Never rented points before - help!

[Tattylou]

So, I've never rented points before and literally have no clue as to how to go about this. I'm considering a short trip 11/30-12/3 bc I found cheap flights. We've found the buses are time consuming and draining for short trips (we usually do a mod or value) and so a monorail resort is appealing, but expensive. I heard renting points can be much cheaper. Help guide me where to look, who to contact, tips, etc. This is still just a tentative idea. Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

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

• 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.
• 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.

David's DVC Rentals is a reputable broker, and sponsor of the DIS. DIS members with points to rent list them on http://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-trade.29/.

The timing you want is among the most popular DVC booking time of the year, and you are starting late. People have been booking that time since 12/30. I would expect you to have difficulty at the monorail resorts already, and at the Epcot resorts as well, particularly for studios. Best chances would be at Animal Kingdom Villas, Saratoga and Old Key West.

 

[Tattylou]

@_auroraborealis_ wow, that is super helpful - a lot to think about. Thank you

 

[Marionnette]

I can only offer one more thing to what @_auroraborealis_ wrote:

We are currently less than 11 months and more than 7 months away from the dates you listed. Members can only book their home resorts for those dates. IOW, if you want Poly, you need a Poly owner to book your dates right now, only VGF can book VGF and BLT owners can book BLT. Once we are within 7 months of your expected arrival date, then any owner can book at any resort.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

This is a slightly older look at availability trends: http://www.disboards.com/threads/pr...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

You're already at 10 months, approaching 9 for those dates. So look at the 9-10 month availability slots. These are not full truth of what is available now, but is conceptually valid.