Renting points from DVC Member?

[DisneyChick]

Did anyone have any experience renting points from DVC members? I've read about doing this in some books and they say it can be $$ cheaper. Just wanted to know if anyone has done this? Is it a safe transaction to do? Is there any problems with checking in? What is the procedure, etc.? We do have a room booked, Standard View at AKL, 6/13-6/21 and I am probably going to pay to upgrade to at least pool view, would love savannah but it is quite a bit more. Also I am thinking about buying an Annual Pass in the hopes AKL would be eligible for that discounts. Any ideas or suggestions or past experience would be most appreciated!!! Thanks much in advance.

 

[LilGMom]

I'd recommend posting this on the DVC Planning forum. I'm still learning the ins and outs of DVC myself so I can't help but there are a lot of very knowledgable and helpful people over there.

Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

done both rent from and to.

most of the time it is save. Especially if you pick someone here who has a few post - more than 100 (if possible)

some of us are addicted to the Dis and would work with you if you had complaints.

be sure to read the FAQ at the top of the rental site.

DVC has slightly different seasons than WDW resorts.

that say don't know the standard view AKV - it was pretty wonderful. Got a pool view - and it was close to the free laundry (you will need you key - only DVC rooms are allowed to use this) - down the elevator a short walk to Maria - down the steps a slightly longer walk to the buses.

the savannah rooms while great will definitely be a much longer walk.

if you want something in the next 11 to 8 months - then you need someone who owns AKV. 7 months or less and any DVC member can get it for you.

 

[eliza61]

Did anyone have any experience renting points from DVC members? I've read about doing this in some books and they say it can be $$ cheaper. Just wanted to know if anyone has done this? Is it a safe transaction to do? Is there any problems with checking in? What is the procedure, etc.? We do have a room booked, Standard View at AKL, 6/13-6/21 and I am probably going to pay to upgrade to at least pool view, would love savannah but it is quite a bit more. Also I am thinking about buying an Annual Pass in the hopes AKL would be eligible for that discounts. Any ideas or suggestions or past experience would be most appreciated!!! Thanks much in advance.

I did it once before actually becoming a member. First & foremost, it requires an element of trust. Disney does not get involved, it is strickly a transaction between you and the owner. That being said I had a wonderful experience, so much so I decided to buy into the club. I rented points from an owner at OKW and got a huge 1 bedroom villas darn near moderate prices. I was spoiled for life and the owner I rented from went above and beyond to reassure me. If I hadn't purchased I would probably rent every time I went to disney
some differences.
You do not get maid service every day. This was cool with me,as I like not having some one in my room every day.
No problems whatsoever at check in.

 

[chalee94]

i did it - saved a lot of money and enjoyed my stay at SSR - didn't like not "being in control" of the reservation, so i bought a small contract and prefer life as an owner now.

here's the thread you need to learn the basics:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669863

 

[tigergrad]

Have rented points 3 times. I have been completely satisfied with all 3 transactions. We stayed at VWL last Aug. Renting points cost about half as much a reserving with AAA. I have rented points to stay at DLH in June. Saved about $300. Rented points for Nov @ AKV for a short trip (3 days) with my daughters. Trip 1- $10 pp , trip 2 - 12 pp , trip 3 -12 pp. I frequent the rent-trade board and look for renters with many posts. It does require lots of trust. I have had great luck with finding wonderful renters. Best of luck.

 

[DVC Mike]

As Chalee94 has already pointed out, I would read the [thread=1669863]Considering Renting from a DVC Member?[/thread] thread first.

 

[1DISNEYLVR]

I have done it twice with no problems at all, however, I did make sure to rent from people who have been on the Dis for a very long time. I would not rent from a newcomer. I have to admit, I was nervous about it & did breathe a sign of relief when I checked into the resorts & found they really did have a reservation for me.

 

[carmie3377]

We rented once before buying a contract. We had no problems at all and paid less per nt for a studio than we would have at a value resort. Had I not bought a contract, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment not doing it.

 

[Disney Ella]

I have to admit, I was nervous about it & did breathe a sign of relief when I checked into the resorts & found they really did have a reservation for me.

Me too! I rented from someone on the boards and looked to see that she had been a member for a while. Not having control of the reservation is a little scary, but being able to stay at a DVC resort at a more reasonable price makes up for it.

 

[ruzer28]

I'll be staying at the VWL in October on my third DVC rental. As others have posted above, I have always made sure to rent from someone who is well-established on the boards, but I have always had a great experience. I'm spoiled now and I can't go back to a normal room after staying in a 1-bedroom villa.

 

[grumpalina]

we're hoping to do this next year, so it's heartening to see people reporting good experiences! my mom is thinking about buying into DVC and would like to stay at a few different places before she decides. this is a nice way to do it.

 

[geokeim]

There is another site that is useful when looking for a DVC property to rent.
I don't know if I can mention w/o getting my posting booted, so if you send me a private message I will tell you what I know.
Good Luck!

 

[tmills]

I just rented points from a DVC member I found on the boards. Our reservations are for Sept. of this year, but so far it has been a wonderful experience. MY DVC person has went above & beyond to help my family & I plan the perfect trip to WDW. He's given me helpful tips & sent me fun things he thought my children would like to do while we are there. I would highly recommend renting from a DVC member, just make sure to ask for references & check them. I can't wait for our trip, I'm counting down the days!!!!!!!

 

[dizplanner]

Couple of things about renting
1. It usually requires advance planning because DVC units book up fast. If you are looking for Animal Kingdom Villas for this June (under 2 months out), you are not likely to find any availability.
2. It requires being sure of your plans. Most owners have a non-refundable policy because the owner will lose the value of their points if you cancel and they cannot re-rent. The points are very restricted if you cancel within 31 days and depending on the owner's use year, their points might expire before they can rerent them (particularly since it is hard to find short term availability much of the year). Many owners will work with you to rebook if you can find alternate dates before their points expire and if there is availability.
3. As mentioned above, you need to feel comfortable with the person you are renting from since they own the reservation. It requires trust. In the vast majority of the cases, there is no problem. But you need to be aware of the warning signs of a scam.
4. Weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) cost more points (about double) than the rest of the week. So your savings drop if you have many weekend days.

Read up on the DVC boards if you are serious about renting. The more you understand about renting, the smoother things will go. Although be careful - I started to look into renting and ended up owning

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I rented points last Sept. It turned out to be great and where else can you get a 1000sf 1BR villa for less than $200 per night-on property?

It can be nerve racking, especially if you are OCD or a super planner to not have "control" of your reservation but for us it turned out very well. I'd like to do it again but since all my trips recently are "spur of the moment" (booked due to a special or AP rate) it's been better for me to book directly.