New to DVC and chose Poly as home resort--bad idea?

[Nolamom3]

Hello everyone!

My husband and I are new to DVC and haven't even gone to closing yet. I wanted to ask opinions on choosing Poly as our home resort. I'm hearing that there aren't a lot of rooms dedicated to DVC members and we may have a hard time booking there even 11 months out. Should we choose a different home resort? I was so excited to have poly as our home. We're a family of 6 so needed enough points for adjoining rooms (the bungalows are WAY too expensive). Any help from you seasoned members would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MoreTravels]

You don't really 'choose' resorts... You 'buy' their real estate interest in sharing time. The cost of Poly is almost twice as expensive as Saratoga resale. For the same amount of money, you get twice as long for your vacation. Please make sure you understands 11 vs 7 month concept and a point is a point throughout the entire DVC resort system so the number of points is what determines how long you get to stay.

Also hotel and DVC rooms are independent so the size of hotel does not matter. They don't 'dedicate' rooms as DVC booking. They may decommission a hotel building and rebuild it as a DVC building but they are not interchangeable.

 

[heynowirv]

Welcome Nolamom,
I have one big question to ask.Do you love the Polynesian?Have you stayed or visited at any of the other DVC resorts?If the answer is yes to both parts than enjoy.I don't think you'll have an issue getting a studio @ the 11 month window,but they are not promising you adjoining studios at booking from my understanding.
More questions or food for thought.How old are your children?Have you considered resale?
Irv

 

[SarahInMN]

You don't really 'choose' resorts... You 'buy' their real estate interest in sharing time. The cost of Poly is almost twice as expensive as Saratoga resale. For the same amount of money, you get twice as long for your vacation. Please make sure you understands 11 vs 7 month concept and a point is a point throughout the entire DVC resort system so the number of points is what determines how long you get to stay.

More Travels gives great advice - make sure you understand the system!

Also, understand how you want to travel: do you want to stay in a studio, 1br, 2br, or grand villa at your home resort? If you will be happier in a 1br (my DH and love the extra space, king bed, more spacious bath, and in room laundry), poly has studios and the over the water bungalows (which someone correct my if I'm wrong - are 2 brs) but no 1 br. I'm betting the bungalows will be tough to book but the studios will be (relatively) easy - is a studio ok with your family?

I agree with MoreTravels about the cost as well - we bought BCV off the resale market and bought "new" from Disney because we didn't want to wait for a resale. I struggled with paying that much per point for VGF but for us it was worth it.

Do not make a quick, emotional DVC purchase. Make sure you understand 7 month vs 11 months, banking/borrowing points, dues, points in holding, and what you won't get when staying on points (i.e. daily housekeeping). Make sure poly is "your kind of place" - don't buy it because it is new or your guide tells you everything else is sold out.

Good luck!

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Welcome Nolamom, I have one big question to ask.Do you love the Polynesian?Have you stayed or visited at any of the other DVC resorts?If the answer is yes to both parts than enjoy.I don't think you'll have an issue getting a studio @ the 11 month window,but they are not promising you adjoining studios at booking from my understanding. More questions or food for thought.How old are your children?Have you considered resale? Irv

The good news on the booking category question is that we'll have a clear answer on 2/11. I was told it was supposed to be guaranteed but it'll be good to see for sure.

All good points from others above - resale is definitely cheaper but on the other hand I've found it important to buy where you want to stay. That's more or less important depending on time of year.

 

[Nolamom3]

Thank yall for the replies!

We haven't stayed at any other DVC resorts. We chose poly bc I love the theming and the monorail is perfect as our kids are 6, 5, 2, and 6 months. We need a stroller so the easy access to magic kingdom and Epcot were appealing. I have no information about resale so I guess I need to research that more. Also, about the 11 or 7 months booking, we thought it would be a good idea to choose poly as its a popular resort. So the extra time was important when booking. The cast member we spoke to gave us the GF, Saratoga springs, and the poly as options for our home resort. She quoted us a 2 bedroom villa at the GF and it was very expensive. We felt purchasing points for two rooms would be a better option bc we don't need the kitchen or washer/dryer. I don't want to cook on vacation!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Best wishes as you decide on what is best for you. The way they have advertised the Poly, I would think that the guaranteed connecting studios is an option, but if it is not, you would surely be disappointed in your home selection. If nothing else, call your guide to be sure you have bought into what you think you have. If so, Poly will be the only DVC on site that does have connecting studios, so if that is what you want, that is what you "should" buy! Do it before there's no backing out.

Bobbi

 

[Nolamom3]

The guide we spoke to said that the connecting was an option but they couldn't guarantee it. She said it would be very rare though that they couldn't accomdodate that request. My next question after that was would we know it wouldn't be an option at the time of booking? If so, we would wait and pick a different resort. I wouldn't mind doing that occasionally but would be upset if it happened every time. I'll call today to ask a few more questions to make sure what I have in mind is correct. We tend to go off season so I know that will make a difference in booking.

Yall have been very helpful and I'm sure I'll have more questions as I learn the DVC system!

 

[lovin'fl]

You want to ask if connecting studios is a booking category. DVC members have a website where we can book our resort reservations online and, for example, at OKW 'near hospitality house' is a specific booking category when you are booking online (and when you call into member services). If it's all booked up, it will show as unavailable. What everyone is wondering is if connecting studios at the new PBV will be like that OR if you just book 2 studios and then request connecting studios (like one would request near elevator at BWV). If it's a specific booking category, then if and when you book that you will nearly be 100% guaranteed that (though sometimes snafus happen). Owning there, you can book at 11 months out and it should be easy to get connecting studios if it's a booking category (if it's just a request, then you won't know until you arrive).

Welcome Home!!!!

 

[rseeb]

Good advice from all and the only thing I would add is to make sure yo understand the benefits you do not get from buying resale.. These could effect how you can use your membership in the future. There is a great FAQ about resales here that can help you understand what you do or do not get. http://www.dvc-resales.com/faq.htm

 

[Nolamom3]

You want to ask if connecting studios is a booking category. DVC members have a website where we can book our resort reservations online and, for example, at OKW 'near hospitality house' is a specific booking category when you are booking online (and when you call into member services). If it's all booked up, it will show as unavailable. What everyone is wondering is if connecting studios at the new PBV will be like that OR if you just book 2 studios and then request connecting studios (like one would request near elevator at BWV). If it's a specific booking category, then if and when you book that you will nearly be 100% guaranteed that (though sometimes snafus happen). Owning there, you can book at 11 months out and it should be easy to get connecting studios if it's a booking category (if it's just a request, then you won't know until you arrive).

Welcome Home!!!!

Thank you for this! I had no clue about any of this! It helps to know exactly what to ask for. I'll let yall know what I'm told so I can clear up some confusion.

 

[MoreTravels]

The issue of adjacent room connection should never be considered as optional in parents with young children. I don't think any parent would want their 6 year old daughter to sleep in a different room by herself alone on a different floor. The child is old enough to open a door knob but not old enough to distinguish bad male strangers pretending to be nice. Again and again Disney has NEVER promised adjacent room guarantee... that tells me it is indeed their plan. So I would not gamble my children's safety on chance.

Regarding your question to use monorail, you should consider BLT at Contemporary. It's 60% cheaper by resale. The arcade is big for kids to enjoy rainy days. It's also in walking distance with stroller. This will come in handy during peak hours when the monorail trains are packed with no room to fit stroller.

Please also keep in mind that in about 10 years, your kids will become teenagers. The travel style may be very different so they may want Boardwalk entertainment and EPCOT dining choices. They may not be into Mickey and Minnie or Dumbo rides any more. So they may not feel the Magic Kingdom is very attractive anymore. They may want to join the scout and safari things at Animal Kingdom or be so immersed into movies at Hollywood Studio.

Finally. It is my opinion that DVC is sneaky in calling their salespersons as guides. Most people will get upset that if salesperson call them regularly during their trip or at home. But DVC does exactly that. But they hide the selling part as 'guiding' you. So most people do not mind talking to their 'guide'.

 

[Nolamom3]

The issue of adjacent room connection should never be considered as optional in parents with young children. I don't think any parent would want their 6 year old daughter to sleep in a different room by herself alone on a different floor. The child is old enough to open a door knob but not old enough to distinguish bad male strangers pretending to be nice. Again and again Disney has NEVER promised adjacent room guarantee... that tells me it is indeed their plan. So I would not gamble my children's safety on chance.

Regarding your question to use monorail, you should consider BLT at Contemporary. It's 60% cheaper by resale. The arcade is big for kids to enjoy rainy days. It's also in walking distance with stroller. This will come in handy during peak hours when the monorail trains are packed with no room to fit stroller.

Please also keep in mind that in about 10 years, your kids will become teenagers. The travel style may be very different so they may want Boardwalk entertainment and EPCOT dining choices. They may not be into Mickey and Minnie or Dumbo rides any more. So they may not feel the Magic Kingdom is very attractive anymore. They may want to join the scout and safari things at Animal Kingdom or be so immersed into movies at Hollywood Studio.

Finally. It is my opinion that DVC is sneaky in calling their salespersons as guides. Most people will get upset that if salesperson call them regularly during their trip or at home. But DVC does exactly that. But they hide the selling part as 'guiding' you. So most people do not mind talking to their 'guide'.

Do you mind me asking what your DVC points are, where you own, and how you purchased?

I just looked on the resale site and baylake seems to be very popular as all sales pending.

 

[VrBchJ]

Do you think with the ages of your children you'll want the in room washer/dryer and full kitchen? Poly studios won't have those. I would second the suggestion of checking out BLT resale. It's a short walk to MK. You won't even have to get on the monorail if you don't want to. So much to consider in this very important decision.

 

[goofy4tink]

I own at both BWV and BLT. My BLT contract is much smaller than the BWV ones. Here's my take on it. You need to decide how often you want to go to WDW...and how long you want to stay on each trip. Then, you can figure out how many points you will need yearly.
Would I buy at the Polynesian? Nope. Way too expensive for me. I would rather take more trips and stay longer than pay for Polynesian points! And BLT is almost in the same category. For instance.....here's a breakdown of the daily points needed for various views at a few resorts, in a studio....

Polynesian...standard view...23 pts, lake view 27 pts. For Friday/Sat nights...Standard view...27/lake view....32

BLT....stand view...19, lake view 21, theme park view...25
Fri/Sat....stand...22, lake...24, theme park...29

BWV...stand view...14, preferred...18 Fri/Sat...stand..19, preferred...21

SSR...16 and Fri/Sat...20

When you consider what you are paying for those Polynesian points, well, just too much for me!!
Be sure you understand how DVC works. A lot of peoples buy with no idea how it works and then get very upset when they can't get what they want when they're ready to book a stay.

 

[dizfan]

I own at both BWV and BLT. My BLT contract is much smaller than the BWV ones. Here's my take on it. You need to decide how often you want to go to WDW...and how long you want to stay on each trip. Then, you can figure out how many points you will need yearly.
Would I buy at the Polynesian? Nope. Way too expensive for me. I would rather take more trips and stay longer than pay for Polynesian points! And BLT is almost in the same category. For instance.....here's a breakdown of the daily points needed for various views at a few resorts, in a studio....

Polynesian...standard view...23 pts, lake view 27 pts. For Friday/Sat nights...Standard view...27/lake view....32

BLT....stand view...19, lake view 21, theme park view...25
Fri/Sat....stand...22, lake...24, theme park...29

BWV...stand view...14, preferred...18 Fri/Sat...stand..19, preferred...21

SSR...16 and Fri/Sat...20

When you consider what you are paying for those Polynesian points, well, just too much for me!!
Be sure you understand how DVC works. A lot of peoples buy with no idea how it works and then get very upset when they can't get what they want when they're ready to book a stay.

Since the OP is a family of 6, I would recommend comparing the price and points for a 2BR at other WDW resorts to the price/points for two connecting PVB studios.

 

[dizfan]

Sorry, double post.

 

[Nolamom3]

Since the OP is a family of 6, I would recommend comparing the price and points for a 2BR at other WDW resorts to the price/points for two connecting PVB studios.

We were quoted on a two bedroom at the GF and decided it was better to go with the adjoining rooms at the Poly bc it worked out to be cheaper. I don't particularly want to cook on vacation so the kitchen wasn't necessary for us. And if I'm not mistaken (please someone tell me if I have this wrong), there are places to do laundry around the resort. I don't think I have to have the washer/dryer in my room.

Thank you for your point breakdown! I'm interested to see how other people work their points.

 

[Nolamom3]

Does anyone have a scenario for a 2br option? What other resorts offer a 2br?

 

[Donna M]

We own at SSR and think it was a great resort to buy into. We bought 300 points to cover a 2bd during our school vacations, but have since added 200.
We have owned for 10 years and have stayed at all the resorts on our SSR points. We have been finding it easier to find availability now then a few years ago.

Every other DVC has 2 bds, PVB are the only ones that don't have the 1bd or 3 bd. But, I wouldn't be surprised if they built some 1bd in the future.

I strongly suggest you check out BLT, the resort doesn't have the same feel at all....obviously. I don't care for BLT because of the theming, so don't just go for the location, theming can be very important, you're not going to be using strollers forever.

As a pp mentioned, your children will be teenagers before you know it and having two bedrooms with a living room, kitchen and dining area might be very welcoming as those little bodies start to take up much more space. Plus you'll have more privacy.

If you love Poly and have checked it out well then go for it. It's your vacation.