New Poly DVC Owners

[KAT4DISNEY]

You don't actually have to stay that fixed week; you can swap out for different weeks. I believe the advice to buy fixed weeks is to ensure resale value, in most cases. Weeks 48-50 will almost certainly hold value, because even if you, personally, swap out the points for a different week annually, when you sell, it guarantees someone a week at the hardest booking time of year.

For me, the thing is that DVC has held it's value very well in general and I don't think the fixed weeks will be that much of a difference in the majority of cases. I think an important piece overlooked in the advice to just buy a fixed week if the points you are buying fit are that it's just a handful that might make a difference. It's only a few weeks that really were important for VGF but it's a different set of variables for PVB and I don't think it's going to be the same sort of issue at the Poly. As far as selling - again, it's just that small number of weeks that makes a difference. There have been a few of the VGF fixed weeks that have come up for resale and the ones that weren't Dec seemed to sit for awhile.....a long while. I think it would have been better for those owners to have smaller contracts without any fixed week attachments. Unless a person had at least some intention of using the week they bought fairly frequently I'd recommend a points contract for PVB.

 

[Sammie]

You don't actually have to stay that fixed week; you can swap out for different weeks. I believe the advice to buy fixed weeks is to ensure resale value, in most cases. Weeks 48-50 will almost certainly hold value, because even if you, personally, swap out the points for a different week annually, when you sell, it guarantees someone a week at the hardest booking time of year.

Do you have to swap out the entire week for another complete week. If so I personally would not want to be locked into that either. If this fixed week is just one small part of larger DVC holdings such as Bill is, then I can see it.

If your only contract is a fixed week to me it is too limiting.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Do you have to swap out the entire week for another complete week. If so I personally would not want to be locked into that either. If this fixed week is just one small part of larger DVC holdings such as Bill is, then I can see it.

If your only contract is a fixed week to me it is too limiting.

No.
You can even rent out the equivalent points.

 

[Dean]

I would personally not want a fixed week. We have been going to WDW for over 35 years and DVC members for 18 years and no way would I want to be locked into a certain week. When we go changes every year. Sure if I could afford multiple contracts at different resorts and I knew I wanted a particular resort such as GFV in early December it would be a consideration. However if my only contract was going to be a fixed week, no way would I want to be locked into that. At this point it is next to impossible to know where you will want to stay years from now or even when you will want to go. It will change, believe me.

DVC resorts and for that matter all Disney resorts are as good as their current management staff. We like the ability to move around and sample all the resorts at different times of the year. Also when a resort is under going major construction I would want the option to stay somewhere else.

If you plan to use your points for Disney cruises you will not want a resale. I know all of these DISers that have shared opinions will say that is not the best use of your points, but honestly my philosophy is I own them I will use them as best for me. Owning a luxury car is probably not the best use of car funds but many people enjoy them. Same can be said for larger homes, over a basic house.

If what you have works for you and you are happy with it, then congratulations on your purchase.

IMO it's the only way to purchase where it's available if one is going retail assuming the number of points is in the ballpark one needs. Other than being tied to the number of points, it really has all of the flexibility one has without it. It will add options and value. IMO even if it weren't a week I planned to use, I'd still get a fixed week if the number of points were fairly close. One would never have to use the fixed week if they didn't want to.

 

[ziravan]

The owners at VGF had no real way of knowing that studios at 11 months in Dec would be unavailable (almost impossible to book) until it sold out.

Let me give a real world possibility. Let's suppose two future changes at Poly over the next 50 yrs. First, let's suppose that DVC listens to feedback and changes first floor Moorea from Lake View. In that case, the number of Lake Views drop from 72 to 48. Next, suppose DVC reallocates the Bungalows down in point, and compensates by raising Lake View studios 2-3 points/night. (2 points a night means a fixed week is only 1 point more expensive, 3 points means a fixed week is 6 points cheaper).

In that case, a fixed week Lake view week #49/50 would be a very good deal as far as resale value is concerned.

The fixed week can always be broken for the points. It's a win-win if you are already buying ~160 points.

Many believe that Poly will be a wide open resort with so many studios. I disagree. It's a monorail resort and the studios (where most people buy in range of points) is 25% oversold because of the bungalows.

A fixed week might be a much needed premium to get into Poly in Dec, especially a Lake View. Then again, maybe not. If it is, owning a fixed Dec week will be a great deal. If not, no big deal: trade out each year.

Problem is, we won't know until it's too late to guarantee one of those weeks. Ask VGF owners.

 

[dd08]

The owners at VGF had no real way of knowing that studios at 11 months in Dec would be unavailable (almost impossible to book) until it sold out.

Let me give a real world possibility. Let's suppose two future changes at Poly over the next 50 yrs. First, let's suppose that DVC listens to feedback and changes first floor Moorea from Lake View. In that case, the number of Lake Views drop from 72 to 48. Next, suppose DVC reallocates the Bungalows down in point, and compensates by raising Lake View studios 2-3 points/night. (2 points a night means a fixed week is only 1 point more expensive, 3 points means a fixed week is 6 points cheaper).

In that case, a fixed week Lake view week #49/50 would be a very good deal as far as resale value is concerned.

The fixed week can always be broken for the points. It's a win-win if you are already buying ~160 points.

Many believe that Poly will be a wide open resort with so many studios. I disagree. It's a monorail resort and the studios (where most people buy in range of points) is 25% oversold because of the bungalows.

A fixed week might be a much needed premium to get into Poly in Dec, especially a Lake View. Then again, maybe not. If it is, owning a fixed Dec week will be a great deal. If not, no big deal: trade out each year.

Problem is, we won't know until it's too late to guarantee one of those weeks. Ask VGF owners.

I am leaning towards your bolded lines of thought. I don't think getting a studio at PVB will be quite as difficult for owners as VGF is (heck at this point the only time I could book a full week in a studio at VGF is during the timeframe of 8/24 to 9/3. That's it in the entire 11 month window.) ; but I think it very well could be interesting for "high demand" times like October through Marathon Weekend and I absolutely think 7 month window will be MUCH harder than it is now.

The majority of points at PVB are still at the studios, while the majority of points at VGF are non-studio rooms (by a good margin) so I don't think it will be that severe.

 

[ziravan]

I am leaning towards your bolded lines of thought. I don't think getting a studio at PVB will be quite as difficult for owners as VGF is (heck at this point the only time I could book a full week in a studio at VGF is during the timeframe of 8/24 to 9/3. That's it in the entire 11 month window.) ; but I think it very well could be interesting for "high demand" times like October through Marathon Weekend and I absolutely think 7 month window will be MUCH harder than it is now.

The majority of points at PVB are still at the studios, while the majority of points at VGF are non-studio rooms (by a good margin) so I don't think it will be that severe.

I own a week 44 Lake View fixed week. We chose that week because it's the first full week of Nov. depending on overlap, some years we should be there at MNSSHP, some for MVMCP, rarely, both. The last weekend is F&W half marathon and the beginning of Jersey week. And, of course, F&W. We love this time of year.

I have no doubt that we could book this week most years without a guarantee given the current trend. It's a busy week, but there are a bunch of studios.

But.

I'm buying a 50 year product. I would call this week busy but not crazy right now, but it wouldn't take much to push it over the edge to crazy.

So. I'm hedging my bet, and it's a very safe hedge to make. I'm protected either way, with a guarantee or with the ability to otherwise use my points as I see fit.

If I were buying Poly in the 130-200 point range, I'd buy a fixed week. I did. Since it's an option rarely discussed by the guides, I normally post about it to new Poly owners. If the OP looks it over and decides he's not interested, that's a more informed decision than he probably got when he bought.

 

[Chic]

Five years ago, we looked into DVC (I know - should've gotten in then). We did the tour at Saratoga, but we didn't particularly want AK (high maintenance fees and bus transportation), Aulani (too far for home resort), and 1BR at BLT (for our family of 5) required more points than we could "afford", or so we thought at the time.

We had loved our stay at the Poly in 2007 and enjoyed AK-Kidani in 2010, but since then the cost of rooms at the deluxe resorts has become more than we want to pay. Since then, we've stayed at Art of Animation and we just got back last week from a 5-night stay at POR. Although the accommodations were nice, we did have issues with loud neighbors, smoking on the patio outside our room (DS has asthma), and waiting for bus transportation (yes, the Poly spoiled us).

We were able to squeeze in a tour of the Poly Villas and Bungalows on one of our MK days. The Poly just feels like home, and now it is. WE FINALLY DID IT and are NEW DVC OWNERS (and at a monorial resort too)!

The studios will sleep 5 and have 2 showers which fit our needs, both now and in the future when the kids grow up. The bungalows were awesome, and maybe one day we will be able to enjoy 3-4 days on the lake.

Still researching and trying to learn the ropes. Have 8/15 UY points and am toying with renting those out or may just bank them as we don't currently have any Disney plans until DD graduates high school in a couple of years. Any advice would be appreciated....

Congratulations and Welcome Home! You have loved the Poly since 2007 and now own a piece of the Magic on the monorail loop. Your family can stay in a Studio which sleeps up to 5 guests and has 2 showers for the next 50 years. Over the course of your DVC contract, you are going to save a tremendous amount of money on accommodations at the Walt Disney World resort. You have escaped the loud neighbors, will not have to wait for a bus to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, and may not have inconsiderate guests smoking on their patios. I commend you for purchasing at the resort which feels like home. This resort is for you. I suggest you keep your purchase at the Polynesian and ignore the suggestions from others who think you should opt out before the 10 days expires. Trust your heart and retain your contract. The Polynesian is a phenomenal resort and a Disney masterpiece. Many years of happiness and memories await your family. If you back out of your contract, you will eventually spend more money to receive less.

 

[Judique]

Congratulations and Welcome Home! You have loved the Poly since 2007 and now own a piece of the Magic on the monorail loop. Your family can stay in a Studio which sleeps up to 5 guests and has 2 showers for the next 50 years. Over the course of your DVC contract, you are going to save a tremendous amount of money on accommodations at the Walt Disney World resort. You have escaped the loud neighbors, will not have to wait for a bus to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, and may not have inconsiderate guests smoking on their patios. I commend you for purchasing at the resort which feels like home. This resort is for you. I suggest you keep your purchase at the Polynesian and ignore the suggestions from others who think you should opt out before the 10 days expires. Trust your heart and retain your contract. The Polynesian is a phenomenal resort and a Disney masterpiece. Many years of happiness and memories await your family. If you back out of your contract, you will eventually spend more money to receive less.

I have some agreement with this. It seems as if you are happy with YOUR choice.

Someone tried to talk me out of BWV and pushed for me to buy OKW when I first purchased. OKW was considered at that time to be so much better than BWV by many people. Its a great resort, but I loved the location of BWV and stuck with what I liked. It is not always about cost.

Buy where you want to stay.

I do think your plan for every 3 years will fail. Those points will be burning a hole in your pocket!

 

[Dean]

Congratulations and Welcome Home! You have loved the Poly since 2007 and now own a piece of the Magic on the monorail loop. Your family can stay in a Studio which sleeps up to 5 guests and has 2 showers for the next 50 years. Over the course of your DVC contract, you are going to save a tremendous amount of money on accommodations at the Walt Disney World resort. You have escaped the loud neighbors, will not have to wait for a bus to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, and may not have inconsiderate guests smoking on their patios. I commend you for purchasing at the resort which feels like home. This resort is for you. I suggest you keep your purchase at the Polynesian and ignore the suggestions from others who think you should opt out before the 10 days expires. Trust your heart and retain your contract. The Polynesian is a phenomenal resort and a Disney masterpiece. Many years of happiness and memories await your family. If you back out of your contract, you will eventually spend more money to receive less.

They don't know enough to know if it's right for them at this time, that's largely the point made here. If they can get out now and get more educated, they'll know if spending double is worth it for this option. They can always buy in later if it's the right choice.

 

[freediverdude]

I have a small Polynesian contract right now, but was thinking within the next year or two of adding on to get up to a total of 130-160 points- now I'm wondering if I should be looking into selling my current one and getting the fixed week instead. But I guess I wouldn't know if that would be worth it until a few more years go by. And whether the Poly is hard to book year round or just during a few weeks in the fall makes a difference too.

 

[dd08]

Congratulations and Welcome Home! You have loved the Poly since 2007 and now own a piece of the Magic on the monorail loop. Your family can stay in a Studio which sleeps up to 5 guests and has 2 showers for the next 50 years. Over the course of your DVC contract, you are going to save a tremendous amount of money on accommodations at the Walt Disney World resort. You have escaped the loud neighbors, will not have to wait for a bus to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, and may not have inconsiderate guests smoking on their patios. I commend you for purchasing at the resort which feels like home. This resort is for you. I suggest you keep your purchase at the Polynesian and ignore the suggestions from others who think you should opt out before the 10 days expires. Trust your heart and retain your contract. The Polynesian is a phenomenal resort and a Disney masterpiece. Many years of happiness and memories await your family. If you back out of your contract, you will eventually spend more money to receive less.

LOL, no they won't. Only if they rebuy direct.

If they decide it's not for them at all, they saved a TON of money.

If they rebuy resale at another resort (or likely Poly resales prices in the future will be less than direct now) they will save a good bit of money.

 

[Chic]

LOL, no they won't. Only if they rebuy direct.

If they decide it's not for them at all, they saved a TON of money.

If they rebuy resale at another resort (or likely Poly resales prices in the future will be less than direct now) they will save a good bit of money.

If a Poly resale is purchased in the future, it will have less lifetime points available and closing costs as well as broker fees will be included. Buyers typically get more bang for their buck if they buy during the opening sales of a DVC resort. Saratoga Springs was selling for $95 a point directly through Disney in 2007 with no closing cost. A loaded Saratoga Springs contract is worth about $75-$85 a point on the resale market now along with closing costs and broker fees. These contracts have 8 less years than the one I purchased in 2007.

 

[Dean]

If a Poly resale is purchased in the future, it will have less lifetime points available and closing costs as well as broker fees will be included. Buyers typically get more bang for their buck if they buy during the opening sales of a DVC resort. Saratoga Springs was selling for $95 a point directly through Disney in 2007 with no closing cost. A loaded Saratoga Springs contract is worth about $75-$85 a point on the resale market now along with closing costs and broker fees. These contracts have 8 less years than the one I purchased in 2007.

That's true to a degree, certainly if one has enough knowledge to know a given resort is what they want, it's often best buying preconstruction. This usually takes months of active investigation and at least some level of direct personal experience with Disney if not DVC. But the loss of a year or 2 is minimal and if one buys resale, likely none at all in waiting 2-3 years. The benefit of making the best decision up front can be a many thousand dollar difference and in some cases tens of thousands difference. However your example is flawed. If one had the money and waited, there should have been some earnings on the amount not spent and if one bought resale, there is the possibility of getting a better (Loaded) contract than buying direct. Had one waited in 2007, they could have bought SSR for under $50 a point in the interim resale. VGF is likely a better example currently although I think it's unlikely the Poly will hold it's value nearly as well as VGF or VGC. Getting the right UY, number of points and a fixed week has value as well as a minimum in this situation. There are very few people who should be buying the Poly retail at this point basically because there are very few that have sufficient knowledge and experience to know they will stay mostly at the Poly and if they don't, it's a bad purchase decision.

 

[ziravan]

Regarding fixed weeks and guides,

I believe that the guides don't mention fixed weeks unless asked about it because it introduces an element of doubt that could tank a potential sale.

When you're getting someone to bite on a multi-thousand dollar contract, stay on focus.

I think that's a disservice although I understand why in terms of completing a sale.

While its true that a fixed week adds a layer of complication to explaining the product for sale, it also adds a layer of potential benefit to the owner.

I truly believe the guides are sacrificing potential member benefit for closing the deal.

About 4.5% of VGF sold as fixed weeks. So far, Poly is selling about 2% fixed weeks. DVC is allowed to sell up to 35% of any given week/category as fixed.

Obviously, it's not a option being pushed by the guides.

 

[disneynutz]

Regarding fixed weeks and guides,

I believe that the guides don't mention fixed weeks unless asked about it because it introduces an element of doubt that could tank a potential sale.

When you're getting someone to bite on a multi-thousand dollar contract, stay on focus.

I think that's a disservice although I understand why in terms of completing a sale.

While its true that a fixed week adds a layer of complication to explaining the product for sale, it also adds a layer of potential benefit to the owner.

I truly believe the guides are sacrificing potential member benefit for closing the deal.

About 4.5% of VGF sold as fixed weeks. So far, Poly is selling about 2% fixed weeks. DVC is allowed to sell up to 35% of any given week/category as fixed.

Obviously, it's not a option being pushed by the guides.

IMO Disney wants fixed weeks to be available for buyers who request them so they don't lose a sale but they prefer to sell just points. Another issue is that most guides don't understand how fixed weeks work.

Bill

 

[dd08]

If a Poly resale is purchased in the future, it will have less lifetime points available and closing costs as well as broker fees will be included. Buyers typically get more bang for their buck if they buy during the opening sales of a DVC resort. Saratoga Springs was selling for $95 a point directly through Disney in 2007 with no closing cost. A loaded Saratoga Springs contract is worth about $75-$85 a point on the resale market now along with closing costs and broker fees. These contracts have 8 less years than the one I purchased in 2007.

Disney charges closing costs now on direct sales. So your closing costs "savings" is gone.

In those "8 less years" of not having SSR, they also likely didn't go to Disney as much as they would have if they had the timeshare. Thus savings thousands more.

Resales prices are also fairly volatile (esp when compared with direct). In 2011, we almost added on - at that time BWV was going for IIRC the $60's and you could get SSR and OKW in the $50's (and IIRC on the resale thread on this board some SSR contracts went for as low as the $50's.) Right now Resale prices are high.

Give this economy a downturn (which is already happening) and it's possible that resale prices will drop lower again.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Is Poly selling on resale yet? That's what I'm waiting for!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Is Poly selling on resale yet? That's what I'm waiting for!!!

There have been a few.

 

[Dean]

Is Poly selling on resale yet? That's what I'm waiting for!!!

Why, it's unlikely to save enough to justify waiting and if it works out where there's a big difference, it'll likely be several years before it does. Unless one has other reasons to wait such as to raise the money, I'd buy now retail if I was set on buying Poly anyway.