Considering renting points but a little nervous

[EmilieK]

I originally planned on booking a prefered room at coronado springs for 14 days but after looking at davids vacation club rentals I see I can get a studio at the beach club for roughly the same price for 15 days. I think I will be able to book and pay full by early may and then add a diningplan in october. Tickets I will make other aragements for.

Is this a good idea or should I just stick with buying everything through a package with a travel agent?

I have never rented points so a bit nervous about it. My flights are booked so the chance I need to change or cancel are wery slim but in that case I already have travel insurance. Will may be to late do you think?

We will be 3 adults and we will be staying for 15 nights for the two last weeks of january. Tanks for any thoughts or answers

 

[RobDoc]

I originally planned on booking a prefered room at coronado springs for 14 days but after looking at davids vacation club rentals I see I can get a studio at the beach club for roughly the same price for 15 days. I think I will be able to book and pay full by early may and then add a diningplan in october. Tickets I will make other aragements for.

Is this a good idea or should I just stick with buying everything through a package with a travel agent?

I have never rented points so a bit nervous about it. My flights are booked so the chance I need to change or cancel are wery slim but in that case I already have travel insurance. Will may be to late do you think?

We will be 3 adults and we will be staying for 15 nights for the two last weeks of january. Tanks for any thoughts or answers

Renting points through David's service or a member on our Rent/Trade Board is an excellent way to secure a very economical reservation as long as you understand the risks (it sounds as though you already do) and do your due diligence in advance. There have been very few situations where a renter has arrived and not had a reservation so that should not be a big deterrent - be sure to ask for (and check) references and read posts by that person if you are dealing directly with a member yourself.

It sounds like you are a great candidate to enjoy a DVC villa by renting from a member since canceling is not likely a consideration.

Enjoy!

 

[supersnoop]

Just be aware; you say you want to book a studio at an Epcot resort during the Food & Wine Festival. Those typically are sold out 11 months in advance. If you're talking about this October, that will be a very difficult, if not impossible reservation to make.

 

[Daddio]

Renting points through David's service or a member on our Rent/Trade Board is an excellent way to secure a very economical reservation as long as you understand the risks (it sounds as though you already do) and do your due diligence in advance. There have been very few situations where a renter has arrived and not had a reservation

Just to clarify this statement: "There have been very few situations where a renter has arrived and not had a reservation "

In those few situations that Webmasterdoc is referring to, rentals were done privately through a member and not through my service. We have never had a situation where a guest has arrived at the desk and not had a reservation.

~ David

 

[DizBub]

Renting points is a good idea and can work out great. But you probably should understand that it is not like booking a cash reservation through Disney or a travel agent.

From what I understand David's is a non-refundable transaction (I could be wrong about this) and if you rent from a member and you have to cancel you will have to be aware of their cancellation policy. To stay where you want you will have to book far in advance and sometimes life happens in the meantime. Members have banking deadlines, points go into holding accounts if people cancel within 31 days of check-in, points expiring if not used by a certain time, etc.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from renting points, just making you aware of the realities involved. We are members and have rented a few times and our experiences have been outstanding. In fact, we just got home from a rented stay at SSR.

Good luck!

 

[EmilieK]

Just be aware; you say you want to book a studio at an Epcot resort during the Food & Wine Festival. Those typically are sold out 11 months in advance. If you're talking about this October, that will be a very difficult, if not impossible reservation to make.

No, I said I wanted to book the last two weeks of january 2015. The food and wine festival is in sebtember/october (they just expanded it) and not really a problem for me. But thanks for the heads up I supose

 

[EmilieK]

Could anybody answer if my booking timeframes are possible? Especially if I can add the diningplan later on (ca October)? That is when I will have the money to pay for it in full. Am still planning on booking adrs at the 180 day mark and then just linking the diningplan to them later. As far as I know this shouldnt be a problem.

 

[DizBub]

Could anybody answer if my booking timeframes are possible? Especially if I can add the diningplan later on (ca October)? That is when I will have the money to pay for it in full. Am still planning on booking adrs at the 180 day mark and then just linking the diningplan to them later. As far as I know this shouldnt be a problem.

We aren't supposed to check availability (I think because it changes) but you shouldn't have any problems with that timeframe if you book sooner rather than later. January is a low point value time for DVC and BCV is extremely popular because of the location and the pool. To rent this far out you will need to rent directly from a BCV owner or call David's because he will have to do the same.

Dining plan can be added up to 48 hours before check-in and payable when it's added. Owner has to do it for you.

 

[EmilieK]

Thank you, think I will go this route then. Am so exited by the thought of actually beeing able to stay at a deluxe location!

 

[DizBub]

Thank you, think I will go this route then. Am so exited by the thought of actually beeing able to stay at a deluxe location!

You will enjoy the location, I'm sure. You know that in a studio you will have 1 queen sized bed and a sleeper sofa. Sleeper sofa for 2 weeks for 1 or 2 adults may be not be a good experience. Kids may not mind.

You will also have a kitchenette in your room. Handy for a quick breakfast.

Please come back and let us know how you fared with your rental experience.

 

[EmilieK]

You will enjoy the location, I'm sure. You know that in a studio you will have 1 queen sized bed and a sleeper sofa. Sleeper sofa for 2 weeks for 1 or 2 adults may be not be a good experience. Kids may not mind.

You will also have a kitchenette in your room. Handy for a quick breakfast.

Please come back and let us know how you fared with your rental experience.

Yeah we know, we have discussed it and figured it wouldnt be bothering us to much. Am used to sleeper sofas and one in our party said she would sleep in the tub if it ment she could spend two weeks at disney so think it will be fine

I will tell you how it went in one or two months when I have managed to book, have decided on AKL as an option number two if BCV is booked for my dates by then

 

[supersnoop]

No, I said I wanted to book the last two weeks of january 2015. The food and wine festival is in sebtember/october (they just expanded it) and not really a problem for me. But thanks for the heads up I supose

Sorry, my mistake. I saw the part about adding dining in October and assumed.

 

[DizBub]

Yeah we know, we have discussed it and figured it wouldnt be bothering us to much. Am used to sleeper sofas and one in our party said she would sleep in the tub if it ment she could spend two weeks at disney so think it will be fine

I will tell you how it went in one or two months when I have managed to book, have decided on AKL as an option number two if BCV is booked for my dates by then

I have heard that mousekeeping will provide you with a foam topper for the sofa bed if you request it. Plus, OKW does have 2 queen beds in their studios but no sofa.

You can book a split stay between resorts if you can't get your full 2 weeks at BCV. Bell services will gladly switch your luggage between resorts.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I have heard that mousekeeping will provide you with a foam topper for the sofa bed if you request it. Plus, OKW does have 2 queen beds in their studios but no sofa. You can book a split stay between resorts if you can't get your full 2 weeks at BCV. Bell services will gladly switch your luggage between resorts.

I had not heard about the foam topper before? Is this at all resorts?

 

[DizBub]

I had not heard about the foam topper before? Is this at all resorts?

As far as I know, yes. I haven't asked for one personally but have heard that others have. This may be a good question to post on the Resorts board.

 

[EmilieK]

I have heard that mousekeeping will provide you with a foam topper for the sofa bed if you request it. Plus, OKW does have 2 queen beds in their studios but no sofa.

You can book a split stay between resorts if you can't get your full 2 weeks at BCV. Bell services will gladly switch your luggage between resorts.

Thanks for the tip, will try to remember that!

 

[DisneyDiana]

FYI, since this comes from a CM during our last stay in December I do not know if it is accurate but we were told foam toppers are no longer available at any of the DVC properties.

 

[EmilieK]

Good to know. But can't hurt to ask I supose.

 

[Sammie]

FYI, since this comes from a CM during our last stay in December I do not know if it is accurate but we were told foam toppers are no longer available at any of the DVC properties.

Probably so, they don't want us to get too comfortable. It was more than likely a case of not having enough to go around and the paying cash guest is always going to come out ahead.

 

[DizBub]

Posted the question on the DVC Resorts board and so far there is 1 no at AKV and 1 yes at SSR. Will update when there are more answers.