Concierge bookings?

[bigtimepolyfan]

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on our first DVC purchase and one huge consideration is the possibility of using our points towards Polynesian Resort rooms. Having smaller children, the easy/convenient mid-day pitstop at the room via a convenient, stroller-friendly monorail is much preferred for the next four or so years.
I've read that others have used DVC points to stay at the deluxe resorts like the Poly and I want to know the skinny on this.
Can this be done? And if so, is there any catch to it? Where are the point values published so one can decide on this option and numerous others falling under the "concierge" listing (e.g., we would definitely take advantage of a Sagamore, Lake George, NY stay one of the years, but how many pts does this take??).
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Poly - 1985, 1988, 1989, 1995, 2008

 

[Jimdvc]

Most people view the use of DVC points to stay at a non DVC WDW resort (such as the poly) to not be a wise use of points.

2 cents

 

[keys2kingdom]

Most people view the use of DVC points to stay at a non DVC WDW resort (such as the poly) to not be a wise use of points.

2 cents

Agreed, the point costs on these resorts are much too high to do this on a regular basis. Ditto for the 'concierge collection' properties. Just not a wise usage IMO.

 

[eva]

It's not a very wise use of points and unlike the points for DVC rooms the points can and do change from year to year. I'll use the AKV and the Poly in the summer as a comparison for just this year. For a 1-bedroom savannah view (highest points except concierge) at AKV the points are 30 points a night Sunday through Thursday and 59 points on the weekends. The points for the same time period at the Poly are 40 points a night for Sunday through Thursday and 72 a night on the weekends. This is for the least expensive room at the Poly too. If you want a water view or concierge, it will cost even more. Plus remember that a 1-bedroom has a living room, full kitchen, a huge bathroom with jacuzzi tub, and a washer and dryer.

Here are the points per night for the Poly for 2008 listed by Garden View, Lagoon View, Concierge:
Value Season
Jan 1- Feb 1, July 20-Oct 1, Nov 30-Dec 18
Sun - Thurs ---- 37, 47, 61
Fri & Sat ---- 67, 85, 109
Regular Season
Mar 30-July 19, Oct 2-Nov 29
Sun - Thurs ---- 42, 54, 69
Fri & Sat ---- 76, 97, 123
Peak Season
Feb 14-Mar 29
Sun - Thurs ---- 50, 62, 77
Fri & Sat ---- 91, 111, 138
Holiday Season
Dec 19-31
Sun - Thurs ---- 58, 69, 87
Fri & Sat ---- 104, 125, 153

 

[ChelleinNC]

It is a huge difference between Poly concierge per nt & AKV Concierge (only DVC concierge)

Poly conc in value season is 61 pts per night S-Th, 109 pts per nt Fri & Sat

AKV conc same dates: 13 pts per night S-Th, 27 pts per nt Fri & Sat for a studio, a 1BR would be 27 & 53 per nt

AND, to stay at the Poly you'd pay a $95 transaction.

 

[Lynne M]

If you want to primarily use your points at the Poly, or any other non-DVC resort, DVC is not for you.

DVC memberships are meant to be used at the DVC resorts. We do have the ability to use points at the other Disney resorts, but it's best viewed as a 'perk', to be used once in a while, not the primary purpose of the membership.

You'll be trading out of the system every time you stay at the Poly, and paying the $95 exchange fee each time. Point costs for the non-DVC resorts can and do go up every year; there are no limits to how high they can go. They're far, far higher than the cost to stay at a DVC resort. You'll come out much better financially if you just pay cash for the Poly.

If you play to stay at DVC resorts most of the time, sure, it's not such a bad thing to splurge on a non-DVC resort once in a while. But if you don't see yourself using the DVC resorts most of the time, forget it.

 

[eva]

It is a huge difference between Poly concierge per nt & AKV Concierge (only DVC concierge)

Poly conc in value season is 61 pts per night S-Th, 109 pts per nt Fri & Sat

AKV conc same dates: 13 pts per night S-Th, 27 pts per nt Fri & Sat for a studio, a 1BR would be 27 & 53 per nt

AND, to stay at the Poly you'd pay a $95 transaction.

ChelleinNC, I forgot to mention the $95 fee to use the Disney Collection. There is another strike against doing this on a regular basis. The only time I would consider doing this is if I had some points in reservation status.

 

[keys2kingdom]

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on our first DVC purchase and one huge consideration is the possibility of using our points towards Polynesian Resort rooms. Having smaller children, the easy/convenient mid-day pitstop at the room via a convenient, stroller-friendly monorail is much preferred for the next four or so years.
I've read that others have used DVC points to stay at the deluxe resorts like the Poly and I want to know the skinny on this.
Can this be done? And if so, is there any catch to it? Where are the point values published so one can decide on this option and numerous others falling under the "concierge" listing (e.g., we would definitely take advantage of a Sagamore, Lake George, NY stay one of the years, but how many pts does this take??).
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

Poly - 1985, 1988, 1989, 1995, 2008

You could always wait and see if the Contemporary rumors come to fruition. Just a thought.

 

[FARBRI]

The Bus's Run Frequent Enough That Staying At The Ogther Resorts Isn't Really All That Bad. Trust Me I Know I Have To Make Those Pit Stops With My Little Ones

 

[tomandrobin]

How long do you plan on the kids to be in strollers?

Are you going spend all your WDW stays visiting just Magic Kingdom.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

FWIW, we made the mistake of taking DS to Disney when he turned 3. He's now 12, and we've been back almost every year since!!! Some years twice!!! In 2002, DD was born in May. We went that summer and stayed at OKW. She's now almost 6 (hard to believe!). Since her first visit, we have stayed at BWV, OKW, SSR, All Star Sports, Movies and Music. Hopping a bus hasn't been a big deal at all. I thought it might be, but it really wasn't. We either rented a stroller (which we still do if we're planning on being in a park all day) or took an umbrella stroller of our own, and it was a non-issue. Trips are quick and the you can catch a bus about every 10 minutes.

You'll see others say this, but our vacation habits at Dis have changed since we purchased DVC. We stay longer, and our pace is much more relaxed. We know we'll be back and if we don't hit everything, it's something to look forward to for next trip! We almost always hit MK and a water park, and then pick among MGM, AK or Epcot. I'm sure that will change as the kids get older.

The bonus of DVC for a small family? A one bedroom! With a baby, it's wonderful!!! There's a washer and dryer in the room, a full kitchen and a master bedroom that's totally separate from the main living space. It's great to be able to take the baby back to the master for a nap and still have a living space for the adults and/or older kids!

Best of luck on your decision! I can honestly say that I love owning and haven't looked back! Seeing that you have loved staying at Poly, it is an option to pay with points, and IF Dis is going to announce CRV, I would think they would do it in the next year or so. Staying there a couple or three years on points sure wouldn't make or break your purchase. If you're considering on doing it long term, I'd take a look at the financials.

 

[wildernessDad]

Like the others have said, if you want to use your points at the Poly or other resorts in the Concierge Collection, then you may as well pay cash for those individually and not purchase DVC.

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

We've done it twice. We actually have never used our DVC points to stay at a WDW DVC location. We own at VB. Been there numerous time, and HHI as well.

We have stayed AKL Cong once in June 05, and the Poly for a night in May 06. We are actually thinking of a Yacht Club Cong stay in 09 if we can't get in AKL Cong.

Everybody's situation is different. We also don't do full week WDW vacations every year. We are happy with five days here or there. We also like to do a single night during the middle of a VB week. Some people would freak out knowing we pay double points for that night - a room at VB and one in WDW.

My point is do what works best for you.