Renting Points Question

[DisneyStarWisher]

I have a strange scenario, and I hope someone can help. First, some background info--my DH is a high school social studies teacher who also sponsors the Beta Club. He has put together trips for the kids; in fact, they just got back from New York. Now they are wanting to go to Disney. My DH wants me to plan the trip instead of going through a tour company. (If I do this, I will definitely get an insurance policy to cover me.) I have already been looking at the prices at a value resort, but I just can't stand the thought of staying there after experiencing DVC! So, I'm wondering how safe is it to rent the points needed to stay at a DVC resort. I've never rented before. What do I need to do to ensure that it's a legitimate transaction? I will definitely get the non-refundable money from the kids before renting. I'm just worried about actually renting the points.

 

[Mert]

Hi I'm a DVC owner now for 10 years or so at Disney's BWV. Either way I've rented points several times through this site and never found it to be a problem. However you really should read the guidelines on this site to protect your interests. The guildelines are general however they give some great tips on protecting youself. Recently a friend of mine joined us on a trip and I didnt have enough points so he contacted DAVID"S and he was very pleased with them. I have nothing to do with them, but they did all the work and he was pleased. Good Luck

 

[DebbieB]

I have a strange scenario, and I hope someone can help. First, some background info--my DH is a high school social studies teacher who also sponsors the Beta Club. He has put together trips for the kids; in fact, they just got back from New York. Now they are wanting to go to Disney. My DH wants me to plan the trip instead of going through a tour company. (If I do this, I will definitely get an insurance policy to cover me.) I have already been looking at the prices at a value resort, but I just can't stand the thought of staying there after experiencing DVC! So, I'm wondering how safe is it to rent the points needed to stay at a DVC resort. I've never rented before. What do I need to do to ensure that it's a legitimate transaction? I will definitely get the non-refundable money from the kids before renting. I'm just worried about actually renting the points.

Since you are working with other's money, I personally would not do it. There is a small risk but if something did happen you would have a big mess. I work in insurance and am not sure how you would cover your liability in this situation. Not only for the money but you could get pulled in personally if someone would get hurt. Since it's school related, do you need school board approval? I would let them know about your arrangement.

 

[JimMIA]

Since you are working with other's money, I personally would not do it. There is a small risk but if something did happen you would have a big mess. I work in insurance and am not sure how you would cover your liability in this situation. Not only for the money but you could get pulled in personally if someone would get hurt. Since it's school related, do you need school board approval? I would let them know about your arrangement.

I agree. The biggest risk you would face would NOT be fraud in the rental transaction -- it would be some kid (or their parent) deciding not to go. You can say and write "Non-refundable" all you want, if someone's plans change you've got a real mess on your hands.

Also, from the perspective of the owner renting the reservation, renting to a group of high school kids (no matter how well supervised) is not most folks' plan made in Heaven. A DVC owner can be held responsible for damage to the villas, unpaid bills, etc, and I don't think many knowledgeable DVC owners would even consider such a rental.

Debbie's point about a kid getting sick or hurt is another consideration. You'd need a parental authorization for you to make health care decisions in the absence of the parents, but I'm sure the school system has provisions for that. You will need to have that form with you, and it will have to be presented to EMS or other medical providers before any treatment can be provided for anything other than a life-threatening emergency.

 

[CarolMN]

I agree with DebbieB.

IIRC, WDW has a special department that works with groups/schools. Maybe you could contact them and see what they could do. You could still coordinate things, but Disney would be dealing with the money, not you (at least I think that is how it works). Here's a place to start:

Group Reservations
(10 rooms or more)
(407) 828-3318

Good luck!

 

[Lynne M]

How many rooms would you need? You may end up with reservations from more than one owner, which would be more complicated than I'd want to deal with, especially if you'll be having to coordinate DME arrangements, dining plan, etc, among multiple owners.

I'd go with the value. You can work with Disney's group services to help with the arrangements, maybe plan some of the grand gathering events for the kids. I don't know if that would be available to you when you're renting points.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I agree with DebbieB.

IIRC, WDW has a special department that works with groups/schools. Maybe you could contact them and see what they could do. You could still coordinate things, but Disney would be dealing with the money, not you (at least I think that is how it works). Here's a place to start:

Group Reservations
(10 rooms or more)
(407) 828-3318

Good luck!

Thanks for the number. I will definitely call them to get more info.

As far as renting points, I guess I should have reworded that differently. I really would rather do a transfer so that I could be in charge of the reservation. I think I would have a hard time getting a transfer for the amount of points I would need.

I may check on getting some kind of discount at the moderates instead. I just really don't want to stay at the values (please, no flames, I'm just spoiled by DVC). I have always wanted to stay at Coronado though. I'll call that number and look into it.

Thanks again.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for the number. I will definitely call them to get more info.

As far as renting points, I guess I should have reworded that differently. I really would rather do a transfer so that I could be in charge of the reservation. I think I would have a hard time getting a transfer for the amount of points I would need.

I may check on getting some kind of discount at the moderates instead. I just really don't want to stay at the values (please, no flames, I'm just spoiled by DVC). I have always wanted to stay at Coronado though. I'll call that number and look into it.

Thanks again.

I agree with the others I would not want to be responsible for booking anything restricted for a school trip.

 

[Chuck S]

Disney cash reservation regularly book school groups, and can be more flexible with requirements. DVC would require at least one 18 year old per room, even if traveling on a group, unless you had all planned on sharing a single unit, like a Grand Villa.

I'll agree with the others, for a school type group, making arrangements through DIsney would likely be the best and most worry free method of travel.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Disney cash reservation regularly book school groups, and can be more flexible with requirements. DVC would require at least one 18 year old per room, even if traveling on a group, unless you had all planned on sharing a single unit, like a Grand Villa.

I'll agree with the others, for a school type group, making arrangements through DIsney would likely be the best and most worry free method of travel.

Oh, my! We would definitely NOT be staying in a GV! I'm not even sure I like staying in the same villa with my own kids, much less ones that aren't mine!

Most of the "kids" going will be 18. We will be doing the trip right after graduation. And I definitely want the worry-free way! I just hope we can get a good enough discount to stay in a moderate.

 

[RobDoc]

You might want to get a quote from Dreams Unlimited Travel, one of the sponsors of the DIS. They do work with large groups and do a great job.

You can contact them at DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com.