Booking 2021 dvc

[sbvaldes]

I would love some advice from people who understand the world of DVC rental better than I do. I just got my quote for booking a split stay at beach club and poly for mid May of 2021. The quote was a little more than I expected but still more cost effective than booking through Disney. Because of COVID and booking such a far way out, our travel insurance looks like it will be around 330 which is no small number to our family who has lost a significant amount of our income due to the pandemic (not to mention shelling out the cash for half the stay) The questions my husband and I have right now are, should we wait until 7 months out for better rates? But will there be any availability closer since so many people will be rebooking? Would it be safer to just continue to wait and see how this all plays out and stay at a moderate instead for our next trip where we have more control over dates and canceling? Part of how we have coped with quarantine is planning our dream trip with our girls and so we are really hoping for our income to come back and disney to be back closer to normal so we can have something to look forward to. But we are also in the camp of people who don’t want to spend the thousands for mask wearing, no parades, fireworks, character meet n greats. Thanks for letting me ramble and for any advice you could offer!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Given the state of the rental industry, I would book a moderate with better cancel policies.

Your travel insurance likely does not cover pandemics. a lot have not.

I would look at the multiple threads about David's, for instance. But other agencies have been problematic as well.

Do you know:

The expiration dates of the points being used to book?
The use year of the points?
The agency's cancel policy?
All of the fine print of the travel insurance?

If it would hurt to be out the money, do not rent.

 

[icc2515]

Given the state of the rental industry, I would book a moderate with better cancel policies.

I Agree. Read the thread here about David's with 4K+ posts.

 

[sbvaldes]

We were going to go through dvc store since I had heard less than ideal things about David’s

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I think May 2021 is still very risky for renting DVC. Does your trip insurance explicitly cover pandemics? Does it cover if the parks are closed but resorts are open?

I also think renting a split stay is even riskier. You will have two owners who you have to work with if anything goes wrong like we've seen in 2020. One set of points might expire at a different time.

I agree with auroraborealis 100%. This is the year to book a FULLY refundable rate...even if that means downgrading accommodations. If we get another shutdown of any magnitude I just can't see the brokers surviving. If you are going to rent I would check out the rent board here. Many of the owners there have been willing to accommodate their renters as best they can versus the brokers it's been hit or miss...or voucher.

 

[Sandisw]

IMO, no one should get into a rental unless they are pretty okay with losing it all...at least right now.

Disney could very well come out with discounts next year that being it much closer to rental with a guaranteed get your money back situation

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We were going to go through dvc store since I had heard less than ideal things about David’s

DVC Store is not immune to the meltdown of the DVC rental agency model.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Definitely worth mentioning that if the parks are closed and the resorts open, you have no real options. Similarly, if the resort is open but the amenities are not? Same. BCV is opening without Stormalong Bay right now, and Poly isn't opening Ohana to start.

I would not assume parks to be back to "normal" even open. I don't think they go back to full operation for a long time. What does your dream trip entail? Does it include no masks, park ticket reservations, no character meets or parades, limited dining options?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Definitely worth mentioning that if the parks are closed and the resorts open, you have no real options. Similarly, if the resort is open but the amenities are not? Same. BCV is opening without Stormalong Bay right now, and Poly isn't opening Ohana to start.

I would not assume parks to be back to "normal" even open. I don't think they go back to full operation for a long time. What does your dream trip entail? Does it include no masks, park ticket reservations, no character meets or parades, limited dining options?

And if you book a stay renting points and the resorts have not returned to normal or the virus has picked up again, will you be willing to lose what you paid? Book only something you can cancel with Disney.