Looking for booking recommendations, through Disney or third-party?

[BK_Brian]

Hello,

I'm new to this Board and there is an overwhelming amount of topics. Moreover I want to apologize if this is a thread that's been discussed repeatedly.

I am trying to assist my parents in making reservations for the family for a trip in January 2018. They do not own any vacation club or time share points, etc. However, my mother is convinced it would be a better deal to buy points and go through a vacation club to make reservations for 3 rooms for 5 nights then it would be to go directly through Disney.

We are considering moderate resorts (Port Orleans), along with the Contemporary and Polynesian.

It would be greatly appreciated if someone could provide any pros/cons of going through Disney directly or one of these vacation clubs or even if someone can guide me to an area of the Board where this has been discussed already.

If you go through the vacations clubs, do you still have access to all the other stuff, such as rides to and from airport, magic hours, wristbands, ability to make advanced reservations for restaurants and advance bookings of the express passes?

Thank you,

BK Brian

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When you "rent DVC points" you are actually renting a reservation at a DVC resort made for you by a DVC member.

• A member can book at the resort they own 11 months in advance, or 7 months in advance at any resort with availability. Availability at each window can vary, even at a resort they own. There is no guarantee to owners they can book where they own when they want.
• The member will control the reservation until you check in.
• Your booking is generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for refund due to the restrictions of a timeshare booking by the owner.
• You will often need to pay in full up front, versus the $200/first night's stay deposit on a booking with Disney.
• Any changes, special room requests or adding the dining plan have to be done through the owner. Dining plans must be paid in full at the time that they are added to the reservation because that's the way that DVC works.
• Tickets, FP+ and ADRs are your own responsibility.
• DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. Aside from not getting daily housekeeping, you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at OKW. What you get in a studio is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. Some studios will also have a Murphy bed that is smaller than a twin bed that will accommodate a 5th person. Most 2BR units are a 1BR+a studio, so if you're looking at a bigger unit for a larger group, know the bed set up.
• You will have all of the advantages that any Disney resort guest gets (like EMH, access to the resort's theme pool, ADRs at 180+10, FP+ at 60 days prior to arrival, MBs) but none of the benefits that DVC members have (such as member discounts or events or Top of the World Lounge).
• You will not qualify for any additional Disney discounts. You also are unlikely to get any kind of upgrade (and should not ask for one, as the owner who made the reservation for you may be charged for it).
• Demand for DVC rental far exceeds the number of available units and owners willing to use their points for a rental. DVC is designed to be at or near 100% occupancy all year long.
• Your chances of getting exactly what you want are much greater if you have lined up someone, who owns at the resort that you are interested in booking, at least 11 months in advance of the day you wish to arrive. The probability of success goes down from there.
• A broker is a go-between between a renter and an owner. To meet your reservation request, they need an owner, with the right number of points, in the right use year, at the right resort -- AND the unit needs to be available. This can be a challenge to get alignment on.
• In general, as a renter do not expect to book Boardwalk Standard Studios or 2BR, BLT Standard Studios or 2BR units, Grand Floridian studios, or Animal Kingdom Value or Club Level units. You can ask, but have backup plans (and budget, in the case of the Standard/Value units).
• DVC "busy season" does not align to what people think of as high season at Disney, and starts in late September and runs through marathon. Epcot resorts and near-park can be hard for owners to book during Food & Wine. If your January dates include marathon, you are already too late to "rent DVC" for that weekend.
• Renting from a DVC owner can get you staying at a deluxe resort, in a villa-type room, for less than a standard room at that resort would cost from Disney. But it is non-refundable.
• If there is any issue, Disney will not be a part of any fix, as your transaction is not with them.

 

[Lynne M]

I assume your mother is talking about renting a reservation from a member of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), Disney's version of a timeshare.

You would only be able to do this with the DVC resorts, which are listed on Disney's site in the Deluxe Villa category. While it is possible to use points at other Disney resorts, renting is only cost-effective when you're staying in the DVC system. Using points for non-DVC resorts would cost you far more than making a cash reservation.

So, if you want to have a member make a reservation for you, you wouldn't be able to stay at either of the Port Orleans resorts, or the Contemporary Resort itself. You could stay at Bay Lake Tower, an associated DVC resort located right next to the Contemporary and connected to the main building by a sky bridge.

At the Polynesian, you'd be staying at the Polynesian Villas, which are located at the Polynesian Village Resort.

 

[BK_Brian]

I assume your mother is talking about renting a reservation from a member of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), Disney's version of a timeshare.

You would only be able to do this with the DVC resorts, which are listed on Disney's site in the Deluxe Villa category. While it is possible to use points at other Disney resorts, renting is only cost-effective when you're staying in the DVC system. Using points for non-DVC resorts would cost you far more than making a cash reservation.

So, if you want to have a member make a reservation for you, you wouldn't be able to stay at either of the Port Orleans resorts, or the Contemporary Resort itself. You could stay at Bay Lake Tower, an associated DVC resort located right next to the Contemporary and connected to the main building by a sky bridge.

At the Polynesian, you'd be staying at the Polynesian Villas, which are located at the Polynesian Village Resort.

Thank you for your response. I'm not very hip to the proper language, but I assume she would be renting a reservation through one of the third-party sites. She continues to mention a site with a similar acronym as DVC, but it has a man's name in it. (sorry, don't fully understand the policies of this site and don't want to upset any moderators.)

As for the resorts I mentioned (Port Orleans) that would be a location if we booked through Disney itself. As for Contemporary and Polynesian, I realize it would not be at/in those buildings, but nearly locations set aside for vacation club, etc.

I'm a little confused by your response "While it is possible to use points at other Disney resorts, renting is only cost-effective when you're staying in the DVC system. Using points for non-DVC resorts would cost you far more than making a cash reservation."

What is part of the DVC system and what would be an example of a non-DVC resorts? And what do you consider a cash-reservation?

 

[BK_Brian]

When you "rent DVC points" you are actually renting a reservation at a DVC resort made for you by a DVC member.

• A member can book at the resort they own 11 months in advance, or 7 months in advance at any resort with availability. Availability at each window can vary, even at a resort they own. There is no guarantee to owners they can book where they own when they want.
• The member will control the reservation until you check in.
• Your booking is generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for refund due to the restrictions of a timeshare booking by the owner.
• You will often need to pay in full up front, versus the $200/first night's stay deposit on a booking with Disney.
• Any changes, special room requests or adding the dining plan have to be done through the owner. Dining plans must be paid in full at the time that they are added to the reservation because that's the way that DVC works.
• Tickets, FP+ and ADRs are your own responsibility.
• DVC units are not the same as staying in a hotel room. Aside from not getting daily housekeeping, you will not get 2 beds in a studio unless you're staying at OKW. What you get in a studio is a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa. Some studios will also have a Murphy bed that is smaller than a twin bed that will accommodate a 5th person. Most 2BR units are a 1BR+a studio, so if you're looking at a bigger unit for a larger group, know the bed set up.
• You will have all of the advantages that any Disney resort guest gets (like EMH, access to the resort's theme pool, ADRs at 180+10, FP+ at 60 days prior to arrival, MBs) but none of the benefits that DVC members have (such as member discounts or events or Top of the World Lounge).
• You will not qualify for any additional Disney discounts. You also are unlikely to get any kind of upgrade (and should not ask for one, as the owner who made the reservation for you may be charged for it).
• Demand for DVC rental far exceeds the number of available units and owners willing to use their points for a rental. DVC is designed to be at or near 100% occupancy all year long.
• Your chances of getting exactly what you want are much greater if you have lined up someone, who owns at the resort that you are interested in booking, at least 11 months in advance of the day you wish to arrive. The probability of success goes down from there.
• A broker is a go-between between a renter and an owner. To meet your reservation request, they need an owner, with the right number of points, in the right use year, at the right resort -- AND the unit needs to be available. This can be a challenge to get alignment on.
• In general, as a renter do not expect to book Boardwalk Standard Studios or 2BR, BLT Standard Studios or 2BR units, Grand Floridian studios, or Animal Kingdom Value or Club Level units. You can ask, but have backup plans (and budget, in the case of the Standard/Value units).
• DVC "busy season" does not align to what people think of as high season at Disney, and starts in late September and runs through marathon. Epcot resorts and near-park can be hard for owners to book during Food & Wine. If your January dates include marathon, you are already too late to "rent DVC" for that weekend.
• Renting from a DVC owner can get you staying at a deluxe resort, in a villa-type room, for less than a standard room at that resort would cost from Disney. But it is non-refundable.
• If there is any issue, Disney will not be a part of any fix, as your transaction is not with them.

I appreciate this info

I realize what you posted indicates "You will have all of the advantages that any Disney resort guest gets (like EMH, access to the resort's theme pool, ADRs at 180+10, FP+ at 60 days prior to arrival, MBs) but none of the benefits that DVC members have (such as member discounts or events or Top of the World Lounge).

But I have to ask, does that also include transportation to and from the airport (MCO)? Also, hypothetically, if we stayed at the Polynesian Villas through a vacation club, would we check into our room from the main desk, or is there another office, etc.?

Also, your post indicates no daily housekeeping. With a 5-7 night stay, what about clean towels, etc. Is there any housekeeping during the stay?

Thank you

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you for your response. I'm not very hip to the proper language, but I assume she would be renting a reservation through one of the third-party sites. She continues to mention a site with a similar acronym as DVC, but it has a man's name in it. (sorry, don't fully understand the policies of this site and don't want to upset any moderators.)

As for the resorts I mentioned (Port Orleans) that would be a location if we booked through Disney itself. As for Contemporary and Polynesian, I realize it would not be at/in those buildings, but nearly locations set aside for vacation club, etc.

I'm a little confused by your response "While it is possible to use points at other Disney resorts, renting is only cost-effective when you're staying in the DVC system. Using points for non-DVC resorts would cost you far more than making a cash reservation."

What is part of the DVC system and what would be an example of a non-DVC resorts? And what do you consider a cash-reservation?

DVC would include the DVC resorts: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Polynesian Villas, Villas at Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, the Villas at Wilderness Lodge (Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge) and Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary (I think I got all of them!). So the quote, "renting is only cost-effective when staying in the DVC system", refers to renting points to stay at these DVC resorts. It is not cost-effective to use them at non-DVC resorts like Yacht Club, Port Orleans, etc.

A "cash reservation" refers to booking a resort or DVC villa directly through Disney and not through a DVC point-rental company

 

[Lynne M]

I'm a little confused by your response "While it is possible to use points at other Disney resorts, renting is only cost-effective when you're staying in the DVC system. Using points for non-DVC resorts would cost you far more than making a cash reservation."

What is part of the DVC system and what would be an example of a non-DVC resorts? And what do you consider a cash-reservation?

The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a timeshare system made up of a collection of resorts. When someone buys an interest in a DVC resort, that interest is represented in points. For instance, I own at VWL (now called Boulder Ridge), and I get 150 points per year. Those points are used as "currency" to book rooms at DVC resorts - each room costs a certain number of points per night, depending on the size of the room, and the season. For instance, a studio at Bay Lake Tower might cost me 19 points per night.

Let's say I want to stay at the Yacht Club. That's a non-DVC resort, meaning that it's not part of the DVC system. Just a regular ol' Disney hotel. Through an agreement made with Disney resorts, DVC members can exchange some of their points to "pay" to stay at the resorts at WDW that aren't part of the DVC system. But....the point costs for those resorts aren't anything like they are for an in-system resort like Bay Lake Tower. For a standard room at Yacht Club, I'd be paying about 48 points per night.

Given the per-point costs for rental through a member, I'd be paying way more for that Yacht Club room than I would if I just called up Disney and made a hotel reservation for the same room. Not cost-effective to do it that way.


"Cash reservation" just means booking a hotel room through the normal means, not by having a member make a reservation for you.

 

[Lynne M]

But I have to ask, does that also include transportation to and from the airport (MCO)? Also, hypothetically, if we stayed at the Polynesian Villas through a vacation club, would we check into our room from the main desk, or is there another office, etc.?

Also, your post indicates no daily housekeeping. With a 5-7 night stay, what about clean towels, etc. Is there any housekeeping during the stay?

Thank you

You would check in at the main check in desk at the Great Ceremonial House, and you would have use of the Magical Express airport transportation included.

Here’s how housekeeping works on DVC points stays:

For stays of 7 nights or fewer, housekeeping will come in and remove trash and replace towels on day 4. Trash & towel service also includes replacement of bath amenities (soap, shampoo, etc), facial and bath tissue, paper towels, and sugar, creamer and sweetener.

For stays of 8 or more nights, a full cleaning is done on day 4, and trash & towel service is provided on day 8.

Additional housekeeping services can be purchased for a fee. For example, a full cleaning of a studio is $30, a trash & towel visit is $15. A package of fresh towels for the unit costs $6.

 

[Lynne M]

I'll just add, do look at the room configurations on Disney's site for any DVC resort you're considering. The DVC villas are set up differently than most "regular" resort rooms. For instance, instead of the two queen beds and a day bed you'd get at the Polynesian Resort, the Polynesian Villas studio would have one queen bed, one queen sofa bed, and a twin-size pull-down bed.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would also caution that if you rent points through one if these sites, you should be sure your trip dates are written in stone. I know people suggest this option as a less expensive way to stay in a deluxe resort, and it is, however there are compromises you make in order to do so. It is best that you really understand what those compromises are.

 

[Shanell Chism]

Hello, I have used Dave's Vacation Club for both Aulani as well as Polynesian. It is a GREAt value, especially for the room upgrade with microwave and small refrigerator/ or full kitchen and living room. I would say two of my best vacations by far. The rental process is easy and once you have your dates, you either get them or you don't. So, pay with caution and make sure you are sure. The savings can be quite substantial. Once you arrive, you are considered a member. You are a guest of the member and that is it. You have all the same amenities and then some. You might get a few extra perks as members are always treated with great respect. Now for multiple rooms it might be tricky because the supply has to be there and you might not be in the same area. However if you can fathom saving maybe 500 or more per room, then it might be worth it.