DVC rental questions

[HaleyB]

I am not 100% sure where to post this question so please move it or let me know if there is a better place to ask this. I read the DVC rental FAQ & posting guidelines and am pretty sure this does not belong there.

Anyhow, I have this crazy idea. I am going to WDW for Christmas. I would love to rent a DVC unit in the Epcot area (so BCV or BWV, right?) from Dec 23rd-27th. Crazy. Also if I rented into the weekend (on either end of it) would that make my chances of getting this better?

I assume that might be a really hard week to get. So is there any chance? If so how do I post the want to rent thread? I am not a DVC owner (I bet you guessed that already) so that means I need to post "Reservation wanted," right?

When should I post this? Now? in a month? When would I need to pay for it? Is it 50% now and final payment by X day? Also is there a way to look up someone to make sure they are on the up and up? Is it ok to ask for references?

Is it true I can add on the DDP to a DVC rental or do I need to be an owner to do that? We will already have our tickets.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You need to post a request for a DVC reservation at Christmas time now. Home resort advantage opened in Jan and non-home reservations will start in May. BWV or BCV could already be difficult to get for Christmas. If you are flexible, you will have a better chance of getting something. Also, if you offer to pay more per point, you have a better chance of getting something.

Depending upon the member, you might have to pay the total amount to make the reservation. Plus lots of members no longer take Paypal because of the problems many have had.

This is an arrangement between you and the owner. DVC and Disney will not be involved in any way should there be problems. The member will set the cancellation and change policy and it could be no cancellations, no changes, no refunds.

You can currently get the DDP added to your reservation without purchasing tickets.

Good luck.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Also, since that is a VERY busy time, you might want to post you are looking for a reservation and post the dates. Some people may have confirmed reservations already made that they are willing to sell. I assume you are looking for a studio, and that will be the most difficult reservation to get. I would forget about BCV, since that is a small resort and will have the least available chances. BWV is all lock-off units and is larger, so there will be more chances there. Most DVC members book holidays and many other reservations 11 months ahead, so you might already be late for getting your dates. The best thing is to just post the dates you want and see if you get responses. If you answer "points available" type posts over there, you will find plenty of people who have points to rent, but the BIG question is if there is anything available where you want and the unit size you want.

 

[DeanDoug]

Post your request on the Rental Board... be specific about your needs, but be as flexible as you can be regarding dates and/or resorts.
The owner who rents to you, if they are able to get you a reservation, will determine what money they require now (deposit)... this is totally up to them. They will also likely send you a contract to sign.

Once the reservation is made, the owner can make your dining plan arrangements... my wife has even made priority seating arrangements for people we have rented to...


One other suggestion, you might consider reserving a regular room now, given your time needs ... this way, you would at least have a room... and could always cancel if you get your DVC request.

Good luck!

 

[HaleyB]

Thanks for the response!

I do have a back up ressie already. Crossing my fingers!!

 

[Caskbill]

"Reservation Wanted" is the correct category for what you want.

I wouldn't limit it to BCV or BWV though if you really want DVC. The Epcot resorts are extremely popular that time of year.

You'll also be asked for a premium price. So be sure to compare that to what it'll cost you if you just keep your current reservation.

Weekends will cost more, not less.

The 5 nights you selected, 4 of them are in Premier season. A Studio at BCV will be 88 points. Same as at BWV (forget about a BWV standard room, they go fast)

If you can get the points for say $11/point, that's $968 for the vacation, or $193/night. There's no mousekeeping, cancellation policies will be much stricter (if you cancel you could forfeit your entire payment).

Just FYI. You can compare that to what your current reservation will cost. The DVC rental is the full price, no extra taxes or fees. But if someone wants $14/point, then you're looking at an average of $246/night. (Or $176/night if you get $10/point) It all depends on what you can negotiate with the DVC-owner as to selling price.