Does anyone think Poly is a good purchase?

[Disneyhappy]

Before buying into DVC about 10 years ago, we stayed at the Poly. It remains our favorite non DVC resort. When PVB was announced, I told DH that I don't care how much it costs. When we saw the cost per point and points chart, we reevaluated and decided against it. I refuse to pay the number of points for the bungalows - not because we can't afford to but because we think the point structure is crazy making it less of a value to us. We have come to enjoy the BCV and BLT over the years and will continue to stay there as well as PVB when it works for us. That said, if we didn't own DVC and always stayed at the Poly, we would have bought in as first time buyers which is consistent with the posts here from first time buyers.

 

[Snookies]

Yes I understand all that I just think there will be a serious imbalance towards studios and given many bought in specifically for the 1 and 2 bedrooms I'm puzzled as to how it is going to balance out.

This is a good point. I wonder how many new members progress from booking studios to booking 1 bdrs to booking 2 bdrs as their families mature. This is how our booking pattern evolved over many years of ownership. Now we won't book anything smaller than a 2 bdrm if there are 3 or more of us and anything smaller than a 1 bdrm if there are 2 of us. It's not a kitchen or laundry thing (well, it may be a laundry thing), it's a space and privacy thing.

If PVB floats other's boats, they should buy there, regardless of what other's think. If it doesn't, that's cool too. It will be interesting to see how PVB affects 7 month availability at other resorts and their different room sizes over time.

By the way, I seem to remember reading many years ago, that a significant amount of sales (at least initially) for new DVC properties came from add ones by existing members. Has that significantly changed in the past few years and, if so, is PVB's design the result of that change?

 

[cde48]

This is a good point. I wonder how many new members progress from booking studios to booking 1 bdrs to booking 2 bdrs as their families mature. This is how our booking pattern evolved over many years of ownership. Now we won't book anything smaller than a 2 bdrm if there are 3 or more of us and anything smaller than a 1 bdrm if there are 2 of us. It's not a kitchen or laundry thing (well, it may be a laundry thing), it's a space and privacy thing.

If PVB floats other's boats, they should buy there, regardless of what other's think. If it doesn't, that's cool too. It will be interesting to see how PVB affects 7 month availability at other resorts and their different room sizes over time.

By the way, I seem to remember reading many years ago, that a significant amount of sales (at least initially) for new DVC properties came from add ones by existing members. Has that significantly changed in the past few years and, if so, is PVB's design the result of that change?

You hit the head of the nail with this statement alone. We bought in at SSR when our kids were very young (4 & 3), now they are 9 (going on 10) and 7 (going on 8), and we added a third in 2013. We thought that the Studio setup was going to be good for a while, and then after we started staying in one & two bedroom villas, we realized how cramped the studios are. Then as they get older, they start to complain about having to sleep in the same bed.

We did consider adding on at PVB, but with the initial MF being relatively high, and no one bedroom villas, we couldn't justify it. We also thought about the resale factor. Many resale buyers might be discouraged that they don't have one bedroom villas at their home resort, or washer and dryers in their room. The MF will also increase at least 3% year after year.

 

[CMOORE185]

By the way, I seem to remember reading many years ago, that a significant amount of sales (at least initially) for new DVC properties came from add ones by existing members. Has that significantly changed in the past few years and, if so, is PVB's design the result of that change?

I was told once by my guide that 95% of owners will add on to their ownership at sometime. I told him, well I must be one of the 5% because I have enough points. Since then I have added on twice.

 

[disneynutz]

I was told once by my guide that 95% of owners will add on to their ownership at sometime. I told him, well I must be one of the 5% because I have enough points. Since then I have added on twice.

I was told that 45% of the direct contracts sold are add-ons BUT, the size of the contracts are much smaller than what's sold to new buyers.

I have also been told that DVD loves the internet and educated add-on buyers. Many buy with just a phone call while new buyers might take a few hours of a guides time.

Bill

 

[CMOORE185]

I was told that 45% of the direct contracts sold are add-ons BUT, the size of the contracts are much smaller than what's sold to new buyers.

I have also been told that DVD loves the internet and educated add-on buyers. Many buy with just a phone call while new buyers might take a few hours of a guides time.

Bill

Would be a good poll question for the board. 95% sure does seem high.

 

[sweetdana]

So the studios are larger than most other studios.. they offer the "split" bath ( like on the cruise ships). for our family of 4.. it is less points than a 1 bedroom else where and a happy mix of a studio and a 1 bedroom..

It is location, location location, it is larger room for those that book studios..


***biggest flaws with other studios is bathroom time in the AM. and space.. BOTH fixed.. with the sq footage, split sink..

Sorry .. for some family of 4, that cannot afford 280 points for a 1 bedroom at the BC.. / or 330 at GF.. this is a HUGE win with a larger studio for more points that some studios.. and a beach watching fireworks show of the MK!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Praying that all these new (to come) Poly buyers never stay at a 1BR anywhere else and that Disney's Best Kept Secret shall remain so.

 

[jerseyduke]

I do not think buying any DVC resort direct is a good purchase. The cost of purchasing DVC has gone up much faster then the cost of a hotel room has gone up IMO. 14 years ago points cost $65 per point. That is a 250% increase to buy today. Dues increase about 3% per year. I just do not see enough value to buy direct in 2015.

This is an interesting statement. It certainly may be true, but the curious part to me is VGF resale prices. They are not much cheaper then I paid direct. So if your statement is correct (and I am not saying it is or is not), then would it not also imply that VGF resale is also "not a good purchase". (and this may also be the case).

I have used my points 2 years now. Paid 150. If they can resale for 130, I think it was a better deal to buy them direct and use them twice, then wait and buy at 130.

Question is will Poly prices increase the way VGF did, and will the resale contracts depreciate at a similar pace? If so, then buying direct does not seem all that different to me then waiting 2 years and picking up resale. Of course there are those "IF"s in there...

If I had rented my VGF points for two years and picked up a resale contract this year as opposed to just buying direct right away(2 years ago), my out of pocket would basically be the same. (Actually a tad more if I had to pay 14$ per point to rent)

 

[deebits]

When you purchase direct from Disney, you never know what will happen with the resale market. We bought VGC when no one wanted that resort and they were all but begging for people to buy. Now look where the resale is for those. No one knows where the resale value will be on the Poly in a few years. We were sure we were going to buy into the Poly, but when the point charts and dues were released, the value was not there for us. For those that buy at Poly and then want to trade out to another resort for the one bedroom, this is where I am glad I will have my home resort priority and get the rooms I want. To those the bought the Poly..CONGRATS on your purchase and I wish you wonderful vacations!!!!! To those that display what you feel is bad judgement on those that purchase at the Poly...SHAME ON YOU. Everyone has a right to their opinion and buy where they wish to stay. It is their money and their vacation. Everyone places a value on their own vacation, which is why there are so many choices with Disney property as well as those who stay off-site. I am now coming off my soap box and hope you all have a Magical Day.

 

[lugnut33]

Does anybody ever really buy anything at Disney because it's a "deal" or a "good" purchase? I buy at Disney because I like it and think it's awesome. So, if somebody thinks DVC at the Poly is awesome, then so be it. It's their prerogative to like what they like and spend their money on it.

 

[Broker]

Does anybody ever really buy anything at Disney because it's a "deal" or a "good" purchase? I buy at Disney because I like it and think it's awesome. So, if somebody thinks DVC at the Poly is awesome, then so be it. It's their prerogative to like what they like and spend their money on it.

Absolutely but at $160 a point, I'm out. There are many better deals on the table at this point I think.

 

[Minniesgal]

So the studios are larger than most other studios.. they offer the "split" bath ( like on the cruise ships). for our family of 4.. it is less points than a 1 bedroom else where and a happy mix of a studio and a 1 bedroom.. It is location, location location, it is larger room for those that book studios.. ***biggest flaws with other studios is bathroom time in the AM. and space.. BOTH fixed.. with the sq footage, split sink.. Sorry .. for some family of 4, that cannot afford 280 points for a 1 bedroom at the BC.. / or 330 at GF.. this is a HUGE win with a larger studio for more points that some studios.. and a beach watching fireworks show of the MK!

Larger studios but it doesn't seem to be in living space. Models look like all that space is in the bathrooms. Still think way too small for a family of 4 unless kids are pre schoolers.

 

[DougEMG]

Larger studios but it doesn't seem to be in living space. Models look like all that space is in the bathrooms. Still think way too small for a family of 4 unless kids are pre schoolers.

I heard the same thing too, more space in the bathroom(s), but not in the living area. Kind of disappointing as I would have preferred the opposite with more space in the living area.

 

[ITGirl50]

I wish Poly would work for us. I was disappointed that we couldn't add-on because we don't stay in studios. We prefer 1 or 2 bedrooms. For DH and I, only a 1-bedroom will work (king size bed, two TVs because of different sleep schedules, washer/dryer). With DD (17) (with a friend sometimes) even a 1-bedroom is painful. Love the two bedrooms. I don't have to brew my coffee in the bathroom when we have a two bedroom.

BUT, if Poly was for sale in 2008 when we first bought DVC we would not have hesitated to buy there. We love Poly and would not have known that we don't like studios. We probably would have thought that's all we want to stay in anyway. "There are just three of us, and DD is only 11 years old. Even when she is older, there will just be three. Plenty of room for our small family."

Also, did you know for a week's stay in mid-December two Poly standard view studios is 260 points and a standard view 1-bedroom at BLT is 210 points. If the 1-bedroom were 260 points, I would pay for the location, but I also lose the king size bed, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and spa tub. So more points, with less stuff, that's not good for us. Bummer.

 

[KiminChicago]

I kept telling DH that as soon as DVC built at the Poly we were adding on, it was the first WDW resort we ever stayed at and it was (still is?) our favorite. However, as many others have pointed out, a studio with two teenagers (one boy and one girl) just won't work -- they definitely don't want to share a bed!

To be honest, we've never stayed in a studio since we acquired our contract. When we bought back in October 2007, our contract came with a June UY and so for our first vacation we had two years' worth of points to use. We got a 2 bedroom so that my in-laws could come with us but they had to bow out at the last minute. Rather than change our plans, the four of us stayed in that two bedroom and the kids just loved it! So much space to spread out in and a full kitchen too. If a PP is correct and PVB can't even promise the adjoining studios, I can't see that we would use our points there, at least not until the kids decide that they no longer want to vacation with us and it's just DH and me (and even then we'd probably opt for a 1 bedroom to get the kitchen and w/d). And I can't even imagine paying $160 a point -- I'd rather add on at one of the other resorts. Even with the shorter contracts, DH and I will still be in our late 70's by the time the contract would end, so I don't think we'll care too much.

 

[DisneyfromDeland]

We did the tour this weekend. While Poly was a larger studio, the additional space is mostly in the split bathroom. We are a family of four. We did the tour of all models, including the VGF and Aulani one bedrooms. It just showed us, again, that we needed more points so we can always stay in one bedrooms exclusively. Came home and I now have a contract in ROFR at BWV. We would love to stay at Poly but we felt like we would be able to get in there at some point. We live one hour from Disney, so we go often.

 

[CMOORE185]

This is an interesting statement. It certainly may be true, but the curious part to me is VGF resale prices. They are not much cheaper then I paid direct. So if your statement is correct (and I am not saying it is or is not), then would it not also imply that VGF resale is also "not a good purchase". (and this may also be the case).

I have used my points 2 years now. Paid 150. If they can resale for 130, I think it was a better deal to buy them direct and use them twice, then wait and buy at 130.

Question is will Poly prices increase the way VGF did, and will the resale contracts depreciate at a similar pace? If so, then buying direct does not seem all that different to me then waiting 2 years and picking up resale. Of course there are those "IF"s in there...

If I had rented my VGF points for two years and picked up a resale contract this year as opposed to just buying direct right away(2 years ago), my out of pocket would basically be the same. (Actually a tad more if I had to pay 14$ per point to rent)

My statement was that I do not think buying any DVC resort direct is a good deal, this includes the sold out ones as well.
And I do not begrudge anyone for their purchase or what they paid. The OP posed the question, does anyone think poly is a good purchase?, opening the discussion to people's opinions. My opinion is the price of purchasing DVC direct is not a good purchase. I also think VGF resale at $130 per point is not a good deal.
It took me a long time to decide to buy DVC at $65 dollars per point because I questioned how good of a deal that was.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Personally, I do not think it is a good deal. Here are my reasons for not adding on:

(1) The opening price is $15 more than what I paid for VGF in 2013. To me, there is nothing about the PVB studio that warrants a $15 price increase.

(2) The point chart is too steep. We prefer longer stays and points go farther at other DVC resorts.

(3) The rooms are vanilla. I did not expect over the top tiki kitsch, but I did anticipate more Adventureland/Polynesian theming.

(4) I do not anticipate a problem booking for Dream Season at the 7-month mark.

(5) I do not want to pay maintenance fees to cover the care of bungalows I will never use.

 

[DeeCee735]

The reasons why we feel purchasing Poly is not a good deal for us:

1) Studio's only. While we do use studio's from time to time, we love the option (and use it often) of one/two bedrooms due to space and having a living room for hanging out and entertaining (we usually meet people there or bring guests)

2) Washer/dryer is something we prefer to have, even if we are just running towels, since there is only one set and it costs $ to get extra towels. We run them at night and throw them in the dryer before bed, all ready and fluffy for morning showers

3) Points cost per night are too high, be it one or two studio's or a bungalow (which we would never use so many points for). Although one day we'll try a studio at Poly, just because we can

4) Price per point. It will take too long to see a break even point and that just doesn't justify the high price per point.

5) MF's are starting way too high. While they go up in every resort and one of our home resorts is at BWV and we pay that $6+ per point in MF's, it took 15 years to get here. Starting off that high is just a bit for us.

6) Ease of booking at 7 months. I just think this will be the case, not right away of course, but in a year or two, yes. We are not in any hurry to try staying at the Poly, it was never our first choice as a hotel, although we always loved the ambiance. It's gotten unbelievably crowded every time we go for a meal or to shop (the public areas), and we don't pool hop. So, no hurry here. Since we were able to book at VGF on our first try, I think we will also be able to book at Poly at the 7 month mark before too long.

7) We are just way too happy with our two home resorts of the BWV and AKV, especially at the prices paid direct back then when we bought each contract

All that said, congrats to all who now call the Poly home & WELCOME HOME!