Reg. Booking vs Renting DVC pts

[jlocmac]

So we've already booked our room at BWV using the deal Disney has going now (like 40% off??). That's for the required 4 days. Now we're looking to book for the rest of the honeymoon. We're thinking about AKV-Jambo, a studio w/ Savannah view. If not there, BLT w/ MK view.

My question is.. what are the benefits of booking with someone's points vs booking through Disney myself? (besides the money savings.. which is great also!)

 

[erin.w]

The money savings along are worth it. A DVC room will have a kitchenette which is nice to have.

 

[PrincessTinker11]

I agree the money savings is awesome and it includes the magical express!

 

[jlocmac]

Might be stupid question, but what is magical express??

The kitchenette isn't a big deal for us. We go to Orlando every year and rent a vacation home. We MIGHT use the kitchen once or twice. We just don't like cooking or anything like that on vacation.

But the money savings is HUGE!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Magical Express is Disney's free transportation between WDW and the airport. It is available to everyone staying at any Disney resort, DVC or otherwise.

I love the free laundry you get with DVC, but then I have a strange fixation on doing laundry on vacation. We've stayed DVC numerous times in the last few years, but when we went back to regular Deluxe resort hotel stays we noticed little things we preferred to the DVC studio rooms we usually get, like two sinks, better/newer furnishings, and of course daily maid service.

Bookingwise, it's nicer to have the full control over your reservation that you don't get when you rent DVC points, but you can't beat the money savings of renting points.

 

[erin.w]

All the DVC rooms we have stayed in at AKL had two sinks. We have only stayed at Jambo house though, maybe Kidani only has one?

 

[lurkyloo]

Yes, Jambo House is different because those rooms are converted regular hotel rooms. All the other DVC resorts just have one sink in the bathroom area. It's not a huge deal, just something I noticed when we were getting ready at the same time.

 

[simplymel3]

Are there any differences in terms of booking the Disney Dining plan through Disney versus a DVC renter?

For instance, we recently received a free dining offer in an email, and our wedding/honeymoon fell between the mentioned dates. We have booked our vacay through a DVC renter. Will we/the renter be able to add this to the reservation?

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I may be wrong, as things may be different here in the UK, but in order to qualify for free dining, you need to book an inclusive package with accomodations and park tickets. Maybe it is different for you guys in the US, but I think that if you use points for a DVC reservation (which I assume you have done, albeit using somebody elses's points), you do not get free dining but can book and pay for the DDP through the person who owns the points.

 

[lurkyloo]

That's correct—the only way to get the *free* dining plan is to book a Disney Travel Company package that includes a hotel stay and tickets. DVC members can add the *paid* dining plan to a DVC points reservation, but not the free one.