Does anyone think Poly is a good purchase?

[Gillyrose779]

So if it is true that connecting studios at Poly is only a request and cannot be guaranteed I feel like Poly is an absolute waste to buy as a home resort.

I could be wrong but I can't see Poly studios selling out before the 7 month window ever.

The only people that could benefit buying is the ones who would like to stay in the bungalows but I can't imagine there are many out there given the cost of points and the amount needed.

Other than the bungalows is there any other reason to buy Poly?

 

[gdrj]

If you are a Poly fan and want to make sure you have a 11 month window would be a reason to buy there

 

[jerseyduke]

So if it is true that connecting studios at Poly is only a request and cannot be guaranteed I feel like Poly is an absolute waste to buy as a home resort.

I find this hard to believe. If you have children and you get there and find out you do not have connecting studios???
This is only an IT issue. It does not affect overall availability. I want to see that they are actually not a booking category.
The first time it doesn't happen and you have parents with small children, can you imagine the scene that will be caused? It might be unlike anything Disney has ever seen.

I could be wrong but I can't see Poly studios selling out before the 7 month window ever.

This is the big one. Is the 11 month window of ANY value? what about the first two weeks of december.

The only people that could benefit buying is the ones who would like to stay in the bungalows but I can't imagine there are many out there given the cost of points and the amount needed.

Other than the bungalows is there any other reason to buy Poly?

People will buy because they love the poly. People will buy because they want to buy into DVC and the Poly is what Disney is selling.

In fact the consensus seems to be that the Bungalows are more of a reason NOT to buy into the Poly, as Poly owners will be footing the bill for them.

The Poly is my favorite resort. I am holding off.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I know certain people will buy B/c they are ready to buy and poly will be the one available.

But if you are a current DVC owner with plenty of knowledge on how things work would you buy and why?

 

[Kebby]

I'm going to bite and state my opinion on all of this. I have read all the posts here and on other dvc forums. There is huge negativity about the PVB, and even some blatant name calling of people who would consider buying there. I think that people who own DVC need to keep in mind that the target audience for PVB is not likely people who are already members. It is people like myself.

We are a young, 30 something couple with three young kids. We have been to WDW anywhere from 1-3 times a year over the last 10 years and most always stayed at the poly. We have tried a few other DvC properties, namely BCV and AKL. While the extra space at these resorts were great, we our hearts belong to the Poly.

We know all about the issue of no one or two bedrooms, and we have no intention of ever staying in a bungalow unless its pixie dusted to us. Down the road we may use a one bedroom at some point in another resort, but I doubt it.

We are ok with the studios. I don't like to cook on vacation, so no kitchen doesn't phase me. I also don't like to do laundry on vacation, so this also doesn't phase me and I think many in my generation are like this. We are perfectly happy getting two connecting studios. I feel that we may eventually be priced out of the regular rates, and we like the idea that we have locked in years of vacations at our favourite resort. I think when people are calling this a " debacle" or that heads will roll over this decision, they need to keep in mind who the target is. Disney knows their target- and I am sure it will sell to families just like us. People who never would have bought into DVC otherwise.

 

[paults]

IMO not a good deal

 

[Gillyrose779]

I'm going to bite and state my opinion on all of this. I have read all the posts here and on other dvc forums. There is huge negativity about the PVB, and even some blatant name calling of people who would consider buying there. I think that people who own DVC need to keep in mind that the target audience for PVB is not likely people who are already members. It is people like myself. We are a young, 30 something couple with three young kids. We have been to WDW anywhere from 1-3 times a year over the last 10 years and most always stayed at the poly. We have tried a few other DvC properties, namely BCV and AKL. While the extra space at these resorts were great, we our hearts belong to the Poly. We know all about the issue of no one or two bedrooms, and we have no intention of ever staying in a bungalow unless its pixie dusted to us. Down the road we may use a one bedroom at some point in another resort, but I doubt it. We are ok with the studios. I don't like to cook on vacation, so no kitchen doesn't phase me. I also don't like to do laundry on vacation, so this also doesn't phase me and I think many in my generation are like this. We are perfectly happy getting two connecting studios. I feel that we may eventually be priced out of the regular rates, and we like the idea that we have locked in years of vacations at our favourite resort. I think when people are calling this a " debacle" or that heads will roll over this decision, they need to keep in mind who the target is. Disney knows their target- and I am sure it will sell to families just like us. People who never would have bought into DVC otherwise.

Good for you.

We are a thirty something couple too but with just two small kids. We love our one bedrooms and like trying diff resorts. While we don't cook much either I can't imagine packing a weeks plus worth of clothes for my family so the w/d is great for us. Two studios would feel so cramped to me versus a one bedroom.

I'm only saying this because I'm not sure it really is a generational thing.

I'm only asking to see if I'm missing something - and if there really are any benefits since I heard connecting studios may not be a guarantee.

I just want to see if I was missing something.

 

[DenLo]

OKW owners for years have been saying that all DVC resorts other than their own are not a good deal. But it really is all in the eyes of the beholder, if the Poly is resort where you always wanted to own, then buying Poly points would make sense. The majority of Poly lovers only ever stayed in a single room. The idea of having three rooms for you family of four probably seems extravagant to them. You will never convince an owner that loves their home resort that they paid too much for it.

Since only 142 studios have been declared it is that figure that really matters as to whether any rooms will be available at the 7 month mark or less. IMO it will be a number of years before all of other studios are declared for use by DVC members, unless sales are brisk. DVD will just send studios and probably half of the bungalows to CRO for cash reservations.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I should add I think the whole name calling thing is just silly regarding purchasing Poly.

Do you know how many non-Disney lovers would call us all crazy if they saw this site?

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I'm going to bite and state my opinion on all of this. I have read all the posts here and on other dvc forums. There is huge negativity about the PVB, and even some blatant name calling of people who would consider buying there. I think that people who own DVC need to keep in mind that the target audience for PVB is not likely people who are already members. It is people like myself. We are a young, 30 something couple with three young kids. We have been to WDW anywhere from 1-3 times a year over the last 10 years and most always stayed at the poly. We have tried a few other DvC properties, namely BCV and AKL. While the extra space at these resorts were great, we our hearts belong to the Poly. We know all about the issue of no one or two bedrooms, and we have no intention of ever staying in a bungalow unless its pixie dusted to us. Down the road we may use a one bedroom at some point in another resort, but I doubt it. We are ok with the studios. I don't like to cook on vacation, so no kitchen doesn't phase me. I also don't like to do laundry on vacation, so this also doesn't phase me and I think many in my generation are like this. We are perfectly happy getting two connecting studios. I feel that we may eventually be priced out of the regular rates, and we like the idea that we have locked in years of vacations at our favourite resort. I think when people are calling this a " debacle" or that heads will roll over this decision, they need to keep in mind who the target is. Disney knows their target- and I am sure it will sell to families just like us. People who never would have bought into DVC otherwise.

This is us exactly. Minus a kid. Lol.

 

[Kebby]

Good for you.

We are a thirty something couple too but with just two small kids. We love our one bedrooms and like trying diff resorts. While we don't cook much either I can't imagine packing a weeks plus worth of clothes for my family so the w/d is great for us. Two studios would feel so cramped to me versus a one bedroom.

I'm only saying this because I'm not sure it really is a generational thing.

I'm only asking to see if I'm missing something - and if there really are any benefits since I heard connecting studios may not be a guarantee.

I just want to see if I was missing something.

I don't think you are missing something- to each their own! I do pack a week's worth of clothes, and at times 12 days worth. I pack all the kids clothes in ziplock bags according to day and vacuum seal it so it takes minimal space. But that's me- I'm happy with it and don't mind. I like that there is a w/d on site in case of emergency, but it's not a necessity to me- now. As I said, I may in the future use one or two bedrooms at other resorts. But my main concern was that I love the poly and want to be able to stay there every year regardless of pricing out, or what happens to all these points they sold with the studios. We most recently stayed in a one bedroom at AKL kidani. It was nice, but not a necessity. We also recently cruised on the Fantasy and all were in one room. It was no problem- but that's us! I can absolutely see the flip side as well. Two connecting rooms will give us more room than we are used to for less cost than paying for two rooms standard rate. In the end, we could use those points to stay in a one or two bed at BLT with my PVB points for years to come- but I at least know that being a PVB owner I am solidifying my spot at the poly if I want it. For us, that is important.

 

[dsnydaddy]

Poly doesn't tick off any of my needs for buying into DVC.

1. Need more space. Nope. Studios, however spacious, will not really alleviate my needing more room for my teenagers.

2. No kitchen. We've saved a lot of money on non-Disney Vacations by simply eating in our room and preparing lunches for outings. This will be especially true of Disney vacations.

3. Affordablitiy. It'll be a long time before a purchase there pays for itself.

The Poly may be your thing and if it is... more power to you. Spend the $26-30,000 to buy in. I'm not biting though.

 

[wdrl]

What is that old advice that we see all the time on the Disboards? Buy where you want to stay.

Not everyone thinks OKW and BWV are great places to stay. Some think BLT is too modern and not Disney-fied enough. VGF is too fancy and snooty for their tastes. SSR is just another apartment complex. AKV is too far from the Parks.

If you don't care for a resort, if you don't want to stay there, then why buy into those resorts? Spend your money on something you like, something you want.

On another thread, CarolMN posted Disney's rack rates for the Polynesian Resort from 2000 and from 2015. Virtually every category saw the rates doubling in the last 15 years. For those cash guests who regularly stay at the Poly, they might fear that they are slowly being priced out of the favorite resort. Once you crunch the numbers, these people may find that paying $160 a point today is better than suffering from ever increasing cash rates in the future.

The bottom line is that what is a good purchase for one is not necessarily a good purchase for another. We had a neighbor who was amazed that we were going to spend a week a WDW. She said she spent two days at WDW 10 years before and saw everything there was to see in two days. To her, spending any money at Disney was a bad purchase. Was she right? For her, yes. For me, no.

 

[dsnydaddy]

I don't think you are missing something- to each their own! I do pack a week's worth of clothes, and at times 12 days worth. I pack all the kids clothes in ziplock bags according to day and vacuum seal it so it takes minimal space. But that's me- I'm happy with it and don't mind. I like that there is a w/d on site in case of emergency, but it's not a necessity to me- now. As I said, I may in the future use one or two bedrooms at other resorts. But my main concern was that I love the poly and want to be able to stay there every year regardless of pricing out, or what happens to all these points they sold with the studios. We most recently stayed in a one bedroom at AKL kidani. It was nice, but not a necessity. We also recently cruised on the Fantasy and all were in one room. It was no problem- but that's us! I can absolutely see the flip side as well. Two connecting rooms will give us more room than we are used to for less cost than paying for two rooms standard rate. In the end, we could use those points to stay in a one or two bed at BLT with my PVB points for years to come- but I at least know that being a PVB owner I am solidifying my spot at the poly if I want it. For us, that is important.

Kebby, I was in the exact same frame of mind as you are just a few years ago. Didn't mind all of us sharing a hotel room at all. And we will still do it for short one or two day stays at a hotel. But, once my kids started hitting the teenage years, it's kinda changed. They're not so good about sharing a bed. And the girl is starting to need a bit more privacy. Staying at a One bedroom in Hawaii really opened my eyes of how a bit of room can make for less stress in-room.

The cruises, I think are a bit different. While you don't have a lot a elbow room, you do have the split bath (although admittedly the Poly will have this feature, Yay for them) and you have the bunks that give each of my kids their own sleeping space rather than sharing a bed.

 

[McCrae]

I'm going to bite and state my opinion on all of this. I have read all the posts here and on other dvc forums. There is huge negativity about the PVB, and even some blatant name calling of people who would consider buying there. I think that people who own DVC need to keep in mind that the target audience for PVB is not likely people who are already members. It is people like myself.

We are a young, 30 something couple with three young kids. We have been to WDW anywhere from 1-3 times a year over the last 10 years and most always stayed at the poly. We have tried a few other DvC properties, namely BCV and AKL. While the extra space at these resorts were great, we our hearts belong to the Poly.

We know all about the issue of no one or two bedrooms, and we have no intention of ever staying in a bungalow unless its pixie dusted to us. Down the road we may use a one bedroom at some point in another resort, but I doubt it.

We are ok with the studios. I don't like to cook on vacation, so no kitchen doesn't phase me. I also don't like to do laundry on vacation, so this also doesn't phase me and I think many in my generation are like this. We are perfectly happy getting two connecting studios. I feel that we may eventually be priced out of the regular rates, and we like the idea that we have locked in years of vacations at our favourite resort. I think when people are calling this a " debacle" or that heads will roll over this decision, they need to keep in mind who the target is. Disney knows their target- and I am sure it will sell to families just like us. People who never would have bought into DVC otherwise.

Do you feel a studio will be ok when your kids are teenagers? Would having more than one shower or rest room appeal to you?

We found that initially a studio would have been fine, but as our two kids have got bigger we have moved on to a 1br and now a 2br.

Over tine your vacation needs are likely to change.... The biggest drawback with the Poly is the lack of options.

I think the Poly will sell out quickly.... But I do think it's very poor value compared to VGF and BLT

 

[jerseyduke]

So if it is true that connecting studios at Poly is only a request and cannot be guaranteed I feel like Poly is an absolute waste to buy as a home resort.

I could be wrong but I can't see Poly studios selling out before the 7 month window ever.

The only people that could benefit buying is the ones who would like to stay in the bungalows but I can't imagine there are many out there given the cost of points and the amount needed.

Other than the bungalows is there any other reason to buy Poly?

The real question in all of this is the same for any resort: Do you NEED the 11 month booking window?

If the answer is yes, and you want to stay at the Poly, then it makes "emotional" sense to buy.

Since this is so up in the air, I have chosen to wait. However, if I were to buy, the reason would be so I could buy a Fixed Week, which would likely be difficult to get on the resale market, so I would not have to worry. But I do not think, with 360 studios, any week will be anything like December at the VGF.

Would others agree there?

 

[Face Like Fizz]

I think that people who own DVC need to keep in mind that the target audience for PVB is not likely people who are already members. It is people like myself.

We are a young, 30 something couple with three young kids. We have been to WDW anywhere from 1-3 times a year over the last 10 years and most always stayed at the poly. We have tried a few other DvC properties, namely BCV and AKL. While the extra space at these resorts were great, we our hearts belong to the Poly.

We're a few years down the road (early 40s, 3 children ages 10, 13 and 16) but feel just the same. We love the Poly, don't feel the need for lots of space and don't want a kitchen. (As far as laundry goes, I do always do some on holiday but I don't mind it, and I've never found the Poly laundry to be busy.) We would've spent the money on more Poly holidays anyway so DVC is a good buy for us. (We also have VGF for some variety.)

It makes me sad to see so much negativity about the Poly. I'm sure once it opens and people start staying there opinions will change. (Looking back on old threads about VGF there was a lot of criticism at the start but look how popular it is now.)

 

[Minniemoomoo]

I'm going to bite and state my opinion on all of this. I have read all the posts here and on other dvc forums. There is huge negativity about the PVB, and even some blatant name calling of people who would consider buying there. I think that people who own DVC need to keep in mind that the target audience for PVB is not likely people who are already members. It is people like myself. We are a young, 30 something couple with three young kids. We have been to WDW anywhere from 1-3 times a year over the last 10 years and most always stayed at the poly. We have tried a few other DvC properties, namely BCV and AKL. While the extra space at these resorts were great, we our hearts belong to the Poly. We know all about the issue of no one or two bedrooms, and we have no intention of ever staying in a bungalow unless its pixie dusted to us. Down the road we may use a one bedroom at some point in another resort, but I doubt it. We are ok with the studios. I don't like to cook on vacation, so no kitchen doesn't phase me. I also don't like to do laundry on vacation, so this also doesn't phase me and I think many in my generation are like this. We are perfectly happy getting two connecting studios. I feel that we may eventually be priced out of the regular rates, and we like the idea that we have locked in years of vacations at our favourite resort. I think when people are calling this a " debacle" or that heads will roll over this decision, they need to keep in mind who the target is. Disney knows their target- and I am sure it will sell to families just like us. People who never would have bought into DVC otherwise.

OMG!!! You have read my mind and stated exactly how we feel. We have no children at home but purchased at Poly. You have the reasons why we did. It's just because we love it and locking in on the price. Simply put. We also always stay the first week of December and I want to be able to book 11 months out and lock it. Hope you enjoy your purchase.
BTW we own at BWV and we always stayed in a studio with our 2 teens all the way until they were married. Even after marriage we often shared a studio with them before the grandkids of course.

 

[Kebby]

Kebby, I was in the exact same frame of mind as you are just a few years ago. Didn't mind all of us sharing a hotel room at all. And we will still do it for short one or two day stays at a hotel. But, once my kids started hitting the teenage years, it's kinda changed. They're not so good about sharing a bed. And the girl is starting to need a bit more privacy. Staying at a One bedroom in Hawaii really opened my eyes of how a bit of room can make for less stress in-room.

The cruises, I think are a bit different. While you don't have a lot a elbow room, you do have the split bath (although admittedly the Poly will have this feature, Yay for them) and you have the bunks that give each of my kids their own sleeping space rather than sharing a bed.

Oh I totally agree. We likely will want to use one bedrooms down the road. in that case we will use our poly points at blt or vgf. In fact, we seriously debated vgf for this reason. But I don't like how even the owners there are battling it out for reservations. We will be fine in connecting studios at the poly if in the off chance we can't get in at another resort.

 

[bisney]

My wife and I love the Poly but at $160 per point plus MFs at $6.02, I just don't see the value. I briefly contemplated looking at a small contract and booking a studio every two years but decided with the large number of studios available, I'll take my chances at waitlisting in the future.

To buy the Poly, I would have taken money out of my tax free savings account to fund the initial purchase and then pay $6 in MFs. The lost yield (average 6% yield - $9.60 lost for $160 taken from my TFSA) + MFs > cost of renting points. True, the Poly contract holds residual value but it's cash flow that I'm not realizing unless I sell the contract which in theory wouldn't be for many years. Until the day comes that going to Disney becomes a chore, I can't see us selling our DVC contract.

Since we have a young family and prefer 1 bedrooms and since we also enjoy trying out all of the resorts that DVC has to offer, the Poly didn't make sense for us at the price offered. And if the Poly does prove to be an overwhelming success that becomes impossible to book, I'll take my chances renting out our points to net $11/point to use towards renting Poly points at $14-15/point.

For those who love the Poly and have to stay there to make sure their vacation is magical, then congratulations on their purchase! Different strokes for different folks.