Direct purchase Poly or VDH dilemma

[PolyRob]

Selling the BRV contract is probably not an option for my husband. It's his favorite resort. It's been a great contract for us and the only negative is that I purchased a December use year. I can work around the December use year for the most part, but it does kill those late November-early December stays.

Would LSL be an acceptable replacement for BRV to your husband?

You mentioned annual WDW trips. Is that annual trip always Nov into Dec? The Dec UY would be frustrating even if you aren't walking.

 

[VGCgroupie]

When you say your heart wants a fixed week at Poly, I want to push you to get that. I'd hate for you to regret not getting it for the rest of your life.

Yeah that is a thing we should pay attention to 100%

 

[juliebee]

Would LSL be an acceptable replacement for BRV to your husband?

You mentioned annual WDW trips. Is that annual trip always Nov into Dec? The Dec UY would be frustrating even if you aren't walking.

Based on concept art, I think he'd like LSL. But would have to wait to see. Definitely want direct points to have the opportunity to stay there and try it out.

 

[Chili327]

I am very interested in LSL- I don't see keeping BRV and buying LSL, so I'd have to convince my husband of that swap.



I know, I know I think I want these points to be the magic solution for ALL my wishes... but I'm going to have to focus on what the bigger goal is. Was hoping all 3 goals could be realized.
Goals:
1. Points available to use at VDL
2. Direct member benefits
3. WDW vacations most Decembers - looks like this one might not happen if purchasing VDL. But would happen if buying favorite week at PVB.

VDH solves all 3, you most certainly can still vacation in December in WDW, just not your top choice of resorts at 7 months.

It kind of comes down to this ^ Not always getting into VDH, or not always getting into Poly.

There’s always some kind of trade off when choosing which DVC.

I think VDH wins. There’s more opportunity for booking non-home resorts at WDW than DL, and you already have some WDW points.

Agree, VDH still wins in my opinion. Having direct VDH can be combined much easier for trips at WDW, than trying to use Poly (or anything else) in California.

 

[Chili327]

Based on concept art, I think he'd like LSL. But would have to wait to see. Definitely want direct points to have the opportunity to stay there and try it out.

You can rent points to “try it out”.

 

[AstroBlasters]

You can rent points to “try it out”.

LSL is going to be a gargantuan resort…. I’m guessing it could be like a OKW, SSR type situation for people with eligible points…..

 

[intamin]

LSL is going to be a gargantuan resort…. I’m guessing it could be like a OKW, SSR type situation for people with eligible points…..

That's the reason I didn't pick LSL personally. I know there will be 1BR availability in a resort that large which I'm okay with booking if I really want that lazy river. The location also leaves something to be desired. It basically reminds me of a direct only SSR.. not that I dislike SSR by any means but it's such a huge resort that 11 month priority may not mean that much compared to other resorts.

 

[PolyRob]

I think I am on the opposite side of most of the people in this thread. Seeing how fast studios go in early Dec at WDW, especially as a VGF owner, I really think it makes sense for you to have the capability to walk or have a favorite week if you want to book that annually Nov into Dec.

Early Dec was one of the only times PVB longhouse studios sold out in the 7-11 month window prior to the addition of PVB IT. It's popular across all WDW. If you aren't booking this time period annually then that would change my opinion, but late Nov/early Dec is rough.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I wouldn't get anything less than 150 Poly for the PIT. It is a huge point hog. We have 100 points and only want the tower, and it's totally not enough to do what we want there.

My vote is VDH with September UY and sell BR and rebuy a better month resale there.

 

[intamin]

I wouldn't get anything less than 150 Poly for the PIT. It is a huge point hog. We have 100 points and only want the tower, and it's totally not enough to do what we want there.

My vote is VDH with September UY and sell BR and rebuy a better month resale there.

Is sell BRV and then buy VDH and Poly as well off the table @juliebee ? I assume it's not an option unless you have a large amount of BRV points to make up for the price differential

 

[RichVIII]

We purchased Dec UY over a decade ago since that was “perfect” for us. Now it is not the best based on how life has evolved with life/work/kids/etc. We have had to “gamble” points booking in November lately. It sucks. It’s a risk but we aren’t going to deny ourselves the trip and worst case will likely rent the reservation if we have to cancel.

My vote is also VDH since it at least more likely guarantees your California when wanted. Florida has so many more backup options. And this is from a Poly lover myself. I would use those BRV points for December trips.

 

[muppets3d]

I feel like most people that buy VDH will want to use those points chiefly at VDH, at least for the next several years. Who knows how many more resorts they'll build as part of Disneyland Forward, but there will never be as many as there are at WDW.

So the 11 month priority window will be very important at VDH - as we see now, and also with VGC.

The main question is, which resort will you be more disappointed in missing out on if your 7 month booking fails?

 

[juliebee]

Is sell BRV and then buy VDH and Poly as well off the table @juliebee ? I assume it's not an option unless you have a large amount of BRV points to make up for the price differential

We started discussing that tonight and it's not off the table in the long term, but isn't what we want right now. We do love BRV. However, I'm now seeing that our overall goals may need us to purchase 2 contracts, one small for VDH and one for a WDW fixed week, but they would probably be a year or two apart.

 

[juliebee]

My vote is also VDH since it at least more likely guarantees your California when wanted. Florida has so many more backup options. And this is from a Poly lover myself. I would use those BRV points for December trips.

BRV is extremely hard to get for December. It's gone less than 1 minute after 8am at 11 months. I can't count on using points there in December sadly. We typically have to use those points in the spring because December is near impossible.

 

[juliebee]

The main question is, which resort will you be more disappointed in missing out on if your 7 month booking fails?

That is a great question to ask. I'm initially thinking I'd be most disappointed to not travel to WDW in December, but I'm going to give this some more thought. And I'll ask my husband his thoughts on that too. We really need to consider that.

I'm not opposed to staying on Harbor Blvd at Disneyland (and have many times) but I won't stay non-DVC for WDW. It's much cheaper to replace a Disneyland stay with a non-DVC hotel than it is at WDW also.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I always wonder how long the Harbor Blvd hotels stay cheap. At some point they will likely remake some of those and start charging more.

 

[MartyParty]

BRV is extremely hard to get for December. It's gone less than 1 minute after 8am at 11 months. I can't count on using points there in December sadly. We typically have to use those points in the spring because December is near impossible.

Lots of good advice offered already. Here is our 2 cents. We split time between Disneyland and WDW. We own at both VDH and Poly.

I’d suggest VDH direct. Disneyland is far more difficult to book with DVC than WDW. Plus, I think you mentioned your Boulder Ridge is resale limiting your Disneyland stays to VGC.

VDH direct:

• For DL you can book at either VDH or VGC (albeit difficult for VGC at 7 months)
• VDH has a lot of studios which you prefer making it more likely to book a stay
• VDH direct points can be used at the upcoming LSL plus Riviera plus Cabins if that matters for future stays
• When using VDH points at WDW you do not have to pay the City of Anaheim tax we all talk about
• Not sure your time horizon but I’m in the camp that in 10’ish years time DVC will add another property as part of Disneyland Forward. Direct points today means you’ll have access to that property as well. This may not matter to you.

If buying WDW direct or resale:

• You’ll still be looking 7 months before you can book at Disneyland
• For the VDH tower availability might be ok for studios at 7 months for awhile but once the % of ownership increases that could be difficult

Lastly, no need to rush. VDH isn’t selling out anytime soon.

 

[airjay75]

I'm initially thinking I'd be most disappointed to not travel to WDW in December

I'm not opposed to staying on Harbor Blvd at Disneyland (and have many times) but I won't stay non-DVC for WDW.

If you get confident in both of these statements being true, then I'd change the advice I suggested earlier and suggest you go with Poly points instead of VDH. You can waitlist VDH with your direct points or VGC with your direct and resale points, and if you're happy staying off property, then no big deal if the waitlist doesn't come through. More points to use on December stays at WDW!

 

[melissa70]

BRV is extremely hard to get for December. It's gone less than 1 minute after 8am at 11 months.

Every single room???!!

 

[Wedgeout]

Every single room???!!

I’m guessing studios. (Or if your resort two bedroom are lockoffs could be a challenge). Studios for sure are the morning frenzy, fast fingers. (Like getting a spot in a ride queue!).