PVB studios are perfect......for some people & some stays

[BuffaloJim]

I was enormously disappointed in the point cost (and the number of beds) for the bungalows. Since we normally have 6 to 8 in our family, we're usually in a 2BR. I was hoping the bungalows would be perfect, but there's not enough real beds and they simply cost too much to justify. But I'd still like to stay in one for a night or two sometime.

But then I started thinking about how we stay. We've stayed at 6 resorts since becoming members and never cooked in the kitchen. Not once, ever. We've ordered pizza and room service a few times, but besides the microwave, the cooking facilities have gone unused. So the kitchen has largely been wasted space. The living area is definitely nice, but not absolutely necessary.

Instead, we could get two studios, one for me and the boys, and one for my wife and the girls. Hopefully, they'd connect. That would give us all the room we need, plus what I think are the best transportation options in WDW. And we'd be saving some points over the cost of a 2BR at other resorts. I told my wife I already have it penciled in for our February stay in 2018. (Yeah, I'm a long range planner)

Two studios wouldn't always work for us - for 2016 we're getting a GV, and I do actually plan to cook a few meals there. But in general, the studios at the Poly might just be an ideal option for some trips.

 

[CarolMN]

I agree. But for me, the Poly will only be a 1 or 2 night stay at the beginning or end of a longer stay in a 1 bedroom. And we might only do that once. I can live without the kitchen, but really value the in-unit washer & dryer. That was the straw on top of the huge buy-in cost that killed the purchase for me.

But as with all these types of statements, I reserve the right to change my mind when I win the lottery.

 

[BuffaloJim]

Yes, the lack of a washer/dryer is a problem. It's such a problem that I had already decided to not tell my wife about this "feature" until after we arrived. She won't be happy.

I don't yet know if studio residents will have easily accessible laundry access. I would hope this is going to be the case. With five plus kids, we use the laundry a lot.

 

[DebbieB]

Yes, the lack of a washer/dryer is a problem. It's such a problem that I had already decided to not tell my wife about this "feature" until after we arrived. She won't be happy.

I don't yet know if studio residents will have easily accessible laundry access. I would hope this is going to be the case. With five plus kids, we use the laundry a lot.

I've heard mixed reports. Either a laundry room for the 3 DVC buildings or a laundry room in each building.

 

[ziravan]

I agree. But for me, the Poly will only be a 1 or 2 night stay at the beginning or end of a longer stay in a 1 bedroom. And we might only do that once. I can live without the kitchen, but really value the in-unit washer & dryer. That was the straw on top of the huge buy-in cost that killed the purchase for me.

But as with all these types of statements, I reserve the right to change my mind when I win the lottery.

There are roughly 4 million points at Poly. 360 washer/dryer units, installed with ductwork in shower only bathroom (lines for venting and water should already be in place) I would think would cost less than 2K/each, or about 700K total, or about $0.20/point.

Make that change and one other: make connecting rooms a booking category, and PVB sales would skyrocket.

 

[dizfan]

I've heard mixed reports. Either a laundry room for the 3 DVC buildings or a laundry room in each building.

If anyone is likely to know (prior to opening), it's Tikiman. His web site still states...

The laundry will be available in a laundry room located in each longhouse.

 

[ziravan]

There are roughly 4 million points at Poly. 360 washer/dryer units, installed with ductwork in shower only bathroom (lines for venting and water should already be in place) I would think would cost less than 2K/each, or about 700K total, or about $0.20/point.

Make that change and one other: make connecting rooms a booking category, and PVB sales would skyrocket.

Even if my math is wrong by a factor of five, it would still be less than $1/point to add washer/dryers. If DVD takes one unit out at a time to fix and announces all units will be retrofit within a year, they could add inventory so no booking is lost.

They've made changes before after the fact. I believe they changed the sink configuration at BLT after it opened due to feedback.

 

[Gillyrose779]

We can only see booking a studio for a long couples only weekend or maybe by tacking on a couple days to a trip- never could imagine 7-10 with my family there. Just too cramped for us.

I just can't give up the washer/dryer in the room, the extra living space the 1/2 bedrooms give, and the jacuzzi tub. Both my kids and husband love that tub and I would hear it from them if we didn't have it.

 

[DebbieB]

There are roughly 4 million points at Poly. 360 washer/dryer units, installed with ductwork in shower only bathroom (lines for venting and water should already be in place) I would think would cost less than 2K/each, or about 700K total, or about $0.20/point.

Make that change and one other: make connecting rooms a booking category, and PVB sales would skyrocket.

Would it fit in that room or are you taking away the shower? I don't think they could take away the shower because it was sold with that amenity.

 

[Tunseeker1]

I just booked a pair of studios for 4 nights. Its a lot less then the 2 bedroom i was going to book. We don't cook usually because i like eating out.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Would it fit in that room or are you taking away the shower? I don't think they could take away the shower because it was sold with that amenity.

Pictures make it appear there would probably be enough room to add it to the bathroom with the tub and toilet. That appears to have a large excess of space much like the BLT bathrooms originally did (although to a lesser degree at BLT).

 

[disneynutz]

There are roughly 4 million points at Poly. 360 washer/dryer units, installed with ductwork in shower only bathroom (lines for venting and water should already be in place) I would think would cost less than 2K/each, or about 700K total, or about $0.20/point.

Make that change and one other: make connecting rooms a booking category, and PVB sales would skyrocket.

As I have reported in other threads, the Poly wasn't built for existing owners, it was built for Poly lovers to get them to buy DVC. Most of those buyers don't visit the DIS and aren't thinking about how the Poly compares to other DVC resorts or the fact that there are only studios.

Bill

 

[Brian Noble]

we could get two studios, one for me and the boys, and one for my wife and the girls.

Okay, I'll be the first to admit it. I got into timeshares in part because of the master bedroom that my wife and I have to ourselves...with a door between us and the kids...a door that locks.

 

[ziravan]

As I have reported in other threads, the Poly wasn't built for existing owners, it was built for Poly lovers to get them to buy DVC. Most of those buyers don't visit the DIS and aren't thinking about how the Poly compares to other DVC resorts or the fact that there are only studios.

Bill

I think DVC definitely has in mind selling to both new and existng owners.

Even so, if, as has been strongly hinted by Tikiman, a PVB Tower (or some config for 1 and 2 BR) is coming in 5 years or less, then the Poly will likely double in points, making it the largest DVC monorail resort. I think DVC will have to reconsider how to put/keep PVB selling for the long term. And. I doubt they're happy with the rollout.

I agree with you that DVD/DVC no longer cares what I think about PVB: I already bought. But. If sales are really as slow as reported, then I think they might care about what's holding back current owner buy-in more than you suggest.

Regarding connecting rooms not being a booking category, my guess is that even new/uninformed buyers hear about a connecting option and then hear that it's only a request and not a guarantee - and do a double take. Most people are at least somewhat skeptical when receiving a sales pitch, and "it's a request but shouldn't be a problem" is a red flag.

I actually do think that DVC will make connecting rooms a booking category sooner than later. They have to do so. My guess is that this one issue is absolutely murdering sales.

 

[bellablue2]

i too think that connecting studios will become a booking category. but that's about all i see on the immediate horizon. i am curious to know how sales are going

 

[Donna M]

I agree that connecting rooms will become a booking category since Disney is dealing with families that want to be together, duh! I also want to believe that 1 and regular 2 bd units will come down the line. They need the studios now, that's why they built so many. I don't understand the bungalows and points though.

 

[pooh2001]

We also do laundry for a 10 day visit to WDW.
A DVC studio is fine with our family.
Please see below:
(Not sure if all my info is correct)
DVC laundry

PVB - the laundry in the DVC longhouses is located off of the lobby in each building

BLT @ CR - The laundry is on the first floor near the north elevator

VGF - laundry is on the 4th floor left of the elevators a few doors down the first hallway

BWV - on the ground floor, near the fitness center

VWL - 1st floor down the hallway behind the elevators

 

[disneynutz]

I think DVC definitely has in mind selling to both new and existng owners.

Even so, if, as has been strongly hinted by Tikiman, a PVB Tower (or some config for 1 and 2 BR) is coming in 5 years or less, then the Poly will likely double in points, making it the largest DVC monorail resort. I think DVC will have to reconsider how to put/keep PVB selling for the long term. And. I doubt they're happy with the rollout.

I agree with you that DVD/DVC no longer cares what I think about PVB: I already bought. But. If sales are really as slow as reported, then I think they might care about what's holding back current owner buy-in more than you suggest.

Regarding connecting rooms not being a booking category, my guess is that even new/uninformed buyers hear about a connecting option and then hear that it's only a request and not a guarantee - and do a double take. Most people are at least somewhat skeptical when receiving a sales pitch, and "it's a request but shouldn't be a problem" is a red flag.

I actually do think that DVC will make connecting rooms a booking category sooner than later. They have to do so. My guess is that this one issue is absolutely murdering sales.

DVD will of course sell to existing owners but IMO that isn't their focus at PVB. Most new direct buyers don't really understand what they are buying, what a UY is, the different resorts, point requirements, seasons, that the can buy older resorts or that there is a resale market.

Buying at PVB with the hopes that 1 & 2 bedroom units might be built in the future is a risk IMO. If connecting booking were going to happen, DVD would have it in place now or advertise that it will happen soon. Not telling us that it will happen, has and will hurt add-on sales and Disney wouldn't let that happen if they had a choice.

Bill

 

[ziravan]

DVD will of course sell to existing owners but IMO that isn't their focus at PVB. Most new direct buyers don't really understand what they are buying, what a UY is, the different resorts, point requirements, seasons, that the can buy older resorts or that there is a resale market.

Buying at PVB with the hopes that 1 & 2 bedroom units might be built in the future is a risk IMO. If connecting booking were going to happen, DVD would have it in place now or advertise that it will happen soon. Not telling us that it will happen, has and will hurt add-on sales and Disney wouldn't let that happen if they had a choice.

Bill

I agree that I wouldn't and didn't buy PVB expecting 1BR and 2BR down the line. My point is that IF that's the plan, then they must be more interested than just recruiting uninformed new buyers.

It would definitely help sales to current owners if they would announce such a thing and start building it (because current owers are savvy enough to know that plans are just plans).

It will also help to add connecting rooms as a booking category. Of course it could be done. The question is at what cost. I think they calculated that it cost more than the benefit they would receive from implementation.

My point is that, given that the rollout of PVB has apparently spurred sales of VGF so much so that it appears ready to sell out in the next few months, while PVB appears to be lagging, my guess is that DVD is or should be rethinking its plan.

Specifically, I think DVD miscalculated how popular Poly would be just because it's Poly. Now that that miscalculation has blown up on their faces, now - maybe now - they'll go back to formula and try to fix what is wrong.

Connecting studios as a booking category costs more than they are worth...until reality proves the reverse is true that not having connecting studios as a booking category is costing more than previously calculated.

Disney pays a ton of bucks to research things to ensure they are a success. Still, they make mistakes. I don't have inside access. I just see the sales data leaking out. They can't be happy. If PVB doesn't take off after VGF closes, then my guess is that DVD might actually finally be interested in what owners might want in Poly - not out of empathy or philanthropy - but out of motivated self-interest to fix sales.

(In that case, it's probably to members advantage not to buy expecting fixes but to hold out until DVD sees the light.)

It's not like we're a silent majority here. We're a vocal minority but I think we've (not just Disboards but the whole DVC online community) made our point about what would make PVB more appealing:

1. Connecting studios a booking category.
2. Washer/dryer either in the studios or as...
3. A 1 or 2 BR option that doesn't come at a GV price. The announcement of construction dates with details about rooms would help here.
4. Possibly a King Size bed.

While I agree with you that DVD/DVC has no great interest in catering to a captive owner audience, I think that the missteps at PVB might be enough to make them rethink why sales are off.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm almost right there with you, ziravan, until I think about how GFV owners are *using* their points. The evidence shows that a large fraction of them bought with the sole intention of booking studios. Studios that don't connect. Studios that don't have w/d. Studios with no king bed. Why? Because the larger units just cost too many points. In the face of that reality, the decision to make most of PVB studios seemed to make sense.

I admit, it's not what *I* wanted to see, because I think studios are nothing more than glorified hotel rooms. But, the Membership base seems to love them. They book first, system-wide. DVC is busy retrofitting existing studios (but usually *not* 1BRs) to sleep five.

So, it is possible that something else is going on at PVB. Maybe the Guides just aren't pushing it yet. Maybe purchasers aspire to larger units but don't book them, so their absence matters more than it seemed like they should. It will be interesting to see what happens when GFV closes, for sure.