Question for folks who have rented points...

[arcadiandj]

Wow everyone! Thank you for your great responses. Very helpful!

 

[amg35]

I am following this too! We (2 adults) are staying at Grand Floridian (2017) and didn't even think about renting DVC points until someone mentioned it to me. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons. I'm sure it's a hard reservation to get, and we really want to stay in the MK resort area this trip, we usually stay at Yacht or Beach Club.
Housekeeping is something to think about and if we are splurging on GF, I really want to feel immersed there, if that makes sense.
Thanks for all the things to think about!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I am following this too! We (2 adults) are staying at Grand Floridian (2017) and didn't even think about renting DVC points until someone mentioned it to me. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons. I'm sure it's a hard reservation to get, and we really want to stay in the MK resort area this trip, we usually stay at Yacht or Beach Club.
Housekeeping is something to think about and if we are splurging on GF, I really want to feel immersed there, if that makes sense.
Thanks for all the things to think about!

If you want a studio, those will not be likely renting in November.

 

[amg35]

If you want a studio, those will not be likely renting in November.

What does that mean, they aren't usually available to rent for month of November? Thanks.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What does that mean, they aren't usually available to rent for month of November? Thanks.

November is high season for DVC. Studios must be booked exactly 11 months out by someone who owns at VGF. Even then, getting a week can take luck.

You would need a home owner willing to try to book at exactly 8am. Through an agency you would have nearly no chance. There are only 47 total possible studios at VGF at any time and they are popular with owners.

 

[amg35]

Well, we are staying 9 nights, over Halloween, so it seems we are better off just booking a regular room. I'd have to see the price difference between booking a regular room or renting points for a 1 bedroom, doubt there would be much difference, in which case we'd opt for the hotel room.

Thanks!

 

[abner1776]

People need to understand what they are and are not getting when they decide to rent points and stay at a DVC resort. If you were planning on renting a beach house for a week, you would not expect to have the same services as if you stayed at the Westin Beach Hotel. Your expectations need to fit your budget. The BWI will most likely cost you $350(plus tax) a night while renting points to stay at the BWV could be in the $200 night range. If you want to cut your costs and pay only $200 a night, then don't expect $350 per night services.

Are the rooms the same at BWI and BWV ?? Technically, they are both deluxe resorts but since they cater to different clientele the rooms will not be the same nor will they offer the exact same services. I'm a DVC member and I am going to OKW in March for 6 days to play golf and relax...I don't care about daily housekeeping...I just want a nice room and DVC fills the bill, but at the same time I would not expect the same services as I get when staying at the GF on my business trips.

 

[amg35]

People need to understand what they are and are not getting when they decide to rent points and stay at a DVC resort. If you were planning on renting a beach house for a week, you would not expect to have the same services as if you stayed at the Westin Beach Hotel. Your expectations need to fit your budget. The BWI will most likely cost you $350(plus tax) a night while renting points to stay at the BWV could be in the $200 night range. If you want to cut your costs and pay only $200 a night, then don't expect $350 per night services.

Are the rooms the same at BWI and BWV ?? Technically, they are both deluxe resorts but since they cater to different clientele the rooms will not be the same nor will they offer the exact same services. I'm a DVC member and I am going to OKW in March for 6 days to play golf and relax...I don't care about daily housekeeping...I just want a nice room and DVC fills the bill, but at the same time I would not expect the same services as I get when staying at the GF on my business trips.

Hmm, I think that's the point of this post, so people can understand the difference between the types of rooms, services, etc....and my budget is quite fine, but if someone says you can stay for a significantly cheaper amount for same room type, it would peak anyone's interest, which then leads to these questions.

Your post comes across as quite condescending, but I'm sure you didn't mean it that way.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Hmm, I think that's the point of this post, so people can understand the difference between the types of rooms, services, etc....and my budget is quite fine, but if someone says you can stay for a significantly cheaper amount for same room type, it would peak anyone's interest, which then leads to these questions.

Your post comes across as quite condescending, but I'm sure you didn't mean it that way.

I think we quite frequently see people saying "you can stay Deluxe for so much less with DVC!" and depending on how people define deluxe or what they expect, it can be disappointing.

I also see people who think that the point charts on broker/agency sites are some form of guarantee they can rent those rooms at those rental rates, even though they all have disclaimers, and no one expects that of rack rate hotel rooms.

To non-owners, DVC can be a bit of a mystery, and the terms used to describe rental value can often aggravate that mystery.

 

[amg35]

I think we quite frequently see people saying "you can stay Deluxe for so much less with DVC!" and depending on how people define deluxe or what they expect, it can be disappointing.

I also see people who think that the point charts on broker/agency sites are some form of guarantee they can rent those rooms at those rental rates, even though they all have disclaimers, and no one expects that of rack rate hotel rooms.

To non-owners, DVC can be a bit of a mystery, and the terms used to describe rental value can often aggravate that mystery.

Yes, thanks. I'm thinking we'd be happier staying in the hotel, not DVC. Thanks for your help.

 

[arcadiandj]

Yes, thanks. I'm thinking we'd be happier staying in the hotel, not DVC. Thanks for your help.

You are thinking about this, reading responses, and coming to the same conclusion I am. We are going to try other options at this point-staying in the main hotel and search for other discounts. This doesn't mean I won't give points a try some day, but not on a really special trip like we are planning.

 

[crisi]

Hmm, I think that's the point of this post, so people can understand the difference between the types of rooms, services, etc....and my budget is quite fine, but if someone says you can stay for a significantly cheaper amount for same room type, it would peak anyone's interest, which then leads to these questions.

Your post comes across as quite condescending, but I'm sure you didn't mean it that way.

The point is, it isn't the same room type.

At some resorts you are off in a distant section of the resort, removed from the main resort.

A studio (except at OKW) is going to have a queen bed and a full pullout.

You won't get daily housekeeping. Even a towel change will cost you extra if you expect clean towels every day.

The room will go longer between renovations and touch ups don't seem to be done as often (with nearly 100% year round occupancy, its hard to get into a room to do a little paint touchup).

You will not be able to get a rollaway.

Room sizes are often smaller than the hotel side of the same resort.

Many of the rooms have lousy views. There are a few rooms with guaranteed view types, but they tend to be harder to book or much more expensive.

You may not be able to check into your room until 7pm or later. You will be expected to check out at 11am.

Cancellation policies, even for members, aren't great, and because of the way the point system works, most members don't offer renters cancellation at all (especially true if you go through a broker)

Renting DVC is a value, but you do need to make sure you understand what you are getting - particularly around cancellation because that can leave you holding the bag for a lot of money. But also, walking into a studio to discover a pullout instead of two queens in a room that seems to be in the middle of nowhere compared to the hotel where the drawer pulls are broken off and there are tears in the curtains and your view is that of the parking lot - you might not feel like you aren't getting a Deluxe resort.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The only studio we ever consider booking is OKW so we can both get some sleep. Queen beds are just too small for the two of us to share. At OKW, we each get a bed. The sleeper sofas are okay for kids (they get left at home if they complain, right?), but not for a grown up adult. Compare a one bedroom to a hotel room for price and then you have a much better comparison. One bedrooms with king bed in the master for me and the king. Full sized kitchen, dining room table, washer and dryer (full sized in OKW, stackables elsewhere).