Questions about Renting Points

PlutoTheDog89

DIS Veteran
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Sep 19, 2011
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I hope this is the right section for this question. If it's not, I apologize.

My family is interested in renting points for our next Christmas vacation. Our three choices would be Beach Club, Boardwalk or GF.

We're looking into going with David's or another rental broker. The biggest thing for us is the planning of the trip. I'm very much a "type A" who takes planning the trip (FP+, ADRs) very seriously. I know you can secure ADRs and be on the dining plan with David's, etc. BUT - I was wondering the process.

For me, I wake up and prep the computer at the 180-day mark. I'm ready to go. I login and book ADRs for our entire trip (12/24-1/1). I've always had success getting the restaurants we want. While I trust David's and have heard great things, I'd have a hard time giving up that responsibility - especially during the most crowded, in-demand time of the year.

Also - how do FP+'s work? Am I able to login and get our FP+ or does someone have to do that for us?

The reason I ask is because it's my understanding that the DVC holder and/or David's has all the power and responsibility. What if the DVC holder sleeps in or the worker at David's is assisting another customer at the time of the 180-day mark.

For those that haven't been to Disney during Christmas and think I'm being dramatic - it's incredibly difficult to get certain reservations during Christmas. We love Narcoossee's or Artist Point for Christmas and those are usually the first gone.

Two more questions...
- What are the chances of getting BW, BC or GF studios for Christmas week if we inquire exactly 11 months out?

- How are the pull out beds? Are they comfortable or does it feel like you're sleeping on a pull-out? How are the day beds? If the double pull out gets a little crowded, can an adult (5'10) sleep comfortable on it?
 
Booking dining is still your responsibility. DVC Rentals are room only, all other aspects of the vacation, dining, theme park tickets, tours and so forth is up to you.
 
Also - how do FP+'s work? Am I able to login and get our FP+ or does someone have to do that for us?
FP+ works just like it would with any other Disney Resort reservation. You need to link your room reservation and park admission to your My Disney Experience account. Since you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can begin to make FP+ selections at 60 days from your check-in date (linked park admission required).
 
This gentleman did an analysis of booking patterns for (mostly) studios: http://www.disboards.com/threads/pr...-some-1-bedrooms-vgc-update-10-21-15.3419112/

The quick summary is:
  • You need 11-month booking for BCV for December
  • BWV Standard and Boardwalk is very difficult EVEN WITH 11-month booking for December
  • BWV Garden/Pool requires 11-month booking for December
  • VGF in December is a unicorn and difficult even for owners
The key will be if a rental agency has access to an 11-month booking for December for BWV or BCV. Point availability isn't guaranteed, and then room availability can vary. December is DVC high season. You may need to be open to a split stay or ready to pay for a 1BR, as 1BRs are much easier to book at all three of your desired resorts.
 

Booking dining is still your responsibility. DVC Rentals are room only, all other aspects of the vacation, dining, theme park tickets, tours and so forth is up to you.
DME and DDP are the responsibility of the DVC owner.
David's is aware of these requirements and it should be included in the rental agreement.
The DDP must be purchased and paid for in full 48 hours before the start of the vacation.

OP, you need to be looking for a broker or an owner, getting an agreement in place, and payment made before the 11 month window opens. The DVC member will then need to be making the reservation in your name at the opening of the 11 month window.
 
Also keep in mind you pay at the time you book and it's non-refundable. I think you can buy trip insurance but it is a stepped kind of insurance and you will not get the entire amount you paid back and you will be out the amount of the trip insurance as well. I rented through David's once and it was painless. They do charge an up front fee to look for the room for you. If you don't like what they find or they can't find what you want, they will refund that money. If you end up booking, it will go toward the entire cost so you are never out of it.
 
You are interested in near resort parks. Consider adding Poly to your choices. Here's why: all those parks in Dec are in high booking demand exactly at 11 months.

Poly will be wide open for the next few years right up to the 7 month mark. DVC releases inventory to keep pace with sales and currently about 40% of the resort is released but only about 20% sold. That means there's twice as many rooms as owners.

In any case, you can use that as a backup plan: if you have difficulty booking one of your primary choices at 11 months, you'd have a much longer window at Poly (although Poly will book out at 7, so use someone with Poly points before the 7 month window opens).

Also, consider using the rent/trade board. Individual owners can have more flexibility with changes and cancellations than a broker. Also, an individual owner might be more motivated to be online at 8am at the 11 month mark for you.
 
The reason I ask is because it's my understanding that the DVC holder and/or David's has all the power and responsibility. What if the DVC holder sleeps in or the worker at David's is assisting another customer at the time of the 180-day mark.

When you rent points, the DVC member retains ownership of the resort reservation. Changes that are associated with that reservation, like adding the dining plan, or requesting a certain room location, must be done by the member. But that's where the 'power and responsibility' ends.

Any other part of your vacation planning - buying park tickets, making ADRs, scheduling FP+, booking tours or special events - that's for you to do. David's does offer park tickets if you want to buy through them, but they won't make ADRs or FP+ for you.
 
Park Tickets Dining Ressies and anything else not associated with the room reservation is your responsibility as a renter. You will have to let the owner know if you want the Dining plan added but you can make the reservations on your own
 

















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