Non DVC Member - I'm Confused on How to Book a Villa??

[viluvsdisney]

Hi there

I'm a non DVC member and would like to book a villa at the Grand Floridian (likely June 2017). I'm in need of a kitchen for dietary needs and it's our DD graduation so we're looking for something special and like the 1 or 2 bedroom Grand Floridian villas. I understand there's a "site" that you can "purchase" current members points or something to book the Villas? I'm confused - how does this work? I'd appreciate any info and when to try to book for June 2017.

Thanks in advance

 

[JETSDAD]

You could rent points from someplace like David's https://www.dvcrequest.com/ We have done that a couple of times. Be sure to book it as early as possible to be sure to get what you want.

 

[TaraPA]

You can either book them with cash on the Disney website, or rent points from a DVC member through David's (a reputable company that many use) or rent points on your own (almost always cheaper than going though David's). You can see pricing & the procedure at David's site (sorry I don't know it off the top of my head). GF villas book up almost instantly at the 11-month window by GF owners, so I'd have your dates ready to go & be ready to book July 2016 or what you want might not be available. Good luck!

 

[MrPTato]

Hi there

I'm a non DVC member and would like to book a villa at the Grand Floridian (likely June 2017). I'm in need of a kitchen for dietary needs and it's our DD graduation so we're looking for something special and like the 1 or 2 bedroom Grand Floridian villas. I understand there's a "site" that you can "purchase" current members points or something to book the Villas? I'm confused - how does this work? I'd appreciate any info and when to try to book for June 2017.

Thanks in advance

Members whose home resort is the GF won't be able to book until 11 months before the trip date. You are looking at getting a member to book for you around July of this year.

 

[viluvsdisney]

Ahhhhh - I see. So I'm looking for a member who will book for me or I rent from by this July 2016 or our stay in June 2017.

Is the full amount due to the member in July 2016, then?

And - how do I rent points on my own? Is that a different site then Davids?

Thanks again

 

[nkereina]

For a first time renter, a broker like David's is the best way to rent points. Important things to note about renting points:

-For Grand Floridian, as mentioned, you will want to book 11 months out when that availability opens up. You cannot change or cancel once you book, so make sure your dates are set in stone.

-If you go with David's, you will need to make a deposit before booking for them to check availability and if you decide to move forward with renting, the entire balance will due at that time.

-You will not receive daily housekeeping. Towel service/trash removal will happen on day 4 and a full cleaning on day 7 I believe. You can purchase daily towel service at an additional cost if you want.

-You can add the dining plan if you want, but the cost of it will be due at the time you add it.

-You will be ineligible for any room discounts or free dining promotions, if they are offered.

As long as you are aware of these things and none are a problem for you, renting points is a great option and an affordable way to stay at deluxe properties. Good luck!

 

[nkereina]

Is the full amount due to the member in July 2016, then?

And - how do I rent points on my own? Is that a different site then Davids?

If you went with David's, the full amount would be due at time of booking. If you book this July, it would be due at that time.

If you want to rent on your own, you can search the Rent/Trade board here on the Dis to get in touch with an owner and then work with that person directly. Each individual owner will have their own rules in terms of payment. Many I have worked with require a deposit up front with the balance due 60-90 days before you travel. Some prefer all of the money up front. It depends on the person.

One thing to keep in mind is that the owner has full control of your reservation. You cannot contact Disney directly about your reservation since you are considered a guest of the owner. The owner does all the legwork for you. If you choose to work with an owner on your own and not through a broker, it's a good idea to check references and find someone you feel is trustworthy.

 

[viluvsdisney]

Wow! Thanks for the info

Ok - I think I'm understanding now

It sounds like the 1 or 2 bedrooms book quickly so committing to the point rental is the way to go. Do folks get frustrated when/if room rates come down because you've locked into a DVC rental and can't change it? Or do you just accept the fact that the 1 or 2 bedrooms are hard to get and it is what it is in terms of cost to go through the DVC rental

Again - much thanks

 

[nkereina]

It sounds like the 1 or 2 bedrooms book quickly so committing to the point rental is the way to go. Do folks get frustrated when/if room rates come down because you've locked into a DVC rental and can't change it? Or do you just accept the fact that the 1 or 2 bedrooms are hard to get and it is what it is in terms of cost to go through the DVC rental

It's not that the 1 and 2 BRs book up quickly, it's that the Grand Floridian books up quickly. If you were open to other DVC properties, you wouldn't have to secure the booking quite so far in advance. People who own DVC are able to book at their home resort as early as 11 months in advance, and at other resorts 7 months in advance. In order to have the best shot at securing the resort and room/view type you want, you should find a Grand Floridian owner who is willing to rent and have them make your booking on the day the 11 month mark opens up. The benefit to using a broker is that they may have multiple GF owners looking to rent their points out so it may increase availability.

Even if a room discount is released, which may not be so likely during the summer months which are a busier time, it's more likely that your DVC rental will still be less than the room would be with the discount applied.

 

[viluvsdisney]

Nkereina - thanks again! I had no idea there are these options. The rent and trade board sounds very similar to the vacation rental properties I've used in other cities. I see what you're saying - there's more risk involved with the follow through

 

[viluvsdisney]

The Davids site has the broker info on it as well?

 

[nkereina]

The Davids site has the broker info on it as well?

David's is the broker. If you contact them via their web site, they facilitate the rental process for you and handle all communication with the owner. The downside is that it will cost you more money per point. But it does make it easy and gives some peace of mind for renters.

 

[Ensusieasm]

The Davids site has the broker info on it as well?

Just click on the link that JETSDAD gave you in post #2 above.

 

[Lynne M]

If you'd prefer not to deal with the rental process, you can book DVC villas through Disney, just as you would any resort room. You'll almost certainly pay more if you book with Disney, but you would have the ability to cancel or change dates if necessary, and you would get full daily housekeeping.

 

[TaraPA]

You've got it! If you decide to rent, David's is the most secure, however you will have to pay the full balance right away, and his points are more expensive than renting privately. I don't know the cancel/change policy with David's. Renting direct from a GF owner will be your cheapest option, but more risk involved since no middle man, and no changes/cancellation are allowed. I've done this many, many times without issues. If you don't like someone else having control over your reservation, or don't want to pay in full up front & want cancellation options, your best, but most expensive bet, is just to pay cash through Disney. It will be a lot more money, but more peace of mind (also daily housekeeping vs. every 4th day when using points). You can book it yourself on the Disney website.

As far as the room being discounted at a later date, DVC points are points, there is no further discounting when booking with points. You maybe able to find a General Public, Disney VISA or Annual Passholder discount if booking cash through Disney, however GF villas a so popular it is most often excluded from those discounts anyway. They know they can book them at rack rate. If you go this route & a discount does become available, you can switch your reservation to the lower rate IF all the nights are available under the new discount. Not always do-able, but it is possible to work in your favor.

Good luck!

 

[viluvsdisney]

Excellent! Thanks everyone - that's a great starting place

Out of curiosity - any insight on a daily rate for GF Villas in June?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Also realize that if you wait to book a villa via Disney, you will be subject to what inventory is released to their cash reservation system. At a resort like Grand Floridian, it's very rare for villas to be released to the CRO system in any quantity (and it will happen after the 11-month booking window for owners). Via Disney, you are more likely to see availability for Animal Kingdom, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West.

What can be booked via Disney is based on what rooms the condo association (DVC) trades out to Disney.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Excellent! Thanks everyone - that's a great starting place

Out of curiosity - any insight on a daily rate for GF Villas in June?

After June 10, the point rate for a VGF 2BR would be 64 points/day for Sun-Thurs, 74 points/day for Fri-Sat, or 468/week for a Standard View 2BR Villa.

Rack Rate for 2016 via Disney is $1293/night for a VGF 2BR Villa. That said, it's really rare for a VGF 2BR to be available via cash rez.

 

[sharadoc]

You could consider a villa at Bay Lake Tower overlooking Magic Kingdom, rather than the Grand Floridian if you'd rather go with a cash reservation. Those would have more availability too.

You would still be on the monorail to take advantage of all the amenities at the GF, Poly AND Contemporary.

 

[Hopefully]

For more info visit the "DVC Rent-Trade" forum here on the DIS