Using points at Poly?

[Christy93]

Do you ever use your points at another hotel besides DVC? We usually go and stay at the Polynesian and I'm afraid our boys and dh will be sad we aren't staying there-it's the only hotel we've ever stayed in at Disney. We're booked in a 2 bedroom at VWL-for the whole week, but I was thinking of using points to stay at the Poly for 2-3 nights and then moving over to VWL. Is this a crazy thing to do since we just bought 250 points? I've been reading the vacation club boards for days!

Thanks

 

[Sammie]

It's not the best use of the points as far as a monetary situation, but they are yours to use as you choose.

Just be sure you understand the cancellation of points used to book the Polynesian is different from your points to book a DVC resort.

 

[abner1776]

It becomes a matter of crunching the numbers. As Sammie said, it does not make much sense from a financial view point as the cost in points is rather large, but if you have points that are going to lapse, then maybe it works for you.

Check to see how much a cash ressie would be at Poly and compare that amt to your cost per point, which is around $10-$12 per point based upon what people are renting out their points for.

Generally, you would be better to bank the points and use cash for the nights at Poly...then use those points next year for another WDW trip.

 

[DebbieB]

I think once they see the 2 bedroom they will forget the Poly real quick!

 

[Ms. WDW]

I had the same fears. I was actually considering using points to stay at the Poly "for old times sake" until we took our first trip to the Boardwalk. We stayed at the Poly for years until we bought over at the BWV. The first trip we took I brought my best friend and her son along with me and my son. Well, funny how he "forgot" all about the Poly as soon as we walked into that room. He said he was never staying in that "little" room again when we can have " an entire apartment" at the Boardwalk.

 

[aDVCguy]

We decided not to spend all our points last trip('06)...
Bank the rest &
use most of 2007 and go to the Polynesian.
I understand why some feel the cost differential between
a DVC and high end like the Poly might keep them from
doing a ressie @ the Poly but...Why not?!
2 yrs. @ DVC in a row...3rd year @ the Poly...and on and on...

 

[Christy93]

The DVC people are going to think I'm nuts! I've called so many times with questions and changed my dining since we're not staying on the monorail line. I'm waiting on dh to get home to give him my latest ideas!

Thanks for all the info!

 

[DebbieB]

I had the same fears. I was actually considering using points to stay at the Poly "for old times sake" until we took our first trip to the Boardwalk. We stayed at the Poly for years until we bought over at the BWV. The first trip we took I brought my best friend and her son along with me and my son. Well, funny how he "forgot" all about the Poly as soon as we walked into that room. He said he was never staying in that "little" room again when we can have " an entire apartment" at the Boardwalk.

That reminds me of my late mother. She thought I was nuts to buy DVC but after we stayed in a 1 bedroom, she was bragging to everyone about "our apartment". One time about 3 years ago we added a last minute trip for the halloween party at CBR. She kept complaining that she didn't like a hotel room! She wanted the 1 bedroom!

I would give VWL a shot and if everyone still wants to go back to the Poly, do it on your next trip. It's more points than a VWL 2 bedroom with about 1/3 of the space.

 

[lizanne]

My DH and I have been DVC members since '92. We've used our points for 2 cruises and a trip to Williamsburg, VA. Other than that we've always stayed at a DVC resort.

This year, it's only the two of us so we're going to stay at GF. We've always wanted to stay at a monorail resort and now that the kids are grown and we don't need the room, we decided that this is what we want to do.

Others may disagree, but I think the best use of our points is whatever makes us happy. We've gotten more than our investment back over the past 14 years.

If it were our first year though, I think I'd give DVC a try. I think you'll love it. If not, or if you just miss Poly, you can always adjust your plans for the next trip accordingly.

 

[shantay1008]

Others may disagree, but I think the best use of our points is whatever makes us happy. We've gotten more than our investment back over the past 14 years.

I think this is great advice! Some people rent out some points to earn cash for reservations, but others really don't want to deal with the hassle. I can totally see staying at the Poly or GF on points, just to see what they're like. Although I'd only want to stay there for a couple of nights because I'd miss my DVC washer and dryer too much!

 

[Christy93]

I am going to love the washing machine and dryer! Clothes for 5 people pile up fast on vacation. I'll come home and won't have a ton of laundry to do, which will be very nice.

Ok, we're staying at the VWL the whole trip and will venture over to the Poly to visit and walk around.

Thanks for all the different opinions.

 

[Frankiesmom]

We just returned from our 1st trip home-2 nites @ BWV and then we moved over to the POLY LVC for 5 nites. We used points and to us it was well worth it! The monorail and the view of the castle are priceless to me and I truly love the POLY! As long as you're satisfied with your vacations using your points,that's all that matters. Angel

 

[JimC]

My first reaction is to join in the advice to enjoy using your points where ever you like. I also agree that the best value is using points within the DVC resorts.

However, there have been times I used the points in the Disney collection (AKL SV and concierge, YC and GC concierge). The reasons differed. AKL and GC stays were better deals than I could get with any discount (including AP) -- Note that I used our cost basis not a presumed rental rate for our points. The YC was a means to use some stranded points that were going to expire.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

What is the sq. footage of the Poly compared to an eff. or a 1BV?

 

[mlayton14]

Dont know about the 1 or 2 bed DVCs .. but the Poly rooms are all 420+ sq. The Poly rooms will be bigger than any DVC studio (except maybe OKW).

 

[eeyoresmom]

I'm doing the same thing this summer.My kids LOVE POR and are really disappointed that I've bought dvc.I'm paying cash for 5 nights at POR (with free dining)then moving over to SSR for our first dvc stay.Hope they like SSR!

 

[Scotch]

We just returned from our 1st trip home-2 nites @ BWV and then we moved over to the POLY LVC for 5 nites. We used points and to us it was well worth it! The monorail and the view of the castle are priceless to me and I truly love the POLY! As long as you're satisfied with your vacations using your points,that's all that matters. Angel

I think the "LVC" refers to lagoon view concierge? If so, how many points did it cost you for 5 nights? Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

the polyn rooms vary - the older units are smaller 391 sq ft, the newer ones Tahiti - 483

the OKW studio is 390 sq ft - but it is better organized.

the 2-bedrom at VWL is 1,080 sq ft

I use to stay the last night at a WDW resorts using points...I quit when DVC upped them so much. you use to be able to get the Polyn LV for 22 points - that is when the resort was $285 - with taxes $317. I got told by a bunch of people here that I was wasting my money.... I though they were crazy. DVC points rental then was $8 a point.... That year I also stayed at the BC LV

they are your points you do with them what YOU want....

of course my last stay at the Polyn in 2000 was enough for mother. She kept saying how much she missed OKW.....we have a wonderful view of the castle and all she wanted was OKW.... on the Polyn was $355 in 2000, the points were still 22 points per night. Oh how I miss those days....

 

[happyrebster]

You know . . .

Some folks buy a BMW and only drive it back and forth to the grocery store. I guess that's not very "cost efficient" either -- but, if it makes them happy, who cares?!?

Your points are to be used on whatever makes you happy. If you use them any other way, then THAT's a waste of money!!

 

[slk537]

We just got back from a trip where we moved from 6 nights in a 1br at VWL followed by 4 nights at Poly LVC because we had res points to use and we wanted to try the Poly.

I'm glad we did it, but if I'd have had the chance, I'd have moved us back to the VWL. I love the room, I love the casual family warmth of DVC and I really missed it.

Bottom line: Nope, using points at the hotels is not the most "economic" use of your points but you have to do what feels right to YOU.