Renting Points and DVC Questions From a Newbie

[Mike442]

I just found this board yesterday and I must say it is a vast wealth of knowledge. I want to make sure I have this right, so could some one verify the way I think this works?

I'm planning a vacation to Disney around the 1st week in March. If I look at the points chart for Villas at Wilderness Lodge, that time is during Magic Season. 14 points are required for Sunday through Thursday in a studio. From what I see on the renting board, points can be rented for about $10 each. This tells me that I should be able to stay in a VWL studio for about $140 per day or $700 for 2-26-06 through 3-2-06.

For the same time period, 5 nights in a standard view room, is $1667 for 2 adults and 2 kids.

This seems too good to be true. What am I giving up for saving over $900? How does the VWL room compare to the standard room at WL? Am I giving up any services?

I'd like to take advantage of this, but my wife is concerned that it will not be as enjoyable as staying the room, will not get good service, will be treated differently.

Thanks in advance for your input.
mike

 

[jmminarik]

Just a few caveats off the top:

1) You are entering into a private contract, so trust is required on both sides...cash ressies with Disney are pretty safe.
2) Cash ressies let you cancel a week or so out. DVC rental agreements vary, but are usually not cancellable once you pass 30 days out. It's the nature of how our points reservations work...you may find that 30 days period extended to 60 days or beyond...depends on the dvc member.
3) You usually have to pay it all up front.
4) There is no daily maid service...look up trash/towel service in this forum.

As far as treatment goes, most 'renters' seem to be treated like members by the hotel/villa staffs. That's generally pretty good though you'll see folks complaining about one resort or another if you dig through the forums enough. Generally speaking though, the only difference you will see is the lack of daily maid service.

Vwl Studios are generally nicer than standard Lodge rooms, if only because you get a wetbar with fridge/microwave/coffeemaker. They're also further from the mayhem of the Lodge, so can be more relaxing. They offer an old fashioned, western 'railroad' hotel theme compared to the pacific northwest theme of the Lodge.

Oh, you will be treated differently...you'll hear welcome home a bit more.

Hope this helps,
Joe

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

One other thing to consider is the fact that you may not be able to get a ressie for the dates you need. VWL is very popular and not as large as some of the other DVC resorts. You are looking to arrive during a very busy season...if you are serious about renting, you need to do it NOW. Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

you are a little late.

a studio has 1 queen bed and double (full) sleeper sofa.

a room (in the lobby part) has 2 queen beds or 1 queen bed and bunk beds.

you get extra in a studio - microwave, toaster, can opener, coffee maker. (both have the refrigerator - although VWL is a little better)

 

[LisaS]

In addition to no daily maid service and having 1 queen bed and a full-size sleeper sofa instead of 2 queen beds or 1 queen plus bunk beds, the bathroom vanity in the villas has only one sink. I haven't stayed at WL but I know that the vanities at AKL and YC have a large bathroom vanity with 2 sinks, so I assume rooms at WL are set up this way as well. Not a big deal to some, but the double sinks save time when you have multiple people trying to wash up or brush their teeth at the same time.

By the way, you can request daily maid service if you really want it for a cost of $25/day for a studio (higher for a 1BR or 2BR villa).

On the other hand, in the VWL studio when the sleeper sofa is folded up you have more open space in the room which makes it feel larger. The sofa provides more places for everyone to sit down in the room. You also have a microwave, toaster and refrigerator making it possible to prepare quick breakfasts in your room.

 

[spiceycat]

there are 2 sinks - just not together.

one is in the bathroom area -the other is in the kichennett area - it is a bigger one - wet bar.

they are not side by side like the WDW deluxe resorts.

 

[Mike442]

Is it possible to request a non-smoking room? If so, do you get a non-smoking room when it is requested?

Are there any ticket discounts available?

Thanks to all.
mike

 

[crisi]

Is it possible to request a non-smoking room? If so, do you get a non-smoking room when it is requested?

Are there any ticket discounts available?

Thanks to all.
mike

Possible to request, not guarenteed. Not guarenteed at Disney resorts at all, but at least with a cash ressie, you can walk. I'm 50/50 on having non-smoking met.

No discounts available to renters. You may be given member benefits, but are not entitled to them (some restaurant discounts). Staying on points you will not be able to take advantage of the dining plan.