Borrow or rent?

[colleen costello]

Hi everyone. Just wanted some opinions, please. My parents have decided to try to sneak in an extra WDW trip this coming November, for the week of Thanksgiving. Dad got some Emails from USAir that had some good rates on "packages" including airfare, tix and rooms at the Moderates.

I have suggested to Mom that we have been "spoiled" by DVC and that the Moderates may disappoint them. No kitchen, food court food, etc. I am preaching to the choir here -- you guys KNOW what I mean...

We don't have enough points to pay for this trip. Don't want to borrow TONS because we have our annual Spring Break trip planned in March 2004. I guess I want to know what you all think about renting. We could use our points for one studio and rent points for another (as long as they are available, of course). I know that points rent for about $10 apiece. For that rate, OKW would cost no more than Riverside!

Have any members rented when they needed "extra" or is that just silly? Is it a big hassle? My husband isn't even thrilled about this "extra" trip and I don't want a lot of grief. I am the family travel agent and if this backfires, they will all blame ME! Also, what are my chances of even getting 2 studios at OKW for this November? We'd like to arrive on Sunday and check out the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thanks for any advice.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Knowing that you are already planning another trip and with points going for $9-$10, I'd go with that...or you could even ask if someone is willing to transfer the "rented" points to you so that you can control them as you need them.

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks, ToyStoryFan... I had forgotten you could do that. Also, everyone -- one more question. I have read here that DVC members can "rent" rooms direct from WDW, and that there should be a 25% discount but it's hard to get. Can someone explain that? What number do you call to "buy" a room?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by colleen costello
I have read here that DVC members can "rent" rooms direct from WDW, and that there should be a 25% discount but it's hard to get. Can someone explain that? What number do you call to "buy" a room?

The 25% member discount is available only thru MS. It is not always available and is dependant on the point utilization for the dates you want. DVC's 1st priority is to accept points for every night. If they have reasonable assurance that a given date will not fill up using points, they can make the cash discount available.

At 11 months cash reservations are usually not available thru MS for any date, but may be at 6 months. MS will usually advise to call back around that time. The 6 month mark gives home resort owners and other members ample opportunity to reserve using points. If a date has traditionally been fully booked on points in the past, it's unlikely to be available with the discount at all.

Good Luck!

 

[Dean]

Do either this trip or next years include weekend days. If they do, paying cash for those days and using points for the rest will be the best and cheapest option. You could link the ressies and it's unlikely you'd have to change rooms. Good luck.

 

[colleen costello]

I called this afternoon and there ARE rooms available. With the discount, a studio will be $191 a night -- OUCH! Renting would be cheaper, except for the 25-point Friday right after Thanksgiving. I think we'll wait for codes...

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by colleen costello
I called this afternoon and there ARE rooms available. With the discount, a studio will be $191 a night -- OUCH! Renting would be cheaper, except for the 25-point Friday right after Thanksgiving. I think we'll wait for codes...

Talk to CRO and see what they have available. You could always make a cash ressie and cancel later if other options turn up that are better.

 

[colleen costello]

Dean, do you mean make a res at a regular resort thru CRO or at a DVC?

If I understand correctly, what folks here recommend is making a cash reservation at ??? resort, then calling back when and if codes appear and asking for a "price adjustment." Is this right? The economy is still bad so I bet there will be discounts in November but probably not until the end of summer. Correct? Waiting is frustrating. We want to stay somewhere reasonable as this is an "extra." But how do I know what will be "on sale?" Are there typically codes for all resorts or just a select few?

 

[mikesmom]

I don't think I'd count on codes for Thanksgiving Week. You might get lucky, but I'd be sure and have a backep ressie, just in case.

 

[colleen costello]

MikesMom, I fear you are right. I went over to Mousesavers and looked at "historical codes" or whatever they are called. Looks like there were codes in 2001 and 2002 AROUND Thanksgiving but not that actual week!

If I can convince my parents that renting is the way to go, I think that will be best. The room we want is only 73 points for the 6 nights. Renting would be way more reasonable than paying $191 a night plus tax (Disney's "discounted" rate).

Everyone, help -- what do I tell my Dad (a suspicious type) to make renting sound "safe?" Renting from someone here on the Boards sounds great to me... How do I convince the parents? Bottom line is I hope that I get to use the room we book with points and THEY get stuck renting...

 

[RobDoc]

Rent points from a member and have them transferred to your account- so you will have full control of the reservation.


Prior to 9/11, Disney rarely offered discounts from Oct-Dec each year. In recent history that has changed- but Thanksgiving week and Christmas week have still been relatively free of significant discounts except for DC.

Good Luck!

 

[poj7]

Any information on DVC or AP discounts in Feb? Historically, is there any way around paying rack rates?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by colleen costello
Dean, do you mean make a res at a regular resort thru CRO or at a DVC?

If I understand correctly, what folks here recommend is making a cash reservation at ??? resort, then calling back when and if codes appear and asking for a "price adjustment." Is this right? The economy is still bad so I bet there will be discounts in November but probably not until the end of summer. Correct? Waiting is frustrating. We want to stay somewhere reasonable as this is an "extra." But how do I know what will be "on sale?" Are there typically codes for all resorts or just a select few?

You could likely make a DVC reservation for that time through either CRO or MS. CRO might be cheaper but you'd have to call and see. Make it for the same unit size and resort as you plan to stay. That way you have a room and can look at other options later. Renting may be the cheapest but since it's likely to require either payment up front and/or be non refundable, it's a risk. Good luck.