DVC Points Advice About This Page:

[mrsdisneyfanatic]

So my husband and I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy DVC (resale). The only issue we are currently debating are the amount of points we need. My husband thinks we should buy a 250 point contract because when our kids are older we will want to stay in a 2-bedroom villa. We typically travel choice season. My fear about buying that many points upfront is because our only child (for now) is only 1 1/2. So we really just need a 1-bedroom villa for maybe the next 5 years or so. So if we only need 210 points or less per year for a 1-bedroom weekly visit..aren't we wasting points then? If someone could kindly explain it and give us advice about how many points we should buy given our current and future plans it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[cubfancolleen]

We started with 200. Then added 150. Then added 250. I'd say go with your husband's point suggestion. Once you have DVC, you'll find you always want more points! You can bank points, and if you really end up with more than you need you can rent out extra points.

[tjkraz]

I would err on the side of caution and purchase fewer points.

Buying additional points will ALWAYS be an available option. No sense buying more than you think you need right now. If points go unused or you have to needlessly book larger rooms or longer trips just to use them up, it's money wasted.

Individual contracts can NEVER be subdivided by an owner. If you buy a single 250 point contract now, you are always stuck with those 250 unless you opt to sell the whole thing.

By comparison if you buy 150 now and 100 at a later date, those two contracts remain separate entities and be sold independent of one another.

Also, the Home resort booking priority can be important when it comes to getting a desired room. Owning at two separate resorts gives you that Home booking benefit at both locations. (Albeit just for the number of points owned at each location, but banking and borrowing can help tremendously.)

Many owners do add-on after their initial purchase but I don't see any reason to buy more than you realistically believe you will be using for the next 5+ years.

[Thomhazel]

We did a spreadsheet I know it sounds mad but it really helped me. I looked in detail at what we wanted to do while the children are still living at home. Then I looked at what we would do when it was just us. It may have been a little easier for us as we come from the UK so once a year isn't an option for us. We were originally planning once every three years for now in a two bedroom and we thought we would move to once every two years in a one bedroom when we are older. We originally bought 200 we given 20 and have since bought a further 40 which looks about right for us. You won't know for sure until you start to see how you will use them so spend some time predicting that and maybe but a few less and add on.

[chezp]

We went for what we could afford at the time when we bought in originally and that was 165. We thought that would be plenty for us, but then we decided to go more often, so we added on (four times so far and still looking for more possibly... ) I think I'd start with what you think you need, as adding on is a lot easier financially than making the initial investment.

[nurse_mom]

We originally started with 200. We are family of 5 and thought it to be enough. Then we added 50 thinking we are set. Then added another 150. My parents often travel with us. We tend to get 2 bedrooms at least every other visit. This kids will only get older and have friends that will eventually be coming along. If not DH will use the points for an RCI exchange or cruising.

[MichaelF]

I would go with less points now and if you need more points at a later date then would purchase another contract at that time.

[DVC_Don]

DVC is very flexible if you buy smaller contracts. We started with young children and bought 200 points at VWL direct from DVC. Then we started adding on a little at a time on the resale market until we had 4 contracts and 585 points spread between VWL and OKW for larger rooms and more trips per year. Now our children are off in college and we live near WDW part of the year and found we did not need that many points. So, over a couple of years we sold off all but one contract and now have 210 OKW points.

[Gary n Connie]

Like some of the others here we started with 165 points at SSR. We've since added 25 points for a total of 185,

We're a family of 4 now (5 when we purchased points) and our DDs are just about ready to take that leap out of high school. We've managed to go once a year since our purchase in 2009 and brought 1 or 2 friends along (for a total party size of 6 or 7). This year we since have enough points (with borrowing) to get two studios and a 1 BR in SSR for the nephews and bro's wife to join our crew. Once the DDs are off to college the DW and I are looking forward to traveling "off peak" on our own!

Our DVC rep was great in that he recommended maximizing out points with a Sunday arrival and a Friday departure. While its not a "full" week, it leaves the anticipation of more to see next trip while providing the fix we all so despirately need (you can admit you need your Disney fix...its ok!)

I estimated about 5 years of vacations with the intial purchase and added on later for more flexibility. Our DVC rep was great in that when he went through my vacation ideas to see if I understood the program and had enough points.

I would agree with the others and (depending upon your financial situation) get an initial purchase of less points and adding on if you actually need to later.

[meauxtennis]

I just received my DVC member number yesterday for our first 150 pts and have a contract on 160 more. The DVC info here is really great! It took me months of research to decide, and all your points of consideration were in my decision.

[chezp]

Glad we could all help - and welcome home!

[fluffybunny]

We started out with 175 points and then added 25. We are currently searching for another 25 point contract. I would suggest going smaller and then adding on if you feel the need.

[LLaffinPlace]

I was interested in buying at BLT prior to opening, so I looked at the points needed for the room type and length of stay(s) I wanted at the times if year I like to vacation. The net result was I started with 210 points. I have since added on at Bay Lake and at VWL. Adding on is addictive, but the cure for me tends to be the annual dues statement!

[Kynna]

I don't want to push you to buy more than you can afford but if money isn't a big issue consider this....since we bought in 2007 we very rarely go with just the 4 of us. Often Grandparents come along and the 2 bedroom is great because everyone gets privacy but we still have a built in babysitter at night. We have had friends come with us and we have a great time and some expenses like food/drinks for the room are shared. Points can be banked so you can alternate between a modest trip and a big trip. We started with 200 and within a year 1/2 were buying more. We have 2 kids now 8 & 11 and currently have 225 and it works out. I would never let more go to waste though!
PS ( When we had a 1 1/2 year old we thought we would only ever have one child too. )