DVC Rental newbie - Aulani 2013

[belias21]

Hey all. I've never rented DVC before but was turned on to it after doing a ton of research on purchasing DVC and realizing I can't afford it. I've been looking at David's rentals and it seems like such a straightforward process that it's almost too good to be true so I wanted to see what other experiences have been like.

So, I know I'm way early at this as I'm looking to travel in Feb 2013 to Aulani for our 10yr anniv, but I wanted to just see what I could expect to spend. I was looking at 2012's numbers to get an idea. A 6 night stay in mid-Feb is over $3000 booked through the normal "hotel" channels. As a rental (looking at a studio and assuming $13/pt) it is less than $1500 - and I understand the rooms to be nicer. Am I missing something here? Is there any reason why one WOULDN'T do this? (I could care less about housekeeping).

Also, how far in advance do I need to start inquiring in order to "guarantee" my spot for something like this? I know it's Adventure season, but I want to make sure I don't miss out. Plus, I'm a bit of a planner (obviously) and like to have things booked way in advance.

Thanks!
Brian

 

[drusba]

Hey all. I've never rented DVC before but was turned on to it after doing a ton of research on purchasing DVC and realizing I can't afford it. I've been looking at David's rentals and it seems like such a straightforward process that it's almost too good to be true so I wanted to see what other experiences have been like.

So, I know I'm way early at this as I'm looking to travel in Feb 2013 to Aulani for our 10yr anniv, but I wanted to just see what I could expect to spend. I was looking at 2012's numbers to get an idea. A 6 night stay in mid-Feb is over $3000 booked through the normal "hotel" channels. As a rental (looking at a studio and assuming $13/pt) it is less than $1500 - and I understand the rooms to be nicer. Am I missing something here? Is there any reason why one WOULDN'T do this? (I could care less about housekeeping).

Also, how far in advance do I need to start inquiring in order to "guarantee" my spot for something like this? I know it's Adventure season, but I want to make sure I don't miss out. Plus, I'm a bit of a planner (obviously) and like to have things booked way in advance.

Thanks!
Brian

By accounts posted here David's is a reliable source for rentals. I do not know whether you can get Aulani for $13 a point and of course David does not guarantee he can actually get the rental you want because it depends on available owners dealing with him although he is usually successful. For that you get the room without any daily maid service (on the fourth day they come in and empty trash and exchange towels and some other items). Particularly for a studio, whether it is as good as or better than the regular hotel rooms in the same resort is a matter of opinion but they are good rooms and you do get the mini kitchen but you also do not get two beds but instead a queen and a double pull out couch (unless staying at OKW which have two queens).

As to when to get the rental -- owners at Aulani can book 11 months out from date of arrival and getting room may sometimes require doing the booking 11 months out and thus you should be in contact with David's sometime before 11 months out.

As to price comparisons, DVC is usually much lower but again you are not getting maid service and often the actual price comparison you should make is not necessarily to Disney's regular rate but to any deals it has going at the time and those occur often.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Particularly for a studio, whether it is as good as or better than the regular hotel rooms in the same resort is a matter of opinion but they are good rooms and you do get the mini kitchen but you also do not get two beds but instead a queen and a double pull out couch (unless staying at OKW which have two queens).....

I agree with much that you say, but I can't agree that a studio is as good or better than a hotel room. I'd rather get a hotel room than a studio just to get two beds (for better sleeping). But that is up to the OP whether a studio will meet their needs or not.

 

[belias21]

As it is our anniversary trip (and just us), one bed is fine. I think, for half the price, I'll take the studio over a regular hotel room any day as long as everything else (with the obvious exception of maid service) is the same.

drusba made one point that confused me a little bit though... I got the impression that rentals were $13/pt no matter which resort. Is that not the case?

 

[mickeys girl 52]

Yes, I believe all the points rent through David for $13.00 a point. On the rental board some DVC members are renting for $11.00 or $12.00 /pt. Anyones points can be used for all the resorts at 7 months out, But for an occasion as important as this I would rent through David or someone who owns at Aulani at the 11 month date.I can't wait to go there myself.

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip)......drusba made one point that confused me a little bit though... I got the impression that rentals were $13/pt no matter which resort. Is that not the case?

David acts as a kind of "middleman" between owners and renters. Drusba just meant that since Aulani is so new that there may not be many (or any) owners with Aulani points interested in using David's service to rent out their points.

Also, if the "supply" of points is too limited, Aulani owners may expect more for them (and so David may raise the price)

 

[rparmfamily]

We have also used David in the past to sell points and the whole process was very smooth. He paid us 1/2 up front and 1/2 at check in. We were paid $10 a point. Basically when you want a reservation, he sends an email to all his "sellers" and first one to contact him and get details and (the big one) able to make the reservation is who "sells" their points.

If you are looking to go 7 months or less, any DVC member can book that for you, and by then, more of the resort (all of it I think) will be open, so more availability.

We are going this weekend for the 2nd time since it's opened. Gorgeous resort! (We are SSR and BLT owners)

 

[Tall Disney Guy]

We have used the ************** to rent on 3 occasions and have been very pleased. In fact we are headed to Aulani in February.

 

[rlovew]

For just the 2 of us I like a studio better than a hotel room- it is nice to have the couch instead of the 2nd bed and I like having the kitchenette for making breakfast and warming up leftovers for snacks.