Buying DVC points for December 2017

[Brian256]

I'm new to this and wanted to look into buying some dvc points for myself and wife for another trip to Disney world. We just left and last Friday and want to go back next December. But I'm tired of staying at basic hotel rooms Disney has. There nice but I want to stay somewhere else . We took our son for his first time and It was great seeing Disney throw his eyes now I have to go back ASAP. Lol.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Do you mean "rent points," or do you mean "buy a DVC timeshare?" Buying DVC, depending on if you buy direct or resale, is a 25-50 year timeshare commitment with significant up-front costs and annual dues, and an assumption you are going to be taking annual vacations to Disney for 25-50 years.

When you "rent points" you are actually renting a reservation at a DVC resort made for you by a DVC member, who owns a DVC timeshare.

• The member will control the reservation until you check in.
• Your booking is generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for refund due to the restrictions of a timeshare booking by the owner.
• You will often need to pay in full up front, versus the $200/first night's stay deposit on a booking with Disney.
• Any changes, special room requests or adding the dining plan have to be done through the owner. Dining plans must be paid in full at the time that they are added to the reservation because that's the way that DVC works.
• Tickets, FP+ and ADRs are your own responsibility.
• DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. Aside from not getting daily housekeeping, you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at OKW. What you get in a studio is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. Some studios will also have a Murphy bed that is smaller than a twin bed that will accommodate a 5th person. Most 2BR units are a 1BR+a studio, so if you're looking at a bigger unit for a larger group, know the bed set up.
• You will have all of the advantages that any Disney resort guest gets (like EMH, access to the resort's theme pool, ADRs at 180+10, FP+ at 60 days prior to arrival, MBs) but none of the benefits that DVC members have (such as member discounts or events or Top of the World Lounge).
• You will not qualify for any additional Disney discounts. You also are unlikely to get any kind of upgrade (and should not ask for one, as the owner who made the reservation for you may be charged for it).
• Demand for DVC rental far exceeds the number of available units and owners willing to use their points for a rental. DVC is designed to be at or near 100% occupancy all year long.
• Your chances of getting exactly what you want are much greater if you have lined up someone, who owns at the resort that you are interested in booking, at least 11 months in advance of the day you wish to arrive. The probability of success goes down from there.
• DVC "busy season" does not align to what people think of as high season at Disney, and starts in late September and runs through marathon. Early December is the highest DVC demand period of the year, and requires 11-month booking at every near park resort for studios, and even then you may need to be flexible.
  
• A broker is a go-between between a renter and an owner. To meet your reservation request, they need an owner, with the right number of points, in the right use year, at the right resort -- AND the unit needs to be available. This can be a challenge to get alignment on.
• In general, as a renter do not expect to book Boardwalk Standard Studios or 2BR, BLT Standard Studios or 2BR units, Grand Floridian studios, or Animal Kingdom Value or Club Level units. You can ask, but have backup plans (and budget, in the case of the Standard/Value units).
• Renting from a DVC owner can get you staying at a deluxe resort, in a villa-type room, for less than a standard room at that resort would cost from Disney. But it is non-refundable.
• If there is any issue, Disney will not be a part of any fix, as your transaction is not with them.

David's DVC Rentals, a sponsor of the DIS, is a reputable broker. Private DVC owners list their points for rent on the DVC Rent/Trade Board.

 

[Lynne M]

If you're interested in buying DVC instead of renting from a member, check out our Purchasing DVC board.

 

[Disneypapa]

Wow, auroraborealis, what a great explanation of DVC rental options and spot on.

 

[Whitleigh]

I would like to rent points from a DVC member. Where can I find info on that? Thanks!

 

[PSUGuy]

I would like to rent points from a DVC member. Where can I find info on that? Thanks!

Here:


http://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-trade.29/

BTW, if you want to stay during a busy time you might have to reserve 11 months out. We stay at Board Walk during Food & Wine and 3 weeks after we get home from a trip we're reserving for next year. Last year our owner called at 7 in the morning the first day our window opened and got shut out of a standard studio unit, we had to 'settle' for a Pool View room. Now we're spoiled and went for a PV in 2017.

Bill From PA