Grand Californian villas with rented DVC points?

[deanimal]

I've been looking at my options for hotels for our upcoming Disney trip. Its our second time, but last time we stayed with family, so this is my first time tackling the big hotel decision.

I've been comparing Resort hotels and the prices seem really high to me, but I am intrigued by the option of renting DVC points. By my calculations, it would cost $292 (PP), $385(DLH) and $462(GCH) per night with tax included, but by renting DVC points through an agency I could get a CGH studio villa for $242 per night. As far as I can tell, there's no tax on renting points. (please tell me if I'm wrong!)

So, what's the catch? I know there's some risk involved, but that's why I'm planning to use a reputable agency to minimize it. No daily housekeeping is okay, too. Are there any other big downsides? We can still use the pool and other facilities, right? I know the studios look a little small, but they're as big as a regular hotel room as far as I can see. Anyone else done this?

 

[taaren]

The studios are actually 379 square feet, vs the hotel rooms being 353 square feet so they're larger and you get a mini-kitchen. How much a studio rental will cost varies by agency as well as by the season (ie. how many points are required for each night of your stay, which can vary greatly).

The other main thing is that you have to book in advance and stick to your plan (the cancellation policies on points rentals are difficult since if the owner cancels, they still have to use the points by a certain date). 11 months is ideal, 8 months at the latest, because once the 7 month mark to your vacation dates kicks in the VGC will probably be booked solid due to the fact that at that point everybody who owns at WDW can book there too.

Finding a VGC owner that wants to rent is harder than finding an owner at WDW because there are fewer of us, and most of us that own there bought so we could stay at VGC and use all of our points ... but its do-able, particularly if you're using an agency like David's or TSS.

There will be no tax on renting points. Your parking fees and internet fees and resort fees are all included in the owner's dues so if you don't charge anything to the room your bill when you check out will be $0. One of my favorite features of DVC.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...So, what's the catch?...

The catch is that you are not renting from Disney. So, Disney reservation/cancellation rules mean nothing. Make sure you understand the policies and rules of whomever you are renting from to get your stay.

The reason it costs so much less is that someone has purchased (approx.) 50 years worth of points from DVC in order to get a MUCH lower rate. We own at AKV. When we calculate our the cost of our upcoming visit, it is WAY less than if we were to book the visit in cash. Why? Well, Disney got a very large amount of money from us for a 48 year contract of DVC stays.

So, if you want to call it a "catch," that's the explanation.

My huge piece of advice, again, is make sure you understand all the terms of your agreement. Disney is not involved and cannot "fix" it if something goes awry.

- Dreams

 

[luckyman_apd]

I am a BLT owner at WDW. Renting at the GCH is amazing if you can get an owner to find availability. The GCH is very limited to DVC rooms. There are only 71 (I think) available compared to over 3,000 at al 7 of the DVC resorts at WDW. So unless you are renting from someone who OWNS there, and can make your reservation 11 months in advance (that's when DVC booking opens to owners, 7 months for owners of a different resort) it will tough to get a reservation there.

There is a whole thread on Renting DVC points in the DVC section. It can be a good deal, as we rented points from someone before be bought in. If you rent points, your reservation is ENTIRELY controlled by the person you are renting from. You CANNOT speak to Disney about your reservation, as DVC member services will only speak to the Owner Directly. Also, cancellation policies for DVC cannot be made within 30 days of your reservation, and even then depending on the owners Points Use Year, the points may not be bankable, so if you rent points, you should be certain you are not going to cancel, as the owner may lose their points, and NOT give you back your money. There are sample contracts to use on the Rental Thread in the DVC section. I suggest you look there. It can save you money (especially in WDW) but there are risks to both the renter and owner.

 

[Susie63]

I have rented points,privately,for next year. It is my first time doing so and I can tell you it is a blind leap of faith.I made sure I rented from someone who has rented before and checked all referrences.That being said,I could arrive at the GCV next February and not have a place to stay.
I did try to rent through a vendor who rents points for owners,but they were unable to secure points for me at GCV.They did not have any owners who were renting points and so they refunded my money. You will have better luck at the 7 month mark as the pool of points will be bigger,but so will the number of people trying to get that same room.However,those vendors will take care of you in the unlikely event that something goes awry.
There is a lot of good info about renting on the DVC board.Good luck

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have rented a few times now and it had worked well until I could get no points for the times I needed this year. I find it has become my first choice if I am going to visit.

Jack

 

[deanimal]

One thing I forgot to ask; do villa guest get to use Magic Mornings on each day of their stay just like the other DLH guests?

 

[blackjackdelta]

One thing I forgot to ask; do villa guest get to use Magic Mornings on each day of their stay just like the other DLH guests?

Yes they do on those mornings that it is offered.

Jack

 

[Nonsuch]

...do villa guest get to use Magic Mornings on each day of their stay just like the other DLH guests?

This will be an even more valuable benefit once Cars Land opens, with Magic Mornings in California Adventure

 

[arthur06]

The OP never mentions when the upcoming trip actually is. If it is between now and Labor Day, they are likely to find zero availability, especially for consecutive nights.

I just book VGC for November and booked exactly when my 7 month window opened up. VGC is very hard to to book at less then 7 months. Good luck with your stay.

 

[deanimal]

yep, read the last post and had to laugh. Just tried to book at 6 months out and there's nothing. Oh well, at least I know now for next time!

 

[Nonsuch]

yep, read the last post and had to laugh. Just tried to book at 6 months out and there's nothing. Oh well, at least I know now for next time!

It does not hurt to keep trying. I booked trips in January and March this year inside 30 days
Of course, January - March are off season (not Summer, Halloween or Christmas).

 

[specialks]

Can I jump in and ask if the studios allow 5 in a room? I know the standard hotel rooms do, but didn't know if GCV were different.

 

[deanimal]

Just from what I've read, it looks like they don't take five. The studios at the WDW resorts say four plus a crib, but the GCH ones only say max four. But that's just from reading the websites, maybe someone knows more firsthand.

 

[dclfun]

I think you'll have a hard time finding a VGC owner to rent their points as most of us bought points there to use them for our own families. Many owners are from the SoCal area so they have no transportation costs- finally they can utilize DVC in a more convenient way than by going to WDW. Then there are lots of DVC owners who don't have a contract there but are booking at 7 months out. Couple that with VGC having few villas and that resort becomes one of the harder properties at which to get a reservation.

 

[taaren]

Can I jump in and ask if the studios allow 5 in a room? I know the standard hotel rooms do, but didn't know if GCV were different.

Not unless the 5th person is under 3 years old. That sounds too squishy anyways ... it has a queen bed and a queen sized pull-out couch (which was comfy, according to my nephew, but still). If you want to sleep 5 go up to the 836 square foot 1 bedroom with a laundry and full kitchen and 2 bathrooms.

 

[arthur06]

Not unless the 5th person is under 3 years old. That sounds too squishy anyways ... it has a queen bed and a queen sized pull-out couch (which was comfy, according to my nephew, but still). If you want to sleep 5 go up to the 836 square foot 1 bedroom with a laundry and full kitchen and 2 bathrooms.

I agree. We are traveling with children ages 11, 5, 4 and we have the 1br and thought about going to the 2br. Cramming 5 in a studio isn't exactly a vacation for us.

 

[Carace888]

The dog looks so cute! I wish you allow regular dogs on DCL.

 

[BensDaddy]

Quick question if anyone is willing to answer. We rented points at GCH Villas from David's vacation rentals for the week following Thanksgiving. We are staying in a studio villa and, thanks to the many threads here, we are ordering some food from Vons -- not a lot, just enough for breakfasts and a few snacks.

So, I am wondering since the studio doesn't have a full kitchen is it equipped with plates, silverware, and any condiments?

I appreciate it. I've been posting a lot of questions as the date approaches. I think it's a case of "you don't know what you don't know".

thanks!

 

[taaren]

Quick question if anyone is willing to answer. We rented points at GCH Villas from David's vacation rentals for the week following Thanksgiving. We are staying in a studio villa and, thanks to the many threads here, we are ordering some food from Vons -- not a lot, just enough for breakfasts and a few snacks.

So, I am wondering since the studio doesn't have a full kitchen is it equipped with plates, silverware, and any condiments?

I appreciate it. I've been posting a lot of questions as the date approaches. I think it's a case of "you don't know what you don't know".

thanks!

The studios have plastic plates and cutlery, along with a coffeemaker and the usual condiments that accompany that. I don't remember seeing any other condiments.