Newbie renting points HELP!

[sabrinadv1]

Next year I want to rent points for a 2-bedroom unit in either Oct. or Dec. How do I go about doing this? We have a trip planned for this Dec. so I can't pay anything until about Feb. of next year. Is that too late? I don't know where to get started. This will be the first year when the youngest is too old to count as an infant and now we need a room for 6. I don't want to stay in the cabins at FW because of the transportation issues. I was thinking VWL is this possible if we don't do anything until Feb. ? Any advice on where to get started would be wonderful. Thanks .

 

[Thumper4me]

If you are looking at renting for next October. I would start looking soon. October is a VERY busy time at most DVC properties because of the Food & Wine Festival. Most rental contracts require some money at the time of confirmation which in your case will be November. I am not sure February would cut it.

Kelly

 

[Destination Disney]

If you are looking at next Oct. or Dec. I would definatly start looking into those DVC members on the rent trade board that can book at the 11month window for your desired resort. If you are thinking VWL in DEC...you MUST rent from someone that owns at VWL. Dec. is prime time for the lodge!

So with that said...as for payments. I have rented before before we purchased a DVC contract and most of the members will require some form of payment up front but usually by the 60 day mark would like their entire balance paid in full. Some work with contracts while others are less "legal" per say, they will take your word as gold. I have worked with both types of owners and everytime it was a piece of cake.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Anytime from Oct to Dec is difficult to get if you wait too long. VWL is the smallest of the DVC resorts at this time (GCV will be smaller at DL when it opens) and is tough to get if you wait too long. You'll need a member with points at the VWL to make that reservation for you as soon as possible. If you wait until Feb, you will be 8 months out from your Oct reservation. Figure on paying $11-13 per point for that reservation.

Payment is up to the member. Some require a deposit to make the reservation and full payment at least 60 days out. Others might require full payment to make the reservation.

Remember, too, that you are renting a reservation from an individual and not from Disney. So if you have any problems, Disney will not get involved in any way. As a non-member, you cannot call Member Services for any reason. You can't call to confirm the reservation, but you should be able to get a copy of the confirmation from the member.

Also, housekeeping is very limited for points stays. If you stay 7 nights or fewer, you will only get your towels replaced and trash removed on day 4. If you stay 8 nights or more, you will get a full cleaning on day 4 and your trash removed and towels replaced on day 8. No additional bedding or towels will be provided. Anything extra, you pay for it.

And the member may not offer any cancellation policy. So if you have to cancel at the last minute, you may lose everything you invested.

Read all the threads at the top of the Rent/Trade Board before you put in your request. Understand what you are purchasing and it should be okay.

 

[sabrinadv1]

O.K. so if we decided Dec. is Jan. early enough to make the reservations for the VWL. 11 mos. out correct? I could make a deposit then I was under the impression I would have to pay for it all up front.

I understand that the owner needs to be careful because if the person cancels on them too late then they loose their points.

However it scares me that they are in charge of my vacation. What if they decided last minute that they need the points more than we do and cancel our reservations. It just scares me to give all of this money to someone I don't know and have them in control. They could take it and run and I would be out of my money and no vacation .

How do ya'll go about handling all of that? Has anyone been burned this way?

I am a planner and I usually plan our vacations that far in advance anyway. The only problem I would have not keeping it would something very serious. If something that bad happened to someone in my family the money maybe the last thing on my mind anyway.

That being said you can purchase vacation insurance from Disney in case something did happen. Can you still purchase insurance if you rent points?

 

[littlestar]

I understand that the owner needs to be careful because if the person cancels on them too late then they loose their points.

However it scares me that they are in charge of my vacation. What if they decided last minute that they need the points more than we do and cancel our reservations. It just scares me to give all of this money to someone I don't know and have them in control. They could take it and run and I would be out of my money and no vacation .

How do ya'll go about handling all of that? Has anyone been burned this way?

That being said you can purchase vacation insurance from Disney in case something did happen. Can you still purchase insurance if you rent points?

There is risk on both sides. A member takes a risk renting points to a stranger - what if the renter damages the unit or makes a bunch of long distance calls and checks out without paying the charges? I personally would never rent points to a stranger. I would only rent to someone on the boards that had a lot of posts and who I was familiar with. There has to be trust on both sides (it works both ways).

You can't purchase trip insurance for a private rental through a DVC member. If it makes you too nervous thinking of doing a private rental, don't do it.

 

[Sammie]

O.K. so if we decided Dec. is Jan. early enough to make the reservations for the VWL. 11 mos. out correct? I could make a deposit then I was under the impression I would have to pay for it all up front.

I understand that the owner needs to be careful because if the person cancels on them too late then they loose their points.

However it scares me that they are in charge of my vacation. What if they decided last minute that they need the points more than we do and cancel our reservations. It just scares me to give all of this money to someone I don't know and have them in control. They could take it and run and I would be out of my money and no vacation .

How do ya'll go about handling all of that? Has anyone been burned this way?

I am a planner and I usually plan our vacations that far in advance anyway. The only problem I would have not keeping it would something very serious. If something that bad happened to someone in my family the money maybe the last thing on my mind anyway.

That being said you can purchase vacation insurance from Disney in case something did happen. Can you still purchase insurance if you rent points?

You can't purchase insurance from Disney. This is a private transaction between two people and Disney will not get involved at any level. You could purchase insurance yourself.

As to whether people have been scammed, yes they have. Not very often, but if you have serious doubts about the trust involved, this type of transaction might not be for you.

For as you stated until you check in, the reservation belongs to the member.

Most require a deposit of half the total amount and the other half prior to arrival, but it is truly up to what the member requires and you will simply have to work out the details with them.

Very few offer cancellations.

 

[Destination Disney]

However it scares me that they are in charge of my vacation. What if they decided last minute that they need the points more than we do and cancel our reservations. It just scares me to give all of this money to someone I don't know and have them in control. They could take it and run and I would be out of my money and no vacation

If you like, you can draw up a contract for your peace of mind stating the breakdown of the vacation as far as points, dates, location, and payment plan. I'm sure the DVC owner would totally understand this as it will give them peace of mind too.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...If you like, you can draw up a contract for your peace of mind stating the breakdown of the vacation as far as points, dates, location, and payment plan. I'm sure the DVC owner would totally understand this as it will give them peace of mind too.

As a non-member, you can ask the member for a contract. But to provide your own is a little bit over the top. All the member needs to do at this point is say "NO". And I think many would. You will need to abide by their terms or rent directly from Disney and pay Disney's price.

 

[kimberh]

Op, Ask for references! This will be your best way to see what kind of DVC owner you are dealing with. There are a lot of very honest people on the Dis, that will be more than glad to help you. Talk with them on the phone, get their phone number, email address, home address, contract, be sure of all the arrangements on the contract.

In turn, you are going to have to provide the same information, probably half down, then the balance 60-90 days prior to check in. It all depends on the owners preference. If you want to Dining plan and Magical Express, the DVC owner has to set this up for you, so make sure that the DVC owner, that you choose to deal with understands this, and will be available for you right up to check in, if you need them. It is more than just renting a room. This is why I said get references, Make sure the DVC owner knows what is going to be required of them for you to have the best trip!

Decide what resort you are wanting to stay at, find a owner with points at that resort to book early for you.

Good Luck with your research!