Finally dove into the DVC World, where to start....

[DisneyRegulars]

I did have a belief I would like to use this membership for more than just the WDW resorts, like other resorts around the country and possibly abroad at some point so resale wasn't an option at first.

Resale doesn't preclude you from Using the World Passport Collection, the RCI trades. So these would still be an option for you through a resale contract.

Otherwise, congrats and welcome home. We just stayed at the Poly this summer, and although we won't be back because we prefer the one and two bedroom accommodations, the Poly was amazing and we loved staying there. They have the nicest studios by far if that is what you're after.

 

[disneynutz]

Not really interested in cancelling. From what I have read (like I said I have been looking into this for a couple years now off and on). Seems like every post I read on here with newbies asking advice ends up with everyone telling them to cancel, but then everyone saying they are happy with their purchase. Makes me wonder if no one just wants to admit it's a bad deal......

I admit some time down the line we might want an extra room but that's at least 7-10 years down the line. By that time I'll be buying more points, most likely resale. To get the 11 month booking you can only use points from that resort from what I understand. So adding points from different (cheaper) resorts is basically to get better rooms at resorts that you can actually book 7 months in advance. I really have no interest in GFR so that one at least isn't really an issue.

The newbie cancel advice is usually due to the newbie not fully understanding what they bought, that resales are available at a less expensive price, that they didn't get an extra years worth of points for free, that they don't have to buy what Disney is currently selling, and that they can pick their UY.

Cancelling gives the newbie time to learn and determine if DVC is the product that they thought it was, worse case they call their guide and buy later.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

The newbie cancel advice is usually due to the newbie not fully understanding what they bought, that resales are available at a less expensive price, that they didn't get an extra years worth of points for free, that they don't have to buy what Disney is currently selling, and that they can pick their UY.

Cancelling gives the newbie time to learn and determine if DVC is the product that they thought it was, worse case they call their guide and buy later.

Bill

Other than using the word "newbie" (teeth cringing), I totally agree with Bill.

 

[ziravan]

Cautionary tale why fixed weeks are a great idea:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/no...ome-resort-love-at-bwv.3460259/#post-54670953

Don't let the guide talk you out of it. If he says you can't, so long as you're within 10 days of purchase, tell him you want to rescind but you'd be happy to immediately purchase a fixed week.

Weeks 49, 50, and 51 are good weeks.

I chose 44 first week of Nov. it's F&W, MNSSHP some years, MVMCP other years, and rarely, both. The last weekend (Fri/Sat of the week) is F&W half marathon and the start of Jersey Week, so it's a busy week to book.

I truly think you'll find it worth it. It's like knowing the secret menu at In N Out. You'll be an insider.

 

[freediverdude]

I agree that you should do some more research to see if the Polynesian was the right purchase for you. You don't necessarily have to cancel, you still have some more days, but I would look at things a bit more before deciding to keep it. Every resort has its pluses and minuses and is different, and you should choose the one that you think you'll want to stay at the most. It's not necessarily just a money decision, there's a lot more to it. Read as much as you can about each resort- you'll find yourself going "oh I didn't know that..." a lot. Then decide if you want to keep your Poly contract along with the pluses and minuses of the Polynesian, or whether you'd be better off somewhere else. As far as traveling the world, I'm not sure DVC and your contract amount would be the right timeshare for that. But that's another thing to research.

 

[MsTessP]

Nobody is being negative by telling you to rescind. The same deal at Poly will be there tomorrow, next week, and next month if DVC, and Poly in particular, proves to be the best choice for your family.
As others have mentioned, restrictions on resale points is a nonissue. In fact, many direct owners choose to rent their points for these options (the points for which, BTW, are way beyond what you currently own anyway) because it usually ends up being a much better financial deal.
We read here over and over of members wishing they had taken the time to determine which resort was their favorite rather than buying what was currently available direct.
We don't read posts from members regretting that they bought resale.

 

[dspud]

I agree that you should do some more research to see if the Polynesian was the right purchase for you. You don't necessarily have to cancel, you still have some more days, but I would look at things a bit more before deciding to keep it. Every resort has its pluses and minuses and is different, and you should choose the one that you think you'll want to stay at the most. It's not necessarily just a money decision, there's a lot more to it. Read as much as you can about each resort- you'll find yourself going "oh I didn't know that..." a lot. Then decide if you want to keep your Poly contract along with the pluses and minuses of the Polynesian, or whether you'd be better off somewhere else. As far as traveling the world, I'm not sure DVC and your contract amount would be the right timeshare for that. But that's another thing to research.

Thats what I am doing now. For us, for now, and the next 5-7 years, monorail is king, so I am only researching those. To many young ones. Also a fun theme, waterpark, etc. The studios don't bother us, but eventually way down the line might want something more. But the way I look at it, we can always buy into another resort at a later date. Its not like we went into the DVC van dumb. We wouldn't have considered it except my wife LOVED the poly when she was there. We wouldn't have even considered the purchase at that price had it not been the poly.

Nobody is being negative by telling you to rescind. The same deal at Poly will be there tomorrow, next week, and next month if DVC, and Poly in particular, proves to be the best choice for your family.
As others have mentioned, restrictions on resale points is a nonissue. In fact, many direct owners choose to rent their points for these options (the points for which, BTW, are way beyond what you currently own anyway) because it usually ends up being a much better financial deal.
We read here over and over of members wishing they had taken the time to determine which resort was their favorite rather than buying what was currently available direct.
We don't read posts from members regretting that they bought resale.

Yeah i am starting to see that now that we probably won't use the points for much international travel. Which is fine. I did see some international destination hotels for 13-20 points a night. I think Cancun and Punta Cana. Seemed to be a good way to use up a few remaining points that you had extra, but not sure I would want to use my points those types of trips, as you they are a dime a dozen anyway.

I am pointing towards going with the guaranteed week. That sounds like the good plan for us. I also noticed resale is cheaper but obviously, the points expire a lot sooner too, compared to the full term I have with the Poly. Don't really think I will be heading to disney when I am 83 years old, but hey, I do like the thought that I will have them until I'm old and gray, without every having to repurchase.

Also, not sure how you guys decide what types of vacations you want 15 years from now. I know I have trouble deciding what I want to do next year, much less 10-15 years from now. We did this because I know with my daughters I will be going to disney a lot and, lets face it, my wife and I love it also.

 

[djohn06]

I joined DVC over 2 decades ago and have 3 kids. Back then we bought it to stay in a 2 bdrm villa every trip. But in those early days you had to start with 210 points minimum as I recall. Needless to say I am quite spoiled to stay in large villas, but IMHO if you are wanting to extend your 130 points/year and stay as long as possible as opposed to staying in a larger villa, I think the Poly is actually a very good choice. Yes, it is a family of 5 in a Studio, but I think the Poly studios are the best in the DVC collection for an entire family to stay in because they are quite large and because of the split bathrooms.

I would buy Poly if you love the Poly only. If you don't love the Poly, you can buy animal kingdom or BWV resale and get enough points to stay in a 1 bedroom. It will give you much more versatility than a Poly room. Also, it costs half as much up front (for AKV or SSR).

 

[dspud]

One thing I guess thats important, Is the Poly hard to book in the 7 month window? For some reason I thought it was, but just for fun I tried to book christmas week 2015 and its still available. I figure if its available then, just a month out, I shouldn't have much trouble booking it any other time either.

 

[southerngirl528]

I bought direct in 1997 for $50 a point.

That's interesting. I purchases in mid 1993 direct from DVC and I paid about $55/point…. maybe take a peek at that contract?

 

[southerngirl528]

Also, not sure how you guys decide what types of vacations you want 15 years from now.

Dspud, you make a good point. Truth is most of us can only project what we THINK we might be doing in 15 years. I can tell you that my 3 were quite young over 20 years ago when I joined. Folks ask me why on earth I still own at DVC since I now live in FL and my kids are grown. And I laugh out loud every time because my family just keeps on growing! Kids are getting married, a couple have little ones of their own so I find myself booking a week or so in a grand villa once a year, usually between Thanksgiving and Christmas to try and gather as many of us as possible. I find I need more points now rather than less. And I cannot tell you how much value my kids and I have gotten from our membership over the years. We have been able to stay in accommodations that I either could not have paid for or would not have paid for out of pocket. My GV at OKW for 7 nights last year would have been $1444/night before taxes. Do that math on that!

As for using my points elsewhere, in over 20 years I have only done ONE exchange for another timeshare. Some folks love doing that, me I'm picky. I don't want to give up my beautiful DVC accommodations for something lesser. Yes, I know. There are some nice exchange options. But IMO, not nearly as many as when DVC could trade through II and get Westin and Marriott properties. I have traded for Concierge Collection a few times but it was for far lower points/night than almost all are now. I have used my points on Disney cruise before though admittedly it is far from your best "bang for the buck". But it has worked for me several times. Renting your points to pay for a cruise has worked for lots of folks.

Only you and your wife know what decision is right for you. The advice to be sure you know what you have bought and to consider your options is good advice. But if you've been looking for a good 2 years and learning, then perhaps your decision is spot on. I know after extensive number crunching, I came to the conclusion that at the time we bought, DVC was a great option. Whatever you decide, I wish you and yours many years of happy vacations!

 

[dspud]

Ok, so for example, Vero Beach, a resort off DIS property, is selling 200 points in the low $60 range. I could still book all the DIS resorts (the ones available) at the 7 month mark correct? The points work the same way. That would save us a crazy amount of money and still looks like we could book almost anything we wanted. And give us at least 400 points if we go every two years. What resorts are commonly available during the 7 month window on WDW property? My wife is a school teacher so unfortunately we will mostly travel during the summer breaks, spring break, and sometime down the road would like to do a trip over xmas vacation.

 

[dspud]

if you've been looking for a good 2 years and learning, then perhaps your decision is spot on. I know after extensive number crunching, I came to the conclusion that at the time we bought, DVC was a great option. Whatever you decide, I wish you and yours many years of happy vacations!

Thank you, I have been reading these forums for two years, and was happy with my purchase, but now, two days after actually putting down the cash we discussed, I feel I am getting greedy already. My wife is hesitant, saying "we just planned on adding points later" and now keep thinking to myself, but we don't have too it we buy cheaper now......

One thing you bring up is something I thought about. Using points for when the kids are grown. Obviously my Poly points I have now are good for 50 years out, but some of the cheaper points options expire much sooner. Damn you internet forums......Now I question whether I will kick myself in the *** in 30 years if i buy something like Vero Beach points at 63 bucks a point but expire 20 years sooner.

 

[ziravan]

One thing I guess thats important, Is the Poly hard to book in the 7 month window? For some reason I thought it was, but just for fun I tried to book christmas week 2015 and its still available. I figure if its available then, just a month out, I shouldn't have much trouble booking it any other time either.

Hard to say. Poly is still for sale and DVD (Disney Vacation Development) releases inventory to keep ahead of sales. You won't know until Poly sales are done in 3 yrs, give or take.

If you want a recent sample, when VGF sold out, studios during Nov/Dec are hard to book, even at 11 months. Having a guaranteed week there would make a real difference.

2 schools of thought on Poly:

1. With 360 studios avail and Poly owners looking for 1BRs they can't get at Poly, studios will be consistently avail.

2. With 25% of points sold for bungalows and the majority of point buyers buying points in the range of studio stays, those studios are going to be oversold by up to 25%. Combine that with DVC busy season and studios will be difficult to cone by at 11 months during peak times.

Who's right? We'll find out in 3 yrs.

Here's the thing, though. If studios are widely avail at 11 months in the Fall, having a fixed week won't hurt.

If studios are hard to book, that fixed week is priceless and, at that point (sold out), very difficult to get.

I think studios will be difficult at 11 months during DVC prime time. Not only is it a monorail resort, being a 2 min walk from the EPCOT monorail, it's a de facto EPCOT resort for F&W.

I think fixed weeks is a very good bet to take. I. Fact, I did.

 

[ziravan]

Ok, so for example, Vero Beach, a resort off DIS property, is selling 200 points in the low $60 range. I could still book all the DIS resorts (the ones available) at the 7 month mark correct? The points work the same way. That would save us a crazy amount of money and still looks like we could book almost anything we wanted. And give us at least 400 points if we go every two years. What resorts are commonly available during the 7 month window on WDW property? My wife is a school teacher so unfortunately we will mostly travel during the summer breaks, spring break, and sometime down the road would like to do a trip over xmas vacation.

There's a whole thread on this very subject (and this is why you are recommended to do more research):

http://www.disboards.com/threads/buy-vb-over-poly-is-this-crazy.3441944/#post-54310527

 

[dspud]

I am doing it now. Like (I think) I have said before, I have looked into it for over 2 years. I have a week left to decide to keep my points at the poly or go completely resale, I'll make my decision before then. I am not canceling the points until I know exactly what I want to do, because, honestly, I know my personality, I will get cheap and leave the money in the bank until next time we decide to go to disney, stay someplace like the pop century to save a few bucks, and wish I would have invested now. Its what happened this year when I started looking into this in 2012-2013. I really appreciate the links and info, even if I have to deal with the snide remarks on the side.

 

[NoleFan]

If you both love the Poly, it sounds like it is a good choice for a home resort. While my son was in a stroller, we would only stay at monorail resorts back when we did not own DVC. Now that my son is older, we enjoy our resort time, don't require a monorail resort and our vacation style has changed a bit. If your choice changes as your children get older, you can add points at another resort or sell Poly and buy points elsewhere. I definitely like the idea of having more than 1 home resort. I think 1 monorail & 1 Epcot resort is personally a great combo. You can't always predict the future but you can enjoy the present.

 

[ziravan]

I am doing it now. Like (I think) I have said before, I have looked into it for over 2 years. I have a week left to decide to keep my points at the poly or go completely resale, I'll make my decision before then. I am not canceling the points until I know exactly what I want to do, because, honestly, I know my personality, I will get cheap and leave the money in the bank until next time we decide to go to disney, stay someplace like the pop century to save a few bucks, and wish I would have invested now. Its what happened this year when I started looking into this in 2012-2013. I really appreciate the links and info, even if I have to deal with the snide remarks on the side.

Absolutely don't mean to be snide. I researched for months before I bought. Also, I think the Poly is a great buy. (I did buy my BCV resale first).

My vote is keep the Poly points and ask for them to alter your contract to a fixed week while you're still in the recission period.

 

[ziravan]

I think 1 monorail & 1 Epcot resort is personally a great combo. You can't always predict the future but you can enjoy the present.

BCV and PVB for me. I agree!

 

[dspud]

I have never been a person that starts repeating the same resort over and over again. Even if I like a place I'll generally stay somewhere different next time just to check it out. So I am leaning toward buying 200 SSR points resale and calling it a day. That should be enough (with borrowing/banking) to give me a enough for Aluani 2 bedroom villa over christmas if I wanted to take some extended family (a vacation we have discussed for quite a while) as well as get us almost almost anything available for the 5 of us at WDW during the summer months or over school breaks) the money saved could pay for at least one international vacation that I have been waiting to do for several years now (the last 5 years our house has been a baby factory so my vacation funds have just been piling up). We love the Poly don't get me wrong, but I think its a deal breaker, Worst case scenario we would have to Book SSR, but I honestly don't think thats that bad either. The points there are good until I am 72, my youngest will be 39. I think that covers my bases pretty well. Keep the comments rolling. I love the different perspectives on this. As much as I read before the purchase, its hard for me to think about it in real dollars until the real dollars on the table, now I'm starting to realize what I can do with those extra funds.