This DVC point thing can be dangerous

[WsPrincess]

We just got back from WDW less than 2 weeks ago and I am already trying to figure out how we could go again. This is nuts. I feel like I have points, I need to use them NOW, no need to bank when there are trips to be taken. I am going to get in so much trouble. I think DH is glad we don't live closer because right now airfare is the only thing stopping me from booking!

 

[DizBub]

Don't I know it!! Welcome to the club!!!

 

[Missyrose]

They don't call it add-onitis for nothing.

 

[runmommyrun]

I can't take credit for the comment because I read it elsewhere, but for our family, we are "always borrowing, never banking!" I NEVER thought we'd be a Disney family and I loathed the thought of going on our first trip in 2009. But obviously it was a pretty good time. We've now been to a Disney resort 7 times in the last 3 years. The moment I get back from a trip, I start planning again! (Oh, I should mention we purchased one contract and then purchased again a few months later. It really is better that I didn't get the resale market as well back then or I can't imagine the points we'd have!). Happy travels!

 

[stitchlover]

We just got back from WDW less than 2 weeks ago and I am already trying to figure out how we could go again. This is nuts. I feel like I have points, I need to use them NOW, no need to bank when there are trips to be taken. I am going to get in so much trouble. I think DH is glad we don't live closer because right now airfare is the only thing stopping me from booking!

I need a like button on the DIS. I am constantly trying to figure out how to work another trip into our points. Airfare is also a factor for us.

 

[jockotaco]

We started with 125 points at VGC and thought this would be enough for our needs. We have yet to even stay for the first time and are looking at adding on 125-150 at Aulani. This could get out of hand quickly.

 

[NeedMorePoints]

I feel your pain! Airfare and points can be such a problem. We like to use the points we receive from our SW credit card towards airfare to Orlando. A while back we were short points for free flights but had enough DVC points for a long weekend visit to WDW. What did we do. We went and bought more DVC points with our credit card which gave us the points we needed for the flights!

Talk about having points on the brain.

 

[CMOORE185]

The solution to the airfare problem is to take longer trips. My plan is to eventually move close enough to drive to the world.

 

[JJSWDW]

Yes, you have points and you must use them now. You have points and you must use them now....

Seriously the tough part is to resist borrowing, I understand it's tough to get out of that hole, maybe worse than credit cards ;-)

 

[ACDSNY]

Always borrowing so I'll have to let you know if we ever get out of this mode. We've already done quite a few add-ons so not an option anymore.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It's a slippery slope! Southwest airfare sale? Trip to Disney. Annual Pass expiring soon? Trip to Disney. Never been there for Halloween? Trip to Disney. Oooooooh, Christmas decorations. Trip to Disney.

I posted this in another thread not too long ago. You'll soon find yourself in the dreaded cycle of borrow, borrow, borrow, buy. You'll use more and more of your future points until you hit a point where it makes sense to buy an add on contract. Then the cycle starts again. (Three contracts and counting, here.) More trips, longer trip, trips where you invite friends and family to stay in a larger villa... yeah, Disney points should come with a Surgeon General's message about how addictive they are.

 

[rock_doctor]

It doesn't end...there is never enough points...

We hate flying so we drive (2 days) so to offset the travel time we just stay longer. If you have points left over then set up a longer stay and if your schedules will not allow that then every period of time just get a better room with the extra points. Never let them expire and i like others do not believe in borrowing. That is like living off credit, eventually you have to face the demon.

 

[DizBub]

It's just insane!! I had 310 points for 2012 Feb UY and I have exactly 21 points remaining in my account. Went in Feb and May (gotta go for the full week both times to justify the 18 hour car travel) and we are going the 1st week of October. Then I will have to "borrow" from 2013 to book at the 11 windows for next year. A never-ending cycle. I need an intervention.......... and more points!!

 

[sarahk0204]

It doesn't end...there is never enough points...

We hate flying so we drive (2 days) so to offset the travel time we just stay longer. If you have points left over then set up a longer stay and if your schedules will not allow that then every period of time just get a better room with the extra points. Never let them expire and i like others do not believe in borrowing. That is like living off credit, eventually you have to face the demon.

Ok, but all that happens is that your contract seems 1 year shorter. We will be 90 when our BLT contract ends. At that point, I think that I will be ok without taking a DVC trip as a birthday present!

 

[Brian Noble]

It is also very likely that, at some point, the bloom will be off the rose a bit, and you will want to take a break---we just got back from a week doing "Not Disney": Sea World, Universal, and Aquatica, and had a ball. So, go now while you are still fired up about going, and figure that things will work themselves out over time.

 

[RumpleMom]

We are always in borrowed mode even though we have plenty of points. I'm not going to care that there are no points left for 2042.

I'm more concerned about something coming up in the family that would prevent me from traveling with current points, so I don't have to worry about that if I can't travel for some reason. (Other than having to cancel a planned trip)

 

[LSchrow]

It's a slippery slope! Southwest airfare sale? Trip to Disney. Annual Pass expiring soon? Trip to Disney. Never been there for Halloween? Trip to Disney. Oooooooh, Christmas decorations. Trip to Disney.:

omg....that is exactly what happens

my biggest temptation is when a close friend or relative goes to WDW, and i start checking SWA (using points from the credit card).....AP is valid, so my mind goes into overdrive figuring thatif i just borrow a bit more into 2013, i can take another "free" trip.
we thought that 400 points was more than enough now that the kids are grown, but we are almost out of august 2013 points already!

thirteen years of ownership, and i'm not less addicted than when we first sstarted

 

[BWV Dreamin]

omg....that is exactly what happens

my biggest temptation is when a close friend or relative goes to WDW, and i start checking SWA (using points from the credit card).....AP is valid, so my mind goes into overdrive figuring thatif i just borrow a bit more into 2013, i can take another "free" trip.
we thought that 400 points was more than enough now that the kids are grown, but we are almost out of august 2013 points already!

thirteen years of ownership, and i'm not less addicted than when we first sstarted

Because now you have even MORE time to go to Disney.....

 

[jpeka65844]

I think the only time we've banked in our 6 years of ownership is the year I was pregnant with DD and we only did ONE trip. The points were banked in anticipation of the extended family trip for 16 people that we did 18 mos later.

That's it!

 

[dnkmmw]

It is funny because we have not yet used our points (just signed up in April) and have a trip planned for October and possibly February, but I think we are going to need more points in the near future, too.

Dawn