DVC or resort?

[FSU Girl]

How do you guys decide on whether to book directly with the resort or to rent points for DVC? I have never stay onsite, so I've never done either and wanted to plan something for my DH and I for Sept. Thanks for all inputs!

Although renting points is cheaper, we will probably never do that. We change our minds too often, changing dates or hotels often. With renting you are locked into that stay, have to pay in full and can't get a refund or change anything. If you book a room only hotel room or DVC for cash you can cancel your room up to 5 days before and get a full refund. I do love staying in the DVC rooms though.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Thank you all for the input! Lots of good information to think about. If we are definitely going this Sept, it'll most likely be booked directly with Disney at a moderate resort. But our dates are pretty flexible so I am just seeing why I would choose one over the other.

Agree with previous posters, renting points is cheaper than booking through Disney.

We love BWV 1Bd and always rent through Disney, we go for the biggest discount offered to the public or a bounce back offer so it makes it affordable for us.

We are now totally addicted to the extra space, our own laundry, a full size kitchen and a king size bed.

 

[rkstocke5609]

A couple of observations for the OP — to make this decision correctly you may want to consider what kind of trip you are planning. Has it been years since you’ve been to WDW (or never)? If so, you may be planning to do the parks commando style, in which case I would not bother with a deluxe resort (hotel or DVC). You probably wouldn’t spend much time at the resort anyways. Also, if you do believe you will be more relaxed and spend time at the resort then keep in mind that there are definite differences between the values, moderates, and deluxe resorts — I recommend spending time on the WDW website and a copy of “the unofficial guide to Disneyworld” for references. When you stay on property you get to book dining reservations at 6 months and FP at 3 months. WDW takes a lot of planning — even for us seasoned veterans. Don’t show up without a plan, or you may feel like you aren’t getting much for your hard earned cash. And finally, once you spoil yourself into a Deluxe resort stay it is hard to go back. Oh, and if you are flying in don’t bother with a rental car, on site transportation is good ( just remember to enjoy the journey).

And, above all, remember you will not see or do everything. If you run to hard it will take away from your enjoyment. I have been many times and still have things to do that I haven’t gotten to. Good Luck!

 

[babiipiggiex3]

A couple of observations for the OP — to make this decision correctly you may want to consider what kind of trip you are planning. Has it been years since you’ve been to WDW (or never)? If so, you may be planning to do the parks commando style, in which case I would not bother with a deluxe resort (hotel or DVC). You probably wouldn’t spend much time at the resort anyways. Also, if you do believe you will be more relaxed and spend time at the resort then keep in mind that there are definite differences between the values, moderates, and deluxe resorts — I recommend spending time on the WDW website and a copy of “the unofficial guide to Disneyworld” for references. When you stay on property you get to book dining reservations at 6 months and FP at 3 months. WDW takes a lot of planning — even for us seasoned veterans. Don’t show up without a plan, or you may feel like you aren’t getting much for your hard earned cash. And finally, once you spoil yourself into a Deluxe resort stay it is hard to go back. Oh, and if you are flying in don’t bother with a rental car, on site transportation is good ( just remember to enjoy the journey).

And, above all, remember you will not see or do everything. If you run to hard it will take away from your enjoyment. I have been many times and still have things to do that I haven’t gotten to. Good Luck!

If it was up to me, I'd go at least once a year! xD but we certainly can't afford that. It seems like booking with the resort may be the better option here just mainly for flexibility sake, and the fact that it will be our first time on site!

Thanks again for everyone's input!

 

[Denise W]

A couple of observations for the OP — to make this decision correctly you may want to consider what kind of trip you are planning. Has it been years since you’ve been to WDW (or never)? If so, you may be planning to do the parks commando style, in which case I would not bother with a deluxe resort (hotel or DVC). You probably wouldn’t spend much time at the resort anyways. Also, if you do believe you will be more relaxed and spend time at the resort then keep in mind that there are definite differences between the values, moderates, and deluxe resorts — I recommend spending time on the WDW website and a copy of “the unofficial guide to Disneyworld” for references. When you stay on property you get to book dining reservations at 6 months and FP at 3 months. WDW takes a lot of planning — even for us seasoned veterans. Don’t show up without a plan, or you may feel like you aren’t getting much for your hard earned cash. And finally, once you spoil yourself into a Deluxe resort stay it is hard to go back. Oh, and if you are flying in don’t bother with a rental car, on site transportation is good ( just remember to enjoy the journey).

And, above all, remember you will not see or do everything. If you run to hard it will take away from your enjoyment. I have been many times and still have things to do that I haven’t gotten to. Good Luck!

I think you mean Fast Passes at 2 months (60 days).
Denise

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I rented points for the first time in November during Jersey Week. I rented through the DVC rent board. I usually book myself or through a TA that does agency exclusive deals. Since I was going during Jersey Week the deals weren't as great for the Epcot resorts. I looked into renting points IF I could since I hear getting a room at the Epcot resorts during food and wine can be very hard.

Luckily I found a great owner at BWV through the DVC board. We really enjoyed our stay and wouldn't hesitate to rent again.

We book far ahead anyway and I'm not a resort changer so booking 11 months out is no issue for us. I did get cheaper flights two days before our rental started so I just added two days onto the trip and booked at POFQ.

 

[rkstocke5609]

I think you mean Fast Passes at 2 months (60 days).
Denise

Yep, I typo’d that one. Thanks for correcting.

 

[DVCdisneyfam]

How do you guys decide on whether to book directly with the resort or to rent points for DVC? I have never stay onsite, so I've never done either and wanted to plan something for my DH and I for Sept. Thanks for all inputs!

Cheaper renting points for me