James (Jim) and Martha joined Disney Vacation Club in 2005 by purchasing a contract at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. In this episode, we follow them through 15 years of membership. Everything from bringing their kids to Disney, coming with their children's spouses, having adult children and traveling with other couples, and now planning a multi-generational trip. Join the conversation as Jim and Martha share 15 years worth of experience with the My DVC Points community.

Community Buzz – October 6, 2019

DVC Resale Market Monthly Update for September 2019 – ROFR – Right of First Refusal Report for September– Average Market Prices– Inventory Analysis – Great time to buy –  Polynesian – Inventory Analysis – Great Time to Sell – Vero BeachDisney Polynesian Resort Podcast Series Follow UpDisney Mobility Partner Program Change – ScooterbugEPCOT Forever Launches!Skyliners Collision Creates “Downtime” – Reedy Creek Fire Department Evacuations – Nobody Hurt – Community Buzz, Response and Memes

1. DVC Resale Market Monthly Update for September 2019

- ROFR – Right of First Refusal Report for September

- Average Market Prices

- Inventory Analysis – Great time to buy - Polynesian

- Inventory Analysis - Great Time to Sell - Vero Beach

2. Disney Polynesian Resort Podcast Series Follow Up

3. Disney Mobility Partner Program Change - Scooterbug

4. EPCOT Forever Launches!

5. Skyliners Collision Creates “Downtime”

- Reedy Creek Fire Department Evacuations - Nobody Hurt

- Community Buzz, Response and Memes

The Polynesian Bungalows are the most point expensive accommodation in all of the Disney Vacation Club. They come in at 53,903 points a year and average 147.68 points a night. The Oceanview Grand Villa at Aulani (146.35 average points) and the spacious Grand Villa at the Grand Floridian (145.83 average points) take the silver and bronze medals. A single weekend night at Christmas or Easter week requires 227 points. However, guests can stay the entire month of September at the Animal Kingdom value studios for 248 points. However, the members point out the bungalows are also the most magical accommodation in all of DVC. The view of the castle and fireworks show at night cannot be beaten.

Historically, we had joked on the show before that the bungalows were an epic fail in DVC. They appear to sit empty most nights. You rarely hear of a member staying in the bungalows. That made finding the cast for this show a near-impossible feat. Finding members who have visited here and were willing to join a podcast was a year-long endeavor. However, it was worth the wait.

The cast for this episode packaged up some pixie dust in the podcast:

Melisssa Bernhardt – a very active member of the My DVC Points Community Group on Facebook is making her first appearance on the podcast.Marissa Moolman from DVC Resale Market is returning.Debbie Ely from Vacation Club Loans also returns.

How did you end up at the Bungalows?

Melissa – had to cancel a reservation and ended up with excess points that were not bankable. She had always wanted to try out the Bungalows but never could convince herself to do so until she was in use or lose scenario.

Marissa – as we heard in episode 033, Marissa is an Orlando local and loves to use her points on splurge stays. She considers the bungalows the biggest splurge out there; however, she prefers the grand villa at the Grand Flo. Marissa delayed her vacation due to expecting a baby. She was also in use or a lost scenario. After her son was born, Marissa decided to book a splurge stay at the Bungalows. The Moolman's invited their friends and family to meet their newborn son at the bungalows.

Debbie – although she is an owner at the Polynesian resort, she was lucky enough to stay in the Bungalows on a work trip. She was contracted to host this video. However, if she were in a party of four, she would prefer the bungalows over the Grand Floridian's Grand Villa.

As we heard in episode 040, Marissa also highly recommends ordering the twilight feast from room service. This is the meal from Ohana with huge portions. Pro-tip – order room service for one, and it will feed two people. The horns from the ferry boats are an issue frequently discussed in the DVC community when staying at the Polynesian resort. The horns didn't phase Debbie and Melissa. Marissa commented that she heard them at 6 and 7 AM; however, they had a newborn, so they were up early anyway. However, the consensus was if you were there for an entire week, the horns may be an issue.

Another issue we hear about is the private pool attached to the bungalows. All of our guests used the Lani pool; however, none of them were there in winter months, where the unheated pool could be an issue.

One thing that all three guests had in common was that they all invited guests with them to visit them at the Bungalows. They figured if they were splurging on this accommodation; they wanted to share the experience with friends and family that could come join them. However, they all commented that they were the only families on their patios watching the fireworks.

Debbie believes the bungalow porch is the absolutely perfect place to watch the fireworks show. She was almost moved to tears. Marissa agreed. Melissa added that the electric light parade was also an incredible experience from the bungalows. All three ladies agreed that this is by far the most magical locatio

Three Disney Princesses join Chad on a journey as we get Bougie in the Bungalows! First time guest Melissa, Debbie from Vacation Club Loans, and Marissa from DVC Resale Market as we explore the most point expensive accommodations in all of DVC.

Today's Cast:

Chad Pennycuff – Host of My DVC PointsShannon Ford – Regular Co-Host and DisneyDays.comDonna Bickert – Disney Cruise Expert from Disney with DonnaAlicia Kolenda – Regular Co-Host at My DVC Points

Community Buzz – September 29, 2019

Alicia’s Audience Pick FastPass+ UpdateJoin Our Shows – Podcast Recording Again!We are almost caught up on Podcast recordings and will start recording new shows soon. If you'd like to join a show or have a show idea, let us know at the contact us page on MyDVCPoints.comDCL update from Disney with Donna! – Spring Sail Dates 2021 – New Policy on Place HoldersSkyliners Grand Opening Day!Farewell Illuminations and Confetti Mickey and MinnieMobility Partner Program Change – Only Impacts Strollers, Wheelchairs and Scooters – No Changes for Grocery – Dizzy Dolphin and Garden Grocer – No Changes for Owner’s Locker

My DVC Points Podcast is sponsored by DVC Resale Market and Vacation Club Loans and by community members in My DVC Points VIP Producer Club.

Today's episode was produced by Chad Pennycuff. Audio editing by Kenny Kingsborough from Harbor Red Studios. Show notes by Chad Pennycuff. Facebook admins and moderators of the My DVC Points Community Group: Andrew Darden, Valerie Fairnington, Donna Bickert, and Jeremy Murray.

If you enjoy the show, please join VIP Producer's Club. Your support allows us to produce a weekly show and has special insider perks!

Join Chad, Shannon, Donna and Alicia on this week's live show.

Alicia’s Audience Pick FastPass+ Update

Join Our Shows - Podcast Recording Again!

We are almost caught up on Podcast recordings and will start recording new shows soon. If you'd like to join a show or have a show idea, let us know at the contact us page on MyDVCPoints.com

DCL update from Disney with Donna!

- Spring Sail Dates 2021

- New Policy on Place Holders

Skyliners Grand Opening Day!

Farewell Illuminations and Confetti Mickey and Minnie

Mobility Partner Program Change

- Only Impacts Strollers, Wheelchairs and Scooters

- No Changes for Grocery - Dizzy Dolphin and Garden Grocer

- No Changes for Owner’s Locker

The cast for this multiple-member resort review.

Curt Stone – Episode 012 – Owner at BLT – Host of the Geekin' on WDW PodcastValerie Fairnington – Episode 002 – Owner at AKV, VGF, and BWVChad Pennycuff – My DVC Points Host – Owner at Poly, CCV, BLT, BC, SSR, and VGC

Two Pools at this Resort: Oasis and Lava Pool

Curt commented that these are probably the best pair of pools on property. The Oasis pool has a full-service bar, mug refill, and mini-restaurant. Curt pointed out that the Oasis pool was reimagined when DVC came into the resort. Everybody agreed that the Lava Pool slide is a lot of fun. The waterfall adds to the immersive environment. Chad pointed out that the slide is very dark because it's wrapped in concrete. The only thing missing would be a swim-up pool bar.

Chad pointed out that the kid's splash area is also incredibly well themed. It's really close to being the best splash area on-property. However, a guide once told us that with pools and kids, it's really simple. Don't overthink it. Just add water and the kids will have a ton of fun. They will enjoy any pool you let them play in.

The pools at poly require a magic band to get inside the pool area. Quite often cast members manually issue wrist bands to guests at the Lava Pool to enforce the no-pool hopping rules at the Polynesian.

Restaurants: Poly is our #1 Choice for Best Walt Disney World Resort Restaurants

The Lapu Lapu from Tambu Lounge

The Polynesian resort has an all-star grand slam line up for food and beverage. No other resort comes close to this list of fan favorites. Here's a link to the official Disney listing.

Ohana is our favorite restaurant on property. Chad and Curt are huge fans of dinner. However, the family-style character breakfast ranks really high with the Pennycuff family. Kids love meeting Mickey, Minnie, Lilo, and Stitch. Ohana is best known for its bread pudding dessert. However, the skewered meat, potstickers, noodles, and dipping sauces also rank high on many people's lists. We had a confession. We intentionally drag our feet in getting out of there to let the food settle so that can have the bread pudding for dessert. Consider yourself incredibly lucky if you can get castle view seating during the fireworks. Ohana is so popular, you need to book this restaurant at the 180-day mark. Firework seating sells out incredibly fast. The Tambu Louge is near Ohana and famous for its Lapu Lapu drink.

Valerie points out that Kona Cafe is a great option if you cannot get an Advance Dining Reservation at Ohana. While Ohana gets all the press, Kona is also excellent. Chad commented that if going there for breakfast, be sure to get the Polynesian inspired food. The normal breakfast items are ok but expensive for normal breakfast food. The tonga toast and macadamia nut pancakes are the stars of the breakfast menu. Valerie commented that you can order the bread pudding from Ohana for dessert at Kona even though it's not on the menu.

Room Service: Hands down fan favorite is “The Twilight Feast.” It's all the food from Ohana and a one-person serving has enough food for two people.

Captain Cook's is also one of the best quick-service restaurants on property. Curt loves the Big Kahuna sandwich. The Pork Nacho's at Captain Cooks is legendary on Curt's show. Donna Bickert from the My DVC Points community pointed out that it's a shame you cannot get the pork nachos served at Trader Sam's.

Pineapple Lani is a quick-service window for Dole Whips. Hello, my name is Chad and I'm a Dole Whip addict. Its one of three places you can get a Dole Whip in Walt Disney World. Valerie loves the Dole Whip with dark rum served at Pineapple Lani.

Trader Sam's Grogg Grotto is also a fan favorite and always ranks as one of the best bars on property. The servers are incredible at this Tiki bar. A lot of Disney fans collect the mugs from.

Break out the Tiki Mugs and join Chad, Curt Stone from Geekin' on WDW and Valerie Fairnington in a complete review of the Polynesian Village. Learn why we rank Polynesian #1 for Food and Beverage and #1 for Transportation across all DVC resorts. The pools also rank incredibly high as well!

Join Shannon, Alicia, and Chad tonight as we cover this week's discussion topics.