DVC rental comparison

[vibbertations]

I hope this is the right category. I didn't think it belongs in any of the others.

We've been to WDW 8 times in the past 10 years. We've got an only child and sometimes take her cousin. We've stayed on and offsite. We were spoiled on our 2021 trip when we stayed at Contemporary. Being able to walk to MK is pretty awesome. I don't think we'll ever buy a DVC but the rental aspect seems appealing. I just did some comparisons and it looks like we could stay in a BLT standard studio room buying 7 day tickets through a 3rd party cheaper than a preferred room at Pop through Disney.

I just want to make sure I'm looking at it right before I let that go on cruise control and just stalk the rental thread for the right date. I show BLT standard will be 127 points for 9/30-10/7.

Is there anything I'm missing and anything I need to look out other than dates and price point?

 

[Sandisw]

To be able to rent a BLT SV studio you’d need to always have someone with BLT points who can book right at 11 months. They go fast.

Not are typically non refundable and many times, not able to be modified, whether it’s because there is no availability left, owners points are valid, or simply because those are the terms with the owner/broker.

It can save you money but it comes with less flexibility. The reservation stays in the owners name until check in and any name changes, etc have to be done by them. That is because you are not renting from Disney but a private owner.

We would never do it because it wasn’t worth the risk but plenty do and plenty are very happy with the experience.

The biggest piece is making sure you know exactly all the terms and conditions upfront.

 

[Brian Noble]

anything I need to look out

Those studios are small. Small small small. Much smaller than a standard CR room. 339 sq. ft. vs. 394. That doesn't sound like a big difference, but the bathrooms are about the same size, so that all comes out of the sleeping/living space.

 

[sndral]

BLT standard views go really fast, I’d budget for lake view. Either way, you are already into 11 months for a stay next Sept., so booking sooner is better.
I’ve read that the BLT studios are small & they have 1 queen bed & a sleeper sofa v. the 2 real beds you get in regular rooms.
For walkable to a park DVC options other possibilities are the VGF, the new resort studios have 2 queen size beds & are spacious & the GF is walkable to the MK (albeit a longer but IMO a much prettier walk than BLT/Contemporary.) The Poly is technically also walkable to the MK, but a bit of a hike, however its’ location right next to the TTC makes taking the monorail over to Epcot easy, Poly studios are spacious, I believe they still have the sleeper sofa. Both VGF & the Poly cost more points than BLT.
Another option would be a BWV studio which is walkable to DHS & Epcot, has reasonable point charts, & has the pull down bed (which is reportedly easier to use than the sleeper sofas & more comfortable to sleep on) as w/ BLT budget for pool/preferred view as standard & Boardwalk views book fast. BC is also an option in the walkable to Epcot/DHS category, but it’s a small DVC resort & books very fast.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The actual living area in a BLT studio - so, the beds and TV, but not the kitchenette and bath - is only about 170 square feet. It's small.

 

[Minniesgal]

I would not rent a BLT studio for 3 or 4 people in fact I'd struggle to pick one for even the two of us.

 

[kilik64]

Eh dont listen to the negative nellies on the BLT room size, its tight but we did it with 5 (2 adults, 3 kids 7,2,1 at the time). If you are like us and only in the room to sleep pretty much, its fine. The main thing that makes it feel small is the weird galley "kitchen" layout. I kinda grew to like that though, separates that area instead of the normal kichenette area in other rooms.

Its small, but its doable. Cant beat that walk either. Having its own security point is great as well.

 

[vibbertations]

All great responses. Thanks for those. We do like bigger hotel rooms but at MK, it’s a little different. I did create a comparison spreadsheet based on room type and added in BW, VGF, Poly, and BC.

This last trip, I rode the skyliner to CBR and Rîviera and know for sure we don’t want to be there.

BW is sounding more and more like a win with our recent obsession with Star Wars.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

All great responses. Thanks for those. We do like bigger hotel rooms but at MK, it’s a little different. I did create a comparison spreadsheet based on room type and added in BW, VGF, Poly, and BC.

This last trip, I rode the skyliner to CBR and Rîviera and know for sure we don’t want to be there.

BW is sounding more and more like a win with our recent obsession with Star Wars.

Be sure to assume a Preferred BWV when pricing. Standard BWV is extremely difficult to score. Makes BLT Standard seem easy.

 

[Shellyred8]

Be sure to assume a Preferred BWV when pricing. Standard BWV is extremely difficult to score. Makes BLT Standard seem easy.

I totally agree with all of this!
When looking at the points for rentals, don't look at the "standard" views, especially for Studios. Those are hard to get even for owners.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I totally agree with all of this!
When looking at the points for rentals, don't look at the "standard" views, especially for Studios. Those are hard to get even for owners.

Mostly! I think it's fine to look at SSR Standard and AKV Standard.

 

[RoseGold]

Renting DVC has risk in general, and there are some horror stories. I've rented multiple times, but it isn't for everyone and it does carry risk.

It's also very inflexible. Disney's cash reservations have a generous cancelation policy, and that just isn't how DVC works.

And, to beat a dead horse, don't count out Swolphin. It can swing wildly, and sometimes it can be even cheaper than DVC. Walking distance to Epcot and HS, and counts as deluxe for late hours.

 

[Nabas]

IMO, BWV Standard View Studios are the best DVC value anywhere. 9 points per night in September to be located within walking distance of two theme parks just cannot be beat.

AKV Value rooms are even cheaper and located in a wonderful resort.

However, as several have already noted, some of the cheaper rooms are really tough to get, even at 11 months. This often includes BLT Standard View.

For BLT, we always assume Lake View in our planning and if we get lucky with a Standard View, all the better.

Similarly, assume Pool/Garden View at BWV.

 

[Shellyred8]

Mostly! I think it's fine to look at SSR Standard and AKV Standard.

Yep, true! I forgot about SSR Standard. There are lots of those!

 

[crisi]

1. Plan on booking far in advance - especially if you are looking at any room that is in demand. DVC books quickly
2. Understand that DVC terms are often non-refundable and not changeable. The specifics will depend on the owner or broker you book for, but assume that this is a final reservation
3. Likewise, assume you will need to pay everything up front - again, that may depend on who you book from, since each owner/broker will set their own terms.
4. Understand what you get in a DVC room - its usually a queen bed and a full pullout in a studio
5. Make plans with several options in mind based off your budget. That BLT standard studio will be hard to get, so what is your second choice, your third choice, your forth choice. Its fairly likely that if you are thinking about those value options in resorts close to parks, none of them will be available (BWV/BLT - standard view for late September/early October next year for those resorts is LONG gone. Its unlikely you will find a pre-booked rental for those dates - not impossible, just not likely - that's someone booking and cancelling a trip, or someone doing a spec rental - for which they'll want more money for their gamble - and for which there will be a lot of competition.
6. Even where there is availability at a resort, you also need an owner with points at that resort to rent from at more than seven months out. There are more people looking to rent points than members who want to rent their points out.

 

[nw6675]

I have rented from David's and the DVC Rental Store. The Rental Store now offers some cushion with a built in tiered refund system. If you use an agency, here are my tips from my experiences:

1. Confirmed does not always mean confirmed. I paid my deposit on an 8 night confirmed BLT - only to find out a few days later the owner had cancelled and not informed the agency.
2. BLT 1 bedrooms, if you can swing it, are great. The extra bathroom and laundry are great for longer stays and larger parties.
3. My travel insurance paid for my DVC points cancellation. That isn't always the case. I had bought a cancel for any reason policy. They even paid for my nonrefundable military tickets since they were expiring!
4. Customer service has typically been great other than one small bump this week.
5. Have patience as it can take awhile to know if they match you with a member with the points.
6. I have felt comfortable with several owners on here - some offer payment plans and partial refunds.

Just my thoughts

 

[DVC Doctor]

I hope this is the right category. I didn't think it belongs in any of the others.

We've been to WDW 8 times in the past 10 years. We've got an only child and sometimes take her cousin. We've stayed on and offsite. We were spoiled on our 2021 trip when we stayed at Contemporary. Being able to walk to MK is pretty awesome. I don't think we'll ever buy a DVC but the rental aspect seems appealing. I just did some comparisons and it looks like we could stay in a BLT standard studio room buying 7 day tickets through a 3rd party cheaper than a preferred room at Pop through Disney.

I just want to make sure I'm looking at it right before I let that go on cruise control and just stalk the rental thread for the right date. I show BLT standard will be 127 points for 9/30-10/7.

Is there anything I'm missing and anything I need to look out other than dates and price point?

rent from a BLT owner
book early as possible (11 months)
you chose the dates you want to travel
lake view studio are really nice
1 bedrooms are nicer than studio
renting DVC will come with some restrictions such as no daily housekeeping and harder to cancel or modify