Why DVC Ownership?

[djp0630]

I am just so curious about people's usage patterns of DVC. I am really trying to convince DH to buy DVC. We went twice in the last year, stayed in a 2bedroom at BLT in Sept on cash and studio at BCV in May (rented points).

We loved BCV and would probably buy there. We liked BLT and proximity to MK, but BCV we both fell in love with! So I'm just curious how many points people have and how often they would travel?

I'm thinking around 160-200 points - enough to stay in a 2 bedroom every other year.

How often do you travel and how many points do you have? And why you decided to buy DVC?

 

[Granny]

I am just so curious about people's usage patterns of DVC. I am really trying to convince DH to buy DVC. We went twice in the last year, stayed in a 2bedroom at BLT in Sept on cash and studio at BCV in May (rented points).

We loved BCV and would probably buy there. We liked BLT and proximity to MK, but BCV we both fell in love with! So I'm just curious how many points people have and how often they would travel?

Wow, you are looking at a very broad range of questions here. People own anywhere from very few points (50?) to literally thousands of points. How many points others have is not particularly relevant...yo've already started down the road to figure out what would be best for you.

I'm thinking around 160-200 points - enough to stay in a 2 bedroom every other year.

That is a very workable plan. You mention that you've gone twice in one year...is every other year the plan now? You've stayed in the 2BR and seem to enjoy that so looking at the point schedule for BCV it looks like 350 points will get you a week in a 2BR for any time of the year except the Premier season which is only about 3 weeks of the year. So 160-200 points would work well for BCV 2BR every other year.

How often do you travel and how many points do you have? And why you decided to buy DVC?

We travel once a year, sometimes twice. We decided to buy DVC to allow us to stay on-site at WDW in suite-style accommodations that we could never afford paying cash each trip. So for us, it was all about upgrading our vacation experience and giving us enough room to make our vacations more relaxing.

One strong word of advice...if BCV is what you love, then PLEASE buy your contract as a BCV contract! You will need the 11 month home booking advantage for many times of the year there. You can purchase a BCV contract direct from Disney (if they have inventory) or on the resale market. The life span of BCV is less than BLT or AKV but if you really want to stay at BCV, then you should buy there. On the other hand, if you'd be just as happy to stay at BLT, then buying there would work as well. Good luck!

 

[Anal Annie]

We decided to purchase DVC once we realized the annual price increases for the regular resort rooms were pricing us out of the Deluxe resorts. We purchased 250 points which is enough for about 14 nights per year in a studio depending how we mix up our trips. When we purchase an AP, like we did last year, we can make 3 trips within 12 months on it (a 4 night in May 2009, a 10 night in Aug. 2009 (7 n at BCV and 3 n at VB) then 6 nights in March 2010). Our AP's expired in May so we're doing an off year with a week at HHI in August. 2011 will be a whole new ballgame for us - going to spend a few nights in Paris (using our DVC points even if it's NOT the best way to use them) then we're doing a DCL Med cruise (on cash not points). 2012 will be a trip to Hawaii where we hope to spend a few nights at Aulani (since we're currently only planning to use points at DLP in 2011 we should have plenty for Aulani). We are using our membership every way we can as often as we can!! DVC is great for an anal over-planner like me!!

 

[lucyem]

How often do you travel and how many points do you have? And why you decided to buy DVC?

We bought BCV through resale this year. We LOVE BC. We plan on one trip per year for the next couple of years and after that who knows. We have 150 points. It is not enough points and we will probably buy more in 1-3 years. We would prefer to have a 1 bedroom for our trips especially as the boys hit the teenage stage

We went with DVC for a number of reasons. We love to visit WDW. We plan to go back for many years to come. We like having the larger space and the kitchen. I especially like to have the vacation all lined up early and am so tired of code and pin searches. I think Granny spelled it out best "it was all about upgrading our vacation experience and giving us enough room to make our vacations more relaxing"

 

[ransom]

We bought into DVC so we could afford to stay in a WDW Deluxe resort every year without going broke.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

200 points has served us well for 12 years. We typically take one trip this year and two the next.

 

[ToddyLu]

I wanted to own a piece of Disney, DH supported my addiction. We had always stayed value (except for one POFQ trip). I was just ready to slow down and experience Disney in a whole new way. We purchase 210 points at AKV. We have done a 10 day or 11 day trip yearly for the last 8 years, would have never paid OOP for deluxe and have no intentions of not doing Disney, ever...

 

[Disneypirate85]

We bought our 160 pts when we figured up what we were spending annually for moderate we were dumbfounded! We were spending this money and would see no return on it, now for the costs of 10 moderate stays our resell will be paid off and all we have is our MF's. NOW if I had only figured this out 2 years earlier Shawn

 

[skoi]

We originally bought 150 points at BCV when that's what was selling. There were four of us then and we planned on going once a year and using a one bedroom. We added 50 points at BCV when we adopted our daughter, because we needed a two bedroom.

Now, there are six of us, and we manage one trip a year (though we may make two short trips this year, when we weren't planning any) in a two bedroom. We've stayed in every resort except BLT, where we're going to stay in December.

It was a hard struggle for me to convince dh to buy in, but now he's glad we did. In fact, he's the happiest of all us.

 

[jamie&Greg]

We bought DVC because we love the room of the villa, being on property, and the fact that we know we will go a lot. We live in Florida so originally bought it just for the studio use, we bought 150 points thinking it would give is 3 – 4, 4 night weekday stays. BUT, then we stayed in a 1 bed and were hooked. We now have 250 points and want MORE!! I think 160 is a great start!! I feel like you can never have enough! My dd is only just 3 so I see ourselves buying at least 200 more points in the future. We actually rented once this year and paid cash for a AKL stay.

Good luck, and you won’t regret your choice to buy in!

 

[Dean]

I am just so curious about people's usage patterns of DVC. I am really trying to convince DH to buy DVC. We went twice in the last year, stayed in a 2bedroom at BLT in Sept on cash and studio at BCV in May (rented points).

We loved BCV and would probably buy there. We liked BLT and proximity to MK, but BCV we both fell in love with! So I'm just curious how many points people have and how often they would travel?

I'm thinking around 160-200 points - enough to stay in a 2 bedroom every other year.

How often do you travel and how many points do you have? And why you decided to buy DVC?

IF you think you'll stay in a DVC resort at least EOY and can afford to buy (which in my book is pay cash) then I think you'll likely get value from it. You may want to look at resale which you can get at BCV or even BLT for less than direct in most cases. I would not buy many extra points given your current plans.

 

[lanand3]

We fell in love w/wdw the 1st time we went.I knew we would want to come back every year."We decided to buy DVC to allow us to stay on-site at WDW in suite-style accommodations that we could never afford paying cash each trip. So for us, it was all about upgrading our vacation experience and giving us enough room to make our vacations more relaxing." I also agree with that statement fully

And I have to say,after borrowing points this last trip to stay in a 2 br,I now fully believe we need more points!!!The space was amazing!!Honestly,I have only had 2 dvc trips and they were the best vacations my family has ever been on.It is truly magical for us and we miss it terribly!!!

 

[hoffmann2828]

I can't believe after paying CASH for a 2 Bedroom at BLT you still don't know if it's a good idea? I don't even want to know what that bill was like!

I would buy where you where you want to stay, and buy enough, but not too much. You can always add on, where it's hard to let points go (sell).

I'm kinda confused as you went with a 2 Bedroom on one occasion and a studio on the other? That's a big difference. Can you get away with staying in a 1 Bedroom all the time? If so, I would definitely say 160 is great. If not, and you will need a 2 bedroom most of the time, I would say you would need closer to 200 to make it worth it.

You also mentioned going in Sept and May. If you don't mind going in Sept more often than not, then you will get more bang for your buck (points).

It definitely sounds like you've been bitten by the bug ~ so it sounds like this would be a great thing for your family. Good Luck!

 

[Sandisw]

We own 180 points and go yearly, in the summer for 5 - 7 nights. It depends if we want to do a few nights in studios. If we do, then we get an entire week at our desired resorts, BLT, VWL or BCV.

Our plan is to add on another 25 - 50 points (trying to convince DH to let me do 25 points when we get there in August or after the webcast on Tuesday night) so that we can do a long weekend fall trip as well, every other year.

Based on what you do, I think DVC would work. Start small, see how it works, and add on from there!

 

[disneynutz]

Take your time and stay at the different DVC resorts until you find your true favorite. We loved BCV and bought there, then we found out that we loved BWV more.

Now the resale prices have crashed and selling BCV would be at a huge loss.

IMHO it's common for new members to faithfully vacation at WDW every year, but as times goes on, some of the magic may fade. I hate it when a owner tells me that they are at WDW not because want to be there, but because they have to use up their DVC points.

Bill

 

[corpcomp]

The average family owns about 300 points according to various polls.

Three guidelines to purchase which I wish I knew at the time;

1. Buy where you love to stay

2. Buy smaller contracts (minimum 160 up front from DVC - contracts of smaller sizes available from the Timeshare Store but more competition to get it.). That way they are easier to sell later on and you get a better price for them. So if you want BCV (from DVC) buy a 160 point contract and then a 40 point contract.

3. Buy the use year that makes most sense. Figure out when you typically take vacations.

Hope that helps.

 

[thedon3]

I own DVC points because, I am a Disney Fan and for the money you cannot beat it. If you like WDW, go often, stay on the property then it's a no brainer.
Enjoy,
Bobby

 

[wulfekamp]

We started with 150 points and have added on twice to a total of 300 points. We love Disney and its the only time in the year we are truly together. We may be home but not together. we are busy doing our own things. At disney its our best family time of the whole year.

 

[djp0630]

I can't believe after paying CASH for a 2 Bedroom at BLT you still don't know if it's a good idea? I don't even want to know what that bill was like!

I would buy where you where you want to stay, and buy enough, but not too much. You can always add on, where it's hard to let points go (sell).

I'm kinda confused as you went with a 2 Bedroom on one occasion and a studio on the other? That's a big difference. Can you get away with staying in a 1 Bedroom all the time? If so, I would definitely say 160 is great. If not, and you will need a 2 bedroom most of the time, I would say you would need closer to 200 to make it worth it.

You also mentioned going in Sept and May. If you don't mind going in Sept more often than not, then you will get more bang for your buck (points).

It definitely sounds like you've been bitten by the bug ~ so it sounds like this would be a great thing for your family. Good Luck!

We stayed in a 2 bedroom at BLT in Sept since my parents came with us. They also payed a lot of the bill for that stay! We payed cash since I didn't really know a lot about renting points, etc. Since I have 2 young kids, when we went back in May, it was just the 4 of us, so a studio was perfect for us. Ideally, as the kids get older (and we probably will have 1 more child) a studio will likely be out, and we will need a 2 bedroom every time. I would love to go Sept/May all the time, but that will end soon. DD will start kindergarten in 2011 so most of our trips will be end of August once she starts school.

I'm trying to decide what to get, point-wise. It would be about 313 points for a 2 bedroom for a week at the end of August at BCV. I've found a contract that has 165 points (which is stripped down) so it's pretty cheap, but since we probably won't go until 2012 next, I thought it would be good.

 

[hoffmann2828]

I would go with the 165 - that will last you a few more years in a studio or 1 bedroom (would even work for 5 in a 1BR).

Besides, by the time you really need to go to a 2 BR, Addonitis will have hit and you'll be adding points!!!

Don't discount a 1 Bedroom, they are so much extra space!!

Jenny