Using points at Poly?

[Frankiesmom]

Scotch-it was 387 points for the 5 nites LVC. To us it was worth it! It was myself and DH dor our anniv. no kids-truly magical! Angel

 

[funcinderella]

Of course you can "do what you want" with your points, but honestly you are wasting money, no matter how you slice it. You would have been much better off buying fewer points to start with, and then using points for part of your stay at VWL, and cash with perhaps a AAA discount for the Poly portion (or even no discount at all is still cheaper than using points.) I realize that's water under the bridge for you at this point, but for other people who are looking into buying DVC, they really should not look at using points for a regular resort stay as a financially sound option except in rare circumstances. This is why I went in on the points purchase with family members (again, not a viable option for everyone either). It lets me use DVC sometimes (50 points per year) which I combine with my family members so we can stay together, and regular hotels at other times when good deals are available or we just want to stay on the monorail line. As members, we can always buy/transfer from other members if we need more points within a given year, yet still be able to make the ressies on our own name (as opposed to renting as non-DVC members.)

If you just want convenience, then by all means use points as you wish, but for most people money DOES matter, and I hate to see people not really understand what the convenience is costing them in dollars and cents...

I hope I don't offend anyone, just my opinion...

 

[erikthewise]

There's two questions here:
-- where to stay
-- how to pay for it

If you've decided to stay at the Polynesian, then using points on weekdays is not unreasonable, roughly the same as paying rack rate. Using points on weekends is insane (costs too many points). How does it balance over a full week? You decide.

Again, if you've decided to stay at the Polynesian, it's kind of irrelevant what DVC accommodations you could get for the same number of points. DVC rooms have many advantages but also some disadvantages, primarily regarding sleeping accommodations. (IMO two queens plus a daybed is better than the king plus sleeper sofa you get in a 1BR suite.)

If you're not sure where you want to stay, but are sure you want to use points, THEN (and ONLY then) the question of what is the best value for your points may come into play, and the common wisdom that you get more for your points at DVC resorts is good advice.

For what it's worth, we prefer to pay cash at the Polynesian and save our points for DVC stays.

 

[Scotch]

Scotch-it was 387 points for the 5 nites LVC. To us it was worth it! It was myself and DH dor our anniv. no kids-truly magical! Angel

Thanks for the info. That is actually a good rate exchange. The cost of our points is roughly $6.5/point (amortizing purchase price plus current m/fs). (I know some folks value their points at the current rental rate of roughly $10 or $11 a point, but I have a feeling many of those folks to not report the profit as income on their tax returns (which they should). I prefer to use our actual "cost" to value our points.) I was thinking of trying the GVC at the Poly this June (but decided to use our points to visit VWL instead) - the cash rate = $500 plus tax a night with no discounts available. So assuming your cost per point is similar to ours or less, 387 points for a LVC for 5 nights during regular season (cash rate $625 plus tax) means you're coming out ahead of paying cash.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Personally I would try to stay at on one the Epcot DVC's which would be an exciting change for the family. I am sure they wouldn't be dissappointed. So much more to do and see there!

 

[Missus Toad]

There's two questions here:

For what it's worth, we prefer to pay cash at the Polynesian and save our points for DVC stays.

We do the same, except we'll occasionally use the points during the week at the Poly. Weekends, never.

As others have said, it's all about what makes you happy. I definitely enjoy the DVC resorts and the value that comes with them, but I still love the Poly, so we do both when we go, and really feel like we've had a happy and satisfying trip all around!

 

[TCARON]

We will be staying at the GF at the end of June and can't wait!

We've stayed at BCV and BWV and enjoyed the two bedroom units, washer/dryer, kitchen, etc. but wanted a change of pace. Our two teenage sons can rent the mouseboats w/the family plan for the 6 days, we can walk to the Poly and monorail to Epcot and MK.

Although the room will be smaller we love the GF and do not care about the cash/points comparision. Lots of dinner options at the GF and great gym and spa.

Seeing the MK fireworks everynight is a thrill to me. We also have annual passes and am looking forward to quick MK visits during the day.

We're just so happy that the points are available for the GF!!!

 

[byoung]

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.

I agree the BW over the Poly anytime.

 

[DiznEeyore]

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!!

So true!!

We've used our points for DVC and "regular" WDW resorts. For our upcoming anniversary trip, dh and I will be spending two nights at the Contemporary (Tower concierge - yay!!) and then three at the VWL.

We've also used points in the past for stays at the GF, Poly and AKL.

Why not? Variety is the spice of life!