First time renting DVC points-am I doing something wrong?

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Hello all, I'm not new to the DIS boards, but first time posting in this forum. Please forgive me in advance if this is not where I can ask this.. but hoping I can get some information.
Bit of a background.. we are a family of 3 (2A, 1C) and travel to WDW once a year. We typically go late August, stay at a moderate level resort and take advantage of Free Dining.
We have been eyeing the Deluxe resorts for a while, and we keep reading that a good way to stay at one is rent DVC points. Most things I read say you will either end up paying less than a moderate or the same, but get a deluxe.
This year we are looking to go again mid to late August and I priced out a moderate resort assuming Free Dining will be released.
Then we priced out a few deluxe studios through one of the 2 main DVC rental sites. To stay the same amount of time, on the same dates it would be roughly $550 more renting DVC points than booking through Disney. This is with tickets and a dining plan added to the DVC reservation and for one of the less expensive studio options for our dates (excluding OKW and Saratoga which we are not interested in) - we priced out Boardwalk, AKL standard view @ $550 more than the moderate with free dining and the Beach Club which we are most interested in @ $800 more.
Now, I'm not saying that it's a bad price for a deluxe, especially considering you get a bigger room but I still didn't expect it to be that much more than the Moderate booked through Disney directly...
What am I missing?
Is it the added Dining? Or the dates?
It is entirely possible that I'm doing something wrong here too... but I crunched the #'s a couple of times now.
Sorry for rambling on.. just trying to best explain it.
If someone has any insight, would highly appreciate it.

 

[cvjw]

You are trying to compare a moderate resort with free dining to a deluxe rental with a paid dining plan. The cost will most likely never be the same. Also, keep in mind that the points needed for August stays are higher than during the fall, early winter points requirements. More points needed for the rental equals a higher price to rent the points.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

You are trying to compare a moderate resort with free dining to a deluxe rental with a paid dining plan. The cost will most likely never be the same. Also, keep in mind that the points needed for August stays are higher than during the fall, early winter points requirements. More points needed for the rental equals a higher price to rent the points.

Thank you, that's what I thought. It sounds like renting DVC points is not a good deal during the Free Dining promotion then.. which makes sense I guess, I just wasn't 100% sure because you pay rack rates for the moderate when they have Free Dining.
It's also interesting that when we priced out the moderate (with FD) for last August and December, December was a couple of hundred dollars more... and with the DVC points it seems we can rent for quite a bit lower in December than August.
All new to me
Anyway thank you for your help!

 

[Dean]

Also, are you including the tax on the retail reservation, 12% makes a big difference. Still, it'll likely be more for 2 reasons, free dining and the upgrade in accommodations. The other thing is to make sure you're doing the same version of the DP. For fun you should price the DVC studio with DP and tickets on direct cash.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Also, are you including the tax on the retail reservation, 12% makes a big difference. Still, it'll likely be more for 2 reasons, free dining and the upgrade in accommodations. The other thing is to make sure you're doing the same version of the DP. For fun you should price the DVC studio with DP and tickets on direct cash.

Thanks. Both were with all taxes included.
The park tickets I actually priced out separately as there is a Cad. Resident special on 25% off so it was cheaper this way than what dvc quoted me.
I guess for our dates I just have to decide if $550 more is worth staying at the boardwalk or $800 more at beach club (over POR).
The studio is hands down an upgraded accommodation though.

 

[quandrea]

I think it's worth the extra $500. Just got back from Boardwalk Villas and port Orleans riverside does not come close. Not at all. Boardwalk was superior in every way. I can't rave about it enough.

 

[supersnoop]

Both were with all taxes included.

There's no tax on a DVC rental.

 

[Sammie]

Thank you, that's what I thought. It sounds like renting DVC points is not a good deal during the Free Dining promotion then.. which makes sense I guess, I just wasn't 100% sure because you pay rack rates for the moderate when they have Free Dining.
It's also interesting that when we priced out the moderate (with FD) for last August and December, December was a couple of hundred dollars more... and with the DVC points it seems we can rent for quite a bit lower in December than August.
All new to me
Anyway thank you for your help!

DVC stays in early December require fewer points than in August. DVC seasons do not always match Disney room seasons.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

There's no tax on a DVC rental.

Oh ok I figured maybe there was since my quote from the dvc rental agency said "includes taxes and fees"

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I think it's worth the extra $500. Just got back from Boardwalk Villas and port Orleans riverside does not come close. Not at all. Boardwalk was superior in every way. I can't rave about it enough.

I am thinking this too although having visited the Beach Club we loved the vibe there, their pool and walking distance to our fav park.
Never visited he Boardwalk but it sounds awesome too! Just their clown pool freaks me out a bit

 

[quandrea]

I am thinking this too although having visited the Beach Club we loved the vibe there, their pool and walking distance to our fav park.
Never visited he Boardwalk but it sounds awesome too! Just their clown pool freaks me out a bit

I prefer Boardwalk because I can walk to the Studios too. We like the quiet pool best. Had it all to ourselves last week. Didn't visit the clown pool once. Not a huge fan of the sand at Stormalong Bay. We are pool people not beach people. Seriously, either would be a great choice. But go deluxe for sure!

 

[poison ivy]

I am thinking this too although having visited the Beach Club we loved the vibe there, their pool and walking distance to our fav park.
Never visited he Boardwalk but it sounds awesome too! Just their clown pool freaks me out a bit

if you love the vibe at the Beach Club, you should consider a stay there above the others. Having stayed at BWV; BCV; YC and BC and Dolphin, we personally favor the Boardwalk. It's always our first choice among the Epcot Resorts. Everyone has their preference.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

if you love the vibe at the Beach Club, you should consider a stay there above the others. Having stayed at BWV; BCV; YC and BC and Dolphin, we personally favor the Boardwalk. It's always our first choice among the Epcot Resorts. Everyone has their preference.

I do, but to be fair I haven't even visited the Boardwalk resort... I have only seen it from the boat and photos... The Boardwalk is certainly less expensive. We have visited the Beach Club a few times as DH loves Cape May Café.
Their pool looks wicked although I didn't realize it has sand it in... not sure if I like that..
We could also stay at AKL for less than Boardwalk, and as much as I just love the theme of that resort, it has got to be pretty awesome to stay within walking distance to Epcot and HS.

 

[cvjw]

I do, but to be fair I haven't even visited the Boardwalk resort... I have only seen it from the boat and photos... The Boardwalk is certainly less expensive. We have visited the Beach Club a few times as DH loves Cape May Café.
Their pool looks wicked although I didn't realize it has sand it in... not sure if I like that..
We could also stay at AKL for less than Boardwalk, and as much as I just love the theme of that resort, it has got to be pretty awesome to stay within walking distance to Epcot and HS.

If you are getting a lower price for bwv than bcv, you are most likely looking at the standard view villas at bwv. Those are normally booked by owners because they are such a point saver. They are much harder to reserve than the pool/garden views which are the same amount of points as a bcv villa. Before you count on the lower bwv price, double check that there is availability for your dates in a standard view villa.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

If you are getting a lower price for bwv than bcv, you are most likely looking at the standard view villas at bwv. Those are normally booked by owners because they are such a point saver. They are much harder to reserve than the pool/garden views which are the same amount of points as a bcv villa. Before you count on the lower bwv price, double check that there is availability for your dates in a standard view villa.

I did already get quotes and they have availability. Maybe because all we want is a studio?

 

[Marionnette]

I did already get quotes and they have availability. Maybe because all we want is a studio?

For August 2017? I think you might have difficulty getting more than 2 consecutive nights in a standard view studio at this point. Standard studios and 2-bedrooms are the first to disappear at BWV. Availability changes rapidly now that we are inside the 7-month window and non-owners can book there for August. If you found an available standard studio for your dates, you should book it ASAP. It's not likely to be available for very long.

 

[Cyberc1978]

I did already get quotes and they have availability. Maybe because all we want is a studio?

Hi

When you get the quote from the rental site, then it doesn't mean that the availability is actually there. They need to contact DVC and then have an owner book it.

Edit: just looked at BCV for august and you can't get a studio there are no availability. As for BWV it's the same unless you are willing to stay very late in august and in the beginning of September.

That's just the picture now, may be different tomorrow.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

For August 2017? I think you might have difficulty getting more than 2 consecutive nights in a standard view studio at this point. Standard studios and 2-bedrooms are the first to disappear at BWV. Availability changes rapidly now that we are inside the 7-month window and non-owners can book there for August. If you found an available standard studio for your dates, you should book it ASAP. It's not likely to be available for very long.

Well this is what the person that emailed me all the quotes wrote (copied from email)
I have spoken with DVC Member Services and have found that there is availability for your travel dates as shown below. (Please note that while there is availability at your requested resorts, some of your requested views are not available. In these cases, I have provided alternate view availability.

But then it goes on to say this:

Should you decide to move forward with a reservation, rest assured we will work diligently to match your reservation with one of our renting DVC Members just as quickly as possible. We will monitor your reservation, pushing it out to our Members, and will continue to do so until the reservation has been confirmed, availability is lost, or you opt to pull your request.New! You are now able to purchase your Disney park passes directly from Disney through our service! We'll happily provide a quote at your request. New!

So I don't know, maybe this does not confirm anything, it's very confusing to me - this renting points.
This was a couple of weeks ago as well, so any availability could be gone by now. I will look into it again.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Hi

When you get the quote from the rental site, then it doesn't mean that the availability is actually there. They need to contact DVC and then have an owner book it.

Ok yes so I think that's what they sent me meant - see my post above. Thanks.
Sorry, I don't mean to sound dumb... I just really don't know how this works and trying to make sense of it. This process alone may throw out renting the dvc points out the window (since we are not DVC owners) and just buy directly with Disney, either deluxe with a room discount or moderate with free dining. I clearly don't understand it. But you guys are helping a lot - so thank you.

 

[Vijoge]

Well this is what the person that emailed me all the quotes wrote (copied from email)
I have spoken with DVC Member Services and have found that there is availability for your travel dates as shown below. (Please note that while there is availability at your requested resorts, some of your requested views are not available. In these cases, I have provided alternate view availability.

But then it goes on to say this:

Should you decide to move forward with a reservation, rest assured we will work diligently to match your reservation with one of our renting DVC Members just as quickly as possible. We will monitor your reservation, pushing it out to our Members, and will continue to do so until the reservation has been confirmed, availability is lost, or you opt to pull your request.New! You are now able to purchase your Disney park passes directly from Disney through our service! We'll happily provide a quote at your request. New!

So I don't know, maybe this does not confirm anything, it's very confusing to me - this renting points.
This was a couple of weeks ago as well, so any availability could be gone by now. I will look into it again.

What they're saying is yes, there are units available for your dates However they need to find a DVC OWNER who has points available and are willing to to rent them to you for those dates. Does that make sense?