Potential buyer thinking out loud

[TheDailyMoo]

I've posed questions here before and follow this board closely, you've all been a big help in all the info you provide to make a solid choice of buying in or not. I'm at the poop or get off the pot moment and want to type out loud to see if I'm making the jump. I appreciate allowing me to use board space to work out my thoughts.

- Originally was thinking going the ol' SSR SAP route. Some of you showed me the math about how the VGF direct isn't that far off. Then I began to get into the idea of going direct. Just got back from 10 days split stay the Poly (cash) and BWV with rented points. In that time I was able to tour the GF rooms with a DVC guide and yes...they are gorgeous. The whole property is. I love the food options there. Buuuuutttt...me and the fam really had good vibes at the Poly! And they put me in a room overlooking the construction and I STILL loved every second about it. The newly renovated Moana rooms are really just a great look and feel. Love Capt. Cooks. Love the foliage. The immediate dole whip access. Everything.

- Went over to BWV. Hated it...not the resort, loved the resort. Ok hate is a strong word. Love the EP area resorts and stay at Swan a lot so know the area. But the BW room that we stayed in was so dark and dingy and I KNOW people love it and don't want those rooms renovated because there's an inherent charm to them that they grew up with. I get that. But for me to go from the Poly rooms that felt so refreshing to...well...what felt like a darker unthemed room leftover from 1998. When I say darker I mean poor lighting. And the AC didn't work great. The toilet kept running. The walls were paper thin and we heard a dad screaming at his kids at all hours. And the carpet...But I loved the rest of the resort. And I know the rooms will be renovated and that resale can be had cheap. And walking to EP and HS also can't be beat. But only 18 years left on that contract so is it really worth it. Also why so few Quick service options? I found myself going over to BC/YC or Dolphin for food.

- So now I've started taking into account the mantra of this DVC board...own where you want to stay. We liked the Poly. And looking back at last months ROFR it looks like $140 is possible. Also with Poly 2 possibly being part of those points it could add many more studio choices. If I can snag a contract at right around 140 or even a few bucks less I feel like that may be the way to go? I don't know. I can see myself at VGF too but just to be direct at the higher price point might not make financial sense.

- Just to complicate things I got the bounceback offer for next year and I'm thinking if there are always discounted rack rates (big assumption but it does seem to be a solid trend) do I need to outlay a large sum of money now or is it better to play it by year and at the point I'd be breakeven it would be so far down the road I wouldn't care at that point if buying DVC would've saved me money.

If you've read this far and in case you didn't notice I'm overly analytical and overthink many decisions! I understand DVC is an emotional purpose and not like buying Amazon stock in 1999. I also think that instead of pluncking down 27k now I can find a safe HYSA or safe divvy play that would more than subsidize my trip for next year and years to come. And what if I just want to cruise one year. Or go somewhere else. But also...I want to own points and get to use the dashboard and play around with dates. We love Disney and see ourselves going for the next 10 years at least. I'm sure others have had this same dilemma but I also envy those that jumped in headfirst and have never looked back!

PS Because of this board teaching me so much I was telling the DVC salesperson things that they barely seemed to know! Even if I don't end up purchasing I'll still keep up with all things DVC. It fascinates me.

 

[Sunnyore]

If you want Poly, I think you may want to wait for Poly2. I know we don’t know yet for sure but many thing are pointing that Poly2 won’t be part of Poly1 and resale points won’t be able to book there. If you only need studios rooms though then it’s not that big of a factor for you I guess.

I think the current incentives and Magical Beginnings are very decent deals which is why so many ppl bought in direct. I don’t think you can predict if they will continue to get better or worse which is why people buy in the week when current promos are ending so they can choose the better deal. Magical Beginning a few years ago was $10/pt which I would then rather rent the points myself. If you care at all about being locked out of new resorts, then consider the direct contract. If you’re considering poly because you like poly, poly studios usually have decent of availability at 7 months so it’s not hard to use your VGF points there. And you’ll have access to Poly2 too with VGF direct points.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

First like you said, buy where you want to stay. Booking at 7 month is always a crap shoot. I currently have two waitlist for November, booked them the first day I could. I don't expect to hear anything on them until October.

Second, do buy hoping to get a discount on a future purchase, or get luckily and the new resort will be included in the old.

If you don't see yourself stay at VGF, I would strongly advise against buying there.

If you like the Epcot area, have you looked into Riviera ....
Yes the skyline isn't perfect, but it is pretty cool,
It is almost an Epcot resort.

I personally would only buy resale points to rent.....
Disney make the process to easy, not to buy direct. (for me)

If you think you can get a deal with resale, make sure the contracts you are comparing to are not stripped.
Personally, I feel a stripped contract is worth about 20 dollars per point less.

If the seller has used this year and next years points, what are you really buying.

My two cents worth of free advice.
Decide where you want to be buy there,
If you are ok with resale, the process, the product, the time line, the restriction.

If not and you really don't want VGF, look closely at the Riviera or wait and see what happens with poly too

good luck, we're all counting on you!

 

[MyDogTink]

I understand. I have a BWV contract from 1998. We stayed at BLT in the spring and realized that’s where we want to be. It was a hard decision whether to buy resale there or rent. Renting has pros: let your money work in a HYSA or treasury and no long-term commitment. Buying has pros: it is fun to play with that dashboard, you can modify your reservation which I don’t think is possible with renting. My SIL goes every summer and rents point. She will never buy. Her brother, on the other hand, just purchased.

If you do purchase and want to take a different type vacation, I thing renting out points is plausible. You could purchase small and with banking and borrowing not be committed to annual WDW trips.

By the way, you had me at ‘immediate dole whip access’ so I’d vote for small contract at Poly. If you see yourself going to WDW the next ten years, then I’d say it’s definitely at investment to consider.

 

[JackosinDIS]

But also...I want to own points and get to use the dashboard and play around with dates

Love this! I went through almost exactly the same thought process as you have set out here before I decided to take the leap. My first contract closed yesterday.

For all the analysis I did over the past year, the final decision ultimately came down to just making a commitment to myself and family to have a proper holiday ever year or two, and yes… to get to use the dashboard and be able to play with points!

I think we all analyse this way too much!

P.s… I went with SSR (predictable, I know)

 

[Robbie Cottam]

SSR has a lot of benefits too

 

[Her Dotness]

Buy where your heart is, and you won't be sorry or haunting the website hoping to get the Poly at 7 months.

There is soooo much comfort in buying where you know you love with the reassurance you can book there at 11 months as a fallback and then shop about at 7 months to try other resorts if you wish.

We bought in at VGF at off-sale prices and still aren't sorry we spent that much. Sometimes the "feels-right" factor is more important than saving money.

There's nothing like walking into your home resort and feeling the thrill that it will be yours for as long as you love it, because you're an owner.

Go for the Poly. Buy where you .

 

[Royal Consort]

Anything you purchase will eventually age like BWV so that is the unfortunate component of DVC: but every 14 years the rooms get a full refurb.

The Poly room you stayed at was the hotel side, the DVC rooms don't have the Moana theme but they're still very nice. If you want to stay at Poly buy Poly. You have two options: buy the existing PVB on resale now or wait for the new tower to go on sale. Buying the original PVB will save you money and I fully expect the base price for the new Polynesian tower to increase when its launched ($230?). Do not buy PVB resale thinking you can use it at the new tower though, if you go in with that intention and it's a separate DVC condo association you will be disappointed. Since it sounds like you enjoy the original Polynesian the way it is, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Nursemanit]

Poly studios are usually available at 7 months - VGF deluxe studios are not.

Take the current VGF deal - poly is not much cheaper resale unless you want a large contract.

We don’t know what the poly expansion will bring but smart money says it will not be $16x a point. My guess is $200 with the initial discount.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

I would absolutely wait and buy at Poly once Poly v2 is on sale. At that point you can make a call about Direct vs Resale. It’s hard for me to imagine that once poly is on sale direct that the resale prices won’t at least be the same as they are now if not lower. And if you decide direct, well, there will probably be a great promo sometime soon after it launches. It will probably be at a higher price than VGF is right now but it will be what you actually want.

Last thing I’ll say, go through a Matterport of the DVC Poly rooms if you havent, as others have noted it’s quite different / sparser than Hotel side in theming. It may change your mind (or not! But at least you’ll know).

Here’s one from DVC Rental Store https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=JgvTTCFxj59&back=1

 

[Sandisw]

DVC is way too expansive to not buy at the place you know you will enjoy in hopes to get it later if you have a special spot!

I’d say that you should buy Poly. Since we don’t know yet if the tower will be part of PVB, I’d go in assuming PVB resale will be blocked from booking there.

If you are okay for it, go for it!! And when the tower goes on sale, you can always buy direct to use there.

Now if it will be disappointing to be locked out, then I’d wait until we get the answer.

The good news is if you go with resale and it ends up being good at the tower, it’s a big plus!!

 

[PolyRob]

The whole property is. I love the food options there. Buuuuutttt...me and the fam really had good vibes at the Poly! And they put me in a room overlooking the construction and I STILL loved every second about it. The newly renovated Moana rooms are really just a great look and feel. Love Capt. Cooks. Love the foliage. The immediate dole whip access. Everything.

- Went over to BWV. Hated it...not the resort, loved the resort. Ok hate is a strong word. Love the EP area resorts and stay at Swan a lot so know the area. But the BW room that we stayed in was so dark and dingy and I KNOW people love it and don't want those rooms renovated because there's an inherent charm to them that they grew up with. I

Anything you purchase will eventually age like BWV so that is the unfortunate component of DVC: but every 14 years the rooms get a full refurb.

The Poly room you stayed at was the hotel side, the DVC rooms don't have the Moana theme but they're still very nice.

Last thing I’ll say, go through a Matterport of the DVC Poly rooms if you havent, as others have noted it’s quite different / sparser than Hotel side in theming. It may change your mind (or not! But at least you’ll know).

Here’s one from DVC Rental Store https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=JgvTTCFxj59&back=1

I would HIGHLY advise you stay in a PVB deluxe studio before purchasing a contract. I love Poly (look at my DIS name), but I HATE HATE HATE PVB studios. They are nothing like the cash rooms at Poly. They are so dark and dingy with NO overhead light (even post refurb) and I get dizzy thinking about the new hallway decor. They shrunk the size of the giant room down to make a bathroom big enough to put a twin mattress in and include a stall shower in a separate area. I am not trying to offend anyone that owns PVB, just pointing out a PVB deluxe studio does not compare to a Moana cash room.

Look at how dark this room is during the day with the sheer curtain. Those 3 little recessed lights do nothing at night. I had to leave my TV on to see in my room when the sun went down.



VGF resort studios are identical copies of the new cash room. Not the same experience with PVB. If you love Grand Floridian rooms, grounds, and dining, Poly is just a short walk down the path by the VGF1 building. I get my Poly fix by walking from GF and enjoying all the resort has to offer, but stay in the superior room (IMO). Best of both worlds.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I would HIGHLY advise you stay in a PVB deluxe studio before purchasing a contract. I love Poly (look at my DIS name), but I HATE HATE HATE PVB studios. They are nothing like the cash rooms at Poly. They are so dark and dingy with NO overhead light (even post refurb) and I get dizzy thinking about the new hallway decor. They shrunk the size of the giant room down to make a bathroom big enough to put a twin mattress in and include a stall shower in a separate area. I am not trying to offend anyone that owns PVB, just pointing out a PVB deluxe studio does not compare to a Moana cash room.

Look at how dark this room is during the day with the sheer curtain. Those 3 little recessed lights do nothing at night. I had to leave my TV on to see in my room when the sun went down.

View attachment 778048

VGF resort studios are identical copies of the new cash room. Not the same experience with PVB. If you love Grand Floridian rooms, grounds, and dining, Poly is just a short walk down the path by the VGF1 building. I get my Poly fix by walking from GF and enjoying all the resort has to offer, but stay in the superior room (IMO). Best of both worlds.

My wife gets 5 people in the room and can understand why I hate it ….

 

[Cfabar1]

My view is if you really love Poly, then wait for Poly 2. You don't know whether your resale points will be able to be used at Poly2 or not.... Poly1 is very limiting - basically only studios unless you buy many many many points.

Honestly, I have bought resale in the past. I would only consider it for resorts that are impossible to get into at times that are already sold out, or potentially if I loved Riviera so much that I knew I would only want to use my points there. It's such a hassle the haggling, the negotiating. Add into it, at the time in my life I'll have the most flexibility and be able to travel, I'll be locked out of half of their resorts. I'd rather pay a little bit more now to be able to enjoy the entire property later.

As to whether it makes more sense to buy DVC or just pay for your own trips, that is up to you. The math can justify any and everything you want it to. That said, we just finished a stay at Disney's Beach Club and we said, it was completely unlike staying at the Swolphin - even in a studio which is smaller than the room we would have had at the Marriott properties.

 

[Bmramaut]

You should buy Poly. The nice thing about Poly 1 is you should, in theory, have access to all the new amenities at Poly 2. Although you likely won’t be able to stay there, as others mentioned. If you can’t wait for Poly 2, might be wise to snag a resale contract at a very decent price right now.
I will say I own at SSR. I was able to book Poly at 7 months with zero difficulty. But YMMV so if you love Poly, own there.
I love SSR because availability is always there and they are great SAP. But we also like to stay there which is important for owning there too.

 

[Iceman93]

Want immediate dole whip access? Buy direct at Aulani!

 

[gskywalker]

You didn't mention what kind of rooms(or I missed it) you would need. Assuming studios, sounds like a direct GF could make sense for you. I don't follow the mantra of buy where you want to stay. If you are a person who wants to stay at the same resort each time, or you want GCV, it makes perfect sense, we want to stay different places regularly.

We have 3 home resorts, OKWE, BLT and AUL. We have only used our home resort advantage one time and yet we have stayed or booked(rented points out and booked GFV) every WDW, in the lowest point category, resort except Riviera, over the last 3 years for at least 3 nights.

For me it would depend on the price difference. If it were direct and I was American(no magical beginnings for CDNS), I would take GFV right now. If it were Resale I likely would try to grab a SSR for under $95 for SAP and have the ability to grab member rates for addon points for GFV or Poly.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Wow so much to unpack. I thought a thread like this would clarify things but now I'm really confused! So without quoting everyone, thank you for the opinions. I think it seems based on the responses that what I was leaning towards earlier today, purchasing Poly points might not be the best idea after all? And if I do it might behoove me to wait and see what's up with Poly 2.

We travel in the summer every year. Teacher in family so beholden to school schedule. Just the three of us so would only need studios. Not saying I wouldn't try a 1 bedroom and fall in love with the space which seems to be a lot of people's experiences. As for a cheap SSR...we wouldn't mind staying at almost any deluxe resort. We usually include the Swan in split stays lately so it's not like I'm a hotel snob. I would HOPE that availability would be available in July at any of the hotels we would prefer based on location if I went the SAP points route. I've never stayed at SSR or OKW and I'm sure they're lovely but with a 5 yo I need monorail loop or Crescent lake or Wilderness for the boat. Riv looks absolutely beautiful but alas my wife is NOT a fan of the skyliner even though I am. But based on what I'm saying does it seem feasible to grab a studio at 7 months at any of the resorts I listed? And mind you if I went the cheaper SAP I would get more than the 150 GFV direct and I have no problem upgrading my room category to make it easier to get a studio. AKV I would spring for the savannah view as my kid loves animals etc. etc.

Of course this scenario relies on someone actually selling me an SSR at the lower end I've seen on the ROFR thread.

 

[Straulin]

From what you are saying and my own experience, I would buy a small Poly 1 resale contract now. If you love VGF go for it. Otherwise wait until Poly 2 opens, then you can decide if you want to add on there or another resort.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

And for those that mentioned the DVC Poly rooms not being like the one I stayed in thank you because I did assume that it was the same. From the virtual tour they do look much nicer than the BWV one I stayed in but yes, not as nice as the Moana rooms. DVC and Disney does NOT make anything easy do they!