Renting DVC Points

[bebelle]

Has anyone rented DVC points for a WDW trip? How did it work out for you? I am seeing that they are going for about $10 per point and I am calculating that we will need between 14-17 points per night. It seems like such a great deal for a luxe room--almost seems too great?????

 

[Purseval]

You'd be better off asking this in the DVC forum, perhaps a mod can move it for you.

 

[Juliet25]

I own DVC, so I don't need to rent, but yes it's a good deal. Keep in mind, however, that while you're staying in a deluxe resort, the amenities aren't the same. You will not get mousekeeping services, so you either make the beds yourself or just leave them as is. You'll get trash and towel service on your third (or fourth?) day, but you will not get any clean up.

Really, that's the only DVC drawback. You get a kitchenette if you're staying in a studio, so that fridge and microwave may well make up for the lack of cleaning service.

 

[vjmartin]

My family and I rented points in 2005 from someone on the disborads. It was a great transaction no problems. We rented at WLV we had a 2 bedroom and a studio. the extra space was wonderful, not to mention the washer and dryer (since we had just returned from a cruise). We were able to cook and eat in the room or go out and grab whatever.

I am now watching the rent/trade board for summer 2011, in 2005 i paid $10 per point. it looks like that they are anywhere around $10-13 and sometimes higher. this would still be cheaper than paying rack rate to disney for the rooms.

i hope that helps a little

 

[HM]

I've done it twice (with the same person). Worked really well. We just stayed at BWV over Christmas break and had a wonderful 1-bed unit on the Boardwalk.

 

[scootch]

I have done it twice thru disboards and had no problem. Stayed 4 nights at BLT for under $800!!! yes! The previous year we did 6 nights at VWL for around $800. Just ask for references. You can also check the county auditor site and verify the person truly does own DVC. I can't remember exactly which county WDW is in.. but figure that out then go to their auditors recods.

 

[chalee94]

I own DVC, so I don't need to rent, but yes it's a good deal. Keep in mind, however, that while you're staying in a deluxe resort, the amenities aren't the same.

in addition to the mousekeeping thing, be aware that all DVC studios (except at OKW) have 1 queen bed and 1 pullout sofabed. it's more ideal for couples but less ideal than a hotel room for those who want 2 "real" beds...

 

[savannahcat]

We are renting points for our summer (parents only!!! ) trip. The cost is about $700 for five nights in a studio. We're currently booked at AKV, but are waitlisted for Boardwalk. We are renting from one of my SIL's best friends, so I don't have the trust concerns that many people have when renting from a stranger.

 

[crisi]

Other things to know:

Cancellation policies for DVC are different. If you have to cancel you may be out your money, there may be no way the DVC member can help you even if they want to. In a few cases, the member renting the points hasn't really been knowledgeable enough about their own contract and has made assurances that have proven to not be possible to keep.

Your transaction is private between two individuals. While its very rare for anyone to get "taken" - if there has been miscommunication or you are not satisfied, Disney will NOT get involved. In fact, you cannot even call regarding your reservation, only the member can.

DVC runs at pretty much 100% occupancy. You need to plan ahead to get high demand rooms. And if you want to add nights later, it may be impossible to do, because of availability or because "your owner" may not have extra points.

 

[G's mommy]

We've rented points on our last 4 stays. As others have said, you do need to have concrete plans, it's hard to make changes once you've rented and paid the owner for the reservation. I did have to change my week one time and the owner was great, was able to move me to another week but I had to change resorts. I have paid anywhere from $6 per point to $12 per point, just depends on which resort, time of year, how close it is to the dates. I normally rent Sunday - Friday only, weekend points are double and are not that cost effective. If we stay over a weekend, we book with a room only discount at a non-DVC resort for those two nights. We have found it to be a great way to experience the deluxe resorts without the deluxe price. You can also add the dining plan and pay at check-in. We have stayed at BCV, AKV, and SSR twice.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I love renting DVC points. We have done it atleast 8 times and have had good experiences every time. Several years ago I rented points and became friends with the individual. We have never met but talk on the phone. Now if I need points I check with her first and if she can not help then I go to the board. It it wonderful to build a relationship, then you have that if you need points again. Everyone I have dealt with are very business like but helpful. I did have a situation where I had to cancel at the last minute and was out the money. That individual did not have a clause for repayment if they rerented the reservation. But I knew that going in. I was not happy to be out the money, but it was the fact of doing business. It was a family situation that was an emergency and that is just the way life goes sometimes. But you have to know these things going in and know if you can deal with not having control over the reservation.
I think it is a wonderful opportunity to both parties if everyone is on the same page.

 

[eliza61]

Renting was my first introduction to DVC before I purchased. Please be aware though that renting involves some "trust" on your part because as others have stated every thing will still be in the owners name up until you check in.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Renting was my first introduction to DVC before I purchased. Please be aware though that renting involves some "trust" on your part because as others have stated every thing will still be in the owners name up until you check in.

This includes adding such things as Magical Express, adding a Dining Plan, etc. The person you are renting from owns the reservation... only they are able to speak with member services so trust is definitely key. While it may be a good deal financially, there are many people who will say they need to feel they have more control... which i snot possible renting points.

Stop on by the DVC board to get started and read the stickies on renting... any questions you have I'm sure someone will be happy to answer... we're a friendly bunch!

 

[mom of princessx2]

We rented 80 points and stayed at AKV savana view for 6 nights the week after Thanksgiving. $800 for that is a steal. The room normally went for over $300 per night.

The fold out couch is not an issue for us-in fact we really liked it because we could fold it up and actually have a couch to sit on instead of always sitting on the edge of a bed. Plus it gave us alot more room when in couch mode. It was also comfortable because I slept on it a couple nights with dd3. We are also okay with no housekeeping as we kept things pretty tidy ourselves. Housekeeping is in the hallways all day so if you need to dump your trash or recycling or get another towels you can.

Beware though........we loved it so much that we are now owners!!! We are now looking forward to BCV in March!!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

We rented DVC points for our stay last month from someone here on the DIS. We needed a 2BR for 9 people, and it was far cheaper (and a nicer room) to rent than to get 2 regular rooms.

What everyone else has said is true - the DVC member owns the reservation until you check in, so trust is key. Also, you need to have set travel plans. Changing a DVC reservation isn't like changing a regular one.

That being said, the room was awesome for us, and I think it actually saved us money. Having the full kitchen let us make breakfast in the room easily, and we had a few dinners in the room too. The washer/dryer was great, and we didn't have to pack nearly the amount of clothes for a 1 week stay as we would have needed to bring without it.

But beware - you might like it enough to buy it. We did

 

[ford91exploder]

We initially rented points as a try before buy, One of the BEST things about DVC is the LACK of Mousekeeping because if you've stayed out late at the parks during EMH the last thing you want is Mousekeeping knocking at the door at 8AM!!!,

As a result of this DVC seems like home and we bought in that same trip

On the 4'th day You will get Trash n' Towel and on the 7'th you will get a full Mousekeeping visit, If you want Mousekeeping at any time you can ask for it and they will charge a fee.

 

[Fall1]

We rented through this board and I was beyond happy with it. We loved the room and the process was really easy. I was a little nervous not having book the ressie myself, but it worked out great!

 

[jamounger]

We have rented on 2 occasions and both times it was a great experience. The first we stayed in a 2 BR at BWV for close to a week. Keep in mind that it takes more points for weekend days and sometimes it is mor cost efficient to rent for the weekdays and book the room on your own for the weekend days. If you do this, though you run the risk of having to change rooms when the reservation changes. We had to and we were on the streets for about 8 hour with our room change. We were told on check in the reservation was linked but for some reason it did not work out and we had to be moved.
Our secon experience was for one night post cruise. We rented a studio at the new AKV for 10 dollars more than we were going to pay at ASMu. Both transaction were smooth. We added the dining plan to the first and used magicalexpress with both. We paid 10 dollars a point for both. Not a bad price since the first was 5 yrs ago and the last was this past Nov. 0% price increase.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

One of the BEST things about DVC is the LACK of Mousekeeping because if you've stayed out late at the parks during EMH the last thing you want is Mousekeeping knocking at the door at 8AM!!!,

I agree, but it works the other way too. Nothing worse than getting to the parks early and then coming back in the early afternoon for a nap only to find that mousekeeping hasn't come yet!