Decision Time

[eandt]

If buying the minimum direct, which is better AKL or Polynesian? Why?

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

AKL expires 2057. Dues $8.07
Poly expires 2066. Dues $6.79

Poly has huge studios but no 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms so less size options
But... Poly is on the monorail loop and right next to Grand Flo with all their dining options too.

As with all DVC, there's plusses and minuses - can't go wrong.
Edit: AKL point chart is also excellent and has the club level option and value rooms.

 

[Sandisw]

AKV is cheaper direct than Poly. However, I think it comes down to where would you be more happy. I will spend more to get a resort I want to be at.

I would never buy a resort that isn't a top choice if I am stuck, unless it is in addition to points I own at a place I am good. I own 500 SSR points to use as SAP to upgrade to 1 bedrooms if need be. But, I own RIV to stay there and use home resort advantage...as well as hope next year to add back on VGF points for 11 month advantage there.

If both are on your list, then I say go with the less expensive one.

 

[sethschroeder]

Why those two resorts vs others in the mix?

 

[eandt]

Thank you for the input! Actually AK and Poly are our 2 top choices so we would be happy at either though for different reasons. We aren't spreadsheet people lol wouldn't even know where to start but we are hoping to get the most bang for our buck and plan to make this decision today before the minimum purchase goes up. Thanks!

 

[eandt]

Why those two resorts vs others in the mix?

Of the ones we have stayed they are our favs. We have also stayed at SSR, CC, and BW. We toured Riv models but resale restrictions scared us away from there.

 

[sethschroeder]

Of the ones we have stayed they are our favs. We have also stayed at SSR, CC, and BW. We toured Riv models but resale restrictions scared us away from there.

The big thing you need to remember is that at POLY there is nothing but Studios really. Both of them are really nice though and you can't go wrong.

I likely would go with AKV between the two but mostly because I would want 1BR/2BR options and having the outside chance at Value/Club rooms is a nice benefit.

 

[Lorana]

On the plus side, both generally have availability at the 7 month mark outside of major holidays/peak times. But you have to own at AKV to get a chance at Value and Concierge rooms. The point chart at AKV is also lower, and it has the option of Studios, 1BR, 2BR, and GVs, whereas Poly just has Studios and the very expensive Bungalows. But, Poly has a sweet location and is on the monorail, though AKV has the animals! As noted above, PVB has longer duration and lower dues, but AKV is significantly cheaper buy-in cost.

We currently own at AKV because we love the resort, love the animals, and wanted the chance of getting Value and Concierge rooms. We do love Poly, too, and might someday add on there, but for us it was definitely AKV we chose to add on to.

 

[Carol_]

We bought in knowing we needed 1BRs. No chance of that at Poly outside of the bungalows.

 

[ldo]

We bought AKV b/c we needed 1BR and it had the sleeper chair+sofabed (not in values). We have gotten Values 50% of the time we stayed at AKV. We sold and are rebuying AKV. We spend a lot of time at the resort and really like the jambo house pool. Poly studios cost significantly more points than AKV standard rooms.

 

[Drew729]

My top two resorts! We own AKL because of of what’s been stated above. Our travel times are not usually high demand so we haven’t had any issues getting Poly studios at 7 months but do like AKL for the home resort advantage of the value rooms.

We like the value 1 bed at AKL and the point cost for that room is almost always the exact same as a standard Poly studio. We do 3 nights at a Poly studio and 4 nightsfor AKL value 1 bed and it’s right around 150 points.

With the new VGF coming in with all studios I tend to think that PVB studios at 7 months could even be more available in the future.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

AKV is my home because of the animals, the fantastic food choices, and the diversity of rooms. I have been able to get value 1-bedrooms, but even if I couldn’t, I would love to be stuck there in a 1- or 2- bedroom.

 

[eandt]

Thank you all! We purchased 125 direct at AK a couple hours ago! Should have done it 25 trips ago probably but oh well here we are!

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

Thank you all! We purchased 125 direct at AK a couple hours ago! Should have done it 25 trips ago probably but oh well here we are!

Welcome Home!

 

[eandt]

Welcome Home!
View attachment 579386

Thank you!!!

 

[davidl81]

We own 220 points at AKV and really we love the resort. We have younger kids and the animals are a big draw for them. We stay at AKV about 30% of our trips, BWV 50%. (We just love being able to walk to Epcot and HW and do 1BR), and the other 20% spread out from the various resorts.

 

[rstiv]

Really depends on your family and your needs will you ever need more than a studio? Then buy at AKL. We love Poly so much but I would never own there because we prefer 1 bedrooms.