[ranedrops]

We just bought into SS on Oct 8th but I am rethinking that we should have purchased more points. We got the $15 per point incentive since we had a DVC referrel.
Our DVC guide told us if we wanted to up at a later date we would not get that incentive unless we purchased at least an additional 115 points and only if the incentive was still available.
However, if we add more points before the date our contract takes effect (within 30 days) we could just have the contract rewritten and get the incentive still.

My question is - what is the average amount of points everyone buys in at and are they happy with ithat amount or did they end up adding more?

Thanks for any help!

[NokeyNose]

How many points do you have currently?

[ranedrops]

We jsut bought 160. We usually go down in the fall. It is 95 points a week for a studio then so that would give us about 10-12 days depending on how you work it.

My second thought on buying more was due to thinking what if we wanted a larger place to bring family with us. If I wait to buy the price may rise. I am unsure what to do.

[skwak]

I always say go for more points. Just ask my DW! My DW humors me at times so we have swollen to 420 points. But I want more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BDavis932]

We bought a 150 points and yes, we wish we bought more, but we have been able to take MANY MANY trips with that! We usually stay Sun-Thurs at a DVC studio and then Fri and Sat at a value or moderate (or a deluxe like WL or AK if we get a good AP rate. We have been so happy with our purchase and even though we didn't buy more, we are so happy with what we have!

[lopo]

ranedrops, my practical side would advise you to buy more points only if it will not mean that you will increase your debt.

Unfortunately, many of us (myself included), when it comes to DVC, are impractical!

However, since there are always "deals" and/or incentives for DVC (whether one buys resale or directly with Disney), you may want to hold off on purchasing more points until you see how the 160 points you just bought serve you.

[A Goofy Family]

It just depends on how often you really plan to take family and friends and need extra space or rooms. If it's occassionally, you will probably be ok. If it's every trip, then why not buy another 50 or so just so you're ready. We travel in herds...usually 12-24 of us going at a time and if we had more points to share, it'd be helpful...but if it's mainly just a family of 4, your 160 points should be fine.

[ranedrops]

It is mainly the 4 of us - we would like to take family down just once in a while. We usually go to WDW for 10 days so when we bought we went with the 160 points. Guess I am doing just a little second guessing and don't want to have to pay full price later if I add on.

What type of incentives is DVC usually running? Is the $15 a point incentive the usual? Our DVC guide said after our contract is finalized we'd have to buy 115 points more to get the $15 incentive.
Do they ever offer lower point buy-ins for incentives to DVC members?
How often do you get offers of incentives?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for your help!

[A Goofy Family]

DVC offers members to buy additional points at any time (I think) as long as they purchase 25+, but alot of times the incentives that they offer won't kick in until you purchase 115-150 more. Then I wonder, if I buy more now and the "use year month" or Home Resort is different, is that going to mess up my ability to make reservations with ease. If I were you, I'd buy more now to take all question/issues out of the picture...that is if it doesn't create excessive debt for you. Keep in mind, the years that you do not use all of your points, you can bank them into the next year for a bigger vacation.

[ranedrops]

Then I wonder, if I buy more now and the "use year month" or Home Resort is different, is that going to mess up my ability to make reservations with ease.

I asked that question before we bought. Our DVC guide told us that they try and make it the same use year as your other points you own.

I guess I will have to take a look again at the point charts.
Hmmmm, decisions, decisions....

[WishUponAStar]

I wouldn't worry about it messing up your ability to get reservations. I have a friend at work with her points split at two different resorts, two different "use years" and she NEVER has a problem. She always stays at Beach Club, which isn't her home resort too.

About the number of points. DH and I have 160 points but it is just the two of us, We only use studios 'cause anything larger for us would be a waste. We go, on average, 11 nights per year. If I had a bigger family I'd probably want a minimum of 200 points so I could get bigger accomodations & ESPECIALLY the washer/dryer.

tough decisions though, good luck!

Oh, and I would also tend to agree with lopo; if you have to finance more points just live with the 160 for a couple years and feel it out, if you have the cash to pay for it I'd say go for it!

[jking84772]

My two cents...I looked at what we would typically use in a year and bought about those number of points. I say about because we had to borrow 14 points from next year already....LOL...we bought 300 at SSR this month, use year December. DW decided we needed two bedrooms now that the twins are getting older. Given a week a year, that would be anywhere from 250 to 350 points depending on location and time of year. I would imagine that we will wind up getting more points so that when our girls get families of their own, they will each have enough to use.

[skwak]

Originally Posted by jking84772

My two cents...I looked at what we would typically use in a year and bought about those number of points. I say about because we had to borrow 14 points from next year already....LOL...we bought 300 at SSR this month, use year December. DW decided we needed two bedrooms now that the twins are getting older. Given a week a year, that would be anywhere from 250 to 350 points depending on location and time of year. I would imagine that we will wind up getting more points so that when our girls get families of their own, they will each have enough to use.

You can never have too many points!!!!!

[mrflorida74]

Started with 170, then purchased a further 50, and then a further 25 for a total of 245.

As a guide to what that gets we could stay for 16 nights in March at the Boardwalk Villas for 244 points in a Studio.

[mrflorida74]

Originally Posted by skwak

You can never have too many points!!!!!

I'd love to try and prove this statement wrong!!! I would say go to the extreme limit of what you can afford.