Does anyone think Poly is a good purchase?

[jgdsoarin]

I bought some PVB points on the first day they were sold...and I am very, very happy with my purchase! My family loves this resort and it was the perfect add-on for our needs. I am booking a 4th of July visit...no parks, but can't wait to watch the fireworks from the beach. We will be visiting family in south Florida most of the week and a trip to the Poly is a perfect way to wrap up our vacation! I am also booking an October girls trip and the set up of the room and location of the resort is exactly what we need. We travel during school holidays, due to our jobs, and I wanted to make sure I could always get the room I wanted. We plan to do 3 days at the Poly and 2-3 days at another resort for each trip. I rarely cook at WDW and have no problem going to a laundry room if needed. We don't hang out much in the room...we like to stay at the pools or stroll around the resorts....hello Trader Sam's! My children are older (15 and 21). They have no problem sharing a room for a few days and I enjoy the "forced" family time since we are so busy in our regular days. As things change, we'll just adjust our travel, but studios will still work--we might just need two of them. 2 showers and 3 separate sleeping spaces work just fine for us. It's nice to read a thread that has some positive feelings! One of the best things about DVC is how there is something for everyone. My two contracts have been my favorite "fun" purchases and I look forward to many, many years of happy memories!

 

[disneynutz]

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.

Exactly, according to a DVC insider the Poly was built for new buyers and cash guests, not existing DVC members.

Bill

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Exactly, according to a DVC insider the Poly was built for new buyers and cash guests, not existing DVC members. Bill

I'm sincerely not trying to be a smart mouth when I say this - but does DVC ever really build for existing members? Aren't they always trying to expand the footprint with every new property? And always hold rooms back for cash?

 

[disneynutz]

I'm sincerely not trying to be a smart mouth when I say this - but does DVC ever really build for existing members? Aren't they always trying to expand the footprint with every new property? And always hold rooms back for cash?

True but the Poly has a very loyal band of guests that Disney has planned to convert to DVC owners. That was one of the reasons for so many studios, they are similar accommodations that the existing Poly guests are accustomed to.

Bill

 

[Gillyrose779]

True but the Poly has a very loyal band of guests that Disney has planned to convert to DVC owners. That was one of the reasons for so many studios, they are similar accommodations that the existing Poly guests are accustomed to. Bill

Now that makes sense to me. Thanks.

 

[jerseyduke]

Then you have the people who are both.

I am a DVC member. The Poly is my favorite resort. I am passing on it (for now). If I could have gotten a 1 bedroom lake view, I would have already purchased a fixed week.

(Again, Im sticking to my guns and saying the all studio design was a result of the existing structure being used as much as anything else, if not more)

 

[quinnc19]

I think it is a good purchase if you plan on using your Poly points at the Poly. Initially I was going to hold off purchasing because I was expecting to be able to get in at 7 months. I am doubting this now due to the massive percentage of points the bungalows hold. I decided to get 54 points at the Poly to use for a couple of nights during October and December. I doubt it will be easy to get in at these times (especially competing with VGF owners and everyone else). I like the Poly studio décor, size, and room lay out, am excited about the new Trader Sam's, and feel Poly has the best transportation overall. I want to own a MK resort and feel the others have bigger drawbacks than the Poly for my needs/wants. I don't use kitchen or laundry facilities even when they are available, so the lack thereof does not bother me (also, the fact that there will only be one laundry room is just a rumor at this point). Full disclosure, I am also in the process of adding on 100 resale points at AKV because I love that resort and feel it is one of the best values overall (in terms of price and what the home resort advantage gets you).

 

[newfangled]

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.

I agree.

I don't understand the poly bashing, but I do understand it isn't for everyone (including us).

I think some of the folks being very critical may have had a picture of what the Poly would be and how it would fit into their vacation style. When the product didn't fit what they were pretty upset.

A lot of other folks have shared why the Poly isn't for them...and that's cool (I've probably stated my case somewhere but I don't remember). I guess I just feel it's misguided to assume that nobody will want to buy there.

 

[Minniesgal]

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?

People who love the Poly and only ever want to stay at the Poly and who are happy in a studio. I think this is DVDs target market not existing members so I'm less convinced studios will be available.

 

[Minniesgal]

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.

See (and I'm not critiquing you just the system) this is what seriously bothers me about what DVD have done. If you trade out to say a 2 bedroom at BLT, one owners is locked out of booking a 2 bedroom at home resort. But what is remaining in the system isn't the usual another two bedroom elsewhere it is studios. I think this will effect people getting 1 and 2 bedrooms and impact availability.

 

[Face Like Fizz]

My children are older (15 and 21). They have no problem sharing a room for a few days and I enjoy the "forced" family time since we are so busy in our regular days.

I couldn't agree more about "forced" family time. I love that when we are on holiday we all spent so much time together.

 

[dizfan]

We usually stay in studios and I think the PVB w/d situation will be far better than the BLT and BWV situation. We have only seen 1 laundry facility at BWV and BLT. BWV was crazy difficult for us to ever use because so many go to the pool and use it. At PVB, there is a laundry room in each longhouse.

PVB connecting studios will have 2 commodes, 2 baths, 4 showers, and 6 sinks. I could see a lot of families with teenage daughters being extremely happy with PVB connecting studios.

I have a hard time believing Disney management would do everything they are at Poly if there wasn't more coming. Updated the lobby, replacing kitchens in the restaurants, Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, new kids splash area, new hot tubs, new pools, etc. When all they did is add 20 new bungalows. From a business sense either they wasted money or they have more coming and wanted the main areas to be the most updated resort in all of WDW.

I get the feeling Disney is going back to the approach that worked for what was once the fastest selling property, SSR (Thanks Tim K for teaching me this years ago). Enhance the main area, convert some buildings. Then, construct some new buildings a little further out (either TTC side or wedding chapel side).

 

[Gillyrose779]

See (and I'm not critiquing you just the system) this is what seriously bothers me about what DVD have done. If you trade out to say a 2 bedroom at BLT, one owners is locked out of booking a 2 bedroom at home resort. But what is remaining in the system is the usual another two bedroom elsewhere it is studios. I think this will effect people getting 1 and 2 bedrooms and impact availability.

That is a good point. DVC is increasing the number of members but decreasing the percentage of 1 and 2 bedrooms possibly making them harder to come by.

If a Poly owner decides they want a 2 bedroom they can try to grab one at BC but a BC owner doesn't have that same privilege.

 

[jerseyduke]

See (and I'm not critiquing you just the system) this is what seriously bothers me about what DVD have done. If you trade out to say a 2 bedroom at BLT, one owners is locked out of booking a 2 bedroom at home resort. But what is remaining in the system is the usual another two bedroom elsewhere it is studios. I think this will effect people getting 1 and 2 bedrooms and impact availability.

Yes, but two owners are now able to book a studio elsewhere.

I get your point, but the home resort owner had a chance to book the two bedroom for 4 months prior to the person trading out.

How do we know that that person did not use their points for a cruise and that two bedroom would have gone unbooked?

It is a fine line, there has to be a basic balance kept, but there is no way to totally balance room size demand. Add in the fact that sometimes people book a 2 bedroom when they go with kids, then a studio for an adult only trip.......

 

[Minniesgal]

Yes, but two owners are now able to book a studio elsewhere. I get your point, but the home resort owner had a chance to book the two bedroom for 4 months prior to the person trading out. There is no way to totally balance room size demand. Add in the fact that sometimes people book a 2 bedroom when they go with kids, then a studio for an adult only trip.......

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.

 

[Fantasia79]

We're having the same debate probably most people here are having. We want to add more points to our VGF contract, and always assumed Polynesian would have 1 bedrooms, so we'd add on a small contract there. Well, there that goes.

One day, we think we'll just add on VGF points and hope to book the poly at 7 months every few years. The next day, we think we'll just get a poly contract, then maybe we'll just do both!

Making things more difficult, we're expecting our first in May. It's a 50 year contract, do we really need enough for 2 studios for 50 years? What if ours daughter hates split stays!

Lots of great points made on both sides on this thread. I'm going to be reading along. Thanks for more things to think about.

 

[CMOORE185]

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.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

I am not buying into Poly, but as an existing DVC member I am glad they are building more expensive resorts, because my points are just as valuable at seven months as the new resorts and my resale value will be maintained by DVC through ROFR, so they can sell at new resorts at such a high cost. While I wanted to buy to get bungalows at 11 months, DVC made the purchase for bungalows way to expensive to achieve my goal for vacation accomodation savings, which is what DVC claims in all their advertising. It's no wonder that when I attended the preview the bungalows and savings were never mentioned in the same sentence. I guess I will just wait a few years until poly hits the resale market. My guess is VGF will be the more expensive resale in 5 years.

 

[DougEMG]

I"'me not buying at the Poly, but that's because I don't need to stay there and because it is out of my price range. I do think that for anyone who would normally pay rack rates at the Poly and bought the DVC at the Poly will save money provided they stay at the Poly most of the time. I'm just not in that category. I'm more than happy to take a chance at 7 months to try and stay there.

Congrats to all those who purchased at the Poly. I think it's great that we have all the different resorts we can try out as owners, having another new one is great.

 

[holden]

I grew up staying at Poly. Our first visit was in 1979. It is the only Disney resort I knew until I got married!

DH and I have stayed at the Poly dozen of times...with kids and without. It is our favorite resort, without a doubt. Our kids love it too!

I was all set to pounce on Poly points, but when I really thought about it, I changed my mind.

We bought a resale contract at BLT about a year ago. After saying in a 1BR, there is no way we could go back to a studio for a week's stay. Maybe a night or two, but not an entire week.

Two bathrooms has now become a must (with 3 girls in our family, one of whom is me, one is almost a teenager, and one is not far behind). I love packing for 4 nights for a week trip (throw a load in before dinner, move it to the dryer before bed). We don't cook, so the kitchen isn't important to us, but it it nice having space for snacks/drinks in the cupboards and fridge.

We have decided that when we want to stay at Poly, we'll pay cash. We'll use a passholder discount, so the price won't hurt so bad.

I'm hoping we can use our points to try it out someday, but I think we are happy with our choice not to purchase...