Renting DVC points

[gatormom2tots]

We just rented for the third time (first time private owner through these boards). If you are able to swing it with the restrictions, its a great deal!

 

[DisBuckMan]

I feel like a broken record lately. On another forum, people talk about buying, then people chime in about how "they've NEVER had trouble switching at 7 months not ever!!!" and it always turned out they travel in February or something and think California is horrible.

Yep. Folks who aren't owners in general don't understand that booking trends at DVC are markedly different than cash reservations.

 

[Denise W]

We have done this once and are planning to go in June again and are renting DVC points.
Every other time we have gone thru Disney or Southwest vacations.
My plus is I found a friend of a friend who has the points. I only paid $10 a point and yes, we only had 2 choices and went with OKW, but it was one of the cheapest DVC points so I am okay with it. For me, we are paying LESS for a deluxe with 2 queen beds, a kitchenette and a nicer pool with water slide then we would have when I priced out the values. The values were $1 less a night but going through Disney (or southwest vacations) you have to pay fees and taxes, with DVC points I am just paying the exact amount. You also get a free parking pass if you use DVC points so that will save us money as well each day.

Just to be clear, anyone staying on site can park at the theme parks for free. There is nothing different for parking when using DVC points.
Denise

 

[luv2]

We rented points for our upcoming trip in April through a popular company. Our daughter tried it last fall with a shorter trip. We are staying at the Boardwalk for seven nights. I did have to pay in full. You can purchase travel insurance if you like independently. There is no refund. I don't care about the maid service. I was able to book my magical express, fast passes, dining reservations, and other extras. I purchased the deluxe dining plan by giving gift card numbers to the renter. Everything shows up on My Disney Experience except the dining plan. I have receipts for that. I paid less than half of what a regular reservation would have cost. I couldn't be happier. My daughter got married last year at the Sea Breeze Pavilion and we always wanted to stay at the Boardwalk.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have rented points on our last 4 trips and LOVE it! We stay at Boardwalk and because the Boardwalk stays full we book right at the 11 month mark. The only difference we have found is the housekeeping only comes every 4 days, that doesn't bother us because we usually just take fresh towels and keep the room tidy ourselves. We are now spoiled to the deluxe and this is so much more affordable!

Just to clarify. There is no just grabbing clean towels if you aren't getting service that day. You can purchase a towel pack of four bath towels, two hand towels, four face cloths and another tub mat for $6. You notify Housekeeping to get the towel pack. If you need extra shampoo, you either bring it from home or buy more. No freebies.

 

[wonderlandaddict]

Exactly on the 4th day they bring fresh towels and you can have housekeeping, but we always only take the towels and take care of keeping the room tidy ourselves. I didn't make myself clear on when the linens are offered.

Just to clarify. There is no just grabbing clean towels if you aren't getting service that day. You can purchase a towel pack of four bath towels, two hand towels, four face cloths and another tub mat for $6. You notify Housekeeping to get the towel pack. If you need extra shampoo, you either bring it from home or buy more. No freebies.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yep. Folks who aren't owners in general don't understand that booking trends at DVC are markedly different than cash reservations.

Oh my gosh, true story! I had a BC room booked, but when my friend who owned there tried to book for us, it was no go! Nowhere! Now December was not booked solid in the resorts, but our dates were smack in one of the DVC desirable seasons. We would have loved to use her points to save money, but you cannot book what is not available.

 

[FoxC63]

You are inside of 7 months for Seotember, so you are late to the game for renting. Your options will be very limited, and if you are expecting availability outside of Saratoga, OKW or maybe AKV you will be disappointed by the process.

I'm looking to purchase points for Oct 27 Checking out Nov 2 at Wilderness Lodge Villas - I'm going nuts trying to find where to find someone with availability. Do you have a direct link where I should go?

 

[nkereina]

I'm looking to purchase points for Oct 27 Checking out Nov 2 at Wilderness Lodge Villas - I'm going nuts trying to find where to find someone with availability. Do you have a direct link where I should go?

If my math is correct, you're still 8 months out so you'd need to find someone who owns at the VWL that has enough points available to rent right now. If you want to find an owner on your own, there are several forums you can browse including here on the Dis, where owners will post their available points. There are brokers like David's Vacation Rental that have owners available and will facilitate the process for you, but you generally pay more for a broker. The broker can add you to a wait list too. More options will open up at the 7 month window when DVC owners from any resort can book at VWL, but keep in mind that VWL is a small and popular resort and as mentioned, Fall is high season for DVC. The availability may not be there or you may need to be flexible with your dates, room type, view, etc.

 

[Marionnette]

I'm looking to purchase points for Oct 27 Checking out Nov 2 at Wilderness Lodge Villas - I'm going nuts trying to find where to find someone with availability. Do you have a direct link where I should go?

Just to clarify a few things:

• You're not looking to "buy points". The points belong to the owner and always will. You're seeking to rent a reservation from a DVC owner.
• If one person says that there is no availability for your dates and resort, then no other members are going to have availability either. And the DVC rental companies also will not have availability. They're only a middleman for potential renters and owner who have extra points.
• Your dates fall in a very busy time for DVC. People are on wait lists for those dates.
• Your vacation is more than 7 months away. Only people who own at VWL can book your desired visit. That limits you to VWL owner with points to rent (if there's anything available).
• Owners have a website where they can check availability and book their stays. It's only accessible by password. And we're not supposed to answer availability questions because it's very dynamic. I could look now and it may change by the time I post. Your best hope is to find an owner or rental company and let them check for you.

 

[Jennasis]

We are owners...and it only took ONE stay on a relatives points to sell us on buying in lol! My parents rented Poly points from a non-Poly owner right at 7 months with no problem. Paid $1200 for a week at the Poly! They're sold on renting too now.

I prefer not to have housekeeping in my room at all during our stay. We can and have laundered our towels if needed.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

I am seriously considering renting DVC points for our Disney Vacation, however, I am concerned with the inability to modify a reservation should something come up and we need to reschedule. Any thoughts on this? Anything else that should be a concern?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I am seriously considering renting DVC points for our Disney Vacation, however, I am concerned with the inability to modify a reservation should something come up and we need to reschedule. Any thoughts on this? Anything else that should be a concern?

Availability, if you're not planning 7-11 months in advance.

Lack of daily housekeeping.

You will not be eligible for any other Disney discounts if announced.

Depending on party size and makeup, room configuration is generally quite different from a hotel room. All but one resort's studios have only one "real" bed, then a pull out; some have a murphy bed. Most 1BRs have sleep surfaces for 4, but are rated for 5 (BYOBed). 2BR units have various configurations, but usually have only 2 real beds in lock-off units.

 

[MouseOfCards]

Just to be clear, anyone staying on site can park at the theme parks for free. There is nothing different for parking when using DVC points.
Denise

As an FYI (for VGC and Aulani):

For VGC, hotel guests currently pay $20/night for self-parking and $30/night for valet. At Aulani it's $37/day for self-parking or valet. If staying on DVC points (whether your own or rented), you DO NOT have to pay to self park, but still must pay for valet.

 

[Marionnette]

I am seriously considering renting DVC points for our Disney Vacation, however, I am concerned with the inability to modify a reservation should something come up and we need to reschedule. Any thoughts on this? Anything else that should be a concern?

If not being able to modify or cancel is of huge concern, then renting DVC points may not be for you. Some individual owners might be flexible with changing dates but not all of them. Without going into all of the ins and outs of DVC ownership, there are very good reasons an owner may have for not permitting changes or refunds.

You might want to investigate booking a Deluxe Villa directly thru Disney instead. Sometimes it is less expensive than renting if you're going during the right season and Disney offers a good discount. Their cancellation/refund is much more lenient.

 

[Denise W]

As an FYI (for VGC and Aulani):

For VGC, hotel guests currently pay $20/night for self-parking and $30/night for valet. At Aulani it's $37/day for self-parking or valet. If staying on DVC points (whether your own or rented), you DO NOT have to pay to self park, but still must pay for valet.

Yes, I know that. The OP was asking about renting points at WDW.
Denise

 

[MouseOfCards]

Yes, I know that. The OP was asking about renting points at WDW.
Denise

Please do not take personally. Just wanted to make sure people knew that there are Disney resorts where parking is charged to hotel guests, but free for those staying on DVC points.

 

[nkereina]

I am seriously considering renting DVC points for our Disney Vacation, however, I am concerned with the inability to modify a reservation should something come up and we need to reschedule. Any thoughts on this? Anything else that should be a concern?

There is a points broker out there (I don't think we can mention the name here) that offers "cancel for any reason" insurance. While you wouldn't be able to modify, I believe it does allow you to at least get your money back. But if you needed to just change your dates, you wouldn't have that ability even with insurance.

 

[4Hawks]

Is it not okay to discuss specific brokers? I have some concerns about the one we chose and was planning to post a question on the board.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is it not okay to discuss specific brokers? I have some concerns about the one we chose and was planning to post a question on the board.

You probably cannot mention specific names, but you could discuss your issue (less the names).