DVC or Polynesian Aug 2011

[NYCNatalie]

Hi everyone,

I'm new and have really enjoyed reading all the wonderful posts and advice on this board. DH and I are from NYC and are looking forward to our 1st disney trip with our 1 and 3 year old girls. We are going with my mom and two other friends. Initially, I thought we would join DVC and purchase 360 points to stay in a 2 bedroom. We both love Disney and hope to enjoy many years visiting with our family.

After reading some reviews, I was a little unsure of the level of DVC service at AKL or Bay lake. In the past, I stayed at GL concierge and the CR. I called Disney yesterday and they have a 2 bedroom concierge available at the Poly. I'm tempted to book it instead, but again see mixed reviews stating the resort needs updating.

I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons about DVC with 360 points vs Poly 2 bedroom concierge level. I've never stayed at the DVC villas in the past. I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts about the service, we are a flexible on budget. We do hope to return to disney which is why we really considered the DVC.

Thanks in advance,
Natalie

 

[Metsoskil]

You will not get the same level of service staying at a DVC resort as you would staying club level.

That being said, you will have access to larger accommodations, kitchens, etc.

As with any timeshare purchase, it's wise to research for a few months so that you know exactly what you are buying. There are a lot of factors to consider.

Explore the resale market and decide whether the lower price is important to you compared to the benefits of buying direct from Disney, compared to the flexibility of staying on cash, compared to renting DVC points from other owners.

Good luck with your decision. Feel free to ask more specific questions as you move along in the process. There are lots of knowledgeable people here.

And welcome to the DIS!

 

[NYCNatalie]

Thank you! I had considered DVC 2 times in the past. I can definitely imagine visiting disney frequently. I've never stayed at resorts that were not on the monorail, although many do look beautiful. The monorail conveniences seem ideal with two small kids, but Animal Kingdom Lodge looks beautiful. Its not an easy decision at all, but we are so excited to take our girls (and family) for the first time!

 

[Metsoskil]

Thank you! I had considered DVC 2 times in the past. I can definitely imagine visiting disney frequently. I've never stayed at resorts that were not on the monorail, although many do look beautiful. The monorail conveniences seem ideal with two small kids, but Animal Kingdom Lodge looks beautiful. Its not an easy decision at all, but we are so excited to take our girls (and family) for the first time!

Yes, the monorail is great. We actually prefer the Boardwalk and Beach Club to the monorail resorts, though, because you can walk and/or take a boat to two parks (Epcot and DH Studios).

AKL is beautiful. All of the resorts have something different to offer.

 

[Sandisw]

If you have not yet been to Disney, I would hold off until you have a chance to explore the resorts before making a decision.

As mentioned, club level is not really an option as a DVC guest. AKV does have it, but there are very few rooms so getting one all the time could prove difficult and I certainly would not buy expecting this.

Owning a timeshare is different than booking a trip through Disney. First, you have to be able to plan. Many members book trips 11 months in advance and there are certain times of the year that this is really important. Last minute trips are not as easy to manage--not impossible, but not something that you want to be planning on a regular basis using DVC.

We bought at BLT because we love the location and the feel of the resort. Of course, we had stayed at the CR for years so knew going in we would enjoy the resort location.

DVC really is great for those that are looking for bigger rooms at a more affordable price than paying through Disney. We found that we can now stay in 1 bedrooms for less than we were paying for rooms at CR. That was the benefit. We, however, didn't need the amenities of club level, didn't care that we would no longer get daily mousekeeping, and were okay with not being eligible for Disney deals unless we wanted to go on a cash trip again.

I can understand that spending all that money on a cash stay can be frustrating when that money could be put towards a DVC purchase but DVC is based on a long term committment and you want to be sure, seeing that this is your 1st time going, that you will love Disney enough to do that.

Good luck!

g

 

[ToddyLu]

We purchased 210 AKV points in June of 2009 and have not regreatted it at all. We visit Disney once a year for 9-10 nights and will contiue to do so fora as long as possible. DH and I had only stayed in Value resorts before DVC (we had a POFQ visit as a gift from my MIL).

Our intial purchase was for $93 point and we received 2008 points as everyone does when they purchase direct form Disney. Since our buy in we have had two wonderful trips to Disney with my MIL. We have been able to stay in SV studios each trip for 9 nights. So that is a total of 4 SV studios thus far to the tune of about $3500 each if we paid OOP. So we are already up to $14000 in OOP cost let's say. In two weeks we will stay in a standard view for 8 nights and in Oct we have two SV studios booked for us and my parents. So that is almost $21,000 in rooms at a deluxe resort--give or take since costs change all the time. I think we have gotten great use out of our purchase and we would not have paid to stay in a deluxe otherwise. So the value of DVC is really there if deluxe is the way you want to "do" Disney. At 40 I was ready for deluxe.

If you are certain that you will do Disney every year or every other year and stay deluxe then it should work out for you. DVC stays do not get free dinning and the other discount promotions. You could use your coming trip money to buy a contract (say 200 points) then once int he system borrow points from the coming year, giving you 400 points for your planned trip. Then when you feel it is right for your family after trying it out then add the 160 points you need.

360 points is good amount for a first purchase of a product you have yet to try. Definitely get several smaller contracts like 3-100 points, then a 60 point. You will not get the level of service but you will ge the extra room, laundry and full kitchen. I just do nto think you have to do it all at once this first trip. Get a smaller contract, test the waters and see. My 200 point sample will be cheaper and then leave you room to purchase more as needed.

 

[NYCNatalie]

Thank you all for your insight. This is our first family trip but I've been to Disney twice in 2001 staying at CR and 2003 at GF concierge. I like the advantage of larger rooms at DVC, but the concierge service is such a perk staying direct. I dont have a preference whether or not there is daily mousekeeping. Overall, I like the monorail convenience. If we did buy via DVC then we would buy BLT. The only thought is this year if we stayed at the Polynesian it would be a big deposit not made at DVC. I like the idea long term of visiting yearly or every other having a 3 bedroom and inviting my inlaws and their kids to bunk with us. Staying direct this would be near impossible to invite them all down and incur the room charges. I don't know which is best since its hard to imagine future preferences. Hmm....

 

[mjc2003]

When is your trip planned? I ask b/c even if you buy DVC now, you might have trouble getting the accommodations you need within the next 7 months. DVC members tend to book far in advance. I'm not saying that you won't get rooms, but you might not be getting a grand villa this time around. Also, if you buy resale please consider that it'll be 60 days approx until you can put the points to use, so you'd be booking at the end of June.

That said, I would guess you are spending a pretty penny on the Poly concierge. We have two small girls, 5 and almost 3, and made our first trip when they were 3 and 1. We've stayed Beach Club the last two years, and just bought at Beach Club and wish we had done it sooner (we spend about $9000 on cash villas in 2009 and 2010). We LOVE the Beach Club b/c of the walking distance to Hollywood Studios and Epcot, as well as the overall atmosphere, and the amazing pool (and awesome zero entry, sand bottom pool for young kids). We also find the entire area to be great for family. Have you seen/been to BLT? Of course, everybody has their preference; it's very "contemporary", and the style is not ours. Of course, we love the Beach Club and some don't care for it. I am not suggesting BLT isn't nice, just that you need to realize the commitment and make SURE you like where you're going to spend a lot of time as your kids get older.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC is a timeshare and with timeshares you wind up doing a lot yourself instead of having someone else do it all for you. You only get housekeeping services every four days. If you stay seven nights or fewer, you only get your trash remove and towels replaced on day 4. If you stay eight nights or more, you get a full cleaning on day four and trash removed and towels replaced on day eight. If you need extra housekeeping you pay for it out of pocket. If you need extra towels you pay for them out of pocket. Nothing extra is free in a timeshare.

Member fees and taxes go up each year.

They don't do renovations very often. they make repairs, the replace torn or worn after a period of time, but you may see slightly worn furniture, carpet, etc. on your stays. This is because members pay for all the renovations. So if you need freshly painted, no wear and tear, you won't want a timeshare.

There won't be any freshly made beds when you return to the room from a morning at the park unless you made the beds before you left. There is a washer and dryer in all villas larger than a studio so you can wash your towels each day if you can't reuse a towel.

So, if service is important to you, you need to reconsider a DVC ownership.

 

[DisOwl]

Have you had the chance to visit the Doorway to Dreams location in NY? If not, you might want to consider checking it out before making your decision. You will be able to tour a 2-bedroom BLT model and talk with a guide in detail about the services available to DVC members. (The guide also should be able to find out if BLT has available the size room you would want for your trip.)

I was in your situation a couple of years ago before I purchased points at BLT. I found out about DVC after booking a vacation at the Wilderness Lodge but before going on our trip. I did not have enough time to research fully DVC and we went on our trip. Shortly thereafter, I decided to take the plunge. I wish I had learned about DVC sooner because it would have been nice to use the money spent on our trip to buy into DVC.

In my view, the DVC experience is different than staying at one of the Disney resorts. I, however, have found that the pros definitely outweigh the cons and I have been very happy about my purchase.

Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...You will be able to tour a 2-bedroom BLT model and talk with a guide in detail about the services available to DVC members. (The guide also should be able to find out if BLT has available the size room you would want for your trip.)...

Remember that a "guide" is just a salesperson and they can tell you anything you want to hear to make that sale. And they may help you get your first reservation if it is a hard time to get something, but you won't hear from them again unless you decide to buy more points. That's just a fact.

 

[NYCNatalie]

I spoke to the salesperson and they confirmed a 3 bedroom is available at AKL not BLT during the end of August. I've stayed in the Contemporary and didn't like the feel, but did like the monorail accessibility. I havent been to Doorway to Dreams or heard of it until you mentioned it. Thank you! Part of me is tempted to stay this year and enjoy the trip and seriously consider DVC next year. I'm not sure...

 

[DisOwl]

Well, guides might be able to talk up DVC membership to encourage a sale, but I would not assume that guides will lie to you about the services available. That would be fraud, right? Before I purchased DVC, I spent a lot of time researching the facts and coupled that information with a tour of a BLT model. The information provided by my guide in connection with the tour did not differ from what I had already learned. It simply helped me understand better how DVC worked.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I spoke to the salesperson and they confirmed a 3 bedroom is available at AKL not BLT during the end of August. I've stayed in the Contemporary and didn't like the feel, but did like the monorail accessibility. I havent been to Doorway to Dreams or heard of it until you mentioned it. Thank you! Part of me is tempted to stay this year and enjoy the trip and seriously consider DVC next year. I'm not sure...

When did you talk to the salesperson about the availability of a three bedroom villa? If it wasn't a minute ago, it is probably gone by now. They do have them at the resort, but you have to book it at 11 months out as long as someone else didn't book it before you. Just because there is one there, doesn't mean they will save it for you.

 

[DisOwl]

Part of me is tempted to stay this year and enjoy the trip and seriously consider DVC next year. I'm not sure...

That might be the best way to go so that you have plenty of time to figure out whether DVC is the right decision for your family. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Metsoskil]

Well, guides might be able to talk up DVC membership to encourage a sale, but I would not assume that guides will lie to you about the services available. That would be fraud, right? Before I purchased DVC, I spent a lot of time researching the facts and coupled that information with a tour of a BLT model. The information provided by my guide in connection with the tour did not differ from what I had already learned. It simply helped me understand better how DVC worked.

DVC guides are simply timeshare salesmen/saleswomen. They make money when you buy from them. They are not going to tell you the whole truth.

They won't mention that you can buy for significantly less on the resale market.

They won't mention that it's more difficult to trade your DVC in RCI than other timeshares.

They won't mention that DVC dues are higher than most timeshares, that DVC has the right to restrict you to your home resort and cancel your ability to use your points at other resorts, that points charts can change (and have twice in the past 3 years), etc.

Now DVC might still be the best option for your family (we are happy members), but don't expect DVC guides to be totally upfront and truthful with you. They are looking to convince you to buy their product, just like any other timeshare salesman would. Your best source of information when deciding to purchase is undoubtedly NOT your guide. He/she isn't objective.

You are better off here on the DIS, and even more so on sites like the Timeshare Users Group (www.tug2.net). You'll get all sides from these sources.

 

[NYCNatalie]

Thanks again especially Metsoskil. My guide did say points do not change, only season dates associated with the points. I think this first trip we'll go to the Poly and explore, if we did return it would be 2013 at which time, perhaps we'll join DVC. I do love many aspects of DVC, but we may go once as a family to see what suits us. We went years ago and it's definitely much different returning with children. Many thanks to everyone!

 

[dizzneebabe]

I wouldn't necessarily rule out a DVC purchase just yet, however you need to do some homework and find out how it works and whether or not that vacation style fits into your lifestyle. By planning and being flexible, DVC can be wonderful--we LOVE it, but it's not for everyone. But, I'm curious what service concerns do you have with DVC?

I would read up on these boards, visit the Doorway to Dreams Store (if it's nearby) and then decide...keeping in mind that an August reservation might be hard to grab at this point (although our guide was able to help us book a reservation when we purchased).

 

[mintwax]

There won't be any freshly made beds when you return to the room from a morning at the park unless you made the beds before you left. There is a washer and dryer in all villas larger than a studio so you can wash your towels each day if you can't reuse a towel.

It is true that you don't have daily housekeeping. However, if this is important to you, you can pay extra for it. I think (I may be wrong) that it ranges from $30 - $75 a day depending on the size of your unit.

Good luck with your decision. I recently went through the samde decision. We loved the concierge rooms, but we ended up buying at BLT.

By the way, you mentioned you liked GF. You should know that it appears that they are building a GF DVC. Disney has not confirmed this, but the rumor appears to have some credibility.

 

[SabresFan]

If you do go and stay at the Poly, first, you will absolutely LOVE it - we've been there twice and it is amazing.

Also, at the Poly they have a DVC kiosk and you can sign up to get the sales pitch. When we did it they gave us $200 gift card for doing the presentation - if you're staying at a Deluxe resort you can get a bigger gift card than people staying at moderates. It takes about 2 hours, they will pick you up at the hotel in a van and drive you back when done.

I thought our guide (their term for salesman) did an excellent job and was not high pressure at all. It was very informative. But I have heard other stories both good and bad about DVC guides, so your mileage may vary.

We ended up not buying from him, doing some research, and bought 150 point resale for Saratoga Springs at $60 per point. This summer will be our first DVC vacation using the points (last year's banked plus this year's) - 7 nights in a 1 BR at Boardwalk and 2 nights at Vero Beach in a 1 BR.

So we've spent about $10,000 so far (including closing costs and this year's dues). 9 nights in a 1 BR at a 25% discount would probably cost around $3600. So we're about 1/3 of the way to break even.

For comparison, a room at the Polynesian (which has some of the biggest rooms of any Disney resort) is about 410 square feet. A 1 BR suite at Boardwalk is about 710 square feet. And if you get a 2 BR suite that's even more square footage.

Advantages of the 1 BR at Boardwalk:
Lots more square footage
Two separate rooms - the kids will love having their own room (the living room, but they'll think of it as their own room)
Two TVs
Full kitchen
Washer / Dryer in room
Free internet (it's $10 per day for resort guests, even in the Club Level)

Advantages of a hotel room at the Poly:
Daily mousekeeping
Monorail
Probably a lot more in the way of services (especially if staying Club Level - we got a free upgrade this summer due to it being our 25th Anniversary - it was excellent - although I don't think it's worth the extra cost over a regular room and would never pay to stay Club Level on my own dime) - but the resort is crawling with Disney helpers of every kind, so if you have a need for something, you should be able to get it quite easily. That's pretty much true of any Deluxe resort, but I would assume that DVC would have fewer such people.