What do we thing the REAL number is for the Average # of vacation points members have?
When trying to figure out if I was overbuying, and being greedy, or underbuying, and being a miser, I looked all over for the average # of points owned by DVC Members. With it being a real estate transaction, you'd think that would be a matter of public record, and someone would come up with a real number at certain intervals.
I've seen estimates like 126β199 points.. but that's just average contract size. I have 2 contracts myself.
Anyone know the real #?
Poly and AKV Resale
My guess would be 150-200 would be the average. Just a guess though!
it seems to me that DVC is a studio-heavy product and the studios are where the highest demand is as well...
that makes me think that the average number of points is lower and I think around 200 is about right...
It will be an interesting stat to see how people vacation. I would think the mean average would be inflated due to some people having mega points under their belt. A median would be a good tell since it is less effected by these large outliers. My guess would be a median of around 200, but who knows! Maybe we can start a poll to track data from people that use these forums?
Aspiring DVC Member
"Ignorance is weakness, knowledge is power." -My 11th Grade English Teacher
I have to wonder if DVC sees a lot of folks buying in the ~200pt range and that partially is why they moved the membership benefits to 150pts. I'm sure there's a connection.
If I had to guess the current point is about 200, however, 200 points doesnβt get you very much anymore with regards to the newer resorts unfortunately so that number will probably keep going up:(.
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I have to wonder if DVC sees a lot of folks buying in the ~200pt range and that partially is why they moved the membership benefits to 150pts. I'm surβ¦
It started at 0 points for direct benefits, and they kept moving it up and up and up...
They have stopped at 150... and many have guessed they will move it to 175 soon... that's been kind of thought about for a while, but they haven't done so yet...
I agree 200 points doesn't get you what it used to... look at the OKW initial buy in requirement of 230 points and see what the equivalent is at the Poly tower, Aulani, or Riviera!
My guess is 150 to start, after they stay in a 1 bdrm and catch addonitis, at least 250.
BCV | BLT

It would also be interesting to see the impact to average pre and post Disney new enforcement of no mass renters policy. It will take time to filter through the system. Also, segmentation might have an impact to means. Early in life with kids (and schedules) could be materially dift than life long wdw fans that are retired. That being said, my gut tells me 200 pts.
Yep, I made the brilliant move to sell my original 150 pt OKW contact a couple of decades agoβ¦.ugh
Considering most of the resale contracts are 100-200 points, I think that most people start in that range. Folks that are diagnosed with add-on-itis, is the rarity not the norm (IMO)
Considering most of the resale contracts are 100-200 points, I think that most people start in that range. Folks that are diagnosed with add-on-itis, β¦
I think you're probably right... especially given how popular the studios are compared to other room categories...
we didn't buy DVC for studios, I forget that is their bread and butter... 200 points gets you pretty far in studios...
often among the community its easy to feel ike 300 points is the bare minimum and everyone has at least 500 and most have at least 1,000
but I think that is far and away the exception, not the norm...
I think you're probably right... especially given how popular the studios are compared to other room categories... we didn't buy DVC for studios, I foβ¦
We too didn't buy for studios....so I was coming to say I think it is more than 200, but I do think you are correct. Most go the studio route so 200 pts goes much further.
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I always assumed 150 to be the mark as that is the threshold to direct benefits. We bight in at 200 and quickly realized we wanted more so we added on within a few months to 275. Will likely take that to 350-400 soon.
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DisneyDad - Point Miser - PTO Enthusiast
I think the number has more to do with the minimum buy in rather than the minimum for benefits. Not sure what the minimum buy in is now but it was around 160ish for a long long time but I assume it's lower now.
I think the number has more to do with the minimum buy in rather than the minimum for benefits. Not sure what the minimum buy in is now but it was aroβ¦
Right now, the minimum direct is 100 pts for new members and 25 pts for existing members. It used to be 50 pts for some of the newer resorts. I know when we first bought direct as new members, the minimum was 50 points.
π° DVC member since 2016 @ π΄ Polynesian & π³Villas at Grand Californian
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I think it has a lot to do with how often you plan to go. I would always look at the 1 bdrm point chart because once you stay in one that's all you'll every want to stay in. We made the mistake of thinking 1 wk a year in a studio and have regretted not buying the extra 25pts since our 2nd trip :(
I think it has a lot to do with how often you plan to go. I would always look at the 1 bdrm point chart because once you stay in one that's all you'llβ¦
Yeah.... we went from studios to one bedrooms very quickly... as in I think after about 1-2 stays...
Then we went from 1 bedrooms to 2 bedrooms... The number of points you need doesn't go down I am finding!
I would think the Median amount of points has increased over the years. I look at what the number of points at Boardwalk get you vs RIV or Poly and more are needed for the same type of stay. Just a guess, but based on contracts I see on various places 10-15 years ago 100-150, but now I would think maybe 150-200.
In the beginning we were advised that 150 would get our family a one week-1 bedroom every other year at our resort as a start. Moving forward- for resale purchase and selling, smaller contracts are easier to sell, the big ones over 200 points take longer to sell. I have three contracts for BLT (combo direct/resale) , same use year, all grandfathered and they can be used anywhere together as they are in the same membership. I have another contract Poly-same use year but different membership that I can only use separately as it has resale restrictions. It can be a pain in the neck at times.
Always planning the next visit-now two of my kids moved to Fla...so guess what???
Planning/training for my first runDisney in Oct.....yikes!
I'm sure you could probably calculate the average contract size based on the resale data that's available, but I'm sure it would be difficult to figure out how many contracts an average or median family owns. You also have to consider what the average DVC family is too. 200 pts is very different for two people vs a family of four or five.
My thoughts to how big the average contract is go toward what your home resort is. Just by looking at the points charts, there is a big disparity between get a week vacation at a 2042 resort vs. a stay at The Riviera or Grand Floridian. There are so many factors that influence how many points people own. I personally wanted enough points to just get on property in a studio. That grew to wanting to stay in a one bedroom. Then that morphed into additional stays. That turned into additional stays in a one bedroom. That has led to my situation. I in no way would consider myself anywhere near average.
I would think that it also depends on what you can afford vs your desire to buy direct, or skip those perks. Also, factoring in your family size, age, available PTO, where you live, etc. Lots of variables.
Addonitis hit us bad! CCR, AKV, SSR, BWV, & PVB - 750 points and still not enough!