Considering a Poly/Riviera 200/150 Direct Purchase

[airjay75]

Your concerns are warranted. My two most recent trips to the Poly have been chaotic. One was outside of spring break season and one was in the thick of it. Similar crowd level.

I love the vibes of the Poly, and the new Island Tower is gorgeous, but we've found we prefer a quieter resort after the sensory overload of being at the theme parks all day.

If you have those concerns, I would definitely stay there before buying (especially direct points, because you'd take such a loss if you decide to sell them).

So helpful to hear this. I think we really need to wait out any purchase outside of RIV for now. Need to give Poly a try, but might even be thinking that, if we really want a monorail/MK resort, Grand Floridian might be a better option to consider, despite the higher point costs. Really need to try out these resorts before committing, especially, as you say, if I am going to buy direct.

 

[supercarrie]

So helpful to hear this. I think we really need to wait out any purchase outside of RIV for now. Need to give Poly a try, but might even be thinking that, if we really want a monorail/MK resort, Grand Floridian might be a better option to consider, despite the higher point costs. Really need to try out these resorts before committing, especially, as you say, if I am going to buy direct.

It just means you can buy RIV and become an avid DISboards member like the rest of us, constantly pondering our next contract purchase. Addonitis is a real thing.

 

[AstroBlasters]

So helpful to hear this. I think we really need to wait out any purchase outside of RIV for now. Need to give Poly a try, but might even be thinking that, if we really want a monorail/MK resort, Grand Floridian might be a better option to consider, despite the higher point costs. Really need to try out these resorts before committing, especially, as you say, if I am going to buy direct.

VGF, POLY, BLT, CCV….. all worth a stay!

 

[DanCali]

So helpful to hear this. I think we really need to wait out any purchase outside of RIV for now. Need to give Poly a try, but might even be thinking that, if we really want a monorail/MK resort, Grand Floridian might be a better option to consider, despite the higher point costs. Really need to try out these resorts before committing, especially, as you say, if I am going to buy direct.

We own all 3 on the "loop" but our favorite is BLT probably because we stay in the 1BRs there so the extra space is a nice change and those 1BRs have 2 full bathrooms. In addition, it's hard to compete with that 7 minute walk to the park entrance...

Our general rule is - if the studios sleep 5, we get a studio and the kids won't have to share a bed. Otherwise, a 1BR. The notable exception are the Club or Value studios at AKV Jambo House if we can get those - but for Savanna view we go with the 1BRs at Kidani (also 2 full bathrooms there).

 

[airjay75]

Another question for folks still reading (everyone has been so helpful - thank you so much). If you wanted to try out the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon, what is the best way to do that? I see a couple of Grand Floridian contracts up for resale that look enticing. How much am I putting at risk if I bought those to use them to try out the Grand Floridian? Maybe I love Grand Floridian and keep them or maybe I decide not for me and want to try out Bay Lake Tower or back to Poly. Is that a bad way to try those resorts out or am I putting relatively little at risk since, presumably, since they are on the resale market, I should be able to sell them for the same price (or maybe more) after I buy them. Welcome any thoughts on how people have tried out these resorts. I suppose another strategy would be to use my welcome home incentive to try and book some of these resorts. Again, welcome any thoughts.

 

[WeIcomeHome]

Another question for folks still reading (everyone has been so helpful - thank you so much). If you wanted to try out the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon, what is the best way to do that? I see a couple of Grand Floridian contracts up for resale that look enticing. How much am I putting at risk if I bought those to use them to try out the Grand Floridian? Maybe I love Grand Floridian and keep them or maybe I decide not for me and want to try out Bay Lake Tower or back to Poly. Is that a bad way to try those resorts out or am I putting relatively little at risk since, presumably, since they are on the resale market, I should be able to sell them for the same price (or maybe more) after I buy them. Welcome any thoughts on how people have tried out these resorts. I suppose another strategy would be to use my welcome home incentive to try and book some of these resorts. Again, welcome any thoughts.

I'd either just wait until you purchase your direct points and use at 7 months to stay at other resorts or rent points. Buying without knowing what you want will cost you closing costs on the purchase and 5 to 10 percent to sell. If you found a loaded contract, you might be able to make it make sense but renting is an easier method with little downside.

Before I bought direct, I rented points and did a 4 day trip to stay at RIV and Poly... 2 nights each. After that I knew I wanted RIV and was less interested in Poly because I'd likely be staying in the longhouses and there isn't any issue getting those at 7 months. Now after seeing PIT elevated point charts, my plan is if I add resale in a few years it would be BLT based on the proximity to MK, lowest points charts on the monorail loop, and the 1BR layout.

 

[DanCali]

Another question for folks still reading (everyone has been so helpful - thank you so much). If you wanted to try out the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon, what is the best way to do that? I see a couple of Grand Floridian contracts up for resale that look enticing. How much am I putting at risk if I bought those to use them to try out the Grand Floridian? Maybe I love Grand Floridian and keep them or maybe I decide not for me and want to try out Bay Lake Tower or back to Poly. Is that a bad way to try those resorts out or am I putting relatively little at risk since, presumably, since they are on the resale market, I should be able to sell them for the same price (or maybe more) after I buy them. Welcome any thoughts on how people have tried out these resorts. I suppose another strategy would be to use my welcome home incentive to try and book some of these resorts. Again, welcome any thoughts.

I would not buy a contract just to visit a resort to try out. If you decide it's not for you, the selling process will take at least a couple of months and, even if you sold it at the same price you bought, there are closing costs and/or commissions on both ends of the deal.

Once you buy direct, you can book a trip 7 months out and maybe do a split stay to include 2-3 resorts (bonus - you get water park entry on each checkin day).

We actually bought all of our resorts sight unseen - although did quite a few Youtube "tours". Even after we were members, we bought at other resorts without first visiting them. We were new to DVC but not to timeshares, so we kind of knew what to look for. For what it's worth, I wouldn't want to get rid of anything we own at this point.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Another question for folks still reading (everyone has been so helpful - thank you so much). If you wanted to try out the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon, what is the best way to do that? I see a couple of Grand Floridian contracts up for resale that look enticing. How much am I putting at risk if I bought those to use them to try out the Grand Floridian? Maybe I love Grand Floridian and keep them or maybe I decide not for me and want to try out Bay Lake Tower or back to Poly. Is that a bad way to try those resorts out or am I putting relatively little at risk since, presumably, since they are on the resale market, I should be able to sell them for the same price (or maybe more) after I buy them. Welcome any thoughts on how people have tried out these resorts. I suppose another strategy would be to use my welcome home incentive to try and book some of these resorts. Again, welcome any thoughts.

Welcome Home Poly tower, manually book the rest of the trip at RIV.

 

[sethschroeder]

Another question for folks still reading (everyone has been so helpful - thank you so much). If you wanted to try out the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon, what is the best way to do that? I see a couple of Grand Floridian contracts up for resale that look enticing. How much am I putting at risk if I bought those to use them to try out the Grand Floridian? Maybe I love Grand Floridian and keep them or maybe I decide not for me and want to try out Bay Lake Tower or back to Poly. Is that a bad way to try those resorts out or am I putting relatively little at risk since, presumably, since they are on the resale market, I should be able to sell them for the same price (or maybe more) after I buy them. Welcome any thoughts on how people have tried out these resorts. I suppose another strategy would be to use my welcome home incentive to try and book some of these resorts. Again, welcome any thoughts.

You could likely come close to breaking even (Cost of contract - cost of stay - cost of selling the contract fees).

In the end my suggestion though would be just renting. It might be a tad more but you could book it now instead of waiting a few months to get a resale contract.

Additionally you could stay at the resort or you could tour the resort as well. Example staying at POLY and VGF are going to be basically the same thing except for the rooms themselves. You can easily wander over to the other resort a day or two plus recognize some of the small differences like POLY being a shorter walk to the TTC.