Is DVC right for an every other or every 3rd year Disney trip?

[w84no1]

I am thinking about a DVC resale in the next year, but I wanted to know if it would be right for me. We are a family of 5 with a 6th on the way It is me, DW, DS(7), DD(5), DD(just turned 3 Sunday), and DD(Due here in March). We live 12 hours away and drive to Disney when we go.

Pretty much that means I will need at least a two bedroom for every stay from now on. Because of the kids school schedule, our trips would be the full week before Christmas(preferred), the week of Thanksgiving, or maybe late summer(only as a last resort!). This year we stayed December 14 - 23 at Port Orleans Riverside with free dining since my DD was 2 at the time. Now that she is 3 and counts towards room occupancy , our options have changed.

We don't want to go to Disney every year, but maybe every other and sometimes it might even be every 3rd year.

1. Is DVC right for this type of use?
2. How many points would you recommend so that we could get a 2 bedroom for at least 7 nights during those times?
3. Would you consider 2 studios if a 2 bedroom wasn't available?

Thanks for the help!

[DannysMom]

Every other year is a workable plan. If you are planning for every 3rd year, you run the risk of wasting points if you are not careful.

What resorts are you interested in? I would look at the point charts figure how many points you'd need for your 2 BR during you desired travel periods and half it ((for every other year travel.)

I too will need a 2 BR for my family more often than not. I bought this past summer, 200 BCV points. Seemed like a good starting point for us. Good luck!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos or autocorrects!

ETA 2 studios is NOT a workable plan with small kids, not unless you & your spouse want to split up at night. Studios NEVER connect to each other, will often be quite far from each other is that is all that is available at checkin.

[WizardLarz]

Originally Posted by w84no1

I am thinking about a DVC resale in the next year, but I wanted to know if it would be right for me. We are a family of 5 with a 6th on the way It is me, DW, DS(7), DD(5), DD(just turned 3 Sunday), and DD(Due here in March). We live 12 hours away and drive to Disney when we go.

Pretty much that means I will need at least a two bedroom for every stay from now on. Because of the kids school schedule, our trips would be the full week before Christmas(preferred), the week of Thanksgiving, or maybe late summer(only as a last resort!). This year we stayed December 14 - 23 at Port Orleans Riverside with free dining since my DD was 2 at the time. Now that she is 3 and counts towards room occupancy , our options have changed.

We don't want to go to Disney every year, but maybe every other and sometimes it might even be every 3rd year.

1. Is DVC right for this type of use?
2. How many points would you recommend so that we could get a 2 bedroom for at least 7 nights during those times?
3. Would you consider 2 studios if a 2 bedroom wasn't available?

Thanks for the help!

Though not a owner yet, I have been considering an wieghting the options. So here are my answers to your questions.

1. Going Every other year is one way to buy fewer points and be able to get the size room you need, by Banking or Borrowing points. If you go every 3yrs you really have to do alot of planning to keep track of your Banking & Borrowing.

2. Based on your time of year, (using 14-23 dates) 232 points at OKW to 387 points at BLT for a 2BR. So if you go every other year you would only need 116 to 194 points, but since they don't sell weird number like that contracts of 120 or 200 would be what you would be looking to get.

3. If you go with 2 studios you would spend less points but then you have to go to great lenghts at booking & check-in to make sure you get 2 room next to or across from the other. Plus with a Studio you don't get a Full Kitchen or the Washer/Dryer.

[myxdvz]

We were a family of 5 when we bought We also thought we were going to go EOY with maybe grand reunions once in a while - so we budgeted enough points for a 1 BR EOY, with enough points for a GV if I pooled 3 yrs worth of points (by banking, borrowing).

Points depend on the season, unit size AND resort. Since you mentioned you go a week before Christmas, that would normally be Choice Season (2nd cheapest points). The first week of December will be the lowest points, but Thanksgiving/Christmas will be high points. So maybe pick points enough in the middle (Dream Season).

2BR points vary between SSR, OKW, AKV and BLT - and the points discrepancy are huge! So you're going to have to decide where you want to stay, and stay often.

BLT for example requires about 430 pts (I used Dream season since it averages Adventure, Choice, Dream, Magic and Prime pretty well, IMO). But SSR/OKW only requires 269. At EOY, that would be 135 or 215. Pretty wild range!

Until your infant is 3, you can still do a 1BR (which is what we do now). After that, you'd have to do 2 BRs.

Note also that while you think right now, you'd do EOY, it's been known that DVC changes vacation habits. We've been vacationing to Disney (we alternate between WDW, DLR, DCL) every year since we got DVC

Good thing we can add-on without much hassle! We started with 170 pts (BLT). I've been surprised at how much I was able to stretch our points (going off-season and only Sundays-Thursdays, not the whole week). But I'm definitely feeling addonitis recently


IMO, it would only make sense if it's at least EOY. E3Y and more? You might be better off renting from owners. You still pay MFs every year even if you don't use up points.

[Phil'sFrontier]

I considered DVC too. In the end for us we are just too far away. But I also found a lot of other negatives. Sure you can stay at WDW for just a few points a night, but what about something beside a Disney themed hotel...well there you are pretty much on your own even though they say you can use points to go all over the world. In reality the point costs are so high per person this is not in your budget. Also certain DVC resorts are popular and hard to book at peak times, well you better have a second and third choice too if your first choice isn't vacant.
Also in the end it is just another time share condo. If I was to buy a vacation home I would do just that. You can buy at the World Quest Resort which is 5 minutes from Downtown Disney. There are great apps like air b&b that help you rent out your place when you are not there.

[w84no1]

Originally Posted by Phil'sFrontier

I considered DVC too. In the end for us we are just too far away. But I also found a lot of other negatives. Sure you can stay at WDW for just a few points a night, but what about something beside a Disney themed hotel...well there you are pretty much on your own even though they say you can use points to go all over the world. In reality the point costs are so high per person this is not in your budget. Also certain DVC resorts are popular and hard to book at peak times, well you better have a second and third choice too if your first choice isn't vacant.
Also in the end it is just another time share condo. If I was to buy a vacation home I would do just that. You can buy at the World Quest Resort which is 5 minutes from Downtown Disney. There are great apps like air b&b that help you rent out your place when you are not there.

Good points, but I already own another timeshare for outside of the WORLD. If I didn't, the vacation home would be an option.

These are the types of responses I was hoping for. I love this community!!!

[w84no1]

Thanks for all the replies.

Every other year would be the plan, but things come up and I just want to make sure that it is a viable option.

Good point about studios not having washer and Dryers, I forgot about that.

I was looking at 150 - 170 points. I guess the next step is to pick a resort, then reevaluate the points need.

Originally Posted by myxdvz

...
Until your infant is 3, you can still do a 1BR (which is what we do now). After that, you'd have to do 2 BRs.
...

Is that true for all DVC 1BRs? I see some that list sleeps 4 and some that say sleeps 5. We would be 5 + infant.

[DannysMom]

Originally Posted by w84no1

Is that true for all DVC 1BRs? I see some that list sleeps 4 and some that say sleeps 5. We would be 5 + infant.

Until the baby turns 3, you would only fit in a 1 BR at the resorts with an extra sleeper chair; OKW,AKV & BLT.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards App please excuse any typos.

[myxdvz]

Originally Posted by DannysMom

Until the baby turns 3, you would only fit in a 1 BR at the resorts with an extra sleeper chair; OKW,AKV & BLT.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards App please excuse any typos.

I don't know about fitting, but you will be able to book it. All 1BRs will allow 5 + infant under 3. For those that have no extra sleeper chair, you'd have to provide bedding for 1 of your five.

Originally Posted by w84no1

Is that true for all DVC 1BRs? I see some that list sleeps 4 and some that say sleeps 5. We would be 5 + infant.

Yup, they will all allow 5 + infant even those that say sleeps 4. I think this is only if you book points. CRO I think enforces the sleeps X rule.

I have a BCV and BWV reservation for our party of 5 +1 under 3.

Our kids are small, when on a 1 BR, what normally happens is that the girls sleep with mommy on the king size bed. Daddy sleeps with the 4yr old in the sofa sleeper, and the infant in the crib/playpen.

When my DS was younger, they will just put a comforter on the floor and "camp" out I think hubby was scared more of DS falling without bed rails.


ETA: I just noticed our kids have the same age gaps! 2013 is our "even" year (ages 2, 4, 6, 8)

[chalee94]

Originally Posted by w84no1

Is that true for all DVC 1BRs? I see some that list sleeps 4 and some that say sleeps 5. We would be 5 + infant.

and after the infant turns 3, you'll be "6" and require a 2BR...

[lovin'fl]

Originally Posted by w84no1

Thanks for all the replies.

Every other year would be the plan, but things come up and I just want to make sure that it is a viable option.

Good point about studios not having washer and Dryers, I forgot about that.

I was looking at 150 - 170 points. I guess the next step is to pick a resort, then reevaluate the points need.


Is that true for all DVC 1BRs? I see some that list sleeps 4 and some that say sleeps 5. We would be 5 + infant.

Every other year...150-170 points is good. OKW is the largest DVC villas and would be great for your family and they are one of the cheapest resales out there. Another idea is Hilton Head...also cheap resales and if you can't do a WDW trip one year you could do a nice little beach trip (save money by not getting park tickets and dining plan). We own at both resorts. Also keep in mind that if you can't go and you have points that need to be used, you can rent them out. As far as a 1BR...they will ALL allow 5 but only some sleep 5 (you can bring an airbed for the places that don't sleep 5). We have 3 kids and did a 1BR for years. They are teens now and so we do a 2BR.

[miprender]

Originally Posted by myxdvz

Note also that while you think right now, you'd do EOY, it's been known that DVC changes vacation habits. We've been vacationing to Disney (we alternate between WDW, DLR, DCL) every year since we got DVC

That was us too. We only bought 100 pts thinking we will just vacation every other year. Well since we purchased DVC we have gone at least once if not twice a year and have added on twice now.

[disbound09]

I've often thought why not just sell the extra points you have. Is there a reliable wholesaler who will purchase the extra pts you don't need so you can go every three years?

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by disbound09

I've often thought why not just sell the extra points you have. Is there a reliable wholesaler who will purchase the extra pts you don't need so you can go every three years?

If you are thinking "renting points", you don't "sell" them to a wholesaler. You make a reservation for a non-member through a broker who finds the person wanting a DVC vacation. The broker acts as the middleman, handling the funds and contacting both parties when needed.

You can't just "sell" your left over points. You have to either make a reservation and sell that or transfer the points to another member. You get one transfer per UY.