Rent points or go through Disney?

[bobbiwoz]

I have recommended David's service to friends who have a pending reservation. This will be be my friends 3rd trip with her husband and grandchildren, and she has been with me to Disney and knows the "ropes." She loved the BWV and that's where she's rented the points with, using David's service.

Now, I have another DF, who has not been to Disney in 40 years, and she and 4 other adults want to take her grandchild aged 5 to Disney. She's asked me to help. At $13 a point, she could save about $500 going through David's service, pending availablity, at OKW for the week in a 2 bedroom. She and her DH are in their 70s...should I even mention renting DVC points to her. I think the refund policy that Disney would trump the savings in this case. What do you think?

Thanks.

 

[tomandrobin]

If there is a high chance of canceling the reservation, I would recommend renting directly from Disney or a travel agent.

Also, to save some money on the travel insurance, buy third party and not direct with Disney.

 

[Muhlenberg]

I would go with something refundable. If they have AAA, maybe they can get a discount and it won't be too bad.

That said, I've made "risky" trips with my parents ...no trip insurance to cover anything. (We always flew SWA, so losing airfare wasn't very risky.) However, THIS time I decided maybe it was time to get the DVC insurance, since they've changed how it works, and at 87, DMom is not a spring chicken anymore!

It's better to be safe than out $$$. I hope they have fun!

 

[bobbiwoz]

If there is a high chance of canceling the reservation, I would recommend renting directly from Disney or a travel agent.

Also, to save some money on the travel insurance, buy third party and not direct with Disney.

I would go with something refundable. If they have AAA, maybe they can get a discount and it won't be too bad.

That said, I've made "risky" trips with my parents ...no trip insurance to cover anything. (We always flew SWA, so losing airfare wasn't very risky.) However, THIS time I decided maybe it was time to get the DVC insurance, since they've changed how it works, and at 87, DMom is not a spring chicken anymore!

It's better to be safe than out $$$. I hope they have fun!

Disney direct was my gut feeling.

I'm not members of AAA, but they are. She's coming over tomorrow, if I show her what Disney's asking for a package, she can then compare prices I guess. Does AAA also book OKW for instance?

 

[Muhlenberg]

Disney direct was my gut feeling.

I'm not members of AAA, but they are. She's coming over tomorrow, if I show her what Disney's asking for a package, she can then compare prices I guess. Does AAA also book OKW for instance?

I think so, though I haven't specifically done that. Disney, as a travel agent, should be able to book any resort that's available. I think to get a discount, they'd have to book the resort separately, and not as a package, and then get tickets through Undercover Tourist, as that's cheaper than Disney's price.

Gee, it's been a while since I paid cash.

 

[TCups4Me]

I'd recommend that she register on Disney's website to increase her chances of a discount if she's going to book directly through Disney. Every time I've had friends ask for my help, I tell them to do this and save some vacation quotes. I'm 3 for 3 with each of them getting a 40% off pin code! It must be my magic referral, right?

 

[bobbiwoz]

i'd recommend that she register on disney's website to increase her chances of a discount if she's going to book directly through disney. Every time i've had friends ask for my help, i tell them to do this and save some vacation quotes. I'm 3 for 3 with each of them getting a 40% off pin code! It must be my magic referral, right?

OK, I will tell her to do that.

 

[hakepb]

On mousesavers, it looks like the AAA discount on rooms is 10-20% (so getting a pin would be better). AAA rooms can be booked through CRO.

But they can also but MYW tickets at their local office.

 

[bobbiwoz]

... AAA rooms can be booked through CRO.

But they can also but MYW tickets at their local office.

So CRO "takes" the AAA information? Do you have an idea if AAA is better than the mousesavers link for tickets.

 

[Sammie]

I agree with direct. With someone in their 70s and a small child the chance of needing to cancel would trump the savings for me.

 

[hakepb]

So CRO "takes" the AAA information? Do you have an idea if AAA is better than the mousesavers link for tickets.

It looks like CRO or any authorized travel agent would take the AAA info.

Unfortunately I do not have any actual AAA experience. It looks like you can only buy the MYW in AAA offices, I'd check it out (but you need to verify savings with taxes). one google search suggested it is less than Mousesavers (although not all mousesavers tickets have the same discounts)

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've sent her DH an e-mail with a link to open a Disney e-mail account. She's coming tomorrow to see me, and I've printed out what a package at SSR and OKW would cost at the room discount rate that's available to everyone for early May. I think May would be nice, the F&G show is still on, the weather should be good for swimming but hopefully not too hot. Let them perhaps get a code, or go through AAA and things would only get better. I can't wait to help them book ADR's. Even at less than 6 months, I think early May will be possible. It's parents, grandparents and a great aunt going on the trip.

Thanks for the info and helping me to decide about which way to go!

 

[DebbieB]

If $500 is the savings on the full price of an OKW room, I would go direct. 30%-40% discounts are common at OKW.

 

[helenk]

So CRO "takes" the AAA information? Do you have an idea if AAA is better than the mousesavers link for tickets.

CRO can take the AAA info for room only bookings. If someone wants to book a package, they must go through a AAA office.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If $500 is the savings on the full price of an OKW room, I would go direct. 30%-40% discounts are common at OKW.

There was a 25 or 30% discount to the general public during the time I was pricing. So, I think it's $500 off the discounted price that would be saved by the renting service.