A question about renting...

[beaubeau8853]

Hi -

I posted a simular post on the resort forum, but thought that you all may have additional information on my questions since you are the lucky DVC members!

My family and I (DH and DS) are thinking about going this December (the week before Christmas) and it seems like it would be a great deal if we could get a DVC rental, but I didn't know how it would be different from staying at a "regular" Disney hotel. I also don't know how difficult it is to get the ressies for that time of the year ( I may be waaaaay to late)...

This sounds silly, but do the CMs treat you the same as "regular" guests and how are the rooms compared to the hotel rooms. I know that you do not get daily maid service and you only get towels changed once a week, but what other differences are there?

Sorry if my questions sound silly, but I want this trip for my ds (he is 5) to be magical as we haven't been for two years (and we were off site for it - will NEVER do that again)!! I was lucky enough to grow up going to Disney and I want the same experiences for my son!

This is the first time I have asked questions about the DVC so I appologize if they seem silly and I greatly appreciate any insight and answers.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Not silly at all. You won't be treated differently than DVC members, or any other guest. You'll get "trash and towel" service on the 4th day, and a full cleaning on the 8th.

Honestly, that's about the extent of the "service" differences. If you stay in a studio, they're very comparable to the deluxe resorts, but if you stay in a 1BR, be prepared to be ruined for anything else. You won't believe the space. And with a 5 year old, you've got some excellent space for naptimes, a place to prepare breakfast and snacks ... it's just the best.

 

[PamOKW]

Some quick answers to get you started.....

You are treated like any other WDW guest -- maybe even a little better at a DVC resort. They also don't differentiate between members, guests of members, those paying cash and those who have made arrangements to use a members reservation.

The studios are equivalent to a deluxe hotel room with the addition of a kitchenette in the room. At OKW you will have 2 queen beds. The other resorts have a queen bed and sleeper sofa. A one-bedroom or larger blows away any other regular accomodation. A 1 bedroom has a king bed in the master suite and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room. You have a full kitchen and a washer/dryer.

If you are staying less than 8 nights, you will get Trash & Tidy on the 4th day. They give you new towels and empty the trash bins. (You can always empty the trash sooner at convenient places in every resort. Additional liners are in the cans.) If you are staying 8 nights, on the 4th day you'll get a full cleaning of the unit including changing the bed and on the 8th day you'll get the Trash & Tidy (the cycle continues every 4 days). You can pay for additional cleanings or for $6 you get an additional packet of towels for the entire unit. Washer/Dryers are free for studio guests and other guests have a w/d in the room itself.

The time you are talking about is difficult to reserve. However, it's very likely that a member holding one of these reservations may be looking to sell it as a rental. A member may also be able to book it for you.

There's a start -- keep asking away.

 

[PamOKW]

I just read your original post as well. You sound a little confused about how to book a DVC room. You can either book it directly with Disney just like you'd book any other WDW resort. If they have availability they'll take care of you. If you do it this way, you will have identical housekeeping service to staying in a Disney resort -- full cleaning every day.

The other option is to make a personal arrangement with a DVC owner. Details are on the rent/trade board. This is more like renting someone's vacation home. You agree to terms and the flexibility of cancelling is somewhat more limited. This type of arrangement involves a lot of personal trust between the two parties so try and get a feel for who you will be renting from. You will be staying as a "member" so you will have the more limited housekeeping.

Weigh the cost savings and your comfort level. Weekends are more expensive for members to rent to you (uses more of our points) so if you are looking at weekends, Disney may be more attractive to deal with directly.