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

[nikmasteed]

Hi everyone! Consider me a long-time "lurker" on the boards and now a first-time poster!

I haven't been back to Disney World since 2005 (12 years ago!!! way too long!)-- that year my now-DW and I stayed with my family and my aunt's family at BCV since my aunt is a DVC member. That visit was my DW's first-ever visit to Disney and she (and now myself) were completely spoiled by the amazing Stormalong Bay pool and just the extra step-up at the Deluxe resort.

Flash forward to 2017 and we're starting to plan our first family Dis vacation with our two daughters, who will be 9 and 6 next year when we go. I think we are fully resigned to the fact that we "MUST" have a deluxe resort, and we also want to get some more variety. I know many of the moderates are really nice as well (I've stayed at POFQ and FW cabins), but our minds are just about made up.

We're contemplating a 10-night stay with 5-nights at AKL and 5-nights at BWV.

Given that desire for deluxe, is renting DVC points the most cost-effective option? I'll probably go through one of the two main points brokers for peace of mind. Even comparing to any potential 25% of room rack rates for these resorts, renting points still seems much less expensive (ballpark $400/night for waterview at BWV w/ room discount vs roughly $280/night by renting points).

Both broker sites also seem to recommend booking 10-11 months out for these resorts-- and since you need to pay up front for the points I'm looking to make sure I've considered all possible repercussions before committing.

Maybe alot of disparate thoughts here, but TIA for any advice from the veterans here or those with experience with the points brokers.

 

[terri33inne]

I love the EP area resorts. One of the broker sites does not require payment in full at booking... just a deposit, and they will check availability for you without money down. My hesitation with renting is not being able to cancel the reservation if something comes up.

When are you thinking of going, there are higher demand times of year for DVC bookings.

Use the broker calculator tools to figure out how much it will be. Depending on the time of year room discounts could be fairly decent. The summer discounts that just came out are up to 25% off rack rates, and if you have an AP they're 30-35% off. If booking deluxe buying an AP for 1 member of your group can be cheaper to get that extra 10% off, and memory maker ($149 if pre-purchased) is included. There are also some options for dining & merchandise discounts.

 

[keaster]

If you are renting DVC points it will be cheaper, but there will be some differences from a regular stay. You won't get housekeeping every day, and you can't book any "Free Dining" promos that may come out. Cancellation deadlines are different as well, but if you are going through a points broker it may be better for peace of mind.

If you are okay with all that then it shouldn't be a problem

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Based on your resorts, I will also say straight up: Do NOT price the trip based on BWV Standard or AKV Value, let alone both. They are rare to get as a renter, especially trying to get a split stay. Both tend to go away quickly at the 11-month window, even in DVC's low to moderate demand season that runs from mid-January through Labor Day.

Booking DVC via rental is not like booking a hotel room, and you may find it a waiting game. A broker is a go-between for an owner and a renter, and the broker needs to find someone with specific points for a specific resort to make the booking you intend to rent. Depending on season, they may not find the points for your request before availability dries up.

I say this just to caution you -- have a backup plan. Don't budget for the cheapest/smallest categories at these two resorts. Expect that your booking may actually take weeks to come through.

 

[nikmasteed]

Thanks!

We are looking at mid-to-late August 2018

terri33inne-
I'm glad that at least both broker sites are very upfront that there is no cancellation, so at least one knows what they are committing to. Given my druthers, certainly I'd rather have the option to cancel if something came up, but I suppose I could always consider adding some sort of travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason (although I havent priced it yet).

I've looked briefly at potential room discount rates thru Disney (we're NOT AP's or FL resident), and even a 25% discount off rack rate seems to come nowhere close to the price for renting points-- which is why renting points seems to have become the default in my mind for booking a deluxe. It seems like it would need to be 40% or even 50% off to be close to the savings of renting points.

keaster-
no problem at all with less frequent housekeeping, in fact we'd prefer it. I also dont think "free dining" would put the overall price of our vacation ahead of renting points, if it means you need to go with the very expensive rack rates. thanks for the headsup!

aurora-
Great caution about the room tiers! When I first started pricing out a few months ago, I did exactly that-- BWV Standard + AKV Value. Then the more I researched, I learned two things-- 1) availability as a renter for these tiers is very limited, as you point out; and 2) why stay at AKL without a Savannah view?? (personal opinion, I know not everyone agrees), and similarly DW and I might be disappointed w/ a standard view at BWV, would love a view onto boardwalk/crescent lake

So my current budgeting has those top room tiers built in at this point. I appreciate the fact that the broker sites act as the middle man to the DVC owner-- a service I feel is well worth paying for!


The other thing I've learned as a newbie (and that the vets I'm sure already know)-- looking at the broker sites, it's very easy as a renter to overlook the fact that DVC is a timeshare arrangement and that the rooms are different than the hotel rooms you book through Disney. So the use of Boardwalk VILLAS vs Boardwalk INN becomes very important when researching what the rooms are actually like.

Specific to AKL-- I understand that one can rent DVC at either Kidani or Jambo. I think we'd prefer Jambo just for the amazing and grandiose lobby atmosphere and proximity to the food venues, but happy to hear other opinions!

 

[mslhb]

I was always very hesitant to rent points but we did it for our last stay. It was a great experience and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. We used DVC rental store which didn't require full payment up front. We paid the before 7 month premium and added on the cancellation policy and it was still significantly cheaper than what we would have gotten direct through Disney with the discount offered for our dates. We will definitely be renting points again on a future trip!!

 

[westie55]

Renting points can definitely make staying deluxe more affordable. However, the savings is most significant when renting a studio. I rented points at the GF this fall and I could never afford to stay there otherwise. Having stayed in DVC villas before, I will say that the sofa bed is not comfortable, but should be fine for a 9 and 6 yr old. I wouldn't necessarily recommend putting 4 adults in a studio. The process of renting has been very easy for me both times I did it. I booked both times at 11 months and David's was able to fulfill my request within 24 hrs. If you can handle no mousekeeping, no cancellation, and booking well in advance, I think renting is great! The villas are different from the hotel rooms but looking at pictures online will show you exactly what you're getting.

 

[buzznina]

The caveats are; have to reserve 11 months out, usually have to PIF much earlier and have a chance of losing $$ is you cancel. No daily maid service, which means no extra towels, soaps etc . unless you pay for them. The only way to really save $$ is that you have to rent a studio, which only has 1 real bed and a pullout, and once you open the pullout the room gets very cramped. If these are not an issue then renting pts is great

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Note that in an AKV Studio Villa, there are only 2 sleep surfaces, so the kids would have to share a bed. This is why I will only stay in AKV 1BRs, because my kids (who are 9 and 6, for the record) WILL NOT share. And trying to make them share is a horrible experience for everyone, and inevitably means I share with the 6 year old. I understand why no one sane would want to share with her, regardless of gender split. (Seriously, even if my kids were both girls, or both boys, no one wants to share with my youngest because she will do 90/180 turns ALL NIGHT and you wake up with feet on your face.)

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks!

We are looking at mid-to-late August 2018

terri33inne-
I'm glad that at least both broker sites are very upfront that there is no cancellation, so at least one knows what they are committing to. Given my druthers, certainly I'd rather have the option to cancel if something came up, but I suppose I could always consider adding some sort of travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason (although I havent priced it yet).

I've looked briefly at potential room discount rates thru Disney (we're NOT AP's or FL resident), and even a 25% discount off rack rate seems to come nowhere close to the price for renting points-- which is why renting points seems to have become the default in my mind for booking a deluxe. It seems like it would need to be 40% or even 50% off to be close to the savings of renting points.

keaster-
no problem at all with less frequent housekeeping, in fact we'd prefer it. I also dont think "free dining" would put the overall price of our vacation ahead of renting points, if it means you need to go with the very expensive rack rates. thanks for the headsup!

aurora-
Great caution about the room tiers! When I first started pricing out a few months ago, I did exactly that-- BWV Standard + AKV Value. Then the more I researched, I learned two things-- 1) availability as a renter for these tiers is very limited, as you point out; and 2) why stay at AKL without a Savannah view?? (personal opinion, I know not everyone agrees), and similarly DW and I might be disappointed w/ a standard view at BWV, would love a view onto boardwalk/crescent lake

So my current budgeting has those top room tiers built in at this point. I appreciate the fact that the broker sites act as the middle man to the DVC owner-- a service I feel is well worth paying for!


The other thing I've learned as a newbie (and that the vets I'm sure already know)-- looking at the broker sites, it's very easy as a renter to overlook the fact that DVC is a timeshare arrangement and that the rooms are different than the hotel rooms you book through Disney. So the use of Boardwalk VILLAS vs Boardwalk INN becomes very important when researching what the rooms are actually like.

Specific to AKL-- I understand that one can rent DVC at either Kidani or Jambo. I think we'd prefer Jambo just for the amazing and grandiose lobby atmosphere and proximity to the food venues, but happy to hear other opinions!

Renting points for a studio at BWV WILL be a standard view. Boardwalk views are generally not rented to other than owners.

 

[Marionnette]

Renting points for a studio at BWV WILL be a standard view. Boardwalk views are generally not rented to other than owners.

Not true. Someone who "rents points" is actually renting a reservation which has been made by a DVC owner. The renter can request standard view, Boardwalk view or pool/garden view. A studio can be reserved with any of those views. They're actual booking categories. The most popular among BWV owners would be the standard views because they require fewer points. Boardwalk view is the second most-requested category and garden/pool is the last to book up because they take the same number of points as Boardwalk view but don't have the spectacular views.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Pool/Garden is the most likely outcome for BWV rental, really. BW and Pool/Garden are the same points, but the PG is a larger category.

There are 52 Standards (15 dedicated), 165 Pool/Garden (74 dedicated) and only 29 Boardwalk view (8 dedicated).

 

[Hopefully]

Not true. Someone who "rents points" is actually renting a reservation which has been made by a DVC owner. The renter can request standard view, Boardwalk view or pool/garden view. A studio can be reserved with any of those views. They're actual booking categories. The most popular among BWV owners would be the standard views because they require fewer points. Boardwalk view is the second most-requested category and garden/pool is the last to book up because they take the same number of points as Boardwalk view but don't have the spectacular views.

Sorry. I stated too strongly and I was thinking pool/garden not Standard. My error

Pool/Garden is the most likely outcome for BWV rental, really. BW and Pool/Garden are the same points, but the PG is a larger category

There are 52 Standards (15 dedicated), 165 Pool/Garden (74 dedicated) and only 29 Boardwalk view (8 dedicated).

This is what I was thinking b

 

[DLgal]

IMO, the deluxe villas don't feel as "deluxe" as the resort rooms. They feel like cheaper versions. I won't rent points because the lack of daily maid service and having to take out our own trash is NOT my idea of a deluxe vacation. I just always get a room only reservation with a discount offer. It's the way to go. Only need a one night deposit upfront and can cancel up to 5 days before arrival with no penalty. Renting is risky. You need to get insurance in case you have to cancel, etc. You can usually get the villas directly through Disney with a big discount.

 

[sndral]

If you are ready right at 11 months you have a shot at BW view @ BWV in August although pool/garden is the default last to book thus most likely available.
We own at AKV and prefer Jambo. Jambo books faster than Kidani. The savanna & standard view villas are only on the 5th floor at Jambo. There's no chance in a standard villa at Jambo that you'll get parking lot view (only w/ the value villas is that a risk) you will end up w/ a pool or partial savanna view. The Kidanni villas are slightly larger & you can use amenities at both when you stay at either. Your children may enjoy the splash area at the Kidani pool. I find the convenience of the food court @ Jambo & the wow factor of the lobby to outweigh the larger size of the Kidani villas - but we usually stay in 1 br.s, so not exactly an equivalent comparison.

 

[willmccready]

I was always very hesitant to rent points but we did it for our last stay. It was a great experience and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. We used DVC rental store which didn't require full payment up front. We paid the before 7 month premium and added on the cancellation policy and it was still significantly cheaper than what we would have gotten direct through Disney with the discount offered for our dates. We will definitely be renting points again on a future trip!!

We used the same place for our trip coming up in early May. Paid about $325 a night for a Poly studio, which was 40% less than the rack rate. Understand there are some differences with housekeeping, but totally worth it to get our family of 5 in a deluxe.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I can give you another way to save a bunch of money as well. We have rented points and that works well some times, but for this trip coming up in May we ended up getting an annual pass and then get the AP rate at OKW. Why I think this alone would save you a bunch of money is an annual pass makes so much sense when you stay for ten days anyway.

1. Buy one annual pass- Save money at most dining, shopping and on your hotel.
2. Wait for AP rate for Deluxes and then book quickly on a room only package(you don't have to have annual pass to book, just have to have it by the time you stay)
3. Cash ressie with AP rate will save a lot of money and you will get daily maid service.
4. buy other tickets through Undercover tourist and save even more money.

WE ended up getting 5 nights at OKW in a two bedroom villa for right at $370 a night. We have full kitchen, laundry and two balcony's for six adults and a baby. Cheaper than two mod rooms. Plus my wife will use the annual pass again when we go in fall and when her and my daughter and granddaughter do a girls only trip next May.

 

[nikmasteed]

Note that in an AKV Studio Villa, there are only 2 sleep surfaces, so the kids would have to share a bed. This is why I will only stay in AKV 1BRs, because my kids (who are 9 and 6, for the record) WILL NOT share. And trying to make them share is a horrible experience for everyone, and inevitably means I share with the 6 year old. I understand why no one sane would want to share with her, regardless of gender split. (Seriously, even if my kids were both girls, or both boys, no one wants to share with my youngest because she will do 90/180 turns ALL NIGHT and you wake up with feet on your face.)

LOL, yep! Sounds like our younger daughter as well. DW and I cant stand sleeping in same bed with her. Unfortunately the kids wont have a choice but to share a bed-- but this is typical for all of our vacations, sometimes they even have "sleepovers" at home where they share the bottom bunk.

Pool/Garden is the most likely outcome for BWV rental, really. BW and Pool/Garden are the same points, but the PG is a larger category.

There are 52 Standards (15 dedicated), 165 Pool/Garden (74 dedicated) and only 29 Boardwalk view (8 dedicated).

If you are ready right at 11 months you have a shot at BW view @ BWV in August although pool/garden is the default last to book thus most likely available.
We own at AKV and prefer Jambo. Jambo books faster than Kidani. The savanna & standard view villas are only on the 5th floor at Jambo. There's no chance in a standard villa at Jambo that you'll get parking lot view (only w/ the value villas is that a risk) you will end up w/ a pool or partial savanna view. The Kidanni villas are slightly larger & you can use amenities at both when you stay at either. Your children may enjoy the splash area at the Kidani pool. I find the convenience of the food court @ Jambo & the wow factor of the lobby to outweigh the larger size of the Kidani villas - but we usually stay in 1 br.s, so not exactly an equivalent comparison.

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.

We used the same place for our trip coming up in early May. Paid about $325 a night for a Poly studio, which was 40% less than the rack rate. Understand there are some differences with housekeeping, but totally worth it to get our family of 5 in a deluxe.

Glad to hear you had a good experience with dvc rental store-- I've done most of my research using David's so I've got to give the other one a serious look also. Not sure whether either has a better chance of fulfilling requests?

I can give you another way to save a bunch of money as well. We have rented points and that works well some times, but for this trip coming up in May we ended up getting an annual pass and then get the AP rate at OKW. Why I think this alone would save you a bunch of money is an annual pass makes so much sense when you stay for ten days anyway.

1. Buy one annual pass- Save money at most dining, shopping and on your hotel.
2. Wait for AP rate for Deluxes and then book quickly on a room only package(you don't have to have annual pass to book, just have to have it by the time you stay)
3. Cash ressie with AP rate will save a lot of money and you will get daily maid service.
4. buy other tickets through Undercover tourist and save even more money.

WE ended up getting 5 nights at OKW in a two bedroom villa for right at $370 a night. We have full kitchen, laundry and two balcony's for six adults and a baby. Cheaper than two mod rooms. Plus my wife will use the annual pass again when we go in fall and when her and my daughter and granddaughter do a girls only trip next May.

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!

 

[Babsy]

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.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Check out the August 2017 thread for discounts. It'll give you a heads up on deals for August 2018. There are great deals out there for late August.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/august-2017.3537361/page-11#post-57395419