Trying to get it straight in my head

[3girlsfun]

We are getting ready for our upcoming trip in 20 days. Very excited. We are also planning our next trip, for Thanksgiving week, 2011.

We are planning on staying AKL/CL. This trip with the lodging, dining plan, and then the 6 day park tickets is a little over $4900.

That is a large amount of money, that I keep thinking could go towards DVC costs.

The problem I am having is I can't figure out how many points we would need to purchase for our family's needs. We are a family of 5. However, right now, 2 of our family members are infants. 19 months and 9 months. We would most likely want to purchase AKV for our "home" resort. We would want to travel in October, November or June each year. (Most likely in the fall.) If it were November it would be Thanksgiving week. If it were June, the beginning of June. October would vary. We would be staying Saturday to Saturday.

Help!

 

[3girlsfun]

I should also add, we are going on the tour while on our vacation in October.

 

[ssawka]

This trip with the lodging, dining plan, and then the 6 day park tickets is a little over $4900.

That is a large amount of money, that I keep thinking could go towards DVC costs.

Keep in mind, only the lodging portion could "go towards" DVC, since you would still incur the cost of the dining plan and the park tickets.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Frankly, I'd spend that money for the trip buying DVC now. That's a very good downpayment! It was costs like that that drove us to buy DVC 13 years ago. We found we were spending around $5000 a trip. When you consider that 4-5 trips would buy you 50 years of Disney accommodations.... See what I mean? Check out the resale lists and get going on a contract that suits your needs. Since you seem to prefer AKL and like to travel during a holiday time, I'd say buy a nice resale contract at AKV that has enough points to cover a week at Thanksgiving. In your case, I'd probably plan on a 2 bedroom villa, since that will likely be your preference fo years down the road. However, if you don't see yourselves going EVERY year, then you can buy a few less points and use banking and borrowing to make up the difference.

 

[Hunclemarco]

For an idea how many points you may need on a given vacation, try http://www.tagrel.com and use their points calculator.
Also, when determining how many points to buy, purchase a little more than you need. DVC changes the point schedules from time to time and if you are buying what you need for your current trip now, you may be sorry if the points don't add in your favor in the future after the re-allocation. There are other threads that discuss this in more detail.

 

[ToddyLu]

We also bought 210 points instead of 200 becuase the cost difference was nominal. Just think about having that laundry room right there....if you purchase from DVC directly then sometimes Guides can book your special trip for you as part of the sale. We purchased in June and the Guide made our reservations right then for Oct using our points (instead of staying at Pop like we had planned).

 

[a742246]

You will need somewhere in the neighborhood of 350 points for a 2 bedroom
SV at akv. So if you go every other year you will need around a 175 point contract, and if you go every third year 125 point contract will do. These are just a ballpark figure you will have to figure the exact requirements.

Good Luck!

 

[WRWDisney]

Not quite sure why you would need a two bedroom right now. A one bedroom gives you laundry, two baths (in Kindani), a full kitchen and sleeps five (two in the bedroom and three in the family room--sleeper sofa-2 and sleeper chair-1). You can do that for 6 nights (what it looks like your current trip is), for 220 points in the seasons you are talking about. You might eventually want a two bedroom, but with the age of your kids and how travel times change as they get older, I would cross that bridge in a few years with an add-on.

Just my two cents.

 

[Sandisw]

Not quite sure why you would need a two bedroom right now. A one bedroom gives you laundry, two baths (in Kindani), a full kitchen and sleeps five (two in the bedroom and three in the family room--sleeper sofa-2 and sleeper chair-1). You can do that for 6 nights (what it looks like your current trip is), for 220 points in the seasons you are talking about. You might eventually want a two bedroom, but with the age of your kids and how travel times change as they get older, I would cross that bridge in a few years with an add-on.

Just my two cents.

I would also agree with this. Buying in with enough points for a 1 bedroom would be fine for many years with little ones.

And, given the resale market for AKV right now, someone can get those 220 points for around $85/ppt (average). Not bad compared to the over $105/ppt that it costs to go direct with Disney.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

I would also agree with this. Buying in with enough points for a 1 bedroom would be fine for many years with little ones.

And, given the resale market for AKV right now, someone can get those 220 points for around $85/ppt (average). Not bad compared to the over $105/ppt that it costs to go direct with Disney.

I am not sure if I am allowed to post this link or not but these are the Animal Kingdom listings at The Timeshare Store, Inc.®

http://www.dvcstore.com/dvclisting-animal-kingdom.cfm

Jason

 

[jelliott04]

Don't forget that you need to take into consideration the maintenance fees. It isn't just that initial payment. (I own DVC btw)

Also, if you end up buying through Disney, ask them to split your points into two contracts in case you want to sell in the future. It is easier to sell 2 100 point contracts than one 200 point contract.

Jen