Home Resort Help

[RoseGold]

Resale and direct is irrelevant to VGC 7 month booking, which is brutally difficult for both.

I would expect all future DVC, including the future California tower, to be on hold for quite some time, long enough that I have given up buying direct there and am just going with resale points.

If studio is your goal, it's hard to go wrong with Poly. Tons of time left, all studios, great transportation. I don't understand why you want to buy direct at all based on what you have posted here.

 

[Will458]

The resale with Riviera might be tough however you WILL still be able to sell it. There will be a price point that people will be willing to buy it. So as long as you're not rally concerned with what price you get but more not wanting to be stuck with it you'll be fine.

I think one benefit for buying Riviera is that if you plan on staying other places you'll be able to get more days or bigger room with your points. So if you buy 200 you could potentially stay in say Boardwalk in a studio for way less than a Riviera studio thus getting you more days. This could come in helpful if you ever have kids and want to upgrade to a 2 bedroom.

Downside with Polynesian is you either have a studio or those grand villas on the water. There is no in between.

I only own 25 grandfathered points that count for a stay at Riviera. The rest are resale AKL. I could really only stay 1 night in riviera ever with my points. Makes me a little sad not having that option (moreso when Reflections is built).

Have you toured Riviera yet? I honestly wouldn't make a decision until you toured that resort to see if you even like it.

Hi Shannon,

With regards to only studios at the polynesian. At the moment we don't have kids. If and when that happens and they get to a certain age I can see the appeal of a 1 bedroom. 1 bedroom points wise at the Riviera sits similarly 2 points wise for 2 adjoining studios at the polynesian is this something we could do could you see any advantage disadvantagea to this over having a different home resort that offers 1 bedrooms?

 

[Will458]

Resale and direct is irrelevant to VGC 7 month booking, which is brutally difficult for both.

I would expect all future DVC, including the future California tower, to be on hold for quite some time, long enough that I have given up buying direct there and am just going with resale points.

If studio is your goal, it's hard to go wrong with Poly. Tons of time left, all studios, great transportation. I don't understand why you want to buy direct at all based on what you have posted here.

Thank you for your advise we are defiently considering resale. As I am really struggling to justify the cost increase at the moment even doing half direct half resale.

 

[Becky19]

I'm in the UK too and currently waiting to close on our first contract. We have decided to buy 60 points SSR resale and then we're going to purchase 100 direct at AKV on trip in September. Like you we're a couple in our twenties with no kids so happy with studios for the foreseeable future. If/when we need the space of a one bedroom we'll just add on more points.

If you're not concerned about the benefits I'd go for resale, the saving is significant. For us, it was important to be able to stay at future resorts and get the gold AP. We'll time out trips so we go twice within 12 months and I think the saving will be worth it. If you're considering it though, definitely only buy the 100 minimum direct and the rest resale.

 

[Thegoatfeeder]

We're also from the UK and bought 150 direct points at RIV, which is enough roughly for 7-10 nights a year.

We wanted some direct points for the benefits, and were more than happy to have the Riviera as our home resort for all the reasons you outlined. We always planned to buy an additional contract through the resale market, we're currently going through ROFR on a 100 point Poly resale contract with the same UY as our RIV contract, which will get us around 4-6 nights a year.

Being UK based, we tend to take longer trips than the majority on this board who are more often than not in the US. So with the 250 points we have each year we can essentially stay for 10 - 14 nights split across both resorts.

So I guess my suggestion would be, why not buy some direct points and then add on with a resale contract. As long as they are the same use year, it'll give you enough points for your 2 week stay every year (across 2 resorts) and much cheaper than buying enough direct points for a 2 week annual stay.

 

[Will458]

We're also from the UK and bought 150 direct points at RIV, which is enough roughly for 7-10 nights a year.

We wanted some direct points for the benefits, and were more than happy to have the Riviera as our home resort for all the reasons you outlined. We always planned to buy an additional contract through the resale market, we're currently going through ROFR on a 100 point Poly resale contract with the same UY as our RIV contract, which will get us around 4-6 nights a year.

Being UK based, we tend to take longer trips than the majority on this board who are more often than not in the US. So with the 250 points we have each year we can essentially stay for 10 - 14 nights split across both resorts.

So I guess my suggestion would be, why not buy some direct points and then add on with a resale contract. As long as they are the same use year, it'll give you enough points for your 2 week stay every year (across 2 resorts) and much cheaper than buying enough direct points for a 2 week annual stay.

Thank you I think that's possibly what we are thinking we like the polynesian a lot at the moment so it's just deciding whether to go all resale or 100 direct and 150 resale.

 

[CastAStone]

Have you stayed at AKL? I don't think the bus ride to Epcot (or DHS, or AK) is that bad - it's certainly every bit as quick to Epcot as taking the always-slow resort monorail and transferring to the Epcot monorail from a MK resort. So I really don't think it will crimp your ability to pop into F&W etc.

It was only the bus ride to MK that I found to be excessive.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I think we're swaying towards the polynesian with 100 direct and 150 resale. We would go all resale however the option to use our points in california and the ability to purchase a gold AP is something that appeals. Need to do some more spreadsheets and maths haha

1 thing I don't see mentioned in the thread much is UY. I would try to go resale first and add on the direct later as my understanding is you can pick your UY on a direct purchase. Much easier to match that to the resale contract you buy than vice versa.

Have you stayed at AKL? I don't think the bus ride to Epcot (or DHS, or AK) is that bad - it's certainly every bit as quick to Epcot as taking the always-slow resort monorail and transferring to the Epcot monorail from a MK resort. So I really don't think it will crimp your ability to pop into F&W etc.

It was only the bus ride to MK that I found to be excessive.

There is also the option to walk to TTC from Poly to make the Epcot trip a bit easier.

 

[glamdring269]

Have you stayed at AKL? I don't think the bus ride to Epcot (or DHS, or AK) is that bad - it's certainly every bit as quick to Epcot as taking the always-slow resort monorail and transferring to the Epcot monorail from a MK resort. So I really don't think it will crimp your ability to pop into F&W etc.

It was only the bus ride to MK that I found to be excessive.

I was about to write the same thing. I think AKL gets a bad transportation rep because you can't walk to AK. Epcot and DHS are really close. MK is a bit of a haul. We've done F&W from AKL a couple of times and did not have any issues at all with it. Initial purchase price/pt and room options/availability are other reasons to really like AKL.

 

[Cruz85]

Hi Shannon,

With regards to only studios at the polynesian. At the moment we don't have kids. If and when that happens and they get to a certain age I can see the appeal of a 1 bedroom. 1 bedroom points wise at the Riviera sits similarly 2 points wise for 2 adjoining studios at the polynesian is this something we could do could you see any advantage disadvantagea to this over having a different home resort that offers 1 bedrooms?

I’m chiming in as a parent of two kids (current just turned 4 and 6.5). Everyone will have differing opinions but my husband and I can only handle a studio/hotel room for a couple nights even with young kids. Yes we all fit ok when they’re young but you’d be amazed at how much space baby/toddler stuff takes up (they will usually be in a pack n play, which is a small, portable crib, which takes up floor space, plus extra luggage and diapers, etc), plus a stroller (and double strollers take up a ton of space even folded).

There’s also the issue of when kids go to bed. Again, everyone’s kids are different but most babies and toddlers sleep 11-12 hours a night. My kids still go to bed about 7:30 pm and wake up about 7 am. If we put them to bed later, they wake up earlier and then are extra cranky all day so even on vacation, we don’t let them stay up much more than 30 minutes to an hour late a couple nights. Most nights they’re in bed by 7:30/8 pm and if you’re in a studio/hotel room, you’re lying around in a dark room for a few hours. It’s so much nicer to be able to either have them sleeping in the pack n play in the bedroom and we can shut the door and hang out in the living room, or they are sleep in the living room and we have the bedroom to relax in.

Another huge benefit of the one/two bedroom villas over two Polly studios is you will have a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. You may not use the kitchen much but it’s there if you want to do light food prep but the washer and dryer is invaluable with kids, especially if you’re taking a long trip. You can bring a lot less luggage and do laundry in your room. You also have more sitting and eating room bc you have a dedicated table and sitting area in the living room.

We just bought at BLT and we’re super excited about it for our family. I know you’re in a different situation bc you’re not sure if you’re having kids or not but I would definitely rather have a one bedroom over two studios for a family. Have you considered BLT? I know the studios are rather small, so that’s a con but the one bedrooms are lovely and have two bathrooms (another pro for if you have kids).

 

[heynowirv]

You can use the points in Grand Californian I believe with resale?

Yes you can. Only Riviera and anything after like Reflections are not.

 

[Jaguar Skills]

I’m chiming in as a parent of two kids (current just turned 4 and 6.5). Everyone will have differing opinions but my husband and I can only handle a studio/hotel room for a couple nights even with young kids. Yes we all fit ok when they’re young but you’d be amazed at how much space baby/toddler stuff takes up (they will usually be in a pack n play, which is a small, portable crib, which takes up floor space, plus extra luggage and diapers, etc), plus a stroller (and double strollers take up a ton of space even folded).

There’s also the issue of when kids go to bed. Again, everyone’s kids are different but most babies and toddlers sleep 11-12 hours a night. My kids still go to bed about 7:30 pm and wake up about 7 am. If we put them to bed later, they wake up earlier and then are extra cranky all day so even on vacation, we don’t let them stay up much more than 30 minutes to an hour late a couple nights. Most nights they’re in bed by 7:30/8 pm and if you’re in a studio/hotel room, you’re lying around in a dark room for a few hours. It’s so much nicer to be able to either have them sleeping in the pack n play in the bedroom and we can shut the door and hang out in the living room, or they are sleep in the living room and we have the bedroom to relax in.

Another huge benefit of the one/two bedroom villas over two Polly studios is you will have a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. You may not use the kitchen much but it’s there if you want to do light food prep but the washer and dryer is invaluable with kids, especially if you’re taking a long trip. You can bring a lot less luggage and do laundry in your room. You also have more sitting and eating room bc you have a dedicated table and sitting area in the living room.

We just bought at BLT and we’re super excited about it for our family. I know you’re in a different situation bc you’re not sure if you’re having kids or not but I would definitely rather have a one bedroom over two studios for a family. Have you considered BLT? I know the studios are rather small, so that’s a con but the one bedrooms are lovely and have two bathrooms (another pro for if you have kids).

I have not yet stayed at our home resort as we have only just gone to ROFR for our first contract, however, my opinion on this, and it could well change is that normally as we are out the room so early in the morning - circa 7am, as we always look to get there for rope drop. By the time we have done the park, got back, had a beer, changed etc then headed to dinner at Disney Springs, by the time 8pm comes I'm not wanting to stay up anyway. Half the time last year when we stayed in All star, we were going to sleep around the same time as our 2 year old!

If I do want a beer I can just sit on the balcony and have one. Would much rather save the points and be able to go for 3 weeks, 3 out of 4 years. Its each to their own isn't it?

 

[Will458]

Thanks for all help, it's all things we having to think about, because we travel from the UK annually we tend to stay for a minimum of 2 weeks so points wise were at 250 ish for the Poly. If we start looking at 1 bedrooms we're then up to 500 at the point the annual dues start getting really pretty costly. We currently considering the Poly still and if/ when we have kids we would look to possibly adding more points dependent on financial situation or having to visit less frequently and bank and borrow. I defiently see the appeal of the 1 bedrooms. Though for us BLT just dosent do it for us I'm not sure why. I think part of the reason we like the Poly is the fact it dosent look like that a typical hotel. For that reason we have also considered AKL. Since kids for us is a little way off we are still thinking to buy in to the Poly as our home resort then if we ever need further space either make a request for 2 adjoining studios and go less frequently or look at possibly switching 2 AKL 1 bedrooms at the 7 month mark but I still need to do my research as to what avaiablilty for this might look like.

 

[Jaguar Skills]

Have you considered SSR? We just got a circa 200 point contract which we have worked out we can go approximately 3 out of every 4 years for 3 weeks from the UK. Plus the Maintenance fees are pretty low.

 

[TandemShoehorns]

Thanks for all help, it's all things we having to think about, because we travel from the UK annually we tend to stay for a minimum of 2 weeks so points wise were at 250 ish for the Poly. If we start looking at 1 bedrooms we're then up to 500 at the point the annual dues start getting really pretty costly. We currently considering the Poly still and if/ when we have kids we would look to possibly adding more points dependent on financial situation or having to visit less frequently and bank and borrow. I defiently see the appeal of the 1 bedrooms. Though for us BLT just dosent do it for us I'm not sure why. I think part of the reason we like the Poly is the fact it dosent look like that a typical hotel. For that reason we have also considered AKL. Since kids for us is a little way off we are still thinking to buy in to the Poly as our home resort then if we ever need further space either make a request for 2 adjoining studios and go less frequently or look at possibly switching 2 AKL 1 bedrooms at the 7 month mark but I still need to do my research as to what avaiablilty for this might look like.

If you really like the Poly, then buy the Poly. You get the longer booking window and at 7 months you will still have a good chance to "sleep around" if you so wish. If I were in your situation I would strongly consider resale. We bought some direct and value the discounted AP, but we take many short trips each year. We also have purchased some resale to save a bit of $. Our extended family of 5 ( 4 adults, 1 infant) has been happy with CONNECTING studios at Poly, but we haven't stayed longer than a week and haven't had the need for in-room laundry. If and when you do have children, you may want to bring along some grandparents. At that point, two studios will be much more workable than a one-bedroom.

 

[sleepydog25]

Tough decisions for you certainly. I'm a long-time DVC owner, and my experiences and suggestions follow for what their worth. Everyone on here has given you solid advice, so mine are no more valid than others.
PROs of Resale
- Way cheaper, and given you can't predict the future, it gives you a less expensive way to buy into the "magic"
- You can book all the Classic (or Legacy) DVC resorts with your points, just not Riviera or new resorts going forward. (If that becomes an issue--and with so many others to consider, not sure why it would be--you can buy a small direct contract.)
- Known resorts and resale values should you sell. Granted, this whole paradigm may change given the virus issue and many years down the road as new resorts open.
CONs of Resale
- Shorter contracts, especially those that were built early in the DVC timeline.
- Can't book Riviera or other new resorts going forward.
- Can't use member discounts or certain privileges.
PROs of Direct
- Easy process
- Access to all DVC resorts
- Member discounts/certain privileges and perks
CONs of Direct
- Expensive
- No discount, privilege, or perk is guaranteed to perpetuity. You are only guaranteed that you will get a chance to book at your home resort prior to those who don't own there. Perks and discounts come and go, mostly the latter. Park tickets were part of the pkg in the early years. Gone. Valet parking was free. Gone. Nothing is sacrosanct except staying at your home resort. Granted, this view applies to resale, as well.

As many others have noted, over the years, the most sage advice I ever received was to buy where you most want to stay. That way, if nothing else remains or nothing else is available at 7 months, you will be at a place you love. Here's a quick story. I worked with a gentleman in the military who had sold cars prior to his military service. He once told me the only dissatisfied customers he had were those who bought the best deal and not the car they wanted. I use that advice to this day. If you love Poly, buy Poly. If you love RIV, buy there (though you should visit whichever one you buy first if you've not done so). However, I would truly think twice about buying many points direct from Disney. If you buy Poly resale at 250 points, you could literally save several thousand dollars, and all those 10-20% discounts on food and merchandise and the small price breaks you get on tickets won't add up to those savings over the course of a contract. Best of luck in your process.

 

[Will458]

Thank you all so much for all the advise it truly has been invaluable. We have got some thinking to consider and will be visiting a few of the resorts once covid has died down before making are final decision.

 

[kboo]

Thank you I think that's possibly what we are thinking we like the polynesian a lot at the moment so it's just deciding whether to go all resale or 100 direct and 150 resale.

Poly direct is really pricey, but is a great deal for resale (and worth using as sleep around points). If you will always plan to go in August or September, and you know you love Poly, you might consider 100 points direct and then 150 Poly resale. That way you get some blue card benefits (I could see gold AP being worth it if you offset your trips slightly to get 4 weeks out of one AP!)

If so, then consider for your direct purchase OKW, SSR, AKV as well as RIV. Their direct prices are much more affordable, $ per point. Then, for a 2 week visit, you can split your stay at 2 weeks (or try moving one of those weeks at 7 mo).

FWIW, we loved RIV - bought direct before it opened, and stayed in a 1BR over New Year's 2019. It's the grownups' favorite resort, while the kids still like VGF. And certainly a studio is doable with little kids, but the kitchen and laundry are invaluable when you have babies and toddlers, and even now, we only pack about 4 days' worth of clothes and do laundry during our trip. We don't ever check luggage when going to WDW now.

 

[RoseGold]

If you are staying two weeks, you should have the points to be able to walk a 1BR somewhere easy. It's studios that are harder to book. I'd think about buying what we call SAP, sleep around points. Mine are SSR, and I think there's a decent argument that Poly is also good for SAP. Even now, with millions of extra points floating around, 1BR at 7mo is pretty much wide open, even at the most point effective, Boardwalk/BCV. Obv this might not work for spring break or Christmas.

A split stay if fun for a stay that long, and the cheaper points you could use to book wherever is available. Google best economical DVC, and you can see all the math.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you all so much for all the advise it truly has been invaluable. We have got some thinking to consider and will be visiting a few of the resorts once covid has died down before making are final decision.

I think you're extremely wise to visit a few of the resorts before making a final decision. What seems great on paper or a quick visit might look different when you go with a critical eye. Based on how well you're seriously considering all options before buying, I think you'll make the smartest decision. . .whatever that may be. Again, best wishes!