Looking at buying into the Polynesian DVC

[Yahweh]

Looking at buying into the Polynesian DVC...

My main concern is how much availability is there for the Poly between the 11 to 7 month window. I know it all depends on the time of year etc.. But am I likely to get a studio at most times of the year during the exclusive home resort window?

Are there any more concerns about the Poly versus other DVC resorts that I should be aware of?

Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you are booking at 11 months, you will certainly get a studio at this point in time. It's hard to predict what happens when the resort sells out completely, as the bungalow points inflate the number of system points, but people buying them may not be purchasing them for bungalow use.

I would guess after sell-out, you will want/need to book at 11 months for October-January marathon, and any holidays, and that planning after 7 months in these same periods will be challenging to get in a full stay nearly anywhere.

 

[disneynutz]

Studios only is a big negative for an expensive resort. Many start off in studios but enjoy larger rooms as they make use of their ownership.

Bill

 

[hakepb]

There are a large number of standard studios at Poly.

I think at VGF, their much smaller standard studio category are hard to get at 11 months out some times of the year.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Buy Polynesian if you really are satisfied only staying in a cramped studio.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My concern would be the points being sold include points theoretically intended for bungalows. I do not think most people are buying intending to stay in bungalows. This will make studios harder to book during the owners booking times.

This had happened to some degree at Grand Floridian since it seems owners want to stay during Christmas decoration times, and we all cannot get in!

 

[Yahweh]

Buy Polynesian if you really are satisfied only staying in a cramped studio.

I'm not too concern about the size of the rooms. For us, the location is important, the pool, the restaurant and two bathrooms.

 

[Yahweh]

My concern would be the points being sold include points theoretically intended for bungalows. I do not think most people are buying intending to stay in bungalows. This will make studios harder to book during the owners booking times.

This had happened to some degree at Grand Floridian since it seems owners want to stay during Christmas decoration times, and we all cannot get in!

Yeah that may be a concern as we love to go just after thanksgiving and into the first couple of weeks in December.

I tend, however, to book as early as possible because I always like having a disney trip in the works. The make or break point for me is whether I can find a studio reservation within the first month of the booking window. If it is a lot easier to do that at BLT, Boardwalk or BeachClub, we'd likely save some money and buy there. The hard part is not being able to look at availability until we buy in

 

[buzzrelly]

Buy Polynesian if you really are satisfied only staying in a cramped studio.

We didn't find the studio to be cramped at all. We stayed there in April for 4 nights with a lake view and thought it was just lovely. And there were four of us staying, myself, DM, DS 14 and DD 12…so pretty much, adult sized people.

To the OP…"buy where you want to stay," is the MOST common advice given on these boards. If you know you LOVE the Poly (and it sounds like you do) then that's your personal decision

 

[CarolMN]

Yeah that may be a concern as we love to go just after thanksgiving and into the first couple of weeks in December.

I tend, however, to book as early as possible because I always like having a disney trip in the works. The make or break point for me is whether I can find a studio reservation within the first month of the booking window. If it is a lot easier to do that at BLT, Boardwalk or BeachClub, we'd likely save some money and buy there. The hard part is not being able to look at availability until we buy in

It's very unlikely that you will have trouble booking a Poly studio if you book at 11 months, especially if you are willing to stay in a standard villa as well as a lake villa.

You may have trouble booking a STANDARD view studio at the BWV for that time period, even at 11 months, but you shouldn't have any trouble at all booking the Pool/Garden view villas there.

Any space remaining for that time period for those two resorts disappears almost immediately once the 7 month window opens, though.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm not too concern about the size of the rooms. For us, the location is important, the pool, the restaurant and two bathrooms.

There aren't two bathrooms in the Polynesian studios. Two sinks, one tub with shower, one shower, and most importantly, one toilet.

 

[hakepb]

Yeah that may be a concern as we love to go just after thanksgiving and into the first couple of weeks in December.

I tend, however, to book as early as possible because I always like having a disney trip in the works. The make or break point for me is whether I can find a studio reservation within the first month of the booking window. If it is a lot easier to do that at BLT, Boardwalk or BeachClub, we'd likely save some money and buy there. The hard part is not being able to look at availability until we buy in

There's some data here:
http://disboards.com/threads/predic...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

Available may just mean one room is available and small factors could impact that one room.
We also don't fully know the impact of BWV and BCV studios sleeping 5.

 

[ziravan]

Consider buying a guaranteed/fixed week during first 2 weeks of Dec. You'd have to give up the incentive to buy a guaranteed week, but that might be worth it.

You can trade out of the fixed week for points if you end up not needing it to book.

If you need it, it'll be invaluable.

Search here for threads on it.

 

[Yahweh]

There aren't two bathrooms in the Polynesian studios. Two sinks, one tub with shower, one shower, and most importantly, one toilet.

We all have our own different bathroom priorities. My wife can spend her 30 mins getting ready in the room without the toilet. It's just nice to have 2 spaces available to get ready in the morning and make it to rope drop in time.

 

[Yahweh]

There's some data here:
http://disboards.com/threads/predic...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

Available may just mean one room is available and small factors could impact that one room.
We also don't fully know the impact of BWV and BCV studios sleeping 5.

Thanks! I'll spend some time going through all that data tomorrow

 

[klbrow11]

We just bought at Poly. We love it there. Last New Year we stayed off property and hated it. Went and visited the Poly and just got dole whips and drinks. Watched fireworks fron the beach. The ambiance was so amazing. We love so many Disney resorts but just after visiting we were like there is nothing better than this. So now proud owners. We only have one child who is two so the studio fits our needs perfectly. I also love the way the studios look. Bright,colorful, and fun with those special Disney touches. I am so happy with our decision. In the future we want to buy points at beach club and hilton head. But for now it's the perfect place for us.

 

[Jennasis]

I didn't find the Poly studios to be cramped at all. I found them quite roomy and the two bathrooms (rooms for bathing...yes I know there is only one toilet). We booked at 7 months and had no problem getting 2 studios for the week after Labor Day.

 

[lisaviolet]

I do not own at the Polynesian. And I have a fierce loyalty to one of my owned resorts - BWV.

But after a stay at PVB, I could see booking it over and over again. The studios do not feel remotely cramped. You can feel the extended width in the unit.

But it's the grounds that have pulled me in. Beyond relaxing. Really peaceful. Have always felt that about the Polynesian, but even more after my stay. Just gorgeous.

That and the transportation. So many options. One day the monorail was down, the smaller VGF/PVB boats from the MK were packed with people waiting. No issue whatsoever over to the ferry and back to Moorea in an instant.

Having the Epcot monorail right there is fantastic.

I can understand those who think you should question whether you will need larger suites in the future and giving that a lot of thought. But then again, one bedrooms at seven months are the easiest of the units to book. But it is definitely something to think about with such a purchase.


As for booking, my first stay was in late May LV and I booked definitely after the seventh month. I have recently pieced together ten days over Christmas and NYE and I'm not an owner. But then again I'm one hell of a stalker!!!! (ie. certainly not the norm for booking!)

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[Lakegirl]

Love the poly, stayed in April with DBF, DD11 and DD 14, plenty of room, as lisaviolet said it is soooo very relaxing, the ambiance is amazing and transportation is as well.