Polynesian Bungalow Room Review

[RRB]

[

As to the boat horns, I am sure the last couple of bungalows gets noise from them, but the Moorea building is right where it has always been just converted to DVC, does noise bother people more. I don't remember seeing much complaint about it before DVC moved in.

I think you're right about the last few bungalows and like you, I don't remember any complaints from the main buildings either. My personal opinion is that it adds to the ambiance. Ferry horn, train whistle/horn, water taxi (launch).... they all add to the experience. Oh, here's another boat that passed by our Bungalow......

 

[Sunshine22]

Thank you for posting such a detailed review. I wasn't sure if I'd splurge to stay in the Bungalows, but after reading your review, I think we will definitely try it for at least a few nights on one of our upcoming trips. We always loved staying at the Poly before we became DVC members so this will a nice way to revisit the resort.

 

[mickeymom629]

Thanks for allowing me to see what I will never be able to experience first hand! We only own 200 points, so 2 nights would mean we'd have to use points from 2 use years. ...not going to happen .

 

[RRB]

Thanks for allowing me to see what I will never be able to experience first hand! We only own 200 points, so 2 nights would mean we'd have to use points from 2 use years. ...not going to happen .

Don't say never, Rome wasn't built in a day. Add points when you can, it may take a few years but before you know it, you'll have enough points to take the vacation you have dreamed of. We started our DVC account in 1997 and little by little got enough points to do the Bungalows. Remember, you can bank and borrow.

 

[Halle]

Don't say never, Rome wasn't built in a day. Add points when you can, it may take a few years but before you know it, you'll have enough points to take the vacation you have dreamed of. We started our DVC account in 1997 and little by little got enough points to do the Bungalows. Remember, you can bank and borrow.

Wonderful detailed report. I too didn't want to stay there but now I do, thanks to you!!! Thank you.

 

[RRB]

Wonderful detailed report. I too didn't want to stay there but now I do, thanks to you!!! Thank you.

We are booking our next Bungalow vacation in May 2016 in 2 days (when our 11 month booking window opens). We can't wait!!!!!

 

[SneezyDoc]

Thanks for your great report!

 

[DVC Doctor]

We are booking our next Bungalow vacation in May 2016 in 2 days (when our 11 month booking window opens). We can't wait!!!!!

This is awesome and you also did 14 Disney cruises!

 

[RRB]

This is awesome and you also did 14 Disney cruises!

We love Disney. We honeymooned at the Contemporary Resort back when the MK view rooms were $65.00 per night (won't tell you what year that was). Our kids "grew up" at WDW and now they are married and are expecting kids of their own. The cycle is starting over. We will be able to hand down the DVC points to them so they can enjoy them for years to come

 

[coastalhh]

If I ever rent one of those rooms Disney has officially beat me and I am a broken man. At this point I never ever plan to rent one. You can get better rooms for cheaper that have more room and more capacity. That is nothing more than a glorified two bedroom. To pay over 1,000 in fees alone per night (over 2,000 when factoring in total cost of dvc-up front cost, interest lost etc..) is just crazy.

I am being 100% sincere that if Disney offered me Christmas fixed week ownership for free I would not take it. That would be locked in to paying $1,254 per night for 7 nights. $8,777.90 for the week before you even get to the cost of ownership!!!! (and it would go up 5% a year)

To think that people pay Disney $240,000 for the obligation to give them roughly $9,000 a year is mind boggling.

You could invest that money and make enough to cover the same vacation every year including all expenses at more reasonable onsite(or offsite) accommodations

 

[freediverdude]

If I ever rent one of those rooms Disney has officially beat me and I am a broken man. At this point I never ever plan to rent one. You can get better rooms for cheaper that have more room and more capacity. That is nothing more than a glorified two bedroom. To pay over 1,000 in fees alone per night (over 2,000 when factoring in total cost of dvc-up front cost, interest lost etc..) is just crazy.

I am being 100% sincere that if Disney offered me Christmas fixed week ownership for free I would not take it. That would be locked in to paying $1,254 per night for 7 nights. $8,777.90 for the week before you even get to the cost of ownership!!!! (and it would go up 5% a year)

To think that people pay Disney $240,000 for the obligation to give them roughly $9,000 a year is mind boggling.

You could invest that money and make enough to cover the same vacation every year including all expenses at more reasonable onsite(or offsite) accommodations

I'm not sure I get your math on that. Even during premier season when the bungalows would be 1439 points for the week, that would be $8677.17 dues for the week, or $1239.60 per night, when the cash rate during that time is north of $3000 I believe (the Disney World site isn't showing it right now, but I believe that's what I saw in the resort price brochure that I got while purchasing DVC). If you add in another $3-6 per point for the upfront cost, depending on whether you financed, then you get a real figure, but still way less than the cash rate. Other times of the year might be less, like in Sept. when the bungalows are 115 points per night, times $6.03 dues would be $693.45 in dues per night during that time, when the cash rate is around $2000 I think.

 

[hopeful4fl]

For those that think they cannot stay there due to point limitation, etc, here is another choice. If you have other friends who also own DVC, you can split the points and essentially get the bungalow for half price (kinda).
We are blessed to have a great set of friends and 2 other couples are also DVC members (responsible for us getting the Disney bug mind you) and at a HH last night we were talking of pooling our points. I think that makes it really affordable.

 

[DVC Doctor]

No matter how you look at it, the Poly Bungalows are expensive.

I estimate the bungalows are 150 points per night if you average the entire year. The annual dues is $6.02

Cheapest is 115 points per night
Most expensive is 227 per night

115 x $6 = $690 per night
150 x $6 = $900 per night
227 x $6 = $1,362 per night

You MUST include the cost to buy in and a good estimate is $5pp as this includes the $3 depreciation (the timeshare will be worth $0 in 50 years) and $2 interest (or as other say lost opportunity costs). In reality this could be higher (i.e. just 5% on $165 purchase is $8pp) or lower (I will be able to sell the contract in 10-20 years for more than I bought it for). If you financed the purchase at 10% or more (then you are really paying $15pp or more).

$6 dues + $5 cost
115 x $11 = $1,265 per night
150 x $11 = $1,650 per night
227 x $11 = $2,497 per night

$6 dues + $10 cost
115 x $16 = $1,840 per night
150 x $16 = $2,400 per night
227 x $16 = $3,632 per night

About the only way to make it seem like a good deal is to find a super cheap SSR or OKW contract and use those points for a bungalow. Using Poly points to book a bungalow is expensive.

 

[RRB]

To the last 3 posters.... yes, the Bungalows are "point expensive", no question about it. However, that is the beauty of the DVC point system. You can stay at a studio at OKW for 14 points per night or a 3 BR villa at the Grand Floridian at 227 or anything in between (like the Bungalows at 150 points). You can plan that special vacation for an anniversary or birthday and do the Bungalows every once in a while. Personally, I think that DVC should be applauded for coming up with an absolutely unique resort that is unlike anything else in the US. That's what I want to see out of DVC, a tremendous number of options for me to choose from.

 

[coastalhh]

I'm not sure I get your math on that. Even during premier season when the bungalows would be 1439 points for the week, that would be $8677.17 dues for the week, or $1239.60 per night, when the cash rate during that time is north of $3000 I believe (the Disney World site isn't showing it right now, but I believe that's what I saw in the resort price brochure that I got while purchasing DVC). If you add in another $3-6 per point for the upfront cost, depending on whether you financed, then you get a real figure, but still way less than the cash rate. Other times of the year might be less, like in Sept. when the bungalows are 115 points per night, times $6.03 dues would be $693.45 in dues per night during that time, when the cash rate is around $2000 I think.

You basically confirmed my math within around 100 dollars. What to get?

You are comparing a cash rate on a dvc room which are over inflated. You can book other rooms for under 9,000 a week that would be better and have no up front fees. If going the dvc route the blt grand villas are much bigger, better firework view and hold 4 more people with more comfortable room for all.

The point is the bungalow is a 2 bedroom point hog.

 

[RRB]

You basically confirmed my math within around 100 dollars. What to get?

You are comparing a cash rate on a dvc room which are over inflated. You can book other rooms for under 9,000 a week that would be better and have no up front fees. If going the dvc route the blt grand villas are much bigger, better firework view and hold 4 more people with more comfortable room for all.

The point is the bungalow is a 2 bedroom point hog.

coastalhh - There's a really easy answer here - don't rent the Bungalows. It's like anything in life that cost more, some people think its worth it and some people don't. By the way, The bungalows have very limited availability for the next 6 months and on top of that, Disney just applied for building permits for 26 similar units on the shore of the Wilderness Lodge property. I think there's allot of people that like this new direction by DVC.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And you cannot fish from the porch area. I asked during the tours in March. No fishing allowed.

 

[RRB]

And you cannot fish from the porch area. I asked during the tours in March. No fishing allowed.

Interesting. They fish from boats within 20 feet of the bungalows.

 

[VbChristy]

GREAT GREAT REVIEW!!! I think I am going to spend a fortune to spend a night here pre-cruise in January! GORGEOUS!!! This review helped seal the deal! Probably won't be able to swim which is a bummer, but man, this looks awesome!

 

[zavandor]

Great review, even if I'll never stay there one can still dream. What do you think about the "pool".