Potential renter: ?'s beforehand

[woodlandsparty]

I am thinking about renting.....but I read that there are some differences between a regular resort room and a DVC room. One of them being....mousekeeping doesn't service DVC rooms. What are the other differences??? Room service still available?

 

[tjkraz]

DVC rooms DO get serviced by housekeeping...it's just on a different schedule than cash guests. The room will obviously be clean when you arrive. Then you will receive a "trash and towel" service on Day 4 and a full cleaning on Day 8. During the trash and towel service, they will simply bring clean towels and empty your trash.

If you wish to pay for additional cleanings you may do so at check-in. You will still save hundreds of dollars over Disney's rack rates for the same room.

In every other regard I can think of, DVC rooms are identical to cash. Members can use free DME transportation...free theme park busses/boats...package deliver to rooms...charging to room keys...access to Extra Magic Hours...etc.

Incidentally I noticed from your signature that you're trying to book a Nov '06 trip. I hope that's not when you're considering the point rental. For a November stay, I'd recommend starting to look for points to rent at least 8-9 months out. Between the Food & Wine fest and the start of the holiday season, it's a very popular time of year with DVC members. There may be some room sizes available at some resorts for some dates, but you won't have much to choose from.

Good luck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC rooms DO get serviced by housekeeping...it's just on a different schedule than cash guests. The room will obviously be clean when you arrive. Then you will receive a "trash and towel" service on Day 4 and a full cleaning on Day 8. During the trash and towel service, they will simply bring clean towels and empty your trash.....

Got it backwards. For stays of 7 nights or fewer, you get trash and towels on day 4. For stays of 8 nights or more, you get full cleaning on day 4 and trash and towels on day 8.

And I agree with tjkraz. You won't be able to rent a reservation for Nov 06 unless you agree to rent someone's reservation that they up for sale. They won't be able to change the dates, location or size villa.

Members usually make their reservations as early as 11 months ahead of time, especially for the busy times like F&W, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break.

 

[suwoogie]

How much is the charge to have mousekeeping come in every day? The last time I rented I didn't know that it was available. Next time I'm going to get mousekeeping but I'm not sure what the cost is.

Do they clean the bathroom or just empty the trash?

 

[JimMIA]

You are really looking at the wrong things. Housekeeping and room service are incidentals in DVC rentals. You should look at the basics to be sure a DVC rental is right for your situation.

The biggest difference between a DVC rental and a regular hotel reservation is that there can be severe penalties for changes in plans. The best way to consider any DVC rental is that it is unchangeable and non-cancelable. That's not always true, but it's the best mindset to have.

Also, DVC rentals involve a lot of trust and are not without risk. You might want to look at this thread, which offers some advice to prospective renters: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

And this one, which shows what can happen in worst-case sceanarios: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1250604

[ETA: The vast majority of DVC rentals go through without a hitch and provide the families renting reservations with a deluxe vacation at a big discount. You just need to be sure this kind of a transaction meets your needs.

It doesn't work well for last-minute trips; in fact, many savvy DVC owners won't even consider renting a ressie for a last minute trip.

But if you are comfortable with the process and trust required, and if you can make plans several months in advance and stick to them, you may find a significant benefit to renting a DVC vacation.]

 

[Deb & Bill]

How much is the charge to have mousekeeping come in every day? The last time I rented I didn't know that it was available. Next time I'm going to get mousekeeping but I'm not sure what the cost is.

Do they clean the bathroom or just empty the trash?

The cost of a full cleaning varies by the size of the villa. I think it starts at $25 for a studio a day and goes up. Trash and Towels is just that. They replace the towels and remove the trash. No other cleaning. You make the bed. You wipe of the counters. You vacuum. Or pay for it.

 

[robinb]

Another advantage of renting a DVC villa is that you can buy the dining plan without purchasing park passes or paying rack rate.