PLease help a total Newbie plan a family vacation

[meggb5]

Hello everyone,
I am so lost as to booking a (pretty last minute) trip to Disney Orlando.

My husband has been laid off forever and we can finally manage a trip with our kids to Disney.

I'd really love some help with this if someone would like to help out a total newbie!

Some info

Flying from DTW
...... (edited to remove specific details)......

Trying to understand how to rent points ???
Meal plans??
Park tickets???

My head is spinning!!!!

Thank you for your time.

Megg


Note to Megg and others who are new to the Forums and interested in renting: The DIS DVC Boards allow general questions about renting, but do not allow specific requests that could be construed as a rental request. I edited this post to make it a more general question about how to go about renting. Thanks for understanding.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Last minute and DVC doesn't really go together. You may find nothing available until mid-January and then it may still be limited. Members usually book their home resort at 11 months out and then try to change to a non-home resort at 7 months out.

There is no free dining with DVC points styas. You can buy the plan, but it's the same price as anyone else will be paying. Tickets you are on your own.

 

[Sandisw]

If you decide to rent a DVC reservation, you will be on your own for the tickets and can get them at any authorized dealer (I have used Undercover Tourist).

In terms of the meal plans, currently, it can be added to a DVC reservation. The owner of the reservation would have to add it for you and it is paid in full at the time it is added.

Since a DVC rental is a private transaction between you and the owner, Disney is not really involved so everything is between you and them. Therefore, if Disney comes out with a promotion, etc., your reservation would not be eligible for it.

There are certainly pros to renting (may be less expensive) but one of the drawbacks is last minute trips, depending on time of year, may be difficult.

And, cancellation of the trips may be much more restrictive than Disney so a lot of think about. Read the info on the Rent/Trade boards to get a more indepth understanding.