DVC Poly Announcement

[jerseyduke]

I agree, no washer/dryer. More people in less space. They took the cheap way out. Those buildings should have been torn down. Compared to BLT and Grand Floridian, The Poly will be second class. 20 bungalows and some have a great view of the transportation and ticket center. We walked over to the Poly today from BLT and all I can say is Disney Blew it and who ever is responsible should find another job.

I could not agree more. I am so disappointed at least in phase one. They certainly did take the cheap way out.


I am in a position where studios are fine, and I love the poly(its one of if not my favorite resort) so it can still make sense. But buying into a place that has no 1 br or 2 br options at the 11 month mark, if that will be the kind of thing you need.

I should look up studio counts at the various resorts; with 360 I wonder how hard it will be to get one at the 7 month mark?

When you buy DVC, you pay for the 11 month benefit. Not to bash SSR, but it is big, it is easy to get at 7 months most of the time, and that is why it is cheaper on the resale market.

SSR has 432 Lock offs, so AT MOST 432 Studios, Poly is putting up 360.


If poly is easy to get at 7 months, it might be cheap on the resale market.

Disappointed , but addicted, so I am hosed

 

[OKW Lover]

DVD/DVC isn't about making existing owners happy, they are about selling new properties.

The two things are not mutually exclusive. If owners are not happy the reputation of DVC will go downhill and impact future sales.

 

[disneynutz]

The two things are not mutually exclusive. If owners are not happy the reputation of DVC will go downhill and impact future sales.

IMO DVC has gone down hill over the last few years and they don't seem to have any difficulty selling out. Once sold, they have a contract owner for the life of the contract.

My guess is that 90% of DVC direct buyers don't take the time to do much research with only 1 in 10 canceling their purchase during the cooling off period. Common comments are, "the sales man was so nice, he gave us a bonus of last years points", "what's a UY?", and "I didn't know that we could buy other resorts".

If Disney builds it, they will come.

Bill

 

[Sur]

We have the same stash as Disneynutz- use APs when we have many visits or long visits planned, wrap the visits into two years, and use non-exp for days that just fall outside those windows ( never more than 2 days from non- exp in a year/ pp) we also use the MVMCP or MNSSHP tickets to gain park access and not use tickets from the stash- it makes for a festive add on.

 

[tjkraz]

The two things are not mutually exclusive. If owners are not happy the reputation of DVC will go downhill and impact future sales.

Bingo!

IMO DVC has gone down hill over the last few years and they don't seem to have any difficulty selling out. Once sold, they have a contract owner for the life of the contract.

But with all due respect, the feeling that it has "gone down hill" is yours. I'm sure there are other like-minded individuals but I would never call it a commonly held belief.

DVC absolutely has a vested interest in keeping owners happy. A poor reputation for DVC makes it more difficult to sell points in the first place. When prospective owners get bad reports from discussion forums and members they bump-into at the theme parks, it causes them to rethink the purchase decision.

A poor rep also increases the likelihood that current owners will abandon the program and sell their points. More contracts on the resale market depresses prices and widens that disparity between resale and direct. Even today we hear about people who can't find the resale contract they want or are frustrated by ROFR...and some talk themselves into buying direct. If the volume of resale contracts increases by 50%...100%...200%, many of those individuals will pursue resale more aggressively.

 

[Tikiman]

Although some of the bungalows have an awesome view of the transportation and ticket center.

Looking at the construction map, none of the bungalows decks face the TTC and they planned in the concept to build a little peninsula with plants on it along the side of the last bungalow closest to the TTC to help hide it.

 

[emilymad]

Are there any rumors about future plans for amenities other than the rooms? One of my biggest issues at the Poly is the crowded pool. I know it is undergoing a renovation but will DVC get their own pool down the road? I am fine with the studios but they are just glorified hotel rooms and there doesn't seem to be anything "special" to warrant a DVC purchase.

 

[Tikiman]

Are there any rumors about future plans for amenities other than the rooms? One of my biggest issues at the Poly is the crowded pool. I know it is undergoing a renovation but will DVC get their own pool down the road? I am fine with the studios but they are just glorified hotel rooms and there doesn't seem to be anything "special" to warrant a DVC purchase.

I spoke to people that are involved in the project and there are other amenities planned but they were not clear about the details (intentionally) so I don’t discuss them until I know more or am told I can. Otherwise when I mention the slightest thing it turns into rumors that change from the original facts. I even hear cast members telling guests that they are looking forward to the lazy river that is going in. That all came from some early info I shared about the original concept that did have an additional pool over the the east side between all the DVC longhouses but that plan was killed long ago. Even the redesign of the Nanea pool to make it larger was changed to keeping the pool and slide the same but increasing the pool deck area and adding a new kids play area and hot tub. I think with the larger pool area and added amenities along with a redesign to the east pool, there will be less problem with an overcrowded pool. A big help to it being over crowded will be that both pools will be fenced with access only to those with a room key.

The studios are basically a deluxe hotel room but the only reason I am interested in purchasing there is because the rooms are becoming too expensive so I might as well pay for it all at once now before rates go too high. I can spend my $30k now to give me a room for a week a year for the life of the contract or I can spend $30k booking a room for the next 6-7 years. Also with the reduced amount of hotel rooms, I would not be surprised if it is hard to book a room at certain times of the year.

I personally don’t care about a full kitchen or a washer and dryer. We have one in our Westin villa in our one bedroom and studio and hardly ever use the kitchen or washer and dryer unless we are staying 2 weeks. You should hear more about added amenities soon so I will let Disney announce those but considering they have not even started construction on some of them I would not expect them until late next year at best. As far as what will come in another phase I will have to hold off talking about that for a while.

I would love to buy points to get a bungalow for a week a year or even every other year but if my calculations are correct I would be looking at well over $100k worth of points if I got them on a Polynesian DVC contract.

 

[DebbieB]

IMO DVC has gone down hill over the last few years and they don't seem to have any difficulty selling out. Once sold, they have a contract owner for the life of the contract.

My guess is that 90% of DVC direct buyers don't take the time to do much research with only 1 in 10 canceling their purchase during the cooling off period. Common comments are, "the sales man was so nice, he gave us a bonus of last years points", "what's a UY?", and "I didn't know that we could buy other resorts".

If Disney builds it, they will come.

Bill

I don't think it has gone downhill from when I bought 15 years ago. It's better - when I bought there was OKW and BWV at WDW. That was it. Now there's the choice of 8 resorts at WDW (Poly will be 9) and 1 at DL (plus the others, I really am not interested in). I've stayed at all of them except SSR and liked all of them. I typically alternate between my home resort (BWV) and others.

When I bought there was a 10% length of stay pass discount. Now there's about a 30% annual pass discount ($516 vs $675 with tax).

Best vacation decision I ever made.

 

[disneynutz]

I don't think it has gone downhill from when I bought 15 years ago. It's better - when I bought there was OKW and BWV at WDW. That was it. Now there's the choice of 8 resorts at WDW (Poly will be 9) and 1 at DL (plus the others, I really am not interested in). I've stayed at all of them except SSR and liked all of them. I typically alternate between my home resort (BWV) and others.

When I bought there was a 10% length of stay pass discount. Now there's about a 30% annual pass discount ($516 vs $675 with tax).

Best vacation decision I ever made.

I agree that the number of resorts have increased but service after the sale hasn't. DVC now has restricted point usage, new waitlist rules, new management, long telephone hold times, no free valet parking, website issues, rehab room designs that are not keeping with the original theme, referral awards were discontinued, and quality issues with new construction and rehabs.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

I agree that the number of resorts have increased but service after the sale hasn't. DVC now has restricted point usage, new waitlist rules, new management, long telephone hold times, no free valet parking, website issues, rehab room designs that are not keeping with the original theme, referral awards were discontinued, and quality issues with new construction and rehabs.

Bill

Nothing on that list has affected me except maybe free valet parking. I did occasionally use it at BWV. That wasn't DVC's fault, it was Disney's decision to outsource valet parking. I wouldn't expect dues to pay for it, which would have happened to keep it. I mostly use the website instead of calling these days and have never had issues. Could care less about theme, I'm staying there for a few nights, not living there for the next 10 years.

If I was as unhappy as you seem to be, I would just sell. It's a seller's market right now.

 

[disneynutz]

Nothing on that list has affected me except maybe free valet parking. I did occasionally use it at BWV. That wasn't DVC's fault, it was Disney's decision to outsource valet parking. I wouldn't expect dues to pay for it, which would have happened to keep it. I mostly use the website instead of calling these days and have never had issues. Could care less about theme, I'm staying there for a few nights, not living there for the next 10 years.

If I was as unhappy as you seem to be, I would just sell. It's a seller's market right now.

My problem is that I consider product and the changes and how they affect all owners not just us. Eventually they will make changes that do affect us. We have already sold several contracts and will wait and see what happens next and how many new resorts are built that have only studios.

Bill

 

[hakepb]

Didn't VGF "sell out" of some fixed week studios?

If they can only sell 25% of a category per week as fixed, this means they have 90 studios per week.
What if DVC is planning on selling those 90 studios in the popular fixed weeks, then decides to change "based on member demand" one (uncompleted) longhouse back to a traditional 2BR lock off configuration?

 

[Chic]

I agree that the number of resorts have increased but service after the sale hasn't. DVC now has restricted point usage, new waitlist rules, new management, long telephone hold times, no free valet parking, website issues, rehab room designs that are not keeping with the original theme, referral awards were discontinued, and quality issues with new construction and rehabs.

Bill

I became a DVC Member over 7 years ago and I don't feel there is a decline with "service after the sale". Have there been many changes over the years? Absolutely. I enjoy the new addition of online booking, I have no wait times on the telephone and I can book my accommodations 24/7. I've seen room refurbishments in Old Key West where a sleeper chair was added as part of the remodel, DVC built an entirely new swimming pool and snack bar at Saratoga Springs, a new walkway bridge from Saratoga Springs to Downtown Disney was recently constructed, etc. Does DVC make mistakes when building a new resort? Yes. Do they listen to guests feedback when an issue is reported time and time again? Yes. Bay Lake Tower was a perfect example: remember the cheap quality table tops in the 1-Bedroom Villas which scratched instantly, the cold water dripping from the overhead showers, the Studios with the bathroom sinks in the kitchenette, the sliding bathroom doors with no locks, the poor performing air conditioners, Top of the World Lounge which only allowed access to members staying at Bay Lake Tower, etc. These were all issues which Disney addressed and corrected in time. If and when issues materialize at the Polynesian Villas, my thoughts are Disney will find a solution which meets the expectations of the majority. I still continue to believe Disney wants its guests to be satisfied so they will return time and time again. A satisfied client is also a powerful marketing tool for future buyers and Disney knows it. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Polynesian addition and feel excited to have yet another resort available to use my membership points and enjoy family vacations.

 

[DizBub]

I became a DVC Member over 7 years ago and I don't feel there is a decline with "service after the sale". Have there been many changes over the years? Absolutely. I enjoy the new addition of online booking, I have no wait times on the telephone and I can book my accommodations 24/7. I've seen room refurbishments in Old Key West where a sleeper chair was added as part of the remodel, DVC built an entirely new swimming pool and snack bar at Saratoga Springs, a new walkway bridge from Saratoga Springs to Downtown Disney was recently constructed, etc. Does DVC make mistakes when building a new resort? Yes. Do they listen to guests feedback when an issue is reported time and time again? Yes. Bay Lake Tower was a perfect example: remember the cheap quality table tops in the 1-Bedroom Villas which scratched instantly, the cold water dripping from the overhead showers, the Studios with the bathroom sinks in the kitchenette, the sliding bathroom doors with no locks, the poor performing air conditioners, Top of the World Lounge which only allowed access to members staying at Bay Lake Tower, etc. These were all issues which Disney addressed and corrected in time. If and when issues materialize at the Polynesian Villas, my thoughts are Disney will find a solution which meets the expectations of the majority. I still continue to believe Disney wants its guests to be satisfied so they will return time and time again. A satisfied client is also a powerful marketing tool for future buyers and Disney knows it. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Polynesian addition and feel excited to have yet another resort available to use my membership points and enjoy family vacations.

Very well said.

 

[jerseyduke]

Didn't VGF "sell out" of some fixed week studios?

If they can only sell 25% of a category per week as fixed, this means they have 90 studios per week.
What if DVC is planning on selling those 90 studios in the popular fixed weeks, then decides to change "based on member demand" one (uncompleted) longhouse back to a traditional 2BR lock off configuration?

VGF has 47 dedicated 2 bedrooms, 47 lock offs and 6 grand villas. So, AT MOST they have 47 studios, not 90!

I do not think they have sold out, but some weeks in December may be possible.

I am going from memory, but I believe the way it was worded in the master declaration is that it was 35% of a type in a week. IE they could not sell every room for a certain week, then just take 2 other random weeks off of the market.

 

[tjkraz]

My problem is that I consider product and the changes and how they affect all owners not just us.

No, Bill, you really don't. If you were looking at the big picture, you would also be giving consideration to the positive changes like:

- Vastly improved member website
- Ticket discounts, both the everyday AP discounts and limited time offers
- More member cruise opportunities
- Theme park merchandise discount
- Exclusive dining opportunities
- Exclusive member merchandise
- Exclusive Adventures by Disney itineraries
- RunDisney discounts
- Disney theatrical film previews
- Increased villa capacities
- Improved member communications (email newsletter revived, more frequent updates to website, Facebook)
- Weekly member gatherings at WDW, DL AND Aulani

If you were taking all owners into consideration, you would recognize that not everyone thinks the refurb room designs are a downgrade.

You make blanket statements about "long hold times" and "website issues" when those are far from consistent issues. Last 2 times I called MS my wait times were 2 minutes and 0 minutes (rang through immediately.) Website issues have crept up at times but they are typically addressed within hours.

You mention "quality issues with new construction" when we both know you are talking about BLT--the resort that opened 5 years (and two General Managers) ago. There are no widespread reports of issues with other recent developments like Grand Floridian, Aulani, Grand Californian or Treehouse Villas.

If you want to claim some objectivity...be objective.

 

[hakepb]

VGF has 47 dedicated 2 bedrooms, 47 lock offs and 6 grand villas. So, AT MOST they have 47 studios, not 90!

I do not think they have sold out, but some weeks in December may be possible.

I am going from memory, but I believe the way it was worded in the master declaration is that it was 35% of a type in a week. IE they could not sell every room for a certain week, then just take 2 other random weeks off of the market.

The 90 was my Poly estimate of max fixed weeks (I guessed 25% of 360)

 

[bobbiwoz]

I like the idea of adjacent connecting studios. I'm with friends now at BWV 1 bedroom, a kitchenette is really all we need, and 2 bathrooms for the 3 of us would be nice.

I am still a satisfied DVC owner.

Bobbi

 

[disneynutz]

No, Bill, you really don't. If you were looking at the big picture, you would also be giving consideration to the positive changes like:

- Vastly improved member website
- Ticket discounts, both the everyday AP discounts and limited time offers
- More member cruise opportunities
- Theme park merchandise discount
- Exclusive dining opportunities
- Exclusive member merchandise
- Exclusive Adventures by Disney itineraries
- RunDisney discounts
- Disney theatrical film previews
- Increased villa capacities
- Improved member communications (email newsletter revived, more frequent updates to website, Facebook)
- Weekly member gatherings at WDW, DL AND Aulani

If you were taking all owners into consideration, you would recognize that not everyone thinks the refurb room designs are a downgrade.

You make blanket statements about "long hold times" and "website issues" when those are far from consistent issues. Last 2 times I called MS my wait times were 2 minutes and 0 minutes (rang through immediately.) Website issues have crept up at times but they are typically addressed within hours.

You mention "quality issues with new construction" when we both know you are talking about BLT--the resort that opened 5 years (and two General Managers) ago. There are no widespread reports of issues with other recent developments like Grand Floridian, Aulani, Grand Californian or Treehouse Villas.

If you want to claim some objectivity...be objective.

Guess I have a disappointed bias. Maybe I am too close to some DVD/DVC CM's and managers who aren't very happy.

I expected Disney to pretty much problem free and perhaps I am holding them to a standard that isn't realistic. They have one of the largest IT/web groups and they know how to outsource when necessary. They aren't new to the business and building resorts that are well designed, using quality materials was what I expected. Putting a TV behind the mirror at VGF that doesn't really function or a cold water dipping pool on the deck seems like poor decisions.

I also don't see offering events, mingles, DVC cruises, ABD vacations where the member is paying for the privilege to attend often at a premium as a wonderful thing.

I guess it all depends how you look at it.

Bill