1st time Renting Points!! Quick Question?

[Jrabbit910]

Hi Everyone,

So far from what I gathered, I need a certain amount of points for the week I would like to go to WDW & if someone has the points I can buy them for just the room but how would I be able to add on the dining plan or tickets ?

I would like to go ............................., traveling w/ 3 babies (4,3,2), I looked at the new Animation Suites but when I saw the one bedrooms at Deluxe resorts I thought that would be fun too? Please help me plan a wonderful first family trip!

 

[chalee94]

So far from what I gathered, I need a certain amount of points for the week I would like to go to WDW & if someone has the points I can buy them for just the room but how would I be able to add on the dining plan or tickets ?

technically, you cannot buy or rent "points" from a DVC owner. what you are doing is asking them to make a reservation with their pts and you are renting that reservation and compensating them based on how many pts they had to use.

since they still own the reservation made with their pts until you actually check in, you would need to have them add the DDP for you (and make any other changes or requests as needed, like adding DME bus service from the airport.) you would pay for the DDP when you add it (and it must be added by the DVC owner at least 48 hours in advance.)

there is no ticket requirement for DVC stays (with or without the DDP) so you can buy tickets from undercovertourist or mapleleaftickets to save a few bucks. you are on your own there.

there is some risk involved as you are dealing with an individual. payment plans and cancel policies (if any) are up to the individual DVC owner. if disney offers free dining, you are renting from an individual and not disney so that would not apply to you.

keep in mind also that DVC is a timeshare. as a result, housekeeping is very limited and pullout sofabeds are more common.

start by looking at the DVC resort pts charts linked above to calculate how many pts you would need. if you want to stay at an epcot resort (boardwalk villas or beach club villas), you would probably want to book 11 months in advance with an owner at those resorts if at all possible since you are looking during the food and wine festival.

there is a link above to "resorts" if you want to do more research on the different "disney deluxe villas" that make up the DVC resorts.

since you are not allowed to request a reservation on this board, please don't be too specific but feel free to ask general questions about how the process works.

 

[Jrabbit910]

TYSM Charles, I appreciate your help! My research will continue!

 

[JWG]

If you want to feel more secure in your renting of points you can use a 3rd party such as David's Rentals or The Timeshare Store. Then the fear of losing the reservation is less than through a member directly.

Though, we've had very (very) few complaints come out of the rent/trade board here. I've rented points from here without issue. True DVC fans seem to enjoy helping others plan their trips as much as planning their own .

In the future I'd be looking to transfer versus rent, but haven't shyed away from renting.

 

[cb1]

Hi,

I hope I am not highjacking this board as the question seems pertinent to the information being given...

As for points - does the dollar amount vary per vacation club owner based on the timeframe?

I did this 7 or 8 years ago and want to do it again - but have forgotten the procedure.

Thanks - and again - I apologize if my question is out of place.

 

[chalee94]

As for points - does the dollar amount vary per vacation club owner based on the timeframe?

everything about renting a reservation from a DVC owner can vary based on the owner - price, rules about cancellation options (if any), when payment is due, what forms of payment are accepted, etc.

prices for pts about to expire can decline - depending on the owner - but little or nothing could still be available to book so that is a risk you would take if waiting till the last minute. if you try to contact owners 3-4 months out, some may not even respond as it's not worth their time to call to check availability. you might find something at SSR (the largest DVC resort) on short notice for $7-$8 per pt, but you'll need to be very flexible.)

the nice thing about renting from a broker like david is that they help walk you through the process. underneath the surface, you are still renting from a DVC owner, though.

i would add for anyone confused about the "transfer" comment above, that transfers are not an option for non-DVC-owners.

 

[cb1]

Thanks Chalee - I really appreciate it!

 

[JimMIA]

As for points - does the dollar amount vary per vacation club owner based on the timeframe?

Yes and no.

The points required for a stay is the same for all owners.

However, the number of points vary with DVC seasons, and also with the days of the week. Some seasons are much more expensive, point-wise, than others and Friday or Saturday night stays are a little less than double the points cost of Sun-Thurs. In addition, points costs are higher (sometimes WAY higher) at some resorts compared to others.

If you check the DVC Points Chart linked at the top of the page, you can see the differences.

Since your cost is based on the number of points required for your reservation, there will be a variance based on when you go and where you stay -- and those differences could be large.

 

[JimMIA]

but how would I be able to add on the dining plan or tickets ?

As mentioned above, tickets are not required so you can buy them wherever you choose.

If you want the Disney Dining Plan, the owner you rent from will have to make those arrangements for you. DDP does NOT have to be added to your reservation at the time of booking; it can be added later, up to about 48 hours prior to your arrival. However, the DVC owner you are renting from will have to PAY for your dining plan when they arrange it. You will have to pay them directly, so the best way to do that is decide what you want, send them the money first, and then have them add the DDP.

Unlike most situations, if you are staying at a DVC resort on points, you are NOT required to purchase park tickets in order to get the dining plan.