I was wondering the same thing. I want to go at least twice a year so was thinking 300 points would accomplish that. I am looking at adding 175 to my 150 and think that will accomplish it for us since our stays are usually 5 days. I don’t want to buy DVC then take less trips. Also, I just don’t know exactly how to calculate the trips because the lowest point rooms are mostly taken, so it’s been said. I feel like I need to plan on 1 bedroom trips.
FWIW, we are exceptionally happy booking 1BR units. Get over this math hurdle and life is very good: lovely space, easier to book!I was wondering the same thing. I want to go at least twice a year so was thinking 300 points would accomplish that. I am looking at adding 175 to my 150 and think that will accomplish it for us since our stays are usually 5 days. I don’t want to buy DVC then take less trips. Also, I just don’t know exactly how to calculate the trips because the lowest point rooms are mostly taken, so it’s been said. I feel like I need to plan on 1 bedroom trips.
1BR are certainly more available because they’re often a terrible point value. I say this as someone who will if I can book a 1BR rather than a Studio because I like having the jetted tub, the kitchen, and the extra living space.
For example, in a trip I’m planning for my extended family in Feb 2021 at BRV, I debated upgrading a studio to a 1BR. But for the 5 days, I’m planning, a studio was 86 points. Two studios are 172 points. A 1BR is 181 points! It’s more than the cost of two studios!
FWIW, we are exceptionally happy booking 1BR units. Get over this math hurdle and life is very good: lovely space, easier to book!
I'm at 440 points, and I tend to spread out into multiple shorter trips per year. Living in South Florida, I'm a 3 hour drive away, which makes short frequent trips easier. My home resort is Boardwalk, but I will often stay at cheaper resorts, and also often travel during the cheaper point seasons, which allows me to maximize what I can get with the points. Plus, my stays are split between 1-bedroom villas when I come with family or friends, or studios sometimes when I come solo - only every once in a while would I get a 2-bedroom. Typically, I can come 5 times a year, for 4-5 days each trip...with 3 in a 1-bedroom villa and 2 in a studio...often with some points still left to bank. This past use-year, I used up all my points as I stayed 4 times in a 1-bedroom villa, and traveled twice during more expensive point seasons, to accommodate family or friends.
I am letting them tag along on my points.That’s a big difference, but I like those amenities too! If it were just my family of 5 I would go for the 1 BR. But with extended family I would choose two studios. I like my family but I don’t want to be in the same room as them haha but if you’re letting them tag along on your points you’re nicer than I am ha ha maybe I’ll relax when I actually have points
I also live about a 3 hour drive away. Do you ever book on short notice, or do you always book 7-11 months out? Because we live so close, I often plan trips 30-90 days out or even less and I’ve wondered if it would be impossible to get DVC rooms at all. I’ve considered getting extra SAP just for this purpose, but if there is never availability that close, it would be a waste of money.I'm at 440 points, and I tend to spread out into multiple shorter trips per year. Living in South Florida, I'm a 3 hour drive away, which makes short frequent trips easier. My home resort is Boardwalk, but I will often stay at cheaper resorts, and also often travel during the cheaper point seasons, which allows me to maximize what I can get with the points. Plus, my stays are split between 1-bedroom villas when I come with family or friends, or studios sometimes when I come solo - only every once in a while would I get a 2-bedroom. Typically, I can come 5 times a year, for 4-5 days each trip...with 3 in a 1-bedroom villa and 2 in a studio...often with some points still left to bank. This past use-year, I used up all my points as I stayed 4 times in a 1-bedroom villa, and traveled twice during more expensive point seasons, to accommodate family or friends.
I live about three hours away and book my trips at 11 months out and see what I can change to at seven months out. For mid-Sept through mid-Jan, you won't find much 30-90 days out. Same with RunDisney events. Early May isn't too hard to get at seven months out. Summer, who goes in summer?I also live about a 3 hour drive away. Do you ever book on short notice, or do you always book 7-11 months out? Because we live so close, I often plan trips 30-90 days out or even less and I’ve wondered if it would be impossible to get DVC rooms at all. I’ve considered getting extra SAP just for this purpose, but if there is never availability that close, it would be a waste of money.
IMO, you will be frustrated more often than not if you only book 30-90 days out. See for yourself by following this "snapshot of availability" at 60 days. It's updated every week by DVC and you do not need to be a member to see it.I also live about a 3 hour drive away. Do you ever book on short notice, or do you always book 7-11 months out? Because we live so close, I often plan trips 30-90 days out or even less and I’ve wondered if it would be impossible to get DVC rooms at all. I’ve considered getting extra SAP just for this purpose, but if there is never availability that close, it would be a waste of money.