DVC for Dummies

[lklasing]

Anyone know of such a book? Seriously, I'm needing some very basic info about DVC. We are thinking of staying **. I know I could just reserve with Disney but I also know there is such a thing as renting points that sounds much cheaper. But, I honestly have no idea how to do it.

Is there anywhere y'all can point me to get the most basic information about how this would work? Also, I'm not at all against using a travel agent if that would be the easiest way to go.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[chalee94]

here is a good thread to read:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669863

the short of it is:

1) renting a DVC reservation is a transaction with an individual and not disney. if disney is offering "free" dining to get you to come to wdw, the individual will not offer that.

2) renting a DVC reservation does get you all the perks of staying onsite - EMH, DME, free parking at the parks, and access to the DDP for a fee (and without having to buy a package - so you don't have to buy tickets).

3) the point charts are linked in the top right hand corner of the screen

4) BLT owners have had access to booking that time period for over a month already. at 7 months out, all DVC owners have access to booking BLT. i wouldn't wait till 7 months out to start looking for a reservation at BLT as it could be booked up. timeshares are different than hotels in many ways...

scan through at least the first post in that thread and try to figure out the point charts and then come back and ask some more questions...

edited to add: BTW, your post may be edited for dates since you can't ask for a rental on any board except the rent/trade board.

 

[magicaldisney]

Great info provided by PP. I agree that you should do a little reading and then come back and start asking specific questions. We rented twice before we bought DVC and both times everything went extremely smooth. Look at it as you are renting a reservation and that reservation is in COMPLETE control of the DVC owner until the minute you check in. Renting DVC takes trust....trust on both ends. Good Luck!!

 

[AydensMom]

I too am researching DVC. I have found lots of info on these boards, but I also purchased the Passporters DVC guide and it was very helpful.

 

[ToddyLu]

but I also purchased the Passporters DVC guide and it was very helpful.

I have this as well and really like it and in PDF(or whatever) format I refer to it wjen needed--easier than pulling out my paperwork or getting info from the Member website.

 

[bevis]

Great tips from chalee94.
OP, I just want to emphasize that renting DVC points has NOTHING to do with Disney.
For example, if you check in as a renter, the CM's don't care if you are renting points from an owner for the room or if you are, say, a friend or relative of an owner, staying on the owners points for "free". As chalee said, the transaction is between the owner and the name on the reservation, independent of whether or not there was money for points involved. Again, it makes NO difference to Disney. Of course you get the same benefits as anyone staying at a Disney resort, but nothing really beyond that.

I'm not trying to scare you away from renting, believe me, because the ability to rent out our points can be helpful at times. But there is a reason I am sounding so cautious in this post, actually two reasons.

Last Dec. we were at BWV and overheard a renter at the check in counter complaining about needing extra towels and soap. He told the CM that he paid 11 dollars a point to rent the room and should get all the towels they wanted. The CM actually handled it quite well, nice but firm, and also had to explain to the renter that he does not get DVC member discounts on some merchandise because he isn't actually an owner.

Second, we met some folks a few weeks ago, through friends, who said they are considering buying DVC. They heard about renting points from an owner so they CALLED CRO and asked about renting DVC points. Obviously the CM couldn't help them.

Again, I hate to sound so negative about this. We've never rented out points but the fact that we can if necessary is a big plus for us. And you've come to the right place for info. There are a lot of folks here on the Dis boards that know a heck of a lot more about renting than me. Sometimes though I think people can be overwhelmed with all the details of renting and miss the fact that it has nothing to do with Disney, DVC, or CM's, as long as it's done within the rules of course.

 

[DizGirl20]

I also purchased the Passporters DVC guide and it was very helpful.

I second this! We just purchased our DVC Membership in December. Although I pretty much learned everything I need to know from the DISboards and its amazing members, it is nice to have a reference guide where all the info is in one place. I ordered my copy from Amazon.

Check this out too. He is a sponsor on these boards, although I have NO experience with him: http://www.dvcrequest.com/

 

[CarolAnnC]

here is a good thread to read:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669863
edited to add: BTW, your post may be edited for dates since you can't ask for a rental on any board except the rent/trade board.

You got it!

 

[lklasing]

OP here - Thanks for all the replies! I've definitely learned a lot about DVC since that post, thanks to the link and other great info here on the Dis. I think I'll definitely be getting the Passporter to continue to learn.

Mods, thanks for modifying my post - I had no idea about the restrictions!