 'real' member. That would be the marketing winning.

Perfect point; Disney marketing is powerful stuff, but it is only marketing after all. Thanks for the reminder.

PS Your family’s trips are my vacation goals. Disney is not our only trip (we go to the Outer Banks, as well), but I would love to travel more.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

If you are going on a 6 day trip one year and then a smaller trip the next year, you may want to consider getting Annual Passes. Just as long as the 2nd trip is less than 12 months from the 1st trip (It could be 11 months and 3 weeks apart). This will save $$$ rather than purchasing passes for both trips. If you can justify the Annual Passes, a 25 point add-on direct will save you $$$ on these passes. AND you will get 1 or 2 extra nights each year.

Thanks for the math! However, we are pretty set on on/off year trips... for now. It is good info to file away for later.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

I'd slow down -- addonitis is tough to beat, but you can do it. We bought in resale 2015 - didn't take my first DVC trip until 2017 and have wanted to add on even before our first trip. We have the perks but the thought of having more points and to have them quick is exciting to think about. We are like you and plan on every other year trips, but already for next year we have an April trip and are planning on booking a Dec trip, but then that is it until 2020.

You should step back and go back to your original plan of every other year - reason is -it is very easy to get caught up in the Disney bubble that is all you want, that is all you think about and that is what you are always planning for, but you should think about things outside of disney - what other areas of the country do you want to visit. There is so much to see in this great country and if travel/vacation time is limited then you will miss a lot when you only focus on one area of the country. Your husband is not on board and i can see why - a 25 point add on even at SSR would run you close to $4000 when you factor in closing costs. It is a lot and could actually be put towards other trips or if you even wanted to add on a smaller resale SSR contract you would get more points. There are also extra maintenance fees when you add on - is he the finacial guy in the house, do he have a better handle on what the household can afford?

Take a few trips -- you may actually change what you really want and may want to addon at a different resort -SSR is nice, but there are many better themed resorts- Riviera will be opening that might be an option too? a smaller contract elsewhere would ensure some variety of resorts. that is what is in my mind right now. I wanted to addon at AKL our home, but our upcoming trip we have a split between Poly and AKV and i am afraid that i am going to love poly and will want a small contract there.

I am the household financial person, but he is a math teacher... so, his mind usually leans toward cold numbers. We are waiting. I am wondering if you (and several other posters) are correct and we end up wanting even more than 25. and if not, I still have my almost $4000 for something else.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

I would keep this in mind. Where are you staying in July? studio or 1BR? For about $20/month between now and July, you can wait and get your DH on board fully. If you're in a studio, he may decide he wants a bigger space ... or he may not. Also, at the 7mo window you can buy up to 24 one time use points, so that may be another consideration to get into 1BR on your off-year weekends. In fact, I would definitely consider doing that for a bit until you know how you will want to use your DVC.

In July we are in a 1 bedroom at Kidani. I think he will not want a studio after that. however, you are right. We will need to use it before we decide how many more we may or may not need.

 

[Wakey]

In July we are in a 1 bedroom at Kidani. I think he will not want a studio after that. however, you are right. We will need to use it before we decide how many more we may or may not need.

We are also 1 bed Kidani end of July.

 

[kniquy]

I am wondering if you (and several other posters) are correct and we end up wanting even more than 25.

I think your 145 point contract is a good start. It's not too small and it is not too large. Stay at some of the resorts because you might fall in love and have to buy a small contract somewhere else. I have stayed at SSR - it is nice but not our taste (got to have some palm trees when i am in FL), stayed at BWV and it was nice, convenient but almost too busy with being on the boardwalk. Our next trip will be poly and our home resort AKV. See if you can work in some split stays so that you can experience a bunch of resorts and get a feel for what each one offers.

 

[a742246]

I am with your husband on this I would wait until after your AK trip. The new DVC that is being built could be interesting to you. I would find out more about it on your next visit, perhaps even tour its location. I agree with you on purchasing a direct contract thru Disney (only the newer resorts that have the longer expiration dates), since you and your husband are still young and the perks over time may benefit you. Anyway, enjoy your DVC!

 

[ClosetDisMom]

We are also 1 bed Kidani end of July.

Maybe we will see you there!

 

[frabjous]

Kidani is awesome. Was just there the week after thanksgiving in a 1BR SV. It was very cool being able to sit on the balcony with a coffee and watch giraffes. The resort layout, theme, and food are fantastic, and the lobby of both Kidani and Jambo are excellent. I enjoyed walking around it, particularly at night.

 

[aoconnor]

In July we are in a 1 bedroom at Kidani. I think he will not want a studio after that. however, you are right. We will need to use it before we decide how many more we may or may not need.

Just remember that staying in a one bedroom literally costs 2x as much as a studio so make sure it’s worth it for you .

For many it is, but if you won’t use the full kitchen or spend a good amount of time in the room it’s tough to justify paying 2x as much just for a sitting area IMO. Kind of eliminates the value of DVC— unless what you value is a full kitchen/ extra seating area.

Some one bedrooms do have two bathrooms which is a worthwhile bonus, though.

 

[ClosetDisMom]

Kidani is awesome. Was just there the week after thanksgiving in a 1BR SV. It was very cool being able to sit on the balcony with a coffee and watch giraffes. The resort layout, theme, and food are fantastic, and the lobby of both Kidani and Jambo are excellent. I enjoyed walking around it, particularly at night.

Awesome! These are the exact reasons why we chose this resort. Thank you for letting me know it is all true!

 

[ClosetDisMom]

Just remember that staying in a one bedroom literally costs 2x as much as a studio so make sure it’s worth it for you .

For many it is, but if you won’t use the full kitchen or spend a good amount of time in the room it’s tough to justify paying 2x as much just for a sitting area IMO. Kind of eliminates the value of DVC— unless what you value is a full kitchen/ extra seating area.

Some one bedrooms do have two bathrooms which is a worthwhile bonus, though.

We purchased DVC just so we could have access to the extra sitting (and sleeping) room in the 1 bedroom.
I knew going in about the extra points. We booked Kidani over Jambo because my husband is ALL about the 2nd toilet.