Dvc rental...what's your experience

[disneyvoice]

Can someone explain why you would go through the "renting" points process when you can get a DVC room through the normal WDW site? We have stayed at SSR in the past and got a really amazing discount using one of the season discount codes that are available to everyone (and have seen equally great rates at all the DVC resorts with AP discounts). Do you get some kind of special perks during your stay or even deeper discounts if you rent points? I've always been confused by this.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Can someone explain why you would go through the "renting" points process when you can get a DVC room through the normal WDW site? We have stayed at SSR in the past and got a really amazing discount using one of the season discount codes that are available to everyone (and have seen equally great rates at all the DVC resorts with AP discounts). Do you get some kind of special perks during your stay or even deeper discounts if you rent points? I've always been confused by this.

Was your discount greater than 50% in the summer months?

 

[dansdad]

Can someone explain why you would go through the "renting" points process when you can get a DVC room through the normal WDW site? We have stayed at SSR in the past and got a really amazing discount using one of the season discount codes that are available to everyone (and have seen equally great rates at all the DVC resorts with AP discounts). Do you get some kind of special perks during your stay or even deeper discounts if you rent points? I've always been confused by this.

No special perks. We just have not been able to use a discount to get us anywhere close to the cost of renting points. If $$ was equal, or somewhat close, I'd go through WDW for the daily housekeeping, ability to change or cancel.

 

[kayteekt]

Renting DVC has allowed us to experience deluxe resorts at a huge discount. We *could* afford to pay the room rates through Disney, but then we wouldn't be taking multiple trips per year.

There are cons, many of which have been pointed out already, but for our family...the pros outweigh the cons...big time!

A couple things...we started renting through a company (not David's, but just as reputable). After we did that a couple times and I was comfortable with how it all worked...I started renting from owners. I'd say we've rented at least 5 times (and helped coordinate some other rentals for family).

Some things to keep in mind...
The more flexible you are, the better. If your first choice isn't available, just ask what *is* available.
Some owners actually have cancellation/re-scheduling policies (as opposed to going with a company where it's pretty much a done deal)
Some of these companies offer insurance (but in my humble opinion they stink)
You will not get daily mousekeeping - to me this is the biggest bummer, but alot of people don't mind...I'm getting used to it!
You *do* have access to a free laundry room (if you're in a studio and don't have an in-room w/d). That's been a nice perk.
If you're looking at a Studio, you will have a Queen and pull out couch. Right now, we have younger kids so this has been ok.
The cheaper (less points) rooms are absolutely harder to get, but not impossible. You may not want a value room at AKL anyway, I believe you're looking at the parking lot there. Standard is much easier to get.
Same thing at BWV, that's the first place we rented and we priced it at getting the cheapest category which wasn't available.
Worst case, you can almost always find something at SSR. Which after staying there, found it's really not a bad option. Puts me in mind of POR. Liked it a whole lot better than I thought I would, but....I had scored a 2brm at an amazing deal, so that probably helped
You *can* add on a DP, if you like.
You *can* buy cheaper 3rd party tickets since you're not booking a package.

So much to love! I hate we didn't do it for the first few years!

 

[disneyvoice]

Was your discount greater than 50% in the summer months?

Hmmm, it's been several years so I'm sure the rates have increased and I don't remember exactly what time of year we stayed but I want to say we were in the mid to high $200 range per day for a one bedroom at SSR. I'm fairly certain in wasn't summer, we only recently started scheduling trips in summer. Is a 50% discount fairly standard when renting points? If so that does seem better than the typical seasonal or AP discount rates. Thanks! I'll have to look into this - especially since we are moving not far from WDW property, we would still like to do some on-property trips but those will be hard to justify unless we can get a really amazing rate!

 

[kayteekt]

Can someone explain why you would go through the "renting" points process when you can get a DVC room through the normal WDW site? We have stayed at SSR in the past and got a really amazing discount using one of the season discount codes that are available to everyone (and have seen equally great rates at all the DVC resorts with AP discounts). Do you get some kind of special perks during your stay or even deeper discounts if you rent points? I've always been confused by this.

...because it will be even cheaper. Just an example...I just booked one night at SSR in front of another stay. I could have gotten an AP offer (which was better than the general % offer for everyone) for $240+tax/fees. I rented the same exact room for $140 total via DVC Points.

 

[Marionnette]

Hmmm, it's been several years so I'm sure the rates have increased and I don't remember exactly what time of year we stayed but I want to say we were in the mid to high $200 range per day for a one bedroom at SSR. I'm fairly certain in wasn't summer, we only recently started scheduling trips in summer. Is a 50% discount fairly standard when renting points? If so that does seem better than the typical seasonal or AP discount rates. Thanks! I'll have to look into this - especially since we are moving not far from WDW property, we would still like to do some on-property trips but those will be hard to justify unless we can get a really amazing rate!

The answer is: sometimes.

Sometimes, it's less expensive to get a room-only discount in the hotel section of the resort. For example, CR Garden Wing vs. BLT studio during certain seasons. Since DVC "seasons" do not mirror Disney's resort "seasons", there are times when it takes more $ to rent a studio reservation than it does to get a hotel room with a room-only discount. You really have to do your homework.

If you're comparing apples to apples (studio via DVC rental vs. studio via cash reservation), it will always be less expensive to go the rental route. I don't know if I would say that it is a full 50% discount because it is very dependent on the number of points needed and the cost per point paid. But for many people, renting DVC is a much more affordable way for them to stay in a Deluxe Resort or vacation in a villa that allows the whole family to be in one villa instead of spread out among multiple hotel rooms.

 

[bwbuddy5]

The answer is: sometimes.

Sometimes, it's less expensive to get a room-only discount in the hotel section of the resort. For example, CR Garden Wing vs. BLT studio during certain seasons. Since DVC "seasons" do not mirror Disney's resort "seasons", there are times when it takes more $ to rent a studio reservation than it does to get a hotel room with a room-only discount. You really have to do your homework.

If you're comparing apples to apples (studio via DVC rental vs. studio via cash reservation), it will always be less expensive to go the rental route. I don't know if I would say that it is a full 50% discount because it is very dependent on the number of points needed and the cost per point paid. But for many people, renting DVC is a much more affordable way for them to stay in a Deluxe Resort or vacation in a villa that allows the whole family to be in one villa instead of spread out among multiple hotel rooms.

Very true, rental has a lot of moving parts -- I may have received a steeper discount from the renter because I needed a large number of points, I was going in early summer, and the accommodations I requested are consistently available at the 7-month booking window. I also received a reply from one of Dave's representatives as well.

 

[nkereina]

Reputable owners who rent their points out directly, not using a broker, will almost always have references available upon request and/or will have a written agreement for you to sign. I've rented several times, including our Aulani stay, through owners I found on the Rent/Trade board here on DisBoards. As long as you find a reputable owner like this, you can save some money rather than using a broker, and you also may have different payment options as well. A few of the owners I've worked with have taken a deposit or half of the money up front and required the balance to be paid off 30-45 days before our trip.

 

[westie55]

I have rented with David's twice. Both times I put in my request at 11 months. Both times I was booked within 24 hours (Grand Californian studio in April, Grand Floridian studio in November). Both times were easy and communication was great.

David's has prices online. They do NOT reflect availability. It seems renting offers the biggest savings to those staying in studios. I recently did a reservation for a 1 BR at SSR through Disney. It wouldn't have been cheaper to rent points.

Know what you do and don't get by renting.

You do have to pay upfront (with David's. I've heard some others allow a deposit and the balance to be paid later). You cannot cancel. You do not get standard housekeeping. Trash and towel service are on day 4. If you want replacement toiletries or coffee before then, expect to pay. The studios have 1 queen bed and a soda bed. The sofa bed is not comfortable. I do not recommend studios for 4 adults for that reason. The DVC rooms are not the same as the resort hotel rooms. Look at the pictures online. The decor does vary, as does the room layout. Often the DVC villas are in a different section or building of the resort.

If you are ok with all of this, renting points is a fabulous way to stay at a resort you otherwise couldn't afford. I paid about half the price for a GFV studio compared to a standard hotel room at the GF. This makes it all worth it!

 

[noblemaidenfair]

Value studios are pretty hard to get, even for AKV owners who are booking right at 11 months. I'm very surprised that the PP was able to book one thru David's in April for a trip in August. David's won't even take requests for them. And there are no value studios at AKV Kidani, so I'm inclined to believe that the PP actually booked a standard view, not a value studio.

Typically, but it just depends for some reason. Our friends were able to get into Bay Lake about 4 months out last summer. They were shocked.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Typically, but it just depends for some reason. Our friends were able to get into Bay Lake about 4 months out last summer. They were shocked.

Bet it was Lake View.

The AKV Value booking category is very s.all and specific. Lots of people price rental based on the absolute lowest point rooms, like those, and it simply is not a realisyic expectation to book those as a rental, especially in DVC high season.

 

[Marionnette]

Typically, but it just depends for some reason. Our friends were able to get into Bay Lake about 4 months out last summer. They were shocked.

No, not "typically". Availability at BLT in summer has nothing to do with value studio availability at AKV. Two different resorts with entirely different points charts and a different population of owners. There are only 8 dedicated value studios at AKV and another 10 which are part of a lock-off (studio + 1-BR). So, a maximum of 18 value studios in the entire resort. BLT has 147 studios, all of which are lock-offs. Your chances of getting a BLT studio are greater at any time in the year as compared to score one of the AKV value studios.

 

[noblemaidenfair]

No, not "typically". Availability at BLT in summer has nothing to do with value studio availability at AKV. Two different resorts with entirely different points charts and a different population of owners. There are only 8 dedicated value studios at AKV and another 10 which are part of a lock-off (studio + 1-BR). So, a maximum of 18 value studios in the entire resort. BLT has 147 studios, all of which are lock-offs. Your chances of getting a BLT studio are greater at any time in the year as compared to score one of the AKV value studios.

Learn something new everyday

 

[jcvalenti]

I "rented" for the first time a couple months ago. I was looking for a week long trip the week after Thanksgiving to surprise the kids with. I tried to work through David's, but they could not find any matching availability for my requested period and resort (David's was great to work with, though, and super responsive). As it turns out, that was a good thing. I have a colleague at work who invested a small fortune into DVC many years ago, and has a pile of points that he will rent out to family and friends. The day I got the notice from David's, his wife got on the phone with me and was able to book the whole trip for me (5 days at Boardwalk, 2 at Polynesian) - and the rate they charged was significantly below David's. The 1 BR Villa I booked at Boardwalk was about 1/2 the price of what I would have gotten on the website. Overall, it was a pretty smooth transaction. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again ... and while the non-refundable portion hurts, I'm going to love going on a trip in November and knowing just about everything is paid off long before we go.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I "rented" for the first time a couple months ago. I was looking for a week long trip the week after Thanksgiving to surprise the kids with. I tried to work through David's, but they could not find any matching availability for my requested period and resort (David's was great to work with, though, and super responsive). As it turns out, that was a good thing. I have a colleague at work who invested a small fortune into DVC many years ago, and has a pile of points that he will rent out to family and friends. The day I got the notice from David's, his wife got on the phone with me and was able to book the whole trip for me (5 days at Boardwalk, 2 at Polynesian) - and the rate they charged was significantly below David's. The 1 BR Villa I booked at Boardwalk was about 1/2 the price of what I would have gotten on the website. Overall, it was a pretty smooth transaction. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again ... and while the non-refundable portion hurts, I'm going to love going on a trip in November and knowing just about everything is paid off long before we go.

Wow, you were very lucky. The first week of Dec is the hardest to book at anything less than nine or ten months out because it is the number one week that DVC members want to book.

 

[leebee]

I've rented points three different times. Our stays at OKW and AKV were not really planned far in advance (maybe 2 months), but the OKW stay was purchased through Amazon (? maybe... it was years ago, I "bought" the advertised 5 nights, it went through like clockwork) and our upcoming stay at AKV is only for 2 nights; made the reservation in mid-may for 2 nights mid-week in July. For our trip to F&W, I made the reservation in February (maybe January?) for an October trip. The OKW reservation was through a travel site somewhere, but the BWV and AKV reservations were made through owners on the DISboards DVC boards. I felt that the experience was great both times I rented through the DISboards!

 

[Dakota731]

[/ months), but the OKW stay was purchased through Amazon QUOTE]

Now I know Amazon does sell everything under the sun!!

We did points once and it was a go deal, but the next trip it worked out cheaper for us through Disney with free dinjng(which you can't get renting). With five Disney adults we just have to do the math and compare prices and packages.

 

[jcvalenti]

Wow, you were very lucky. The first week of Dec is the hardest to book at anything less than nine or ten months out because it is the number one week that DVC members want to book.

I booked it in April for a November trip ... so yeah, I think we did get a little lucky. I was kind of thinking about splitting a stay anyway, so when I found out that was a huge "DVC" time, I just booked the last two days of our trip as a standard at Polynesian. Good thing I did it the second I did, because I haven't seen a single Polynesian room open on those days since. My understanding is that I got one of the last 1 BR villas at Boardwalk for the first 5 days of our trip. I had heard forever how light the crowds were the week after Thanksgiving - figures that the tradeoff would be that everyone who is there that week is a Disney "Insider" - that explains why ADRs were damn near impossible to make this trip. We've never had any problem ever getting what we wanted for our usual July or August trips.

 

[Nina-Marie]

Just want to chime in here. I was able to book a BWV stay for late April/Early May 2018 - standard view studio - for 9 nights through a DVC Points Agency. I contacted them a couple of weeks before the 11 month mark and that way it was on their calendar to start tracking down availability right at the 11 month mark. It took about 24 hrs for them to get back to me with the good news and my reservation confirmation. Our cost is just about 50% of what it would be if I paid OOP. So while, getting a standard view studio might be hard, it definitely is NOT impossible and should be attempted.