Rent points vs Book direct - GF 2BR villa

[ajh88]

So, after many, many stays at the Poly, I *think* we have settled on a 2BR villa at GF for our October 2019 trip. I'm wondering what the experience has been with booking directly and hoping for a discount vs. renting DVC points?

We rented points at the Poly this month and it saved us quite a bit of money over direct booking but it comes with all the caveats of renting points (less flexibility, pay all up front, etc). They also charge more if you book more than 7 months out - but I know the availability may disappear (I think it was $1 per point more).

If I book directly, I can *hope* for a discount that may save me as much as renting points - but I don't know if that is a realistic hope or not? We have never stayed at the GF, much less in a 2BR villa there. I know the Grand Villas are excluded from discount offers but I didn't see anything about the 2 BR.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what the better deal might be? I'm tempted to go ahead and book directly with Disney right now to make sure I have the room and then try at the 7 month mark to rent points because I think that is probably the cheapest option (and the obviously cancel the direct reservation).

Interested to hear any ideas or experiences!! Thank you!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Because there are so few villas at VGF, I wouldn't count on a good discount, and especially not in October. October is a very busy time at Disney, and a popular time for booking DVC as well. There are likely only a handful of units available for cash, which reduces likelihood of discount - especially if the unit is already booked.

hoping for a big discount on a VGF 2BR in October is not realistic.

Also, because October is so popular, I would not expect much for a 7-month booking. There are already a number of days in October 2019 where the 2BR dedicated standard villas are already gone for points bookings, and we are still well inside home resort.

 

[georgina]

We rented points at the Poly this month and it saved us quite a bit of money over direct booking but it comes with all the caveats of renting points (less flexibility, pay all up front, etc). They also charge more if you book more than 7 months out - but I know the availability may disappear (I think it was $1 per point more).

I'm curious who the 'they' are that charge more if booking more than 7 months out? We rented points at BWV a couple of years ago through David's and that was not the case then.

 

[Marionnette]

I'm curious who the 'they' are that charge more if booking more than 7 months out? We rented points at BWV a couple of years ago through David's and that was not the case then.

The "they" are the rental agencies. They charge a premium to book certain resorts during the 11-7 month home resort booking window. VGF is one of those resorts. So is BWV, but because it is a much larger resort than VGF, there tends to be availability in the Pool/Garden View even at 7 months but not too long after. VGF is small and relatively new (mid-2013), so those who own there tend to book it up before 7 months with a few exceptions (grand villas and some lake view 1BR villas). With October being a high-demand time of year, it is unlikely that there will be too many 2BR villas available a VGF at 7 months, if any at all. As @_auroraborealis_ pointed out, there are already incomplete weeks for dedicated 2BR villas at VGF during the month of October. That picture is only going to get bleaker since we are still 9 months out. People tend to begin focusing on their vacations once the holidays are over.

 

[georgina]

OK. I didn't think we were charged a premium 11 months out for BWV rental; it was a studio (in October). Perhaps I missed it, it was certainly a good deal.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Like PP, I would rent the points. It’s very unlikely you’d be able to get a discount in October. The extra $1/point is worth it IMHO, because at the 7 month mark in Oct, you’d prob just get SSR, OKW, or AKV.

OK. I didn't think we were charged a premium 11 months out for BWV rental; it was a studio (in October). Perhaps I missed it, it was certainly a good deal.

David’s does charge a premium fee of $1/point for bookings in 11-7 months. Unfortunate, but worth it!

 

[ajh88]

Thank you all for the feedback - exactly the info I was looking for!!!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Like PP, I would rent the points. It’s very unlikely you’d be able to get a discount in October. The extra $1/point is worth it IMHO, because at the 7 month mark in Oct, you’d prob just get SSR, OKW, or AKV.


David’s does charge a premium fee of $1/point for bookings in 11-7 months. Unfortunate, but worth it!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

A $1 premium is definitely worth it. Piece of mind is important.