Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

[TheDailyMoo]

Anybody looking for advice because CFW or VB looks attractive enough for them buy will be immediately met with one point in particular - the very high dues outweigh the pros in most cases.

Because I'm so into what ifs and thought experiments...if someone offered you a VB contract for free but you had to hold it till expiration...would you take it? Anyone feel free to answer btw.

 

[mkatsy]

It makes me wonder a lot more about the buyer if they aren’t checking every penny to make sure the math works.

$375 in dues can absolutely be the difference in the math working or not working versus just renting points. And $375 per year for 50 years is a lot of money.

In any case, the reason many people think the dues are too high, is because the dues are too high.

It’s not just the $375 for 50 years. The dues may increase each year a higher percentage. The resort is new, and there’s no historical data on the maintenance (especially with the dogs in there). You start compounding that year after year and it pulls away from the pack in terms of cost.

 

[Sandisw]

It’s not just the $375 for 50 years. The dues may increase each year a higher percentage. The resort is new, and there’s no historical data on the maintenance (especially with the dogs in there). You start compounding that year after year and it pulls away from the pack in terms of cost.

They said the same thing about RiV and it being way higher than the rest but it’s no longer that way.

So, we have to wait in see if the same happens with this…but as long as the % increase stays in line, it’s still going to be similar in terms of comparison.

As I said, it’s about priority and for us, owning the resorts we want to be at is much more important.

 

[intamin]

Because I'm so into what ifs and thought experiments...if someone offered you a VB contract for free but you had to hold it till expiration...would you take it? Anyone feel free to answer btw.

I would not take it personally. The dues alone are higher than the cost of buy in + dues for a resale SSR and I also expect VB to have further assessments because of hurricanes and etc. that will make their dues accelerate even further past any WDW resort.

 

[Sandisw]

If DVD is caught off guard with low CFW sales? Then they didn’t fully appreciate the hurdles of those high dues.

We’re not talking about purchase decisions needing to disregard the differences between $8 or $9 dues. We’re talking near VB level conversations and calculations.

Anybody looking for advice because CFW or VB looks attractive enough for them buy will be immediately met with one point in particular - the very high dues outweigh the pros in most cases. It is only a very niche set of expectations/usage that make those dues acceptable. Right off the bat if part of the plan is to trade out regularly or even occasionally, there are better options. It is very hard to argue CFW is the best resort purchase decision unless that person plans to stay in the cabins year after year in the highest demand seasons.

CFW can spark interest for DVC but I think most people who first run a few cost comparisons with other buying strategies ultimately find a better fit elsewhere. Even for potential buyers that only know about Direct - CFW is a hard sale. It’s still competing with other direct options plastered everywhere Direct is advertising. Unless you’re a die hard FW fan who plans cabin stays for decades… would they still buy CFW?

I figured they understood and counted on future details that would increase CFW interest enough to overcome that aspect. And because of that didn’t want to unnecessarily make incentives too strong early on when the complete package is likely to sell easier without seriously deep incentives. If there isn’t urgency to sell CFW points because cash rates bring enough money in the interim, then setting pricing bar too low might hurt how much you can get in the near future, after announcements are made about more intriguing developments for CFW.

I have two theories. One…They aren’t rushing CFW because they are indivual units that are being built and need to be sure sales didn’t outpace when the new cabins are done and ready for occupancy…not something they usually face with new projects.

Second is that this is going to be connected with a future project that will be popular and sell and they don’t need to worry right now.

 

[larry47591]

Because I'm so into what ifs and thought experiments...if someone offered you a VB contract for free but you had to hold it till expiration...would you take it? Anyone feel free to answer btw.

I own half of my 1000 points at vero and Hilton head. But I love those resorts. Also own 260 points in subsidized aulani points. Make me feel better about it. But if someone given away Vero contracts, I take it.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I own half of my 1000 points at vero and Hilton head. But I love those resorts. Also own 260 points in subsidized aulani points. Make me feel better about it. But if someone given away Vero contracts, I take it.

I know we should stay Poly focused but I'm curious...does owning at VB and HHI help you get desirable rooms at tough to book times? I'm assuming there's an advantage to owning. Both resorts seem beautiful from the videos I've watched.

 

[intamin]

I know we should stay Poly focused but I'm curious...does owning at VB and HHI help you get desirable rooms at tough to book times? I'm assuming there's an advantage to owning. Both resorts seem beautiful from the videos I've watched.

I've seen a lot of availability for VB. HHI on the other hand gets taken right at the 7 month mark. Those 3BRs and cottages are also competitive. Looping this back into Poly.. I'm wondering if we're going to have a situation similar to BW where all the studios are booked and the 1BRs are left. I really hope the ratio of dedicated to lockoff 2BR is increased in future declarations. If not it won't deter me from buying there because of the monorail resorts Poly is our preference and we really do like the aesthetic of the tower from what we've seen but I was hoping they would've gone all in on 1/2BRs instead of committing so much of the resort to studios/duos.

 

[Electron_si]

I've seen a lot of availability for VB. HHI on the other hand gets taken right at the 7 month mark. Those 3BRs and cottages are also competitive. Looping this back into Poly.. I'm wondering if we're going to have a situation similar to BW where all the studios are booked and the 1BRs are left. I really hope the ratio of dedicated to lockoff 2BR is increased in future declarations. If not it won't deter me from buying there because of the monorail resorts Poly is our preference and we really do like the aesthetic of the tower from what we've seen but I was hoping they would've gone all in on 1/2BRs instead of committing so much of the resort to studios/duos.

I agree with this, I was pretty disheartened to see how many studio/duos were on the floor plan. I was really hoping they would maximize 1 & 2 BR’s in the tower.

 

[ehh]

I've seen a lot of availability for VB. HHI on the other hand gets taken right at the 7 month mark. Those 3BRs and cottages are also competitive. Looping this back into Poly.. I'm wondering if we're going to have a situation similar to BW where all the studios are booked and the 1BRs are left. I really hope the ratio of dedicated to lockoff 2BR is increased in future declarations. If not it won't deter me from buying there because of the monorail resorts Poly is our preference and we really do like the aesthetic of the tower from what we've seen but I was hoping they would've gone all in on 1/2BRs instead of committing so much of the resort to studios/duos.

I think it’s slightly more likely that it’s a VDH-ish situation: Studios are the last room available (other than Bungalows).

Agree it’s looking dire for 2BR, though.

 

[larry47591]

I know we should stay Poly focused but I'm curious...does owning at VB and HHI help you get desirable rooms at tough to book times? I'm assuming there's an advantage to owning. Both resorts seem beautiful from the videos I've watched.

For the times we want to go yes. Especially HHI we like 1 bedrooms and those are almost impossible in July. Vero is our favorite Disney resort.

 

[Mikey15]

Because I'm so into what ifs and thought experiments...if someone offered you a VB contract for free but you had to hold it till expiration...would you take it? Anyone feel free to answer btw.

100% absolutely, for sure. Because without an upfront cost it becomes 7mo SAP for ~$14pp, which even with risk of dues inflation each year is still less than the going rates for 7mo points rental.

But the fact that it's even close to what people charge for rental OKW/SSR points means there's not much room to justify paying to buy into VB. I've seen contracts in the $40s on Fidelity and even that seems uneconomical.

 

[maui22]

When I look at CFW cabins, I consider them to be the best studios.

• Square footage is 50-60 square ft larger than PVB longhouse studio.
• Can sleep up to 6.
• Has a door to close off the bedroom.
• Kitchen.
• Dining table.
• Large deck.
• Private grill.
• Points per night for the two nights I looked at were cheaper than a PVB longhouse standard view studio.
• It would be perfect scenario for DW and I to snowbird. She can sleep in while I make breakfast, coffee, and work remotely. Have a SUV so head to parks, DS, and restaurants off property.
• Granted no W/D, but even cheap OKW 1BRs are a decent amount of points more per night. Going to laundry 1-2 times a week to save a bunch of points for a month stay is a bargain.

All that, but the dues are a major dealbreaker for us. Waiting to see if Reflections 2.0 is added to the same association/dues.

 

[Kailunkat]

When I look at CFW cabins, I consider them to be the best studios.

• Square footage is 50-60 square ft larger than PVB longhouse studio.
• Can sleep up to 6.
• Has a door to close off the bedroom.
• Kitchen.
• Dining table.
• Large deck.
• Private grill.
• Points per night for the two nights I looked at were cheaper than a PVB longhouse standard view studio.
• It would be perfect scenario for DW and I to snowbird. She can sleep in while I make breakfast, coffee, and work remotely. Have a SUV so head to parks, DS, and restaurants off property.
• Granted no W/D, but even cheap OKW 1BRs are a decent amount of points more per night. Going to laundry 1-2 times a week to save a bunch of points for a month stay is a bargain.

All that, but the dues are a major dealbreaker for us. Waiting to see if Reflections 2.0 is added to the same association/dues.

That is a very persuasive argument (really the best one I have seen).
I have to think that the River-flections (whatever it's going to be) will be something that helps off-set the dues.

If they were smart (notice my doubtfulness), they would make a priority out of putting in a Stormalong style mini-water park that CFW cabins have access to. Add a more compact River-flections hotel that helps cover the MF fees and offer more room variety. Then they would start selling like hot cakes even with the high dues.

 

[OlieRow]

That is a very persuasive argument (really the best one I have seen).
I have to think that the River-flections (whatever it's going to be) will be something that helps off-set the dues.

If they were smart (notice my doubtfulness), they would make a priority out of putting in a Stormalong style mini-water park that CFW cabins have access to. Add a more compact River-flections hotel that helps cover the MF fees and offer more room variety. Then they would start selling like hot cakes even with the high dues.

Needs a River Country inspired pool!

 

[jennypenny]

Even with building reflections and a super pool, wouldn't the complex still be almost a mile from the cabins? (can't remember) It might be more of a boon for CCV/BRV people.

The new Poly tower has the opposite problem imo. Between BPK, GFV, Poly2 and longhouses, that's a LOT of people in a pretty small amount of real estate. I would want to see how crowded that area feels before I'd consider buying. Maybe it'll feel like the Boardwalk area, which would be nice. We'll see.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

An interesting recent aerial of the full Poly property including Island Tower.

Gives you a good sense of the current state of things with the ongoing Floridian Way widening from two lanes to four lanes. Will be interesting to see if that all comes together by the Tower opening or lingers on. Seems like a lot of work still left to do from my untrained eye and there’s even more to do to the north outside of the image. I have wondered if the expanded four-lane Floridian Way may create unfavorable views/road noise on that side of the Tower, or if the golf course/monorail positively detract attention from the road - guess we’ll see!

Still to come is the totally re-worked Poly front vehicular access project and separate bus access / bus station changes. Seemingly a lot of work on the “front side” of the resort will be with us as we head to 2025.

The Tower site really seems to be coming together nicely.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1825835639591284930

 

[Brian Noble]

I’m not sure why we assume that DVD is surprised by the pace of sales of the cabins. They can do math as well as (or better than) we can.

I’ve said this before, but I think it bears repeating: I believe the important comparison of CFW is not to other DVC resorts, it’s the same resort as a 100% cash rental.

They were replacing the cabins one way or the other, because they were at the end of their service life. If they replace them as a cash resort, then they have a full slate of cabins they have to rent out every night of the year. If they replace them as a DVC resort, then they can sell a handful of points here and there and chip away at the slate they have to market and rent.

As long as CFW is not the only WDW resort they are selling, the incremental costs of marketing it along with whatever else is on offer are negligible.

So: Marginal additional cost for what may be slightly higher but still marginal additional benefit, in a situation where they have to spend the capital to refresh the resort either way.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

An interesting recent aerial of the full Poly property including Island Tower.

Gives you a good sense of the current state of things with the ongoing Floridian Way widening from two lanes to four lanes. Will be interesting to see if that all comes together by the Tower opening or lingers on. Seems like a lot of work still left to do from my untrained eye and there’s even more to do to the north outside of the image. I have wondered if the expanded four-lane Floridian Way may create unfavorable views/road noise on that side of the Tower, or if the golf course/monorail positively detract attention from the road - guess we’ll see!

Still to come is the totally re-worked Poly front vehicular access project and separate bus access / bus station changes. Seemingly a lot of work on the “front side” of the resort will be with us as we head to 2025.

The Tower site really seems to be coming together nicely.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1825835639591284930

Wow from above, that pool really does look tiny seems like there’s so much space around it, they really could have made it a bit bigger

 

[CWTC]

Wow from above, that pool really does look tiny seems like there’s so much space around it, they really could have made it a bit bigger

Agreed. Poly already has a pool crowding situation and adding that tiny pool plus the whole tower is not going to help. I really hope the wrist band thing becomes standard at pools.