Renting DVC - MagicBands, ADRs & FP+?

[Cirlonde]

We are considering renting DVC points for our next vacation. I've been able to answer most of my own questions via the boards and Google, but I'm still unsure about three things.

#1 - Will we still receive free magic bands before our trip (and be able to customize them), the way we do when we book directly through Disney?

#2 - Can I book ADRs at the 180 day mark?

#3 - Can I book FP+ at the 60 day mark?

Thank you so much for your help! Renting points seems like such a great deal, I've convinced myself it must be too good to be true and I think I'm looking too hard for possible downsides.

(Also, I'm sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong forum...I went to the DVC Rental section but that seemed specific to people trying to rent points rather than just ask questions about renting. I wasn't sure where else to go.)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. Yes.

2. Yes, anyone can, on or off-site. You do get length of stay booking.

3. Yes.

Advance warning: Renting has become very popular. Do not assume you can get the least expensive rooms (AKV Value, BWV Standard, BLT Standard) or rooms in short supply (AKV Club, VGF Studios). Be prepared to be booking 11 months in advance for best results, and you may still have to wait for points availability. Fall (late September-marathon) is DVC high season, and very competitive for booking.

 

[Cirlonde]

1. Yes.

2. Yes, anyone can, on or off-site. You do get length of stay booking.

3. Yes.

Advance warning: Renting has become very popular. Do not assume you can get the least expensive rooms (AKV Value, BWV Standard, BLT Standard) or rooms in short supply (AKV Club, VGF Studios). Be prepared to be booking 11 months in advance for best results, and you may still have to wait for points availability. Fall (late September-marathon) is DVC high season, and very competitive for booking.

Thanks for the answers as well as the warning! We will be going the first week in May of 2018 and I plan to book right at the 11 month mark (if there's availability). We're also leaning towards staying at Saratoga Springs (in a Standard Studio) since I've read it tends to be easier to get into than some of the other resorts. Do you think that still holds true? I'm worried that with Disney Springs becoming more popular, more people may be drawn to SSR than before.

Of course, being a realist, I'm also prepared to book a moderate if we can't get DVC points. But I've got my fingers crossed!!

 

[jimandami]

You should not have any problem at all getting a studio at SSR in this instance.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Agree.

I've simply seen some very poor assumptions about DVC rental in the past/recently, including someone trying this week to book AKV Club for a honeymoon in September and being upset it's not available, people who use the calculators and budget based on cheapest available 6 months out, etc. etc.

Saratoga is generally easier to get.

 

[Cirlonde]

Thanks!! This is really great news. I've been trying not to get my hopes up about SSR because I didn't want to be disappointed if it doesn't work out. Maybe I can let myself start to get a little excited.

We have tried twice in the past couple of years to rent points ( on a whim, with very little planning, less than 6 months in advance) just in a kind of "it can't hurt to try" sort of way. Both times, we already had a different resort booked but just wanted to try for the heck of it. And both times there was no availability. So that taught me to never assume renting points would be a guaranteed option.

 

[LAX]

Thanks!! This is really great news. I've been trying not to get my hopes up about SSR because I didn't want to be disappointed if it doesn't work out. Maybe I can let myself start to get a little excited.

We have tried twice in the past couple of years to rent points ( on a whim, with very little planning, less than 6 months in advance) just in a kind of "it can't hurt to try" sort of way. Both times, we already had a different resort booked but just wanted to try for the heck of it. And both times there was no availability. So that taught me to never assume renting points would be a guaranteed option.

It sounds like your previous attempts may have been through a rental agency. If so, the biggest downside to renting points is that it offers no flexibility. Once it's booked, it's yours no matter what happens. I am sure if you want to swap guests in the reservation, it shouldn't be an issue. However, if you need to go at a different time, forget it. With private rentals, you might get some flexibility, but that's obviously between you and the prospective owner.

LAX

 

[Cirlonde]

It sounds like your previous attempts may have been through a rental agency. If so, the biggest downside to renting points is that if offers no flexibility. Once it's booked, it's yours no matter what happens. I am sure if you want to swap guests in the reservation, it should be an issue. However, if you need to go at a different time, forget it. With private rentals, you might get some flexibility, but that's obviously between you and the prospective owner.

LAX

Yes, we are looking at going through an agency. Fortunately for us, this trip is pretty set in stone; though we did discuss the lack of a cancellation policy before deciding on renting points. That definitely seems to be the biggest "con" when considering renting points.

 

[Chuck S]

Just a note about the studios...and it depends upon the demographics of your party. SSR studios have a queen bed and a full sized sleeper sofa. At OKW, which is connected to Disney Springs via boat and bus, the studios have two queen beds. Again, it may or may not make a difference to you, depending upon the size and make up of your traveling party. Both resorts should be easy to book at 11 months, both are large resorts. Both are lovely resorts.

 

[Cirlonde]

Just a note about the studios...and it depends upon the demographics of your party. SSR studios have a queen bed and a full sized sleeper sofa. At OKW, which is connected to Disney Springs via boat and bus, the studios have two queen beds. Again, it may or may not make a difference to you, depending upon the size and make up of your traveling party. Both resorts should be easy to book at 11 months, both are large resorts. Both are lovely resorts.

Thanks for this info! It's just my husband and I, so the single queen bed will be perfect but it is good to know. Part of the draw of SSR for us is the proximity to other resorts. We love exploring and are looking forward to being able to easily get to OKW, Port Orleans, and the Tree Houses as well as Disney Springs.

 

[Laura Wilt]

We are first time DVC renters too - just booked BWV studio standard view at the 11 month mark and had no issues! Good luck to you!

 

[Cirlonde]

We are first time DVC renters too - just booked BWV studio standard view at the 11 month mark and had no issues! Good luck to you!

I've got two weeks until my 11 month mark and I can't wait! The vacation planning just doesn't start to feel "real" until I have resort booked. So glad you got what you wanted!

 

[Wendybird55]

I have rented DVC points in past...I rented directly from an owner here on disboards with great results. I first started looking on the boards for someone with home base for resort I wanted so I could get 11 month option. I find DVC owners to be more helpful and knowledgeable about ins and outs of getting what you want..and as pp said more flexible than an agency might be. Plus I notice there are some owners with multiple home resorts. You may want to check out the rental boards. Also I think SSR is a good bet a there usually seems to be availability. Old Key West also seem like and easier resort to book. Once your rental room is booked and you get the confirmation number then you link it on your MDE and planning is as you normally would do it. When I rented points ..before I became a DVC owner..I would purchase my park tickets thru undercover tourist. Saved some money and that are very reliable. And since your booking almost year in advance keep eye out of ticket prices because they can go up before you leave so purchase them earlier then later to avoid a price increase. Good luck.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for this info! It's just my husband and I, so the single queen bed will be perfect but it is good to know. Part of the draw of SSR for us is the proximity to other resorts. We love exploring and are looking forward to being able to easily get to OKW, Port Orleans, and the Tree Houses as well as Disney Springs.

SSR offers easy access to all the on site resorts via Disney Springs. IMO, it's a great location if you want to eat at the resort restaurants - some of those are often easier to get into than the ones in the park.

 

[Cirlonde]

I have rented DVC points in past...I rented directly from an owner here on disboards with great results. I first started looking on the boards for someone with home base for resort I wanted so I could get 11 month option. I find DVC owners to be more helpful and knowledgeable about ins and outs of getting what you want..and as pp said more flexible than an agency might be. Plus I notice there are some owners with multiple home resorts. You may want to check out the rental boards. Also I think SSR is a good bet a there usually seems to be availability. Old Key West also seem like and easier resort to book. Once your rental room is booked and you get the confirmation number then you link it on your MDE and planning is as you normally would do it. When I rented points ..before I became a DVC owner..I would purchase my park tickets thru undercover tourist. Saved some money and that are very reliable. And since your booking almost year in advance keep eye out of ticket prices because they can go up before you leave so purchase them earlier then later to avoid a price increase. Good luck.

We actually bought our tickets back in February, right before the latest price increase. We ended up saving almost $50 so it felt great! It definitely pays to keep up with Disney news. I think we're going to go through a rental age since this is our first time renting and I'm a little anxious about the whole process, just because it's new. But once I've gone through the experience, I definitely renting directly would be better the deal.

SSR offers easy access to all the on site resorts via Disney Springs. IMO, it's a great location if you want to eat at the resort restaurants - some of those are often easier to get into than the ones in the park.

This was really one of the biggest reasons we started looking at SSR! We had the opportunity to stay at one of the non-Disney hotels within walking distance of Disney Springs in April 2016 because my husband had a work training there. We were both really surprised at how much we enjoyed the convenience of being able to walk to Disney Springs. That was a more laid back trip so we weren't exhausted from long park days...I hope we will have enough energy left to take advantage of the close proximity to Disney Springs while we are there next year!

 

[Araminta18]

So husband and I just decided today to book a trip for mid-Sept 2018...We're looking at trying to rent a studio at Boardwalk. Never rented points before; didn't realize Sept was high season, but we were thinking of going through an Agency and just hoping for the best Super excited!

 

[Matty B13]

So husband and I just decided today to book a trip for mid-Sept 2018...We're looking at trying to rent a studio at Boardwalk. Never rented points before; didn't realize Sept was high season, but we were thinking of going through an Agency and just hoping for the best Super excited!

Probably won't have a chance at BWV but SSR might be available.

 

[Araminta18]

Probably won't have a chance at BWV but SSR might be available.

No chance for September next year? I didn't even think you could start booking until 11 months out...

 

[Matty B13]

Sorry I thought you ment this year...... should have read your post closer. I would find a BWV owner to make the 11 month booking.

 

[Ronferr80]

Renting points for the first time and very excited!!! Put in my request for BCV studio just the other day for April 2018 (11 months out). I was told it may take a while and less then 2 days I got an email that my 8 night, 9 day reservation was made!! Now just have to wait over 300 days but who's counting!!!!