BLT POLY GF-?

[mrsmickeywaffles]

I think we have put to much thought into this and now not sure what to do...?

We are a family of 5 we are residents but we love to go to Disney at least once a year for 3-4 nights and be a tourist. We have gone the past 4 years in a row. We would like to own at a resort on the monorail since we have the option of 3 to choose. We are not sure which is best at this point? Also how many points should we go with? What is your opinion?

1. Should we go for BLT resale which we would have to stay in a 1 bedroom for us to fit. which means more points
2. GF resale so we would be able to book a studio hopefully at 11 months.
3. Poly we know they are all studios but we fit.
4. Buy at 2 resorts and rotate points each year?

Then we are thinking long term to resale which will hold its value? Which would be an easier sell if we had to get out.

I have read too many forums...we want to do something this year so we can start using our points for our next vacation.

Thanks

 

[Sparrow624]

All three will hold value long term resale.

For a family of 5, you will eventually want at least a 1 bedroom. Have you stayed at all 3 resorts or at least visited? You should.

Personally, I would go VGF, BLT, POLY...but, you will get more points at BLT.

As for using them next vacation, it depends when it is. If you buy VGF resale, you are looking at a 3 month wait to get your points and then you need to be able to book at the 11 month mark to get your room (for the most part)...So you would be looking at getting points late November (if you bought today) and then the 11 month mark for next year would be...October....One of the hardest times to book at VGF. You may be able to find something in August/September of next year.

BLT would be a bit easier.

Poly, you would get your points right away (direct) but they offer nothing bigger than a studio (unless you have Bungalow $)

 

[MountainMouse]

You have to be the judge of your family's ability/desire to stay in a studio with 5 people. For me we wouldn't want to do it but could if we had to. I wouldn't buy points for something I didn't really want to do so if I were in your situation with the options you offered I would go BLT as they offer the cheapest 1BR options, give you about twice the space of a studio, and have two bathrooms. All that said, VGF is the premier location and with the rise in BLT resale prices recently if I were buying today I would buy VGF and get enough for a 1BR.

 

[disneynutz]

We own VGF and BLT on the monorail and for us VGF wins hands down. IMO VGF will be maintained at a higher standard due to the flagship status of the GF.

Bill

 

[mrsmickeywaffles]

Do you think we should then buy at GF and then use our points at BL and POLY on other years? That's where we get confused we have visited all 3 GF is WOW! Poly is nice older looking and BL has the views and the wishes at night which is nice.

 

[Sparrow624]

I would buy where you want to stay the most. I foresee all 3 having availability issues in the future and the need to have the 11 month issue will be key.

We bought at VGF because of this....to stay at VGF. We are also looking to buy another contract at BCV or BWV to stay at those locations and elsewhere.

 

[Kaigler]

For us it came down the theme. We just like the intimacy of The Polynesian. I also prefer the location to the other two resorts. Walking into the lobby with a straight on view of the castle is special. Access to Epcot via monorail without a train switch is also key.

Anywhere on the loop will be a great spot.

 

[dizfan]

How far in advance can you plan your vacation dates?
When do you typically plan to vacation?

Sadly, some people buy without realizing that DVC often requires being able to plan 7+ months in advance for the time of year they want to be at a certain resort. If you can't plan at least 7 months in advance, DVC may not be a good option. Under 7 months, availability can be spotty at several resorts.

 

[MountainMouse]

We own VGF and BLT on the monorail and for us VGF wins hands down. IMO VGF will be maintained at a higher standard due to the flagship status of the GF.

Bill

I agree with this, but as an aside do you think this will significantly impact member fees over time?

 

[Sparrow624]

I sure hope not! But I would bet yes.

 

[MountainMouse]

Poly has some prett

Do you think we should then buy at GF and then use our points at BL and POLY on other years? That's where we get confused we have visited all 3 GF is WOW! Poly is nice older looking and BL has the views and the wishes at night which is nice.[/QUOTE

Do you think we should then buy at GF and then use our points at BL and POLY on other years? That's where we get confused we have visited all 3 GF is WOW! Poly is nice older looking and BL has the views and the wishes at night which is nice.

First, if I'm buying today with resale prices as they are its VGF but all three have special features and it really comes down to where do you want to make sure you get to stay and what is your budget. You mention BLT having the views, but Poly has some pretty awesome views as well. Lake view with the castle from your room I would put as the best view of all.

 

[Dean]

I think we have put to much thought into this and now not sure what to do...?

We are a family of 5 we are residents but we love to go to Disney at least once a year for 3-4 nights and be a tourist. We have gone the past 4 years in a row. We would like to own at a resort on the monorail since we have the option of 3 to choose. We are not sure which is best at this point? Also how many points should we go with? What is your opinion?

1. Should we go for BLT resale which we would have to stay in a 1 bedroom for us to fit. which means more points
2. GF resale so we would be able to book a studio hopefully at 11 months.
3. Poly we know they are all studios but we fit.
4. Buy at 2 resorts and rotate points each year?

Then we are thinking long term to resale which will hold its value? Which would be an easier sell if we had to get out.

I have read too many forums...we want to do something this year so we can start using our points for our next vacation.

Thanks

Of those BLT will be the best $$$ value but you really need to plan for a 2 BR as you go forward. Fitting 5 into a studio or even 3 kids into the LR takes something away from the benefit of DVC, IMO. Plus there may be friends or family along the way.

 

[JWG]

Poly seems like the worst idea. 5 people, growing kids, friends and family wanting to come along... That screams 2BR or at least options greater than just studio. Unless you're in for a Bungalow. But for those points you'd be better of being able to get a 3BR villa at BLT or VGF.

 

[Kaigler]

You can do adjoining studios at Poly for less points than a 2 bedroom at BLT and way less points than a 2 bedroom at VGF. People always leave that detail out when they criticize Poly for being studio only. You lose out on the full kitchen though. That's probably a bigger deal for some people.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You can do adjoining studios at Poly for less points than a 2 bedroom at BLT and way less points than a 2 bedroom at VGF. People always leave that detail out when they criticize Poly for being studio only. You lose out on the full kitchen though. That's probably a bigger deal for some people.

There's been enough point creep that it is close enough. In Choice season one can have a 2 BR standard view at BLT for 285 points. 2 Poly studios are 260. If you compare BLT lakeview 2 BR to 2 poly Lv studios its 315 vs 306. but let's consider purchase price and maintenance fees comparing the larger categories and to visit in choice season. 315 for BLT lake view vs 260 for 2 poly standard studios. I'll use the higher list price on a larger contract for BLT of $125/pt so purchase price of $39,375 vs $165/ pt poly for $42,900. BLT could be bought for less per point than this so I'll skip any closing costs on both. So, BLT up front costs is approx $2500 less (and likely a larger gap than that) than Poly to stay 2 BR Lv vs 2 standard view Poly studios. Now maintenance fees. For 2015 it would be $1,591 for the BLT points vs $1,565 for the fewer Poly points. $26 dollars more for the year and $2,500 less up front for 1 king in its own bedroom, 2 real queen beds, 1 pull out queen sofa and 1 pullout sleeper chair, 3 bathrooms(one with a jetted tub), a living area with dining area for entire group, a kitchen and washer dryer vs Poly 2 real queen beds, 2 queen sofa sleepers, 2 bunk size Murphy beds, 2 kitchenettes and 4 bathrooms but only 2 toilets and no jetted tub.

A BLT 1br vs Poly studio will lean towards Poly a tiny bit I'd imagine but I didn't crunch numbers right now, but if you start comparing something with multiple rooms the gaps are not large enough that requiring less points gives Poly an edge.

 

[mrsmickeywaffles]

You can do adjoining studios at Poly for less points than a 2 bedroom at BLT and way less points than a 2 bedroom at VGF. People always leave that detail out when they criticize Poly for being studio only. You lose out on the full kitchen though. That's probably a bigger deal for some people.

We are fine without the kitchen. Can't see being on vacation and having to cook a big meal...should be a time to relax. It is a toss up between POLY and GF...

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can do adjoining studios at Poly for less points than a 2 bedroom at BLT and way less points than a 2 bedroom at VGF. People always leave that detail out when they criticize Poly for being studio only. You lose out on the full kitchen though. That's probably a bigger deal for some people.

But there is no guarantee that they will connect or even be next to each other. I just hate the idea of fitting everyone in one room. You might as well just book a hotel room at the Polynesian than stay in a studio.

We've done a few studios, but just the two of us and only for a very short time. And most of them were OKW with two real queen beds.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We are fine without the kitchen. Can't see being on vacation and having to cook a big meal...should be a time to relax. It is a toss up between POLY and GF...

We don't either. But we like the living area and the guarantee the "rooms" will be connecting. As Deb has mentioned while Poly will try to accommodate it still is not a guarantee. And VGF does not have connecting studios so if you want something together it must be 1BR or larger.

 

[Minniesgal]

We love VGF but are in the camp of a studio is too small for 5, in fact we do 5 in a 2 bedroom and although we don't really cook we do use the lounge and we do have snacks, drinks and breakfast in the room as it can save a lot of time.

 

[Minniesgal]

You can do adjoining studios at Poly for less points than a 2 bedroom at BLT and way less points than a 2 bedroom at VGF. People always leave that detail out when they criticize Poly for being studio only. You lose out on the full kitchen though. That's probably a bigger deal for some people.

For me adjoining studios isn't a valid argument as it isn't a booking category. Had they made it one it would have been a lot more popular.

You can't go to the Poly with three kids and two studios and take the risk of them not being adjoining. 2 bedroom is far better. And you get laundry