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.

 

[melissa70]

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

I just might

 

[cruisehopeful]

I own Poly, but would much rather stay at BLT for NYE. It's a more convenient walk to MK and it has 2 high up places to eat/drink and enjoy the view. It takes less points, too!

 

[Chili327]

I don't own at either but personally if I were planning to regularly to go during that time, I'd probably pick BLT. Reality is you're going to need 11 month window for both if you want a chance.

Why BLT? With BLT when you book a TPV, you're guaranteed to get a true theme park view, Magic Kingdom is right next door. Poly has much higher point charts and the view can be hit or miss. You can also walk back from MK to BLT much easier than you can walk from MK to Poly. When the most wonderful time of the year is also the most crowded, that's worth a LOT and is my personal pick.

BLT wins in both point cost and inventory number of 1BRS. It is the obvious choice unless you absolutely love Poly and hate BLT

Ugh is it really that competitive?! Even the one bedrooms?

But my goal would be to watch fireworks from my balcony..can that be done with a preferred view?

Some preferred views are partially lake views and partially TPV. I would not count on getting a partial TPV reliably though.

Honestly for the things you want, I think you're going to need multiple home resorts. You notice how pretty much everyone in this thread has 3+ home resorts and myself with the 3 planning to add a 4th next year..

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.

You guys almost got me to make an offer on more BLT!! lol
Technically I did today, but it went away.

I would agree, with BLT over Poly for that specific scenario, but also you could look into Fixed Week TPV @ Poly if you got money to burn?

 

[Genie+]

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.

I didn't realize that was a popular thing to do Poly and VGF are my favorites. It’s a great point about popping over to Poly, and a shame the tower still has wrinkles to be ironed out.

 

[maui22]

We own both. We actually added onto PVB because the TPV is better (in the two rooms we have had).We were actually disappointed in BLT TPV because the parking lot below always seems to have car alarms going off from the firework booms.

That being said, we have had BLT RV rooms and PV rooms where we could see the fireworks. Ask for even numbered (SV) and you have a better chance. Unfortunately SV BLT rooms are the first to book because they are so point friendly. If BLT PV, need even numbered and facing the tennis court side to see fireworks from balcony. Not positive if all can, because I think there is a tree that may block those near the end.

That time of year will have a lot of competition.

With PVB, I am still hoping Disney realizes they made the same exact mistake they did with BLT room classifications. When BLT opened, they had floors 3 and up facing the front as TPV. So many complaints and they literally gave points back to people because it was bad. About 1 year after opening, they reclassified all floors below 4 in front from TPV to RV (was standard view back then). They also adjusted PV (lake view back then).

Honestly, at PVB about 1 month ago, the CMs were clearly frustrated because so many asked to be moved from TPV floors 1-3 to higher floors. We were fortunate to be moved from 2nd to 5th. However it was next to trash and elevator. When we asked they could move us next day to 4th, but we passed. 5th floor is where all the tours show people the terrace garden, so it’s busy during the day. (In a couple years it will be sold out, so those tours likely stop). Next, stay we plan to try the Island Tower PV. Can easily go to terrace gardens for fireworks.

Part we like most is Polynesian is straight on view for fireworks. Many places at resort with great firework views.

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

you could look into Fixed Week TPV @ Poly

This is worth it - I did that to lock up a TPV 1bdrm in December, and a few hundred more PVB points to get a 2bdrm TPV every July 4th.

There are two times when the WDW fireworks are unique - July 4th and NYE. The view from the Poly tower is truly the best. I don’t stand in the parks for the fireworks show (much better view from my room!) so the walk proximity to resorts is irrelevant to me.

We were actually disappointed in BLT TPV because the parking lot below always seems to have car alarms going off

This is a major factor why I prefer Poly tower. There is no light pollution and the serenity of Bay Lake with the fireworks view is MUCH better than BLT’s parking lot foreground with car alarms…. sometimes all night!

Overall, I am a fan of the Poly and love the tower. I’m at Aulani this week and it’s like Poly tower on steroids.

 

[kanerf]

I own at both and sometimes get a TPV at BLT. At Poly I don't bother. If you have ever been there you would realize how small the castle is from the resort. Sure, you can see the fireworks, but there are many places you can do that without putting out so many points for TPV room.

 

[Patmcpsu]

It sounds like a primary consideration is fireworks viewing. I don't like the fireworks view from BLT - even though you're closer, you're at a bad angle. You end up seeing the low-laying fireworks by the castle, and then the high-flying fireworks by Bay Lake. It ends up feeling like you're watching two competing fireworks shows. Here's a video I took from my balcony back in January.

Poly, on the other hand, gives you a perfect head on view where the show appears as its intended. Don't let the distance concern you; you can see everything just fine.

And instead of spending a small fortune on theme park views, both BLT and Poly have public areas that are great for fireworks viewing.

 

[melissa70]

It sounds like a primary consideration is fireworks viewing. I don't like the fireworks view from BLT - even though you're closer, you're at a bad angle. You end up seeing the low-laying fireworks by the castle, and then the high-flying fireworks by Bay Lake. It ends up feeling like you're watching two competing fireworks shows. Here's a video I took from my balcony back in January.

Poly, on the other hand, gives you a perfect head on view where the show appears as its intended. Don't let the distance concern you; you can see everything just fine.

And instead of spending a small fortune on theme park views, both BLT and Poly have public areas that are great for fireworks viewing.

I don’t know about that-those fireworks looked pretty damn good! Nothing is perfect. I’m liking BLT .. it doesn’t seem to get as crowded as Poly and the point charts for Poly are high

And it’s a bit cheaper point wise on resale.