Best way to book rooms?

[Heidi P]

This is my first trip to Disney and I have learned so much from these boards!! I was wondering how most of you booked your reservation. Do you go directly through Disney? A travel agent? We're looking to get a 2 bedroom villa, but I'm not sure I feel comfortable (or even fully understand) renting points, etc... from DVC members. Any thoughts?

 

[tigergrad]

Renting DVC points would be a decision that only you could make. I have rented three times and have been very pleased and saved a good bit by doing so. We stayed last year at the Wilderness Lodge Villas, this June we will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel, and in November my adult daughters and I will be staying at Animal Kingdom Villas. I have had three great experiences renting from DVC members.

 

[jwfla422]

We always book a "room-only" reservation because we are passholders. We also book directly through WDW via CRO over the phone. This is the best way to get the most up to date discounts. Check mousesavers.com for any discounts that may be going on during the time frame you are planning to go and if there is a discount you may be able to use write down the code and be sure to mention it when you speak to a CM at CRO.

If you're not comfortable renting points to stay in a 2 bedroom villa then your best bet would be to book through CRO. Keep in mind depending on when you go the rate can be much higher doing it this way. We book studio rooms at SSR a lot and usually do this with an AP or FL resident special that is offered during the time we plan to go. Sometimes we are upgraded to a 1 bedroom villa which is very nice but we don't depend on that happening. 2 bedroom villas can be quite costly and they rarely run special rates on them through CRO.

Check out the DVC Rent/Trade board to learn more about renting points. Many guests book this way. We don't because we always like to have that last minute cancel possibility as an option otherwise we would take advantage of the option. We also like having control of our own reservation but otherwise renting points can be very cost effective.