I know I know it has been asked a million times renting points vs onsite hotel

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

Ok so we are going next July it will be our 3rd trip all in july (stupid school schedules). First trip value, second trip POR we have 5 it was the cheapest. So now for this trip.......

If we rent points do we get airport xfer included (we do not nor have any plans to rent a car).

we for sure want to be onsite and will use Disney transportation, we do not care to make meals though a fridge and microwave are always nice. Washer and Dryer again nice but not a deal breaker.

I know or think I do that maid service isn't daily with DVC not a big deal I also know I need to be ready at the 11 month mark (right?) so I am trying to figure it out. Oh and we will not be doing DDP so that doesn't matter

So for family of 5 what would you do? we do not mind all being in the room at POR so that is an option again just not positive what to do.

 

[leebee]

You can do Magical Express when you rent points, and also the dining plan (although you don't plan on it); only free dining isn't available when renting points.

If there is a specific resort you MUST have, then you need to be ready at 11 months, and rent points from someone who is an owner at that resort. If you find someone selling points but s/he's an owner at a different resort, they can't make reservations at non-home resorts until 7 months prior.

We are a family of 3 adults, renting a studio at BWV. No maid service until day 4, when they empty the trash and exchange towels. The studios only hold 4, so you'd need a 1 bedroom or bigger. Point value will vary by season, night, resort, room type, with price determined by owner. We are staying 5 nights, Sat-Wed, and it works out to $209 a night with paypal fees. Are you committed to a deluxe? You might get a better rate, and more space, in a family suite at AllStars (is it ASMusic that does family suites?). You would have a kitchenette for fixing breakfast and snacks, and two bathrooms. Also, you could pay off over time with an ASM suite; most DVC owners require payment at the time of reservation, and it's non-refundable. Just a thought. Good luck with your planning.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

leebee thank you that helps.... no not committed to deluxe at all. I am good with value or moderate we are not picky

 

[letsgoreds]

I'm a BIG fan of renting DVC, but we are a family of 4. WL was recently refurbished and can now sleep 5, and also GF. Both are difficult to go, but excellent resorts. I would go for it...but realize that once you stay at a deluxe, you may never be able to go back (our case).

The family suites at AoA might also be a great option for you. I would just try to get a studio at WL (fewer points than GF). It is a small resort, so 11 month mark is more important.

 

[Marionnette]

Ok so we are going next July it will be our 3rd trip all in july (stupid school schedules). First trip value, second trip POR we have 5 it was the cheapest. So now for this trip.......

If we rent points do we get airport xfer included (we do not nor have any plans to rent a car).

we for sure want to be onsite and will use Disney transportation, we do not care to make meals though a fridge and microwave are always nice. Washer and Dryer again nice but not a deal breaker.

I know or think I do that maid service isn't daily with DVC not a big deal I also know I need to be ready at the 11 month mark (right?) so I am trying to figure it out. Oh and we will not be doing DDP so that doesn't matter

So for family of 5 what would you do? we do not mind all being in the room at POR so that is an option again just not positive what to do.

Not too many DVC studios will accommodate 5 people (at least not right now). The studios at VGF all have a Murphy bed, similar to the bed at POR. Some VWL studios have been rehabbed to include a Murphy bed and they should all be converted by the end of the summer. The other DVC resorts are rumored to get the Murphy beds in their studios at some point but there has been no movement in that direction as of now.

So that limits you to either getting a 1-bedroom villa or a studio at VWL or VGF. Studios at VGF are very few and in high demand, so you would definitely need to get an owner lined up early if you want to stay there. My guess would be that the VWL studios will be in high demand by families of 5 looking to save money by renting a studio instead of a 1-bedroom. So again, you're not going to want to wait to contact an owner if that's where you want to be.

 

[ellochka]

Since you asked what would I do, I would get the cheapest two-bedroom by renting points, but that's just us, and we obviously like space. I would only stay in one room with three kids if our survival depended on it, or in other words, that would be a vacation to hell. Now, you might have a different opinion on that

I think, it is reasonable to get two connecting rooms at almost any resort. You get two bathrooms, and a separate space to unwind for the adults. You can consider 1BR villa with rented points, but it is inferior to two rooms, in my opinion because of logistics of getting kids to sleep in the living room, and then being stuck in the bedroom for the rest of the evening (no drinks for you, dear). I would assume your 3 year old is not going to sleep at 10, so you'd have to hang out with older kids. On top of it, many 1BR are for 4 people max.

 

[w84no1]

We looked into renting DVC points vs staying onsite with a family of 2 adults, 3 kids, and 1 infant. It came down to space. We could fit into POR or the studios that sleep 5, but we opted for an AoA suite.

On our next WDW trip we will rent points for a 2 bedroom or hopefully be owners

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

ok so where do you look to line up a owner ? isn't there a sponsored place for the forum I can not think of the name. I would love a 2 bedroom over a studio the space would be nice so I think I am going to look into it. I have a month until my 11 month mark so I need to figure it out.

 

[w84no1]

ok so where do you look to line up a owner ? isn't there a sponsored place for the forum I can not think of the name. I would love a 2 bedroom over a studio the space would be nice so I think I am going to look into it. I have a month until my 11 month mark so I need to figure it out.

I use http://www.dvcrequest.com

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

I use http://www.dvcrequest.com

thanks

 

[Marionnette]

ok so where do you look to line up a owner ? isn't there a sponsored place for the forum I can not think of the name. I would love a 2 bedroom over a studio the space would be nice so I think I am going to look into it. I have a month until my 11 month mark so I need to figure it out.

You can also check the DVC Rent/Trade Board here on the disboards if you want to save some money by cutting out the middle man.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

You can also check the DVC Rent/Trade Board here on the disboards if you want to save some money by cutting out the middle man.

looking at it now thank you

 

[w84no1]

You can also check the DVC Rent/Trade Board here on the disboards if you want to save some money by cutting out the middle man.

I use both. I go to dvcrequest to calculate the points, then to the board to see if there is anything I can use, if not back to dvcrequest.

 

[crisi]

As Marionette said - five will be an issue - your studio options will be limited and difficult to book, and a one bedroom won't save you any money over POR (but be a much nicer unit and if you splurge on a two bedroom - it won't be cheap, but having the kids have their own room is delightful).

Other things to keep in mine:

Most DVC studios are a queen bed and a full pullout - only at OKW do you get two queen beds. At VGF and VWL, there will also be a Murphy bed. Some people don't mind the pullouts (which are not the medieval torture devices with the bar right in the middle), some do (its still not a real bed). A one bedroom will be a King bed in the bedroom, and a pullout (queen, I think) in the living room - and in some resorts a pull out sleeper chair. A two bedroom will be a King in the master and two queens (although one may be a pullout) in the second bedroom, plus a pullout in the living room.

DVC reservations should be viewed as final - if you can't travel don't expect a refund. If change your mind and want to switch resorts or move your vacation by a few days - it isn't very likely to happen. This is a big deal over booking direct and probably your biggest risk. Disney will work with you if Junior gets the flu two days before you leave - a DVC owner can't.

DVC reservations are best booked months in advance. And sometimes you can't find an owner to get what you want even looking months in advance. There are currently a shortage of owners at VGF and BLT wanting to rent out points for the demand - and possibly other resorts (I know those two because both have recently been brought up).

 

[ellochka]

For points, check out the trade boards. Your goal is to get someone with home resort being where you want to stay. Since you are looking to book early, it won't be cheap (or rather, cheapest). However there is a page on the Dave's DVC rentals that tells you when to book different room types at DVC. Do check it out. It is possible that a two-bedroom is not in high demand, so you can book later. Just in case it takes a while to find the person to rent the points from. Good luck!

 

[Monykalyn]

Some really great advice. Looking at the studios it now seems there are more that sleep 5. This past trip was the first time ever that we really felt we were missing out not staying onsite-so started looking into renting DVC (far too spoiled staying offsite in 1200SQ+2-3 BR condos with tons of amenities to squeeze into a small hotel room). Stalking the DVC disboard also helps. Leaning towards OKW as it seems to have most room...now trying to convince DH that a trip next year is good idea (along with quick visit to US for HP!!) and then use our timeshare week at the beach after (tiring) parks trip. Really appreciate vets on the disboards who can offer good insight!