Direct purchase Poly or VDH dilemma

[juliebee]

I’m considering a direct DVC purchase (150–160 points) and would love input on VDH vs Poly and use year.

We’re a couple, stay in studios, and already own Boulder Ridge resale. We live on the West Coast and want to do one 3–4 night Disneyland trip every 12-18 months and 7–8 nights annually at WDW with a sprinkle of Aulani every couple years instead.

Our resale points limit us to VGC, so availability at Disneyland is tough. Buying direct would open VDH, but we don’t really need that many points at Disneyland. I love the Polynesian (stayed in the longhouses pre-tower) and if we go Poly, we’d get a fixed week contract to use occasionally. However the actual problem we’re trying to solve is access to VDH. I’d hate to get a Poly contract and not be able to get into VDH and end up frustrated. How is VDH studio access at 7 months if we go for the Poly contract?

The overall purchase cost difference is about $2100- Poly is higher. Dues higher at VDH by over $2/pt.

Which would you advise I buy—VDH or Poly—and why?
Also, I hate our current December use year. It's hard to walk a reservation into December or stay late Nov/early Dec. How painful would it be to make the direct contract a September use year since my resale contract is December?

 

[AstroBlasters]

I’m considering a direct DVC purchase (150–160 points) and would love input on VDH vs Poly and use year.

We’re a couple, stay in studios, and already own Boulder Ridge resale. We live on the West Coast and want to do one 3–4 night Disneyland trip every 12-18 months and 7–8 nights annually at WDW with a sprinkle of Aulani every couple years instead.

Our resale points limit us to VGC, so availability at Disneyland is tough. Buying direct would open VDH, but we don’t really need that many points at Disneyland. I love the Polynesian (stayed in the longhouses pre-tower) and if we go Poly, we’d get a fixed week contract to use occasionally. However the actual problem we’re trying to solve is access to VDH. I’d hate to get a Poly contract and not be able to get into VDH and end up frustrated. How is VDH studio access at 7 months if we go for the Poly contract?

The overall purchase cost difference is about $2100- Poly is higher. Dues higher at VDH by over $2/pt.

Which would you advise I buy—VDH or Poly—and why?
Also, I hate our current December use year. It's hard to walk a reservation into December or stay late Nov/early Dec. How painful would it be to make the direct contract a September use year since my resale contract is December?

Are your BRV points enough for your WDW needs?

 

[juliebee]

Are your BRV points enough for your WDW needs?

They have been, but of course I'm limited in where I can stay. We've had enough points to stay most times of the year we want to, but more would be some extra cushion to allow higher point times occasionally.

 

[juliebee]

I probably should add we just stayed last week at VGC and loved it. But the cost there is too much to make sense for us and availability is difficult. We did tour VDH and liked it.

 

[AwfulWaffle]

Stick with your same use year or be prepared to be on a first name basis with member services haha
I say you know family more than I could so I say choose your home resort that not only fits your needs today but fits it in 20 years from today as well. We are east coast resell owners that were in the opposite boat. We were holding out on our big direct purchase for grand cal. Finally got 75 points so we are slowly sprinkling in the last 75 at Poly to go with our 125 resale Poly points. Good luck either way and welcome home.

 

[AstroBlasters]

They have been, but of course I'm limited in where I can stay. We've had enough points to stay most times of the year we want to, but more would be some extra cushion to allow higher point times occasionally.

Do you feel very limited at WDW? It seems that the best resorts are available via resale.

 

[cruisehopeful]

So far, 7 month availability hasn't been great at VDH. Maybe that'll change when the rest of the rooms are declared. Both VDH and VGC are okay with wait-listing.

When I was adding on a few months ago, I had a similar dilemma. I already owned both and was going to buy a small contract add on. Ultimately, I went with Poly because of the annual dues and the lack of resale restrictions. I thought it would be easier to sell if I ever needed to do that. In hindsight, I wish I bought VDH, due to proximity to home. It's easier to get to and it's in an area where I would happily stay without going to theme parks.

 

[intamin]

I’m considering a direct DVC purchase (150–160 points) and would love input on VDH vs Poly and use year.

We’re a couple, stay in studios, and already own Boulder Ridge resale. We live on the West Coast and want to do one 3–4 night Disneyland trip every 12-18 months and 7–8 nights annually at WDW with a sprinkle of Aulani every couple years instead.

Our resale points limit us to VGC, so availability at Disneyland is tough. Buying direct would open VDH, but we don’t really need that many points at Disneyland. I love the Polynesian (stayed in the longhouses pre-tower) and if we go Poly, we’d get a fixed week contract to use occasionally. However the actual problem we’re trying to solve is access to VDH. I’d hate to get a Poly contract and not be able to get into VDH and end up frustrated. How is VDH studio access at 7 months if we go for the Poly contract?

The overall purchase cost difference is about $2100- Poly is higher. Dues higher at VDH by over $2/pt.

Which would you advise I buy—VDH or Poly—and why?
Also, I hate our current December use year. It's hard to walk a reservation into December or stay late Nov/early Dec. How painful would it be to make the direct contract a September use year since my resale contract is December?

I personally would go with VDH. Longhouse availability is a lot easier than DLR at 7 months. If you don't mind potentially missing out on DLR stays then I'd consider Poly, but if doing 4 nights at DL every year to year and a half is important to you and you want that locked then it's VDH. At least if you can't book Poly for whatever reason you know there's a lot of other options to stay at WDW.

On the other hand if you're like me and are okay with spotty availability 1 night at a time on random weekends and wouldn't use the 11 month window at VDH, then that'd make Poly better IMO but you don't sound like that.

 

[Sandisw]

There are a lot more options at WDW to choose from at 7 months vs DL.

In that case, I’d probably go with VDH so the years you want that you know you can get it on those trips.

 

[juliebee]

Do you feel very limited at WDW? It seems that the best resorts are available via resale.

No, I don't feel limited at WDW... yet. But once LSL opens, I'd like to be able to stay there. In fact, I was also considering waiting until that goes on sale, but I can't see having both BRV and LSL.

 

[juliebee]

So far, 7 month availability hasn't been great at VDH. Maybe that'll change when the rest of the rooms are declared. Both VDH and VGC are okay with wait-listing.

When I was adding on a few months ago, I had a similar dilemma. I already owned both and was going to buy a small contract add on. Ultimately, I went with Poly because of the annual dues and the lack of resale restrictions. I thought it would be easier to sell if I ever needed to do that. In hindsight, I wish I bought VDH, due to proximity to home. It's easier to get to and it's in an area where I would happily stay without going to theme parks.

Good to know. Since VDH is heavy on studios, I hoped it would have good 7-month availability, so that is a little disappointing it doesn't.

 

[juliebee]

I personally would go with VDH. Longhouse availability is a lot easier than DLR at 7 months. If you don't mind potentially missing out on DLR stays then I'd consider Poly, but if doing 4 nights at DL every year to year and a half is important to you and you want that locked then it's VDH. At least if you can't book Poly for whatever reason you know there's a lot of other options to stay at WDW.

On the other hand if you're like me and are okay with spotty availability 1 night at a time on random weekends and wouldn't use the 11 month window at VDH, then that'd make Poly better IMO but you don't sound like that.

I can see my original post would be confusing. I've stayed in the longhouse, but would rather stay in the tower but my first tower trip is in May.

I'm not okay with spotty 1 night availability at VDH because I'm not local, it's still a 2 hour flight for me so a 3 night trip is minimal. However, I don't have any fixed time I want to visit Disneyland, so am currently flexible on when we travel there.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I guess I would go VDH direct.

 

[Chili327]

I guess I would go VDH direct.

Agree. It locks in DLR, and because it’s direct you can stay at WDW anytime, just not anywhere.
As far as Use Year I wouldn’t change, but if you really hate December you might consider selling your current contract and replacing it as well.

 

[juliebee]

I guess I would go VDH direct.

You sound unsure. And I am too it doesn't feel cut and dried.
Of course, I should probably admit, my preference would be that VDH has great 7 month availability for studios and then I'd go for the Poly contract with a nice fixed week. But if that doesn't solve my availability issue with going to Disneyland, then it's not a good fit.

 

[Chili327]

As far as Use Year I wouldn’t change, but if you really hate December you might consider selling your current contract and replacing it as well.

Wanted to reiterate…
If you are remotely thinking of changing Use Year, do it now, not after you buy another Dec. contract.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I haven’t read through all the responses but wanted to say it’s hard to say how 7 month availability will play out in the future since it’s still isnt something that is being sold much on the resale market.

I think I would go VDH if you know you will want access to DLR, it’s so so easy to book WDW at 7 months, it’s not that way at DLR.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Also wanted to add I haven’t had issues with having 2 UY but I travel to Disney more than I would admit to anyone outside of these boards so that makes it easier to juggle having 2 UY.

 

[Disney.dad]

We own VDH direct and poly resale. If you need a 1 or 2 bedroom at VDH priority is a must. Poly you have a much better chance with the Theme park view rooms due to points chart on the 1 and 2 bedrooms. For studio availability Poly Longhouses are a ton easier to get than VDH at 7 months. Poly tower studio would be harder. You only pay the transient occupancy tax at VDH if you use the points there. I would buy VDH especially with the up front price difference.

 

[Wedgeout]

If keeping current contract, don’t change the UY. Many here can manage multiple memberships but take the negatives of your December over picking another. (Buy in 2026. Up to November will get bonus 2025 points and each month you wait, the prorated 2026 points will decrease).

Now on choice. It’s VDH. Sure the studios are fairly easy for up to a week most of the year. It’s when you want a Duo or especially any garden room. That’s correct..”Garden” category. Want it?..then must own it. Limited number of larger villas make booking odds much better if own. VDH is not one of the resorts where 1 bedrooms stay available longer than studios.

I’ve found easy enough pickings for both the PVB tower and longhouses at 7 months, if I chose to stay there. (Rarely will). So far did a Duo stay there.

As mentioned, TOT is on stays, not a yearly fee. If have any thought of selling, then go PVB for the older resale rules. Otherwise don’t worry about the resale restrictions. Will still make something back on a VDH contract.