Questions on Renting DVC for Fall 2019

[MommaBerd]

We call it the nookie tax. Its expensive nookie, but my husband is far more likely to vacation if the kids sleep in a different room.

I like your name for this! My husband is the same way...we have stayed off-site for the bulk of our Disney vacations for this very reason (until now with DVC). And, we try to get suites (like TownePlace, etc.) as much as possible when we travel. With three or four kids in tow - we need our space!

 

[Sha259]

I would add:

b) Since you are thinking of going during Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, I would think BCV could be difficult to book because it is small (not a lot of rooms) and it is near Epcot. Is there a reason you have ruled out BoardWalk Villas? If you want to stay at the Epcot area, it's bigger (has more rooms) than BCV.

c) Renting at 11 months would mean finding an owner who both has the correct home resort and who has enough points they don't need for themselves. Someone might have BLT as their home resort but not have as many points as would be needed for what you want to book. For example, a lake view one-bedroom at BLT for a week in October is 241 points.

d) I have never tried to rent points, but if you're trying to do it at the 11 month mark, I'm not sure how it would work if your first choice is one resort and your second choice is a different resort. If someone is trying to book for you at 11 months, they can only book at their home resort. I don't know how likely it is that someone would have enough points at two different home resorts, so that if they couldn't get your first choice they could switch to your second choice.

e) I don't know who came up with the buzz line of renting DVC points so that you can stay at a deluxe resort for the price of a moderate, but that person is very good at marketing. In reality, it sometimes to leads to people comparing the rack (un-discounted) rate of a moderate versus the cost of renting something which has very limited availability, such as a value studio at AKV. It ignores the fact that sometimes Disney will have discounts for its regular hotel rooms, or free dining. It also ignores the fact that the DVC villas with limited availability are hard to rent.

f) So in order to get what you want, you need (1) an owner who has the correct home resort, and (2) who also has enough points, and (3) who is willing and able to go online at the correct time on the correct date to try to make the reservation, and (4) who is fast enough to book what you want before other people book it.

Thanks for the feedback!

I haven't ruled out BWV. Actually, it is #3 on my list of top 7 DVC resorts that I would like to try. I only asked about BCV and BLT specifically because I have learned from research that they were relatively hard to get and I was interested in hearing my chances of getting them with rented points.

I understand that what I am asking for may be hard to get. But again, I am very flexible for this trip and am researching ALL of my options now before I actually book something. If I cant get what I am interested in by renting points I'll just go on and either book a deluxe condo offsite or book a moderate. I'm very aware of the different room qualities between DVC, Disney Hotel, and off site properties. My main driver here is price, second is ambiance. If I can stay on Disney property for what I want to pay, great! If not, I have no issue just moving offsite. I have stayed offsite twice and had great experiences.

Not sure why my choices would all have to be the same resort. If the first person with resort #1 couldnt book what I was interested in I would just look for someone else who could rent points at the same resort, or someone who owned at another resort on my list. Same when making offers on houses in my mind. If the offer falls through, you move on to the next.

I like the idea of being able to stay on the deluxe property and the proximity to the parks of BLT, BCV, and BWV speaks to why I would choose them over a moderate where you need to catch the bus. If I'm going to be as far away as SSR or OKW, I might as well find a really nice close offsite. I could take or leave the dining, the only reason I would really be interested in it is if I could get it free. And I likely wouldnt use it all, which would be a waste.

I understand that my questions might make it seem that I'm looking for a unicorn. But in reality, I like unicorns, but would be just as happy with a horse, or a zebra.

 

[Sha259]

Alternatively, consider the Poly. Nice sized studios for 3, split bath, trundle bed for the kiddo (so your sofa can stay a sofa!), and what I consider monorail access to MK and Epcot (via a nice, short walk to the TTC). It's my second fave food and wine resort over BCV.

Poly rooms seem really dark and over themed to me from videos. Do you find it so? I also like the location of the Poly and it is also on my short list! I guess my questions are leading people to think I am only interested in BCV and BLT. However, I only asked about them specifically because people mention how hard they are to get related to other resorts (not even mentioning VGF because I will not spend that kind of money).

 

[crisi]

I would add:



e) I don't know who came up with the buzz line of renting DVC points so that you can stay at a deluxe resort for the price of a moderate, but that person is very good at marketing. In reality, it sometimes to leads to people comparing the rack (un-discounted) rate of a moderate versus the cost of renting something which has very limited availability, such as a value studio at AKV. It ignores the fact that sometimes Disney will have discounts for its regular hotel rooms, or free dining. It also ignores the fact that the DVC villas with limited availability are hard to rent.

Most importantly, it ignores the fact that DVC units are not deluxe hotel rooms. The resort is deluxe, but your room is going to have a queen bed and a pull out couch (if you are in a studio). You will not get daily housekeeping (although now you get your trash taken every day) or a lot of little bottles of shampoo and new coffee every day. There is no late checkout, and you may not get into your room until well after 4pm. DVC units are not integrated into the main resort, and often the resort amenties are in a different building for DVC guests - while regular hotel guests have them right there- All of this is normal for the timeshare crowd - and really not that big of a deal for most people - but if I were paying $500 a night at the BWI and got the BWV experience, I'd be upset.

Its a great way to stay on the monorail or near the International Gateway - its not a great way to stay at the Y&BC or the Contemporary.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Free dining is something that Disney offers to fill vacant rooms. Since you are not renting from Disney, but from an individual DVC owner, there is no free dining, no buy five get seven nights, no kids eat free. It's like renting a condo from an individual owner. This condo just happens to be at WDW and it's really a timeshare, not a condo. So should you have any problems with your reservation, you'll need to take it up with the owner (or the broker if you use a broker to match you with an owner). If you suddenly need to change it, plan to not change it and lose what you already paid.

One more thing. Since you have posted on this thread about a desire to rent points for a reservation in 2019, you are going to get private messages from people offering you their points. Ignore those private messages unless you initiate the conversation. That is how you get taken.

Oh, and BWV can have difficult parking, especially in the fall with F&W and various conventions at WDW. If you have your own car or plan to rent a car, you might want to keep that in mind.

 

[Ben E N]

Most importantly, it ignores the fact that DVC units are not deluxe hotel rooms. The resort is deluxe, but your room is going to have a queen bed and a pull out couch (if you are in a studio). You will not get daily housekeeping (although now you get your trash taken every day) or a lot of little bottles of shampoo and new coffee every day. There is no late checkout, and you may not get into your room until well after 4pm. DVC units are not integrated into the main resort, and often the resort amenties are in a different building for DVC guests - while regular hotel guests have them right there- All of this is normal for the timeshare crowd - and really not that big of a deal for most people - but if I were paying $500 a night at the BWI and got the BWV experience, I'd be upset.

Its a great way to stay on the monorail or near the International Gateway - its not a great way to stay at the Y&BC or the Contemporary.

Hearing what I have about the deluxe resorts not being really all that "deluxe", though, I would argue that the location of them is what makes them somewhat worth the money. By using DVC, you are losing some of the accommodations that are not all that well reviewed, and getting a much better price per night. If you're not a fan of daily housekeeping, you sadly now have to deal with the garbage/security check, but that's it. Other than that you get the great location and a balcony for only about 20% more than most moderate resorts.

 

[Ben E N]

So should you have any problems with your reservation, you'll need to take it up with the owner

This may be mostly correct, but not 100%. Once it is in your MDE, you can contact Disney directly about it. You cannot change the reservation, but if the toilet is leaking in your room or something you can contact the front desk immediately.

 

[crisi]

Hearing what I have about the deluxe resorts not being really all that "deluxe", though, I would argue that the location of them is what makes them somewhat worth the money. By using DVC, you are losing some of the accommodations that are not all that well reviewed, and getting a much better price per night. If you're not a fan of daily housekeeping, you sadly now have to deal with the garbage/security check, but that's it. Other than that you get the great location and a balcony for only about 20% more than most moderate resorts.

I tend to agree, but at a deluxe resort, I'd at least get my bed made and towels changed every day. Whether that is worth the money is another question, but then whether a balcony is worth anything at all (I could care less about a balcony - but not much less) or the location is worth that much (we like the Epcot resorts) is also subjective. However, its a matter of expectations, and I think expectations are set poorly if you expect a hotel room with hotel amenities and get a DVC unit with a pull out sofabed and new towels only after four days.

 

[Henwen88]

Poly rooms seem really dark and over themed to me from videos. Do you find it so? I also like the location of the Poly and it is also on my short list! I guess my questions are leading people to think I am only interested in BCV and BLT. However, I only asked about them specifically because people mention how hard they are to get related to other resorts (not even mentioning VGF because I will not spend that kind of money).

Nope, we didn't get a dark vibe at all. Had lots of space for us and all our stuff (mom and dad in bed, kiddo in trundle). I like leaving the 'living' section of studios uncluttered so we can actually use the furniture to sit. The longhouses are all fairly close to TTC to catch a direct epcot monorail, as well as the largest DVC laundry room I've managed to find so far. We really enjoyed an 8 night stay last year, and will be back at some point.

My only -cant really say complaint; but maybe thing, if given the chance, that I would change- would be the immense size of the toilet/tub/sink bathroom. Just a huge space suck that prob can find waaay more practical uses of that space. Oh, and the crappy elevators in the longhouses. Total flop on that one.

 

[Sha259]

Most importantly, it ignores the fact that DVC units are not deluxe hotel rooms. The resort is deluxe, but your room is going to have a queen bed and a pull out couch (if you are in a studio). You will not get daily housekeeping (although now you get your trash taken every day) or a lot of little bottles of shampoo and new coffee every day. There is no late checkout, and you may not get into your room until well after 4pm. DVC units are not integrated into the main resort, and often the resort amenties are in a different building for DVC guests - while regular hotel guests have them right there- All of this is normal for the timeshare crowd - and really not that big of a deal for most people - but if I were paying $500 a night at the BWI and got the BWV experience, I'd be upset.

Its a great way to stay on the monorail or near the International Gateway - its not a great way to stay at the Y&BC or the Contemporary.

You hit the nail on the head there. I fully understand that we are taking timeshare style rooms here. I am very familiar with the concept as I have stayed in timeshares and used Airbnb for various vacations in the past. No expectation of full hotel amenities from me, and when vacationing with a little one that is fine by me, especially if I have the facilities to wash my own laundry or dishes if need be! They are deluxe to me for their location only and being on property closer to the parks is the only real perk for me here. Which makes since why I would not want to overpay when I KNOW I can get a nicer hotel room for the same price or better offsite, right?

Anyway, I think I got my questions answered so thanks for that, as well as the tips in regards to corresponding with folks here about renting points!

 

[Sha259]

One more thing. Since you have posted on this thread about a desire to rent points for a reservation in 2019, you are going to get private messages from people offering you their points. Ignore those private messages unless you initiate the conversation. That is how you get taken.

Oh, and BWV can have difficult parking, especially in the fall with F&W and various conventions at WDW. If you have your own car or plan to rent a car, you might want to keep that in mind.

Thank you bunches for these tips!

 

[Best Aunt]

Not sure why my choices would all have to be the same resort. If the first person with resort #1 couldnt book what I was interested in I would just look for someone else who could rent points at the same resort, or someone who owned at another resort on my list. Same when making offers on houses in my mind. If the offer falls through, you move on to the next.

If you wanted a reservation made at exactly the 11 month mark, at exactly the time when reservations opened that day:
the owner can only make a reservation at his home resort.
So let's say your first choice is a studio at resort XYZ. You find an owner whose home resort is XYZ. He has enough points. He is willing to go online at the 11 month mark when reservations open. But he's not fast enough to get you a studio at resort XYZ.

Let's say your second choice is a studio at resort ABC. But the owner who was searching for resort XYZ for you does not have ABC as a home resort. He can't book resort ABC at the 11 month mark. So you would have to move on to a different owner who has ABC as his home resort. By the time you find an owner who could book resort ABC for you, resort ABC has no availability either.

If somebody is flexible about their travel dates, it could work. If somebody is not flexible about their travel dates, it might not work.

 

[John-DVC]

Based on your comments of expectations I think a studio is good. It is busy season but with your list of choices (beyond BLT and BC) and flexibility I can’t see you not landing a good place. Honestly port Orleans is a pretty stellar resort too imo.

I found Free dining + regular hotel room to be more expensive than DVC + no dining plan. We also found that as a family we had trouble eating all the food while on the DDP.