To buy Poly or not to buy Poly

[huxbnw]

Just returned from a week with the family (3 kids ages 6 and under, two adults in mid 30's) and am torn about DVC. I love the Poly and always dreamed of staying frequently at this particular resort. I also really like the Grand Floridian and would like at times to stay there. With three kids, the monorail is key for the next few years. Also really enjoy Animal Kingdom Villas and Villas at Wilderness Lodge. My family is fine for now in the studio and if need be we would consider two adjoining studios, so Poly should work. We of course would also like 1 BR at times at resorts other than Poly. At times we might also invite family to stay with us, so again adjoining studios might work at Poly or larger rooms elsewhere. Any advice on whether Poly direct purchase or resale makes more sense? Any views on a good number of initial points for our situation (visits every year or two)? Thanks in advance--this board is so useful.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For Poly, you won't save much going resale, and won't get to pick your Use Year.

Grand Floridian studios are very hard to book for those who own at other resorts. AKV with your family, you would need a 1BR; those studios do not sleep 5 and are not expected to any time in the foreseeable future.

I suggest researching points required for your typical travel dates as a start point, and learning everything you can about the following terms:

• Use Year
• Home Resort Advantage
• Banking
• Borrowing
• Dues

 

[huxbnw]

Thanks for the quick reply. If I'm mainly planning to go in February and/or March/April (with a possibility of some trips in December and/or September/October), is there a preferable use year?

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for the quick reply. If I'm mainly planning to go in February and/or March/April (with a possibility of some trips in December and/or September/October), is there a preferable use year?

An August or September use year would cover those time frames.

 

[huxbnw]

Right now I guess we're thinking about Poly direct sale or Animal Kingdom resale...

 

[DVC Mike]

If you haven't already, check out ☆ ★ THE DVC INFORMATION CENTER ★ ☆


http://i235.************************************************************* DVC Mike - *******.com

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the quick reply. If I'm mainly planning to go in February and/or March/April (with a possibility of some trips in December and/or September/October), is there a preferable use year?

For mainly Feb, Mar & April, I'd do Feb. Dec will be a challenge but % wise it sounds like that be a very small % of your future plans.

 

[ontheuptick]

In your original post you basically said that you would like to stay at many resorts. If that's the case, I would never buy Poly direct.

The only reason to buy Poly direct, IMO, is if you are ONLY willing to stay at the Poly. If you want to try many resorts, go resale. Some home resorts (AKV and Sarasota particularly) you will spend nearly half upfront for the same amount of points.

You should be able to get into the Poly frequently at the 7 month mark as well - there are a LOT of studios there!

 

[huxbnw]

True enough. My favorite resort is Poly so I'm happy to stay there. Being on the monorail is a big plus. But we're also interested in checking out other resorts. My question (which probably cannot be answered yet) is whether we'll be able to get studios at Poly at the 7-month mark for the busy periods (assuming we buy resale at Animal Kingdom or elsewhere).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Depends on what you think busy periods are.

There are several days in December already unavailable, pre-7 month mark. October bookings this year were kind of brutal.

 

[disneynutz]

Adjoining studios at PVB is a request that might not always be granted.

You really need to stay at the resorts without pixie dust obscuring your vision and look at the number of rooms/popularity of the resort before you choose your favorite home resort. We thought that we would love BLT, bought there during construction, and it is our least favorite resort.

Bill

 

[kniquy]

I would say buy AKV (resale) to get your feet wet and save some money. Your kids would probably love the animal viewing and from what many people say - using the transportation might take a little longer but it certainly isn't a deal breaker. Just might mean leaving an extra 15 minutes early. At this point (from my own personal tracking) it seems that poly studios are readily available at 7 months and the time frame that you tend to visit is a low demand time of year. Christmas might be difficult. With your family size (we also have 3 kids 3,10 & 10) we feel the space of a 1 bedroom w/ laundry and 2 bathrooms at Kidani is a must. Once you get a feel of the system and if you desire poly -- in a few years there will probably be more resales available at a better savings. Just for your comparison we bought a 120 point AKV contract for $80 pp (just this past fall) - i think direct poly is around $168 pp. Substantial difference. We only plan to go every other year so this smaller contract works for us. Be aware of the recent changes/restrictions for resale.

 

[huxbnw]

Thanks--very helpful. What are recent changes/restrictions? I know Disney is trying to essentially limit resale buyers to Disney properties. What other restrictions could be placed on resales in the future?

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks--very helpful. What are recent changes/restrictions? I know Disney is trying to essentially limit resale buyers to Disney properties. What other restrictions could be placed on resales in the future?

http://www.disboards.com/threads/resale-policy-change.3498681/

Bill

 

[Dean]

True enough. My favorite resort is Poly so I'm happy to stay there. Being on the monorail is a big plus. But we're also interested in checking out other resorts. My question (which probably cannot be answered yet) is whether we'll be able to get studios at Poly at the 7-month mark for the busy periods (assuming we buy resale at Animal Kingdom or elsewhere).

Buying Poly and using for other options will cost you significant dollars, buying elsewhere and you may not be able to get into the Poly consistently. Personally I think you'd be better off buying lessor and seeing how it goes than buying Poly and trying many of the other resorts. You could always sell and buy Poly later which would likely be far cheaper than buying now and using for other options. Or if you need a significant number of points, buy resale and add on at the Poly later to round out your options somewhat.

 

[constantstar]

Adjoining studios at PVB is a request that might not always be granted.

You really need to stay at the resorts without pixie dust obscuring your vision and look at the number of rooms/popularity of the resort before you choose your favorite home resort. We thought that we would love BLT, bought there during construction, and it is our least favorite resort.

Bill

With my first DVC purchase (assuming I can get my husband on board), I want to be on the monorail. So, I was considering BLT resale or Poly direct. May I ask why BLT is your least favorite? I love the location but the theme doesn't thrill me. However, it's much cheaper than the Polynesian so that's a huge factor.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I can't speak for Bill, but the things about BLT I see people most speak of is the sterility of the theming, the heavy shade on the BLT pool based on its position + afternoon sun, and the use of space in the studios. The studios are very tight for anyone who likes to spend significant time enjoying the resort.

 

[constantstar]

I can't speak for Bill, but the things about BLT I see people most speak of is the sterility of the theming, the heavy shade on the BLT pool based on its position + afternoon sun, and the use of space in the studios. The studios are very tight for anyone who likes to spend significant time enjoying the resort.

Thanks for the info! I'd love Poly but lack of 1 & 2 bedroom suites worries me. I only have 2 kids but as they get older, we may want more room. And with the problems I've heard about people unable to get at non-home resorts at 7 months, I definitely want longevity in my home resort.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks for the info! I'd love Poly but lack of 1 & 2 bedroom suites worries me. I only have 2 kids but as they get older, we may want more room. And with the problems I've heard about people unable to get at non-home resorts at 7 months, I definitely want longevity in my home resort.

The 1BR is a HUGE upgrade at BLT over the studio at BLT when you're sleeping 4. Until you do both, there aren't really solid adjectives to explain how big a difference it is.

Plus, as I've said before: I like a door between me and my kids.

 

[constantstar]

The 1BR is a HUGE upgrade at BLT over the studio at BLT when you're sleeping 4. Until you do both, there aren't really solid adjectives to explain how big a difference it is.

Plus, as I've said before: I like a door between me and my kids.

The door does sound nice - especially as they get older! The only thing holding me back from BLT resale are silly - I can't use the points as soon (we have a trip booked 11/27-12/3), I don't get the direct buy benefits, and Poly's theme appeals to me more than BLT. All of those things could possibly be negated with the savings on points.