Oh, please help me

[LISAB4]

So, we are planning an extended family vacation for December. I am trying to book the same thing and am thinking that I may be able to save a little money by renting points to do it. I feel completely overwhelmed by the whole thing. I can not seem to figure out how many points I need for the trip and I am nervous about getting ripped off. Can somebody please explain to me how this whole thing works in very basic language? I also am curious what the service level difference is when you rent points as opposed to renting the suite thru Disney Travel. Thank you so much for any help you can give me.

 

[Chuck S]

LisaB4,

I edited your post. Room, resort, and date specifics would need to go on the DVC Rent/Trade Board, as they would be interpreted as a "looking to rent" type post. Since your post contained many other questions, I decided to edit it, rather than delete it.

Welcome to the DVC Boards.

Rental agreements are private agreements between you and a DVC owner. Basically, you are renting a reservation from a DVC owner. To find out how many points would be required for the reservation, click on the DVC Point Charts link, just below the banner at the top of this page.

Renting is really a matter of trust, there is not way to be 100% certain you won't be "ripped off", but it is extremely rare, here

I would post your dates and requested room size/resort on the rent/trade board. Personally, I would look for an owner that has a fairly high post count, so there is some history here on the DIS boards. I would make sure the agreement is in writing, even if only in email form. Be sure you have contact info for the DVC member, name, address, phone, email, etc. Have the payment dates and method spelled out in the contract, along with any change/cancellation policy (if any) offered by the owner.

The "obvious" differences in resort experience by renting vs. a Disney reservation...no daily housekeeping. All other normal resort amenities will be there (transportation, room charging, package delivery, etc.)

If you want the Dining Plan, the owner will need to add it to the reservation for you...you will pay for it at check-in. Also, if you want the Disney Magical Express transportation from the airport to the resort, the member will also need to add that for you. Non-members can not call member services for any reason, even to confirm reservations.

 

[Granny]

First of all, welcome to the DIS boards. You've come to a great place to get feedback on your questions.

I should point out that December is a very difficult month to book DVC resorts with owners' points. Most of that month gets booked up in January at the 11 month booking window since it is a very popular time for DVC owners to go. This would be especially true if you were looking at staying at BCV, VWL or BWV Standard View or BWV Boardwalk View.

"Point Rental" is actually a misnomer. People don't rent points. They ask a member to make a reservation using their points and then the owner sells that reservation to someone for a price. Usually, it is based on a price per point that the owner wishes to charge and it can range all over the place.

Keep in mind that this is a private transaction between an owner and the person needing the reservation. Disney will not participate in any problems you encounter with an owner.

Each owner sets their own price and payment schedule, as well as acceptable means of payment. There is risk on both sides of this transaction and you need to understand the DVC process a bit to understand why the owner must protect themselves against late cancellations, late payments, etc.

Here's a link to a thread with some good information about the topic:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

I also am curious what the service level difference is when you rent points as opposed to renting the suite thru Disney Travel.

I think the only difference is that when you rent points you won't get daily maid service. They'll pick up Trash and give you new Towels on Day 4 of any stay 4-7 days. For 8 days or more they'll give you full cleaning on Day 4 and Trash&Towel on Day 8.

Other than that, I think the service is exactly the same.

Good luck with your research, and in getting a reservation. You'll need to hurry for the reasons I spelled out above.

 

[chalee94]

new year's eve is often a popular time for reservations at DVC - many members booked those rooms in late january and february. just wanted to warn you that it may be tough to even rent a reservation at this point...

but, in general, you'd go to the point charts at the top right of the screen (under the timeshare store banner) and click on the boardwalk link - for example, a standard view 2 BR the last week of december is 44pts for the 1st weeknight, 103pts for each of the weekend nights and 44pts for the last 2 weeknights in december...plus 24pts each for the first 2 weeknights in january:

44+103+103+44+44+24+24=386 pts for 7 nights in a standard view 2 BR (a "preferred view" room would require more points, but you can calculate that, if necessary.)

so you would go to the rent/trade board, read the FAQ and look for posters offering 386 or more points that don't expire before jan 2008...ideally you would be looking for posters with an established history on the DISboards (i.e. with a reasonably high number of posts...who has rented before...) you may also post your request in a thread asking a DVC member to make a reservation for your situation. (you should expect to pay at least $10-11 per point...possibly $12-14.)

if there you find a DVC member with points to rent that you are comfortable with and the boardwalk has availability, you would agree on terms for the reservation. you can expect to get a copy of the confirmed reservation sent to you and you can ask the DVC member to request disney's magical express and the dining plan, if desired. you probably won't be able to independently confirm the reservation with disney directly until a few days before the trip...the reservation is owned by the member until you check in. although it is EXTREMELY rare, it is theoretically possible for the member to cancel after taking your money regardless of printed confirmations and the like...this is just part of the risk of renting for less than disney would charge directly.

you also might have to pay a significant portion up front and you may have severe limitations on being able to cancel...the member is putting their points at risk if you change your mind.

 

[LISAB4]

Chuck S- thank you so much for not deleting my post and just editing it for me. And thank you both for the information. I do have a current reservation for my travel dates but it is with Disney Travel and I need to pay the deposit soon. I thought it might not be a bad idea to look into this beforehand. Is it possible to pay extra for daily maid service?

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, you can call housekeeping for additional days.

From the DVC Member Website:

With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:


Toiletries Package, $3.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 body soap, 1 shampoo
Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers
Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
Laundry Detergent (only in one-, two-, and three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box


Housekeeping Daily Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $25.00 per day requested
One-bedroom - $30.00 per day requested
Two-bedroom - $40.00 per day requested
Grand Villa/Beach Cottage - $60.00 per day requested
Trash & Towel - $10.00 per day requested.



Note: Rates are subject to change

 

[brandedguy]

Wow, that rental thread link is great!


Brand

 

[Deb & Bill]

... for example, a standard view 2 BR the last week of december is 44pts for the 1st weeknight, 103pts for each of the weekend nights and 44pts for the last 2 weeknights in december...plus 24pts each for the first 2 weeknights in january:

44+103+103+44+44+24+24=386 pts for 7 nights in a standard view 2 BR (a "preferred view" room would require more points, but you can calculate that, if necessary.)

....

But the odds of getting a BWV standard view at this late date are very low. It just isn't going to happen. You'd be better off trying to get SSR or OKW since the point requirement is lower and the resorts are larger.

But the biggest thing to be concerned about is your lack of cancellation policy with most members. Some will allow a cancellation or change, but lots won't and you lose whatever you have already paid the member.

 

[juligrl]

I also have a few questions in regards to renting DVC points. How far out can reservations be made when booking through DVC? We're looking to do an extended family trip but it's still quite a ways off yet. Guess I'm just trying to figure out when to start shopping. Also (potentially dumb question), when people rent for $10, $11, $12 per point is there tax added to that. And finally, if you stay DVC I know that there are DVC pools, but are you also allowed to use the pools at the main resort? Sorry for so many questions. Just a route I'm considering right now. TIA!

 

[Lynne M]

And finally, if you stay DVC I know that there are DVC pools, but are you also allowed to use the pools at the main resort?

Well, there's really no such thing as a DVC pool. When they added on villas at VWL, they put in another pool, just to handle the additional guests. But there's no restriction on who may use the pool, it's available to anyone who stays at the lodge, or the villas, and the main pool is also available to anyone who stays at the resort.

So, when you stay at a WDW resort, DVC or not, you may use any of the pools at that resort.

 

[Chuck S]

I also have a few questions in regards to renting DVC points. How far out can reservations be made when booking through DVC? We're looking to do an extended family trip but it's still quite a ways off yet. Guess I'm just trying to figure out when to start shopping. Also (potentially dumb question), when people rent for $10, $11, $12 per point is there tax added to that. And finally, if you stay DVC I know that there are DVC pools, but are you also allowed to use the pools at the main resort? Sorry for so many questions. Just a route I'm considering right now. TIA!

The previous poster answered your pool question.

DVC members may make reservations 11 months prior to check-out day at thir home resorts (in otherwords, if you want to stay at OKW, you'd need an OKW owner to make the reservatoin that far in advance). At 7 months prior to your check-out day the rooms are opened at all DVC owners.

Depending upon which resort you want, and when you are traveling, you'll be much better off trying to find an owner with that home resort priority.

 

[chalee94]

I also have a few questions in regards to renting DVC points. How far out can reservations be made when booking through DVC? We're looking to do an extended family trip but it's still quite a ways off yet. Guess I'm just trying to figure out when to start shopping. Also (potentially dumb question), when people rent for $10, $11, $12 per point is there tax added to that. And finally, if you stay DVC I know that there are DVC pools, but are you also allowed to use the pools at the main resort? Sorry for so many questions. Just a route I'm considering right now. TIA!

as has already been said, you're best off if you try to start renting a reservation 10-11 months out. (if you're looking for a specific resort more than 7 months out, you will need to find someone who owns at that resort.)

there is usually no tax on renting points - remember that you're making a deal with an individual and not a business entity. if you find an owner who allows payment by paypal - and many don't - there may be an additional fee for something like that.

to the OP, i just wanted to say again: the odds of getting a reservation around new year's (anywhere but especially if you are focused on BWV) are not good...please don't cancel your current reservation in hopes of renting a DVC reservation...

 

[auntsue]

December is definitely going to be hard to come by at BWV. I booked a Dec 07 1BR Boardwalk view exactly at 11 months and now at 8 months out I wanted to get a studio, standard or preferred, for my niece and there is no availability for my days. Maybe at seven months there will be some cancellations as people try to switch resorts, but I'm not holding my breath. If you are thinking of renting for this December, I think your chances of getting a villa are very slim.

Definitely, do not cancel the reservation you are holding until you are sure you can get something else.

 

[juligrl]

Well, there's really no such thing as a DVC pool. When they added on villas at VWL, they put in another pool, just to handle the additional guests. But there's no restriction on who may use the pool, it's available to anyone who stays at the lodge, or the villas, and the main pool is also available to anyone who stays at the resort.

So, when you stay at a WDW resort, DVC or not, you may use any of the pools at that resort.

Oh, I see. Thanks!