Poly or VGF Resale?

[gambit985]

Currently looking into adding about 150 pts at either Poly or VGF. We already are members so see no reason why we should be discouraged from going with resale as we will still get the perks. Home property is VGC and we want something a Disney World also. We have just 1 child who is 16 months and know we will be making trips approx. 1 a year. Is one better then the other or should we buy direct. I know the VGF are a lot better through resale then Disney.

 

[BillPA]

The Grand Floridian is sold out, so resale is your only option. Poly only has studios and the ridiculously over priced bungalows.
Your best 'deal' for a monorail resort is Bay Lake Towers, also resale only. IMHO

 

[Minniesgal]

I would Buy VGF as it has the full range of rooms and is located in a new built building not a refurb of an old building like Poly

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Depending on when you plan to book, if you want studios, Poly will be a much easier booking than VGF. VGF is a very small resort and studios require 11-month booking most of the year.

 

[jerseyduke]

Depending on when you plan to book, if you want studios, Poly will be a much easier booking than VGF. VGF is a very small resort and studios require 11-month booking most of the year.

This.

VGF is small. If you want studios, it is not a good buy. If you want even remotely popular times in a studio at the VGF, chances are you would get shut out at times, even at the 11 month mark.

VGF is great if you want one bedrooms. But studios....think twice.

I own there and totally regret not buying a Fixed week there.

 

[gambit985]

We are fine with studios at Poly but would probably look more at 1 BR for VGF. Basically we would have 320 pts every 2 yrs at each resort so could do Disneyland 1 year and then Disney World the next year. This would be ideal for us as my wife and I love Disney and would go even if our son grows out of it.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Poly has 360 studios, so is ideal for that. It has ferry boat and launch access to MK, and has monorail access to MK and Epcot. The rooms are themed nicely, but the buildings and hallways look old and worn.

VGF is a really great resort experience, with the Grand Floridian hotel right there. It is my favorite, and I own there. However, the "sweet spot" for VGF is the 2-bedroom villa. There are 6 3-bedroom grand villas. There are 47 dedicated 2 BRs. There are an additional 47 lock-off 2 BRs that can also be broken apart as 1 BR + Studio, so there are 47 potential studios at VGF, but you are competing for them against those who want lock-off 2 BRs.

Also, some fixed week studios were sold at VGF, so some studios are out of circulation on day 1 of the 11 month window. I have been fortunate to get a 1 BR in March and a Studio in December, but I had to be online at precisely 8AM. Chances for snagging a 2BR at peak times are much better.

 

[gambit985]

And that is why I am concerned about the VGF. Being that we live in AZ with the time difference it could make it difficult to even get my home resort then at 11 months. That is not a headache that we would want as the whole reason for purchasing that resort would be so we could stay. Also started looking at BLT as it will have the same end year as our current VGC. Pts are a cheaper and still on monorail.

 

[MouseOfCards]

We are fine with studios at Poly but would probably look more at 1 BR for VGF. Basically we would have 320 pts every 2 yrs at each resort so could do Disneyland 1 year and then Disney World the next year. This would be ideal for us as my wife and I love Disney and would go even if our son grows out of it.

That's us! We planned a trip to Aulani with our son (under 1 at the time) a couple of years ago and planned to go with a studio. But when mom said she wanted to go, we paid for a 1BR. When mom cancelled last minute, we were bummed at having paid for the larger room. When we saw the room, all regrets melted away. We loved the additional space, the full kitchen (cooked several breakfasts, dinners, and midnight snacks), dining area (for nice sit down meals), the washer/dryer (used quite a bit), extra bathroom, extra balcony space, etc. If we had to do it over again, we would not even consider a studio at this point. In the future, even if just the 2 of us going, as long as points are available, we'll always choose the 1BR instead of the studio. Just makes the trip much more relaxing, at least for us!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

In terms of Studios, there is a pretty significant difference in comfort level between a Poly or VGF studio and BLT.

BLT studios are small. Seriously small.

 

[gambit985]

BLT and VGF we would only want 1 BR or 2BR. OK with studio at Poly as it would be fine for us but know the studios in BLT are very small.

 

[SuperRob]

Just closed on a VGF resale. We know the resort is small making availability a challenge, but we loved our last stay there and my wife said if we were going to add-on, that's where she wanted the points. Now that we have a DD, we figured the Poly studios would be too small, and while Bay Lake Tower is nice, the close proximity to MK isn't a huge factor for us (and we could always trade points or book at seven).

 

[freediverdude]

If you're doing studios at Poly, you could get away with less points than always having to pay the points for the 1 bedrooms, just a thought. I guess it depends how much you like the 1 bedrooms, because that's what you're going to want at VGF or BLT.

Also I don't get the comments about the old and run down look at the Poly. The DVC buildings were completely gutted all the way down to the steel structure when they were re-done into DVC- you could walk through the center of the building from one side to the other, walls completely gone. All the interior walls, flooring, everything was rebuilt and is completely new except for like I said the basic steel structure and roof.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

IMO there is no comparison between the VGF DVC building vs. the rehabbed Poly buildings. I hope Disney hear's our feedback loud and clear when it comes to the new rooms at VWL2.

 

[freediverdude]

Well you're entitled to your opinion, but I disagree. They're just different themes. Each is very well themed to its respective resort.

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, I do not think you will have a problem booking a VGF 1 bedroom if you book when the 11 month window opens. The intense booking competition you read about for VGF is really all about studios and DVC's busy season - very end of September - Marathon weekend in January.

Even though studios are difficult to get even at 11 months, there are several times of the year, when there is good availability for them at 11 months. It depends on when you want to go. Take a look at the study skier_pete did:

Predicted DVC booking patterns - Studios/ some 1-bedrooms

I know the work he did is just a "snapshot" of what it was like for the year he kept track, but it is still a good predictor of future availability. You'll also want to consider the annual dues of the resorts you are considering. Over the life of a contract, those will be more than the initial purchase price. Good luck with your decision.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I've had no problems booking VGF studios or 1 bedroom in the first two weeks of September right at 11 months. Even got a 3 day weekend in a VGF studio for Labor Day weekend.

 

[Popouri DVC]

That's us! We planned a trip to Aulani with our son (under 1 at the time) a couple of years ago and planned to go with a studio. But when mom said she wanted to go, we paid for a 1BR. When mom cancelled last minute, we were bummed at having paid for the larger room. When we saw the room, all regrets melted away. We loved the additional space, the full kitchen (cooked several breakfasts, dinners, and midnight snacks), dining area (for nice sit down meals), the washer/dryer (used quite a bit), extra bathroom, extra balcony space, etc. If we had to do it over again, we would not even consider a studio at this point. In the future, even if just the 2 of us going, as long as points are available, we'll always choose the 1BR instead of the studio. Just makes the trip much more relaxing, at least for us!

This.

This is why we added on at VGF after barely a year. Even for just the two of us we are spoiled with a one bedroom. I've had no problem booking those at eleven months.

The Grand Floridian is a resort we want to lounge at. The one bedrooms are no comparison to the studios. Of course some people are of the opinion that it is a waste of points for essentially no more sleeping space BUT.... See Jerseyduke's post above... And the standalone jetted tub is the bomb!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Said it before, say it again: I like a door between me and my kids.

Boom. Boom.

 

[ziravan]

I think you have a consensus here.

Since Poly has no 1br and that's what you want, buy Grand Floridian and book right at 11 months.

Don't buy what you'll settle with (studio). Buy what you want (1br).

If you want studios during Fall DVC busy season or think there's any possibility that you might someday develop that vacation plan, buy elsewhere. But. You should be OK there for 1br right at 11 months.

If you think you might go back and forth between studios and 1br, then consider BLT if monorail is a must.