Renting DVC Help

[thornton0511]

Hi there. I wasn't sure if this was the place to post but the DVC forum states its only for members and those who want to become DVC members so I hope this forum is an okay place to post.

I was looking into buying points to rent at at DVC resort for the first week of December and it looks like a great deal but am I naive to think that there will actually be avaliable rooms for Dec of this year or is that something that you need to book like years in advance? I thought of emailing the person on the site I looked at but he was specific in saying no emails about avalability and I am only in the "researching" phase and not keen on sending money first to check for avaliable rooms.

Does anyone have some insight in this either by being an owner or renting through someone before? Also the quote was $13 a point and sounds almost too good to be true.

Thanks to anyone with insight and Happy New Year!!!

Jenn

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi there. I wasn't sure if this was the place to post but the DVC forum states its only for members and those who want to become DVC members so I hope this forum is an okay place to post.

I was looking into buying points to rent at at DVC resort for the first week of December and it looks like a great deal but am I naive to think that there will actually be avaliable rooms for Dec of this year or is that something that you need to book like years in advance? I thought of emailing the person on the site I looked at but he was specific in saying no emails about avalability and I am only in the "researching" phase and not keen on sending money first to check for avaliable rooms.

Does anyone have some insight in this either by being an owner or renting through someone before? Also the quote was $13 a point and sounds almost too good to be true.

Thanks to anyone with insight and Happy New Year!!!

Jenn

The time you are looking at one of the most popular time for DVC members. You need to get it booked now or you will be too late to get it. Some members have already reserved the first six days of Dec 2013 because their seven day reservation started on Nov 30, 2013.

And if you are not 100% certain on the resort, dates, size of villa, you don't even want to bother with DVC. Most members do not offer any cancellation policy. You can't go? You lose whatever you have paid already. And to tie up points at 11 months out you need to be prepared to pay for that reservation. Some members might offer you the opportunity to pay it in pieces, but they are going to set the deadline when final payment is due.

Check out the Rent/Trade board and read the sticky threads at the top of the page to get some idea of what you need to consider. And the threads have been there a while, so there have been some changes. Like adding the dining plan. It must be paid for when you add it to the reservation and you cannot add it when you get there.

 

[Lynne M]

You're welcome to post on any of the DVC forums anytime, there are no restrictions on who can post there. Well, except for the Rent/Trade forum, which has special rules for posting.

To answer your question....the month of December is the busiest time of year for DVC bookings, and the first week is especially tough to get, since the point cost is low, the crowds aren't too crazy and the Christmas activities are in full swing.

Members may book at their home resort 11 months from their check in day, which means you would want to have a member making a reservation for you this week to get December 2013.

There's really no need to check availability before making arrangements with a member, and it's really kind of pointless, since availability changes minute to minute and by the time the member calls and reports back to you, the villa you want may well be gone.

If you know what resort and room type you want, you can look up the required number of points and come to an agreement with the member on what you'll pay ($13/point is pretty typical) and when. I'd advise you to have a number of backup choices, since it's such a busy week. Then the member calls and makes the reservation; if it's available, you'll get it, if not, they'll either get you something from your list of backup choices, or contact you for further instructions if nothing from your list is available.

 

[thornton0511]

thank you guys for the info. We are planning to go from Fri, nov 29th- Sat dec 7th. There will be 6 of us (2 kids) and I was looking at 2 value studios at AKL and did not know if that was something that goes quickly or is already gone at this point and I need to just get another game plan. I was really hoping for free dining this year (never before have we been able to snag this promo) but it doesn't look hopeful so just looking at all the possibilities...sigh

 

[Deb & Bill]

thank you guys for the info. We are planning to go from Fri, nov 29th- Sat dec 7th. There will be 6 of us (2 kids) and I was looking at 2 value studios at AKL and did not know if that was something that goes quickly or is already gone at this point and I need to just get another game plan. I was really hoping for free dining this year (never before have we been able to snag this promo) but it doesn't look hopeful so just looking at all the possibilities...sigh

One thing to know is that studios never connect to other studios and they might even be far apart. So the kids will always have to have adults with them in the studios.

 

[Karabee]

I recently rented through David's Vacation Club rentals and it was great. Certain hotels will already be booked but a year out gives you a great chance. Others will have more than enough room. Not sure if you want to go through his company or find points through an individual but now that I've done it I don't think ill go any other way! It's too great of a deal to pass up. Just be aware any additions to your reservation will need to go through to owner. I found this to be fine and you're still able to make your own dining reservations so it was great.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

Stayatwdw is where we rented ours from. I liked that they were local as they are based in Orlando, they have a cancelation policy and you get a gift card for booking with them. They also got back to me right away. I had already booked my room with them by the time David's got back to me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Stayatwdw is where we rented ours from. I liked that they were local as they are based in Orlando, they have a cancelation policy and you get a gift card for booking with them. They also got back to me right away. I had already booked my room with them by the time David's got back to me.

There was another thread on the DVC Boards where someone was really unhappy with that company.

 

[SRiley1985]

thank you guys for the info. We are planning to go from Fri, nov 29th- Sat dec 7th. There will be 6 of us (2 kids) and I was looking at 2 value studios at AKL and did not know if that was something that goes quickly or is already gone at this point and I need to just get another game plan. I was really hoping for free dining this year (never before have we been able to snag this promo) but it doesn't look hopeful so just looking at all the possibilities...sigh

Well, if you are looking at Value studios at AKL you are probably out of luck. Since they are such a great points bargain, they usually go right at the 11 month mark from what I have been told. Since that is a really popular time, I would imagine they are probably gone because there aren't that many anyway. Also, you would have to rent from a member that owns at AKL in order to get a reservation at 11 months out.

 

[Robbi]

Although we haven't rented from Dave, I did look into it for my brother. They got back to me right away.
http://www.dvcrequest.com/

We are DVC members and were out of pts. for my brother and his family. Most members are honest but I would not risk renting directly. If I needed extra points for a trip, I would go through a broker because I'd be a wreck worrying about being ripped off until we checked in to the resort.

 

[Missyrose]

Like PP said, the value villas are typically the first to go, so you might already be out of luck. Budget for standard view and contact the broker ASAP!

 

[thornton0511]

One thing to know is that studios never connect to other studios and they might even be far apart. So the kids will always have to have adults with them in the studios.

That is good to know thank you

 

[thornton0511]

I recently rented through David's Vacation Club rentals and it was great. Certain hotels will already be booked but a year out gives you a great chance. Others will have more than enough room. Not sure if you want to go through his company or find points through an individual but now that I've done it I don't think ill go any other way! It's too great of a deal to pass up. Just be aware any additions to your reservation will need to go through to owner. I found this to be fine and you're still able to make your own dining reservations so it was great.

This is the site that I had been looking at. My only concern at this time is that I am trying to really do some research on this whole thing right now and not sure 100% that I would be ready to sign the papers and send off the money today. I also like to ask a lot of questions and not quite ready to send off $91 to check to see what is even available...just trying to weigh all the options right now

 

[thornton0511]

Well, if you are looking at Value studios at AKL you are probably out of luck. Since they are such a great points bargain, they usually go right at the 11 month mark from what I have been told.

I was afraid that would be the case seeing how it seemed almost too good to be true.

 

[thornton0511]

Although we haven't rented from Dave, I did look into it for my brother. They got back to me right away.
http://www.dvcrequest.com/

We are DVC members and were out of pts. for my brother and his family. Most members are honest but I would not risk renting directly. If I needed extra points for a trip, I would go through a broker because I'd be a wreck worrying about being ripped off until we checked in to the resort.

Thank you for the link
It's a little scary thinking about renting points so its good to know that going through a "middle man" is a better idea.

 

[kwdw]

Really - read the sticky about renting on the Rent/Trade Board before renting.

I've rented points from DVC members on the boards, from a friend, and now just rented through David's for an upcoming trip. All my experiences have been different - but so far - all have been very smooth.

You CAN get a cheaper price per point here through the rent/trade board than through a broker. That's awesome if you don't need alot of points and your dates are flexible. I went with David's this time because I wanted to get booked at 8 months out, I needed alot of points (over 350), and my dates were fixed. So - while I am paying a tad more per point than I might on a last-minute trip for myself - I also got the benefit of the service that using David's provides.

So - be an educated renter - really read alot before making a decision for yourself.

 

[thornton0511]

Really - read the sticky about renting on the Rent/Trade Board before renting.

So - be an educated renter - really read alot before making a decision for yourself.

will do thanks

 

[Snow Shoe]

Just an FYI...Davids rentals require you to pay the entire amount up front once the reservation is made for you.

 

[Tikihula]

One thing you can do is ask the person you are renting points from to tell Member Services that you need a "Travel With" number on your reservation. That means they will try to place your studios as close as possible to each other because you are "traveling with" the other people in your party. Many studios are lockoff portions of a 1-BR or 2-BR villa, so it's sometimes difficult to get studios right next to each other, although we have done it.

Of course, you can try requesting connecting or adjoining studios first, but since they can't guarantee that, also request a "travel with" number. Good luck!

P.S. David is a very reputable owner/broker.

 

[GATORinaZ28]

I attempted to rent DVC points for Animal Kingdom a few days ago for essentially the same dates (Nov29-Dec6). The Value Studios were unavailable, but at that time, there was availability at a Standard Studio. (May be gone now though). The problem I ran into was that neither service I was going to use to rent the points had the points available. I decided to stop looking at that point.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you get what you are looking for.