DVC questions from one who knows almost nothing about it...

[PJR]

Hi, and thanks in advance for any info you can provide. A distant family member has offered to rent us her DVC for "just maintainence fees" for 3 nights in December. Can someone please explain how DVC works? I'm pretty much clueless. Where can we stay? What do we get? More importantly, what do we not get? What are the advantages of renting DVC, besides the good deal?

 

[Sandisw]

Your family member would make you a reservation. It would be in your name but he/she would have complete control over it.

You can stay at any of the DVC resorts. At this point, he/she can try and book you those nights at the home resort, whatever that is. 7 months before your trip, if you want to stay somewhere else, they can try and switch.

Dec is a very popular time so that may or may not be possible. With DVC rentals, you do not get daily mousekeeping and if Disney comes out with any special deals during that time (ie: free dining), DVC stays on points are not eligible.

Also, cancellation policies can be more stringent than going through Disney. Those are decided between owner and renter.

You can still add the DDP and ME to the reservation, but again, because it is in the control of the owner, they have to do it for you. You can not call and discuss the reservation with anyone.

There are definite differences but can be worth it in terms of savings, especially if they are agreeing to rent for the cost of MF's (approx. anywhere from $4.00 - $7.00 per point, depending on home resort).

Good luck!

 

[chalee94]

Can someone please explain how DVC works?

there are point charts for 2010 for the different DVC resorts in the top right-hand corner of your screen. use those to figure how many pts you need for a "studio" (which is like a hotel room but most have 1 queen bed and 1 pullout sofabed instead of 2 "real" beds along with a microwave, toaster and mini-fridge) or a multi-room "villa" with washer/dryer and full kitchen.

I'm pretty much clueless. Where can we stay?

the DVC resorts are scattered around wdw. BLT is right beside the contemporary and a 10 minute walk from the magic kingdom. BWV and BCV are a short walk from epcot. SSR and OKW are a free boat ride from downtown disney. AKV is near AK and has animals outside the villas. all of the DVC resorts have access to the wdw bus system.

What do we get?

all onsite benefits: magical express from the airport, extra magic hours at the parks, free parking at the parks with your DVC resort parking pass and access to the wdw buses.

also, as stated before, all DVC rooms come with at least a kitchenette.

More importantly, what do we not get?

as the other poster stated, you lose daily housekeeping and access to "free" dining and similar promotions. OKW studios have 2 real queen beds...but otherwise, you might only get 1 "real" bed.

What are the advantages of renting DVC, besides the good deal?

why isn't a good deal onsite at wdw enough?

 

[dzorn]

Besides the things mentioned above. Tickets are not included.


DDP can be added for the cost of the plan.

Denise in MI

 

[PJR]

Thank you for the responses. Much appreciated. So, in summary, I'd be giving up mousekeeping and control. Tough call.

 

[JimMIA]

Just one quick note about the price. Normal rental prices are $10-12 per point, and that usually represents a HUGE savings over booking the same accommodations directly from Disney.

"Just maintenance fees" would be in the range of $5-6 per point, depending on which resort your relative owns. So that would be a HUGE savings for about half price.

Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.

 

[Lynne M]

And there's no need to give up housekeeping, if you want it. DVC has a "pay as you play" housekeeping system. You'll get a full cleaning once a week, and trash removal/towel replacement partway through the week. Then you simply pay for as few or as many additional housekeeping visits/services as you'd like:

With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:

* Toiletries Package, $5.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel

* Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners

* Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat

* Laundry Detergent (only in One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

With the enormous savings you'd have by getting a villa for just the member's maintenance fees, you could have daily housekeeping and not come anywhere near the rack rate for a villa.