New To This...HELP!

[Tifley]

Hello all. I know absolutely nothing about renting DVC points. I have tried and tried to research online, but am not finding answers to my questions! I am hoping you all might be able to help (disboards has never let me down before!!)

My husband and I have taken our family to WDW every year for the past few years. We are now trying to plan an anniversary trip for just the two of us next year. Someone suggested we check out renting DVC points...we want to stay in Savannah View room at AK Lodge. I have seen points for rent at other properties (100 pts at OKW for example)...do I need to look for points specifically at AK? Also, I went on two different websites that offer rental points, and for the time we are looking at going, they each said a different amount of points needed for the same dates, and room category? I am just very confused and frustrated right now...frustrated only because I alway plan my own Disney trips and have so much fun doing it...but DVC has gotten me totally confused!! Also, if I need say 100 pts, and I find someone that has 50 pts available to rent, can I rent those points and find 50 pts somewhere else?? Any help and / or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[disneynutz]

Use a point chart to find out how many points you need for the reservation.

Find one owner to rent the reservation from.

Research what's different about a DVC stay.

Check references, experience, use someone who uses an agreement.

Bill

 

[jkluttrell]

Where does one find a point chart?

 

[LisaS]

Where does one find a point chart?

Scroll up to the top of this page and click on "DVC Point Charts".

 

[zavandor]

Before renting points, you should understand all the ins and outs.
This is a good starting point:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

The main thing to consider is that you are not booking an hotel room, but you are renting a reservation from a DVC owner. So there are a lot of differences, but the main one is that the owner is the only one in control of the reservation: you cannot even book Disney Magical Express by yourself.
It also means that the owner could cancel your reservation with one simple mouse click. So there is an amount of trust involved.
The thread above is full of good tips about what you should do before renting directly from an owner.

Another VERY important thing to understand is that, given how DVC works, once a reservation is made it can be very difficult or impossible to change it. for this reason cancellation policies are very strict: once the reservation is done it cannot be changed. Sometime the owner may be able to work with you to change it, but don't count on it, it might be impossible.

Last, DVC units are not hotel rooms: refurbishment is less frequent, so they might appear more worn out. Also you won't get daily housekeeping and towels are changed only every 3-4 days.

 

[Chuck S]

In addition to what the above poster said, please note that the DVC Primer thread started in 2006. There have been a few changes to the process/program since.

For instance, the thread may say a DIning PLan, if you want one, can be paid for at check-in. That is no longer true. Any Dining PLan has to be added to the reservation at least 48 hours in advance of your check-in date, and must be paid in full whenever it is added. You would need to work out how to pay and so forth with the DVC Owner.

As far as specific resort points, yes and no. Each owner is deed to points at a specific home resort or resorts. They can book their home resort(s) 11 months in advance, and all other DVC resorts 7 months in advance. Depending upon your desired room type and time of year you want to travel, that 11 month window can be important. That said, AKL is a fairly large DVC Property. At 7 months, unless booking during holidays, food and wine, or marathons, there will likely be availability for a Savannah view room. Unless you are wanting a value class room or a concierge room. Those book up quickly all the time, and are very difficult, if not impossible, to get at 7 months.