How many of you rented DVC pts over booking Disney direct? Share your experiences.

KJO516

Earning My Ears
Joined
Aug 27, 2015
Seriously considering renting a Villa through a broker, like David's. We are solid in our plans, and will likely buy insurance, but want to hear more from you on what your experiences have been, how many of you frequent posters choose this option, do you repeat, etc.

We are new and just want to gather more info before proceeding.

Thanks!
 
We have used the rental of points for our last 4 trips (and an upcoming 5th). It is a no-brainer to save some $$. We have done both private rentals and through David's with no issues at all. Just educate yourself on the various "seasons" and point requirements to get an idea of pricing. For popular events - like the F&W - we booked with our "landlord" at 11 months to get the resort and dates we wanted. You may need to be a bit flexible in dates, these are not usually for last minute. You say you are solid in your plans but points may not be available for the times you want depending in how far in advance you want to book.
 
We have been renting for ten years now, taking 14 trips, with 2 more planned within the next 6 months. Each time we have rented from owners on the boards here. We have never had a problem, (fingers crossed, knock wood...don't want to jinx it!). We love being able to stay at a deluxe resort for close to a value price, as we travel normally in September and January when the points cost are lowest.
Used to be we took a lot of Sunday thru Friday trips to keep costs as low as possible, but now we tend to go mid week for 6 or 7 nights, as flight prices from philly have been so cheap, $62 each way for our January trip!
When we first started renting we had no access to our reservation, so it was a bit nerve wracking not knowing if our room would be there when we arrived, as the owner has total control and can cancel if they are dishonest. Seems this is a rare occurrence, but hard to know for sure. Now with MDE it is comforting to be able to see the proof at any time.
Some people seem to not like the fact that there is no daily housekeeping. This we don't mind at all. Even at other hotels where we can get it, we normally put the privacy sign on the door all day. I'd rather not have anyone in my room, and don't mind straightening up for ten minutes a day to save a ton of money!
We have stayed value a few times as well, but usually when we get a great package deal with free dining. Otherwise renting is the way to go. Good luck if you choose to do so!
 
Our last 3 stays have all been point rentals and it is really the only way we prefer to travel as a family of 5. We have had no issues at all! This upcoming trip was a last minute so I had to book direct and was just amazed at the price difference...I mean our VGF studio last Thanksgiving for 6 nights cost us less than a AKL room for 4 nights. I love having access to laundry for free, even if you are in the studios. Definitely why we typically plan much further in advance.
 


We loved renting!! We rented for the last 6 years and finally bought into dvc this past year. I love being able to have more space, and stay in deluxe accommodations for value pricing.
 
We just got into the renting of points from a broker.....only way to go but snagging the resort you want can be tough....savings is substantial ...use used the DVC rental store..

We do studios, lack of housekeeping doesn't concern us....housekeeping hasn't been top notch for years and whatever our needs or issues, we approach someone in the halls to satisfy our needs....
 
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We rented points from an individual I found on the Disboards for our first three week-long Disney vacations. I rented from the same person all three years, and everything was fine. But I found that I didn't like having more control over my reservation (not only being able to make changes, but being able to add DME, the dining plan, etc.). Plus, as the amount charged per point increased, I found that making a reservation with a good room-only discount was pretty close to the amount we were paying to rent points anyway. We did our first week-long cash stay this past December and I much preferred it. It was nice getting full housekeeping service every day, and it helped that we were given a free upgrade from a 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom unit, which I'm certain would not have happened with a rented points stay. Since I can rent a villa for cash through Disney at about 11 months out, I wasn't as limited in my options as I was with renting points.

So, having done both, I much prefer to go the cash route through Disney. When we were there in December, I was able to book our villa for our upcoming trip via the Bounceback offer that was in place at the time, which was a 35% discount. So we're staying in a one bedroom at VWL during October for $350/night. David's charges $14/point for rentals not more than 7 months in advance, and $16/point for rentals 7-11 months in advance at VWL (and other resorts). I booked this room 10 months in advance, so my Bounceback rate is actually better than what I would have paid to rent points through David's.
 


Rented twice and found David's DVC very easy and the price is amazing! You need to do your homework, be sure about your dates, and get the trip insurance. 4 days in a studio at BWV in Sept for $500 is not going to happen any other way. They have always been able to meet requests and answer questions. Calling WDW was no problem - CMs answered questions just as if we booked thru site. We've done FP+, ADRs, Magicbands... all the same. Magic Express is also available to us. I have never felt I didn't 'have control' over the res and couldn't think of anything I'd need to change. Good luck with whatever you choose and have fun :)
 
Rented twice and found David's DVC very easy and the price is amazing! You need to do your homework, be sure about your dates, and get the trip insurance. 4 days in a studio at BWV in Sept for $500 is not going to happen any other way. They have always been able to meet requests and answer questions. Calling WDW was no problem - CMs answered questions just as if we booked thru site. We've done FP+, ADRs, Magicbands... all the same. Magic Express is also available to us. I have never felt I didn't 'have control' over the res and couldn't think of anything I'd need to change. Good luck with whatever you choose and have fun :)

For this upcoming trip, we needed to change the dates of our trip. That was handled with a phone call to Disney. If I'd rented points, that wouldn't have been possible. I would be at the mercy of the DVC owner to allow the change.

You can call Disney for general vacation-related questions, but any questions about your room reservation need to be handled by Member Services, and if you're not the DVC member, they won't speak to you.

There is no question that renting points gives the guest less control over their room reservation. That is the #1 most frequently cited "con" of renting points.
 
I have done so twice in the past and I did it again this year - going in 11 days. I've never used Dave's but I have rented through owners on this board. No issues whatsoever. As others stated - you get a deluxe resort for a moderate, even VALUE price. I'm getting a standard studio at AKV for $144 a night. Unbelievable..couldn't even get a moderate for that price. You do need to be locked down and 100% sure you are going, so it's a tad of a gamble. I've never felt I didn't have "control" - I guess I've been lucky with nice owners who were very very helpful. It's worth it to me for the $$$ alone.
 
Can the DVC owner request room locations for you, or is your only option to ask at check-in? We like to stay at OKW (which I assume is easier to book renting points than newer DVC resorts), but we like particular buildings. Booking through Disney they will note that, and we have been lucky.
 
Can the DVC owner request room locations for you, or is your only option to ask at check-in? We like to stay at OKW (which I assume is easier to book renting points than newer DVC resorts), but we like particular buildings. Booking through Disney they will note that, and we have been lucky.

They can request them yes, but they are not guaranteed. If you want to be near the Hospitality House, keep in mind that is a separate booking category.
 
As far as renting points, we do this on most of our trips but not always. For a studio, it's typically a no brainer...a huge savings. Last year we stayed at AKV for $117/night! For expensive 2-3 bedrooms (BLT, THV) it's also usually a better deal. We stayed in the Treehouses last year for around $300/night renting points. For 1 bedrooms and some 2 bedrooms, it's not always cheaper, especially since points have gone up recently. When we started renting in 2009, most points were $10. Now, they are closer to $14 and sometimes higher. We always rent from individuals mostly bc the brokers charge more. We have a trip planned for next April and would like a 1 bedroom at OKW. Renting at $12/point, it's around $3000 and that's IF I can find someone to rent at $3000. Via Disney, I'm hoping we can get a bounce back for 35% off when we visit in December...this makes it right around $3000 as well. We then get housekeeping and can cancel/change if needed. We love renting points, but you really have to take each situation separately to know if it's the best deal for you.
 
I've been renting points for a little over 2 years both directly from individuals whom I know and via another broker that I can PM you! Last December I stayed at Kidani for $150/night--the rate at the value WITH AP DISCOUNT was $132!!! I got to WDW 4x/year and 2x I will stay values and 2x I will rent points.
 
Seriously considering renting a Villa through a broker, like David's. We are solid in our plans, and will likely buy insurance, but want to hear more from you on what your experiences have been, how many of you frequent posters choose this option, do you repeat, etc.

We are new and just want to gather more info before proceeding.

Thanks!
We recently booked several days at Saratoga Springs through Dave's. It was very inexpensive, a smooth transaction, and totally easy. We are looking forward to doing it again.
 
I've rented points the last few trips. I get a studio and it's always a lot cheaper even with the 35% discount on a regular room. I don't mind the lack of housekeeping. I rent from an individual I found here on the Disboards for a bit less than David charges. The one downside is not being able to cancel or change the room if you need to, but I find being able to stay deluxe for a value rate well worth the tradeoff.
 
I have done so twice in the past and I did it again this year - going in 11 days. I've never used Dave's but I have rented through owners on this board. No issues whatsoever. As others stated - you get a deluxe resort for a moderate, even VALUE price. I'm getting a standard studio at AKV for $144 a night. Unbelievable..couldn't even get a moderate for that price. You do need to be locked down and 100% sure you are going, so it's a tad of a gamble. I've never felt I didn't have "control" - I guess I've been lucky with nice owners who were very very helpful. It's worth it to me for the $$$ alone.

As far as renting points, we do this on most of our trips but not always. For a studio, it's typically a no brainer...a huge savings. Last year we stayed at AKV for $117/night! For expensive 2-3 bedrooms (BLT, THV) it's also usually a better deal. We stayed in the Treehouses last year for around $300/night renting points. For 1 bedrooms and some 2 bedrooms, it's not always cheaper, especially since points have gone up recently. When we started renting in 2009, most points were $10. Now, they are closer to $14 and sometimes higher. We always rent from individuals mostly bc the brokers charge more. We have a trip planned for next April and would like a 1 bedroom at OKW. Renting at $12/point, it's around $3000 and that's IF I can find someone to rent at $3000. Via Disney, I'm hoping we can get a bounce back for 35% off when we visit in December...this makes it right around $3000 as well. We then get housekeeping and can cancel/change if needed. We love renting points, but you really have to take each situation separately to know if it's the best deal for you.

How did you both manage to get a price that low? Was it value season or what price did the owner rent the points for?
 
We rented points through Davids a few years ago. I felt more comfortable doing it through a company than an individual, even though I know we paid a bit more per point. It was super easy to do. The hardest part was having to pay the entire room cost in full at booking. And also the fact that once booked, you can't really change it. We had certain room location requests we wanted, and the people at Davids contacted the person we were renting from and they called and made the request (which was granted at check in, so we were lucky!). Our last trip, in April, our youngest was 2 so still didn't count in disney's eyes. Now that he's three and we are officially a family of 5 to disney, we'll probably be renting more often. Just not sure if I'm ready to rent through an individual yet.
 
How did you both manage to get a price that low? Was it value season or what price did the owner rent the points for?

For the AKV trip, it was a value studio that the owner had booked and couldn't use so kinda lucked into that. The THV reservation was from someone renting for $9/point which you usually see more last minute but it was right at 11 months out...I think he or she just really needed $ and wanted to rent fast.
 

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