What is the perfect amount of points to own?

[Hollymom1229]

I feel like our 290 points is so small compared to many. But it is perfect for DH and I and will comfortably cover a 1 BDR every year if we have a wee one. For now it's enough to cover a couple of studio trips a year. We have 105 at AKV, and 185 at SSR.

 

[arthur06]

We are a small point owner, with only 155. We have 125 at BLT and 30 at BWV. I would love to have plenty more, but DW is not at the point that she does.

We recently bought a 2nd home and that is where a lot of our extra money has gone. At some point, I hope we have about 500+, but we are both in our early 30's and aren't in any rush.

 

[luckyman_apd]

This is what we did. We went into massive point debt then bought transfer points to make up for the deficiency and get us back on track. My thought was that since DVC is new, we are more likely to overspend now. Like you, we didn't want to take on the long-term responsibility of more points.

Exactly. We actually were only looking for 100 points, and ended up buying 125 resale because the U/Y was what we wanted and it came with banked points. Turned out to be a blessing we DIDN'T buy 100.

 

[Dean]

It's a totally personal decision. 25 would likely be plenty for us right now. In general I'd say it depends on when you go, how long and what unit type and should generally be looked at as only the amount you'd use at DVC resorts. Someone who figures they need say 100 points to stay a 5 week days in a studio adventure likely needs a cushion at least 20% while one who's looking at Magic or Premier for a week in a 2 or 3 BR, likely needs no cushion at all or even a planned deficit of 10-20% to give them breathing room if they take a break or miss a trip.

 

[Anal Annie]

We own 250 points at SSR and when I read about people having 2-3 times that many I get envious but we have all we can afford for now. When we first purchased our guide suggested we break it into 2 contracts just in case we ever felt like we had TOO MANY points rotfl: yeah, right) so we bought 200 and 50 thinking that the 50 would be easy to sell as a small add-on that somebody might want. Of course so far 250 has been just fine for the 3 of us, although I often feel like we could use some more. I have had "the bug" to buy at AKV, BLT and Aulani but have held off. The 250 points are enough for us to spend up to 14 nights in a studio or 1 week in a 1-bedroom during "Magic" season (although so far we've chosen to use studios in order to stretch our points out). So basically we can take 2 long-weekend trips and 1 week long trip or 1 long 10 night trip & 1 long-weekend etc. Plenty for 2 trips a year.

We have found that as much as we love visiting WDW every year we also like to cruise every once in awhile and to go to other places sometimes. This is leading us to a pattern of buying AP's and taking 2-3 trips to WDW one year then taking a year off and going somewhere else the next year. In 2010-11 we took 3 trips then in the summer of 2011 we went to Europe and went to Paris and did one of the DCL Med cruises so we skipped a year at WDW. We did a points transfer to someone of about half of our points to get some extra cash to use at Disneyland Paris and then we banked the rest so that last year we had a few extra points and were able to spend 6 nights at BLT over spring break (a pricier than usual trip points-wise for us) and then we spent 9 nights at BWV in a BW view studio in August (split over Magic and Dream season). We ended up still having about 60 points to bank so that this coming summer we had enough to book 4 nights at VGC and 7 nights in an OV studio at Aulani. We're also slipping over to Maui for 3 nights so it will be a full 2 week trip - therefore no trip to WDW for us this year. But then NEXT year we'll most likely do 2-3 trips again. We do have a dummy re-booking date on a 4-night Dream cruise in 2014 but since we don't really like the shorter cruises we'll likely wait to cruise again in 2015....I would love to go back to Europe with DCL....

We always resort hop from trip to trip and have stayed at all of the current DVC resorts (well, by summer we'll be able to cross off VGC and Aulani) so we've been able to make the 250 points work for some really nice trips so far. Yes, we'd like more so we could stay in larger units or something but what we have is all we can afford so we're making them work.

 

[Husurdady]

We have owned DVC since 1997, had six contracts totaling 570 pts, all OKW with the same use year. We just sold one of our contracts. If I had known than [1997]what I know now, with the maintance cost always on the rise, not cost effective at all, I would only own the bare amount to say I was a DVC member and I would rent the points that I would need for the vacations that I would take from someone.....hence all that money for the cost of all those points bought [ some $37,200.00 back then] would be used in a more productive way, not to mension the rising maintance cost every year. .....So all you young people....think before you buy........do I spent money for DVC or my little ones 429.....think about it...... Oh....by the way sent my four kids through Purdue U. and I retired at age 50. The Hoosier Daddy says Welcome Home.

 

[OhioDVC]

We have 2670 points and still do not have enough. I've already borrowed 1000 from next year and rent 580 points from my sister-in-law each year. My wife and I are on a 3-4 year vacation and spend about 4+ months a year at DVC locations. We have 20+ contracts and own at all but 2 DVC locations.

Currently we are on a 3+ month stay at Disneyworld - Jan 9th - April 25th, then off to Disneyland for 10 days and Aulani for 5 weeks.

Right now we are at Bonnet Creek for three weeks- I am not as impressed with Wyndham. DVC is much better. Wyndham is down right obnoxious with the timeshare presentation harassment when you check in. I had to say "NO" four times and ask for the manage before they left me alone. You have to see the timeshare sales people to get your parking pass - downright harassment.

 

[tjkraz]

If I had known than [1997]what I know now, with the maintance cost always on the rise, not cost effective at all, I would only own the bare amount to say I was a DVC member and I would rent the points that I would need for the vacations that I would take from someone.....hence all that money for the cost of all those points bought [ some $37,200.00 back then] would be used in a more productive way

Not sure I buy into the math there. I don't see how 15 years of renting points at $10-14 each would cost less than what you paid as an owner.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have 2670 points and still do not have enough. I've already borrowed 1000 from next year and rent 580 points from my sister-in-law each year. My wife and I are on a 3-4 year vacation and spend about 4+ months a year at DVC locations. We have 20+ contracts and own at all but 2 DVC locations.

Currently we are on a 3+ month stay at Disneyworld - Jan 9th - April 25th, then off to Disneyland for 10 days and Aulani for 5 weeks.

Right now we are at Bonnet Creek for three weeks- I am not as impressed with Wyndham. DVC is much better. Wyndham is down right obnoxious with the timeshare presentation harassment when you check in. I had to say "NO" four times and ask for the manage before they left me alone. You have to see the timeshare sales people to get your parking pass - downright harassment.

Living in your timeshares for 3 years! Wow, is it as much fun as it sounds?

 

[luckyman_apd]

Not sure I buy into the math there. I don't see how 15 years of renting points at $10-14 each would cost less than what you paid as an owner.

Yeah, I agree unless he left out that maybe they would not have traveled as much if they didn't buy? If all the same trips were done exactly the same, but renting instead of own, the price tag would absolutely be much higher.

I wish I had come across a thread like this when I was deciding how many points. Seeing other peoples habits and how they use them is a good reference to identify with your own needs/habits.

 

[a742246]

We have 2670 points and still do not have enough. I've already borrowed 1000 from next year and rent 580 points from my sister-in-law each year. My wife and I are on a 3-4 year vacation and spend about 4+ months a year at DVC locations. We have 20+ contracts and own at all but 2 DVC locations.

Currently we are on a 3+ month stay at Disneyworld - Jan 9th - April 25th, then off to Disneyland for 10 days and Aulani for 5 weeks.

Right now we are at Bonnet Creek for three weeks- I am not as impressed with Wyndham. DVC is much better. Wyndham is down right obnoxious with the timeshare presentation harassment when you check in. I had to say "NO" four times and ask for the manage before they left me alone. You have to see the timeshare sales people to get your parking pass - downright harassment.

I am happy for you, you are living your dream!

 

[appleorchard]

We have 310 -- originally started with 150 at BWV, bought 65 at BLT, realized that wasn't enough almost immediately and added 35 more and then added 60 more at BWV. We thought we were good until my DD and DGD suddenly developed a Disney passion and want to go twice a year. We like our adult trips alone in addition to kid trips so we need about 100 more points to be where we need to be. DH really wants to buy GF points when they come available, which I really don't have any interest in doing, considering what the cost will be. I'm poring over resales at BWV to find the right contract, but BWV is hard to find right now. We already have two different UY so I need a contract that matches one of them!

 

[disfanforlife]

We have 200 points. When we bought in 2008 - it felt like such a huge decision and like a lot of points. I see now that it is not, but so far has worked okay for us. We live far enough away that going once a year is okay. Twice a year would be nicer and I feel that time is coming soon. So far, we have been going during Choice season so we use less points and have been able to stay for 6 or 7 nights in a two bedroom. We did not go in 2012 year (the first time since buying) So, now we have 200 points banked and will be able to use a few and then bank the rest, etc.. But next year, two of our kids will be in college and will not be able to go with us in November so we have our annual trip planned with our son and for the first time - he is bringing a friend to share the magic with! After that, we are considering a trip in January. We are not thrilled with the idea because the weather is less predictable but at least our girls would be on break and be able to go with us. If the timing is good, we will considering adding on 100 more points.

 

[Dean]

Right now we are at Bonnet Creek for three weeks- I am not as impressed with Wyndham. DVC is much better. Wyndham is down right obnoxious with the timeshare presentation harassment when you check in. I had to say "NO" four times and ask for the manage before they left me alone. You have to see the timeshare sales people to get your parking pass - downright harassment.

As I've said before, one has to be able to separate out the sales and usage components when participating with timeshares. I think it's a dramatic mistake to judge a given system by the sales related process.

 

[LSchrow]

we started (1999) with 240 BWV points, then added 60 BCV, then 100 SSR - so 400 pts.
as our familiy dynamics have changed, so have our vacation habits (kids do grow up). we used to get a 1bdrm every late august, and 2 bdrm every other sept.

now, DD and i go every may, and DH and I every oct (min 10 days each in a studio), and the 2-bdrm every other year has become a 1bdrm.

i like is that we were still able to take vacas during economic downturns, and we have rented out (rarely) points some years. especially, had the DVC program not been so flexible (different times and units), we would have sold it long ago.

if anything, i would like to add more BWV points (maybe 100, and sell off the BCV), so we can book the BWV more easily during F&WF and F&GFs.

 

[SamSam]

We have 2670 points and still do not have enough. I've already borrowed 1000 from next year and rent 580 points from my sister-in-law each year. My wife and I are on a 3-4 year vacation and spend about 4+ months a year at DVC locations. We have 20+ contracts and own at all but 2 DVC locations.

Currently we are on a 3+ month stay at Disneyworld - Jan 9th - April 25th, then off to Disneyland for 10 days and Aulani for 5 weeks.

Right now we are at Bonnet Creek for three weeks- I am not as impressed with Wyndham. DVC is much better. Wyndham is down right obnoxious with the timeshare presentation harassment when you check in. I had to say "NO" four times and ask for the manage before they left me alone. You have to see the timeshare sales people to get your parking pass - downright harassment.

In our dreams! I mean that sincerely. Dh and I would love to spend 3 months at WDW, 1 month during Food and Wine, then 2 months during our coldest part of the year (Jan-Feb). The trouble is we love 1-bedrooms, our business travels with us and we set up an 'offsite' office in the living /dining room with flat screen monitors and a printer so we can work mornings, then have the rest of the day to relax and play.

Ahh, someday, somehow, someway....

 

[OhioDVC]

Living in your timeshares for 3 years! Wow, is it as much fun as it sounds?

It really is great, but it took lots of planning and saving. I'm retired military (33 years) so the pension helps but we planned and saved for about 5 years to make it happen.

The best thing is enjoying friends and family like we never did before. About 6 months of the year we are in 2-3 bedroom timeshares and open up the extra room for friends and family to join us (at no cost except for food) and they do! Plus, we cruise twice a year with friends, and a 2 more by ourselves.

I left the Air Force very banged up. I was rated at 90% disabled, following 10 surgeries in the last 2 1/2 years I was in. After 8 months of living like this I've almost totally reverse my physical condition.

I exercise about 2 hours a day and my wife is training for a triathlon and exercises 3-4 hours a day.

My stress level is about zero and we have become very spontaneous. Not something I've been know for in the past.

The best thing is living in all of your favorite vacation spots and moving on when you get the slightest bit boring. We love Hilton Head Island but after a month I get bored with it so we move on to our next favorite spot.

We been at Disneyworld since Jan 9th and we are still enjoying ourselves. We are here until April 25th then we head out to Disneyland for 10 days and Aulani for 5 weeks.

It is great for us because our adult children (25 - 23) aren't married and we don't have any grandchildren yet (hopefully some day) so we have no obligations. We sold our home, put our furniture into storage and are carefree without any bills except for maintenance fees (paid automatically out of savings account put aside for them)

I tell people that we eloped after 34 years of marriage. I feel 10-15 years younger.

I highly recommend it!

 

[bobbiwoz]

It really is great, but it took lots of planning and saving. I'm retired military (33 years) so the pension helps but we planned and saved for about 5 years to make it happen.

The best thing is enjoying friends and family like we never did before. About 6 months of the year we are in 2-3 bedroom timeshares and open up the extra room for friends and family to join us (at no cost except for food) and they do! Plus, we cruise twice a year with friends, and a 2 more by ourselves.

I left the Air Force very banged up. I was rated at 90% disabled, following 10 surgeries in the last 2 1/2 years I was in. After 8 months of living like this I've almost totally reverse my physical condition.

I exercise about 2 hours a day and my wife is training for a triathlon and exercises 3-4 hours a day.

My stress level is about zero and we have become very spontaneous. Not something I've been know for in the past.

The best thing is living in all of your favorite vacation spots and moving on when you get the slightest bit boring. We love Hilton Head Island but after a month I get bored with it so we move on to our next favorite spot.

We been at Disneyworld since Jan 9th and we are still enjoying ourselves. We are here until April 25th then we head out to Disneyland for 10 days and Aulani for 5 weeks.

It is great for us because our adult children (25 - 23) aren't married and we don't have any grandchildren yet (hopefully some day) so we have no obligations. We sold our home, put our furniture into storage and are carefree without any bills except for maintenance fees (paid automatically out of savings account put aside for them)

I tell people that we eloped after 34 years of marriage. I feel 10-15 years younger.

I highly recommend it!

Thank you for your service to our country. It is wonderful that you are getting back to such good health. I am so happy for you and your wife!!

Bobbi

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm retired military (33 years)
I exercise about 2 hours a day and my wife is training for a triathlon and exercises 3-4 hours a day.

My stress level is about zero and we have become very spontaneous. Not something I've been know for in the past.

I tell people that we eloped after 34 years of marriage. That's beautiful!

I highly recommend it!

Congratulations, you're living the American dream!

 

[Simba's Mom]

It's a sickness, I tell ya.
We have 470 points and still feel we need more. Increasing MFs have stopped us from looking at more add-on

Yes, it is some kind of sickness. We currently have 460 points, and have just started looking for another add-on of 100 or so more points. I wonder, for the people who say they have enough points, how long since your last add-on? Every time we've done an add-on, we think "Ah, now we have plenty of points". That works for 6 mos. to a year, until our vacationing expands more-more days, larger unit (1 BRs instead of studios more), then we decide that those "pleanty of points" that we reached a year or so ago, now "need" to be increased by 50-100 more. Then this cycle repeats. We've been members since 2002, increasing from 210 points to now 460, which we thought was enough, but now we know we need just a few more. THEN we'll have the perfect amount of points. Or will we?