Preliminary DVC rental questions

[Figmentv]

Hello DIS’ers. I’m in the process of planning a trip to WDW for [Dates Removed] for a large family group. Fourteen people all over 12 yo.

I’m wondering if renting DVC points for 2- 2 bedroom villas might be a good option. Anyone have any experience using DVC points for a large group ?

Thanks for any help.
Linda

 

[Chuck S]

As long as you book early, it should be a good option for you. The largest group I took was 16 total, and they were spread between two - 2 bedroom units and a one bedroom unit.

 

[CastAStone]

You’ll have 2 kings, 4 queens, and depending on the resort, either 2 more queens as Murphy beds, or 2 pull out couches. Then finally most resorts have a 5th sleeping surface in a 2BR, either a pull out chair or a smaller-than-a-twin fold down bed. So 10 surfaces total between 2 2BRs.

I would imagine that part will be fine.

You should have enough space. 2 options - Bay Lake Tower and Animal Kingdom Kidani - will have the bonus of 3 bathrooms per room instead of 2.

The biggest drawback could be location. They are under no obligation to locate your two rooms anywhere near each other. You can mitigate this somewhat by booking a resort that have all the 2 bedrooms in one building - Beach Club, Animal Kingdom Jambo, Riviera, Grand Floridian, either of the Wilderness Lodge resorts, and to a lesser extent Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom Kidani (those two resorts are still huge within that one building), and by putting in a request to be near each other; those requests are not guaranteed.

 

[Mle8308]

Just make sure your dates are firm as most DVC rentals are non refundable and you pay up front (if you use DVC Rental Store you can get a credit if you cancel within 75 days and only pay an initial deposit, but you will also pay a premium for their points). Book at 11 months for the best options for your stay.

 

[Genie+]

Just make sure your dates are firm as most DVC rentals are non refundable and you pay up front (if you use DVC Rental Store you can get a credit if you cancel within 75 days and only pay an initial deposit, but you will also pay a premium for their points). Book at 11 months for the best options for your stay.

This is a very important aspect for a first time renter with large party.

It’s not easy to change things down the line. If one sub-group backs out, the choices are to eat that cost or try moving to smaller accommodations. As time goes by the options to move get smaller. They might think it’s no big deal for the rest of gang to move from two 2BRs at BCV to a 2BR and 1BR at SSR. They feel resentful the rest don’t want to move so they can get their money back, and the rest feel resentful they committed at 11 months and now have to give up that value of a better booking.

Just make sure everybody knows there’s not only a cost to the booking, there’s a cost to making changes later that might not even be monetary. Changes could mean downgrading your booking to a less preferred resort. They really need to understand that aspect before agreeing.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Just make sure your dates are firm as most DVC rentals are non refundable and you pay up front (if you use DVC Rental Store you can get a credit if you cancel within 75 days and only pay an initial deposit, but you will also pay a premium for their points). Book at 11 months for the best options for your stay.

https://dvcrequest.com/dvc-guests/cancellation-policy David's has a new deferral policy as well.

 

[Mle8308]

https://dvcrequest.com/dvc-guests/cancellation-policy David's has a new deferral policy as well.

Good to know! And it seems to be a better cancellation policy. David's is a 3 year time frame to use the credit, DVC Rental Store is 2 years. Wonder if David's points will increase in price (I didn't look), they were less than DVC Rental Store, but this was before the change. Competition is good!

 

[CarolMN]

This is a very important aspect for a first time renter with large party.

It’s not easy to change things down the line. If one sub-group backs out, the choices are to eat that cost or try moving to smaller accommodations. As time goes by the options to move get smaller. They might think it’s no big deal for the rest of gang to move from two 2BRs at BCV to a 2BR and 1BR at SSR. They feel resentful the rest don’t want to move so they can get their money back, and the rest feel resentful they committed at 11 months and now have to give up that value of a better booking.

Just make sure everybody knows there’s not only a cost to the booking, there’s a cost to making changes later that might not even be monetary. Changes could mean downgrading your booking to a less preferred resort. They really need to understand that aspect before agreeing.

Very much agree! If you can, get $$ up front and explain that the "no cancellation" policy saves a lot on the rooms. Important to get some "skin in the game" from your guests unless you plan to pay for the accommodations no matter what. That could be airfare tickets, park tickets, etc. Very few owners offer refunds or options to change things around. Most of the time it's not possible, even if the owner is willing.

We have had many, many reports of friends & family (they are the worst) for backing out and leaving the Host holding the bag.

Good luck!

 

[muppets3d]

Everyone will be all gung-ho to go until it's time to pay. I've seen this movie before.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Good to know! And it seems to be a better cancellation policy. David's is a 3 year time frame to use the credit, DVC Rental Store is 2 years. Wonder if David's points will increase in price (I didn't look), they were less than DVC Rental Store, but this was before the change. Competition is good!

One other difference I see is that David's keeps your initial $105 booking request deposit if you cancel more than 120 days out, where DVC Rental issues that $100 back with the rest of your down payment credit. Still better in either case than being saddled with a reservation you had to pay in full for and couldn't use!