Please help a newbie!!!

[Gibbygirl]

While not totally new to the DIS & a two-time WDW visitor, we are trying to think outside the box for our next trip & are curious about renting DVC points and everything that goes with that. Hoping some of you with experience will take pity on me & offer your help and suggestions First I need a better understanding of how the whole process works. What are the risks, pros, cons, etc. If you rent points for your room do you buy park tickets & dining plan seperately? I understand there is no daily mousekeeping (fine) but what about getting clean/dry/extra towels. We don't need our bed made everyday but do like fresh towels. We have stayed value & moderate before. We use the resort food courts often. What are our options if staying deluxe w/rented points? Looks like they have qs & ts restaurants but what about grabbing a quick muffin in the morning or refilling our mugs? Would really appreciate some guidance on this. I've read so many threads on the DVC board it's making my head spin. Pricing our trip so far has put us way over budget so looking for some cost saving options. TIA!!!

 

[makthompson]

When you rent points it's only for the room. You can find someone who will rent to you at the rent/trade board. Price is usually between $8.50 and $13 per point depending on how close to expiration the points are. You can add DDp to it but you will have to pay in full when added to the reservation.

 

[maman_et_fille]

We have rented points twice and also have stayed with DVC-owning family members. For us it was a leap of faith because the DVC member makes the reservation for you and you pay them for the points. Each person has a different way of going about payment. Most want a deposit and then full payment later. Some accept PayPal, some want a check. I would definitely ask for references and be sure you have their contact info (full name, address, phone number) before supplying yours. But I am not a trusting person.

EDIT: the DVC member has to make your magical express and dining plan arrangements for you. You can get your own tickets and ought to be able to use online check-in (DVC member might have to send you a link).

Depending on how far away your trip is, your options for location might be limited. Based on your comments about wanting to save money, it seems like you're looking for a studio? I would stay away from BLT; we stayed there and the studio was SMALL for our family of 4! (However, it is very convenient to the Contemporary for QS.) Since you use the food court/quick service areas frequently, I'd also avoid Old Key West and Saratoga Springs - they are spread out and have fewer dining options. I can't speak for Beach Club or Boardwalk, but Wilderness Lodge's Villas seem pretty close to the main building for quick service. Animal Kingdom Villas are located at both Kidani and Jambo House - you can specifically request Jambo House and that will put you closer to the quick service. They definitely have muffins and mug stations at the quick service locations

As for towels - I have to say it kinda stinks. You'd think Disney would install more towel bars since they expect you to reuse them, but they don't. Studios don't have laundry facilities, but with a 1 BR I guess you could technically wash and dry your towels each day. They charge money if you ask for more towels . Definitely plan on using everything from the clothesline in the shower to the suitcase stand to get clothes/towels dry, especially if you go swimming! Depending on the size of your family, you may also need to bring shampoo/conditioner/soap as they only restock at trash&towel.

I hope that answers your questions! We have saved money by renting studios, but that is compared to deluxe resorts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

While not totally new to the DIS & a two-time WDW visitor, we are trying to think outside the box for our next trip & are curious about renting DVC points and everything that goes with that. Hoping some of you with experience will take pity on me & offer your help and suggestions First I need a better understanding of how the whole process works. What are the risks, pros, cons, etc. If you rent points for your room do you buy park tickets & dining plan seperately? I understand there is no daily mousekeeping (fine) but what about getting clean/dry/extra towels. We don't need our bed made everyday but do like fresh towels. We have stayed value & moderate before. We use the resort food courts often. What are our options if staying deluxe w/rented points? Looks like they have qs & ts restaurants but what about grabbing a quick muffin in the morning or refilling our mugs? Would really appreciate some guidance on this. I've read so many threads on the DVC board it's making my head spin. Pricing our trip so far has put us way over budget so looking for some cost saving options. TIA!!!

The one thing to be aware of is that you need to start looking for points almost a year out for a trip. If you wait until closer to the start of your trip, you might not be able to find any DCV villa available. Most members book their trips 11 months out and try to change to a non-home resort at 7 months out. And that's not always possible.

You won't get daily free towels. You won't get daily free shampoo/soap/conditioner/etc. You'll pay extra for those if you ask for them.

Most DVCs don't have food courts like the value and moderates.

 

[Sammie]

The biggest Con is no cancellations, think of it as booking with priceline. Great price but it is yours once you pay for it.

Personally to me the appeal of DVC is the one bedroom or two bedroom or grand villa.

I see no advantage to renting a studio sleeping on a sofa bed unless you rent OKW and no housekeeping and no cancellation.

Now that the moderates have queens I would stay there any day over a DVC studio.

 

[Gibbygirl]

Thanks for all the great info! I think moderate is the way to go for us. We'll just keep dreaming of stay at the Beach Club

 

[aubeone]

I am currently a DVC member, but we began our DVC experience by renting points from a DVC. Yes...a leap of faith...but we were 3 for 3 with a posive experience.

Personally, I think the Deluxe Villa you get renting points is better than the moderates. We only have one child so the studio worked for us...althought we are now spoiled by one & two bedroom villas!

A one bedroom at AKV Kidani villa gives you a master bedroom, pull-out sofa, pull out chair and two bathrooms!

We stayed in a one bedroom at Kidani two summers ago...3 teenage girls + my wife and I.

Loved it!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Check out the DISboards rental primer in this thread.

 

[Lucy D.]

A couple things I would add to the responses and thread that have been provided already are:
*Get a confirmation of the reservation before you send any money, and keep checking it every so often to make sure the reservation has not been cancelled.
*Also, ask about the Use Year. If your trip is in March and their Use Year starts in April, it severely restricts the ability to reschedule your vacation for a later time IF that owner even allows for changes.
*Since all confirmations have the legal name of the owner on them, it is pretty easy for renters to post online if they have problems with an owner, so I don't think it happens very often.
Good luck...if you stay in a villa, you will never want to go back to a moderate!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Since all confirmations have the legal name of the owner on them, it is pretty easy for renters to post online if they have problems with an owner, so I don't think it happens very often.
Good luck...if you stay in a villa, you will never want to go back to a moderate!

Where do you post online about a specific renter? The DIS won't allow it.