Considering renting DVC ??

[Longsx3]

I am planning a family trip to WDW in Dec 2006, when should I start looking for points to rent? I haven't pinpointed which resort yet but possibly BCV or WLV. Any suggestions? We are a family of 3 and Mil and 2 other kids will be with staying.


Kelly

 

[mom2rb]

The owner can't make the reservation until 11 months out so I would start looking at 12 months. That way you have time to make an agreement and to make sure you feel good about the person you are renting from.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by mom2rb
The owner can't make the reservation until 11 months out so I would start looking at 12 months. That way you have time to make an agreement and to make sure you feel good about the person you are renting from.

Or 7 months if the point renter is not an owner at these resorts.

-Joe

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Longsx3
I am planning a family trip to WDW in Dec 2006, when should I start looking for points to rent? I haven't pinpointed which resort yet but possibly BCV or WLV. Any suggestions? We are a family of 3 and Mil and 2 other kids will be with staying.


Kelly

December is a very popular time at the WDW DVC resorts. BCV and VWL are among the smaller DVC resorts and a reservation for either will be difficult to obtain in December. (Actually, all of the WDW DVC resorts are toough to book for that time - the smaller ones, especially so).

You will need to find an owner who is willing and able to take advantage of the 11 month booking window to be sure of getting a reservation for the time, room size and resort you prefer.

My advice is to start looking for points 12 -13 months ahead of your desired vacation dates. You will need to decide on the resort before then, because you will be looking for an owner who has points at the resort of your choice.

Get all the terms agreed to in advance so that your owner can call for the reservation as soon as the 11 month window opens (that is the earliest a DVC room can be booked for points).

Be prepared to send a substantial deposit as soon as the reservation is made and be absolutely sure you understand the owner's cancellation policy. Many owners consider renting to be a "final" (nonrefundable) transaction, but not all do.

Since you wlll essentially be guaranteed of getting exactly what you want during a "tough to book" period, you may have to pay more than the "oft-quoted average" rate of $10/point.

Best wishes -

P.S. Your party size will require a 2 bedroom unit.

 

[PamOKW]

To help with your research, when in December are you planning to travel? The entire month is popular with DVC members but there is a substantial difference in the number of points needed. Early December is among the least expensive times of the year -- Christmastime is the most expensive.

 

[Longsx3]

Originally posted by PamOKW
To help with your research, when in December are you planning to travel? The entire month is popular with DVC members but there is a substantial difference in the number of points needed. Early December is among the least expensive times of the year -- Christmastime is the most expensive.

We are planning to go from the 17th to the 23rd, but obviously this far out I am somewhat flexible. I wish we could go earlier in the month but My daughter will be in school and I don't want have to pull her out for a month. 2006 will be our first Christmans back in the US after 3 yrs in Germany, I would like to go to Tampa after Disney to sepnd Christmas & New Years.


Someone mentioned the issues with deposit and cancellation, I won't have a problem with putting a deposit down, once i have checked references, and no matter what we are going so cancellation won't be an issue. Even if we end up living in Hawaii in 2006 we have already decided that we are going to Florida Christmas 2006 and if DH gets deployed I guess we will have more space, LOL!!

 

[PamOKW]

You're in luck in terms of the number of points needed. The "Premiere" Season doesn't begin until 12/24. While your time period isn't the "cheapest", it's still very reasonable.

The heaviest demand is prior to the 14th and from around the 20th. You should be succesful in booking a rental. Since no one can make a reservation until January 2005, I would start posting in December. My guess is you would even be successful posting later in the year, too if you your plans become less "set" between now and December. Later in the year you could probably pick up a rental from someone who has had their plans change.

The 2006 point chart is not out yet but the 2005 numbers should be similar. Weeknights for a 2 bedroom are 24 at OKW and BWV (standard), 29 at SSR, 32 at VWL, BCV, BWV (preferred). The Friday night (and Saturday) is 58 points BWV standard, 56 points OKW, 55 points SSR and 61 points for VWL, BCV and BWV preferred.

Thank you to your family for helping to keep us all safe enough to enjoy DVC!

Rentals are currently running about $10 per point but could vary depending upon how much member dues increase and how many newer purchasers are renting. People who are paying $95+ for points will have a higher breakeven point for renting.

 

[Longsx3]

Thank you for all of the information. I guess DH and I should have bought 10yrs ago when we did a tour of OKW just before he joined the AF because it was no where near $95 a point!



Kelly