Community post: DVC: rooms and point renting

Princess Jes

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 15, 2013
Hey guys and gals, I thought I'd ask here first because, well, I like you guys, and I trust your opinions and you're also probably the most seasoned and knowledgable on all things WDW on these here boards!

I'm wondering, have any of you stayed DVC (or any WDW room I suppose) and slept on the fold out sofa? What was that like in terms of quality of sleep? Can you feel the springs through the mattress? Are they squeaky every time you roll over?

Also, when renting points, have you done so on the boards (being the rentee or renter?) or have you done so through David's?
What was your experience like and pros/cons.

And one last thing: if you have 4 adults in a room, is there a surcharge like there is if you just book a room through Disney? (And yes, I know it's going to be cramped with 4 adults, but this may be the only way my friends can come with us, so we will deal with it)

I've only stayed by booking a vacation package (through Dreams!) and that was a breeze, (especially with the 30% discount on deluxe resorts!) but with the dollar the way it is, we are assessing our options, and point renting will be cheaper than staying moderate I think (unless a discount comes out but we can't bank on that and need to book in like, Jan/Feb and I'm fairly sure fall discounts aren't out by then?)
 
Jes -

I have been fortunate enough to stay at several DVC properties over the years, and to either have slept on sleeper sofas myself, or had company do so, and I can honestly say I've never had a problem personally, or herd any complaints. And I know when I slept on the sleeper in the living room of SSR a couple of years ago, I remember the sleeper sofa was a newer type, with no "bar in the back" like the old ones had. Matter of fact, I think the newer type is a "standard" at the DVC's, since I seem to remember seeing it at WLV and BCV too, if I'm remembering correctly.

I can also say that I'm quite sure David's would be awesome and safe, because I'm more than sure that the sites I know he advertises on and that recommend him would definitely thoroughly vet anybody they deal with.

I would also check out whichever DVC resort you're staying at - don't know if you're intending to do a studio or 1-bedroom - but I know in the past the types of beds available could be different at different resorts. For instance I know OKW used to have 2 queen sized beds in the studios (and the units are bigger, so I would suggest staying there if you're doing a studio with friends), and that's where I didn't feel cramped staying with friends (usually only 1 though). Other places (like SSR for instance) has a full-sized sofa bed and a queen bed int the studio, while the 1-bedrooms have the king in the master, and a queen sofa in the living area. And a lot of the DVC's also now have the "sleeper chairs" also. Just check to make sure wherever you're staying to make sure of the differences (if there are any now, it's been awhile since I've stayed DVC).
 
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Jes -

I have been fortunate enough to stay at several DVC properties over the years, and to either have slept on sleeper sofas myself, or had company do so, and I can honestly say I've never had a problem personally, or herd any complaints. And I know when I slept on the sleeper in the living room of SSR a couple of years ago, I remember the sleeper sofa was a newer type, with no "bar in the back" like the old ones had. Matter of fact, I think the newer type is a "standard" at the DVC's, since I seem to remember seeing it at WLV and BCV too, if I'm remembering correctly.

I can also say that I'm quite sure David's would be awesome and safe, because I'm more than sure that the sites I know he advertises on and that recommend him would definitely thoroughly vet anybody they deal with.

I would also check out whichever DVC resort you're staying at - don't know if you're intending to do a studio or 1-bedroom - but I know in the past the types of beds available could be different at different resorts. For instance I know OKW used to have 2 queen sized beds in the studios (and the units are bigger, so I would suggest staying there if you're doing a studio with friends), and that's where I didn't feel cramped staying with friends (usually only 1 though). Other places (like SSR for instance) has a full-sized sofa bed and a queen bed int the studio, while the 1-bedrooms have the king in the master, and a queen sofa in the living area. And a lot of the DVC's also now have the "sleeper chairs" also. Just check to make sure wherever you're staying to make sure of the differences (if there are any now, it's been awhile since I've stayed DVC).
Thanks Heide!!!
I've already worked out the 3 DVC resorts that have a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa, because though we are both small, I'm not sharing a double bed with hubby! We did that for a few years and I think I got about 7 hours sleep in 18 months! Lol
We have a king at home so a queen already feels close
The 3 resorts are: OKW: 2 queens in studio
Poly: 1 queen bed, 1 queen sofa in studio
The grand: same as poly
If it comes down to money, it will be OKW (76 pts), if we can get in to the poly, then that's 118pts, and the grand is 125pts, so all cheaper than 2 studios at BWV (76pts each)
We wanted BWV or BCV for the proximity to Epcot, but if it's a matter of not going, I can deal with OKW.
 
And yes, I trust that David's is reputable site, Pete wouldn't associate himself and his businesses with David's if it weren't.

I'd be worried about the anonymity of the boards, but it is much cheaper.

I know with David's there are no changes allowed, is that the case with all DVC bookings or just something David's imposes due to the time and mucking around it would entail?
 
Thanks Heide!!!
I've already worked out the 3 DVC resorts that have a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa, because though we are both small, I'm not sharing a double bed with hubby! We did that for a few years and I think I got about 7 hours sleep in 18 months! Lol
We have a king at home so a queen already feels close
The 3 resorts are: OKW: 2 queens in studio
Poly: 1 queen bed, 1 queen sofa in studio
The grand: same as poly
If it comes down to money, it will be OKW (76 pts), if we can get in to the poly, then that's 118pts, and the grand is 125pts, so all cheaper than 2 studios at BWV (76pts each)
We wanted BWV or BCV for the proximity to Epcot, but if it's a matter of not going, I can deal with OKW.
I can tell you - I would highly recommend OKW over the Grand and Poly, especially with the 4 adults, hands down. And like you said, the point difference is also pretty huge. You can also park right near your unit, and the atmosphere is so "laid back" and "at home" that you truly feel like you are. And the boat ride to Disney Springs is also a plus!
 
I can tell you - I would highly recommend OKW over the Grand and Poly, especially with the 4 adults, hands down. And like you said, the point difference is also pretty huge. You can also park right near your unit, and the atmosphere is so "laid back" and "at home" that you truly feel like you are. And the boat ride to Disney Springs is also a plus!
We won't have a car, so that's not too much of a plus to us.
The proximity of the poly is hard to resist, and having only stayed at the YC, I've become accustomed to certain luxuries ;-)
Lol, but seriously, I'd said that we'll probably stay at OKW or the poly at this stage.
If the BCV/BWV had a queen fold out in the studio, we wouldn't have a problem! Lol

So, is there a surcharge for 4 adults in a DVC room? Or is it just the room rate regardless of the configuration as long as you've only got the allowed amount of people
 
We won't have a car, so that's not too much of a plus to us.
The proximity of the poly is hard to resist, and having only stayed at the YC, I've become accustomed to certain luxuries ;-)
Lol, but seriously, I'd said that we'll probably stay at OKW or the poly at this stage.
If the BCV/BWV had a queen fold out in the studio, we wouldn't have a problem! Lol

So, is there a surcharge for 4 adults in a DVC room? Or is it just the room rate regardless of the configuration as long as you've only got the allowed amount of people
As far as I know, you are not charged the "surcharge" in the DVC resorts - I tried to look around for you, and the small amount of research I did didn't clearly say one way or another, while it did show "surcharges" at other resorts.
 
As far as I know, you are not charged the "surcharge" in the DVC resorts - I tried to look around for you, and the small amount of research I did didn't clearly say one way or another, while it did show "surcharges" at other resorts.
Thanks Heide, you're a doll.
 
Heide is correct. There are no surcharges like you would have with a normal room rental. You can reach the occupancy limit however you would like. The Poly rooms are a little larger than OKW. The split bathroom could also be a big advantage with four adults. The Poly studios are supposed to be a little limited on storage space. We're staying in a Poly studio for the first time in a week.
 
We have rented from people on the boards and from David's. I will be honest, I'm usually pretty nervous renting from individuals but I've had good experiences so far. We used an individual for our trip this summer and David's for our upcoming trip in November. The cons of renting from an individual is that if you have someone who is dishonest, you have no recourse. I doubt that's been a huge problem on these boards though. The foldout sofa isn't too bad but I've only done it a handful of times and that's when my son wouldn't sleep in the bed by himself. No surcharges for extra people in the room. You just aren't allowed to have more people than the stated room limit. For example a 2BR villa may hold 9 total per the WDW site so you can't bring 10 into the room.
 
Heide is correct. There are no surcharges like you would have with a normal room rental. You can reach the occupancy limit however you would like. The Poly rooms are a little larger than OKW. The split bathroom could also be a big advantage with four adults. The Poly studios are supposed to be a little limited on storage space. We're staying in a Poly studio for the first time in a week.
Thanx for the clarification, cslittle. Wow - the studios at Poly are even bigger than OKW? Awesome, they must be HUGE! I am jealous of your upcoming stay there - enjoy, enjoy, ENJOY!!!
 
The Poly rooms are a little larger than OKW. The split bathroom could also be a big advantage with four adults. The Poly studios are supposed to be a little limited on storage space. We're staying in a Poly studio for the first time in a week.
If we can swing the little bit extra $ and can even get a res at the poly, id prefer to stay there, purely for proximity and the monorail (which I didn't get to go on last time) but if it comes down to going or not going, i'll definitely compromise!
If it's just hubs and I, we will most likely go with BWV due to location and the std room being the same price as OKW, but because it doesn't have a queen fold out, its not a contender for 4 of us. the boardwalk just lends itself so well to a group of adults in terms of the wonderful dining options.
and of course, if we go to the poly, I know we will spend quite a bit of time during those nights when no parks are open past 7:30pm and its still lovely and warm at night.

We have rented from people on the boards and from David's. I will be honest, I'm usually pretty nervous renting from individuals but I've had good experiences so far. We used an individual for our trip this summer and David's for our upcoming trip in November. The cons of renting from an individual is that if you have someone who is dishonest, you have no recourse. I doubt that's been a huge problem on these boards though. The foldout sofa isn't too bad but I've only done it a handful of times and that's when my son wouldn't sleep in the bed by himself. No surcharges for extra people in the room. You just aren't allowed to have more people than the stated room limit. For example a 2BR villa may hold 9 total per the WDW site so you can't bring 10 into the room.
I think with the range of people davids can source from, getting a res might be easier and less hassle, but if its a matter of a few hundred dollars, it may be worth going through someone here.
and I'd have to look into it, but if a contract is completed and payment made via paypal, I would say there should be recourse should something go awry. the issue becomes getting somewhere to stay if it falls through at the last minute. but that's what travel insurance is for!
 
I think with the range of people davids can source from, getting a res might be easier and less hassle, but if its a matter of a few hundred dollars, it may be worth going through someone here.
and I'd have to look into it, but if a contract is completed and payment made via paypal, I would say there should be recourse should something go awry. the issue becomes getting somewhere to stay if it falls through at the last minute. but that's what travel insurance is for!

Actually an individual is probably easier since you work directly with them and get answers faster. However David's has a degree of protection that many find worth the additional $$. Sure the person could screw David's over as well but you don't lose if that's the case. As far as paying through Paypal, I don't think they cover paying for time share rentals through them. I believe I read that somewhere on the site before. So that being said, there's probably nothing you can do. I'm not trying to scare you though. We have gone through individuals numerous times and it's gone well. The savings can be nice especially if the renter is trying to come off them quickly. Just take a look at the DVC rental boards and read the stickies. They try to help point you in the right direction on renting from individuals.
 
Actually an individual is probably easier since you work directly with them and get answers faster. However David's has a degree of protection that many find worth the additional $$. Sure the person could screw David's over as well but you don't lose if that's the case. As far as paying through Paypal, I don't think they cover paying for time share rentals through them. I believe I read that somewhere on the site before. So that being said, there's probably nothing you can do. I'm not trying to scare you though. We have gone through individuals numerous times and it's gone well. The savings can be nice especially if the renter is trying to come off them quickly. Just take a look at the DVC rental boards and read the stickies. They try to help point you in the right direction on renting from individuals.
In some cases, the individual prices are only $1 less than David's, so in that case, I think it's worthwhile going through David's.
I'll look more into it closer to the end of the year once we have flights in Jan we will book. Because you can't move it once booked, we need to do flights first
 
We rented points (not through David's but through a similar company). It was a breeze. It was nice being able to look at the point charts, decide how much we were comfortable spending, and then choose a resort. We ended up with a split stay - 3 nights at AKL in a studio and 3 nights at the Poly in a studio. I'll report back in a month. We won't be sleeping on the sofa as there is just 2 of us but I can't imagine it's too bad! I think it would be fun to stay at a DVC studio with friends. We did 4 adults in a room at POFQ last March and it wasn't bad at all in my opinion.
 
We rented points (not through David's but through a similar company). It was a breeze. It was nice being able to look at the point charts, decide how much we were comfortable spending, and then choose a resort. We ended up with a split stay - 3 nights at AKL in a studio and 3 nights at the Poly in a studio. I'll report back in a month. We won't be sleeping on the sofa as there is just 2 of us but I can't imagine it's too bad! I think it would be fun to stay at a DVC studio with friends. We did 4 adults in a room at POFQ last March and it wasn't bad at all in my opinion.
If you get a chance to have a look at, maybe sit/lay on and maybe take a couple pictures of the fold out in the poly, I'd be very grateful!
 
I've never tried the sofas but I have heard good things on several posts that some are VERY comfortable ...not sure what resort that was. I've rented from DIS members before I owned DVC, and have rented my points at least 6 times with no issues. If you don't go with David's, check user profiles to be sure the renter is active, ask for recommendations, and sign a contract -you should be good. I usually ask for people to pay me through PayPal for convenience and most people are comfortable with it. Good luck!
 

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