How Many DVC Points Should I Buy?

Summary

This week's episode of the DVC show discusses a common question among first-time Disney Vacation Club (DVC) buyers: how many points should they purchase? The panel emphasizes that there's no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on individual needs and preferences. They advise starting with what one can afford and learning the system, noting that most members eventually add more points due to the flexibility and benefits of DVC ownership. The discussion also touches on the importance of choosing a preferred resort, the changing point charts, and the options for banking and borrowing points for future use.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The DVC Show is a weekly episode discussing Disney Vacation Club (DVC) topics, hosted by Pete Warner and featuring various guests.
• 🌟 The show is sponsored by the World of DVC, which includes resources for buying, renting, and financing DVC contracts.
• ❓ A common question among first-time DVC buyers is how many points they should purchase, which is the main topic of this episode.
• 🏨 The number of points to buy depends on the individual's vacation preferences, including the desired resort and type of accommodation.
• 📊 Point charts for newer DVC properties tend to be higher, affecting the number of points needed for a stay compared to older properties.
• 🔍 There is no 'perfect' number of points to buy; it's about starting with what makes financial sense and adjusting as needed.
• 📈 The concept of 'add-on-itis' is introduced, where members often find themselves wanting to add more points to their contracts over time.
• 🗓 Point charts can change due to factors like seasonality and specific dates, such as Easter, affecting the cost per point for certain times of the year.
• 🛒 Members can use the DVC rental store's calculator tool to estimate point needs for different stays and resorts.
• 💡 Buying a DVC contract involves considering factors like frequency of visits, desired room size, and the ability to finance the purchase.
• 🔄 DVC members have the flexibility of banking and borrowing points to accommodate varying travel plans and needs.
• 🏠 Being a local to Disney World doesn't exempt one from the benefits of DVC, as even locals find value in the program for frequent stays.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this week's episode of the DVC show?

The main topic of discussion is the most common question asked by first-time DVC buyers, specifically, how many points should they buy.

What is the general rule of thumb when deciding where to buy a DVC contract?

The general rule of thumb is to buy where you want to stay, as this is the first place to start in determining how many points you might need.

How have the point charts for newer Disney Vacation Club properties compared to older ones?

Newer point charts for properties like Riviera and the new resort Studios at the Grand Floridian are a bit higher, which affects how many points you might need compared to older properties with more accessible point charts.

Why is it not advisable to wait for the 'perfect' number of points before buying a DVC contract?

It's not advisable because you can never know the exact number of points you'll need, especially if you're not already a member. People's vacation plans and preferences can change, and there's no perfect point number that will remain consistent over time.

What is meant by 'addonitis' in the context of DVC ownership?

'Addonitis' refers to the common tendency for DVC members to want to add more points to their contracts over time, regardless of their initial contract size.

How does the flexibility of banking and borrowing points affect the decision of how many points to buy initially?

Banking and borrowing points provide flexibility, allowing members to use points from future years or save points for a larger vacation. This means you can start with a number you can afford and adjust as needed without being locked into a specific point total.

What is the significance of the 11-month and 7-month booking windows in DVC?

The 11-month window is when members can book their stays for the upcoming year, while the 7-month window is an additional opportunity to book stays. The 7-month window is more unpredictable, so planning for the 11-month window is crucial.

How can someone who is not yet a DVC member estimate the points they might need for a stay?

Non-members can use tools like the DVC rental store's calculator to plug in dates and resorts to see how many points are needed for specific stays, helping them estimate their potential point needs.

What is the recommendation for someone who is unsure about the exact number of points they will need?

The recommendation is to buy what you can afford now, learn how to use the points, and then decide if you need to add more points later based on your vacation planning and preferences.

Why might a local resident to Disney World still find value in having a DVC membership?

Even as a local, a DVC membership can provide benefits such as weekend stays, special event access, and the enjoyment of staying on Disney property without the worry of large vacation expenses.

What resources are available for someone considering becoming a DVC member to get more information and advice?

Resources such as the DVC Forums on disboards.com and the DVC fan Facebook group are great places to ask questions, get feedback from other members, and hear about their experiences.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to the DVC Show

The DVC show, hosted by Pete Warner, is broadcast from Orlando, Florida, and features discussions on Disney Vacation Club (DVC) topics. The episode begins with introductions of the panel, which includes Paul Krieger, Amy Krieger, Marissa Valatan, and producer Mr. Johnson. The show reminds viewers of the various DVC-related platforms and services, such as DVC resale Market and DVC rental store, and encourages engagement with the community. The main topic of the episode is determining how many DVC points first-time buyers should purchase, a common question among new members. Paul emphasizes that there's no one-size-fits-all answer and that it depends on individual needs and preferences.

05:01

🏖 The Complexity of Choosing DVC Points

The panel delves into the complexities of choosing the right number of DVC points, highlighting the importance of selecting a preferred resort first due to varying point charts for different properties. They discuss the changes in point charts over time and the impact of new properties on point values. The conversation touches on the concept of 'add-on-itis,' where members tend to want more points after their initial purchase. The advice given is to start with what one can afford and learn the system before considering adding more points, as the perfect number of points is elusive and personal travel habits can change.

10:02

🌟 The Magic of DVC Membership and Vacation Planning

The discussion continues with personal experiences of how DVC membership enhances the magic of Disney vacations. The panelists share anecdotes about their increasing desire to use their points for more frequent and longer stays, emphasizing the financial benefits and the enjoyment of planning vacations using points. They also mention the importance of considering the flexibility provided by banking and borrowing points, which can help members maximize their usage and adapt to changing travel plans.

15:02

📈 Strategies for DVC Point Acquisition and Membership

The final paragraph focuses on strategies for acquiring DVC points and becoming a member. The panelists suggest considering a combination of direct and resale purchases to meet individual budgets and travel needs. They also mention the availability of online tools for calculating point needs and emphasize the importance of making informed decisions. The episode concludes with a reminder to engage with the DVC community for support and advice, and the hosts look forward to the next episode.

Keywords

💡DVC (Disney Vacation Club)

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a vacation ownership program, or timeshare system, operated by Disney. It allows members to purchase points, which can be used to book accommodations at various Disney resorts. In the video, the theme revolves around the considerations and strategies for DVC membership, particularly for first-time buyers.

💡Points

In the context of DVC, 'points' are a form of currency used by members to book vacations at Disney resorts. The number of points required for a stay depends on factors such as the resort, time of year, and room type. The script discusses the importance of determining how many points a member might need based on their vacation preferences.

💡Resort

A 'resort' in this script refers to the various Disney Vacation Club properties where members can use their points to book accommodations. The choice of resort is a key factor in deciding how many points to purchase, as different resorts have different point charts and room types.

💡Banking and Borrowing

Banking and borrowing are features of the DVC program that provide flexibility to members. Banking allows members to roll over a portion of their points to the next year, effectively tripling the points available for use. Borrowing lets members use points from the following year to cover a larger vacation. The script mentions these features as strategies to maximize the use of points.

💡Seasonality

Seasonality refers to the variation in demand and pricing throughout the year, which affects the number of points required for a stay at a DVC resort. The script discusses how point charts can change with the season, impacting the cost of a vacation at different times of the year.

💡Add-onitis

Add-onitis is a term used in the script to describe the tendency of DVC members to continually want to add more points to their membership. It reflects the common desire to have more flexibility and options for vacation planning within the Disney Vacation Club system.

💡Resale

Resale in the context of DVC refers to the secondary market where members can buy or sell their DVC contracts. The script suggests considering the resale market as an option for purchasing DVC points, which can sometimes be more affordable than buying directly from Disney.

💡Direct Membership

Direct membership implies purchasing a DVC contract directly from Disney. The script contrasts direct membership with buying through the resale market, discussing the benefits and considerations of each approach.

💡Hybrid Membership

A hybrid membership in the script refers to a combination of direct and resale DVC contracts that a member might hold. It suggests a strategy for members to maximize their vacation options and points availability.

💡DVC Forums and Facebook Group

The DVC Forums and Facebook Group are mentioned in the script as resources for potential and current DVC members to ask questions, get feedback, and share experiences. They serve as community platforms for information and support related to Disney Vacation Club memberships.

Highlights

Introduction to the DVC show and its hosts discussing Disney Vacation Club (DVC) ownership.

The most common question among first-time DVC buyers: 'How many points should I buy?'

Paul Krieger emphasizes that the number of points depends on individual circumstances.

The importance of choosing a preferred resort when determining the number of points needed.

Discussion on the point charts for different Disney resorts and their accessibility.

The concept of 'add-onitis' where DVC members tend to want more points over time.

Advice to start with what one can afford and the option to add more points later.

The impact of point chart changes on the number of points needed for a stay.

The recommendation to add a buffer to the number of points calculated for a stay.

The flexibility of banking and borrowing points within the DVC system.

The benefits of being a DVC member, including the ability to book stays without worrying about the bill.

The option to use a calculator tool on DVC rental store to estimate point needs.

The suggestion to consider a medium resort like Animal Kingdom's Savannah View for a point estimate.

The importance of planning for home resort bookings and the uncertainty of the seven-month window.

The discussion on the possibility of hybrid memberships combining direct and resale DVC contracts.

Recommendations to buy DVC resale first to meet primary vacation needs and finance if necessary.

The role of DVC forums and Facebook groups in helping potential members make informed decisions.

Conclusion of the episode with a reminder of the resources available for DVC members and potential buyers.

Transcripts

foreign

[Applause]

[Music]

and welcome to this week's episode of

the DVC show coming to you from the Bob

Varley studio in Orlando Florida I'm

your host Pete Warner joined at the

table this week by my good friends Paul

Krieger hey everybody Amy Krieger hello

Marissa valatan hello hello and our

producer Mr Johnson hello everyone uh

just a reminder this show along with all

of our DBC content which includes

dbcfan.com our website uh BBC fan

YouTube channel and the DBC face DVC fan

Facebook group all of which should be

paying attention to

um

it brought to you by the world of DVC

which includes DVC resale Market

.com if you're interested in buying a a

DVC resale contract

uh dvcreentalstore.com where you can

rent your points out or rent points to

save a lot of money over uh going

through Disney Direct

and

monerafinancial.com which is where you

can Finance

your DBC it's all in one one big happy

family One Stop One Stop Shop one

snapshot they can handle everything

um all right this week

we are going to talk about probably the

most common question

asked especially among first time

DVC DVC buyers

how many points

should I buy I think it's that question

of where should I buy or the most common

ones yeah

um

and

what's your answer to that Paul

how many points should they buy

there is no limit I feel like I feel

like at the end apparently I as as I

have proved

um

no yeah yeah did you just pull out a

Mean Girls quote over there the limit

does not exist

um no I

so many complexities into DVC ownership

that I think that's why this question is

so popular is that it really depends on

your individual situation and I think

that's what we kind of wanted to dive

into we had a lot of requests for this

topic and we did do it many many years

ago but that's kind of changed ever

since uh a lot of things have changed

with DVC and so um you know the the

first one I think that we go back to is

where do you want to stay what resort

are is sort of appealing you in the DVC

world because that's that's going to be

the first place to start in determining

how many points you're potentially going

to need and of course you know the

general rule of thumb is buy where you

want to stay buy where you want to stay

um and

I apparently want to stay everywhere

there's always that there's always that

yeah that that becomes a problem and I

think that

um you know

the primary reason that it's becoming

more and more important to settle on

that answer first is because of what

we're seeing with Point charts as Disney

Vacation Club puts out new properties

um so if you look back in time the Old

Key West Boardwalk Beach Club Boulder

Ridge even those have very accessible

what I would call a very accessible

point chart so there are Seasons or

times of the year where you could get a

deluxe Studio accommodation anywhere

from like 9 to 15 points per night which

is on the low range of things nowadays

we've got newer Point charts coming out

for like Riviera for I would even put in

the new resort Studios at the Grand

Floridian probably in this bucket as

well because they're a smaller

accommodation but the point charts are a

little inflated

um so these new properties the point

charts are a little bit higher which is

going to then affect how many points you

end up needing or wanting to buy one of

the things that I would say for years is

there's never going to be a perfect

Point number and I think so many people

sit on the ledge of do I buy Disney

Vacation Club and they wait years and

years to become a member because they

can't figure out that perfect amount the

thing is like you can do the numbers

like backwards and forth and you can

find a roundabout good idea but you'll

never know especially if you're not a

member if you're not a member you have

no idea how many points you need because

you don't know how much you're going to

utilize points for different things or

you might upgrade and start loving one

bedrooms or two bedrooms but in your

head you think you started out at studio

so I think the biggest thing if you are

new looking into it is get around about

and get started yeah you can always add

on and there's no reason to like say hey

I'm gonna wait till I can afford if I

need 500 points for this day I'm gonna

wait until I have enough for 500 points

start with what you think you can afford

what makes sense financially and then

figure out how you're going to

strategize those vacations you can

always add on from there but I think

don't get too caught up in like finding

that perfect amount because it will well

I think people don't realize

first timers don't realize

the

pervasiveness and the power of addonitis

um

whatever contract you buy whatever

contract you buy

you're going to want more points it just

happens to everyone I don't know anyone

I bought one contract well maybe Panda

he hasn't I don't know but you know I I

I have the add-on items I just can't

react to it yeah I don't have the minute

I don't have the money for the medicine

I'm hoping I will soon

yeah so

that I mean like I said what was my

first contract

um Boulder Ridge was I was it was it the

Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek was Copper

Creek yeah it was 50 points at Copper

Creek which was adorable or 75

77. little guy he didn't know what was

going to happen I bought Direct

um and yeah that

I think my next contract was the 700

Point Baltimore Ridge

um but

you know Adonai this is a real thing

and it affects everyone so you're going

to want to add on so I think your point

is well taken yeah you know buy what you

can afford right now learn how to use it

yeah exactly yeah learn

learn the ins and outs

and then you're going to make a decision

um of okay I I really don't have enough

points and let me add on 50. let me add

on 100.

um and start hunting down contracts and

we've seen people actually you know make

this mistake over over the time I have

to imagine to a certain degree that's

why we ended up with it's a 68 69 point

Grand cow contract is because someone

did the math and said okay these four

days are the days that I'm gonna go and

so I just need that number of points

which is not the correct way to look at

it because Point charts do change

um the seasonality of Point charts the

total number of points sold does not

change but because of where do the

certain dates fall within a season uh

specifically Easter is the big moving

Target year after year which affects

spring break and everything like that so

where does that move in the calendar

year affects those Point charts in some

way shape or form so if you think 68

points looks good this year next year it

could be 82 that that is for that same

week because of how these things move

again things have balanced themselves

you know that's 68 somewhere else in the

point chart things have moved around a

little bit but you're likely not going

to year after year have that same

specific number and what if you're what

if your travel plans change what if this

year you decide not to go during spring

break but you decide to go in the fall

or you decide to go over Christmas or

something like that all of those

different seasons all of those times of

year are going to affect the per Point

per night per Point cost that you're

going to pay so whenever you know we've

got many different things that we'll

talk through here today but whenever you

settle on that number I always recommend

to people you know add 10 to that or add

20 to that to give yourself that buffer

to your point Pete you're always going

to be adding on I've done it four times

myself

um you know it's going to happen but you

definitely don't want to in the short

term put yourself in a position where

you're you're gonna not be in a good way

you certainly have to just look at how

often do you plan to visit how often do

you visit Disney World now

um and kind of look at the point charts

and figure out how many points you would

need

to

to cover that

um but and again this is where adenitis

comes in when you have a hammer

everything looks like a nail okay so

when you have points and you know you

can use them

and you you want to use them you want to

spend them I go out of my way

to like that's why I gotta I gotta dump

contracts because I just I have too many

points and because I went nuts yeah

no surprise there

um there's no five in the dial with me

it's either zero or ten

um

and I you know

you can

say oh I'm only going to go once a year

then you go have the experience right

you go and you spend those points and

you go have that experience maybe twice

a year I like this this is nice yeah the

resorts are nice the experience of

ending your stay and getting that bill

to your room that basically has nothing

on it

um

unless you've charged back to your room

uh is a really nice feeling and you're

like oh okay okay

um well it makes your vacation planning

like I know for us when we go and do a

vacation we calculate in like what it

takes like the transportation to get

there and what we do and we have so much

more of an enjoyable vacation because to

your point it's points right and we know

you've paid for them and you look at

like the cost over time but that feeling

of your vacation is so much different it

is because you just truly enjoy it

without saying like this big expense

when you check out and you're always

kind of worried about like what will

that bill be but it's so funny like

you're right like it does it just grabs

hold of you you know like it's like when

we first bought our DVC we decided on

enough points to go once a year one big

trip a year and then it turned into

maybe two maybe three big trips a year

then turned in you know crap let's just

move let's just move to Florida yeah and

it happens a lot and don't make the

mistake of thinking because I've hear

this all the time I'm a local I don't

need DVC yeah hello uh yeah I'm a local

I would love to say I didn't need it but

boy am I using it and you know I bought

it Riviera and you would think that it

would be impossible to get Lagoon view

contemporary Fourth of July

now the two nights just to sit on the

balcony and watch the fireworks God I

mean I did wait list it but came through

in like 10 days so well being local

makes it even worse we're locals and I

think in the time that we've been locals

we we've bought somewhere in the range

of 230 to 240 points yeah so yeah

um

weekend stays and and you know Halloween

party magic and stay for it no we just

did two nights for my birthday at Grand

Floridian and it's just like it's just a

nice escape and you still once you're in

the bubble it's still the same magic of

you know being in the bubble and and and

being that that's why you were a Disney

Vacation Club member just to wake up

there something that I don't think a lot

of people know because before I was DVC

I didn't know that you can go onto this

website

just search availability and go shopping

and have a fun time picking that's part

of the fun for me is oh I could stay

here all this one night here there's one

night there you have that control that's

you know you don't have to sit on the

phone and call anyone it's great yeah if

you are new and you don't yet have a DVC

account to look at availability and look

at points uh like Panda's talking about

DVC rental store has a calculator tool

that you can use so you could take the

calendar and you can plug in you know

these dates and these are the resorts

and it tells you how many points you

would need for that stay so you can kind

of use that tool it's it's it's more

geared towards like if you're looking to

rent but you can also use it to look at

it to kind of determine okay it costs

this many points to say you know this

week at Grand Floridian or this week at

Polynesian so that can actually help you

decide maybe how many points that you

might need because there are you know

there's so many factors you know how

often are you going when are you going

how big of a room do you need

you know those things can all play right

I think that cat count calculator tool

on rental store would be really helpful

yes 100 you weren't listening

to Paul's point of like the range of

points too like if you go back and look

at a Boulder Ridge point chart and a

Grand Floridian point chart like an easy

thing that I always tell people is go to

Animal Kingdom go to Savannah view that

gives you around about an average so if

you're kind of like hey I have no idea

what resort I'm going to be staying at

and I want to stay at a mall just look

at that Savannah View and then look at

the time or season you're usually going

and then that will give you a good idea

of like right around here you will use

points a little bit less for like an Old

Key West or Boulder Ridge it'll be a

little bit more for Grand Floridian but

it's a good kind of medium guide

yep and you're always going to want to

plan for you know what that home Resort

is and what booking at that 11 month

window is going to look like you know

the seven month window is always an

unknown

um the other thing that was on my list

that we've not really discussed is

banking and borrowing

um and that gives you a little bit more

flexibility in this discussion as well

so if you're someone that maybe goes

once every two years or once every three

years for those unfamiliar with how DBC

Works

um essentially each year you get a

certain number of points whatever that

number is that you buy let's say it's

150. so every year on that certain date

that you get your points you're going to

get those 150 points and have access to

them

um you can also choose to bank those

points forward into your next use here

so that means that your next year you

would have 300 points available to you

and technically let's say that you've

done that you've banked those 150 points

into the next UCR or the next bucket and

you've got 300 points there and this

year you're like I want to do a big

blowout normally I'm a studio kind of

person but I'm gonna do a two bedroom

this year and bringing the family in all

that kind of stuff you've got those 300

points you can actually choose to borrow

your 150 points from the following year

the following year so now you have a

bucket of points that's worth 450 and so

DVC now does um you know previously

there were some restrictions uh during

the pandemic but now that we are back to

normal you can borrow 100 of your points

you can Bank 100 of your points before

your banking deadline which is

um I believe four months before the end

of your use here but um you know you

have that flexibility built into that

system as well which should be taken

into consideration if you're looking to

maybe try to buy less points because

maybe you're not traveling year after

year but

you're still going to buy more down the

road

everyone does everyone does so just

factor that in

this is not a one and done you are gonna

buy more points

um but I think your your point was

really well taken that buy what you can

afford why would you can afford and if

you can't afford it Finance it and

that's good for people that are

considering direct versus resale I think

as well is you know so many people think

about their points and they think about

member benefits and member perks but

take care of the primary obligation

first you want to be a DVC member and

you have a certain budget that you can

afford for that purchase so buy DVC

resale now you know you know that that's

going to put you into that number of

points that's going to allow you to take

that vacation year after year and you

know what you can then add on at a later

time if you want to add on Direct

um I I feel like this is something I've

asked I've said multiple times but I

would love to know the number of hybrid

memberships that there are out there

because I believe that it's got to be a

large priority of members are a

combination of direct and resale and

they either do it direct and then resale

or resale in the direct it really

doesn't matter we did kind of we kind of

did both at the same time that's when

the minimum was a little bit less but

um it it made sense for us at that time

to buy a larger resale contract and then

buy what we needed to become direct

members and but you can space that out

over a period of years so don't put

yourself necessarily in a financial

pinch

um in this purchase but

take all of these things into

consideration and and you know make a

good decision for you and your family

and you know if you have questions like

this

um about being a DBC member great

resources that we have uh the DVC Forums

on disboards.com and of course our DVC

fan Facebook group uh great places

to ask questions get feedback from other

members hear other experiences

um so you're making an educated and

informed decision which is what a lot of

people do and so that folks is going to

do it for this week's episode of our

show we hope you enjoyed it we'll see

you again next week with another episode

of the DBC show