Rent DVC vs Hope for discount

[Meglen]

ok so im planning a surprise wdw trip for my son in dec. we put in a request for DVC points so I have been waiting on the time frame to get some options. But untill than I have been doing some rack rate math. Im trying to keep my budget around 3500 before flights. So which one would your go to be?

POP dec 11-17th + memory maker in a prefered room
$3500
POP dec 11-16th + mm Pref room
$3015

Now for prices with dvc points
Tickets
6days = $1750
5days=$1798

So this leaves me with $1600 budget for 6night dvc rental and a $1100 budget for 5day.
If we get super lucky some dvc can be as cheap as $900 for the trip but i highly doubt that would be available.

Sooo my question is if the dvc budget is in line should i take it or should I hope for a decent discount with pop?

 

[disneydreamkate]

I would stay DVC over a value no question.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

The DVC resorts are so much nicer than the value resorts. My only concern is that they are non-refundable, so you have to be firm in your plans.

 

[Best Aunt]

If we get super lucky some dvc can be as cheap as $900 for the trip but i highly doubt that would be available.

What DVC are you trying to get? If Animal Kingdom Villas value, for example, there aren’t many and they are hard to get so you shouldn’t be using them for comparison math.

 

[Meglen]

What DVC are you trying to get? If Animal Kingdom Villas value, for example, there aren’t many and they are hard to get so you shouldn’t be using them for comparison math.

I looked at AKL,BWV,BR,BLT and median price for a standard studio is about 1300-1500

 

[Marionnette]

I looked at AKL,BWV,BR,BLT and median price for a standard studio is about 1300-1500

Don’t expect a BWV std view studio. They are extremely difficult for owners to book, especially in December. A BLT std. view is also going to be a difficult booking. BRV in December is tough. AKV std view is probably your best chance.

 

[Apace404]

I’m looking for rent a dvc for April.. can someone guide me? Thanks

 

[Marionnette]

I’m looking for rent a dvc for April.. can someone guide me? Thanks

https://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-trade.29/

 

[Meglen]

Don’t expect a BWV std view studio. They are extremely difficult for owners to book, especially in December. A BLT std. view is also going to be a difficult booking. BRV in December is tough. AKV std view is probably your best chance.

Yea in reality were most likly going to end up in SSR or OKW but would the possible saving be worth just booking pop? we never stayed at a value before. BLT,CR and PoR the last 3 times we went.

 

[maxiv]

I'm currently also at the verge of this exact decision.
We're going the weekend after thanksgiving for 2 weeks and want to split it up to two resorts.
Right now it's looking like we can only get OKW or SSR, but we don't like the theming of SSR, so it'll be OKW.

Now I'm not sure what to do for the second week...book POP and enjoy the Skyliner? The moderates are so much more expensive...

 

[Hopefully]

Remember
DVC Points for rent demand FAR EXCEEDS supply - especially in December

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We stay in villas a lot, but I always book through WDW (and only with a discount!) to have a more flexible cancellation and change policy. Can you see what's available with the DVC rental and make a decision from there? I would say, if you can get any of the DVC resorts you've listed within our budget, that might be the way to go. When WDW releases discounts, values are not discounted by a lot - usually 10% - so it's not going to be a huge cost savings and there's always a chance Pop won't be in the promo inventory for your week at all.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I would definitely rent DVC if that is a option. We have rented DVC for several trips, including our upcoming one. It is costing us about $200 more than the same trip at the Pop. We love doing it but you have to go in with realistic expectations.
1. You aren't going to get a value studio at AKL. Even owners have to walk them for months.
2. Highly unlikely to get BWV or BC in December. If you are going to try for those you need to have a backup plan.
3. I would go ahead and get with a rental service or owner ASAP if you are looking for those dates as 11 month booking window is fast approaching, as in you have a week or so before booking opens. You need to decide what resort you want to go for at this point and either get your request in with a service or find an owner with points for rent at that resort so they can try to book you as soon as booking opens. That is your best shot at getting what you want.
4. Points rental is a supply and demand game. There has to be an owner with points for rent at the resort you want to be able to book. If you go with a service sometimes it can take time to find someone.
5. Remember that once you rent, it is a done deal. You cannot change dates and will loose your money if you cancel.

 

[Brianstl]

ok so im planning a surprise wdw trip for my son in dec. we put in a request for DVC points so I have been waiting on the time frame to get some options. But untill than I have been doing some rack rate math. Im trying to keep my budget around 3500 before flights. So which one would your go to be?

POP dec 11-17th + memory maker in a prefered room
$3500
POP dec 11-16th + mm Pref room
$3015

Now for prices with dvc points
Tickets
6days = $1750
5days=$1798

So this leaves me with $1600 budget for 6night dvc rental and a $1100 budget for 5day.
If we get super lucky some dvc can be as cheap as $900 for the trip but i highly doubt that would be available.

Sooo my question is if the dvc budget is in line should i take it or should I hope for a decent discount with pop?

Do you have a membership at Sam's Club? You can get your tickets much cheaper through Sam's Club even if you add in the membership fee to your cost.

On the accommodations, I would recommend waiting on the DVC. That said, December could be a tough time to get a rental studio at any resorts besides OKW and SSR.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Depends what kind of trip, if it’s going to be little to no resort time and quick transport to the park is key, I would probably stick with Pop with it’s one bus stop and Skyliner over SSR or even OKW. Maybe even Pop over some of the others without major transportation advantages, like the two at Wilderness Lodge or AKV.

If resort time is at all important, DVC rental hands down. I would take almost any of the DVC resorts if it worked for my budget, save for probably SSR, over any of the values or moderates on a trip with any resort downtime. Seems like you could attempt to rent this far out, if you can’t secure something that appeals to you Pop can be plan B? That’s what I would do, personally. Seems like waiting can’t hurt.

Like people have said, be aware of what is realistic and what isn’t. Don’t budget based on standard at some of the resorts (value at AKV).