*Disney Enthusiasts Give DVC Renting a Try*

[BackIn33]

We are very excited to try renting a DVC unit during our 2012 trip to WDW. But before we start booking up reservations, we have a few questions.

If anyone has the time to answer whichever ones they can, that'd be very helpful!

1. There are many DVC Rental companys/websites out there that do the "leg-work" for you. Is this a good option or are we better off dealing directly with an owner? I guess answers will vary depending on if you're an owner or a renter.

2. As far as booking early, we're finding ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We are 11 months out from our trip, but not 7. Therefore, from what we gather, is that we are limited to making a reso to those individuals whose HOME resort is at the one (or 2) that we want. Is it too much of a risk to wait until the 7 month period, or should we book whatever we can find RIGHT NOW? ... ...Do we play the waiting game, or not? (Dates and Resort Choices removed)

3. How do cancellations work? The feeling that we get is that you should assume that cancellations aren't that easy to negotiate and to assume you can't cancel.

4. Are there any DVC Member perks that the Renter could benefit from during their stay? (ie: free internet, laundry service, etc.) Services that are unique or complimentary to DVC rooms versus regular reservations.

5. What if one Owner has 150 points, but your reservation calls for 154 points... Is there anything to be done about buying those last 4 additional points?

Thank you for any feedback, it's greatly appreciated!

Specific dates and resort choices have been removed - Chuck S

 

[hakepb]

We are very excited to try renting a DVC unit during our 2012 trip to WDW. But before we start booking up reservations, we have a few questions.

If anyone has the time to answer whichever ones they can, that'd be very helpful!

1. There are many DVC Rental companys/websites out there that do the "leg-work" for you. Is this a good option or are we better off dealing directly with an owner? I guess answers will vary depending on if you're an owner or a renter.
You can usually get a better price direct, but I can see how a service like Dave's can be worth it to many.

2. As far as booking early, we're finding ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We are 11 months out from our trip, but not 7. Therefore, from what we gather, is that we are limited to making a reso to those individuals whose HOME resort is at the one (or 2) that we want. Is it too much of a risk to wait until the 7 month period, or should we book whatever we can find RIGHT NOW? ... ...Do we play the waiting game, or not? (Specifics removed)

F&W is possibly the most popular time with DVC members. You need 11 month booking, especially for Epcot area. A few people get in at 7 months. You would have the best shot at BWV pool view or BLT lake view as those are the biggest categories in your list.

3. How do cancellations work? The feeling that we get is that you should assume that cancellations aren't that easy to negotiate and to assume you can't cancel.
Yes. There are many factors involved and it can take a lot of time and short notice availability is exceptionally limited. It should all be set in your contract.

4. Are there any DVC Member perks that the Renter could benefit from during their stay? (ie: free internet, laundry service, etc.) Services that are unique or complimentary to DVC rooms versus regular reservations.

Just standard room amenities available to all Disney Hotel guests. and I think a studio renter may be able to use the free laundry (you bring soap)
DVC points reservations only get limited housekeeping.
FYI there is now free WiFi at all DVC and Deluxe resorts for all guests.

5. What if one Owner has 150 points, but your reservation calls for 154 points... Is there anything to be done about buying those last 4 additional points?

They would probably ask you reserve the last day with another member. It is possible to "borrow" 4 points from the next year, but I am unsure how many renters are willing..

Thank you for any feedback, it's greatly appreciated!

I never rented, but answered above as an owner

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We are very excited to try renting a DVC unit during our 2012 trip to WDW. But before we start booking up reservations, we have a few questions.

If anyone has the time to answer whichever ones they can, that'd be very helpful!

1. There are many DVC Rental companys/websites out there that do the "leg-work" for you. Is this a good option or are we better off dealing directly with an owner? I guess answers will vary depending on if you're an owner or a renter.

2. As far as booking early, we're finding ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We are 11 months out from our trip, but not 7. Therefore, from what we gather, is that we are limited to making a reso to those individuals whose HOME resort is at the one (or 2) that we want. Is it too much of a risk to wait until the 7 month period, or should we book whatever we can find RIGHT NOW? ... ...Do we play the waiting game, or not? (Specifics Removed)

3. How do cancellations work? The feeling that we get is that you should assume that cancellations aren't that easy to negotiate and to assume you can't cancel.

4. Are there any DVC Member perks that the Renter could benefit from during their stay? (ie: free internet, laundry service, etc.) Services that are unique or complimentary to DVC rooms versus regular reservations.

5. What if one Owner has 150 points, but your reservation calls for 154 points... Is there anything to be done about buying those last 4 additional points?

Thank you for any feedback, it's greatly appreciated!

I'll try to answer some of your questions;

Yes there are reputable brokers who rent members points for them. They usually have the same cancellation policy as direct members, which is usually none. The reason for this is the member is tying up points for your reservation. If you cancel at the last minute, or even 2-3 mos before the reservation, the member may not be able to re-rent the points or bank them.

The benefit of using a broker is that they are a "known" reputable company. You will also pay more using a broker. When renting direct from an owner, usually, you will pay less. In either case, you will be save a HUGE amount of money over booking with a travel agent.

Why rent from a direct owner? In addition to paying less, you can establish a relationship, should you choose, for future rentals. This is key if you try to rent in high demand times. Broker or direct owner, the direct owner always has to make the reservation for you. Direct owner has to do all of the other things as well, adding Dining Plan, scheduling Magical Express. The broker has a pool of owners to choose from, so it saves you the leg work for looking for the owner and desired points.

If your reservation falls 23 points or less short, the owner can ask for Disney to rent them the extra points (at $15 a point) which will be passed on to you, and can only be done at the 7 month mark, and again based on availability.

Perks do not carry over to renters, however, I think now WIFI is free for everyone, so this shouldn't be an issue.

It is always better to rent at the 11 mos mark (11-8 mos out) to get the best shot of your desired timeframe and resort. At 7 months, its a free for all, and anything you get is by chance.

I'm sure others will chime in. Hope this helps.

 

[Chuck S]

We are very excited to try renting a DVC unit during our 2012 trip to WDW. But before we start booking up reservations, we have a few questions.

If anyone has the time to answer whichever ones they can, that'd be very helpful!

1. There are many DVC Rental companys/websites out there that do the "leg-work" for you. Is this a good option or are we better off dealing directly with an owner? I guess answers will vary depending on if you're an owner or a renter.

For the renter - There is a bit of safety involved with going through some services. My understanding is that David's Rentals hold part of the payment to the owner until after you've checked into the resort as a guarantee that the reservation won;t be cancelled. Renting isn't for everyone, it is largely a matter of trust between you and a DVC owner. There are assumed risks on both sides. You may want to read through these two topics, though keep in mind some rules may have changed since they were started, as they are older threads. The main thing to remember is that DVC/Disney will not become involved on your behalf if the deed goes sour.

Considering Renting and DVC Rental Primer

2. As far as booking early, we're finding ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We are 11 months out from our trip, but not 7. Therefore, from what we gather, is that we are limited to making a reso to those individuals whose HOME resort is at the one (or 2) that we want. Is it too much of a risk to wait until the 7 month period, or should we book whatever we can find RIGHT NOW? ... ...Do we play the waiting game, or not? (Dates and Resort Choices removed)

It is always better to book as early as possible. Some locations/room types are fully booked before 7 months.

3. How do cancellations work? The feeling that we get is that you should assume that cancellations aren't that easy to negotiate and to assume you can't cancel.

Cancellations are entirely between the renter and the owner. Your rental contract is an individual contract with the owner, not Disney.

4. Are there any DVC Member perks that the Renter could benefit from during their stay? (ie: free internet, laundry service, etc.) Services that are unique or complimentary to DVC rooms versus regular reservations.

Free laundry services for those staying in DVC studios, whether renters, owners or cash through Disney. Internet, probably free, but if you do get charged you can not contest it. Shopping and Dining discounts, what few there are, are limited to DVC Members.

5. What if one Owner has 150 points, but your reservation calls for 154 points... Is there anything to be done about buying those last 4 additional points?

The owner can rent, from DVC, up to 24 additional points to complete the reservation at $15 per point. However, this can only be done at 7 months, not during the resort priority booking window. Points may not be rented from different owners for any one night. You could rent some nights from one owner, and other night from another owner ad have two separate reservations.

 

[BackIn33]

I never rented, but answered above as an owner

Great to get an owner's perspective- thank you so much! I'm stoked to hear about the free WiFi, I couldn't believe the Disney Resorts could be so technologically behind.

Thanks again!

 

[BackIn33]

I'm sure others will chime in. Hope this helps.

Your response helped a TON. I appreciate it!

 

[BackIn33]

The owner can rent, from DVC, up to 24 additional points to complete the reservation at $15 per point. However, this can only be done at 7 months, not during the resort priority booking window. Points may not be rented from different owners for any one night. You could rent some nights from one owner, and other night from another owner ad have two separate reservations.

thanks for your response. from the sounds of it, it might be easiest to just stick to one reservation and find something within the point budget, instead of trying to buy extra points, etc. otherwise, the entire process seems to be based on an immense amount of trust since none of this is officially through Disney. what a learning process!

Thanks again.

 

[Cruelladeville]

The thing to realize that up until recently, there were no brokers, only individual owners. It's usually best to use someone with a history on these boards vs. someone who only has 10 or 15 messages. The person with 10 or 15 messages could be entirely responsible and above-board, but at least having thousands of entries around here, gives you some security that other people know the renter. As a renter of points, I can tell you that the biggest problem is almost ALWAYS the person renting points, because they contact a renter, make an agreement, the owner makes the reservation, and the renter disappears. I am renting points now at a discount, because someone did that, just after my points could no longer be banked. And as a renter DO NOT tell the owner your life story when asking to rent, we think you are serious and you might only be trolling (just interested in whether some dates are available, but not interested in renting). I can't tell you how many people contacted me about dates, but didn't want them reserved, which I find very odd. If you are contacting someone and asking about certain dates, you should be reasonably certain that those are the dates you are thinking about taking a vacation. You may be trolling, but that delays the person in line behind you who is serious about renting points.

 

[vicki_c]

All Disney deluxe resorts / villas now have free Wifi for all guests. So that has become a moot point, basically.

DVC members staying on points have received free wired Internet for quite a while. Often renters luck out and also get free wired Internet, but sometimes they don't.