Confused on Renting!

[Shonte Durrett]

Okay, I get the concept......... I think?

Will Disney know all my details when we arrive?
I can still do Disney Dining Plan, Memory Maker, and purchase tickets?
Is it really cheaper than a direct package from Disney? --- with their discounts?


Do I purchase (rent) from the owner or one of those DVC rental sites and then call Disney with my rental info and add tickets, dining, etc?

Will I get a Refillable Mug? LOL>..... Deal breaker if not! hahaah

 

[Madteaparty001]

Yes Disney will know the details, yes you can still add DDP, MM, and buy tickets, yes it's cheaper.

The owner of the points is the middle man between you and Disney, if you want to make a change to your reservation the owner has to do it. If you want to add the DDP the owner has to do it. If you want to add MM or tickets you can do that on your MDE account, the owner should give you a reservation number which you can link to your MDE account. The reservation should be made in your name.

 

[CMNJ]

Okay, I get the concept......... I think?

Will Disney know all my details when we arrive?

Yes you will get the reservation # from the DVC owner and link that to your my Disney experience account so that you can make fast passes, do online check in, etc.

I can still do Disney Dining Plan, Memory Maker, and purchase tickets?
Yes you would buy memory maker and tickets right from Disney. However the dining plan would have to be added by DVC owner (they can do it over the phone with member services or online through their DVC account) and you have to arrange payment with them not Disney. They are also the one to add magical express if you want that too.

Is it really cheaper than a direct package from Disney? --- with their discounts?
Depends-you need to do the math and compare based on what kind of discount Disney is giving you and if you planned on staying at a deluxe resort or were happy staying at a value resort.

Do I purchase (rent) from the owner or one of those DVC rental sites and then call Disney with my rental info and add tickets, dining, etc?
See my answers above

Will I get a Refillable Mug?
Yes if you book the dining plan through an owner
LOL>..... Deal breaker if not! hahaah

Sorry just saw someone posted at the same time

 

[tjkraz]

...yes it's cheaper.

It is USUALLY cheaper for comparable accommodations.

Every once in a while Disney promos will drive down room prices so that buying a discounted package is cheaper. Free dining promos come to mind. (Though admittedly I don't follow those promos as closely as I used to.)

And if you're open to lesser accommodations, again the promos can be beneficial. Booking a Value or Moderate resort with a promo can be cheaper than renting points for Deluxe/DVC. Many people subscribe to the idea that a room is just somewhere to sleep and shower, and aren't willing to pay extra for the Deluxe experience.

Just a few footnotes to add.

Renting also has a host of limitations all its own. Reservations are typically 100% non-refundable, non-cancellable. Vacation insurance options are available but in lieu of that, when you rent, you're normally stuck with the booking no matter how life may intervene. And availability can also be an issue since many of the more popular DVC destinations are apt to fill up more than 7 months prior to arrival.

That said, renting points is often a great way to save money on DVC resort stays.

 

[Madteaparty001]

It is USUALLY cheaper for comparable accommodations.

Every once in a while Disney promos will drive down room prices so that buying a discounted package is cheaper. Free dining promos come to mind. (Though admittedly I don't follow those promos as closely as I used to.)

And if you're open to lesser accommodations, again the promos can be beneficial. Booking a Value or Moderate resort with a promo can be cheaper than renting points for Deluxe/DVC. Many people subscribe to the idea that a room is just somewhere to sleep and shower, and aren't willing to pay extra for the Deluxe experience.

Now the free dining promotion requires you to buy a certain number of park hopper tickets for everyone on the reservation, that makes free dining not as money saving as it used to be. If comparing a room discount at a deluxe to a DVC rental the rental will win out when looking at today's prices, sure 10 years ago, even 5 years ago, it could be a toss up, but not really anymore.

I do agree that free dining at a moderate may be equal or better, but then the OP is a family of 6, so that limits the options, plus they would actually have to count on getting one of the fewer and fewer available free dining promos. On top of that we're no longer comparing equal accommodations, moderate does not equal a deluxe resort, just like a value doesn't equal a moderate.

 

[Shonte Durrett]

I am not too concerned where to stay as we love them all! I would like to stay at a moderate (more so a DVC rental) since we have only stayed at Value for the previous visits. Now I have a larger family and it's all about comfort at bedtime & price. What we can get for the less price.

My toddler will almost be 3 when we go. She needs her own space to sleep. I can sleep with her but there isn't enough room for DH. ex: looking at Caribbean Beach will fit up to 5 adults. 2 queen beds(1 for hubby & I then 1 for DD15 & DD12), then the pull out twin for DD13.....DD2 will NOT sleep in those play pen/ pack n play things.... Only thing I can think of is get a roll-away bed. Then DD15 can sleep with DD2. Then DD12 can have the roll-away. I have no clue!!!! agh!! haha

For me.... It's all about sleeping arrangements and price! If I can get a DVC rental for the same as the Caribbean... I would totally do that!

 

[kristenrice]

I am not too concerned where to stay as we love them all! I would like to stay at a moderate (more so a DVC rental) since we have only stayed at Value for the previous visits. Now I have a larger family and it's all about comfort at bedtime & price. What we can get for the less price.

My toddler will almost be 3 when we go. She needs her own space to sleep. I can sleep with her but there isn't enough room for DH. ex: looking at Caribbean Beach will fit up to 5 adults. 2 queen beds(1 for hubby & I then 1 for DD15 & DD12), then the pull out twin for DD13.....DD2 will NOT sleep in those play pen/ pack n play things.... Only thing I can think of is get a roll-away bed. Then DD15 can sleep with DD2. Then DD12 can have the roll-away. I have no clue!!!! agh!! haha

For me.... It's all about sleeping arrangements and price! If I can get a DVC rental for the same as the Caribbean... I would totally do that!

Look into a 1BR at OKW. There is only 1 bathroom, but plenty of space for an air bed.

 

[sndral]

When you rent points you are entering a contract between you and the owner of DVC whom you are renting from. If you use a broker, such as David's - a DIS sponsor, or deal directly with the DVC owner you do not deal with Disney about your villa, your dinning plan or DME if you want them - the owner must add those items. You can buy your park tickets separately through Disney or through a 3rd party vendor.
Whether you'll save money depends on the size villa you want, the resort you want to stay in, the view and the time of year v. the cost of the room Disney would rent to you minus any discounts Disney is offering. You really have to crunch numbers to know. David's site has a great cost calculator for prices of DVC rentals.
Not sure most 1 br.s would meet your bed needs - there's a king bed in the bedroom, a sleeper sofa in the living area and some have a sleeper chair or pull down Murphy bed. Not sure what OKW has. They have Pac n plays in the closet. A 2 br. would work great - but they require renting a lot of points and likely would cost more than moderates. Have you considered the family suites at AOA or ASM?
Most but not all DVC rentals require all of the money upfront, and even using a broker you are trusting that the DVC owner will keep their membership in good standing, if they don't the reservation can be canceled.

 

[Dean]

I am not too concerned where to stay as we love them all! I would like to stay at a moderate (more so a DVC rental) since we have only stayed at Value for the previous visits. Now I have a larger family and it's all about comfort at bedtime & price. What we can get for the less price.

My toddler will almost be 3 when we go. She needs her own space to sleep. I can sleep with her but there isn't enough room for DH. ex: looking at Caribbean Beach will fit up to 5 adults. 2 queen beds(1 for hubby & I then 1 for DD15 & DD12), then the pull out twin for DD13.....DD2 will NOT sleep in those play pen/ pack n play things.... Only thing I can think of is get a roll-away bed. Then DD15 can sleep with DD2. Then DD12 can have the roll-away. I have no clue!!!! agh!! haha

For me.... It's all about sleeping arrangements and price! If I can get a DVC rental for the same as the Caribbean... I would totally do that!

Likely your cheapest options that will work for the group are OKW 1 BR and AKV 1 BR Kidani standard view. Personally I'd do a 2 BR at AKV value or standard, OKW, BWV standard or SSR. Make use of the kitchen to save a little you'd spend out of a hotel room. NO way I'm putting 6 in a 1 BR with 3 teens. The advantage of the 1 BR at AKV Kidani is you get the 2 baths. The 2 BR gives you 2 (or 3 for Kidani) baths and more comfortable sleeping arrangements.

 

[Shonte Durrett]

Likely your cheapest options that will work for the group are OKW 1 BR and AKV 1 BR Kidani standard view. Personally I'd do a 2 BR at AKV value or standard, OKW, BWV standard or SSR. Make use of the kitchen to save a little you'd spend out of a hotel room. NO way I'm putting 6 in a 1 BR with 3 teens. The advantage of the 1 BR at AKV Kidani is you get the 2 baths. The 2 BR gives you 2 (or 3 for Kidani) baths and more comfortable sleeping arrangements.

Thank you soooooooo much!

 

[ParrotBill]

If you sleep an extra person over the normal capacity in a DVC villa be aware you cannot add that person to the reservation - so you cannot include then in any dining plan or other package you might attach to the stay. You'll have to buy tickets directly and link in MDE, cannot buy a ticket package.

Also, you are not supposed to ask for extra sheets or towels for any added bed... although some have succeeded at this and some have been denied.

 

[Shonte Durrett]

If you sleep an extra person over the normal capacity in a DVC villa be aware you cannot add that person to the reservation - so you cannot include then in any dining plan or other package you might attach to the stay. You'll have to buy tickets directly and link in MDE, cannot buy a ticket package.

Also, you are not supposed to ask for extra sheets or towels for any added bed... although some have succeeded at this and some have been denied.

My baby is the 6th person. She is 2 but a serious bed hog! lol Plus, she will not sleep in a pack n play thing.

 

[supersnoop]

Only thing I can think of is get a roll-away bed.

DVC will not provide a roll-away bed. You'll need to bring your own air mattress.

 

[ParrotBill]

They are strict about the room occupancy limit.

 

[ziravan]

So. I think renting won't be cheaper because you need more space and that's the trade off.

You'll get much more space for your money by renting.

If you look at it in those terms, renting looks to be a good deal for your family.

 

[bumbershoot]

Now the free dining promotion requires you to buy a certain number of park hopper tickets for everyone on the reservation, that makes free dining not as money saving as it used to be.

Since '08 when I started researching WDW , from what I recall, there has been the ticket purchase requirement. Used to be a one day ticket, now it's a two day I believe.

Op aren't you over the limit for a mod anyway? Might as well run numbers and look at renting!

 

[tjkraz]

Now the free dining promotion requires you to buy a certain number of park hopper tickets for everyone on the reservation, that makes free dining not as money saving as it used to be.

Far as I know there was always a ticket purchase requirement with the "free dining" promos. But it seems reasonable to conclude that OP will want theme park tickets whether buying a package or renting.

If comparing a room discount at a deluxe to a DVC rental the rental will win out when looking at today's prices, sure 10 years ago, even 5 years ago, it could be a toss up, but not really anymore.

I do agree that free dining at a moderate may be equal or better, but then the OP is a family of 6, so that limits the options, plus they would actually have to count on getting one of the fewer and fewer available free dining promos. On top of that we're no longer comparing equal accommodations, moderate does not equal a deluxe resort, just like a value doesn't equal a moderate.

I wasn't trying to compare equal accommodations. My response was focused solely on price. OP never asked if renting was the cheaper way to get a DELUXE room...she merely asked if renting was cheaper. Thought I did a pretty good job of qualifying my response by pointing out that renting is not the cheapest way to get any room at Walt Disney World. There are other less expensive options, albeit for lower quality accommodations.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Since '08 when I started researching WDW , from what I recall, there has been the ticket purchase requirement. Used to be a one day ticket, now it's a two day I believe.

Op aren't you over the limit for a mod anyway? Might as well run numbers and look at renting!

Far as I know there was always a ticket purchase requirement with the "free dining" promos. But it seems reasonable to conclude that OP will want theme park tickets whether buying a package or renting.

This is true but they didn't use to require park hopper, which was my point.

I wasn't trying to compare equal accommodations. My response was focused solely on price. OP never asked if renting was the cheaper way to get a DELUXE room...she merely asked if renting was cheaper. Thought I did a pretty good job of qualifying my response by pointing out that renting is not the cheapest way to get any room at Walt Disney World. There are other less expensive options, albeit for lower quality accommodations.

She asked if renting was cheaper, not whether or not it was the cheapest. If she wanted cheapest I'd point her to a value family suite or an offsite condo, but when comparing rack rate these days even with a discount renting still tends to be cheaper.

 

[Madteaparty001]

OP have you considered two connecting studios? Or a 1 bedroom and a studio?

 

[Deb & Bill]

OP have you considered two connecting studios? Or a 1 bedroom and a studio?

The Polynesian villas is the only place you can get connecting studios and there is no guarantee you can get them. And a one bedroom and a studio is usually reserved as a lock off two bedroom instead of separately. It's fewer points than separately.