Poly - hmmm

[Brian Noble]

Well, there is a duty, but of course they will decide how to exercise it.

That said, imbalances have been corrected before, so it is reasonable to assume they could be again. In addition to the weekend/weekday split, there was also the brain-dead decision to originally put the THV point values equal to the regular 2BRs at SSR.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

IMO this is over-stated. DVCMC decides what and if there are inequities and when and how they will be addressed. Their interests will always come first within legal limits. I don't know what enforcement entity would review the inner workings or if they do. Aulani was the only issue that we know of.

Bill

Aulani is an example that DVC does still seem to consider point imbalances. For 2016 they have reallocated for higher points in the busy summer season.

 

[disneynutz]

Aulani is an example that DVC does still seem to consider point imbalances. For 2016 they have reallocated for higher points in the busy summer season.

True but what is their criteria? We have no idea what it is or why they do what they do. They say that it's in our best interest or that it's due to member feedback, are they re-balancing to level out guest bookings to benefit Disney or how is it benefiting the members?

Bill

 

[luckyman_apd]

True but what is their criteria? We have no idea what it is or why they do what they do. They say that it's in our best interest or that it's due to member feedback, are they re-balancing to level out guest bookings to benefit Disney or how is it benefiting the members?

Bill

First....they decide....and they are under no obligation to tell you who or why... they are only under the obligation to keep the number of points used per year the same. I believe it's based on Supply/Demand. While it may be true if points rooms don't get used on points, they can sell at cash and keep profits, I get the feeling that they might not always sell out on those rooms. In that case no one wins. The idea is to have rooms booked to capacity all year round. If it's too hard to fill rooms at one time of year, and an overflow somewhere else...then they do it.

I know there was a big stink over treehouse villas point reallocation, but isn't that what they are supposed to do? If it was only possible to book at 11 months out, that makes an inequity in the system. I don't care what sales tactics were said....the reallocation possibilities are well known.

My take on the whole Poly thing is just it's crazy....but somewhere someone thinks they know what they're doing. I'm excited to be able to possibly book at 7 months with the number of rooms available.....even if they are a bit high comparatively....but the Bungalows are crazy. It will cost over $2000 a night cash! That's crazy! but there's a sucker born every minute. And that's where the reality comes in. None of us are crazy or stupid.....but most in this world are....and even more so when put into the masses. Case in point.....we just traveled with friends for a weekend. They've owned longer than I.....have no idea of most of the procedures......and even bought there DVC sight unseen based on a relative's experience owning. They are paying high dues at a resort they rarely stay at....and have more points than they need......although we just introduced them to Spirit airlines with round trip prices under $100 certain times of year.

So, people are dumb and will pay $165 a point, use them at other resorts in the future....and we will gain with a stay there on much less expensive points.

 

[Brian Noble]

are they re-balancing to level out guest bookings to benefit Disney or how is it benefiting the members?

I don't know the Aulani demand patterns at all, so I can't comment on those. But WDW rebalancing decisions were not at all surprising to those who understood Orlando demand.

I suppose there could be a nefarious purpose behind it all, but Disney is not a company fond of breaking the law---and rebalancing to the company's benefit rather than the Members' would violate the governing documents as I understand them. They *are* a company willing to re-write the laws when necessary (see: RCID's history), but the downsides of doing something stupid for a fraction of a cent per share profit in the annual report probably outweigh the benefits.

 

[disneynutz]

First....they decide....and they are under no obligation to tell you who or why... they are only under the obligation to keep the number of points used per year the same. I believe it's based on Supply/Demand. While it may be true if points rooms don't get used on points, they can sell at cash and keep profits, I get the feeling that they might not always sell out on those rooms. In that case no one wins. The idea is to have rooms booked to capacity all year round. If it's too hard to fill rooms at one time of year, and an overflow somewhere else...then they do it.

I know there was a big stink over treehouse villas point reallocation, but isn't that what they are supposed to do? If it was only possible to book at 11 months out, that makes an inequity in the system. I don't care what sales tactics were said....the reallocation possibilities are well known.

My take on the whole Poly thing is just it's crazy....but somewhere someone thinks they know what they're doing. I'm excited to be able to possibly book at 7 months with the number of rooms available.....even if they are a bit high comparatively....but the Bungalows are crazy. It will cost over $2000 a night cash! That's crazy! but there's a sucker born every minute. And that's where the reality comes in. None of us are crazy or stupid.....but most in this world are....and even more so when put into the masses. Case in point.....we just traveled with friends for a weekend. They've owned longer than I.....have no idea of most of the procedures......and even bought there DVC sight unseen based on a relative's experience owning. They are paying high dues at a resort they rarely stay at....and have more points than they need......although we just introduced them to Spirit airlines with round trip prices under $100 certain times of year.

So, people are dumb and will pay $165 a point, use them at other resorts in the future....and we will gain with a stay there on much less expensive points.

Having the rooms filled all year long doesn't benefit the owners, it benefits Disney in so many ways.

The Poly with the bungalows were built that way for a reason and again only Disney knows why. All studios? Maybe Disney wants to increase their restaurant traffic, that should increase food sales by a few million. It also greatly reduces their construction costs while at the same time they increased the sale price.

I am all about Disney making money but their greed is getting over the top and it's across the board, not just the DVC.

Bill

 

[Sur]

Time to update Hollywood Studios with that money!

 

[dizfan]

My guess is Disney also takes the cash side into the equation for point reallocations. If a room category books solid in early December, but not during summer, Disney can rent them for cash.

The big problem to the system occurs if a resort or room category is not being used by members and has little draw for cash guests.

 

[Gadget10a]

Thoughts from an insider is the DVC Poly project is that it is aimed at Poly faithful's who want to become DVC owners and stay at the Poly, not something for existing owners.

The studios are an upgrade from the existing Poly rooms and connecting rooms are great for larger groups.

The bungalows aren't even considered as something that most members would want but for the folks with big bucks, convention attendees, and businesses, there is a definite market.

DVC expects to sell up to 25% as fixed weeks.

Time will tell.

Bill

Bill,
I think you hit the nail on the head. I'll add to your thesis. We just bought a week in October at PVB. I can hear the howls now from those who think we made a bad deal. As some have wisely pointed out before, it depends on your perspective. I'll give you our reasons. BTW- This adds to our points at OKW, SSR, GC, and BLT. Our original purchase was OKW in Oct '92, so we've been doing this a while.

1) We were going to add points to support our addiction anyway as we've discovered over the last 22 years that our DVC points represent a better trade than cash over time...

2) We LOVE the Poly although we've been hesitate to burn points to trade into the Disney Collection (but, we have done it, Club level rocks!). Also, see above.

3) We make the Epcot Food & Wine Festival virtually every year. Hence, the week. DH retires in three years and I'm an airline pilot, future week long vacations in October at WDW for F&W and golf are pretty much a guarantee.

4) Looking ahead to future Xmas week vacations, we wanted home resort advantage at PVB. While even we won't do a week in a bungalow, we anticipate at least a couple of nights before trading over to another resort for the rest of a vacation then.. Not unusual for us as the family enjoys experiencing different resorts.

5) Lastly, my adult kids look forward to having that kind of access for a very LONG time.

Having said all that, I KNOW we could have done it cheaper some time in the future, or add on at another resort just to do the 7 month battle to get into a resort we absolutely love. However, we are fortunate enough to have the family resources to go this route. Also, me thinks many are forgetting the international flavor of the guests at WDW. While they may not buy in, I know a LOT of foreign nationals who would have no problem paying the cash rates for the Studios or Bungalows. I know that is just anecdotal, but we live in a unique place, The Woodlands, TX which has a distinctly international flavor courtesy of many well off Mexican families who have emigrated as well as people associated with the oil industry from all over. When we get into conversations with these folks, it isn't about how much, but rather what is "best." I'm always reminded that the rich aren't like the rest of us.
Anyway, just another perspective.....
Ernie

 

[Wedgeh]

Disney cares that the members buy the points applicable to them so it recovers its building costs and makes a profit. All those points applicable to the bungalows can be sold to all those purchasers who can afford only the points needed for studios. Result: Disney effectively sells the bungalows and recover its building costs and makes a profit from the sales.

This. Either that or we can expect a chunky rebalance, but given the numbers of bungalows/studios I can't see how that would work.

 

[WMorganS]

This. Either that or we can expect a chunky rebalance, but given the numbers of bungalows/studios I can't see how that would work.

Don't expect a bungalow point rebalance. They each have a private deck and a private plunge pool. It's so over the top it's almost silly, but there are plenty of people with money and kids whose only question will be:
"If I book 3, can they be next to each other"?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Don't expect a bungalow point rebalance. They each have a private deck and a private plunge pool. It's so over the top it's almost silly, but there are plenty of people with money and kids whose only question will be:
"If I book 3, can they be next to each other"?

I laughed when I first read this but you're probably right, actually.

 

[jlovesee]

I don't know how true it is but when we did the Poly special event at SSR a few weeks ago and sat down with a guide he told us that just that day a member had put down around $1 Million for 2 bungalows, guaranteed weeks in December... So obviously there are those out there that don't even give the cost a second thought.

Jennifer

 

[dizfan]

I don't know how true it is but when we did the Poly special event at SSR a few weeks ago and sat down with a guide he told us that just that day a member had put down around $1 Million for 2 bungalows, guaranteed weeks in December... So obviously there are those out there that don't even give the cost a second thought.

Jennifer

There is a fixed week bungalow purchased lead you on the Orange county comptrollers web site. I believe it was around $150k for the week.

 

[jerseyduke]

There is a fixed week bungalow purchased lead you on the Orange county comptrollers web site. I believe it was around $150k for the week.

I did not see that one. (Not that its not there)

I did see 33 deeds recorded at 20 mortgages!!!

 

[MoreTravels]

Don't expect a bungalow point rebalance. They each have a private deck and a private plunge pool. It's so over the top it's almost silly, but there are plenty of people with money and kids whose only question will be: "If I book 3, can they be next to each other"?

Yup. There are probably thousands of family in USA that can afford it

Look at this....

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102384854

These kids spend $1 million per month.

 

[Sur]

A company created to run the help- "Griffin family services"....why didn't I think of that?!?!

 

[Brian Noble]

A fraternity brother of mine founded and manages a hedge fund. This was a question he posted to facebook a week or so ago:

Simple, pragmatic question: when your children approach adult size, how do you get your household help to differentiate your clothes?? Drives me nuts!!

So, yeah, but he's a Disneylander, not a WDW guy.

 

[dizfan]

There is a report that someone received a special waiver to exceed 4000 points at a single resort. The guide reported they purchased 5 FW bungalow contracts. Guessing we will find out if this is true or not in the next month by monitoring the OCC website.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There is a report that someone received a special waiver to exceed 4000 points at a single resort. The guide reported they purchased 5 FW bungalow contracts. Guessing we will find out if this is true or not in the next month by monitoring the OCC website.

That would be nice. Hope they are very popular then studios will remain balanced in demand.