First time renter questions...

[asaj]

We are interested in renting at BCV for the last week in Sept 2007. We have never rented before, and this will be a trial run for us, to help decide if we'd like to become DVC members.

How far in advance should I post a request on the rental board, for these dates?

Also, is payment usually expected as soon as the reservation is made by the member?

Finally, what would happen if we have paid the member, and then something happens where we cannot go on the trip, say a couple months beforehand? Are we out the money?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[asaj]

Anybody?

Also, another question...is renting typically cheaper than making a package reservation thru Disney, assuming that there will be free dining or something again next year?

Andy

 

[browniemtb]

I would try posting this on the rent trade thread. September shouldn't be that difficult to get. Renting DVC is strictly accommodations no park tickets or free dining. You will have to arrange for this yourself. If you do the DDP then the DVC owner will have to book it for you same as the ME. As far as cheaper, it all depends on where yo usually stay....

 

[asaj]

I would try posting this on the rent trade thread. September shouldn't be that difficult to get. Renting DVC is strictly accommodations no park tickets or free dining. You will have to arrange for this yourself. If you do the DDP then the DVC owner will have to book it for you same as the ME. As far as cheaper, it all depends on where yo usually stay....

Thanks for the reply. We are going to stay at the Beach Club next year, regardless, so I was wondering if I should wait and see if a package deal comes from Disney, or just go ahead and post that I am looking to rent the points. I don't want to wait for a deal, only to find out one isn't coming, or that it is still cheaper to rent...

 

[browniemtb]

Thanks for the reply. We are going to stay at the Beach Club next year, regardless, so I was wondering if I should wait and see if a package deal comes from Disney, or just go ahead and post that I am looking to rent the points. I don't want to wait for a deal, only to find out one isn't coming, or that it is still cheaper to rent...

I don't find package deals that lucrative from Disney. Wasn't the free dining thing if you stayed at select value resorts? If you rented from a DVC owner your price for accommodations will be less then paying rack rate. Also the rooms will be larger......so for the price of a regular BC room at rack rate you may find you could get a 1 bedroom at BCV for less $$. Tickets and the dining plan cost the same regardless......there is no package discount. I guess mousesavers discounts the park tickets a little I think. If you rent DVC you'll get sucked in........good luck
Brownie

 

[Deb & Bill]

The deal is between you and the member who owns the points. Disney does not get involved in any way. The owner sets the rules for the rental, whether or not they will attempt to reschedule if for some reason you can't go when they reserved, or if you will get a refund. And how you will make the payment for the reservation. Some members require full payment once the reservation is made. Others may let you pay it out. Some require cash, some accept Paypal, some accept checks.

Packages through Disney are usually rack rate if dining is included. Or if there are free nights involved. No free dining using DVC points. You can purchase the dining plan (as it stands right now, but that could always change), but the member must notify Member Services of your desire for the DP.

The member fully controls the reservation until the moment you check in. They receive a confirmation, but your name will not be on it. You will not be able to confirm the reservation until a few days before and then only directly with the resort.

If you wait until Disney announces a package for the dates you are going, it may be too late to get a reservation through a member.

A studio will be similar to a standard hotel room, but you will get a kitchenette. The biggest difference between the regular resorts and DVC is when you get to a one bedroom or larger.

 

[salmoneous]

Renting points from a memeber is something you want to read up on before jumping in. Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting into! As for your specific questions -

Now would not be too soon to start looking for someone to rent you points. Members can book 11 moths out for their home resort. All members can book 7 months ahead of time. Even if you don't want to book at the 11-month window, you should try and book at least at the 7-month window.

The agreement is between you and the member and can have any terms you agree on. Typical agreements call for 1/2 the payment immediately, and 1/2 60-90 days out. Cancellation terms would also be negotiated - but would probably say something like owner will try in good faith to rerent out the points - but you could be on the hook for at least your deposit.

If you are going during "free dining" and your trip will include a weekend, you probably won't save enough money by renting a reservation to justify all the extra work.

 

[disneydenisel]

We rented for the first time last year. It was really simple and quite painless. We saved a lot of money and had accommodations that were just right for my small children.

You can either look on the Rent/Trade forum for someone who has BCV points to rent, or you can post your own Reservation wanted thread. I just looked for someone who was renting and pm'd him. He wanted 50% once the reservation was in my name (he sent the DVC confirmation to me via certified U.S. mail), and the balance about a month before arrival. Some members have cancellation policies, some don't, but most will try to re-rent a cancelled reservation, or, if the points can still be put back into a member's account, they might charge you a fee for the inconvenience.

He made room requests for me, confirmed all the names on the ressie, and made sure that I had my Magical Express reservation too. He took PayPal for the payment, which made it simple and easy. He provided a simple contract. It was his first time renting, and my first time as well.

I did try looking for codes for BC at first, but it was nerve-wracking. It was easier to know that I had the large villa and all was taken care of.

The only problem was, after we stayed there, we had to buy.... . That's the only danger...

 

[asaj]

Thank you for all of the information, it was exactly what I was looking for.

It will probably just be my wife and I, and our 7 year old daughter, so we were thinking a 1 bedroom would be good. We really want the washer/dryer, and I believe you have to have a 1 bedroom to get those.

I like the idea of making our own breakfasts in our room, so we may not even go with the dining plan this time. We have done it the past two years, and it really is a lot of food.

Okay, thanks again. I'll probably put out a reservation wanted post this week then, thanks.

Andy

 

[mama03]

That time of year might be hard to secure a reservation. I would try to book now with a member. Just a tip.

 

[asaj]

That time of year might be hard to secure a reservation. I would try to book now with a member. Just a tip.

Yeah, we typically try to go the week before the F&W Festival, to keep the crowds down. I still need to confirm that Sept is when we will want to go, but yes, we will probably go the member route. Thanks.