Can I really stay anywhere?

[Mary L]

I'm confused. I've read the FAQ but still don't get it. I can rent a DVC owner's points but stay anywhere? What's the catch?

 

[Cmbar]

Not sure I understand you question. You can stay anywhere by reserving with Disney. If you want to rent DVC points you can stay at the DVC hotels. In the Disney complex that is Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Villas Wilderness Lodge, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.

You can use some points for some of the other resorts, but it is not a good use of points, would be better to pay for the resorts!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Like the poster above said, yes, you can stay at other WDW hotels than the DVC ones, but it would most likely be cheaper to just reserve thru Disney and pay cash.

 

[DizneyNutz]

YES. Is the answer to your question. Now as the OPs have stated, this is where the story branches out. Staying at a DVC Resort takes less points to stay for the same amount of time than if you booked one of the other WDW Resorts. Here is where people really start to differ. I would not pay cash for any ressie then bank points because I didn't use them for the reservation. We joined DVC to enjoy the rest of our life together and the way we look at it is as long as we are staying where choose to on that trip, then they were not wasted to use. Now as far as someone renting you points to other than a DVC Resort (if you find someone willing) then I am sure the extra points value will be passed along to you as the renter in the rental price.

 

[CleveRocks]

DVC owners can use their annual points to stay at any DVC resort, not only their "home" resort. It's the same when they rent out their points to someone. Points are points. Each DVC resort has a different cost to stay there, whether that cost be cash or DVC points.

So you ask, "What's the catch?" There is no catch. You really truly can pay less money to stay at a DVC resort by renting points than you can by paying Disney the rack rate. In fact, you can often stay at a deluxe DVC resort (renting points) for less money than if you booked a moderate resort through Disney. The only tangible difference between staying on points is that there is VERY limited Mousekeeping service.

I really wanted to rent points for our November trip, but ended up not doing so. WHY? It made my wife nervous. Part of the process involves trusting that the DVC owner you rent from will follow-through with the transaction and not steal your money. I had no problem extending that trust, but my wife felt uneasy about it, and I couldn't bear months of my wife feeling uneasy about anything, much less a vacation that's supposed to be enjoyable.

In my opinion, renting DVC points is the exception to the rule, "If it's too good to be true it probably is." Renting DVC points IS "too good," but it is quite true. I'll do it with my next wife.

 

[bab31]

I wish I had looked into this before...hey I probably still can...just intimidating.

 

[Sammie]

Just know that this is a personal transaction between two individuals and you book with this person and pay this person. It involves a good deal of trust. You will not be able to call and confirm your reservation, so make sure you deal with someone you are comfortable with. You will not be dealing with Disney.

Most never have any problems but problems can arise. You might want to read some of the comments on the DVC forums.

The DVC member you book with controls your reservation, etc.

 

[Cmbar]

Just know that this is a personal transaction between two individuals and you book with this person and pay this person. It involves a good deal of trust. You will not be able to call and confirm your reservation, so make sure you deal with someone you are comfortable with. You will not be dealing with Disney.

Most never have any problems but problems can arise. You might want to read some of the comments on the DVC forums.

The DVC member you book with controls your reservation, etc.

I agree that this is a personal transaction. When we rent, we rent with people who have contracts that protect both parties. We have rented several times and in fact we now rent with just a few people since we have built a trust with them and they with us.

I disagree that you can't check on your reservation. Once the initial reservation is made by the owner, that reservation is in your name and you can and should check on it. You also will be the person to call and add dining and I believe Magical Express. I have called and adjusted names and room requests by calling member services directly.

It really isn't as intimidating as it seems!

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I disagree that you can't check on your reservation. Once the initial reservation is made by the owner, that reservation is in your name and you can and should check on it. You also will be the person to call and add dining and I believe Magical Express. I have called and adjusted names and room requests by calling member services directly.

It really isn't as intimidating as it seems!

As of recently, no one but a member may call member services. If you do not have the members name, number, and last 4 #'s of their social, MS will NOT discuss the reservation with you.

The member you rent from must make all calls to member services.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I disagree that you can't check on your reservation. Once the initial reservation is made by the owner, that reservation is in your name and you can and should check on it. You also will be the person to call and add dining and I believe Magical Express. I have called and adjusted names and room requests by calling member services directly.

It really isn't as intimidating as it seems!

Just this last month, calls to Member Services was limited to members only. So if you are not a member, you cannot call Member Services to check on your reservation. About four days before the start of your reservation, you can call the resort directly to check, but that is all. Non-members cannot add the dining package or initiate the Magical Express contact.

Only the member who controls the points can make these calls.

 

[crisi]

I wish I had looked into this before...hey I probably still can...just intimidating.

Another point is that DVC resorts book fairly quickly. They aren't generally great last minute choices - particularly if you are looking for Beach Club, Boardwalk or Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Also, in addition to limited mousekeeping and the private party deal, there is the cancellation deal - DVC members are subject to much different cancellation policies than CRO rooms have - which generally means that most DVC members have non-refundable contracts of some sort. (often half due up front - non-refundable, half due 60 days before the trip - non-refundable).

 

[Esmerelda]

We just stayed (with points) for the first time at WL then the Poly. All I can say is wow! We were treated like gold....I mean that in every sense of the word. Everyone we encountered were awesome.

While I can say, its not the best value with your points....it was surely nice for a change. We already made our next reservation for SSR, our home resort for next June. We really missed that kitchen and whirlpool tub! LOL... (SSR is truly our fav DVC resort....)

have a great stay wherever you go,
Esmerelda

 

[Ms. WDW]

Once the initial reservation is made by the owner, that reservation is in your name and you can and should check on it.

The reservation is never made in the name of the renter. It's made in the name of the owner and sent to the owner. The name of the renter is noted on the reservation.