Rent dvc points?

[jessj00]

I am looking at renting DVC points. Trying to stay in a budget they gave me the options of old key West, Saratoga, and animal kingdom Kidani. Our dates are **/*/** through **/**/** (yes I know it's going to be busy). Any suggestions on which to go with? Or do I not rent points and go with all stars movies save a couple hundred dollars or pop century and be about the same price was?

EDITED TO REMOVE TRAVEL DATES - Chuck S

 

[TinkAgainU]

I'll start by reminding that booking with the hotels is less risky for cancellations than doing the points, so if I was TRULY on the fence and the price was the same I'd go with a direct booking of a hotel. But if the trip is a sure thing...

If you guys are excited about using the Skyliner to go to Epcot and Hollywood Studios - Pop Century is awesome. If you want to sit on a balcony (with a warm cup of something in December) and watch cool animals that means Animal Kingdom is the winner. Saratoga is more in my mind if you like Disney Springs, I personally find it just a big open air mall and we have those at home but the boat ride and night lights there can be very pretty.

Not sure that helps. The problem with asking for advice is Every resort has something to offer. If you are driving, pushing a stroller, have favorite parks, etc. that changes dynamics too.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

Noise (a lot less than all stars), food, aesthetics, pool all favor kidani. It does mean a bus ride to the parks, though.

 

[muppets3d]

Animal Kingdom Lodge and it's not even a debate.

 

[westie55]

I've rented points a couple of times and had positive experiences. If you're comfortable with the risks of no cancellation, I think it's worth a couple hundred dollars for sure to not be at All Star Movies.

 

[iwannabdduck]

As someone more famous than me once said, trust but verify. Before you make any reservations, personally compare prices for the sake of your budget. I've found thru the years that sometime renting DVC points (which I have done) saves money, and sometimes it definitely does NOT ... depending on what particular "special offers" Disney might have compared to what DVC rooms are available for when & where you hope to stay. Good luck.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Trying to stay in a budget

Please answer this question: Why are you considering Renting Points DVC vs Value Resort ?

 

[Headless]

The why is a big part of this like Mouse Tracker asked. If you are trying to rent DVC even in a budget because you want the deluxe experience that answers that part of the question. If your doing it to save money do what Iwannabdduck suggested and get pricing from a travel agent. they are free to use are glad to give you a quote and will look at the best options for you. you can see if that will save you money and maybe give you another option that might be more appealing.

As for the resorts. Old Key West is nice - the restaurant is great- but the resort is a good size. The internal bus can be a pain. Saratoga is similar though I haven't stayed there yet so I don't know about the food. AKL is where we are staying this coming August and from what I've heard people fall in love with it. I've been able to try both restaurants and they are good.

Pop Century's biggest draw is the skyliner and it's a game changer. While I will put money down it will be PACKED that week the skyliner is such a great way to get in and out of the parks. My opinion though is you stay at Pop to enjoy the parks. You want to enjoy the resort, you go with one of the other options. Is Caribbean beach an option? It's still big, its a moderate, but it is a little stepped up from pop century and will lead to a nicer resort day if you are planning on scheduling one.

 

[AJA55]

I have been renting points for years. Started in 2008. Seven times with no problems. And I have three lined up for this year.

I have only stayed at Pop and Saratoga.

If you gave me the choice between Pop and Saratoga, I would pick Saratoga.

I like the deluxe feel of DVC.

OK, what I really like is having a balcony to start and end the day on.

In May I will be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I am looking at renting DVC points. Trying to stay in a budget they gave me the options of old key West, Saratoga, and animal kingdom Kidani. Our dates are **/**/** through **/**/** (yes I know it's going to be busy). Any suggestions on which to go with? Or do I not rent points and go with all stars movies save a couple hundred dollars or pop century and be about the same price was?

Each of those resorts has their own charm and advantages.

SSR is the most recently renovated and so those rooms will have a newer feel. It is also within walking distance of Disney Springs or you can take a boat. It would be my first choice.

AKL-KIdani is peaceful and has a great kid's splash and play area and you can also use the pool at Jambo House. Plus...animals! But it is in need of a refurbishment and still has the sofa beds instead of the Murphy bed. Food options are very limited at Kidani and you need to walk (or bus) over to Jambo for quick service after Sanaa closes for breakfast. Still, it's my second choice.

OKW is the oldest DVC and was built to be a home away from home. The idea was that guests staying there would eating a lot of their meals in their vacation club room. So there aren't many quick service locations around the very large property. OKW studios have 2 real beds and no sofa. The balconies are the largest studio balconies in DVC. And Olivia's is one of the best kept secrets for table service. Getting around the resort requires using their internal bus system, which is similar to what you would find in a moderate resort. I would still choose OKW over any value resort.

You would have to take a bus or drive to each park regardless of which of those 3 DVC resorts that you would choose. You would have the Skyliner at POP for 2 parks. If transportation is a big consideration then you have to factor that in.

The AllStars would not be a consideration for me. Very crowded. Smaller room. No pool slide. No kitchenette. Buses everywhere. No table service restaurant. It would only be a consideration for me if it was a very short stay (2-3 nights) and I had a car to get around.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

As others have said, think about the cancellation policy. I used to exclusively rent DVC points from a friend for each visit. Since Covid, I don't do that anymore. The odds of me cancelling are slim - but never zero and I certainly can't afford to lose more than a thousand dollars if I get sick and can't go.

IF you are ok with that (and the prices truly are what you say) - remember that staying DVC will also get you evening extra hours. Yes, the skyliner is a game changer (and why I only stay at Pop now) but is your family night owls? If so, those extra 2 hours in MK and Epcot at holiday time might be totally worth it.

I have stayed at both Saratoga and Old Key West. They are both HUGE resorts and you need to take an internal shuttle. Depending on what section you are staying in, you face either a long bus ride before you even get out of the resort OR seeing full buses go by without stopping during the early morning hours. Old Key West has bigger rooms. They are the original DVC and are amongst the largest rooms there. The views of the golf course or the river are also nice. Both Saratoga and Key West have the boat to Disney Springs if you think you will spend time there.

 

[lanejudy]

The AllStars would not be a consideration for me. Very crowded. Smaller room.

Just to note that rooms at the All Stars are the same size and layout as POP, with the exception of the family suites.

 

[TinkAgainU]

...

OK, what I really like is having a balcony to start and end the day on.

...

This. I'm a balcony person too. Nothing like a cup of coffee or a glass of wine on the balcony at WDW.

 

[Robber Baron]

We have been renting points since 2006, probably a dozen times.

We started with OKW and stayed there a number of times in a 2 bedroom. We like the size and the large living area to gather. I would never stay at OKW without being near Hospitality House, which is a booking category. Some areas are just way out.

We have not stayed Saratoga, but, I;d have the same wants there, I would have to be close to the main area. I have always thought the opportunity to walk to DS would be a great thing, we just haven't tried it yet.

We stayed Kidani DVC with rented points on our last trip and loved it. Had a Savannah view. We are now pretty much 'balcony' people.

In all our trips we have never had a problem. Starting out we rented points privately, after that we always went with rental companies. We have never had a situation where we needed to adjust or cancel our reservation.

 

[jimmymc]

Old Key West has the unique attribute that it really feels like an apartment instead of a hotel. The buildings are all lower, and you can park right in front of your building. The villas are also large. The disadvantage to this layout is that the busses take longer to get around the resort.

AKL Kidani obviously has the animals, but it also has some great restaurants and pools at the resort. It only uses busses, but they run frequently and are dedicated to the resort.

Saratoga is close to Disney Springs and has very nice villas. I'm not sure how else to describe it other than a very nice resort. It also only has busses. This is one resort where I think having a preferred location is worth it.

Pop has the Skyliner. If you want to spend a lot of time in Epcot and Studios and don't care about a balcony and room size, I think Pop is worth it just for that.

 

[elvispursley]

Having stayed at both OKW and SSR, both are lovely resorts and I’d absolutely stay at one of these over any of the All Stars. However, they are both enormous resorts and I don’t know that I’d stay at either again without a car.

 

[eticketplease]

I am looking at renting DVC points. Trying to stay in a budget they gave me the options of old key West, Saratoga, and animal kingdom Kidani. Our dates are **/**/** through **/**/** (yes I know it's going to be busy). Any suggestions on which to go with? Or do I not rent points and go with all stars movies save a couple hundred dollars or pop century and be about the same price was?

How many people are in your party and are there any kids?

The 3 DVC resorts and ASM are bus only to all parks but POP offers skyliner access to two parks.

DVC resorts will have larger rooms, pools with a slide, access to free laundry, gym facilities, community hall and both QS & TS dining.

During your visit MK & HS will most likely close early for parties but if staying at a DVC you would be able to take advantage of extra evening hours on Mon & Wed nights.

Besides saving $$ what is most important to you being able to cut down on bus transportation or larger accommodations with more amenities and deluxe benefits?

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

Just a warning. Renting points may lead you to want to buy points of your own.

AKL is amazing and the best resort on property in my opinion with great ambiance and dining. That said, some people dislike having to ride the bus to all the parks, but it’s no farther away than the All Stars. Also, SSR and OKW are also bus-only resorts except for the boat to Disney Springs. Some people also dislike the long hallways, particularly at Kidani. The rooms are also due for a refurb and might be a bit worn in spots. Still the hands down choice in my opinion.

However, I dislike Pop, despite the convenient with the Skyliner, and I love EEH at the deluxe resorts.

 

[Chuck S]

I am looking at renting DVC points. Trying to stay in a budget they gave me the options of old key West, Saratoga, and animal kingdom Kidani. Our dates are **/**/** through **/**/** (yes I know it's going to be busy). Any suggestions on which to go with? Or do I not rent points and go with all stars movies save a couple hundred dollars or pop century and be about the same price was?

There are different room layouts for the studios. OKW studios have 2 queen beds, Saratoga and Kidani will have 1 queen bed and a foldout couch or Murphy bed of some type.

Of the value resorts, I prefer Pop Century or Art of Animation over the All Stars.