Bay Lake Tower vs. Polynesian

[The Jackal]

If the kids slept in the living room of a 1 bedroom, the kids also have the door out. It is pretty much the same as 2 connecting studios. I’m sure that if they were in the hotel rooms with the parents they would probably be with the parents unless they are sleeping.

 

[TTA Rider Matt]

We bought at Poly earlier this year for a multitude of reasons. First was that we simply like the rooms and resort better. BLT is nice, but doesn't have the resort feel at least I look for on a Disney vacation. Second is the 2066 expiration. Third is the transportation (walk to MK is really nice, but the Epcot monorail being walking distance is also nice). To be fair, in favor of BLT is the point chart and still being on the monorail, and the dues are slightly lower.

For my family, we are studio people. 1BR's are nice, but we're very practical in that, 1BR's are really nice, but we don't cook on vacation, and the Poly studios have 2 showers (though BLT 1BR's have two bathrooms). You can stack up every individual factor and analyze every little detail, but ultimately for us it came down to which we liked better, and in our case, Poly was the better choice from this perspective. Good luck!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

One more thing because the 60 vs 66 expiration is being brought up a lot. In my thought process that wouldn't be a factor at all. That's 40 and 46 years away. WDW itself is just turning 50. Epcot isn't even 40. The value of the contract really is weighted towards the front end and I'd focus on the resorts and usage in a BLT/PVB comparison. If it's coming out equal and you need a decider? Then perhaps. Of course one thing with PVB is that the shell of the buildings was not redone and they were already 30 yo or so. The contract lasts longer but the buildings are older.

 

[Minniesgal]

BLT as the studio only thing at the Poly is too restrictive

 

[WRLeGrand]

One more thing because the 60 vs 66 expiration is being brought up a lot. In my thought process that wouldn't be a factor at all. That's 40 and 46 years away. WDW itself is just turning 50. Epcot isn't even 40. The value of the contract really is weighted towards the front end and I'd focus on the resorts and usage in a BLT/PVB comparison. If it's coming out equal and you need a decider? Then perhaps. Of course one thing with PVB is that the shell of the buildings was not redone and they were already 30 yo or so. The contract lasts longer but the buildings are older.

I think you are spot on with this. That 6 years really is not THAT big of a deal. We decided to go with BLT over Boardwalk, because of the 18 years difference, which does seem like a big deal.

We own at Poly and are currently under contract to buy resale at BLT. We really like Poly, but our kids are getting older. We plan to keep both, but are really excited to have the option of the 1br, and eventually 2br.

 

[kboo]

The value of the contract really is weighted towards the front end and I'd focus on the resorts and usage in a BLT/PVB comparison. If it's coming out equal and you need a decider? Then perhaps.

When we bought RIV/DRR, we originally wanted a Feb UY, until they told us that we'd have no points until Feb 2020. They told us that we'd still be getting 50 years of points, but of course, we didn't want to start out borrowing. So we moved to August UY (with 2019 points) instead. Took a trip in December 2019 with the current UY pints. Seems like a small difference, but it's not.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When we bought RIV/DRR, we originally wanted a Feb UY, until they told us that we'd have no points until Feb 2020. They told us that we'd still be getting 50 years of points, but of course, we didn't want to start out borrowing. So we moved to August UY (with 2019 points) instead. Took a trip in December 2019 with the current UY pints. Seems like a small difference, but it's not.

That sounds like it's backing up my comment that the value is weighted towards the early years? People certainly focus on how many years worth of points they get but there also are a lot of owners who will not own the contract that full length or possibly even survive the contract. As mentioned just above 6 years is not the same difference as looking at a 2042 vs 2060. I am now of an age where I refer to things that occurred decades ago and can 100% report I'd not be worrying about it 40 years from now. Of course I actually am one who stuck with the Apr UY I wanted for VGC even though I did not get the current year points. I could make my usage work and while that was a mental struggle because it was immediate and I KNEW what I could get with a different UY I still have had the points to use all this time and it no longer bothers me. I can think of a specific poster who decided against it because of that current year point issue and I think they finally bought resale over a decade later and paid a lot more than that 1 year of points cost me. Of course when the 50 years rolls around I'd just be hoping I might even remember being bothered about it!

 

[kboo]

That sounds like it's backing up my comment that the value is weighted towards the early years?

Yes, exactly! August 2019 points v. Feb 2020 points is only a 6 month difference*, but when booking a December 2019 trip it made a big difference to us, especially since borrowed points can't be unborrowed.

*one of the people working on the contract (not our "guide") tried to assuage my issues by saying, "but you'll still get 50 years of points, you'll just get them at the end of the contract," to which I said, "do you realize how old I will be in 50 years??"

 

[Deb & Bill]

One more thing. If you are only staying in a studio, why bother buying DVC at all? A studio is just a glorified hotel room. A one bedroom is more home-like.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

One more thing. If you are only staying in a studio, why bother buying DVC at all? A studio is just a glorified hotel room. A one bedroom is more home-like.

For me, it's because the cash prices at Disney keep rising, and I prefer to not stay at Value resorts. They are adequate, especially for a park-heavy trip, but I like to enjoy the resort. My last few stays at Values were not as enjoyable as I would like a vacation to be.

I got a 40% discount at Port Orleans Riverside a few years back (CM friend) and the price for those 5 nights were about the same as the dues for 5 Poly nights. I can get nicer accomodations now.

Oh....I appreciate the in-room microwave and toaster, too.

 

[bcuinohio]

We just spent two nights in a Poly studio and two nights 1 BR Villa at BLT. Both resorts are wonderful.

I prefer the theming and food options at the Poly. The Poly studio has a second bathroom with a shower and a sink. It is nice and helps get everyone ready quicker in the morning. There is also a sofa bed and a small pull down bed. I have stayed in a Poly studio with my wife and two adult boys. We did fine in there. My older son slept in the pull down bed and said it was comfortable. He is about 5’10”. My younger son slept on the sofa bed and said it was comfortable. A family of four can definitely get by with one studio at the Poly.

I was really impressed by the room at BLT. It was so nice to have the extra space and a kitchen. The 1BR villas have two full bathrooms. The one thing that tipped the scale towards BLT for me was having a washer and dryer in the room. I always end up spending one or two evenings in the laundry room on our trips.

We just bought BLT resale this year. We chose BLT because of the room options and proximity to the MK. Before our trip, I considered the Poly to be my favorite resort. After this trip, BLT is right up there with the Poly. It’s a tough decision.

 

[RoseGold]

The value of the contract really is weighted towards the front end and I'd focus on the resorts and usage in a BLT/PVB comparison.

I'm not sure I agree with this. When 2042 resorts expire, and new properties keep inflating points, Poly and VGF might be looking VERY valuable at the end of their lives, not unlike how the 2042s look right now -- they are more valuable at the end of their lives because of their charts and their legacy locations. This is especially true when SSR expires in 2054, because it is the largest in the whole system and will change the entire point pool.

I will be happy to have the flagship at the 2014 point chart with the way points are inflating. This is especially important to me, because 2050s are when I would expect my kid to have their own kid at WDW age.

I bought Poly/VGF because I anticipate them to have more resale value than BLT. Maybe I am wrong and nobody will want to go to WDW at all by then or BLT will be the hottest ticket in town with SAB2. And I still think BLT is the right choice for OP.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

We just spent two nights in a Poly studio and two nights 1 BR Villa at BLT. Both resorts are wonderful.

I prefer the theming and food options at the Poly. The Poly studio has a second bathroom with a shower and a sink. It is nice and helps get everyone ready quicker in the morning. There is also a sofa bed and a small pull down bed. I have stayed in a Poly studio with my wife and two adult boys. We did fine in there. My older son slept in the pull down bed and said it was comfortable. He is about 5’10”. My younger son slept on the sofa bed and said it was comfortable. A family of four can definitely get by with one studio at the Poly.

I was really impressed by the room at BLT. It was so nice to have the extra space and a kitchen. The 1BR villas have two full bathrooms. The one thing that tipped the scale towards BLT for me was having a washer and dryer in the room. I always end up spending one or two evenings in the laundry room on our trips.

We just bought BLT resale this year. We chose BLT because of the room options and proximity to the MK. Before our trip, I considered the Poly to be my favorite resort. After this trip, BLT is right up there with the Poly. It’s a tough decision.

The one thing people overlook when stating poly has a second bathroom is that they do not have a second bathroom, but a second shower. honestly, I do not know what they were thinking with that...how many homes do you see for sale listed as 1.5 baths - that stands for one full bath and a toilet - not one full bath and a shower.

 

[RoseGold]

If you are only staying in a studio, why bother buying DVC at all? A studio is just a glorified hotel room

Because a hotel room at Poly is now $700/night. Many people buy DVC for bigger rooms, but the math is there for glorified hotel rooms as well, especially at the more expensive cash value properties.

 

[davidl81]

Because a hotel room at Poly is now $700/night. Many people buy DVC for bigger rooms, but the math is there for glorified hotel rooms as well, especially at the more expensive cash value properties.

Yeah I think the math on DVC versus Deluxe Hotel Room (ie Poly/GF) ends up being the best math from a savings value. Maybe not on the new resorts, but when we bought AKV the math worked out to where it was about break even with Moderate resort hotel rooms. Thus the catch phrase of stay in a deluxe room for the price of a moderate.

 

[bcuinohio]

The one thing people overlook when stating poly has a second bathroom is that they do not have a second bathroom, but a second shower. honestly, I do not know what they were thinking with that...how many homes do you see for sale listed as 1.5 baths - that stands for one full bath and a toilet - not one full bath and a shower.

I agree, the second toilet would be nice. But the second shower does speed things up in the morning.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

My husband and I are looking to buy in to DVC in the near future and have been wracking out brains to narrow down which resort we want - as in, I have created a 10 page spreadsheet comparing almost every possible factor you can imagine to try and choose. LOL
At this point, we have narrowed down to 2- BLT or Poly. We have one kiddo and our second (and probably last) on the way, so for us we would do at least a 1BR at BLT, OR 2 Studios at Poly to give us the space we would like. Each has it's own pluses in some areas and negatives in others and we are just so torn.
Any weird, random, off the wall tidbits that you thought about either resort? At this point, it might boil down to the most minute detail to help us make our final decision!!
We are not necessarily concerned with the difference in point cost, as we are planning for 200 points regardless of where we buy, and going every 2 years, so we will have plenty of options and wiggle room for various room types, and even some room to rent out if we go one of the first seasons.

One more thing to keep in mind, the beauty of DVC is its ability to grow with your family. when wer purchased our kids were small 6 and 8 - and now they are in their late teens /early twenties and still look forward to our vacations but...we progressed from a studio to one bedroom to a two bedroom so they have their own space - they would never go today or over the past 5 years if they did not have their own space. To me, BLT allows you the ability to grow with your family. I am going to throw another option into this that I just thought of...buy 200 RR points direct broken into two or three contracts (two 50's and one 100) to get the deal of 160.00 pp. The smaller contracts make it better for resale and buying direct is too easy to finance with disney. I know RR was not one of your choices, but as i am writing, I think, given the current incentives, direct RR might be a good first choice or contender, but just make sure you break it into smaller contracts to maintain resale value.

 

[Knh711]

One more thing to keep in mind, the beauty of DVC is its ability to grow with your family. when wer purchased our kids were small 6 and 8 - and now they are in their late teens /early twenties and still look forward to our vacations but...we progressed from a studio to one bedroom to a two bedroom so they have their own space - they would never go today or over the past 5 years if they did not have their own space. To me, BLT allows you the ability to grow with your family. I am going to throw another option into this that I just thought of...buy 200 RR points direct broken into two or three contracts (two 50's and one 100) to get the deal of 160.00 pp. The smaller contracts make it better for resale and buying direct is too easy to finance with disney. I know RR was not one of your choices, but as i am writing, I think, given the current incentives, direct RR might be a good first choice or contender, but just make sure you break it into smaller contracts to maintain resale value.

We have debated all the resorts, including Riviera. We are not existing DVC members so it would be 170pp for us. Based on some of the resales we have found, it would be about 6k more expensive to buy direct at RR. So we're gonna pass on that lol

 

[Knh711]

The one thing people overlook when stating poly has a second bathroom is that they do not have a second bathroom, but a second shower. honestly, I do not know what they were thinking with that...how many homes do you see for sale listed as 1.5 baths - that stands for one full bath and a toilet - not one full bath and a shower.

Keep in mind, our plan would be getting 2 studios, which would be a total of 4 showers and 2 toilets all together, so the same number of toilets as a 1BR. I would certainly hope no more than 2 people would need to need to potty at one time! But you never know with 2 kiddos!

 

[Lorana]

I would certainly hope no more than 2 people would need to need to potty at one time! But you never know with 2 kiddos!

While it doesn't happen often, we have 2.5 baths in our home, and there have absolutely been times when all three toilets are being used at the same time.

I feel we do run into this more often when we are at Disney, if only because everyone waits to go to the bathroom till they are back in the room!