Blue Card decision for Poly, Copper Creek, or VDH?

[Makai]

Do not discount the emotional component of this. The Purchasing DVC board tends to do deep dives into the best financial value. And that's important! But, financial value is only part of value. If you really love Resort X, then it might be worth owning at Resort X for the 11-month window, even if it is not the smartest financial decision.

Money is for spending. If you are spending $30K+ anyway, you may as well spend a few more dollars buying the thing you really want instead of the think that is sort of okay.

Thank you for this perspective! I think no matter which one I go with between Poly and VDH, I will feel that I should have chosen the other because I love them both so much. They both have an emotional connection from being our first family trips too. DH is all numbers and doesn’t want to hear about my emotional connection sadly, or the 11mo priority, Christmas demand, etc .

If I go with the best financial numbers when I present the options to him, VDH does save more initially on purchase price (and with the longer contract less per point), but the lower annual dues and non-restricted resale value seem to make Poly the easy choice for him, unless I am missing something. I need some help in this area trying to figure out the best way to justify VDH over Poly to a guy who loves numbers.

Is there a case to be made to DH that VDH is the better price value with the longer contract, and future of the Disneyland expansion? Is there any hope that the annual dues will not continue to increase at this rate and possibly go down?

 

[Girlstar30]

Thank you for this perspective! I think no matter which one I go with between Poly and VDH, I will feel that I should have chosen the other because I love them both so much. They both have an emotional connection from being our first family trips too. DH is all numbers and doesn’t want to hear about my emotional connection sadly, or the 11mo priority, Christmas demand, etc .

If I go with the best financial numbers when I present the options to him, VDH does save more initially on purchase price (and with the longer contract less per point), but the lower annual dues and non-restricted resale value seem to make Poly the easy choice for him, unless I am missing something. I need some help in this area trying to figure out the best way to justify VDH over Poly to a guy who loves numbers.

Is there a case to be made to DH that VDH is the better price value with the longer contract, and future of the Disneyland expansion? Is there any hope that the annual dues will not continue to increase at this rate and possibly go down?

If you use less points for your vdh trips than you would for your poly trips, that is justification of being able to go more without having to buy more points. I would look at the point charts.

Also vdh with magical beginnings is $2100 less than Poly right now plus the closing costs are a lot less. You can do a three way split for almost the same price as a two way split at poly. You are saving money upfront right away.

 

[airjay75]

Is there a case to be made to DH that VDH is the better price value with the longer contract, and future of the Disneyland expansion? Is there any hope that the annual dues will not continue to increase at this rate and possibly go down?

In my view, no, not based on available information. Personally, I would only buy VDH for blue card benefits if you plan to use those points primarily at VDH. If you plan to use your points primarily elsewhere, I think PVB is the better choice. Of course 2066 or 2074 are a long ways away, so no one knows for sure, but that's my view based on what we know today.

 

[Girlstar30]

In my view, no, not based on available information. Personally, I would only buy VDH for blue card benefits if you plan to use those points primarily at VDH. If you plan to use your points primarily elsewhere, I think PVB is the better choice. Of course 2066 or 2074 are a long ways away, so no one knows for sure, but that's my view based on what we know today.

I agree! My vdh points are for my California pool! I'll find it acceptable to use at vgc too since that one is expensive too

 

[airjay75]

I agree! My vdh points are for my California pool! I'll find it acceptable to use at vgc too since that one is expensive too

I think you are a perfect example of someone who might has been more focused on PVB because of the perceived better “value” (and, of course, you also really love the Poly ). But, once you realized VDH is right there and you will be able to really use those points and their home resort priority at VDH, it just made way more sense to buy there.

 

[juliebee]

Is there a case to be made to DH that VDH is the better price value with the longer contract, and future of the Disneyland expansion? Is there any hope that the annual dues will not continue to increase at this rate and possibly go down?

I was also super torn on VDH vs Poly, and although I'm super excited about my choice-- if they do a big incentive in February, I could flip to VDH instead... I'm holding a payment until we find out. Here are my findings on the cost differences currently-


Then I compared several weeks that I'd possibly travel for VDH and Poly

For these dates, VDH is more expensive. Your dates and results could be different, so it's worth calculating.
What this doesn't account for are the travel expenses. Travel to VDH is cheaper for me than Poly, as I live on the West Coast. That was nearly the deciding factor for me. However, we don't travel to Disneyland for a week- we only like 3 days there... so that doubled the travel costs to VDH. So, look at your situation and see if travel expenses play a factor for you and might change your numbers to justify your purchase. That said, I wholeheartedly agree with Brian and think you should purchase where you love... the dollars between Poly and VDH are pretty close overall.

 

[Sandisw]

True, but dumping the mistake on the owners of paying more points because they allocated them to views that never existed, some owners which may have bought just enough points for their longhouse stays, rather than selling less points, is a shady move and shouldnt be legal.

I understand that they draw up these plans before they know exactly, apparently, but just dumping the issue on the owners is wild to me, especially at a resort that already has a very high point chart

Until a resort is fully declared, they can make adjustments to units like this.

They do the best they can when they determine views for specific rooms but sometimes get it wrong.

So, while I can understand a frustration on an owner who bought, what happened at PVB tower is completely the way it should work.

Now, the switch at the longhouses is something not everyone agrees should be allowed.

But, legally, DVC can’t just “eat” extra points because the number of points must match declared points in the the units

 

[Girlstar30]

I think you are a perfect example of someone who might has been more focused on PVB because of the perceived better “value” (and, of course, you also really love the Poly ). But, once you realized VDH is right there and you will be able to really use those points and their home resort priority at VDH, it just made way more sense to buy there.

I agree! It was blinding me from other possibilities!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Don't get me started on SH55. I couldn't believe they shut down that restaurant. The ribeye I had from there 10 years ago was one of the best steaks I've had on property and it makes me sad it's no longer there.

I miss it for the breakfast, but IMO Napa Rose and Carthay Circle are far superior offerings.

They also have a new steak house going where Tortilla Joes used to be.

 

[Girlstar30]

I was also super torn on VDH vs Poly, and although I'm super excited about my choice-- if they do a big incentive in February, I could flip to VDH instead... I'm holding a payment until we find out. Here are my findings on the cost differences currently-
View attachment 1039852

Then I compared several weeks that I'd possibly travel for VDH and Poly
View attachment 1039853
For these dates, VDH is more expensive. Your dates and results could be different, so it's worth calculating.
What this doesn't account for are the travel expenses. Travel to VDH is cheaper for me than Poly, as I live on the West Coast. That was nearly the deciding factor for me. However, we don't travel to Disneyland for a week- we only like 3 days there... so that doubled the travel costs to VDH. So, look at your situation and see if travel expenses play a factor for you and might change your numbers to justify your purchase. That said, I wholeheartedly agree with Brian and think you should purchase where you love... the dollars between Poly and VDH are pretty close overall.

Thanks for this! I was wondering where all of the current resorts on sale stood in terms of financial value long term. Im assuming this doesnt factor in the tot?

When people do that I think its unfair unless theyre going to stay at vdh every single time.

If the dues slowed down year after year it could be flipped. Maybe as more people buy... wishful thinking over here haha but anything is possible! Do you live in Cali too?

 

[Girlstar30]

Until a resort is fully declared, they can make adjustments to units like this.

They do the best they can when they determine views for specific rooms but sometimes get it wrong.

So, while I can understand a frustration on an owner who bought, what happened at PVB tower is completely the way it should work.

Now, the switch at the longhouses is something not everyone agrees should be allowed.

But, legally, DVC can’t just “eat” extra points because the number of points must match declared points in the the units

But legally, can they pass it on to the longhouses is the issue and I question whether they can do that either, yet thats what they chose to do, not surprisingly, instead of the other way around which would be least beneficial to them

 

[juliebee]

Thanks for this! I was wondering where all of the current resorts on sale stood in terms of financial value long term. Im assuming this doesnt factor in the tot?

When people do that I think its unfair unless theyre going to stay at vdh every single time.

If the dues slowed down year after year it could be flipped. Maybe as more people buy... wishful thinking over here haha but anything is possible! Do you live in Cali too?

The cost per pt per year does not account for the TOT, since that is only if a person stays at Aulani or VDH. But the TOT is impactful and needs to be considered, which is why I did put that into the second screenshot.

I live in Oregon, but was raised in Southern California.

 

[Makai]

I was also super torn on VDH vs Poly, and although I'm super excited about my choice-- if they do a big incentive in February, I could flip to VDH instead... I'm holding a payment until we find out. Here are my findings on the cost differences currently-
View attachment 1039852

Then I compared several weeks that I'd possibly travel for VDH and Poly
View attachment 1039853
For these dates, VDH is more expensive. Your dates and results could be different, so it's worth calculating.
What this doesn't account for are the travel expenses. Travel to VDH is cheaper for me than Poly, as I live on the West Coast. That was nearly the deciding factor for me. However, we don't travel to Disneyland for a week- we only like 3 days there... so that doubled the travel costs to VDH. So, look at your situation and see if travel expenses play a factor for you and might change your numbers to justify your purchase. That said, I wholeheartedly agree with Brian and think you should purchase where you love... the dollars between Poly and VDH are pretty close overall.

This analysis is very helpful to show my hubby. I have a feeling we could end up staying on the East Coast long term (we typically drive down to Florida), so VDH will likely be shorter stays (2 or 3 nights) visiting friends & family in SoCal, with an occasional longer trip (4 or 5 nights) once grandchildren make their arrival. The TOT I will leave out of my discussion with DH since all the hotels on Harbor have to pay it, and it’s a use tax.

I prefer the Disneyland Hotel to Grand Californian (except at Christmas), so it would be nice to have that home resort advantage. With Florida, the more I ponder over it, I feel like we don’t really need that 11 mo advantage anywhere since we love to try out all of the DVC resorts, and wouldn’t be disappointed with whatever is left at the 7 month mark. It’s actually been fun doing the waitlist, and stalking the website for my trip in March. In contrast with DLR, it sounds like we may need that home priority, and a California trip would be planned more in advance than our Florida trips where I can actually see us booking at 11 months out. I did not expect to be weighing VDH over Poly at this point, but it’s starting to make more sense. Just those annual dues are scaring me!

 

[Makai]

I miss it for the breakfast, but IMO Napa Rose and Carthay Circle are far superior offerings.

They also have a new steak house going where Tortilla Joes used to be.

Carthay Circle is a must do each trip for us. I really wanted to love Napa Rose as much, but Steakhouse 55 had better ambiance to me, and food. I need to give Napa Rose another try for dinner. Loved the Princess breakfast there, but the price is crazy now. I was disappointed they took out Tortilla Joes.

Excited to try out Din Tai Fung on my next trip!

 

[VGCgroupie]

This analysis is very helpful to show my hubby. I have a feeling we could end up staying on the East Coast long term (we typically drive down to Florida), so VDH will likely be shorter stays visiting friends & family in SoCal, with an occasional longer trip once grandchildren make their arrival. The TOT I will leave out of my discussion with DH since all the hotels on Harbor have to pay it, and it’s a use tax.

I prefer the Disneyland Hotel to Grand Californian (except at Christmas), so it would be nice to have that home resort advantage. With Florida, the more I ponder over it, I feel like we don’t really need that 11 mo advantage anywhere since we love to try out all of the DVC resorts, and wouldn’t be disappointed with whatever is left at the 7 month mark. It’s actually been fun doing the waitlist, and stalking the website for my trip in March. In contrast with DLR, it sounds like we may need that home priority, and a California trip would be planned more in advance than our Florida trips where I can actually see us booking at 11 months out. I did not expect to be weighing VDH over Poly at this point, but it’s starting to make more sense. Just those annual dues are scaring me!

Annual dues for any resort are never promised, for years BLT sat as one of the lowest and everyone said buy BLT because of dues as it had the lowest % year over year increase over time, then 2026 comes along at it was the highest % increase of any resort. One year poly could go up and VDH doesn’t go up, nobody knows.

As it stands now. 150 points cost $332 per year more at VDH than at Poly. Is owning VDH worth $332 a year?

 

[Makai]

In my view, no, not based on available information. Personally, I would only buy VDH for blue card benefits if you plan to use those points primarily at VDH. If you plan to use your points primarily elsewhere, I think PVB is the better choice. Of course 2066 or 2074 are a long ways away, so no one knows for sure, but that's my view based on what we know today.

This is another plus in the Poly column because we would primarily use the points in Florida, with VDH being more of the occasional trip since we no longer live in SoCal, and not likely to move back unless my kids end up there again. However I would be doing some 11 month planned trips to California since we have to fly there, vs driving to Florida. Currently most of our Florida trips are less than 7 months in planning. Although if it’s for a future family reunion where I need a 2 bedroom villa, I would likely be booking something 11 mo in advance. That could be a few years away once kids get married.

 

[Makai]

Annual dues for any resort are never promised, for years BLT sat as one of the lowest and everyone said buy BLT because of dues as it had the lowest % year over year increase over time, then 2026 comes along at it was the highest % increase of any resort. One year poly could go up and VDH doesn’t go up, nobody knows.

As it stands now. 150 points cost $332 per year more at VDH than at Poly. Is owning VDH worth $332 a year?

Good point on the annual dues.

Probably not worth it, unless I still lived there to use it more. I do have serious FOMO for it though, and emotionally want to be an owner there.

 

[intamin]

Carthay Circle is a must do each trip for us. I really wanted to love Napa Rose as much, but Steakhouse 55 had better ambiance to me, and food. I need to give Napa Rose another try for dinner. Loved the Princess breakfast there, but the price is crazy now. I was disappointed they took out Tortilla Joes.

Excited to try out Din Tai Fung on my next trip!

The first meal I had at Napa was probably my best Disney meal ever but since then it's a couple misses for me. DTF is great although I haven't been to the one in Downtown Disney.

 

[AstroBlasters]

This is another plus in the Poly column because we would primarily use the points in Florida, with VDH being more of the occasional trip since we no longer live in SoCal, and not likely to move back unless my kids end up there again. However I would be doing some 11 month planned trips to California since we have to fly there, vs driving to Florida. Currently most of our Florida trips are less than 7 months in planning. Although if it’s for a future family reunion where I need a 2 bedroom villa, I would likely be booking something 11 mo in advance. That could be a few years away once kids get married.

This statement is a pretty big deal. It reads like “I would use the 11m home booking window for a California resort and I would rarely use it for a Florida resort.”

 

[cruisehopeful]

Do not discount the emotional component of this. The Purchasing DVC board tends to do deep dives into the best financial value. And that's important! But, financial value is only part of value. If you really love Resort X, then it might be worth owning at Resort X for the 11-month window, even if it is not the smartest financial decision.

Money is for spending. If you are spending $30K+ anyway, you may as well spend a few more dollars buying the thing you really want instead of the think that is sort of okay.

This is truly the best way to look at it. DVC is a completely unnecessary purchase. If you're going to buy it, buy what you want and don't compare it to something that you're willing to settle for because it looks better on paper.

It's not much different than taking a cruise. For example, I'll take a Disney cruise because I want to go on a Disney cruise. I could save a lot of money going on a different ship to the same or similar ports. I'm spending thousands of dollars on the vacation. I'm not going to spend thousands of dollars for a cruise line that is my second choice. DVC should be looked at the same way. Is it a necessary purchase? Absolutely not. Get exactly what you want and use it in the best way for you. That might be totally different than 99% of the rest of group.