Renting DVC points? Huh?

[daisylove]

I saw someone here had suggested renting DVC points for hotels (boardwalk villas I think) How does that work. I can't find any threads on this but it sounded like a viable option for us. Thanks

 

[mad4themouse]

Check out this forum:
The DIS Forums > Disney Vacation Club > DVC Rent/Trade Board

Read the FAQ and Word to the Wise Threads at the top of the board and feel free to ask any questions.

 

[sdamico71]

The Rent/Trade board is a great source of info.
You can stay in a "Disney Home-away from Home" for a fraction of the Disney rate. You purchase "points" from a DVC member. The member makes the reservation in your name. You pay the member for the points. No taxes, etc like at a regular resort. So there is additional savings.

 

[ncbyrne]

Am I correct in assuming that maid service is not usually included in the rental price?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

That is correct, no maid service, unless you are there more than 7 days straight.

I am an owner who has rented from another member and I am presently renting points to a non-owner, so I can see the concerns on both sides of the transaction. I can tell you that I feel it important to get as much information from the person you are renting from as possible, how they expect payment, will they provide you with a phone number to get in touch with them, etc. For your own piece of mind you may wish to have a contract of the transaction.

Let me also warn you that once you stay in a DVC Resort, it will be very, very hard to go back to a regular hotel room.

 

[sdamico71]

I am almost positive, you get maid service for every 4 days you are on property. I know you don't have to wait 7 days to get maid service. You can request service more often than that, but you have to pay for it.

 

[jekjones1558]

I am almost positive, you get maid service for every 4 days you are on property.

The "every 4 days" is only trash and towel service. This means that mousekeeping comes to empty wastebaskets, replace towels and replenish paper products, soap, etc. It is NOT a full cleaning unless you spend 8 days or more, in which case you get full cleaning on day 4 and trash and towel service on day 8. Then the cycle repeats if you stay longer. I thought I would miss daily maid service. In fact I LIKE not having a maid coming in every day. Feels more relaxing and like home.

 

[disneysteve]

Keep in mind that renting DVC is still an expensive way to go compared to renting a nice place offsite. You can get a 2-bedroom condo offsite for about $65-70/nite and a 3-bedroom for under $100/nite. If you absolutely insist on being onsite, DVC may be the way to go, but if you mainly care about getting lots of space and great amenities, the offsite options still excel.

Steve

 

[Deb & Bill]

One thing to remember: Points are totally worthless to non-DVC members. What you are actually "renting" is a reservation that the member makes for you. You may or may not get any of the DVC perks (according to DVC, persons paying members cash for a reservation are NOT entitled to the perks; guests of the members staying with the member are entitled to some of the perks).

There are a lot of regulations that the member must be concerned about. Don't expect to rent points in June for Christmas - you might get lucky and get a reservation that someone is not going to use, but you will have to fit your vacation to that reservation. Members can book 11 months out at their home resort and 7 months out at other DVC resorts. Food and Wine Festival, early December and school holiday times are popular with DVC members.

It is not a good use of points to use them for non-DVC resorts or cruises. You can probably do better getting some sort of discount or code.

There are limitations to the number of guests in the villa. Studio and one bedroom = 4 plus one under 3 yrs old; 2 bedroom = 8 plus one under 3 yrs old; Grand Villa = 12 plus one under 3 yrs old. GV's are very scarce and go fast, so a renter who wants a GV will have to contact a member at least a year ahead of time.

"if you mainly care about getting lots of space and great amenities, the offsite options still excel" = Disney Steve, you have got to be kidding. Nothing beats a DVC resort, nothing.

 

[sln88]

nothing beats a DVC resort?

I am staying at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club this year for $265 for a week for 2 bedrooms. I think THAT beats a DVC resort.

Glad you love to stay on site and pay the bucks, but not everyone HAS to to have a great trip.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by sln88
I am staying at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club this year for $265 for a week for 2 bedrooms. I think THAT beats a DVC resort.

Same here. I just got a friend booked in a 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo at Windsor Palms for $504 total for 6 nites in September. Just to compare, a 2-bedroom at OKW for those dates would be 164 points, or $1,640 at $10/point. That's a big difference in my book for less space. Are the places exactly comparable - of course not - but no way I could/would spend that kind of money to stay onsite.

I'm not saying that DVC is bad in any way, but it certainly isn't cheap. There are tons of wonderful resorts and rental properties in the area that offer loads of amenities at a great price.

My point was just that DVC isn't the only option if you want more space than a standard hotel room without spending a fortune on a Disney suite.

No offense intended to DVC owners. Just understand that it isn't right for everyone.

Steve