DVC rent/trade..How does it work?

[dragonflydreaming]

I can't ask a question there so I hope here is o.k.

We're looking to go to either BCV or VB (or possibly another WDW resort) for 3 nights March 5-8, 2008. We're not vacation club members. Can I post a rental request on the rent/trade board and if so how does it work? Is it more economical to go this route than to do so through a travel agent? Is it risky?

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

 

[mprewitt]

Renting points from a DVC member is a much better deal, as it typically costs much less to rent from a DVC member than to book a DVC resort direct from Disney.

If you do decide to rent points from a DVC member, keep in mind that this is a private transaction between two people, and Disney is not involved in any way. If anything goes wrong, you can’t complain to Disney or expect them to resolve any problem.

Renting points requires trust on both sides of the agreement. You must understand that you are placing a great deal of faith in the DVC member's promise that a reservation has been made and will remain in force until your arrival.

 

[Caskbill]

Yes, this is the right place to post this kind of question.

You would post a request (Reservation Wanted) on the R/T board and give the specifics. Remember, you are not working with Disney at all, but with a private individual who is a DVC member.

The member would have to make all arrangements with Disney for the room. They would make it in your name.

Financial transactions are between yourself and the person you are renting from. Therefore a formal contract is desirable, to protect both of you.

It will be considerably cheaper this way than going directly through Disney or through a travel agent.

One main difference is that you are renting a timeshare, not a hotel room. Timeshares are different in that there is no daily maid service. You need to make (or not) your own beds, clean (or not) the place yourself such as doing dishes, etc. This is 'home away from home' so expect to do whatever you'd have to do at your own house.

You do have the option to pay extra (to Disney) for daily mousekeeping service. It runs about $35/day for a studio and up to about $70/day for a 2-B/R. I don't recommend this. But note if you rent the same villa directly from Disney, then daily mousekeeping is included.

1-B/R and larger units have washer/dryer so you can refresh your towels that way. Studios do not have washer/dryer, but there are common ones in the buildings, or near the pools.

Risk is something you need to accept. That's why a contract is good. Of the thousands of rental transactions that have been made over the years, using our boards, we have only had a handful of reports where things went bad (EG outright fraud).

Finally, plan way ahead. Many of the DVC units are very popular, depending on location, villa type, and resort, and will book 100% very early. For example all Standard View Studios at BWV for New Year's Eve generally book within a couple of hours after member services opens for business, right at 11-months (the earliest members can book reservations) to the day.

Don't know about your March dates, but if that's anywhere around spring break, definitely make your request early.

Hope this helps.

 

[dragonflydreaming]

Thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it. It does help very much.

Do either of you (or anyone else) know if we can purchase magical express transfers from Disney to transport us from MCO to WDW and after our stay from WDW to DCL if we are renting from a DVC owner?

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it. It does help very much.

Do either of you (or anyone else) know if we can purchase magical express transfers from Disney to transport us from MCO to WDW and after our stay from WDW to DCL if we are renting from a DVC owner?

Magical Express is free from MCO to any WDW DVC resort. The DVC owner can set that up for you.

I don't know how transfers work for the DCL if you aren't staying on a land/sea package. I suspect you are on your own for that.