Late Summer/Early Fall Incentives

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

Looking into buying RIV direct 150 pts, Dec UY to match my other direct contract (VGF). With the current welcome home developer credit the price is $30,900 (before closing) per my guide. Then I can get the magical beginnings rebate (3000) and sign up for D23 another 500 off. Am I missing any other discounts? We also have a resale BLT 150 points that we are keeping for now, but always can sell or rent the points in the future. This allows us to have two relatively equal contracts eventually for our two adult kids that can do with what they like at some point (they are listed on our other direct contract). Also really nice to have an Epcot area resort as that is our preferred location, stayed at RIV once, it is beautiful. We like BW and BC too, but doesn't make sense to buy direct there and would not be fairly equitable compared to our existing direct VGF. Taking our first full family trip in January and with three units to book we are really eating up the points. Anyway that is my rational and realize after RIV is sold out, it may be long time before another Epcot area resort is available.

Another question, does anyone have suggestions on credit cards, we recently closed some and would need at least one additional to get more benefits of such a large charge. Would like a card with airport lounge access and chase and amex are both pricey and getting coupon cutter with the benefits. Capital one is more of a bargain and for now at least can recoup the annual fee pretty easy. Though I know they are limiting guest lounge access soon. Is the Disney card worth it just to have for times they throw out additional bennies. We used to have it but canceled as the points seemed to be better on other cards. Also no current DVC purchase benefit for this scenario.

How are you getting down to that price? What’s the breakdown? Thanks

 

[BLTStitch]

How are you getting down to that price? What’s the breakdown? Thanks

It’s the 235 asking pp - 19 pp current incentive for existing owners = 206 pp * 150 points = 30,900 then less 20 pp magical beginning * 150 points = 3000 then 500 d23 discount

 

[intamin]

Has anyone done the math for Poly on this last round?

 

[Xalthon]

Has anyone done the math for Poly on this last round?

I have attempted to do so. For 150 points, I get:

$235 normal $/p -$15 = $220 $/p. With $500 D23 discount and $3000 MB, you get $29,500, or $197 effective $/p.

 

[Frugal Fairy Tales]

It’s the 235 asking pp - 19 pp current incentive for existing owners = 206 pp * 150 points = 30,900 then less 20 pp magical beginning * 150 points = 3000 then 500 d23 discount

Thank you!

 

[Carouselofplanning]

I'm hoping that the Poly will start more strict restrictions on parking and pool hoping so that the resort guests can enjoy the whole resort. It always seems like the GCH is packed at most time, especially at dinner.

It’s the worst run Deluxe resort at Disney World. And that’s a shame. The idea of the place carries them much farther than it should.

 

[MattB2G]

It’s the worst run Deluxe resort at Disney World. And that’s a shame. The idea of the place carries them much farther than it should.

I'm not sure if it is a management issue, or just trying to keep the vibe or a relaxed area of WDW, but it has gotten out of hand with the non-resort guest on the grounds.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

I'm not sure if it is a management issue, or just trying to keep the vibe or a relaxed area of WDW, but it has gotten out of hand with the non-resort guest on the grounds.

I agree but that can be…managed.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

I agree but that can be…managed.

There are other operational issues here beyond this but not addressing how the volume of people at the hotel affects the guest experience is a shortcoming of management. The surge of people from the new tower also doesn’t help that feeling of “where’d all these people come from?” either.

 

[ChipTheRescueRanger]

It’s the worst run Deluxe resort at Disney World. And that’s a shame. The idea of the place carries them much farther than it should.

IMO

To be far the Polly management for guest satisfaction is super high. I found all the staff super friendly. Wilderness lodge on the other hand (my fav resort) needs management that can actually deal with sorting out issues.

All disney resorts need to sort out the parking and non staying guest issues.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

IMO

To be far the Polly management for guest satisfaction is super high. I found all the staff super friendly. Wilderness lodge on the other hand (my fav resort) needs management that can actually deal with sorting out issues.

All disney resorts need to sort out the parking and non staying guest issues.

 

[Brian Noble]

For what it's worth, the WDW resorts have clamped down pretty hard on parking. Unless you are (a) a registered guest or (b) have a dining reservation, you won't get past the gates. They no longer allow folks to park for a counter service meal, to shop, or "just look around."

At the same time, there are reports that they are starting to check resort status around the pools, including at the Poly. Maybe they could do that more often, but still---its not like they are not trying at all.

But there is no convenient way to keep people from visiting the public spaces in the resort via monoral, boat, or just walking over from the TTC without making things very *in*convenient for everyone---including the resort guests going back and forth.

The TouringPlans surveys have the Poly fairly solidly in the middle of the pack for guest satisfaction---not great, but not terrible, and comparable to some others that Everyone Loves (see BC/BCV for example). The Villas and Resort are rated separately, and the Villas have a noticeably lower repeatability score, but that might say more about DVC members than the villas vs. the resort, as this was 2024, mostly before the Tower was in play.

https://touringplans.com/blog/2024-awards-best-of-disney-world-resorts/

 

[ChipTheRescueRanger]

For what it's worth, the WDW resorts have clamped down pretty hard on parking. Unless you are (a) a registered guest or (b) have a dining reservation, you won't get past the gates. They no longer allow folks to park for a counter service meal, to shop, or "just look around."

Or if your a vlogger who games the system by booking a reservation to park and then canceling it......

 

[Brian Noble]

If you want to pay your $10 for a late cancellation I guess you can. They can up the cancellation penalty and/or make the cancel window farther out, but again---that's only going to inconvenience everyone. There's a reason they moved the cancellation window from the night before to two hours prior, and it wasn't to make life easier for the vloggers.

 

[ChipTheRescueRanger]

If you want to pay your $10 for a late cancellation I guess you can. They can up the cancellation penalty and/or make the cancel window farther out, but again---that's only going to inconvenience everyone. There's a reason they moved the cancellation window from the night before to two hours prior, and it wasn't to make life easier for the vloggers.

No but the bloggers know how to game the system by moving reservations to avoid cancelations.

One who has close ties to a shirt company often parks at a Monorail resort and Crescent lake resort. Disney could easily stop him doing it. If he is doing it likely a lot of locals know the tricks too.

 

[MyDogTink]

Since the Welcome Home Weeks run through Sep 16th, I’m wondering if they remove the extra incentive tied to it around Sep 16th and before Sep 29th when this current incentive cycle ends.

 

[disneylandtour]

Since the Welcome Home Weeks run through Sep 16th, I’m wondering if they remove the extra incentive tied to it around Sep 16th and before Sep 29th when this current incentive cycle ends.

I do believe that is the plan.

 

[disneylandtour]

Or if your a vlogger who games the system by booking a reservation to park and then canceling it......

I believe the monorail resorts will now not let you park for an ADR until <2hrs before the reservation.

And for clarity, I wasn't trying to get around the system. I was maybe two hours and fifteen minutes early so I could get a drink, chill out, do some shopping, and watch the water pageant before dinner. I was told I needed to wait 15 more minutes.