Renting a DVC---what do you get?

[lippylulu]

If we rent a DVC privately from someone do we still get Magic Express transportation from the airport?

Is there transportation (bus or boat) to the parks?

What about mousekeeping?

Where are the best palces to go to find rentals? We are thinking of going for one week Nov 3-10.

Are the DVC themed with water slide pools and nice views?

 

[chalee94]

If we rent a DVC privately from someone do we still get Magic Express transportation from the airport?

yes - anyone staying onsite can use ME. if you rent a reservation, you can ask the DVC member to set it up for you.

Is there transportation (bus or boat) to the parks?

yes. mostly buses. (and if you're lucky enough to get a room at BCV or BWV, you can even walk to epcot.)

What about mousekeeping?

you get a trash-and-towel service on day 4 and full cleaning on day 7 or 8. no daily mousekeeping unless you pay additional fees.

Where are the best palces to go to find rentals? We are thinking of going for one week Nov 3-10.

SSR and OKW have the most availability. read the FAQ over on the rent/trade board for more info.

Are the DVC themed with water slide pools and nice views?

all have water-slide pools. the views can vary. in some cases you can pay more for a nice view.

here are some photos of SSR, for example.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Saratoga-Springs/index.htm (water slide is on page 2 of photos.)

 

[JimMIA]

A couple more pluses:

1. If you have a car, you get free theme park parking. That's another onsite perk, not a DVC perk.

2. You can also get the Disney Dining Plan without having to buy theme park tickets.

On the other hand:

1. The rental arrangements are strictly between you and the owner you rent from, so it is vital that you take some time and establish a comfortable level of trust with the owner. They will have to make all of your resort-related arrangements (DME, DDP, requests, etc.) for you, and the reservation remains completely under their control until you check into the resort. Also, if you encounter any issues with the owner, you are on your own. Neither Disney nor the DIS will intervene.

2. Renting a DVC reservation is very different from making a hotel ressie. DVC works best for folks who have their plans made far in advance and have the ability to stick to their plans. There are serious cancellation penalties in some situations with DVC, and just about any change involves cancellation and rebooking. If you think your plans might change, DVC is probably not a good option for you. There is a learning curve with DVC rentals and you really need to go to school and learn the system to know if DVC is a good option for your family.

3. You will get all of the normal onsite perks, but do not count on getting any DVC member perks. Your room key will say DVC Member on it, but most of the time we are asked for our "Blue Card" when asking for DVC Member perks.

 

[traveladdiction]

so only the actual DVC owner, not the guest, can get complimentary valet?

 

[RobDoc]

so only the actual DVC owner, not the guest, can get complimentary valet?

Yes, only DVC members will get the complimentary valet.

Renters will still have free parking at the Theme Parks, access to DME and DDP, charging privileges to their room id and free package delivery from Theme Park purchases.

Renters will not have access to other DVC member perks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What about mousekeeping? [/I]

you get a trash-and-towel service on day 4 and full cleaning on day 7 or 8. no daily mousekeeping unless you pay additional fees.

....

Slightly incorrect. If you stay 7 nights or less, you get your trash removed and your towels replaced on day 4. If you stay 8 nights or more, you get a full cleaning on day 4, then your trash removed and your towels replaced on day 8. The cycle repeats if you stay longer.

You can get daily Trash & Towel service for and extra $10 a day. You get order an additional towel pack (4 bath towels, two hand towels and four face cloths) for $6 for the four day period. Or you can pay for full cleaning every day which starts around $25 a day and goes up depending on the size of the accomodations.

In addition, you will not be able to confirm the reservation with Member Services. MS will only talk to members. The member who makes the reservation for you can provide you with a copy of the confirmation sheet. There are no free upgrades.

 

[elijahpep]

To answer the thread title,

The best Vacation of your life!~

~DW

 

[crisi]

Read Jim's post very carefully. You should consider your transaction with your DVC owner final - if you need to cancel they may be able to help, but they may be in a situation where even if they wanted to help, they would be losing money - points going into holding at the end of a use year are basically a "out the money" situation for an owner.

A lot of internet sites and guidebooks are telling people renting points is a great way to get a great deal on a vacation - but they aren't clear on the risks.

While almost no one gets scammed, after five years on this board I'd only rent points from someone I "knew" and try my hardest to get those points transferred into my own account where I control them. I'd think hard about renting points for any trip involving kids - seems like every trip we take is accomplished by a hair because someone got sick or injured.