DVC Purchase - Poly or Grand Floridian Villas

[DisneyDad2008-]

Hello everyone.
Looking for some opinions on a DVC purchase. I'm currently looking to acquire 200-225 points on the resale market and am having a hard time deciding on the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian. While we understand there are differences between the two, we've stayed at both and enjoy each resort for what they offer in terms of location and amenities. We're a family of 3 (have a 7 yr old daughter) and plan on mostly using studios. (We don't usually spend much time in our room). Which would you choose and why? I'm hoping to get some insight from everyone's opinions. Thank you

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If those are your only 2 choices I'd probably say Poly. Studios at VGF are few and can be difficult to book and if that's the room size you want and need it could be a problem at times. I personally would not buy there with the thought I'd always stay in a studio. Poly is almost all studios and far greater quantity so it should not be an issue to book at 11 months. For Poly going direct will be an option since resales are still few and far between. VGF of course is close for direct purchase so resale is the option.

There are of course many other options resale at some great resorts that will cost less and require less points for rooms.

 

[zavandor]

At the moment getting a studio at PVB is very easy, but no one knows if it will stay the same in the future. Since PVB has only studios and the very expensive bungalows, families who will decide to upgrade to 1bedroom or 2bedrooms, will have to book a different resort, freeing up studios for owners of other resorts. On the other hand, many consider the cost per night of the bungalows so outrageous that they'll may end up not booked, putting more pressure on the studios.
GFV instead we know for sure it's very difficult to get, for studios you need to book right at 11 months and for some periods it's even hard that way. So at the moment it would look better to buy VGF: you can have access to studios at 11 months and to PVB at 7, but it's hard to predict the future of PVB.

It also depends on which kind of room you want. PVB has larger rooms and a split bathroom that can be useful for a family staying in a studio. VGF is at the flagship resort and many think it's the most luxurious DVC resort (I've not stayed there yet).

Both are difficult to find on the resale market and savings (expecially for PVB) may not be as much as for other resorts.

 

[Dean]

Hello everyone.
Looking for some opinions on a DVC purchase. I'm currently looking to acquire 200-225 points on the resale market and am having a hard time deciding on the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian. While we understand there are differences between the two, we've stayed at both and enjoy each resort for what they offer in terms of location and amenities. We're a family of 3 (have a 7 yr old daughter) and plan on mostly using studios. (We don't usually spend much time in our room). Which would you choose and why? I'm hoping to get some insight from everyone's opinions. Thank you

For this situation I think it's unlikely to save enough resale for the Poly to justify fooling with it. VGF is only available resale and the wait list is closed for new purchases from what I understand. Ignoring personal preferences and all else being equal I'd look at both and see what you find. VGF is likely to hold it's value better but unlikely to save you much resale. The Poly will be easier to buy (retail) and easier to reserve in all likelihood. For the Poly I would not buy without a fixed week and I'd try to get a fixed week VGF resale even if it's not a week you'd likely use. Of course the Poly only has certain options currently, we'll see if they expand it later. I'd choose SSR or AKV but for the MK area also consider VWL (or wait on the new one) or BLT. BLT is likely the best value of those getting standard view rooms with the lower dues.

 

[boxer]

Owned VGF previously, and sold because of the tough time we had getting a studio......but we REALLY miss that resort. We also prefer to stay in Studios, as we spend more time at the resort amenities, and enjoying the surrounds--never could justify the points/cost for 1-bedroom, when we are only in the room to sleep. We just toured PVB last week, and almost pulled the trigger....but at this point I cannot justify $165+/PP.

We took the monorail by VGF and we all agreed how much we missed that resort, but it is just too risky for the time of year we go to ensure there is a Studio available.

 

[disneynutz]

We bought a fixed week at VGF so we don't have the booking issue. We also started our DVC ownership expecting to stay in studios but after a few years we spent less time in the parks and more time in our 1 bedrooms.

You can always sell later and adjust your ownership just keep in mind that what you do today may not be what you do in a year or two.

Bill

 

[OneOftheB's]

We almost bought additional points at the Poly in October. My husband was 100% on board, sign the paperwork, give them the credit card to pay for the rest of the points over the next 6 months (interest free!). I was the one who just couldn't commit. Sure, the studio is perfect for us right now (family of 4 with nearly 9 year old son and 5 year old daughter). But I started thinking, in a few years when we want to bring a friend or two for the kids a studio just will not work. I worried that when time comes we would also have trouble getting the side by side studios. I wanted the home resort option of getting 2 or more bedrooms.

 

[Tunseeker1]

We were looking at adding a monorail resort for a few years.

Started looking at BLT, Hated the bathroom doors and they announced VGF.
Kinda forgot about adding on

Went down for a trip and had VGF WL come in.
Wife saw kids playing in sand and wanted to add on.

VGF are awesome, but right now we want studios right now and she said if we spent a ton of money and couldn't get the rooms then she would be VERY unhappy.

Added at Poly, She LOVES it move then VGF. Bathrooms are better for the split and studios are HUGE.

 

[RaymOOOnd]

If I were to spend about 35k on a VGF contract I think I'd be SUPER unhappy about not being able to get a studio at 11 months before my trip. Like "what did I actually pay for?" unhappy.

 

[Dean]

If I were to spend about 35k on a VGF contract I think I'd be SUPER unhappy about not being able to get a studio at 11 months before my trip. Like "what did I actually pay for?" unhappy.

But here's the issue, anyone buying that would, or at least should, know it was a risk. Plus there are options to get a fixed week which could guarantee what you need. IMO the only person to be upset with would be yourself for not understanding what you were getting into or for not getting a fixed week. It's a risk with DVC in general as well as other points systems but VGF is one of a few that are extra difficult.

 

[djohn06]

I could never buy a studio only resort, except if I was an empty nester. Your daughter may be young, but she will soon want to bring a friend. Trust me, always plan for a 1 bedroom even if you can't foresee staying in one. Your needs do change over time. Also, that Poly studio costs just as much as a 1 bedroom at AKV. If the cash doesn't matter as much to you, I would say buy VGF. Poly studio will be pretty easy to book as there will be 360 of them. My guess is 360 studios is the capacity of BLT, VWL, VGF and BCV studios combined. There will always be an opening there at 7. Just my opinion, not a sure thing.

 

[djohn06]

If I were to spend about 35k on a VGF contract I think I'd be SUPER unhappy about not being able to get a studio at 11 months before my trip. Like "what did I actually pay for?" unhappy.

Agreed.

But as a non-owner of VGF, I'd be very happy knowing 1 bedrooms are always open because everyone there bought for a studio.

 

[Tunseeker1]

Also, that Poly studio costs just as much as a 1 bedroom at AKV.

HUH?

Jan 2016 Sunday to Friday a 1bed AKV standard is 110 and Poly studio is 80 thats like 35% more points!

 

[djohn06]

That's the lowest season. Look across the board. AKV has value 1 bedrooms that are fairly easy to snag at 11 months since many people get value studios. Value 1 bedrooms are only 2 points more per day than poly standard during dream season. Poly lake view is more than value 1 bedroom too per day point wise.

Poly buy in is twice what AKV is too resale. You essentially pay double the cost of AKV to stay in a room that is significantly smaller with no kitchen or washer/ dryer.

 

[Dean]

HUH?

Jan 2016 Sunday to Friday a 1bed AKV standard is 110 and Poly studio is 80 thats like 35% more points!

To add and explore a little further. First a few rough principles that include SSR & AKV can be bought about half the Poly, that dues for AKV will likely be roughly the same as the Poly long term and that you give up nothing of value buying resale. I also don't believe the Poly will be difficult to reserve at 7 months but we'll see. Buying AKV and staying in a value 1 BR would be roughly the same as buying Poly for a studio. Roughly same points and dues and you could stay at the Poly at times if you wanted subject to availability. To do so for standard at AKV would be a little more. Buying SSR would be cheaper than either unless you did almost all trips in the value at AKV. BLT would be roughly the same long term for the 1 BR standard, a little higher buy in to get more points but significantly lower dues.

 

[T00dles]

Here's the thing, if you can plan 11 month (for the busy booking season) ahead then go for VGF. If you can't book that far in advance then you're setting yourself up for disappointment or split stays.

I would not buy the Poly resale. Right now it doesn't make sense considering the length of the contract. Resale is a PITA, direct they make it easy. For a new resort I wouldn't bother with ROFR, estoppel, stripped contract etc to save $4 a point. People do love the big studios and I think they go out of their way to grant connecting room requests especially with kids.

I would not buy Saratoga just because it is cheap. Trying to find your "magical" booking at the 7 month mark is not fun. Stalking the availiability tool, worrying, wondering, waiting. To me, it's stressful. I woulnd't want to do it every vacation. Plus you are buying less time so that's something to consider too.

Good luck!

 

[lawgator]

In addition to all the above comments for you to consider, location was a factor for our decision. We liked the idea at the Polynesian that we could take the monorail or boat to the MK, but we could also just walk to the EPCOT monorail.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If I were planning just on studios and wasn't spending much if any time in the villa, I wouldn't buy DVC. I'd just stay in a value resort.

 

[Sepo]

In addition to all the above comments for you to consider, location was a factor for our decision. We liked the idea at the Polynesian that we could take the monorail or boat to the MK, but we could also just walk to the EPCOT monorail.

Yes that short walk to the TTC is mega valuable.

We bought and stayed once so far at the VGF. It was out of this world.

The Poly is great too. Stayed there twice in regular rooms.

As many have said: the biggest factor I believe is what your 11 and 7 month options are based on what you are looking for.

You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Snurk71]

Agreed.

But as a non-owner of VGF, I'd be very happy knowing 1 bedrooms are always open because everyone there bought for a studio.

Not everybody. We bought planning on staying 1br more than a studio (family of 3). Just stayed in a 1br a month ago and they are totally worth it.