For those who own at Poly or BLT (or both)

[intamin]

I own both, and I hate to say it, but I kind of regret my PVB contract. Poly Tower is a point suck, good luck if you need help checking in (it’s hit or miss) unless you walk over to GCH, bell services sometimes struggles in the Tower, the front door magic band reader is finicky in the middle of the night. None of this is catastrophic but I just seem to have a smoother visit at BLT. Also, you can throw a rock from the tower to VGF I’d rather stay at VGF and walk over to Wailulu and Kona Cafe.

Blah this has me going back and forth on Poly, I know I want a monorail resort and I know I want direct because these are likely the last points we buy unless we offload AKV. It's almost getting to the point where if we buy more than this, we won't have a way to use them which is never a good thing. I say this now but then I end up booking random staycations . Anyways yeah with our somewhat disappointing experience with the tower it's making me pause a little bit. I like BLT but I really don't need to own there for the times I want to go and preferred view being readily available. I want direct to pair with my RIV in case we ever want to bump up to a RIV GV or stay at VDH some more as a staycation under 7 months but blah. I feel like I'll end up caving and buying it anyways. I could consider LSL but again I'd rather own a monorail resort the struggle is real

 

[melissa70]

the struggle is real

It is indeed!!

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

We own Poly, and I blew the points on a TPV studio for a stay in August. While, yes, it was a TPV, it was at an angle and certainly not champagne at 11:59 p.m. relaxing with my charcuterie worthy for anywhere near those points -- and that was a studio.

I will say, the 5th floor viewing room, the samosas or samoas, or whatever they're called, was lovely for fireworks -- but that was on a random weekend in late August, not NYE. Even still, there's only four fixed seats with a view (we nabbed them, which was cool,) and we still had lots of little kids crowded around us and by our feet in their jammies to see the fireworks, too. It was totally fine and they were cute and well behaved, but it's NOT like having your own balcony view, especially on a major holiday.

We haven't tried for NYE, but we did MK July 3rd and walked out of the Crystal Palace dinner to see them on the porch, then went back inside the AC to finish our meal and wait out the horde of humanity trying to leave. We finished our food and settled the check and had a much calmer finish to our evening than trying to fight the crowds.

I lean BLT for all the reasons others have stated, and also because PIT TPV seems like a very overpriced crapshoot. As well, the 1Bs and dedicated 2Bs are in short supply, so competitive booking is putting it mildly.

 

[melissa70]

So..sounds like I should give up my dream of New Year’s Eve in a theme park view ..I was thinking a split stay ..TPV for New Year’s Eve and then going to my home at AKL for Jan 1-6

 

[mkatsy]

Blah this has me going back and forth on Poly, I know I want a monorail resort and I know I want direct because these are likely the last points we buy unless we offload AKV. It's almost getting to the point where if we buy more than this, we won't have a way to use them which is never a good thing. I say this now but then I end up booking random staycations . Anyways yeah with our somewhat disappointing experience with the tower it's making me pause a little bit. I like BLT but I really don't need to own there for the times I want to go and preferred view being readily available. I want direct to pair with my RIV in case we ever want to bump up to a RIV GV or stay at VDH some more as a staycation under 7 months but blah. I feel like I'll end up caving and buying it anyways. I could consider LSL but again I'd rather own a monorail resort the struggle is real

Oh I know! Direct is a very big decision because the cost bumps up significantly. At least with resale, if you unload it you’re just out the sales commission, whatever you paid in closing costs when you bought it, and maybe a bit of price drop. If for some unforeseen reason you have to give up that direct shortly after you bought it, it’s quite a hit in depreciation. It’s a lot of pressure to choose wisely.

 

[intamin]

Oh I know! Direct is a very big decision because the cost bumps up significantly. At least with resale, if you unload it you’re just out the sales commission, whatever you paid in closing costs when you bought it, and maybe a bit of price drop. If for some unforeseen reason you have to give up that direct shortly after you bought it, it’s quite a hit in depreciation. It’s a lot of pressure to choose wisely.

Yeahhh if I buy Poly direct, just like my RIV I'm keeping it for life.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

So..sounds like I should give up my dream of New Year’s Eve in a theme park view ..I was thinking a split stay ..TPV for New Year’s Eve and then going to my home at AKL for Jan 1-6

Well, not necessarily. If you're up for walking a reservation and/or have enough Poly points for a week at peak week, I think you could get it -- especially while it's not sold out yet. As DVC hits certain tiers of percentage of points sold, they release more points into the system. As well, when LSL opens and they declare inventory, that acts as a relief valve a little bit with folks wanting to try the latest and greatest. I followed these boards very closely when VGF was on sale and was ready to pounce with my waitlist and stalking the site when my 7-month window opened for an early December trip -- in a 1B. As they declared more inventory, it dovetailed with my booking window and I got it. I think between Riviera and Poly declaring the rest of their inventory and LSL going online by 2027, you stand a good chance to get it.

Don't forget, you're buying for years of trips. Believe me, I get being excited and wanting to try everything and every resort and every festival -- we still feel that way after six years, almost seven, and lots of trips, but you WILL have more than one shot at PIT TPV and/or BLT. In the meantime, book Crystal Palace or California Grill or a dessert party and treat yourself.

As a consolation prize, watching fireworks from Gasparilla Grill's patio/dock area is really magical, and you don't need a crazy room request to see it from there. You could book any monorail resort and just walk the MK path over to see them. It's not the same as being in your comfies in your room, but it's also really nice as an option.

 

[melissa70]

This was all great advice about BLT! Sounds like it has better views and is cheaper..I wonder if it gets as crowded as Poly..that is the one downer to that resort..can be way too people-y

 

[Micca]

Always loved Poly* but bought at BLT and love it there. Walking from MK to the resort at closing time is priceless. You can be back at your room while hoards of people are still waiting for busses/monorails.

I can't comment on room availability because we travel more in off times (non Holiday dates.) Has anyone mentioned the Top Of The World Lounge? The fireworks view isn't the best from there, but neither are you dealing with a sea of humanity that MK becomes during fireworks/closing time. But on NY Eve, that's probably going to be a tough "get" too.

* Liked it a lot more before the refurb where they removed that ginormous waterfall feature with the live bird in the lobby.

 

[Tatebeck]

You can also book a dinner at the california grill and they will let you up there to see the fireworks as well, even if you eat earlier in the evening. Cheaper than paying for TP view!

 

[Wedgeout]

For fireworks & New Year’s Eve Magic Kingdom, having anything good to see from your room, it’s BLT and only BLT for your dreams here. Fireworks from PVB is bit of a joke. Across the water, catching just the right sight line with VGF on the left & an island on your right.

Grab yourself a nice BLT resale and you will have the perfect holiday resort DVC membership combo with your AKV points.