DVC rental vs. Disney Vacation Package

[DisneyAddictTom122]

I will start this post off by first and foremost announcing that I am brand new to the forums (just signed up literally 5 minutes ago) and this is my first post so if I am in the wrong spot here forgive me. Anyways my Fiance and I are in love with Disney World...we have gone at least once a year, usually twice a year, since we first started dating and in fact recently got engaged in Epcot. Out of all the times we have gone together we usually have used her families RCI to stay at Saratoga Springs however we have booked a few trips (including an upcoming one later this year) directly through Disney on our own rather than using a timeshare. I have been more of the influence to book through Disney on occasion rather than her, partly because I don't like having to wait and hope something comes up on RCI but a big part is because there are so many different resorts and I think it is worth exploring new resorts. With that when i get going on one of my Disney vacation research crazes I have come across the option of DVC point rentals through various websites like David's DVC rentals.

My post here is basically to ask the question of which would be better to go through if we are not using RCI - in other words if we are going to book at a different resort is it worth looking into DVC rentals instead of using the website?

The Disney website and packages are really easy to book and are great for us because we don't have to pay up front the entire cost. Typically we only book hotel and park tickets (only did the dining plan once because it was free with the package). So getting more in depth with my post here: Is a DVC point rental as easy to book or is it more of a hassle?- I understand searching for points, calculating costs, etc etc can be time consuming but I'm speaking of the actual booking process once points are found and all that. Can you pay as you go up until the vacation like you can on the Disney website? Renting DVC points from a website like David's I would imagine means that you don't have use of the MyDisney Website up until your vacation or are you able to link a reservation once it is made the same way? Is there any other significant differences, good or bad, when going with a DVC point rental agency? (ie. can't book fast passes and dining in advance) I know there's probably a lot to answer and I'm sure I have more questions regarding it that I can't think of at the moment but I guess this is a starting point. Like I said we have our second Disney vacation for this year booked already but I still like to think about future trips and would love to be able to stay at some of the DVC properties. I appreciate any help!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

A DVC point rental is more of a hassle to book in most cases. Booking via Disney is a "sure thing." DVC rental is not.

Most agents and private owners will want at least 50% of the cost up front. Using an agency, you may have to wait for an owner with the right points to book you. You will need to be booking 11 months in advance in some cases, but in most cases at least 7 months in advance for best results. Fall is high season for DVC rental, and your best chances of booking the resort and dates you want are to have an owner at the resort you want lined up to book you exactly 11 months out; rate of success falls from there.

You can link a DVC booking through My Disney Experience. The owner can add dining for you (paid in full when added). You get 60-day FP+ so long as you have tickets linked; for tickets, you have to get your own) and Magical Express.

DVC rentals also do not receive daily housekeeping and cannot be canceled once booked in most cases; some private owners renting may be nice about it. Agencies are not.

 

[DduzDis]

Also, with a rental you cannot make any changes or room /view requests yourself. I rented points for my trip last month and it went really well. But, I had a really responsive owner. I could see how it may not always go well if you get a less than responsive owner. I have rented twice and had great experiences both times. I also tried to rent for my trip in Oct and there was no availability (but we made the decision to go back after the 7 month booking window). Renting saves a lot of money (potentially) but booking direct does give more flexibility on payment and control of the reservation. When booking with David's you will get a confirmation # that you link to MDE. You do still have the FastPass+ and Dining Reservation capabilities with point rental once this is done.

 

[disneynutz]

Book with Disney, easy, daily housekeeping more expensive. Book with a DVC owner, a little more work, limited housekeeping because of DVC, because of the cost savings you can get a larger room or stay longer. MB's, MDE, dining, stays the same. DVC rooms go fast for a reason, 11 month DVC booking with a resort owner or 7 months with any owner.

Bill

 

[kboo]

What Bill (@disneynutz) said.

DVC points rental - direct v. through an agency:

I will also add that we've rented points 3 times now, always from private owners because it has always been easier to get the points directly.
Pros: it's less $ than going through an agency, and a quicker process because the agency has to do the legwork to find an owner who has points to rent who can also make the booking, so renting from an owner cuts out the middleman
Cons: Usually have to pay in full at booking, and ability to change/cancel can vary considerably by the owner and when you book.

Points rental v. booking through Disney/waiting for a special rate:
In the past we've been flexible with dates and have managed to get very competitive room rates at deluxes through waiting for special sales, PIN codes and other discounts. The difficulty with that is that you usually have to wait until <6 mos before your proposed travel dates to see what deals come out, by which point you're past the optimum window for a renting points. Some of the hotel deals can be competitive with what you could get by renting points from an owner, but the biggest drawback is that you need to flexible with resorts and travel dates, and run the risk of no deal or a not-good-enough deal. I've managed to get rooms at deluxes through Disney for anywhere from $280-$400 (GF lagoon view), but those have all been during non-peak times.

Ultimately we realized that most of our vacations now are going to be during school breaks, and we aren't going to have the same flexibility - and we are going to know 11 months in advance when we plan to go, so buying DVC makes sense for us now. But if we always had flexible travel dates, I might stick with point rentals from the DVC owners and looking for good hotel deals as well. We've had seamless experiences renting points, and the reservation has shown up in MDE as soon as it's made. No problems setting up MDE or FP+ or making dining reservations.

 

[Kthomps4]

Has anyone ever heard of "Boardwalk4less" website? Sounds kind of shady. They posted a rental on redweek.com.

 

[zavandor]

A little word of caution on renting DVC points. The owner is in complete control of the reservation: he could cancel it at any moment. I have read here on the forum only once or maybe twice that a reservation was cancelled to a renter, so the large majority of rentals go well. Renting from a broker would protect you a little, because at least you would have your money back, but you wouldn't have a room to stay and this could mean a late minute direct reservation without discounts.
Renting direct from an owner requires you to do a bit of homework, checking his status on the DIS to see how many posts he has, check references, check if he registered is on the Orange county registry as a DVC owner.

 

[CraigInPA]

Perhaps you should consider buying into DVC, if you are planning on going to WDW every year. Ultimately, it would be more cost effective than renting points or going through CRO to get a Disney hotel room. As a DVC member, you wouldn't get things like "free dining", but would get benefits like access to the Top of the World Lounge and member-only perks like tours. My wife and I figured out that the break even point (several years ago) was about 7 years of our typical vacation schedule. Consider a resale contract to save a few bucks or get your favorite resort, or a direct contract if you like the Poly or Copper Creek (Wilderness Lodge).

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Renting direct from an owner requires you to do a bit of homework, checking his status on the DIS to see how many posts he has, check references, check if he registered is on the Orange county registry as a DVC owner.

Not all DVC owners are in the Orange County site if they only own Grand Californian Villas, Aulani, Vero Beach or Hilton Head.

 

[DisneyAddictTom122]

Perhaps you should consider buying into DVC, if you are planning on going to WDW every year. Ultimately, it would be more cost effective than renting points or going through CRO to get a Disney hotel room. As a DVC member, you wouldn't get things like "free dining", but would get benefits like access to the Top of the World Lounge and member-only perks like tours. My wife and I figured out that the break even point (several years ago) was about 7 years of our typical vacation schedule. Consider a resale contract to save a few bucks or get your favorite resort, or a direct contract if you like the Poly or Copper Creek (Wilderness Lodge).

We actually looked into the DVC Membership last year...I was for it more so than my fiance but it wasn't the time financially for us to be doing that with a lot on our plate. That being said I have interest in becoming a member still however the debate continues on in my head if it is really worth it or not for us - since her family does have RCI that we can use almost anytime. I have heard it said that DVC membership is basically for those who want to be a party of a Disney "club" almost, in other words they visit so often that they like the affiliation in a way with Disney by being a part of it which to be honest is something I would enjoy being a part of. However I worry when joining that it may become a little burden further on down the line - almost feeling forced to go constantly (which wouldn't be an issue haha), but feeling somewhat of a "guilt" I guess if taking a vacation elsewhere instead of Disney. Also I get a little nervous with the maintenance fees that I continue to hear increase each year. I want to be apart of DVC just because we do go at least once a year (sometimes even twice now) and I think it would be cost effective to some point, I guess I'm just being very cautious as it is a big financial commitment. Maybe as a DVC member you or another member could sell me on it more than I already am. Are there any parts you dislike about it? Not always a guarantee to be able to book a vacation each year in a certain resort, perks aren't as great as you thought or anything like that?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well, there is no guarantee you will get the room you want on any schedule you want. Even at 11 months, cerain rooms can be tough. You can only book home resort at 11 months, and other resorts as available at 7.

Dues increase. So do room rates.

 

[Dean]

I will start this post off by first and foremost announcing that I am brand new to the forums (just signed up literally 5 minutes ago) and this is my first post so if I am in the wrong spot here forgive me. Anyways my Fiance and I are in love with Disney World...we have gone at least once a year, usually twice a year, since we first started dating and in fact recently got engaged in Epcot. Out of all the times we have gone together we usually have used her families RCI to stay at Saratoga Springs however we have booked a few trips (including an upcoming one later this year) directly through Disney on our own rather than using a timeshare. I have been more of the influence to book through Disney on occasion rather than her, partly because I don't like having to wait and hope something comes up on RCI but a big part is because there are so many different resorts and I think it is worth exploring new resorts. With that when i get going on one of my Disney vacation research crazes I have come across the option of DVC point rentals through various websites like David's DVC rentals.

My post here is basically to ask the question of which would be better to go through if we are not using RCI - in other words if we are going to book at a different resort is it worth looking into DVC rentals instead of using the website?

The Disney website and packages are really easy to book and are great for us because we don't have to pay up front the entire cost. Typically we only book hotel and park tickets (only did the dining plan once because it was free with the package). So getting more in depth with my post here: Is a DVC point rental as easy to book or is it more of a hassle?- I understand searching for points, calculating costs, etc etc can be time consuming but I'm speaking of the actual booking process once points are found and all that. Can you pay as you go up until the vacation like you can on the Disney website? Renting DVC points from a website like David's I would imagine means that you don't have use of the MyDisney Website up until your vacation or are you able to link a reservation once it is made the same way? Is there any other significant differences, good or bad, when going with a DVC point rental agency? (ie. can't book fast passes and dining in advance) I know there's probably a lot to answer and I'm sure I have more questions regarding it that I can't think of at the moment but I guess this is a starting point. Like I said we have our second Disney vacation for this year booked already but I still like to think about future trips and would love to be able to stay at some of the DVC properties. I appreciate any help!

For many options a private rental is the best way though there is some risk. Just compare savings and get comfortable with someone or go through one of the rental brokers. One options is to book direct while waiting on RCI and cancel the direct reservation if you match through RCI though it likely will be OKW, SSR or AKV for WDW.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We actually looked into the DVC Membership last year...I was for it more so than my fiance but it wasn't the time financially for us to be doing that with a lot on our plate. That being said I have interest in becoming a member still however the debate continues on in my head if it is really worth it or not for us - since her family does have RCI that we can use almost anytime. I have heard it said that DVC membership is basically for those who want to be a party of a Disney "club" almost, in other words they visit so often that they like the affiliation in a way with Disney by being a part of it which to be honest is something I would enjoy being a part of. However I worry when joining that it may become a little burden further on down the line - almost feeling forced to go constantly (which wouldn't be an issue haha), but feeling somewhat of a "guilt" I guess if taking a vacation elsewhere instead of Disney. Also I get a little nervous with the maintenance fees that I continue to hear increase each year. I want to be apart of DVC just because we do go at least once a year (sometimes even twice now) and I think it would be cost effective to some point, I guess I'm just being very cautious as it is a big financial commitment. Maybe as a DVC member you or another member could sell me on it more than I already am. Are there any parts you dislike about it? Not always a guarantee to be able to book a vacation each year in a certain resort, perks aren't as great as you thought or anything like that?

Buy DVC to book DVC resorts. Using points for non-DVC trips tends to be expensive because DVC points that you can use for many of these things (not RCI-you can use resale points for RCI), must be purchased direct from Disney. So you pay a lot more per point. In your case, I'd skip purchasing DVC points and just use the inlaws RCI vacations. Or rent points occasionally.