DVC rental versus POP (or similar) reservation.

[madjohn]

I am looking for expert advice. I am planning for a 2021 trip and just starting to think about and narrowing my thoughts. I am planning a 16 day trip. While money is always a concern, I have the funds to do the trip right, just don't want to waste money. I would rather spend money on good meals and extras. I have estimated that a POP reservation would be around $3000, I also have looked and the same time span for a DVC rental at the Boardwalk would be about the same. Would one out weight the other?

It will just be my wife and me. We are in our early 50s. We are not big resort people and will spend most of our time out and about. We are not pool sitters. Other DVC rentals at nicer places would be $4000/4500. Again, this is doable, I just don't know if it is worth it. To those with experience, what does the upgraded accommodations add to the trip, looking for your perspectives.

I understand this is very subjective but having never done this in Disney World, would like to hear of experiences of others. We have been to Disney World twice in the past 10 years. in 2009 we stayed off site in a home rental and in 2016 we stayed in Fort Wilderness. Both trips were 2 weeks.

I will add that my wife and I have taken 2 plus week cruises on an inside cabin and we had no complaints.

Your expert thoughts are welcome.

John

 

[Deb & Bill]

The problem with a 16 day rental is finding an owner with the number of points required to book a villa for 15 nights. DVC members can only book up to seven nights at a time and would either have to add another night each day until they booked 15 nights. Or wait for eight days and then book at 15 nights. Either way, the problem will be the number of points needed. It might be easier to get a studio than a one bedroom, but 15 nights in a studio would not be pleasant. Plus, depending on the time of the year, a standard studio could be very difficult to book for 15 nights.

The other issue would be when you plan on going to WDW. Mid-Sept through mid-Jan is DVC's busiest time with the first two weeks of Dec the hardest time to book. You would need an owner ready to book at 11 months out (and that would require full payment most likely) if you were looking at this time in a studio.

 

[madjohn]

The problem with a 16 day rental is finding an owner with the number of points required to book a villa for 15 nights. DVC members can only book up to seven nights at a time and would either have to add another night each day until they booked 15 nights. Or wait for eight days and then book at 15 nights. Either way, the problem will be the number of points needed. It might be easier to get a studio than a one bedroom, but 15 nights in a studio would not be pleasant. Plus, depending on the time of the year, a standard studio could be very difficult to book for 15 nights.

The other issue would be when you plan on going to WDW. Mid-Sept through mid-Jan is DVC's busiest time with the first two weeks of Dec the hardest time to book. You would need an owner ready to book at 11 months out (and that would require full payment most likely) if you were looking at this time in a studio.

Thanks for response. My ideal time is going to be the last two weeks of September. I was not planning to find an owner directly but rather use one of the companies that does this for me. Do you think that changes anything? I know it will need to be booked 11 months out and it will cost a premium.

I am looking at studios. What do you thing the problems would be? The size does not bother me, as indicated we do 2 plus week cruises in an inside cabin which usually measures about 170 sq ft. Again, I appreciate the response and advice, just trying to best understand the situation so I can plan accordingly.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Last two weeks of Sept might not be to difficult to book. So you'll want to contact a broker so later than 11.5 months before to get an owner with enough points to book your stay. Plus be willing to do it to add the later nights. Have you thought about booking a seven night stay and an eight night stay at two different resorts? It could be easier to find two owners with the points and the ability to book your stay.

 

[madjohn]

Last two weeks of Sept might not be to difficult to book. So you'll want to contact a broker so later than 11.5 months before to get an owner with enough points to book your stay. Plus be willing to do it to add the later nights. Have you thought about booking a seven night stay and an eight night stay at two different resorts? It could be easier to find two owners with the points and the ability to book your stay.

Thanks again, but not looking for a split stay. One of the things we love about cruises is the unpacking one time. I feel a split stay would lose a day on the move, and in my opinion would be no fun.

 

[cheryl.UK]

Just wait until the 10 month mark then an owner can book the full 15 days. We rarely book on the 11 month mark as we stay for longer. We've never had issues getting a studio in any of the resorts we like as we don't book the peak holiday seasons of Easter, 4th July, Christmas etc. We are currently in AKL booked 6 months out for 2 weeks in a savannah studio.

 

[CastAStone]

I would say the other concern is that the DVC stay is going to be very difficult to change or cancel if something happens. The Pop reservation not so much.

If the alternative is POP, I can’t bring myself to agree with @Deb & Bill that a Boardwalk Studio Villa will be unpleasant for 15 nights. Compared to POP, it has much larger rooms, a nicer bathroom, a balcony, a kitchenette, and far more walkable dining options, including the other nearby resorts and World Showcase.

For me if money were not a critical factor it would be no contest - I’d take the Boardwalk Studio Villa.

 

[CastAStone]

One more thought - 15 nights at Boardwalk in late September may tough, but it should be possible to pull that together at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Just wait until the 10 month mark then an owner can book the full 15 days. We rarely book on the 11 month mark as we stay for longer. We've never had issues getting a studio in any of the resorts we like as we don't book the peak holiday seasons of Easter, 4th July, Christmas etc. We are currently in AKL booked 6 months out for 2 weeks in a savannah studio.

Peak season for DVC is not the same. Fall frenzy extends from September through the beginning of January. Point requirements are at their lowest and many members take advantage. Even at the end of September Food and Wine as well a the Halloween parties are in full swing which makes BWV studios prime. Add in the proximity to GE opening this month and scoring two full weeks in a BWV studio will be tough even at 11 months with people walking reservations. Go over to the DVC forums and read post after post of people who were closed out this year.

Finding someone with that many points whether you use a broker or not is only the first hurdle. Two full weeks in a Boardwalk studio at that time of year will be the second. Certainly you should budget for a pool/garden view if you decide to try. Also, is you would be open to the larger resorts like SSR, OKW or AKV, your chances of two weeks would probably be much better.

 

[Marionnette]

I am looking for expert advice. I am planning for a 2021 trip and just starting to think about and narrowing my thoughts. I am planning a 16 day trip. While money is always a concern, I have the funds to do the trip right, just don't want to waste money. I would rather spend money on good meals and extras. I have estimated that a POP reservation would be around $3000, I also have looked and the same time span for a DVC rental at the Boardwalk would be about the same. Would one out weight the other?

It will just be my wife and me. We are in our early 50s. We are not big resort people and will spend most of our time out and about. We are not pool sitters. Other DVC rentals at nicer places would be $4000/4500. Again, this is doable, I just don't know if it is worth it. To those with experience, what does the upgraded accommodations add to the trip, looking for your perspectives.

I understand this is very subjective but having never done this in Disney World, would like to hear of experiences of others. We have been to Disney World twice in the past 10 years. in 2009 we stayed off site in a home rental and in 2016 we stayed in Fort Wilderness. Both trips were 2 weeks.

I will add that my wife and I have taken 2 plus week cruises on an inside cabin and we had no complaints.

Your expert thoughts are welcome.

John

Judging by the dollar amount you’re quoting for POP and BWV, you’re looking at a standard view studio at BWV. Getting one for 16 nights during Fall Frenzy is going to be tough. It will be impossible if going through a broker. They disappear quickly right at 8:01 AM 11 months in advance, if not before that day. It would make more sense to budget for a Garden/Pool view if you want to stay at BWV. Or find an owner with enough points to rent and a willingness to do what it takes to get that reservation for you.

Something else to consider. The brokers already barely pay owners enough to cover their costs. Annual dues are expected to take another big jump in 2020 and then again in 2021. The cost of renting is going to have to rise if the brokers have any expectations of attracting owners.

And another consideration: DVC attempted to reallocate the 2020 points charts for their resorts with a heavy increase in the number of points needed per night for studios and 1BR villas. Although they backed away from the changes, members expect that DVC will try to do it again with the 2021 points charts. What this will mean for you as a renter is that not only will the price per point thru the brokers go up, the number of points per night will also go up...a double whammy.

 

[madjohn]

The Answers are very helpful, Thanks. I used the POP and the Boardwalk villas as my price comparison mark. I may decide (and probably will) to raise my price point to a better resort and then compare with other DVCs. I am just trying to figure out which way is better for me to go. One of my feelings is that I am looking for a location. Being in the Epcot/DS area or being on the monorail lupe seams to make sense to me. I don't wish to spend large amounts of time on buses if I can help it.

In terms of park days, I am planning the 10 day pass. Spending 3 days in MK and Epcot, and 2 days in HS and AK. On the off days, planning to visit other areas of Disney World and eating well.

John

 

[Deb & Bill]

You need to be aware that those DVC resorts on the monorail and close to Epcot tend to book up the quickest because renters are thinking the same as you. Plus owners like these as their home resorts for the same reason. SSR, OKW and AKV tend to book up last because they aren't a quick walk to the theme park.

 

[gzmtlock]

Seems like you're doing a bit of "apples and oranges" comparison. Pop is not on the monorail nor close to Epcot/HS, but you want a DVC resort to meet those requirements. I'm not saying you shouldn't want the proximity to the action (most folks would want that!), but in doing a cost comparison, it seems uneven. I'm not sure that AKV, OKW, or SSR is any more inconvenient than Pop, geographically speaking. And SSR would put you within walking distance of Disney Springs, with all its amenities for your non-park days.

 

[madjohn]

Seems like you're doing a bit of "apples and oranges" comparison. Pop is not on the monorail nor close to Epcot/HS, but you want a DVC resort to meet those requirements. I'm not saying you shouldn't want the proximity to the action (most folks would want that!), but in doing a cost comparison, it seems uneven. I'm not sure that AKV, OKW, or SSR is any more inconvenient than Pop, geographically speaking. And SSR would put you within walking distance of Disney Springs, with all its amenities for your non-park days.

My reading is that Pop is the nicest value and with the new gondola system, you got easy access to two parks.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It is also worth noting that a DVC owner can only book 7 nights at exactly 11 months and can only add a day at a time after. An agency won't even try to get the booking for a renter until 11 months plus 15 days for that kind of stay, and for sure you will not get BWV Standard on that basis.

If a private owner were to try to get one for you, you need to be aware an owner is likely to charge $18-20pp for that kind of booking, if not more.

 

[madjohn]

Thanks everyone for your input. You have given me good information to consider and check out.