DVC points??

[Danny K]

Hi All

So I have been reading a lot on here about DVC points, but frankly I have no idea what they are and what they mean or even what DVC is. I read about people getting cheaper prices to deluxe resorts through DVC points and decided to look into what it is?

We always go to value resorts because we are middle class people, and no way would we be able to afford a deluxe.

But what are DVC points? We are thinking to take a trip in August 2016, so can we get DVC points on that date? Also is it cheaper than Value resorts, or more expensive? My budget on a normal disney trip is usually Value Resort prices so if DVC points are more expensive then forget it, but is there any chance it could be cheaper?

So anyway could someone please fully explain what they are to me and how it works, because it makes no sense to me. Also what does DVC stand for?

 

[rainboots]

Disney Vacation Club.
It is a variation of a timeshare program although much less restrictive than timeshares in my opinion. Owners buy points, then can use them to stay on property. (Very loose description)

Renting points comes in when owners, for one reason or another, cannot use their points before they expire. So they try to rent them out.

There are a couple of great broker websites or the board here. We have just secured our stay in jan/feb thru a broker, and we are saving about $500 over the best deal offered at that timeframe in 2015.

 

[chalee94]

Also is it cheaper than Value resorts, or more expensive? My budget on a normal disney trip is usually Value Resort prices so if DVC points are more expensive then forget it, but is there any chance it could be cheaper?

virtually always more expensive than value resorts, so probably not really an issue for you.

also, you technically are not staying in the deluxe hotel rooms, you are staying in "villas" on the DVC sections of the resorts. DVC rental reservations also do not include daily housekeeping and typically can not be refunded if you have to cancel. also, DVC "studio" rooms typically have 1 queen bed plus a pullout sofabed - which works for many but it was never intended to be a hotel-room-substitute.

 

[JennyDrake]

virtually always more expensive than value resorts, so probably not really an issue for you.

also, you technically are not staying in the deluxe hotel rooms, you are staying in "villas" on the DVC sections of the resorts. DVC rental reservations also do not include daily housekeeping and typically can not be refunded if you have to cancel. also, DVC "studio" rooms typically have 1 queen bed plus a pullout sofabed - which works for many but it was never intended to be a hotel-room-substitute.

YES! THIS! I rent points 1-2x per year, and I can stay deluxe level for much less, but it IS more than a value. It is the least expensive to rent points directly from the owners--I rent for 2 friends-- _I_ would not be comfortable renting from a stranger but I would happily use a broker service.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Renting points from a DVC member or broker service can result in a major discount on the booking price for the villas...but it won't be less than staying at a value.

 

[Disney_Dogs_Rule]

Hi All

So I have been reading a lot on here about DVC points, but frankly I have no idea what they are and what they mean or even what DVC is. I read about people getting cheaper prices to deluxe resorts through DVC points and decided to look into what it is?

We always go to value resorts because we are middle class people, and no way would we be able to afford a deluxe.

But what are DVC points? We are thinking to take a trip in August 2016, so can we get DVC points on that date? Also is it cheaper than Value resorts, or more expensive? My budget on a normal disney trip is usually Value Resort prices so if DVC points are more expensive then forget it, but is there any chance it could be cheaper?

So anyway could someone please fully explain what they are to me and how it works, because it makes no sense to me. Also what does DVC stand for?

As far as being cheaper than a Value, it has different factors that should be considered.

What are you looking for in a room? Studio is the cheapest DVC and works for small families.

Time of year is another big factor. I am using DVC for an upcoming trip and I am spending less with DVC than I would have spent at a Value. That will not always be the case but it can be and something to consider.

Another thing to consider is the "risk" when renting DVC points. Nothing is a guarantee when renting points and something could happen and screw the whole thing up. It happened recently when a DVC member was renting their points but didn't pay their bills. The reservations got cancelled and the rental companies had to refund money. While it is not the normal that this happens it is a risk. Renting from a company is a little more expensive but you get the piece of mind that someone will back you up if needed, as compared to renting from a member....you might not hear from them again. BUT once again, for every horror story, there is probably hundreds to thousands of success stories that doesn't see the light of day.

Also with renting DVC points from a company, you have 2 major players in the game and I won't mention their names because I am not sure if it is allowed.

DVC 1 requires full payment

DVC 2 requires $8 per point payment and final due 45 days prior to arrival.

DVC 1 can be cheaper than DVC 2 but DVC 2 allows a payment plan and you would probably spend less than $50 extra with DVC 2.

 

[Danny K]

Well if its more expensive to a value, I guess I will just stick with Value resorts. I honestly don't like spending too much money on hotels because I hardly spend anytime there.

 

[Lynne M]

DVC (Disney Vacation Club) is Disney's timeshare. Essentially, 'renting points' means that you're paying a DVC owner to make a reservation for you at one of the DVC resorts. It's not going to cost less than a value, but it might possibly be in that ballpark. It's often a dramatic discount off the cash reservation price for a studio or villa at a DVC resort.

Check out this link for more info:

Disney Vacation Club Rent Trade Information

There's also a point calculator link on that page that will help you figure out if renting fits your budget.

 

[nkereina]

We rent points and generally speaking, its about the same cost as we would pay at a moderate resort. So a value would be cheaper. As mentioned, there's a few catches with it so definitely do your research. The biggest factors are that many brokers and owners will require you to pay the full amount at time of booking and you are not permitted to cancel or change your dates. You also would not get daily housekeeping. You also do not "own" your reservation so if you want to add the dining plan or make changes to Magical Express, you'll have to rely on the broker or owner to do that. These are all minor things to us so its worth it, but should be taken into consideration.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you're not interested in spending time at the resort, and a value resort has been adequate for your needs, then there probably isn't any real need to look into point rental. If you were interested in the amenities of the deluxe resorts I'd say go for it.

 

[Danny K]

If you're not interested in spending time at the resort, and a value resort has been adequate for your needs, then there probably isn't any real need to look into point rental. If you were interested in the amenities of the deluxe resorts I'd say go for it.

Yeah I just asked because I thought it might have been a hidden gem to save money, but since we hardly spend any time at the resort, I doubt its even worth it.

 

[PSUGuy]

We've been renting points for 8 years or so, the last 5 from the same DVC member who will remain nameless. The reason for that is that this marvelous person has not raised the price per point in all that time even though, two trips ago, I volunteered that it was unreasonable to think that the price would remain the same forever. Anyway.... this year as in the past we're staying in a Standard View Studio at the Board Walk for 9 days for $1020, that's total. Try to get a Value for that length of time at that amount. Again, you won't find many DVC members renting points for what we're getting them for and I expect that one day it will be increased and I'm good with that. We've been fortunate, and very appreciative for the good luck to have met this person on the DIS Boards.

Bill From PA

 

[StaciaRae]

There are downsides to renting points though. 1) most have a no cancellation policy so you'll need to purchase additional trip insurance (which can be $200-300 dollars). 2) There is no daily housekeeping. You can pay for it if you want but I believe its $30 a day. They do bring fresh towels and maybe remove the trash on the 4th and 8th day of your trip. 3) You have no control over the reservation. If you want to put in room requests, add MDE, or dining packages, the owner of the points needs call Disney to do it for you. You can save a lot of money (we are staying 7 nights at AKL savanna view for $1600) but there are some downsides to consider before renting points.

 

[Hopefully]

Yeah I just asked because I thought it might have been a hidden gem to save money, but since we hardly spend any time at the resort, I doubt its even worth it.

If saving money over a Value is your goal, renting points generally will not accomplish that for you. It usually ends up about the same as a moderate. And as others have said, there are many risks, and there needs to be trust in the transaction on both sides. Plus, since it is a timeshare, you get 'less'. No daily housekeeping, no coffee and toiletries replaced daily, no clean towels daily etc.
I think you have already identified it is not for you and I think you are probably right.
Good Luck