DVC vs Book direct?

[Kialovesbooks24]

So I am planning a trip for May 2026 for myself and my 3 teens. I am looking to get some opinions on DVC rentals vs booking directly with Disney, I know the obvious benefit of booking directly with Disney is if i have to cancel for any reason i have the freedom to do so, but this is our one and done trip and the Polynesian is a dream resort that i don't think i could ever afford any other way. just looking for some feedback and opinions from those who have rented DVC points and how their experiences were.

 

[RivGirl]

I have rented points multiple times, most recently at the Polynesian. It has been a very easy and seamless process every time. You can purchase separate trip insurance if you are concerned about possible cancellation. Some rental companies also have various cancellation policies. I have used two different rental companies and I would recommend either. I’m not sure I’m allowed to say their names on this board, though.

 

[Princess Me]

I have rented points with both David's Vacation Club Rentals and DVC Rental Store multiple times. It's definitely much more affordable than paying cash directly through Disney, and both companies were great to work with. You can get an even better deal renting points directly from a member, but I prefer the safety of the middle man company. I believe that DVC Rental Store just recently added a refund policy where you can at least get credit for a future rental if you need to cancel.

 

[RivGirl]

I have rented points with both David's Vacation Club Rentals and DVC Rental Store multiple times. It's definitely much more affordable than paying cash directly through Disney, and both companies were great to work with. You can get an even better deal renting points directly from a member, but I prefer the safety of the middle man company. I believe that DVC Rental Store just recently added a refund policy where you can at least get credit for a future rental if you need to cancel.

These are the two I have rented from as well. (I’m a relative newcomer to these boards so I wasn’t sure of the posting rules and wanted to play it safe.)

 

[Kialovesbooks24]

I have rented points multiple times, most recently at the Polynesian. It has been a very easy and seamless process every time. You can purchase separate trip insurance if you are concerned about possible cancellation. Some rental companies also have various cancellation policies. I have used two different rental companies and I would recommend either. I’m not sure I’m allowed to say their names on this board, though.

can you send me a DM with the info?

 

[Mle8308]

Same as the other posters. I have used DVC Rental Store and it's been easy. Only thing is to be prepared to rent at 11 months, and you will pay more for those points at DVC Rental than if you wait until the 7 month mark. I believe that policy is the same at most rental agencies. If you want to rent for a longer stay, it can be more challenging to find an owner who has enough points to book for you. Or you may have to do 2 separate reservations (if you want over 7 nights). That is why sometimes renting through an owner here on the DIS may be easier - but then they may not offer any refunds. And also, many rental companies make you pay for the entire stay up front (DVC Rental Store does not, but their points this year for the Poly at 11 months were $26 per point, on the high side). They do offer a partial credit if you have to cancel, as long as it is done within certain time frames. They now also offer insurance you can purchase from them when you rent, as well. Another small thing is you will not get daily housekeeping when renting points, so be prepared for that. You may have your room made up once if you are staying for a longer period of time. Daily room checks will happen. If you go the first 2 weeks of May, points are considerably lower. For instance, a resort view studio is 125 points for a week the first 2 weeks of May, so, at $26 a point from DVC Rental Store, it's about $465 a night. The last 2 weeks in May it's139 points for a resort view studio for 7 nights, so about $516 a night. You can find points for less, the rental companies are all going to be close in pricing. Again, a private renter will often rent for around $20 a point. As long as you have a plan and do some research, renting points can be a great option!

 

[McCrae]

So I am planning a trip for May 2026 for myself and my 3 teens. I am looking to get some opinions on DVC rentals vs booking directly with Disney, I know the obvious benefit of booking directly with Disney is if i have to cancel for any reason i have the freedom to do so, but this is our one and done trip and the Polynesian is a dream resort that i don't think i could ever afford any other way. just looking for some feedback and opinions from those who have rented DVC points and how their experiences were.

The biggest difference is probably the size and types of rooms available through DVC and booking hotel rooms from Disney. More options are available through DVC and for longer stays additional space maybe a big plus.

 

[AaronInWI]

We've rented DVC points multiple times through a rental company, then from an individual the last time. I won't go into it, but the rental company made some changes to how they operate a few years ago that I did not like and thought was a little shady. For our last trip in 2023, we rented points from a DIS Boards member, and I could not have been happier. (It doesn't look like she's been active on here for a while, so I won't mention her name.) It was less expensive than the rental companies, and I like that I was talking directly to the member vs trusting the rental company to make that communication. What made me feel comfortable doing this is that she obviously had rented points many times before and I had to sign a contract and everything, which protected both parties.

As for DVC rental vs direct through Disney, at first it was mostly about cost and location. We've always stayed at CR and for a while it was cheaper to rent points for a studio at BLT than book CR directly through Disney. Then we tried a 1-br and just got spoiled by the full kitchen and washer/dryer. And now we're closing on a resale contract at BLT, but that's a different forum all together.

 

[bakerworld]

So I am planning a trip for May 2026 for myself and my 3 teens. I am looking to get some opinions on DVC rentals vs booking directly with Disney, I know the obvious benefit of booking directly with Disney is if i have to cancel for any reason i have the freedom to do so, but this is our one and done trip and the Polynesian is a dream resort that i don't think i could ever afford any other way. just looking for some feedback and opinions from those who have rented DVC points and how their experiences were.

For me, I'd book direct for the 'cancellation' ability. Teens are hard to judge a year out so who knows what will be happening by May of 2026. The good news is early May is usually a less expensive time of year for reserving direct or DVC rental. Personally, if deciding to go the DVC rental route I'd book direct thru an owner, being aware there's no cancellation possibility.

Another plus for reserving direct is the vacation will fall in the Spring discounts offered by Disney so the booking could be made a year out with the discounted rate being dropped in when it appears. That is what I always did before joining DVC.

 

[zanzibar138]

We just got back from a 2 week stay using DVC rental. We had a split-stay across Poly, BLT and AKL. It was the only way we could afford to stay at those places and we had absolutely no regrets!

We usually book non-refundable airfares and accommodation, so that part of it didn't bother us. We did have trip insurance in place though, just in case. The only thing that made me start to second-guess myself was when Disney announced the refurb for BLT. It was fine though - aside from the skybridge being closed as part of the refurb, we didn't even notice it!

I was pretty nervous about the whole DVC rental thing, but now I've experienced it, I would absolutely do it again!

 

[Kialovesbooks24]

We just got back from a 2 week stay using DVC rental. We had a split-stay across Poly, BLT and AKL. It was the only way we could afford to stay at those places and we had absolutely no regrets!

We usually book non-refundable airfares and accommodation, so that part of it didn't bother us. We did have trip insurance in place though, just in case. The only thing that made me start to second-guess myself was when Disney announced the refurb for BLT. It was fine though - aside from the skybridge being closed as part of the refurb, we didn't even notice it!

I was pretty nervous about the whole DVC rental thing, but now I've experienced it, I would absolutely do it again!

Can you tell me what company you went through? I’m really debating this and I’m trying to do my research

 

[zanzibar138]

Can you tell me what company you went through? I’m really debating this and I’m trying to do my research

Sorry, I went through DVC Shop. It came recommended to me from a Facebook group and I had no issues.

 

[AhsokaFan]

So I am planning a trip for May 2026 for myself and my 3 teens. I am looking to get some opinions on DVC rentals vs booking directly with Disney, I know the obvious benefit of booking directly with Disney is if i have to cancel for any reason i have the freedom to do so, but this is our one and done trip and the Polynesian is a dream resort that i don't think i could ever afford any other way. just looking for some feedback and opinions from those who have rented DVC points and how their experiences were.

I’ve rented points and booked directly, if you want to nail down lodging a year in advance, I’d say rent points. Disney does often times put out 30% off (or similar) offers for rooms that brings them closer to points prices, but those don’t come out until about 1 season ahead.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Board sponsor now has an option for adding on a protection for cancellation I believe.

 

[yourfriend2]

I would never book direct with the prices that Disney charges. DVC rental all the way!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

If you’re going to rent, I’d do it through these boards on the rental thread. It’s MUCH cheaper than the companies. Just check references. For instance, at $18 a point in a slower month you can average about $300 a night in a studio. That’s the price of a moderate. The rental companies would be more like $25 a point. But you take on more risk with a private rental, but if you check references and they’re a long time member here, you should be fine.

 

[AstroBlasters]

You can also rent directly from a DIS member: https://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-transfer.29/