Tell Me Yes or Tell Me No

[nickys]

What are you talking about? The Poly studio has beds for 5 so it sleeps 5. Bay Lake Tower and AKL studios have beds for 4 so they sleep 4.

Yes I think @TinyTGO ’s point is that the reason they can have beds for 5 people is presumably because the fire dept has agreed the space is big enough and the extra bed does not present an obstacle to exiting the room in a hurry.

So at CCV, the room layout / size is deemed not sufficient &/or safe to have a 5th bed. DVC cannot therefore just put a sleeper chair in the room. At SSR, the living room has been redesigned to make space for the pull-down kid’s bed.

Otherwise they could fit an extra sleeper chair in the hallway of some of the BLT 1-beds.

In other words, DVC can only add a 5th sleeper if the fire dept agree it is OK to do so.

 

[nickys]

The number of beds.

Another example. Saratoga Springs 1BR used to sleep 4. They added another bed and now they sleep 5. Nothing at all changed about the size, shape, structure, or layout of the rooms. They just added a bed.

They did change the layout. They took out the breakfast bar.

If they want to add the pull-down bed to the living room at BCV or BWV, they will need to do the same.

 

[nickys]

Dude you're just wrong.

Poly: Queen bed, pull-out sofa bed, fold-down 5th sleeper bed
BLT: Queen bed, pull-out sofa bed
AKV: Queen bed, pull-out sofa bed

This fold-down bed does not exist at Bay Lake Tower or Animal Kingdom Villas studios:

View attachment 540442

At BLT that is because there isn’t room, period.

There are two possible reasons why there isn’t that bed in all studios. Either there isn’t physically enough room with that bed pulled down for people to be able to safely exit the room in an emergency. Or DVC choose not to. The first reason will be determined by fire safety codes, amongst other things.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yes I think @TinyTGO ’s point is that the reason they can have beds for 5 people is presumably because the fire dept has agreed the space is big enough and the extra bed does not present an obstacle to exiting the room in a hurry.

So at CCV, the room layout / size is deemed not sufficient &/or safe to have a 5th bed. DVC cannot therefore just put a sleeper chair in the room. At SSR, the living room has been redesigned to make space for the pull-down kid’s bed.

Otherwise they could fit an extra sleeper chair in the hallway of some of the BLT 1-beds.

In other words, DVC can only add a 5th sleeper if the fire dept agree it is OK to do so.

Yes, the fire code sets an upper limit on room capacity. Of course that's true.

But if the fire code says 5 would be okay, Disney says 4 on the points chart, Disney says 4 on their website, and there are only two queen beds, I call that a capacity of 4, not a capacity of 5.

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

In your thoughts, what would make it work again?

These are all personal opinions....
A good thing to do is to look at actual history, and what you actually want....
1) Parks? History tells us that these could be shut down, and attractions removed. No problem, if this is NOT of concern to you.
2) A GREAT Lodge? History tells us that many things connected with dining, and transportation, could be shut down.
3) Actual inability to book DVC property. This actually occurred in CA. FEW people make the GF their Home Resort.... but History tells us that a Home Resort could indeed be unavailable.

So just for us - what makes DVC work, vs a condo in FL?

1) PARKS. It's why we bought DVC over a Condo. Were we starting today? We would wait until we have PARKS - with everything normalized, base year 2019.
2) DINING and TRANSPORTATION.... Were we starting today? We would wait until we have DINING and TRANSPORTATION- with everything normalized, base year 2019.
3) Ability to at least TRY to book any DVC property.... Were we starting today? We would wait until we have Ability to at least TRY to book any DVC property, with everything normalized, base year 2019.

Noting: we have managed to secure un-activated APs (got in just before the shutdown). We HAVE DVC reservations at BRV for NOV 2021. We are not angry DVC owners.... Getting back once we are finished with our COVID Vaccinations, to protect both US, and OTHERS. DVC has saved us a LOAD of cash. We LOVE DVC. But we also bought in 2012, have hit total breakeven, and now just collect major benefits vs best discounted room rates.

Nala06.... DVC can be a very GOOD thing. I would just suggest waiting until it becomes a good thing again? Today is not that day .

 

[TinyTGO]

Fire Dept determines the capacity based on exit locations, ability to exit, and potential bottlenecks. Not an opinion... a question asked and answered at the annual meeting in 2018. I didn't make it up. I heard it asked.

 

[Eeyorenot74]

Hello All,

I have been researching DVC for years, we have attended multiple sales pitches, I have read every article under the sun, and I *might* be ready to finally take the plunge. What I need is neutral third party advice and opinions to help further stretch my thinking and analysis. First, some background...

We are a family of four, with a 6 yr old and an infant. Our typical travel pattern is a WDW trip every 1.5 years, alternating between times when the Christmas decor is up and Flower and Garden. We typically stay a minimum of 8 nights, but I try to stretch it to 10 nights for a more relaxed trip. I usually have an idea for when our next trip will be shortly after arriving home from the previous trip. Our other big vacation between WDW trips are typically 1 week trips to National Park type areas. This often utilizes my parents Wyndham timeshare, which keeps the cost low for us.

Our lodging for Disney is pretty split between Poly and Wilderness Lodge. We have both paid cash and rented points, and typically stay in DVC studios. We recently tried CL for a long weekend and enjoyed it. Now that we have added to our family since our last trip, I could see us doing trips staying in either CL rooms, 1-bedrooms, or most likely a combo to get the best of both worlds. I like the idea of space that both of these options provide, as well as the food options it opens up, either by having a nice CL spread or a fridge full of fresh fruit and healthier choices. When we stayed in studios I would typically pack a travel suitcase of these types of foods, but the studios don't provide much storage for that once you add a second child.

Our preferred time of travel is late September through end of May. I cannot do Florida summers haha.

IF we were to purchase, I am considering Poly, Copper Creek or Animal Kingdom. Here are my reasonings for each:

1. Poly is our favorite resort, hands down. We love the vibe, restaurants etc. We love the studios there with the split bathrooms (which makes a great sleeping place for babies ). However, no one bedrooms, which I could see us wanting to do more of as the kids get older.
2. Copper Creek: WL is our second favorite resort. We love the main lodge. While we haven't stayed in a 1 bedroom here, we have stayed in a studio and like the decor/theming.
3. Animal Kingdom: we visit this resort most trips for a meal and a look around. We were supposed to stay here last March before COVID cancelled those plans. Honestly, we would not stay here most trips, but the price for a contract is a lot more appealing than the other two...we could get more points for the money.

Trying to decide on how many points is also somewhat confusing, since we would likely be utilizing some banking/borrowing for 2 trips in a 3 year span. Maybe we wold start with a smaller contract to get our feet wet? Also, with our travel pattern, I am guessing a Aug/Sept use year would be best?

We are looking at resale, unless theres some reason I am not thinking of that direct would actually make sense.

Please tell me any holes I may be thinking of, criticize, etc etc! This is a big decision and I want to think of every angle.

1. Don't finance and don't stretch yourself, but I'd say if you are going to buy - you will probably say why didn't I do it sooner.
2. It's a personal call, but I'd say only do if if you are a Disney nut.
3. I was worried about getting locked into Disney vacations but I've been converted. Still we're only averaging Florida trips every 3 years. Aulani is a nice diversion, while the Grand Californian is hard to book. Looking forwards to the new DVC at Anaheim. Although DL, which is closer to home, is an entirely different beast. That rotation gives some years where we can do something besides Disney World. Have lost track if buying resale now limits what resorts you can go to. I don't think that is the legacy resorts, but something to check on.
4. AKL is my home. The wife loves the poly but anything other than the studio is a lot of points. We do manage to stay at poly sometimes. Think wilderness lodge might be one for you. I'm still very much in the exploring other resort phase of DVC, but I'll say what many other have said, buy where you want to stay most of the time.

 

[i<3riviera]

because it seems we've regrettably moved on from the topic, I just wanted to pour some salt in the wound of the fire department / DVC / bed / room capacity fight discussion ...

some rooms at some resorts (1b and 2b I believe) can be booked with more people than sleeping spaces

that's officially (not sneaking the person in) with DVC presuming you'll figure out where that additional person will sleep (air mattresses, 3x to a queen, balcony); it's also different from the 2b lock-offs at some resorts with +1 sleeping space to a standard 2b (like my beloved RVA)

 

[CaptainAmerica]

some rooms at some resorts (1b and 2b I believe) can be booked with more people than bed sleeping spaces

Right, that was the crux of the argument debate. When the fire code says 5, but Disney says 4, that's when you can stick a fifth person in a sleeping bag on the floor if you want. But Disney labels those units with a capacity of 4 on the points chart and when they're selling to cash guests, so that's what I consider their capacity to be.

 

[i<3riviera]

yeah, it is confusing; I guess I can see why they label the capacity based on sleeping spaces but it would be helpful to know about this additional capacity by listing them as 4 + 1 w/o bed in the point charts that folks use all the time

here's how it shows up in the booking tool; it's very clear when you see it but you have to click expand on room details to actually see it, not something everyone would know to do and the booking tool isn't available to non-members ...

the resort summary on the website (which is available to non-members) also lists this but I don't imagine a lot of people read through these ...

 

[nickys]

yeah, it is confusing; I guess I can see why they label the capacity based on sleeping spaces but it would be helpful to know about this additional capacity by listing them as 4 + 1 w/o bed in the point charts that folks use all the time

here's how it shows up in the booking tool; it's very clear when you see it but you have to click expand on room details to actually see it, not something everyone would know to do and the booking tool isn't available to non-members ...

View attachment 540710

the resort summary on the website (which is available to non-members) also lists this but I don't imagine a lot of people read through these ...
View attachment 540712

Non members can’t have the extra person in the room. Well not unless they’re renting pounts. A cash booking doesn’t allow that. So no reason for non-members to have that info.

The only reason they allow this is where the studio sleeps 5 but the 1-bed only has beds for 4 people. It’s a sop for members who want the kitchen and w/d of the 1-bed.

 

[correcaminos]

I would absolutely not buy at the Poly, that points chart is terrifying. They only have studios and bungalows, and the bungalows are extremely low demand. If Disney ever decided to reduce the points cost of the bungalows to balance demand, that would come with a corresponding increase in the studios since there's nowhere else for those points to go.

They already did adjust a little. It's really not bad. Right near what VGF has. Though reality is it is not hard to book rooms there at all.

 

[imsosarah]

Hello All,

I have been researching DVC for years, we have attended multiple sales pitches, I have read every article under the sun, and I *might* be ready to finally take the plunge. What I need is neutral third party advice and opinions to help further stretch my thinking and analysis. First, some background...

We are a family of four, with a 6 yr old and an infant. Our typical travel pattern is a WDW trip every 1.5 years, alternating between times when the Christmas decor is up and Flower and Garden. We typically stay a minimum of 8 nights, but I try to stretch it to 10 nights for a more relaxed trip. I usually have an idea for when our next trip will be shortly after arriving home from the previous trip. Our other big vacation between WDW trips are typically 1 week trips to National Park type areas. This often utilizes my parents Wyndham timeshare, which keeps the cost low for us.

Our lodging for Disney is pretty split between Poly and Wilderness Lodge. We have both paid cash and rented points, and typically stay in DVC studios. We recently tried CL for a long weekend and enjoyed it. Now that we have added to our family since our last trip, I could see us doing trips staying in either CL rooms, 1-bedrooms, or most likely a combo to get the best of both worlds. I like the idea of space that both of these options provide, as well as the food options it opens up, either by having a nice CL spread or a fridge full of fresh fruit and healthier choices. When we stayed in studios I would typically pack a travel suitcase of these types of foods, but the studios don't provide much storage for that once you add a second child.

Our preferred time of travel is late September through end of May. I cannot do Florida summers haha.

IF we were to purchase, I am considering Poly, Copper Creek or Animal Kingdom. Here are my reasonings for each:

1. Poly is our favorite resort, hands down. We love the vibe, restaurants etc. We love the studios there with the split bathrooms (which makes a great sleeping place for babies ). However, no one bedrooms, which I could see us wanting to do more of as the kids get older.
2. Copper Creek: WL is our second favorite resort. We love the main lodge. While we haven't stayed in a 1 bedroom here, we have stayed in a studio and like the decor/theming.
3. Animal Kingdom: we visit this resort most trips for a meal and a look around. We were supposed to stay here last March before COVID cancelled those plans. Honestly, we would not stay here most trips, but the price for a contract is a lot more appealing than the other two...we could get more points for the money.

Trying to decide on how many points is also somewhat confusing, since we would likely be utilizing some banking/borrowing for 2 trips in a 3 year span. Maybe we wold start with a smaller contract to get our feet wet? Also, with our travel pattern, I am guessing a Aug/Sept use year would be best?

We are looking at resale, unless theres some reason I am not thinking of that direct would actually make sense.

Please tell me any holes I may be thinking of, criticize, etc etc! This is a big decision and I want to think of every angle.

I bought and wish I had done it sooner.

Here are some details I realized:
1) We bought at Animal Kingdom and love it more than we thought. It is great for the down days with the kids because of all the animals, larger room sizes etc.
2) I have found that where I bought doesn't matter all that much unless you are trying to travel over key holidays. We have booked at 5 other resorts during various times of year without issue.
3) We didn't do resale only because of some of the limitations and once you factored in some of the other costs it wasn't as big of a swing to justify, but that is more a personal decision. We used the annual pass discount to do 2 trips piggy bag then skip the year and it was much cheaper than 2 sets of tickets. We also got a significant amount of "free" points for use in the first year that made the difference even less an issue.
4) 150 points has been perfect for us and we do the every 12-18 months. Sometimes we would do a 5 day and another 5 day at different times. We could likely do 100-125 if we really stuck to only every other year. Don't worry as much about the use year. You should buy something that has a full year when you buy and when you get it next is just gravy
5) My kids are much older and they still ask to go to disney, less frequently now, but even in college its still a fun family tradition.
6) We have stayed with all 4 of us in the standard room (including 2 teenagers) vs 1 bedroom and it was fine. We are not hanging out in the room all that much to make the points for a 1 bedroom worth it and while we like the idea of the kitchen, the little microwave, fridge and toaster has been great for the studio only.

If you have any other questions happy to answer.

We have:
Kidani (always stay at Jambo)
150 points
Direct

Wouldn't change a thing!!

 

[Club Cooloholic]

If you're lazy or just don't know how to do financial modeling... from a strict financial perspective, Saratoga Springs almost always comes out as the best option.

For full disclosure: I have access to 50% Cast Member room discounts and Saratoga resale *still* made sense financially.

Even their points have seemed to have gone up.
As for the depreciation comment someone made earlier, yes at some point the contracts do start to drop in value on the resale market. But one, you can't place that value vs what you could sell it for, the value in DVC is what would you be paying vs cash guest. So yes in 15 years your contract is not going to sell as much on resale, but is your vacation x dollars cheaper than the cash buyer.
Also for those that say they don't use it every year, that's why you bank and borrow. Or even use the RCI, it gets a bad rrap, but we stayed in a ski condo last year that would have been just as expensive as a Disney resort stay if we paid cash. There are values in it if you look hard enough

 

[CastAStone]

Even their points have seemed to have gone up.
As for the depreciation comment someone made earlier, yes at some point the contracts do start to drop in value on the resale market. But one, you can't place that value vs what you could sell it for, the value in DVC is what would you be paying vs cash guest. So yes in 15 years your contract is not going to sell as much on resale, but is your vacation x dollars cheaper than the cash buyer.
Also for those that say they don't use it every year, that's why you bank and borrow. Or even use the RCI, it gets a bad rrap, but we stayed in a ski condo last year that would have been just as expensive as a Disney resort stay if we paid cash. There are values in it if you look hard enough

Yes, SSR is going for about 20% more than it was last summer when Disney suspended ROFR, because now people are trying to outbid ROFR, which is dumb, because Disney is going to ROFR the least expensive contracts this month for the amount of points they expect to sell direct next month, and bidding higher just means Disney is going to ROFR higher.

 

[Phonedave]

The number of beds.

Another example. Saratoga Springs 1BR used to sleep 4. They added another bed and now they sleep 5. Nothing at all changed about the size, shape, structure, or layout of the rooms. They just added a bed.

SSR always allowed you to BOOK 5, even before they added the extra bed. Fire code allowed 5, DVC provided bed for 4. If you wanted, you could book 5 and bring your own bed and linens. With three kids, we did that plenty of times in the past. 5 was the allowable capacity based on fire rules and they would allow 5 as long as you understood the 5 person had to have alternative sleeping arrangements.

The reason they do that for people on points only, is because members (people on points for the most part) understand what they are getting into. It is very bad optics for a part of 5 to book on cash and then not have a bed for one of the guests. Even though Disney explains it ahead of time, you are still going to get people who do not believe it.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

SSR always allowed you to BOOK 5, even before they added the extra bed. Fire code allowed 5, DVC provided bed for 4. If you wanted, you could book 5 and bring your own bed and linens. With three kids, we did that plenty of times in the past. 5 was the allowable capacity based on fire rules and they would allow 5 as long as you understood the 5 person had to have alternative sleeping arrangements.

The reason they do that for people on points only, is because members (people on points for the most part) understand what they are getting into. It is very bad optics for a part of 5 to book on cash and then not have a bed for one of the guests. Even though Disney explains it ahead of time, you are still going to get people who do not believe it.

Yes, I understand and agree with all of this.

But in plain English, if someone asked me "What was the capacity of a Saratoga Springs 1-bedroom Villa," my answer would have been 4.

 

[wishicouldgomoreoften]

@Nala06 another tip... go visit Aulani for a week. This will cure you of the Polynesian being your favorite WDW resort and save you a ton of money in the long run. Aulani makes the Poly kind of suck.

Well if I ever get to Hawaii, I am pretty sure it will only be a one-time thing. So given that, I better not go, because I don't want to be forever disdainful and disgusted by Poly.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Well if I ever get to Hawaii, I am pretty sure it will only be a one-time thing. So given that, I better not go, because I don't want to be forever disdainful and disgusted by Poly.

We went to Aulani a few years ago, thinking it would be one and done, but now we can’t wait to go back! We stayed at the Poly after that, and it didn’t ruin it for us at all. Still loved it!

 

[jaklgreen]

I wish we bought ours sooner. I have been going to WDW for 2 decades and my husband kept saying "no". He didn't think that we would benefit from it. After many, many years of paying for hotel rooms(that could have gone into DVC payment), I finally just purchased it on my own. Having those points has given me the opportunity to go to Aulani. WOW. THE best use of your DVC points. We are going back for a second time next month and for what I would have paid cash for our stay, it has more then covered the cost of what I bought my DVC points for. And now I have many years ahead of me of stays for the cost of my annual dues. I own at the Polynesian and I can easily sell my contract for more then I paid for it if I wanted. So I don't agree with the person that says that it is devalued.