Renting points...Always cheaper???

[huselton1]

Hi. I have been tyring to figure out whether it is cheaper to book through Disney or through timeshare resale. It seems like Disney offers a better price for the room at PO, with points at 10 or 9.5. Perhaps equal but not less. Could I be doing something wrong. All the guides say timeshare is cheaper. Thanks for any advice from experienced Disney folks. K.

THe other thing that puzzles me is E-bay tickets sellers. I got a quote from Disney direct that 7 day hopper passes were $250 each much lower than online even from popular advertised resellers. ????

 

[Chuck S]

I am assuming you are looking to rent points from a DVC member. There are two types of resorts at WDW. DVC resorts (timeshare) and regular WDW resorts. The DVC resorts are owned by the members of that resort, and it is almost always cheaper to rent a ressie (points) from a member to stay there. The DVC resorts are Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas and Villas at Wilderness Lodge. The last 3 DVC resorts listed above are "attached" to regular Disney resorts, but the villas operate seperately.

For regular Disney resorts it is almost always cheaper to rent directly from Disney.

 

[huselton1]

Thanks for your informed answer K

 

[abner1776]

It depends upon what type of accommodations you are looking for. If you are happy with value or moderate resorts then by all means go through Disney directly. Also if you want deluxe accommodations but must have AKL, Poly, CR, YC or GF, then again, you must go through Disney.

If instead you want deluxe accommodations but want to save money and do not care which deluxe resort you want to stay at, then DVC can be a big money saver for you. With DVC you get all of the benefits of a deluxe resort but at the price of a moderate or value resort. Some DVC resorts can cost as little as 9-12 points per night which would equate to $90-$120 per night - nearly the cost of a value resort.

As we say in the accounting world..." you have to crunch the numbers" to see if it is worth your while.

 

[salmoneous]

The DVC resorts are owned by the members of that resort, and it is almost always cheaper to rent a ressie (points) from a member to stay there.

It's weekends that cause trouble, and turn "always cheaper" into "almost always cheaper". For example, say you want to go to a DVC resort this Fri/Sat. Expedia (which usually is pretty close to the rate you would pay Disney directly) has the following rates:

OKW/SSR: ST/1BR/2BR -> $269/360/500 per night (+11.5% tax)
BWV: ST/1BR -> $305/410 (+11.5% tax)

Using points you would need:

OKW: 24/48/64
SSR: 26/50/65
BWV(S): 26/50
BWV(P): 29/56

For the studios, it looks like you'd be a better off renting points from a member. But for a 1BR or 2BR, direct from Disney looks like your best bet.

 

[huselton1]

Thanks for all of your replies. I am learning.K.

 

[spiceycat]

DVC rental can't beat the value resorts except at certain times - Thanksgiving is one example.

So if you are comparing it to a value resort - the value resort will win. but you are comparing a 2-bedroom villa to 2 rooms. that is a BIG difference.

the 2-bedroom has a king bed in the master, queen sleep sofa in the living room, either 2 queens in the second bedroom or queen and double sleep sofa - plus full kitchen, washer/dryer, livingroom with either VCR or DVD or both, a dinning area, a patio, a shower stall plus a whirlpool bath in the master bath, in the second a combination. there is a closet in each bedroom plus the livingroom.

in a room - you get 2 double beds - a little table, a little bathroom. plus a tv on an a stand. pretty small closet. so mulitply this by 2.

 

[Lynne M]

THe other thing that puzzles me is E-bay tickets sellers. I got a quote from Disney direct that 7 day hopper passes were $250 each much lower than online even from popular advertised resellers. ????

Just wanted to comment on this...do not, under any circumstances, buy WDW tickets on E-Bay. You have no way to check if the tickets are actually valid until you get to WDW, and you may be in for a very unpleasant surprise. The tickets are now tied to a particular person via a finger scan at the gate, and if you purchase a ticket that has been used even once by another person, it will be worthless to you. Your finger scan will not match the one that's associated with that ticket and you will not be allowed into the park.

I've heard more than one story about families who spent hundreds of dollars on E-Bay tickets, and then found that they had been already used up. No days left on them. Not only was that money gone, they then had to buy tickets for the entire family.

There's really no way to get a major bargain on WDW tickets. If you have a AAA membership, you can get a small discount, and some of the legit online ticket agencies (Maple Leaf Tickets, Ticketmania, etc.) also sell discounted tickets.

Enjoy your trip!!