Dvc rentals questions… inexperienced

[DisneyJColeMom]

Does it ever happen that a DVC rental would be more expensive than renting directly from Disney site? There are two rooms at two different resorts Ive been stalking at the Disney site. I know what the cost was before they became unavailable (I should have booked when I had the chance.) So Ive been searching a rental site & I see the rooms available there, but the total cost is actually more money and it makes me hesitant. Has anyone else seen this? I kinda thought you would always end up saving.
My 2nd question is, if I do rent and then decide that Id like to change my rental to a different resort, can I do that?

 

[RoseGold]

The owner has a markup on the points and the agency has a markup on the points. So, maybe? We have no idea what you are booking.

I can see this being possible at SSR/OKW larger rooms.

DVC isn’t like booking a hotel. Canceling or changing is really difficult. It’s unlikely the agency lets you do this at all.

 

[Marionnette]

Does it ever happen that a DVC rental would be more expensive than renting directly from Disney site? There are two rooms at two different resorts Ive been stalking at the Disney site. I know what the cost was before they became unavailable (I should have booked when I had the chance.) So Ive been searching a rental site & I see the rooms available there, but the total cost is actually more money and it makes me hesitant. Has anyone else seen this? I kinda thought you would always end up saving.
My 2nd question is, if I do rent and then decide that Id like to change my rental to a different resort, can I do that?

Yes. It can happen. There are certain times during the year when the number of points required for a night is high and Disney offers significant discounts for cash reservations. That typically happens with summer stays.

If you rent a reservation you are committing to that stay. If you book through an agency, then switching will not be possible. If you're renting from an individual owner, they may not have points at the resort you want, or if it's inside 7 months, availability might just not be there.

 

[Matty B13]

Most DVC rentals are final transactions and don't allow for refunds and/or transfers.

 

[Sandisw]

It does depend and it can happen, especially if Disney has any level of discount.

But, the potential savings that comes with rental is offset by the lack of flexibility.

Before becoming owners, it was one of the reasons we did not. We wanted the generous change and cancel policy with a cash room via Disney.

 

[sndral]

IME the one time I thought about renting DVC points before becoming a member I ended up going cash because w/ the discount being offered by Disney at the time the cost was roughly the same as renting & w/ cash I had a lot more flexibility if I needed to change/cancel.
DVC rentals are typically based on $ per point, the number of points to rent a villa varies depending on size, resort, specific view of that villa, weeknight v. weekend, and time of year. For example a studio for a weeknight in early Dec. can range from 8 points for AKV value to 22 points for Poly lake view, those same studios shoot up in points a couple of weeks later for a Sat. Christmas Eve stay when it’s 17 points for an AKV value and 43 points for a Poly lake view.
Disney cash discounts seem to be geared towards filling rooms & once they reach the booking % they’re seeking the discount is no longer available for that room/resort/time.