Seriously Considering DVC, couple of questions! About This Page:

[angiek1024]

Ok, I am trying to plan a huge 15th anniversary trip for us next year and it has been frustrating. We like deluxe locations but the prices are killing us every year. We go at least two weeks every year and I don't even want to share how much of our yearly income went to Disney last year.

So I am thinking about all of this and start looking at DVC. What a wonderful 15th anniversary gift that would be. DH and I have talked about it in the past but it didn't seem as feasible then as we mostly stayed at moderate resorts. Now, I think it makes sense to us and it would be paid for in a few trips by our calculations. One questions is about the weekly rates for points, is this seven nights? That might sound silly but I have learned never to assume anything. Also, we are thinking about starting with 200 points and hopefully adding at least 25-50 more within a year after we buy. Is that enough to start out with if we want to have two weeks a year at Disney? We would mostly stay in a studio since there is only three of us. We normally stay a week in May and a week in October.

Any other opinions, suggestions or hints are welcome. I would really like to buy into AKLV as it is one of my very favorite resorts. Probably won't actually happen until Feb when DH gets his yearly bonus but I want to have a decision made before he gets that check!!

[Skatetigger]

DH and I are soo happy we bought into DVC. We started with 150 and just added another 50 in March, when they were having some good deals. We're going for two weeks next month and we're using 280 points for that time. But we are also doing a Studio for 1 week and a 1 bedroom for the other week, so I think 200 points should cover it for you. I am not sure where May falls into on the points chart. It will also depend on where you want to stay, OKW and Saratoga are fewer points than some of the others.

We also don't go every year so we roll over points.

If you haven't taken the tour I would highly suggest it. They help you figure out how many points you need without being pushy about selling it.

Again we really do love our DVC, we think it was the best move we've made.

[WDWfan]

1 week does equal 7 nights. At AKL a week in a studio in may ranges from 83-137 points depending on the the type (value, standard, savannah, and concierge) and a week in October is 74-126 points. 200 point should get you 2 weeks a year in a studio at AKL and depending on the type of room you choose you might be able to even get a 1 bedroom occasionally.

[Cats'N'Dogs]

I started with 150 points in 2002 and within 2 years bumped it up to 500 pts. I do go to WDW pretty often about 2-3 times a year, last year it was four! I kept track of cost of DVC verses what it would cost if I'd paid out of pocket and broke even in 2 years so I am very happy with my "investment".

I have stayed in studios, one bedrooms and treated my family to a Grand Villa once. We mainly stay in one bedrooms since I like the full kitchen and washer/dryer in the room unless I am traveling solo then it's a studio.

I believe the weekly points is for 6 nights, 7 days since I usually book Sat to Sat.

Unless you're set on AKL, you might want to check into resale of DVC points. It may be a more economical investment though you will "own" it a few less years than if you bought into a newer resort. I am looking into buying OKW resale since I just love the resort.

Good luck with your decision. Hope to be "welcoming you home" in the future.

[sierras76]

It is the best thing my hubby and I ever bought into. We started out at 250 and are now at 415. The one thing that I could suggest is if you know you would want to add a few points try to get them all at once. You never know what the pricing will be in a year from now. We always stayed at the Poly before my parents bought and that was the main factor in buying also. When you figure out how much you spend to stay there for a week and times it by the 50 years it really puts it in perspective.I think that it is a great gift to give yourself.

[rescuesk]

You've gotten some great answers, and I would second to take the tour. They can answer even more questions and crunch the numbers for you, too.

I have to say it was the best vacation investment we ever made. We have made 11 trips and one cruise on points since 2001, and have sent my DS and his GF on vacation, and just gave our friends a studio for 6 days as a wedding gift. We have a trip planned in December, and are using points in the UK next May. NONE of this would have been even remotely affordable without DVC.

[chezp]

I don't blame you for considering the DVC - it sounds like it would be a great investment for you, given how often you go to Disney already. As others have said, 200 points would probably work for you, but do be warned, having DVC points is addictive - it's like chocolate, once you have some, you want more! I thought the 165 points we bought originally would be more than enough, but we keep adding on, as we keep finding great ways to spend our points.

Definitely take the tour the next time you're at Disney - they'll be able to answer any questions you have and rest assured, there's no hard sell.

[angiek1024]

Thanks for all your responses! I really believe this would pay off for us since we are such frequent visitors. I doubt my DH would go for resale. I know there are good deals to be had out there but he would prefer to go through Disney. He's just funny that way!

Also, we would probably buy the 200 first and then add as we go along so we could buy the extra points in cash. We are very cautious about going into debt for things so I wouldn't go overboard in the beginning. I was thinking AKLV because we love the resort now so much and it would be a great place to call home. I will probably be asking a lot of questions of you DVC'ers as we consider our options!

[Luvsun]

You sound like us! My DVC consultant asked me why we hadn't invested sooner?
We enjoy staying at deluxe resorts and the $$$$ that we spent each year was crazy! I knew that we were great candidates for DVC - but couldn't get dh close to interested. He just told me that every time we planned to go - we would have to save to get there! I think of the times we went and stayed at a deluxe and how that money could have gone directly into DVC!
Anyway - I think investing into DVC sounds perfect for you.
We bought 160 points at AKLV - thinking that would get me to Disney twice a year.
But - I have already decided that I will need more points! So, I think your thought of 200 points to start sound good!
The tour is great! I would highly recommend going on the tour.
Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

[DrDolphin]

I wish I could have bought DVC years before I did. Goodluck!!!

[JennyK]

We bought 215 points because it allows us a 1BR for a week every year during the time of year that we like to go. You sound like the perfect vacationer for DVC. I like your plan to buy 200 and add on in the future. Very smart! We plan on adding on, too, but not too soon. We know the Contemporary is just a rumor, so we're not hoping too much, but we are thinking that if it turns out to be true then the timing will be just right for us.

[snoozin]

Ditto to what's been said here. We bought 200 points at BWV in 1998, and love it. We couldn't be happier. We've gone at least once a year, sometimes twice, given points to our DD and SIL for a couple nites at DLR; only one year we weren't able to use our points because DH got laid off and we couldn't afford the trip that year.

A week is 7 nights -- i.e., check in Sat check out following Saturday morning. (I checked the website to confirm).