Heart set on a Deluxe-- is renting DVC points best value?

[Hopefully]

Mid to late August is a time when many good discounts have been available for deluxe resorts. I wouldn't rule out room only in the regular resort rooms at that time of year. Search online for options. Check Mousesavers.com for historical prices. It is often less to stay deluxe by renting DVC, but not always.

@Babsy makes an important, often overlooked point. Renting points is not always the cheapest way to get the best deal.

 

[sndral]

Before I owned DVC my research showed that usually renting points for studios worked out to cost less than using Disney Discounts, reserving a bigger villa (in my case a 1 br.) cost about the same through Disney as renting points would have. But points cost less to rent back then and Disney Discounts were better, so not sure how the numbers would be today.
The real problem was that you just didn't know exactly when the discounts would be released & what times would be excluded/included, which resorts would be covered and how good the offers would be until long past the 11 month booking window advantage with DVC.
You can nail down your savings by renting points early or you can wait until Disney releases their discounts (often after the DVC 7 month free for all is open) and hope you'll save money and risk DVC not having the resort/villa size you want available for booking anymore.
I use all my points, but one of the things that pushed me into finally buying them was the angst of waiting for Disney to release discounts & the frustration of discounts not covering my preferred resort or room category.

 

[CarrieR]

For this August, 11th (Fri) to 20 (following Sat) with AP discount, AKL savanna averages $316 or $343 with bunk beds. BWI is $351 for water view. That's an average; total at BWI is $3553.92 for the nine nights. Standard view would save you quite a bit ($271/nt.) No guarantees for next year, of course.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

@Babsy makes an important, often overlooked point. Renting points is not always the cheapest way to get the best deal.

Especially that time of year - late August/early Sept. 5 years ago I paid only $190/night at the Beach Club, and this year we are paying only $270/night at the Grand Floridian that time of the year. There are some great rates out there if you look around.

 

[AprilDecember]

We, too, have found that AP discounts usually get us what we need without the extra hoops. Also agree on the studio sleeping layout caveat. I always stay as a single or with my boyfriend only, so the second bed is not important to us, but if you need it, it is kinda uncomf and it does take a lot of room. I've also noticed that the DVC decor and room size isn't always on par with that on the regular deluxe side. Sometimes it's nicer/newer in our experience (Poly studios), sometimes it's not (BC). While most people probably don't care much about that, it's important to remember that the DVC room you get might not be the same as the one you love at the regular deluxe side of the resort.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks for the insight on the room categories at both BWV and AKV. If we go this route we'll probably still book a straight-up savannah at Jambo, and go with a preferred at BWV hoping for a boardwalk view. Pool/garden would be fine, we definitely won't want a parking lot view so we'll avoid a standard at BWV.






This is pretty interesting, I'll have to crunch some numbers! I assume you are referring to 35% off rack-rate for AP? Regarding #3-- does paying cash make a difference, do you save more?


Thanks everyone-- it's fun planning our first Disney vacation![/QUOTE]

I was going to suggest that you look outside of DVC rental and then compare the costs. I know the the rentals can be very cost effective, but I always find a 30% off rate for Deluxe, or a Free Dining offer that actually saves us more money, depending on the family dynamo at that time. I do not have an annual pass, but I do find some great discounts.

 

[Tigger's ally]

This is pretty interesting, I'll have to crunch some numbers! I assume you are referring to 35% off rack-rate for AP? Regarding #3-- does paying cash make a difference, do you save more?


Thanks everyone-- it's fun planning our first Disney vacation!

No, we all just refer to it as either a Cash ressie or a Points ressie when discussing stays at DVC.

And yes, the 35% off of rack is what you get, plus 20% off of some eateries, 15% at others.

 

[Dakota731]

It was cheaper for us to pay rack rate when free dining was offered because we have a large family. You have to do what's right for your family

 

[Shellyred8]

In regards to getting the AP rate, I think you have to have purchased the AP and have it tied to your account in MDE in order to get the discounted rate to show up when you are booking on-line. You don't have to have activated the AP, but in my experience, it does have to be set up on your account.

If you compare the cost of a 10-day ticket to the cost of an AP, you will make up that cost difference pretty quickly in the savings you will get on a Deluxe room and the other discounts you can get with the AP.

We do split stays on a regular basis and really enjoy them. So, in regards to doing a split stay, I say go for it!

From a budget perspective, you might want to look into doing a few nights in a Moderate and then a few nights at a Deluxe (in that order, don't go Deluxe to Moderate). That might help with the sticker shock of the Deluxe.

Have a great trip!

 

[DG25]

The AP rate is the way to go, you then control the ressies and can cancel if something comes up last minute. We have crunched the numbers of just about every way you can go to Disney, as a single person, couple, family, and extended family up to nine. We have many more choices than most, we have DVC ( but that won't cover when we need 9 people in a 2bedroom for 16 days), we have military, we have gold AP. No matter how we crunch the numbers, and we need to do it with everything from room, to dining, other expenses, AP rate is always the cheapest for us, I will leave out military that gives us a few more $$$ off, since that is not what most people have. With your AP, even if your room is $35-$50 more a night, you will get 20% many ressies for dining, and 20% off suveniors, and 15/20% off tours aNd recreation. When you all all that in, plus parking and photo pass, AP saves way more than renting points.

 

[Tigger's ally]

The AP rate is the way to go, you then control the ressies and can cancel if something comes up last minute. We have crunched the numbers of just about every way you can go to Disney, as a single person, couple, family, and extended family up to nine. We have many more choices than most, we have DVC ( but that won't cover when we need 9 people in a 2bedroom for 16 days), we have military, we have gold AP. No matter how we crunch the numbers, and we need to do it with everything from room, to dining, other expenses, AP rate is always the cheapest for us, I will leave out military that gives us a few more $$$ off, since that is not what most people have. With your AP, even if your room is $35-$50 more a night, you will get 20% many ressies for dining, and 20% off suveniors, and 15/20% off tours aNd recreation. When you all all that in, plus parking and photo pass, AP saves way more than renting points.

I agree unless you are taking a short trip. Short trips, renting points (you have to stay 3 nights) usually is a better deal mainly due to the huge difference between a three day ticket and an AP..

 

[kboo]

Since we started staying onsite with our kid(s), we've never paid anything close to rack rate for our deluxe stays. We travel a lot in late August (2 birthdays out of 4 in that time period), and there are usually good discounts then. However, as PPs have noted, you kind of need nerves of steel and some faith that you'll get an email code (that works to your name only) or that there will be space at your preferred resorts when the public discount is announced. And, you need to make your reservation the day the discount comes out (and possibly call if the rate shows up online but you can't book it). Doing that, you can usually get a 30-35% discount off rack - I just checked for our dates in August 2017, and WL has a standard room at $260, YC at $307, and other deluxes going up from there - but you are also past the booking window for renting points and getting the best availability, so there is definitely a trade off there.

The AP option with discount is a good idea, too.

Renting points - we explored it through both brokers that are most popular here, and they just didn't have the availability and it took a while to find out whether they could get the necessary points.* Ultimately we ended up always renting privately here. True you have to PIF as soon as you book, but you know about availability pretty quickly and once you see it, you are all set and the reservation shows up in your MDE immediately. It costs a little bit less than through a broker but we've had good experiences every time. On this upcoming trip, we are getting travel insurance in case we have to change or cancel parts of our trip; it is not that much $ to do so. Prorated out, our upcoming stays in villas on private point rental are in the high $200s per night.

All of that being said, it's been a while since you have visited WDW; sometimes I think it may be easier to go the usual route (Disney reservation in a regular deluxe hotel room) rather than saving the few extra $, at least on your first trip back. There are a lot of moving pieces, and discounts are pretty easy to come by for late August.

----------------------------------------------------
*Personal experience only: We tried to rent a BLT 2BR in a not very busy time of year back in 2016 in the 7-11 month window. Problem was that the broker at the time wasn't finding too many people willing/ready to rent their points that far in advance, so it took a while for them to get back to us. No fault of their own. It was easier to rent from a private owner who had all of the points needed in their account, and could put the reservation together as we were corresponding. For that first one, we went through the whole contract process and I mailed checks, so I felt pretty good knowing the person's full name, having an agreement and knowing where they lived, lol. The most recent 2 times, we pretty much booked same day and paid online. It was super easy and very efficient. I wonder if DVC owners first try to rent their points on their own, if they know in advance they're not using the points?

 

[nikmasteed]

Wow, given the many responses about looking into the Annual Pass option I decided to crunch the numbers for our particular scenario.

The given/common factors for my situation are:
--Late August (8/21-8/31) stay for 2 adults, 2 children, 10 total nights
--5 nights at Boardwalk "Water View" tier
--5 nights at AKL "Savannah View" tier
--For dining, I've used the price of a Regular Dining Plan to compare the two scenarios-- even though I'm leaning towards not using the DDP, let's assume for the sake of argument that paying for food OOP with an annual pass BEFORE 20% discount would even out.
--10 Day base park ticket vs Platinum annual pass (no water parks)

OPTION 1-- RENTING DVC POINTS
--5 nights at BWV Preferred View = $1547 ($309/nt)
--5 nights at AKV Savannah View = $1445 ($289/nt)
--Regular Dining Plan = $1900
--10 Day base park tickets = $1720 (direct from Disney)
TOTAL = $6612

OPTION 2-- ANNUAL PASS W/ ROOM+FOOD DISCOUNTS
--5 nights at BWI Water View = 35% off of $540 avg/nt = $1755 ($351/nt)
--5 nights at AKL Savannah View = 35% off of $479 avg/nt = $1556 ($311/nt)
--20% off dining = $1520
--Platinum Annual Pass = $3319
TOTAL = $8150


Now, I'm fully aware that this does not include all factors, but I think I've made as apples to apples as I could for OUR SCENARIO-- YMMV. If anyone sees any flaws in my rationale feel free to point them out. Renting points seems to clearly come out ahead. If we want to go to water parks (which we do), then the AP costs are another $380, whereas I could get a Water Park Fun + More for only about $280-- Plus I can consider getting only an 8- or 9-day WPF ticket to lessen the cost even more and build in some slow days into the long trip. I can even add Memory Maker and still be ahead by renting points. All other considerations, including housekeeping freequency + difference in decor for DVC rooms, are very well noted (thanks everyone!!!)

Side note-- this morning I'm not able to find the Water Park Fun + More option on Disney's website. Anyone know why? Did this option go away with the most recent park ticket price increases??

 

[Marionnette]

Wow, given the many responses about looking into the Annual Pass option I decided to crunch the numbers for our particular scenario.

The given/common factors for my situation are:
--Late August (8/21-8/31) stay for 2 adults, 2 children, 10 total nights
--5 nights at Boardwalk "Water View" tier
--5 nights at AKL "Savannah View" tier
--For dining, I've used the price of a Regular Dining Plan to compare the two scenarios-- even though I'm leaning towards not using the DDP, let's assume for the sake of argument that paying for food OOP with an annual pass BEFORE 20% discount would even out.
--10 Day base park ticket vs Platinum annual pass (no water parks)

OPTION 1-- RENTING DVC POINTS
--5 nights at BWV Preferred View = $1547 ($309/nt)
--5 nights at AKV Savannah View = $1445 ($289/nt)
--Regular Dining Plan = $1900
--10 Day base park tickets = $1720 (direct from Disney)
TOTAL = $6612

OPTION 2-- ANNUAL PASS W/ ROOM+FOOD DISCOUNTS
--5 nights at BWI Water View = 35% off of $540 avg/nt = $1755 ($351/nt)
--5 nights at AKL Savannah View = 35% off of $479 avg/nt = $1556 ($311/nt)
--20% off dining = $1520
--Platinum Annual Pass = $3319
TOTAL = $8150


Now, I'm fully aware that this does not include all factors, but I think I've made as apples to apples as I could for OUR SCENARIO-- YMMV. If anyone sees any flaws in my rationale feel free to point them out. Renting points seems to clearly come out ahead. If we want to go to water parks (which we do), then the AP costs are another $380, whereas I could get a Water Park Fun + More for only about $280-- Plus I can consider getting only an 8- or 9-day WPF ticket to lessen the cost even more and build in some slow days into the long trip. I can even add Memory Maker and still be ahead by renting points. All other considerations, including housekeeping freequency + difference in decor for DVC rooms, are very well noted (thanks everyone!!!)

Side note-- this morning I'm not able to find the Water Park Fun + More option on Disney's website. Anyone know why? Did this option go away with the most recent park ticket price increases??

I don't think Platinum APs for everyone vs. 10-day base passes is an apples-to-apples comparison. And you didn't add tax to the base ticket price. You only need one AP to get the discounts. Why get them for everyone unless you intend to visit again in less than a year?

Using 20% off dining vs. the 2017 DVC dining plan cost for a 2018 visit is not an accurate comparison (given that the 20% AP dining discount is temporary - it goes thru Sept. 30, 2017 - and not accepted at all locations).

I still believe that the DVC stay will come out ahead.

Side note: The former Water Park Fun & More option is now only available if you also have park hopping. It's called a Park Hopper Plus.

 

[nikmasteed]

I don't think Platinum APs for everyone vs. 10-day base passes is an apples-to-apples comparison. And you didn't add tax to the base ticket price. You only need one AP to get the discounts. Why get them for everyone unless you intend to visit again in less than a year?

Using 20% off dining vs. the 2017 DVC dining plan cost for a 2018 visit is not an accurate comparison (given that the 20% AP dining discount is temporary - it goes thru Sept. 30, 2017 - and not accepted at all locations).

I still believe that the DVC stay will come out ahead.

Side note: The former Water Park Fun & More option is now only available if you also have park hopping. It's called a Park Hopper Plus.

Thanks! Wow, okay I hadn't considered that you only need 1 AP to get the discounts, makes total sense. I'll recalculate later at home. I take your point about current discounts for next year, but I did that across the board just to get the AP to a similar level of discount I can expect with it-- I'd certainly need to verify when future discounts are announced.

Bummer, the water park + fun going away without a hopper is kind of a mini budget buster for me I think-- don't personally think our family would want/need hoppers. Guess I'll have to price single day water tix into the equation.

This is why people use the boards!! Thanks!

 

[Tigger's ally]

Don't forget also that ressies made with AP can be cancelled. Renting points cannot. If something happens between booking and staying, there is a definite advantage to booking with Disney through the AP discount (probably should add the cost of trip insurance to the point rental to be fair). Also, chances of points having exactly what you want, when you want them for a split stay 10 day trip might not be what you think they are. Also, you will need to pay for points up front and in total, while you only need to pay for one night upon room only reservation with AP rate.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Don't forget also that ressies made with AP can be cancelled. Renting points cannot. If something happens between booking and staying, there is a definite advantage to booking with Disney through the AP discount (probably should add the cost of trip insurance to the point rental to be fair). Also, chances of points having exactly what you want, when you want them for a split stay 10 day trip might not be what you think they are. Also, you will need to pay for points up front and in total, while you only need to pay for one night upon room only reservation with AP rate.

At 11 months for August, I think odds are very good for AKV Savannah, so long as she's flexible on Jambo v. Kidani. Kidani has better SV in any event. BW is smaller and more popular, so it depends more on finding home resort points.

 

[kboo]

Also, in the last 4 years of frequent visits, I've never not seen a good discount for late August - I even have a pin code I can't use this summer since we already rented points because we had inflexible dates (pre- and post-cruise) and I didn't want to deal with the worry of whether I'd get the resorts we wanted - we were originally planning to check out a few other DVC resorts before buying (oops). But, as a lot of PPs have said, there are good deals to be had in August that will likely beat the AP discount rate. Also, those are cancellable pretty close to arrival, so that's another factor.

Another place to look for deals - go to mousesavers.com - it has a chart that lists when historically different discounts have come out. There is also an orbitz deal that can get you an additional 15% off whatever discount Disney is offering. And we booked that trip about 3 months in advance!

 

[FireflyTrance]

From my experience it isn’t difficult to get DVC AKV Savanna view rooms at 7 months. There is a thread on the DVCs forums that tracks how long rooms in each category generally stay available. Savanna view rooms stick around a while most of the year due to the large quantity of rooms in this category. Club level and Value go very quickly.


As to your question about Kidani Vs Jambo house, personally I like Jambo house better because I like the lobby, the gift shop, and there are more dining options. Previously Kidani didn’t offer any quick service breakfast options, though recently they have started offering breakfast at Sanaa. However Jambo still has more dining options. I like getting quick service meals at Mara, and wouldn’t want to walk over there from Kidani. To me Kidani has a more remote feeling to it, which some people like. Kidani does have some great savanna views.

 

[MillauFr]

Mid to late August is a time when many good discounts have been available for deluxe resorts. I wouldn't rule out room only in the regular resort rooms at that time of year. Search online for options. Check Mousesavers.com for historical prices. It is often less to stay deluxe by renting DVC, but not always.

This. Go mid/late August. The travel agent that many use here offers rooms at 50-60% off of the rack rate.