Renting DVC for Poly?

[erinkristen04]

We had a trip scheduled for this August and were finally going to be staying at the Poly. However, we ended up having to cancel and are now instead looking at a trip in November or December of 2017. I know we are still quite a ways out, but to distract myself from the disappointment of the cancelled trip, I'm trying to look ahead and start thinking about planning for 2017.

DH and I were so excited about finally staying at Poly and would love to find a way to make it happen for the 2017 trip. We're considering looking into trying to rent DVC points for the first time and would be looking to arrange to be at the Poly. I know that you cannot really start moving forward with the rental process until about 11 months out, but I'm wondering what the odds are for actually being able to successfully rent points for Poly during that time frame. From what I've read, it seems that Poly point rental opportunities may be far and few between.

Any insight, tips, suggestions based off your point rental experiences would be appreciated! I'm still a bit befuddled with how the entire process works, and if it seems unlikely that we could actually rent points for a Poly stay for our trip, I'd prefer to start figuring out an alternative plan (and refraining from getting my hopes up and watching youtube videos of Poly tours lol).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Things to undehe rental varyrstand:

1. September-January marathon are the high season for DVC bookings, including rentals. It is by no means a low season when dealing in DVC. The first week of December at Poly booked up before the 7 month window opened and is one of the highest demand DVC weeks of the year.

2. To book at 11 months at Poly requires that a timeshare owner own Poly points. Poly is ~40% sold right now, and Poly points are not common in the rental market right now. Most Poly owners who do rent do it privately, rather than via an agency, because they can charge $15-18 per point versus getting $11.70 payout from an agency.

3. If you cannot find a Poly owner to rent with, any DVC owner can book at 7 months from check-in, but for many dates Poly has been booking up shortly after reservations open at 8AM. You will want to line up an owner who is willing to be online and book promptly at 8AM. Depending on your week, there may not be availability even at 8AM, if this year serves as a guide.

4. Terms of rental vary. Private owners may have options to not pay all at once; most agencies will look to be paid at the time of booking. Once booked, it is very rare that cancellations are permitted, due to how points work and the impact of a cancel on an owner.

tl:dr: I'd look for a Poly owner and arrange for an 11-month booking if staying specifically at Poly is important to you. Avoid the first week in December for better odds, but know you want to book in DVC's high season. Understand that a 7-month booking is a gamble and you may not get the full week.

Be open to looking for deals via travel agencies for non-DVC units.

 

[TaraPA]

Paying a cash ressie at Poly during Dec may be easier & less stressful (although more expensive) than trying to rent DVC for all the above reasons. We go the 1st week of Dec every year & we have never been able to secure every night in a Poly studio at the 7-month window. Last year I was able to book 1 night, then waitlist the rest, but they never opened up. This year we're going the 2nd week of Dec & I was able to get 3 nights in a row right at 8am at the 7-month window, but nothing more, and I'm waitlisted. By 10am all Poly DVC rooms were booked solid, so as stated above even if you can find a Poly owner they need to be willing to be online or on the phone at opening the day of the 11-month window to get what you want. I've never come across someone that diligent when renting points.

We own OKW & AKL DVC but not Poly, and when I tried to find Poly points to rent so I could have the option to book at 11 months out it was difficult. There were very few Poly owners renting, and the ones that were, were way above my price range per point. They can command a much higher price per point since they are far & few between. Poly owners are fairly new owners, so most bought in to use the points, not to rent them out. But things come up & they are out there if you start looking now, and have patience.

Can it be done? Yes, but it will not be easy! I'd have a backup plan in place, either cash ressie at Poly or another DVC. Good luck!

 

[erinkristen04]

Thank you both! I'll adjust my expectations and start looking into other options. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Mousetopia]

I went through Dave'S AND HAD GREAT LUCK..Nothing available at 11 month point, offered to wait list us in hopes of one coming open..about a month later success. It was so far in advance we had plenty of time to roll the dice and see if it happened. I suggest renting via a trusted broker rather than individual for the smoothest experience.

 

[erinkristen04]

I went through Dave'S AND HAD GREAT LUCK..Nothing available at 11 month point, offered to wait list us in hopes of one coming open..about a month later success. It was so far in advance we had plenty of time to roll the dice and see if it happened. I suggest renting via a trusted broker rather than individual for the smoothest experience.

Thanks! That's encouraging!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks! That's encouraging!

Note that the person posting was making a March reservation, though. March is in the DVC low season.

First week of December this year at Poly booked up well before 7 months. So very different seasons. It's like going to a ski resort in February, or in July.

 

[erinkristen04]

Note that the person posting was making a March reservation, though. March is in the DVC low season.

First week of December this year at Poly booked up well before 7 months. So very different seasons. It's like going to a ski resort in February, or in July.

Great point!! We actually decided last night to go in October instead. Our past two trips we went in November and did MVMCP etc. so we decided to switch things up a bit (plus its a smidge shorter for the countdown haha!). I'm sure October is still crowded, but is it as chaotic as November/December?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Great point!! We actually decided last night to go in October instead. Our past two trips we went in November and did MVMCP etc. so we decided to switch things up a bit (plus its a smidge shorter for the countdown haha!). I'm sure October is still crowded, but is it as chaotic as November/December?

I switched my DVC reservation I'd made at 11 months at 7 months this year. By 10AM the morning I switched, Poly was totally gone for my October dates (and even at 8AM I couldn't get a full week), all studios at BLT and Saratoga and AKV all-but-Savannah had dates not available. October is within that high season for DVC booking, and 11-month booking is best if you can, or going through a private owner who will try to be online for the 8AM availability at 7 months. An agency simply doesn't do well at the 7-month scramble during MNSSHP, F&W and early December.

 

[erinkristen04]

I switched my DVC reservation I'd made at 11 months at 7 months this year. By 10AM the morning I switched, Poly was totally gone for my October dates (and even at 8AM I couldn't get a full week), all studios at BLT and Saratoga and AKV all-but-Savannah had dates not available. October is within that high season for DVC booking, and 11-month booking is best if you can, or going through a private owner who will try to be online for the 8AM availability at 7 months. An agency simply doesn't do well at the 7-month scramble during MNSSHP, F&W and early December.

Thanks for the info! I'm not surprised at all with how quickly things fill up. I'll start figuring out what I may need to do to try and see whether we'll be able to try and lock something in at 11 months. Worst case scenario we will just stay at another resort if it doesn't work out. We'll just be happy to finally be back at WDW!

 

[MaleficentRN]

It's possible. You need to start scoping out people looking to rent out their points about a year ahead. Check out their use year and home resort and see if they can get you something at 11 months out. Or, make a reservation via Disney and look for confirmed reservation rentals. If you find a rental, you can cancel the Disney reservation.I got Poly for New Years with little effort. Good luck!

 

[RachaelA]

You would need to find an actual poly owner to rent from for sure. Honestly unless you go in being ok with SSR, OKW or AKL, the first week of December needs to be rented at the 11 month window.

 

[brittanidp]

The dvc owner I rented from (found on the rent trade boards here) owns at the poly and I want to say they rent those points for $16 per point, just to give you an idea.