Renting points for 1-studio AND 2- 1BR villas for next September. Realistic??

[smithmom]

My family is taking a trip next September. We are trying to stay at the Boardwalk villas and will need a Studio and two 1Bedroom villas. We all get along very well, but all of us sharing a place would be crazy. What are the odds that I can make this happy by renting points?

 

[CarolMN]

Odds are good - September sells out of DVC accommodations more slowly than most other times of the year.

Some advice -

1. Don't count on getting standard views (less points) or Boardwalk views. Both are possible, but not probable. The farther ahead you can book, the more likely you are to get them. Most likely you will get Pool/Garden Preferred view units.

2. Unless you are paying for all 3 units, get the money from your family ahead of time and make sure they (and you) understand that it is NOT refundable. (It's kind of like a PRCIELINE reservation). We have had lots of horror stories here regarding friends and family backing out at the last minute leaving the "travel agent" holding the bag.

3. Be sure you understand the DVC owner's change and cancellation policy before you send money. Most owners consider renting to be non-refundable. Most will want most if not all of the money well before arrival.
Some will allow reschedules

4. Don't expect to get a bargain basement price per point ($10 or less per point) if you want to stay at the BWV. Especially true if you want to reserve multiple units before the 7 month window opens.

Good luck -

 

[CraftyMouse]

Also, just an FYI...at the BWV all of the 2BR units are made up of a Studio and a 1BR. There is a connecting door between them, like the connecting door between some hotel rooms. Therefore, it would be cheaper, and perhaps a bit easier, to reserve a 1BR and a 2BR. (For example...in September a Preferred View Studio is 12 points per night and a Preferred View 1BR is 22 points per night (total - 34) but a 2BR which is made up of those two units is 30 points per night. By reserving the 2BR you will save $40 per night if you pay $10 per point. You could keep the door closed between the Studio and 1BR unit so each party has their privacy. Of course, if being right next door to one another is too close then go with the ST/1BR/1BR plan.

 

[smithmom]

I didn't know that about the 2BR villa. That's very helpful! Thank you.

 

[crisi]

2. Unless you are paying for all 3 units, get the money from your family ahead of time and make sure they (and you) understand that it is NOT refundable. (It's kind of like a PRCIELINE reservation). We have had lots of horror stories here regarding friends and family backing out at the last minute leaving the "travel agent" holding the bag.

3. Be sure you understand the DVC owner's change and cancellation policy before you send money. Most owners consider renting to be non-refundable. Most will want most if not all of the money well before arrival.
Some will allow reschedules

These two are worth stating again. There are endless stories on this board about friends and relatives flaking out on members - one recently where the member found out from the friend's EX WIFE just a few days before he was supposed to travel with them. With more complicated cancellation policies than just renting from Disney - this can create real issues.

DVC reservations can be a lot more affordable than going through CRO, but you loose some flexibility - which with a multi family trip might not be worth it.

 

[crooksy0514]

I was just made aware that I can buy points to sta at a DVC resort. I am looking to get either 2 1 bedroom suites or 1 2 bedroom suite at Boardwalk, Beachclub, or Saratoga Srpings. I am new to this. Any advice, guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[smithmom]

That is a very good point. I would LOVE to stay in the boardwalk area though! I just love it there - we are bringing 3 children and it' all their first times there, as well as my Sister in Law. She's never been either. And I want it to a great trip for all (as I'm sure it will be - it is Disney afterall). But you know what I mean! It's so much information~ When I'm done, I feel like I should start a Disney Travel Agency!

 

[crisi]

I was just made aware that I can buy points to sta at a DVC resort. I am looking to get either 2 1 bedroom suites or 1 2 bedroom suite at Boardwalk, Beachclub, or Saratoga Srpings. I am new to this. Any advice, guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Go to the rent trade board, read all the stickies at the top of the board. If you still have questions, come back and ask.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I was just made aware that I can buy points to sta at a DVC resort. I am looking to get either 2 1 bedroom suites or 1 2 bedroom suite at Boardwalk, Beachclub, or Saratoga Srpings. I am new to this. Any advice, guidance would be greatly appreciated.

It depends on if you are looking to buy points and become a DVC member or rent them for a one-time stay.

If you want to become a member you will need to research DVC and determine how many points you will want to purchase. Once you make the purchase you will get those points every year for the next several decades. Points sell for $90-100 each, although you can find them for less via resale.

When you rent points you do so through a current member. You rent as many points as you need for a reservation and get those points for that reservation only. Points generally rent for $10-11 each. Visit the Rent/Trade board and post the particulars of what you are looking for to get started.

 

[crisi]

That is a very good point. I would LOVE to stay in the boardwalk area though! I just love it there - we are bringing 3 children and it' all their first times there, as well as my Sister in Law. She's never been either. And I want it to a great trip for all (as I'm sure it will be - it is Disney afterall). But you know what I mean! It's so much information~ When I'm done, I feel like I should start a Disney Travel Agency!

It may be better to rent points for a trip that just involves your family - the Boardwalk is lovely (we own there) but having done several extended family trips with my own points (much less risk) it is really a hassle. Right now I have two two bedrooms for my family trip - I really only need a one bedroom and a two bedroom, but my own baby sister flaked out, so now I have more room than I need. Not a big deal for us - we had points and I planned the trip in such a way that for us it means we just spread out this trip - for you it means having spent points on a room you won't use. In the past we've had our guests suddenly decide to move the whole trip six months (twice), guests who have committed and backed out several times. The whole thing can be vaguely maddening, but we've never lost points - something we'd almost certainly have done had we been renting instead of being owners.