Bought at Poly and stayed at Saratoga!?!

[Gillyrose779]

When we were at the World last week my husband met a couple that just recently purchased at Poly. The first thing they did was schedule a trip and, since only SS was available, stayed there.

I still just can't wrap my head around spending 165/point to stay at SS. I know it's their money and people can do as they please but it's seems like such a waste.

Do you think a majority of Poly purchases are from people who just want to buy DVC and Poly was the one available when they decided to buy? I know this isn't the first time I have heard someone doing this so it makes me think people aren't buying b/c they love Poly- they are buying b/c that is what the salesmen are pushing.

 

[com_op_2000]

IMHO, Most have not done their research and are spur of the moment buyers. They buy from the thrill of the purchase while on the tour and not understanding take whatever is available. By not doing their research, they do not know to ask for a reservation at their HR during the buy-in process from their sale's person.
When I first bought in, I made it apart of my contract that I got a reservation the next weekend, so that I could checkout what I was told about DVC within the cancellation period.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

This would be normal if they bought and wanted to use their points within 7 months ( or right away). Going forward, when they have the 11 month window available, they can stay at the Poly if they want. Also, if they bought enough points for a studio at Poly and need a larger unit for a particular trip, SSR becomes a good option.

 

[wdrl]

Keep in mind that we are members of "The Disney Vacation Club." Our points give us access to the entire DVC system: All 13 DVC resorts, the Disney Collection, RCI, etc. For some people, they are want access to all those options.

I own points at BLT but I've used my points at SSR and BWV. Was it stupid of me to use my higher priced points at the lower priced SSR and BWV resorts? Personally, I don't think I'm wasting my points if I don't use my BLT points at BLT. Instead, I like the options and flexibility offered to me by being part of the 'Club.'

Is it "wrong" to book a Theme Park view villa at BLT when there is the much cheaper Standard view villa? Or to book a Lake View at VGF instead of a cheaper Standard View? Or to even want to stay at Aulani when I could stay in a villa at OKW for a lot fewer points? My opinion is no, its not wrong. Its my points so I can use them any way I want. Likewise, I know there is no way I can tell someone how best to use their points or, much more importantly, how their use of their points is "wrong."

 

[Gillyrose779]

Keep in mind that we are members of "The Disney Vacation Club." Our points give us access to the entire DVC system: All 13 DVC resorts, the Disney Collection, RCI, etc. For some people, they are want access to all those options.

I own points at BLT but I've used my points at SSR and BWV. Was it stupid of me to use my higher priced points at the lower priced SSR and BWV resorts? Personally, I don't think I'm wasting my points if I don't use my BLT points at BLT. Instead, I like the options and flexibility offered to me by being part of the 'Club.'

Is it "wrong" to book a Theme Park view villa at BLT when there is the much cheaper Standard view villa? Or to book a Lake View at VGF instead of a cheaper Standard View? Or to even want to stay at Aulani when I could stay in a villa at OKW for a lot fewer points? My opinion is no, its not wrong. Its my points so I can use them any way I want. Likewise, I know there is no way I can tell someone how best to use their points or, much more importantly, how their use of their points is "wrong."

I don't think it is wrong- just hard to wrap my head around. I like trying each resort as I feel it changes the vacation every time. It is just hard to fathom spending that kind of money and turning around and staying at the cheapest resort. I already think 165/point is extreme in the first place.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I can think of a lot of cases where their SSR stay makes lots of sense. For example, maybe they already had a vacation booked at a non-dvc resort, and were happy not to have to pay for the hotel anymore. They have another 50 years to stay at the Poly with their expensive Poly points.

 

[disneynutz]

I agree that people buy not having a clue about the DVC, what's a good deal, how it works. If they did, most would not buy direct but they don't know that other options are available.

Another factor is the psychology of money conversion. Disney knows the power of taking money and turning it into credits or points. They do it for dining credits and DVC use. People would never buy a sandwich for $50 but have little issue when they are allowed to use a unused table credit to buy a QS meal.

Same when booking a DVC room, it isn't spending money, it's only points and in most peoples minds the points have the same value when in reality they might of spent $165 per point or $55 per point.

Bill

 

[coolbluewater]

After years of research, we bought resale at VGF - first two trips will be elsewhere due to timing of our close (Kidani/BLT and then the Poly for a second stay). We'll hopefully get to our home resort by the third trip. It's a sunk cost and I agree with a previous poster that we have 50 years to spend at our home resort. In the meantime, I visit two old favorites (Kidani and the Poly) and try a new resort (BLT).

 

[Granny]

I still just can't wrap my head around spending 165/point to stay at SS. I know it's their money and people can do as they please but it's seems like such a waste.

Keep in mind that staying at SSR lets one stay 1-2 nights longer on a trip for the same amount of points. Some people might value a longer stay over a particular resort for a given trip.

What I can't wrap my head around is $165 a point. More than double what I paid for points.

 

[DougEMG]

Do you think a majority of Poly purchases are from people who just want to buy DVC and Poly was the one available when they decided to buy? I know this isn't the first time I have heard someone doing this so it makes me think people aren't buying b/c they love Poly- they are buying b/c that is what the salesmen are pushing.

I think the majority of all DVC purchase is done by people who are just buying whatever Disney is selling. Impulse shopping!

 

[bumbershoot]

It is just hard to fathom spending that kind of money and turning around and staying at the cheapest resort.

If they wanted to go and that's what was available, then that explains it. If they NEVER stay at Poly, then you can wonder.

For instance, we bought at Bay Lake, and financed, and still have never stayed there. I did use the 11 month booking for the first time, for a Feb stay, but I don't know if we'll be keeping it. (dependent on if my cousin wants to do Princess or not) Paying a premium (at the time of purchase, a premium...nothing compared to now, but remember the financed part of the equation), using it how we WANT to use it. And for us, staying longer is better than shorter.

Also, who knew that Bay Lake villas would be so cheaply made? Hardly even *want* to stay there, really, given the reviews/descriptions.

 

[Missyrose]

Maybe the new Poly purchasers needed a one-bedroom villa or a reasonably priced two-bedroom for that trip -- neither of which Poly has to offer its owners.

 

[hakepb]

Keep in mind that we are members of "The Disney Vacation Club." Our points give us access to the entire DVC system: All 13 DVC resorts, the Disney Collection, RCI, etc. For some people, they are want access to all those options.

I own points at BLT but I've used my points at SSR and BWV. Was it stupid of me to use my higher priced points at the lower priced SSR and BWV resorts? Personally, I don't think I'm wasting my points if I don't use my BLT points at BLT. Instead, I like the options and flexibility offered to me by being part of the 'Club.'

Is it "wrong" to book a Theme Park view villa at BLT when there is the much cheaper Standard view villa? Or to book a Lake View at VGF instead of a cheaper Standard View? Or to even want to stay at Aulani when I could stay in a villa at OKW for a lot fewer points? My opinion is no, its not wrong. Its my points so I can use them any way I want. Likewise, I know there is no way I can tell someone how best to use their points or, much more importantly, how their use of their points is "wrong."

BLT made more sense trading out because annual dues was lower. At least you could say you were staying at BWV for less in dues than a BWV owner was paying to stay at their own resort (of course ignoring the up front purchase price)

 

[Judique]

If they wanted to go and that's what was available, then that explains it. If they NEVER stay at Poly, then you can wonder.

For instance, we bought at Bay Lake, and financed, and still have never stayed there. I did use the 11 month booking for the first time, for a Feb stay, but I don't know if we'll be keeping it. (dependent on if my cousin wants to do Princess or not) Paying a premium (at the time of purchase, a premium...nothing compared to now, but remember the financed part of the equation), using it how we WANT to use it. And for us, staying longer is better than shorter.

Also, who knew that Bay Lake villas would be so cheaply made? Hardly even *want* to stay there, really, given the reviews/descriptions.

I want to say that I like your home resort. I don't own there but have stayed a few times and I enjoy it each time. Will stay there again with my cheaply purchased points, lol!

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

We purchased BCV resale in 2013. Stayed there for F&W last year for our 1st stay. Then in April we took our son's family (so 4 adults & 4 kids total) and stayed at the Treehouses. Both trips worked out fine. In December the two of us are staying at VGF. So we'll have used our mid-cost BCV points at lower-cost SSR and higher-cost VGF. I think in the end it probably all comes out in the wash.

 

[Anal Annie]

We bought at SSR because that's what was for sale at the time that we bought and didn't know much about the resale market. AKV had just been announced but no date given yet for when sales would start or pricing per point but our guide was 110% confident that they would be significantly more per point. We had a deal at that time to get into SSR on a "friends & family" deal for $86 pp so we decided that was what we should do to afford the max. number of points. No regrets for us either on the purchase. We like SSR just fine and have also been able to stay at ALL of the other DVC resorts including Aulani & VGC (all except for the 2 newest - VGF & Poly, which we hope to try next year). I cannot wrap my head around paying $165 / point tho for ANY resort. That's just way too rich for our blood. I'm sure that this first trip they have planned was at SSR because that's what was available for the dates they wanted - or maybe they're trying to do a little scrimpin & saving / banking & borrowing for a future trip. That would be my best guess - they have a plan. We did that with our first stay. We went to OKW which was the cheapest available at the time (AKV not open yet) and banked our remaining points to have a blowout trip the next year.

 

[swooshbear]

We just added on to the Poly but for our trip in September, we are staying at AKL and OKW because that was all that was available on relatively short notice. We will definitely take advantage of the 11 month window and book the Poly for our next WDW trip.

 

[nkosiek]

One quick question, is it possible that they got double points based on use year and turned around and used some of those?

 

[dizzneebabe]

The best DVC purchasing advice I have ever heard has/was to buy where you want to stay. That 11 month window is a huge advantage for resorts like the Poly. Plus, regardless of availability, they may have just needed/wanted to stretch their points a bit by staying at SSR.

 

[Sammie]

They have many years ahead of them, I personally don't give a thought to how others use their points. Nor do I need approval for how I use mine.

There are so many scenarios. Maybe they wanted to stay at SSR to be close to Downtown Disney. Maybe they booked a Grand Villa, maybe a one bedroom or even a two bedroom. Maybe they did not want to stay in a construction zone.

Why is it a waste if that is what they wanted.