Why not to buy into Poly 1 but maybe Poly 2 / Those Darn Bungalows !!!!

[Yankee626]

14,000,000. But we don’t clog it so much that you can’t book Poly at 7 months!

No because the point chart is ridiculous. But it would be nice if you guys used your points on the empty Bungalows :]

 

[Yankee626]

Not every resort has universal appeal. If SSR was smaller, DVC would have built another resort during that timeframe. And either that resort or another (AKV, OKW) would have fallen further on people's preference list. There is no scenario where resort sizes and members' point usage is in equilibrium.

Thats not true! There are specific reasons nobody wants to stay there; like location and huge size . Its almost outside of DW property. AKL is far away from most parks but the resort is absolutely beautiful and it has a darn savanna ! OKW is the only other resort that may fall under that umbrella but its the First DVC Resort and it does have Florida Charm. Its alot more comfortable and laid back.

 

[zavandor]

I wished it worked that well for SSR owners. Their 11 million points clog the system.

SSR plays two important roles that benefit the whole system:
- it is bookable "last minute" part of the year (by DVC standards), allowing owners to use expiring or on holding points (this has become a bit less true lately after the renovation and DS improvements, but still much easier than other resorts)
- DVC mostly publish SSR 1BR on II, I think gathering all exchanges from all resorts, freeing availability elsewhere.
Are SSR rooms going unbooked most of the time? I think the answer is no, so owners are using their points there. Just more slowly than at other resorts.

Overall an option as SSR is not too disruptive. If it were a beach resort with rooms going empty for months at a time, with that size it would be a huge problem. But a WDW resort will always book.

 

[Genie+]

We don’t mind paying extra points at Poly for a bunch of reasons. The rooms are noticeably bigger. They are nicer than more economical rooms at BW/BC. Having a shower/sink room in addition to full bathroom is awesome. Good selection of food and lounges, plus that of CR and VGF nearby. Transportation options galore. The pools and hot tubs.

 

[tom1944]

That is one complicated itinerary Sir ! LOL

I agree and that is what I am thinking about. Can I make it work.

The reason I said direct points is because I believe that there will be a small number of points unused and if they were resale points, they would become unusable. With direct points I could add them to my 180 SSR resale points and use them not lose them.

 

[CWTC]

AND THEY ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE BECAUSE NOBODY HAS ENOUGH POINTS TO USE THEM

I’d like to point out the hyperbole here. We spent 8 nights in one in May and could stay in one like that annually if we cut out our other DVC trips. The Poly Bungalows are nice two bedrooms with great views and the plunge pool is delightful.

Over time, life has taught me a harsh lesson: there are always people who can afford things that I cannot. Just because there are bungalows showing available doesn't mean there are 20 empty rooms.

Yup. When we stayed, we saw plenty of other bungalows with lights on, people on the decks, and people walking to other bungalows. I don’t think they are all always empty - they just aren’t wildly popular like other DVC room types.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

nobody

I don’t think that’s fair at all. It’s got a great location for many people, next to Disney Springs, and it’s large but unlike OKW it’s actually really convenient to get to the central area for the vast majority of the regular buildings. The carousel and the further CP building, maybe not, but the rest of the rooms are a 5 minute walk.

And it’s got 2 feature pools, 3 splash pads, building side parking, multiple QS options (in addition to Disney Springs), and it’s very quiet and peaceful. Not everyone wants to have “the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room” jammed in their ears during the downtime part of their trip.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I don't really get the SSR hatred. We bought there for an amazing price. We generally need 1BRs due to our family's size. Huge benefit to SSR - the queen murphy bed vs the lumpy sofa beds at AKL or BLT or other such locations. Idk. I didn't only buy SSR to use it elsewhere!

 

[crvetter]

I don't really get the SSR hatred. We bought there for an amazing price. We generally need 1BRs due to our family's size. Huge benefit to SSR - the queen murphy bed vs the lumpy sofa beds at AKL or BLT or other such locations. Idk. I didn't only buy SSR to use it elsewhere!

I think prior to Disney springs beings redone and more importantly SSR recent renovations it was pretty bad. All the benefits today didn’t exist, but with Disney Springs mature and the benefits you listed in terms of the room are very helpful.

But most resorts are getting Murphy beds in their soft and/or hard food refurb. So that benefit disappears but still makes SSR more attractive than it was ever before.

I personally think SSR isn’t a bad addition (maybe it was before) but now it’s a proper resort and actually maintained.

 

[DanCali]

I’d like to point out the hyperbole here. We spent 8 nights in one in May and could stay in one like that annually if we cut out our other DVC trips. The Poly Bungalows are nice two bedrooms with great views and the plunge pool is delightful.

The points required for a week in a bungalow range from 824 to 1442- call it 1100 on average. So if someone wanted to stay there without banking/borrowing annually it would require a direct spend (which is what DVC markets) of around $200K and annual dues of about $9000. The upfront cost may be half as much with resale, but that's not the DVC pitch.

Alternatively, if one is affluent enough to own that much in DVC points, the opportunity cost of renting out those 1100 points to another owner is about $20,000/year. When I was first reading that it's cheaper to go to French Polynesia or the Maldives and experience the real thing, I thought it was in jest. But for $20,000 it might actually be doable for a family of 4, including flights, bungalow hotel, and meals...!

 

[kilik64]

I didn't only buy SSR to use it elsewhere!

I did! I wanted to be one of those people who after 10 years could say I owned SSR but have never stayed there.

Then we did earlier this year (easiest and cheapest way to take family with us was staying there) and now I would never hesitate to stay there again. The only really bad complaint I have is artist palette is as Chuck Barkely says, Turrrribbbllleee.

I think as others have pointed out the refurb has helped the resort a ton. Dont knock it till you try it.

 

[tjkraz]

Thats not true! There are specific reasons nobody wants to stay there; like location and huge size . Its almost outside of DW property. AKL is far away from most parks but the resort is absolutely beautiful and it has a darn savanna ! OKW is the only other resort that may fall under that umbrella but its the First DVC Resort and it does have Florida Charm. Its alot more comfortable and laid back.

You're missing my point. Even if SSR were only 6 million points, DVC would have built another 8 million points elsewhere in the mid-2000s. Some combination of resort(s) is always going to be at the bottom of the preference list, and be the "last minute" destinations that @zavandor refers to.

You may personally prefer OKW and AKV, but the 3 are all rather easy to book on short notice.

 

[Sandisw]

While Disney has twice reallocated points between rooms at SSR, it’s still not clear that they can. At SSR, both reallocations (first was some Studio, 1BR, and 2BR points being reallocated to Treehouses, second was creation of a standard and preferred tiering) generally were popular with SSR owners, so no one challenged them.

When Disney tried to do the same at Poly, owners pushed back as noted above, but it was never really resolved if Disney could, because they just dropped it entirely without giving a reason.

So maybe that will happen, but I don’t think it’s “only a matter of time”.

I also recently found that some of the bungalows at Poly seem to be in units with studios which would allow some level of reallocation.

However, I have not found on definite answer either regarding reallocation for use to make me say yes it’s allowed or no it’s not.

In all the cases that DVC backtracked it does seem it’s because they were relying on there own loose interpretation of terms of the contract vs an out and out right move that was easy to deem a violation. And, maybe felt it was too close of a call to fight complaints.

I don’t know. In case of Poly tower, regardless, I don’t think they’d do a reallocation, even if allowed because it means it could impact how many new points can be sold at the new units.

 

[SL6827]

SSR is an awesome resort!! It is beautiful!

 

[Jwaire]

It's been awhile since I worked in hospitality, but the break even rate for a typical hotel was around 40%. Most of the time, our suites weren't occupied.

I rarely see the Polynesian Bungalows less than 50% occupied during the value season and they're almost always full during the peak times of the year.

The cash rate for the bungalows averages out to be over $4000+ per night. I don't think they're this big loser as people like to make them out to be.

DVC is not going to perform some drastic reallocation of points at PVB. They don't need to.

As for SSR, it has to be one of the most beautiful, well kept DVC resorts on property. The gardens and fountains are immaculate. It's quiet. The river is peaceful.

As you age, things change. You don't have to be beside the Magic Kingdom. SSR provides a more "grown up" experience at Walt Disney World. It serves its purpose—walking distance to shopping, great restaurants, golf, etc.

The reason it's always available is it's the largest DVC property with some 800+ rooms.

 

[Sammie]

Thats not true! There are specific reasons nobody wants to stay there; like location and huge size . Its almost outside of DW property. AKL is far away from most parks but the resort is absolutely beautiful and it has a darn savanna ! OKW is the only other resort that may fall under that umbrella but its the First DVC Resort and it does have Florida Charm. Its alot more comfortable and laid back.

SSR is actually more centrally located to all 4 parks than all resorts except OKW. So if one is going to all 4 parks and Disney Springs, it is the best location. It has one of the best quick service on property and now with all the sofa being murphy beds, it is a very nice resort. There are several resorts I dislike more than SSR and BWV is one of them.

 

[Yankee626]

I’d like to point out the hyperbole here. We spent 8 nights in one in May and could stay in one like that annually if we cut out our other DVC trips. The Poly Bungalows are nice two bedrooms with great views and the plunge pool is delightful.


Yup. When we stayed, we saw plenty of other bungalows with lights on, people on the decks, and people walking to other bungalows. I don’t think they are all always empty - they just aren’t wildly popular like other DVC room types.

Most people don't have enough points to stay in the Bungalows . Thats a fact . They are rented out by Disney to fill them up.

 

[Yankee626]

The points required for a week in a bungalow range from 824 to 1442- call it 1100 on average. So if someone wanted to stay there without banking/borrowing annually it would require a direct spend (which is what DVC markets) of around $200K and annual dues of about $9000. The upfront cost may be half as much with resale, but that's not the DVC pitch.

Alternatively, if one is affluent enough to own that much in DVC points, the opportunity cost of renting out those 1100 points to another owner is about $20,000/year. When I was first reading that it's cheaper to go to French Polynesia or the Maldives and experience the real thing, I thought it was in jest. But for $20,000 it might actually be doable for a family of 4, including flights, bungalow hotel, and meals...!

Any you could actually dive off your deck and swim in the water .

 

[mgarbowski]

I don’t think that’s fair at all. It’s got a great location for many people, next to Disney Springs, and it’s large but unlike OKW it’s actually really convenient to get to the central area for the vast majority of the regular buildings. The carousel and the further CP building, maybe not, but the rest of the rooms are a 5 minute walk.

Agreed. Last month I spent a week at OKW at the last building at the end of the road farthest away from the Hospitality House. It is far less convenient than any room at SS. Even the farthest Treehouses have a shorter walk to the Carriage House.

 

[tjkraz]

Most people don't have enough points to stay in the Bungalows . Thats a fact . They are rented out by Disney to fill them up.

That's why there are only 20 bungalows out of the 5600 DVC Villas at Walt Disney World.