David's Vacation Club vs Value Resort

[ktrask]

Man...I am just starting to really dig in, and I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall in planning already. I'm just trying to make the first decision of where to stay. First I had narrowed it to either POP or AOA...then I found David's Vacation Club.

I priced rooms only, and found I can get a Value Studio at the Animal Kingdom Villas for less than room only at the POP. I see that David's has gotten positive reviews...now it's just a question of which resort.

Our family of three (myself, husband, and DD) will be on the vacation. AOA and POP seem more "themed" for DD, but Villa seems more comfortable (even though it's a value studio). AOA/POP will have daily Mousekeeping...Villa will not.

Any advice or suggestions?!

 

[pigletto]

We've used Davids to rent studios many times. While I don't dislike the values I would always choose any of the DVC properties first. One thing to keep in mind though is that those value studios go fast and are booked by DVC members because they are a good deal. There aren't many of the AKL value studios so unless you are planning 11 months in advance it's unlikely that you will get one. It's always worth a shot.. but they've never been available when I've tried.

We have stayed in a standard studio at AKL, an OKW studio, and a BWV studio. I would highly recommend any of them.

 

[ktrask]

We've used Davids to rent studios many times. While I don't dislike the values I would always choose any of the DVC properties first. One thing to keep in mind though is that those value studios go fast and are booked by DVC members because they are a good deal. There aren't many of the AKL value studios so unless you are planning 11 months in advance it's unlikely that you will get one. It's always worth a shot.. but they've never been available when I've tried.

We have stayed in a standard studio at AKL, an OKW studio, and a BWV studio. I would highly recommend any of them.

Thanks...we are going December 2013, so I am lucky enough to have time on my side to think before booking

 

[pigletto]

Thanks...we are going December 2013, so I am lucky enough to have time on my side to think before booking

Excellent. I would suggest contacting Davids and seeing when they think you should be ready to book.
I've had excellent service from them, and have zero concerns or complaints. I would use them again in a heartbeat if I was looking to book a DVC rental.

 

[ben1993]

Used them last year for our stay at AKL, absolutely fantastic service, and like you said, got to stay at AKL for the same price as Pop!

 

[kerri0616]

I've always wanted to try renting from David, but I always worry that we'd have to cancel for some reason and then be out the $$$$. In all our years of visiting the World, we've never had to cancel. I figure as soon as I rent points from him, that would be the time we'd have a family emergency!!!

I'd pick any DVC room over a value though! Happy planning. We love WDW in December.

K

 

[Brook1099]

Davids is great!!!

 

[fitzperry]

I've always wanted to try renting from David, but I always worry that we'd have to cancel for some reason and then be out the $$$$. In all our years of visiting the World, we've never had to cancel. I figure as soon as I rent points from him, that would be the time we'd have a family emergency!!!

I'd pick any DVC room over a value though! Happy planning. We love WDW in December.

K

You could get trip insurance to cover that eventuality. It's fairly inexpensive. Just be sure to read the policies carefully because not all of them cover the same occurrences.

 

[spiceycat]

the value studios are nice - they are all at Jambo House (AKL) on the 5th floor. they can be parking lot, pool or savannah view. you don't get to pick - that is up to the resort.

standard at Jambo house is pool view - which is also great. Since the studios are the same at Jambo house or Kidani (AKV) recommend Jambo house just because you are closer to the restuarants and quick service. now Kidani does have a restuarant (one) and it is pretty good - but can't compare with restuarants at JH

now value studios are smaller than standard studios - but not alot - especially for the points difference.

if you want Dec - definitely make your reservation by Jan. (Jan is the 11 month time when DVC members can make reservation but only if they own at that resort)

dec is very popular - it has the Christmas stuff at all the parks - plus the special events that is only then - all the christmas decorations not only at the parks but resorts too. It is a special time to be at WDW.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have heard nothing but good things about Davids. I have been very tempted to try it out but have balked because for us, free dining is a very good discount and we usually go when its offered and also I don't like having to come up with the money all at once.

Obviously the DVC resorts are in a class of their own with far more in the way of amenities than a value. My only downside with a studio is the pullout sofa bed. But the ones at OKW have two queen beds so when we stayed studio, we always went with that one. We did fine with the pullout sofabed in the one bedrooms, but the studios are tighter and it was incovenient!

I would definitely give it a try and if you can't get AKV, try for OKW since they usually have more in the way of availability and they are a bit larger too.

Good luck!

 

[blakrose9999]

We used David's for our trip last October they were great. Very helpful when I called later to add the dining plan and again to add magical express. Would use them again if we hadn't been able to buy DVC ourselves.

 

[Tara2004]

I have looked at DVC too. I only get turned off because it doesn't include the free dining in nov when we go. It's the extra costs that worries me and coming up with a huge amount of money straight away.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I am kind of in the same predicament for our next trip. I can get rent a studio at OKW for about 400 dollars cheaper than staying at POR. They only thing that is getting me is the extra money we would spend getting daily towel service which is a must for our family but I am thinking it may be worth it. We were originally booked to go at the end of August but have to change our trip to the end of June beginning of July and I just think OKW will be a little less hectic then the moderate resorts at the time of year.

 

[pigletto]

I have heard nothing but good things about Davids. I have been very tempted to try it out but have balked because for us, free dining is a very good discount and we usually go when its offered and also I don't like having to come up with the money all at once.

Obviously the DVC resorts are in a class of their own with far more in the way of amenities than a value. My only downside with a studio is the pullout sofa bed. But the ones at OKW have two queen beds so when we stayed studio, we always went with that one. We did fine with the pullout sofabed in the one bedrooms, but the studios are tighter and it was incovenient!

I would definitely give it a try and if you can't get AKV, try for OKW since they usually have more in the way of availability and they are a bit larger too.

Good luck!

The one way we were able to offset the cost of using Davids and missing out on free dining was by signing the kids up for a YES class. With the tickets savings, and what we saved on the room it worked out to about the same as we would have paid for free dining at a mod. Of course this won't work if you don't have kids or can't go when class times are. The other option is if you have AP's or purchase AP's, and then rent from Davids and use Tables In Wonderland you might come out ahead there too. It's impossible to say because of all the individual scenarios, but I thought I would mention it if you hadn't considered those options

 

[GATORinaZ28]

Excellent. I would suggest contacting Davids and seeing when they think you should be ready to book.
I've had excellent service from them, and have zero concerns or complaints. I would use them again in a heartbeat if I was looking to book a DVC rental.

We too are considering using David's (for the first time here) for our trip beginning Nov 30th, 2013. I asked him when to pay for the deposit to start looking and he said to submit the deposit to his site no earlier than 1 month prior to the 11 month mark...effectively 12 months prior to checkin.

Im on the fence on DVC renting since I worry alot and I am not sure I can sit for 11 months hoping that the DVC owner doesnt get foreclosed on or cancels the reservation.

 

[spiceycat]

the fence on DVC renting since I worry alot and I am not sure I can sit for 11 months hoping that the DVC owner doesnt get foreclosed on or cancels the reservation.

don't think this is a problem with David - he does not own the points - he only rents them. so if that happened think he would have to find you another DVC member.

 

[GATORinaZ28]

don't think this is a problem with David - he does not own the points - he only rents them. so if that happened think he would have to find you another DVC member.

I agree...but if its a month out or something, then I'd be in trouble. He's very reputable and definitely provides a great service.

 

[spiceycat]

I agree...but if its a month out or something, then I'd be in trouble. He's very reputable and definitely provides a great service.

depends upon this relationship with MS.

he can get anywhere points fairly easy - it is the 11th to 7th month out that he has problem getting. for BLT, BCV, and i think VWL

if he has a good relationship with Ms they can hold a reservation for him. but I remember a document that members had to sign agreeing never to cancel a reservation that he was using or quit paying maintence fees or even sell your points until this reservation was done.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Im on the fence on DVC renting since I worry alot and I am not sure I can sit for 11 months hoping that the DVC owner doesnt get foreclosed on or cancels the reservation.

I believe David doesn't pay the DVC owner in full, until the guest checks in.

 

[GATORinaZ28]

I believe David doesn't pay the DVC owner in full, until the guest checks in.

Thats good to know and does help!