You can easily calculate how many points are needed for different room sizes, resorts and season with a point calculator like this one:
dvcrequest/cost-calculator.asp
(click on show point amount)
DVC offers you the chance to prepay for your future vacations and get a discount. But if you finance at the horrible rates Disney offers you, the interests will eat away all your savings. Basically, for the first 10 years you wouldn't save a penny.
DVC can actually be a good deal but:
- do not finance, unless you expect to repay it withins a very short amount of time
- buy a resale contract, not direct
- and above all, do not buy Riviera. DVC has introduced heavy resale restrictions which may cause a collapse in pricing if you ever want or need to sell
- if you're happy with moderates and value DVC won't save money, but it can be a way to upgrade your accommodation to deluxe level
- you need to be able to book at least 7 months in advance, even better 11 months in advance during DVC busiest period: between the end of September and Marathon week end in January