Rent DVC before buying:Any chance of December and other ??

[limace]

I will be inheriting a relatively small amount of money from a beloved grandma who really wanted us to use this gift for something fun and wonderful, and DVC is definitely seeming like it'd fit the bill! However, I'm contemplating the idea of trying a rental at a DVC resort first, as I'd never toured, and haven't been to WDW for 9 years now.

We live in Oregon, but love Disney, and I would happily visit a Disney property every year, if we could afford it. We've only made one trip, to DL, in the past 5 years, as money has been tight, but we are on much better financial footing now and are planning to save money monthly, with the goal of an international trip or a Disney trip, alternating years. My girls are 2 and 11, but I visited Disney frequently before they came along and have every anticipation of visiting after they're grown. My parents also love Disney vacations. With that, and with the fact that we can pay for all or at least the vast majority of our DVC purchase in cash, it's feeling like a good option for us.

With that in mind, any feedback on the idea of renting first? My thought was that it'd give us a chance to try before we buy, with the idea we'd spend lots of time at the parks, but also take the time to tour the different DVC resorts that we're interested in. Can you tour resorts other than AKV and SSR?

The drawback I see to renting is that it would take up a good chunk of money that could otherwise be put towards our actual purchase. We wouldn't have the annual pass discount, though might choose not to use it, anyway, if we only think we'd go for 9 days or so every other year.

And finally, would there be any chance of getting a studio or 1BR reservation at any DVC resort in early December? I'm willing to pull my eldest out of school in order to avoid the really hot weather and/or big crowds, and I've always wanted to be in the park during Christmas decoration time.

 

[chalee94]

With that in mind, any feedback on the idea of renting first? My thought was that it'd give us a chance to try before we buy, with the idea we'd spend lots of time at the parks, but also take the time to tour the different DVC resorts that we're interested in. Can you tour resorts other than AKV and SSR?

renting first is a good idea. especially if you haven't been to wdw in a while. (if travel costs keep going up, you might want to consider buying in at GCV at disneyland.)

you can wander around the other resorts (have dinner at artist point at WLV and things like that) but the only other actual sample room that's available to tour is for the BWV on the boardwalk. you can ask at the check-in desks of other resorts if they'll show you a vacant room, but that's hit-or-miss.

And finally, would there be any chance of getting a studio or 1BR reservation at any DVC resort in early December? I'm willing to pull my eldest out of school in order to avoid the really hot weather and/or big crowds, and I've always wanted to be in the park during Christmas decoration time.

it's a great time to go - i booked 11 months out to get a room in that timeframe. but i'd say it's very unlikely for renters unless someone already has a room booked that they are offering to rent.

 

[hakepb]

FYI, Christmas decorations / events start the full week before Thanksgiving week (There is no MVMCP the week of Thanksgiving, but there are a few the week before)

I did not have a problem booking that week before Thanksgiving week the last 2 years. (Although I think this year is shaping up to be overall really booked for DVC as they are selling future AKV Kidani contracts with current year SSR developer points, that issue should clear up next year and return to more normal)

 

[ChelleinNC]

I think it's great that you'll be able to fulfill your Grandmother's wishes and create such wonderful memories for yourself and kids

We rented last summer with the "try before we buy" plan 10 nights at SSR and we signed the papers on the 3rd day we were there We've been very happy with our purchase. We did go to Disney yearly and always stayed Deluxe, so the math made sense right away If you think you'll go at least every other year and want more than value level amenities, then this may add up for you as well

If you want to go in early December, you need to start working on it right now. I would bet that it will be easier to get a 1 BR than a studio

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are already past the 7 month period for booking any resort in early December. I really don't think you have any chance at all to find a reservation. Unless someone has a spec reservation out there and you don't mind paying a higher fee. In other words, they made the reservation at 11 months out with the intention of renting it out for a nice little sum.

We did not stay in any DVC resort before we bought. We just watched the DVC channel on the TV on our first trip to WDW.

 

[sbittner]

I just booked part of our December trip last Saturday. I was also to get a 1BR at SSR for 12/9-12 and a studio for 12/6. I am waitlisted for 12/7-8, there were no rooms available at any resort. I had to wait this long because we purchased a resale and we finally got our points.

 

[limace]

FYI, Christmas decorations / events start the full week before Thanksgiving week (There is no MVMCP the week of Thanksgiving, but there are a few the week before)

I did not have a problem booking that week before Thanksgiving week the last 2 years. (Although I think this year is shaping up to be overall really booked for DVC as they are selling future AKV Kidani contracts with current year SSR developer points, that issue should clear up next year and return to more normal)

Hmmm interesting idea. Anyone think there's a chance we could get a rental reservation for that week? It seems pretty clear that December would be out.

 

[GranddadTom]

I think that you are approaching this in exactly the correct way. Selecting a home resort is a very important decision. Before we bought, we did exactly what you are contemplating. We visited each of the DVC resorts, walked around the property, looked at the pools and restaurants, considered where they were located and generally got a feeling for how the resorts were themed. In the end, we knew which one fit for us. Remember, you can easily buy at any of the resorts through resale. As far as getting something for December - my bet would be yes if you are willing to wait until under 30 days out. I suspect that with the gas and airline situation, there will be some people who clearly intended to go the WDW, who made reservations, but in the end decided that they couldn't afford it and will be selling reservations. As far as cost - The first two weeks in December are in the cheapest of the five pricing seasons. A standard studio at the Boardwalk cost 9 points a night Sunday through Thursday. Five nights would be 45 points and even for the $10 per point that renters are paying, that works out to only $450.

 

[tgropp]

If you have your heart set at going in December, try and get a hotel room reservation if no DVC units are available. You can still tour the DVC resorts to see which one your family likes

 

[dianeschlicht]

My advice might be a bit different than the others. Since you know you want to use it for this, why not do your research online and through the videos that will be sent by an agent and not waste any money on a rental. The money used for that trip would make a nice dent in the purchase price of DVC.

 

[HayGan]

My advice might be a bit different than the others. Since you know you want to use it for this, why not do your research online and through the videos that will be sent by an agent and not waste any money on a rental. The money used for that trip would make a nice dent in the purchase price of DVC.

I agree! I would put the money towards DVC ownership. There is plenty of information available on the net and in the DVC video to make a somewhat educated decision on which resort to purchase.

 

[mmmcq]

Since the distance is such a factor for you....I can understand why you would be more cautious about buying.

Now that I own at DVC, my first reaction is to say - if you think you want to buy - just do it! You can enjoy the benefits of ownership on your first trip.

But another alternative is to stay offsite at a different timeshare resort. We did that back in 1999 for 7 days and had such a wonderful trip we decided to buy a timeshare in the area. Staying offsite was cheaper....but we wanted to be closer. We looked at DVC during our trip and bought at Boardwalk before we left. We later added BCV.

Or - plan your trip for the dates that you want and see if you can book 1-2 nights onsite at at least one of the DVC resorts. Make a reservation for the rest offsite at a less expensive hotel. You can spend one afternoon or a couple of hours over 2 days checking out the other resorts.

If you make an offsite reservation at a hotel, but later find a DVC reservation on the DVC Rent/Trade board - then you can cancel the hotel.

Best of luck.