Renting DVC points vs Pop Century

[KatherineDisney]

Hello Dis Members!

I am currently planning a trip for August. This trip is all about saving money, as we're doing a big trip in 2014 with extended family. There will be two couples, each getting our own hotel room. We priced out Pop and it is very doable, but I am not as thrilled with the motel feel. Has anyone rented DVC points before?

I am looking into renting a value studio at AKL. I know it will be small, but there will only be two of us in the room. The difference in price between this and Pop for 6 nights according to David's Rentals is small and I would gladly pay the extra for a better experience. I am a little nervous about renting points and am just looking for a little reassurance from someone who has done this.

Thank you so much in advance!
-Katherine

 

[chalee94]

i rented years ago - i didn't like the lack of control (if you need to add the DDP or add ME or make requests, you will probably need to contact david who will pass the information to the DVC owner who controls the reservation).

so i bought in. that works better for me.

if you want an AKV value studio, there are less than 20 total, so you really need to book that at exactly 11 months in advance.

the other downside of renting DVC is that there are typically no refunds. you need to plan well in advance and be able to follow through, or risk losing the payment.

also, understand that DVC is a timeshare stay, not a hotel stay. so a studio (other than studios at old key west) is set up with 1 queen bed + a pullout sofabed. you do get a kitchenette, which is nice. you do not get daily housekeeping on points stays (which i like since i'd rather not have other people in the room). and value studios are smaller than other studios so they can also be pretty cramped when you pull out the sofabed and try to figure out where to put the couch pillows...it's a great option for just a couple, though.

it is a great deal, so long as you understand the trade-offs. i love staying at jambo house and seeing the animals (some value villas have a parking lot view, some have savanna view - no requests are allowed, though).

 

[KatherineDisney]

I would want to use ME but no dining this trip. I don't think the lack of cleaning would bother me, my parents bought into DVC for trips with the whole family (grandchildren included) which is what we will be doing next year. I didn't realize there were so few value studios! I may need to rethink my options. I had toyed with off property, but I really don't want to rent a car when I will not be using it.

Thank you!

 

[SeniorWoodchuck]

DW and I used point rental to get an AKV Value Studio last spring for our 25th anniversary. We got a pool view, which was fine as the savanna view from that high up isn't much of a view and there are plenty of viewing ports in the hallways. (Only 4 out of 20 studios have a parking lot view; I think it's worth the gamble.)

We rented directly from an owner and had no problems. I'd think that renting through a broker would be even better for peace of mind, as you'd have someone to go to bat for you in case of a problem.

It is true that Value Studios tend to book at the 11-month mark (although people have lucked out later on), and refunds are extremely rare and frowned on. But if your plans are firm and you can get one, I'd definitely go for AKV. Our ME coach stopped at Pop on the way to AKL/AKV, and I was not impressed with the look of the place. AKL was one of the nicest hotels we've ever stayed at, for the appearance of the buildings and grounds and the quality and variety of food choices. I'll bet no one has ever said that about Pop.

 

[KatherineDisney]

I think if I were traveling with children I could justify Pop or AoA, but with four adults they seem a little energetic. Perhaps a standard studio at AKL would work too, it's still a minuscule difference given the big picture.

 

[nickymaria]

No question - AKL all the way. You're talking comparable square footage for a value vs. deluxe. NO comparison! AKL all the way!

 

[scottmel]

I am renting directly from a DVC person for this trip. 3 nights at OKW for 140 a night. Fantastic for my party of 3. Then I transfer to YC. I think it is so economical and yes I do feel like requests are out of my control or changes, etc. The nice renter did all my requests so there isn't anything more I could have done differently. I am really happy with the arrangement and feel I still get the deluxe feel at the mod price. DVC rental for you for sure!!!

 

[Barnhill9586]

We rented points twice last year for two separate trips. One to AKL and one to BC. We loved it and would do it again however we needed a bit more flexibility this year with dates just in case the kids snow days keep them in school longer than expected (currently we are scheduled to check-in the day after school gets out for summer) so we booked with Disney. If I could be 100% sure about the date I would rent points again definitely. As for AKL v. Pop there is no comparison. AKL hands down especially for the same price!

 

[ramsfootball92]

I rented points for my first 2 vacations as an adult and we also stayed a few days at a value at the beginnig of one of our trips. AKL hands down, especially if it's just adults. The atmosphere is wonderful!

 

[kpm76]

We own DVC now but before we bought in, we rented a few times with no issues at all. I would absolutely take a DVC studio anywhere over Pop. We have young kids and they actually like Pop, so we occasionally will stay a few nights before checking in to our DVC resort.

You said your parents bought in to DVC for bigger trips, does that mean they are owners or did they rent points? If they own, can you ask them to transfer in points and you rent from them? We've done this for family and it works well...

 

[binab]

I've rented points to stay in Deluxe studios twice and stayed at Pop once. I've loved every trip. Sounds like you are aware of the caveats of renting (lack of flexibility, mousekeeping), so I'd say go with the property that interests you most.

DD and I loved Pop, but it was a Mom and me trip and total Disney immersion was our mission. To me that is the main difference between the properties - Pop feels like an extension of the parks where as DVC feels more separated and subdued from them.

Happy planning!

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

We have rented points and ALWAYS get trip insurance due to the stricter structure of the transaction.

We have stayed at deluxe, moderate, value, and DVC. One of my husband's favorite resorts is POP. Our New Year's trip last year was at BLT, but we added one day at POP to make him very happy. I am not "over the moon" about POP, but like it well enough and have never felt like it was a Motel to me. It does have exterior doors, but is NOTHING like any Motel I have visited.

Like another poster mentioned, it feels very Disney, and immersive in the Disney experience. AKL is amazing, but it feels like a totally differnt world than Disney. You know your family best, which experience would you enjoy more?

So, given your situation, I would vote for AKL but my husband would vote for POP.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I rented points directly from an owner this past spring and stayed at Kidani. It was only about $100 more for our 5 night stay than it would have been at a value resort. Loved Kidani and it was WELL worth the extra $100.

I'd also expect that you will get a standard, the values go quickly at all the resorts.

The owner booked the Magical Express, and I made my own adrs. I didn't need the dining plan since I had gotten the TIW card.

 

[Julie711]

We rented points twice last year from 2 different people and had a great turnout. 1st stay was in a studio at AKL and loved it!! It was just 2 of us and we had plenty of room! We had a savannah view room in Jamboo house.
The 2nd trip was with our 2 kids & mother in law in a one bedroom villa at boardwalk, another great resort!! I would def rent the points, makes sense to have more space in a deluxe resort for a few more bucks!!
Have a good trip

 

[KatherineDisney]

I feel a little better knowing so many of you have rented points! I wish I could rent from my parents but they are banking points for our next trip, but renting from them in the future is another reason they bought into DVC.

I know the exact dates we will be going and will start the moves for AKL standard studio shortly. David's Vacation Club Rentals is recommended by All Ears, I liked the "safe" feel I got from protection of both parties. Has anyone used another means to find a member to rent?

 

[Amy&Dan]

If you can rent "safely" from David's or an owner you know/trust I would go for it.

I love Pop, but a nicer resort for just a bit more is hard to pass up.

The reason I don't rent is that we don't like studios for our family and I like daily housekeeping. I have also been lucky enough to get fd the last four trips, so paying a bit more for the room thru David's (which I hear nothing but great things about) and then paying for food for a family of four to stay DVC vs mod doesn't make sense.

All that said, in a few years dh and I will be empty nesters and a studio with a sofa will be ideal. And I won't need daily mousekeeping because my sloppy kids won't be with me! And fd won't be a great discount since it will be two of us!

So in your scenario, I would hands down do the rental.

 

[mariamouse]

No question - AKL all the way. You're talking comparable square footage for a value vs. deluxe. NO comparison! AKL all the way!

Agreed! NO contest.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

If you can afford it - defiantly go with the renting points. I think your family will enjoy it a lot more then staying at a value. Even though its a lot cheaper - the villas and deluxes are incredible!
I have never rented points before since I am a part of DVC.

The Villas are very nice. They all have great pools with slides and nice perks that come with staying there.

I think the cheapest out of the villas are OKW, SSR and maybe AKLV or (I have stayed at all three) WLV also might be pretty cheap.
I have also stayed at BC - which is my fav so far.