renting DVC

[mrsdrake625]

If we rent DVC points for a vacation:

(1) do we have to specify to the DVC owner before making the reservation that we want the dining plan, or can we add that on when we check in? (and put UT park tickets on out KTTW, etc)

(2) is it difficult to get the reservations you want when renting? and how far in advance can you realistically expect to have to start making reservations? One website said 11 months about (the DVC window)... is that always the case?

thanks DISers

 

[mrsdrake625]

if the details help:

we are hoping to get a
one 2 bedroom,
two studios. Possibly.

We'd be happy with std. view if that's all they have, but the room size/config is key.

Planning ahead, obviously But if anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[disneynutz]

You need to let the owner know that you wish to add the DDP and they have to pay for it and add it to your reservation a few days before you check in.

The earlier you make the reservation, the better chance of getting what you want so find a owner before the 11th month mark.

You may have some trouble finding one owner with enough points to rent.

Bill

 

[cz4ever]

if the details help:

we are hoping to get a
one 2 bedroom,
two studios. Possibly.

We'd be happy with std. view if that's all they have, but the room size/config is key.

Planning ahead, obviously But if anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear about it.

As PP said, you need to add the dining plan at least 48 hours prior to check-in. I'm not sure why Disney does not allow it as a check-in options --- sure would be handy for all parties involved (except, apparently, Disney)!

If you want a bwv studio for Jan 2014, you either need to find an owner at that resort with enough points available to rent 11 months ahead or any owner can secure the reservation 7 month in advance. A 2BR plus 2 studios is a lot of points, which will limit how many owners can handle it all. Also, studios are one of the first rooms to fill up, so they might still be available at the 7-month window.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

The owner you rent from can also put in a wait list request for you to get the view you prefer. Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[mrsdrake625]

Thanks, these are all helpful points.

Thanks for the tip about view categories, that's helpful. I just wanted a scenic place to sip my coffee from my refillable mug in the morning, that's all.

I also didn't know if when you go through a rental company, they might use several different owners to get everything you want. So if I make a multi-room request, they would contact different owners for the different pieces. That might allow us to get parts of the reservation at a time - i.e. maybe we could focus on getting the 2 bedroom first, and if we can't get the studios, look at renting hotel rooms for the others if we had to...?

 

[DebbieB]

The owner you rent from can also put in a wait list request for you to get the view you prefer. Sounds like a fun trip!

Not all owners are willing to do waitlists because they have to hold points in their account in case in comes through. For example, the booked stay is 100 points and the waitlist is 130 points, the member would have to be sure those 30 points are in their account in case it comes through but it might never come through. Meanwhile they could have rented those points to someone else.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks, these are all helpful points.

Thanks for the tip about view categories, that's helpful. I just wanted a scenic place to sip my coffee from my refillable mug in the morning, that's all.

I also didn't know if when you go through a rental company, they might use several different owners to get everything you want. So if I make a multi-room request, they would contact different owners for the different pieces. That might allow us to get parts of the reservation at a time - i.e. maybe we could focus on getting the 2 bedroom first, and if we can't get the studios, look at renting hotel rooms for the others if we had to...?

The point brokers would need to find an individual who had enough points to book your entire stay. Individual nights from different owners would be linked, but you would have to check out and check back in again. But one owner could book a two bedroom, another owner a studio and still another a second studio.

You know that studios do not connect to each other, right? And they might not be near the two bedroom villa if that is what you are hoping.

Most members will not waitlist because their points may be tied up waiting for it to show up and it might never show up. Then they lose out on income. I am 0 for 4 on waitlists. Never got a one.

 

[DougEMG]

Think of each room as a seperate reservation, so you could either book each one with a different owner, or use a broker who would probably also do the same thing.

With dvc the earlier you book the better.

The owner/broker will have to book the DP and pay for it at the time of booking, so you will have to pay the owners/broker.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Didn't know about the waitlist so that's good.


No, I wasn't counting on the rooms being anywhere near one another. We have several different family units coming along, some who can share beds/bathrooms, some who can't... You know the drill! The two bedroom would be the primary hangout spot but we would have our own rooms to sleep and bathe in.

With a (hopefully) 30% discount , booking cash is actually comparable price wise. But you never know.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Blah, the iPhone app sent it early...


Thanks for all the help, it's very ... Helpful

 

[DougEMG]

Didn't know about the waitlist so that's good.


No, I wasn't counting on the rooms being anywhere near one another. We have several different family units coming along, some who can share beds/bathrooms, some who can't... You know the drill! The two bedroom would be the primary hangout spot but we would have our own rooms to sleep and bathe in.

With a (hopefully) 30% discount , booking cash is actually comparable price wise. But you never know.

If booking cash is going to be close to the rental price, I would go with booking cash. Much more flexible with cancellation terms and changes and ease of getting what you want.

Only rent points when it is going to be a big savings.

 

[msp2mco]

If you are adding the dining plan, you can have a 3-way call with Member Services and put it on your own credit card. I've done this a couple of times. That way the DVC owner doesn't have to extend the credit.