Hi, we rented points for Thanksgiving 2010. We rented at 7 months out.
Once i found a renter willing to rent points to me:
First, I asked for references and called each reference and asked how their renting experience went. Then, I visited the orange county website to make sure there was a property deed in the name of the renter. Third, I made sure that i got all contact information - name, phone number, and address of the renter. Fourth, I used Paypal to pay for the rent. But, I sent money only after i had received a confirmation number from Walt Disney Travel company which i verified with Disney. The renter mailed me the confirmation letter once she had received it.
I chose a renter here on the disboards- making sure they had been a member of the disboards for several years, had a high post count, and researched their prior posts specifically looking for posts concerning previous point rentals.
The renter usually determines the timing of payment. I paid for 1/2 the rent immediately and the other 1/2 thirty days before my reservation. The renter allowed me to cancel up to 30 days out. I believe a renter has to use or lose their points once the reservation is within 30 days.
My experience was great- I paid half the price that i normally would have and the resort that we stayed at treated us as if i we were DVC owners.
The negatives are:
1)having to plan and commit to your vacation come rain or shine so far in advance of your vacation.
2)Worrying about a renter cancelling the reservation which they could do because they have complete control of the reservation.
3)DVC resorts don't quite have the amenities and convenience of regular resorts. However, i would rather stay at a DVC than a moderate
4)All DVC studios, except OKW have a queen bed and a sleeper sofa instead of 2 queen beds.
5) once the reservation is made you can't change your mind about where to stay because availability at other DVC resorts most likelywill not exist. Once i start fine tuning my iternary i discover that staying at a different resort than i originally intended makes the most since.
We are not planning to rent points for our next vacation because i just can't commit to the vacation at this time. When you make reservations through Disney (instead from a renter)you are only required to make a small down payment with the balance due 45 days before your vacation. And cancellation is accepted. I have considered renting through dvcrequest.com but payment is due upfront and there again i feel commited to the reservation.
We did not do the dining plan when we rented points. I have mixed feelings about the dining plan. Its great for not going over your budget but bad for the restrictions that it imposes on familys that have children over the age of 9. I think they need to at least allow families to decide at the time of purchase whether they want a child or adult dining plan regardless of age.
