Island tower strategy

[Mich123]

I’m a new DVC owner—150 points direct purchase at RIV. I really like the Polynesian and would love to stay at the Island Tower. So, I’m considering a 50 point purchase with the idea that I’d bank and borrow for a visit in year two. Does this make sense? Is my only option to direct purchase for the Island Tower or would Poly resale get me into the Tower rooms, too?

Follow up bonus question: for 50 points can I pick a specific week? My plan is to go with the same use month as RIV.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[pzw90]

Resale will work on the new tower, it’s in the same association. Bank and borrow makes sense, plenty of people do it

To get a fixed week you would need to buy one directly as resale is rare, and the cheapest is 112 points. Here’s a useful thread, with the chart in the first post

Thread 'All About Fixed Weeks (RIV/CCV/AUL/VGF/POLY/TOWER/VHD/FWC Charts)'

Jul 8, 2020

Most Recent FW Charts last updated - October 2024

You can find historical Fixed Week Point Charts at this post (Post #9 below) and this post (Post #13 below)

If you have any updated FW point charts drop them and tag me and I will look to update.

Note that some suggestions may have changed in the first 19 pages of this thread based on the change from Fixed Weeks to "Favorite Weeks" in March 2022. We are through 57 pages as of Oct '24 as well.


Why a fixed week?

• There is no requirement to use it.
• Fixed weeks resolves issue...

• sethschroeder
• ccv fixed week guarenteed week poly riviera vgf
• Replies: 1,391
• Forum: Purchasing DVC

• 
• 

 

[Royal Consort]

Buy it resale as the tower is the same association as the orignal Polynesian. Fifty points is also not going to get you far even with banking and borrowing. Since resale is cheaper than direct, you may be able to buy a bit more to give you flexibility.

As mentioned above, fixed weeks can only be purchased direct from Disney and will need to be purchased as a single deed, and enough points to cover that week plus a 10% premium.

 

[Chili327]

I’m a new DVC owner—150 points direct purchase at RIV. I really like the Polynesian and would love to stay at the Island Tower. So, I’m considering a 50 point purchase with the idea that I’d bank and borrow for a visit in year two. Does this make sense? Is my only option to direct purchase for the Island Tower or would Poly resale get me into the Tower rooms, too?

Follow up bonus question: for 50 points can I pick a specific week? My plan is to go with the same use month as RIV.

Buy it resale as the tower is the same association as the orignal Polynesian. Fifty points is also not going to get you far even with banking and borrowing. Since resale is cheaper than direct, you may be able to buy a bit more to give you flexibility.

As mentioned above, fixed weeks can only be purchased direct from Disney and will need to be purchased as a single deed, and enough points to cover that week plus a 10% premium.

Just wanted to add that you either look for the same use year on resale, or you “add on” direct which puts it in the same membership as something you already own.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Question, if you own a fixed week and sell, is that new owner stuck with only that week?

 

[pzw90]

Question, if you own a fixed week and sell, is that new owner stuck with only that week?

They retain the option to have the week booked for them. They have the option to cancel and they would get the points instead

 

[Mirabell Rose]

They retain the option to have the week booked for them. They have the option to cancel and they would get the points instead

Thanks. I appreciate the info. It doesn’t sound like a bad deal. When we bought in they didn’t have that option.

 

[Chili327]

Yea, I wouldn’t call it stuck, but it does transfer to the new owner.

 

[Mich123]

Just wanted to add that you either look for the same use year on resale, or you “add on” direct which puts it in the same membership as something you already own.

By “add on” direct you mean through Disney directly, right? Thanks in advance—I’m finding this a little confusing!

 

[intamin]

By “add on” direct you mean through Disney directly, right? Thanks in advance—I’m finding this a little confusing!

Yes.

 

[BamaGuy44]

By “add on” direct you mean through Disney directly, right? Thanks in advance—I’m finding this a little confusing!

Correct, "Direct" is buying from Disney. "Resale" is buying from an individual, usually though a broker site like the board sponsor. Resale points have some differences from direct points, but that's a whole separate rabbit hole

Plenty of youtube videos out there that go over the differences, and other aspects of DVC. If it seems confusing and unnecessarily complicated, well, it is!

Lots of smart owners here on the board though that can answer any questions. Enjoy the journey and Welcome Home neighbor! We own at RIV as well, like any person of culture and sophistication would.

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

We own at RIV as well, like any person of culture and sophistication would.

OP, the board is chock full of rubes that don’t own RIV…like me!

 

[AstroBlasters]

OP, the board is chock full of rubes that don’t own RIV…like me!

Some of us prefer to be able to walk to a theme park instead of Caribbean Beach

 

[atthebeachclub]

Some of us prefer to be able to walk to a theme park instead of Caribbean Beach

I mostly agree but would be happy to walk to CB to eat dinner at Sebastian’s every night of the week. It’s shockingly good. That would be the biggest perk of RIV for me. The rest I have no interest in. So I might as well just stay at CB for that theoretical vacation. lol.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I mostly agree but would be happy to walk to CB to eat dinner at Sebastian’s every night of the week. It’s shockingly good. That would be the biggest perk of RIV for me. The rest I have no interest in. So I might as well just stay at CB for that theoretical vacation. lol.

I’ve read that Sebastian’s is a sleeper gem.

I’m also 50% positive that after I visit RIV next week I will no longer be able to crack wise about it so I am getting it in while I can!

 

[atthebeachclub]

I’ve read that Sebastian’s is a sleeper gem.

I’m also 50% positive that after I visit RIV next week I will no longer be able to crack wise about it so I am getting it in while I can!

The video I watched that showed that Riv’s “fancy” look was all a facade and that the interior was made of lookalike cheaper components made me like it even less. I feel like it was one you posted?

I don’t think I will ever get on board with Riv. I might have been on board with it if they had regular bus service, but they don’t have that. I’m not interested in using ride shares regularly to ensure I reach my destination in time for my designated lightning lane time or rope drop because of unreliability of the Skyliner.

My preferred transportation so far is: walking > boat > bus > Skyliner
And never private car or ride share as we avoid that while at WDW.

Don’t ask how I haven’t taken the monorail yet. I don’t know myself. That will be rectified in June at PVB. I suspect it will be between boat and bus.

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

I’m also 50% positive that after I visit RIV next week I will no longer be able to crack wise about it so I am getting it in while I can!

RIV is one of my favorite resorts and we’ve stayed many times. It never occurred to me that Sebastian’s is so close at CB….gotta try that.

 

[Chili327]

I’m also 50% positive that after I visit RIV next week I will no longer be able to crack wise about it so I am getting it in while I can!

Funny how that works. lol

My preferred transportation so far is: walking > boat > bus > Skyliner
And never private car or ride share as we avoid that while at WDW.

Don’t ask how I haven’t taken the monorail yet. I don’t know myself. That will be rectified in June at PVB. I suspect it will be between boat and bus.

You’ve never taken the ride INTO Epcot on the monorail?? It’s an amazing and magical entry.
Do It.!!

 

[atthebeachclub]

Funny how that works. lol



You’ve never taken the ride INTO Epcot on the monorail?? It’s an amazing and magical entry.
Do It.!!

LOL; I have never even entered from that direction!

I suspect I will like it as I enjoyed this video:

The fact that public transportation is so great at WDW brings great joy to my heart.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

The video I watched that showed that Riv’s “fancy” look was all a facade and that the interior was made of lookalike cheaper components made me like it even less. I feel like it was one you posted?

I don’t think I will ever get on board with Riv. I might have been on board with it if they had regular bus service, but they don’t have that. I’m not interested in using ride shares regularly to ensure I reach my destination in time for my designated lightning lane time or rope drop because of unreliability of the Skyliner.

My preferred transportation so far is: walking > boat > bus > Skyliner
And never private car or ride share as we avoid that while at WDW.

Don’t ask how I haven’t taken the monorail yet. I don’t know myself. That will be rectified in June at PVB. I suspect it will be between boat and bus.

Riviera has wonderful bus service, for real! Dedicated buses to MK/AK that aren’t shared with anyone. Very prompt for after hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. The buses for HS/EP are a cluster if the Skyliner shuts down, but MK/AK are chef’s kiss.

We found buses at VGF were horrible going to HS/AK. We waited forever.

Don’t fear RR!