Renting points vs reservation s through Disney

[tinkerjo]

So DH and I are looking to go to WDW for our anniversary in February. We love WL, in particular Copper. Creek. I was looking at renting points for a studio, 5 nights $2250 approximately. Well I did the math and if there is a discount of 25% at the time we go, it would actually be cheaper than that. If I made a reservation now and called the minute discounts come out, is that the way to go? I know I run the chance that discounts would t be on my room type, but I could switch over to a regular room and wouldn’t be sad. (So I loose a microwave. The couch is the thing that DH would miss most) is this a good plan? I’m not opposed to some other resorts, but we just love the vibe of WL.

 

[Laura's Dad]

So DH and I are looking to go to WDW for our anniversary in February. We love WL, in particular Copper. Creek. I was looking at renting points for a studio, 5 nights $2250 approximately. Well I did the math and if there is a discount of 25% at the time we go, it would actually be cheaper than that. If I made a reservation now and called the minute discounts come out, is that the way to go? I know I run the chance that discounts would t be on my room type, but I could switch over to a regular room and wouldn’t be sad. (So I loose a microwave. The couch is the thing that DH would miss most) is this a good plan? I’m not opposed to some other resorts, but we just love the vibe of WL.

You would have to really look at the cancellation policy on your point rental. The reservation through Disney would be much easier to modify if any changes occurred. We have rented points before with a great savings, but you must be committed to the reservation.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’m a little confused. Are you thinking you can rent points and pivot if a discount comes out? Because that’s not usually how that works as PP said.

As for cash via Disney never book a rack rate you aren’t willing to pay. You cannot just apply discounts as discounts are only made available on a select amount of available units. If no units are available, or very few are, Disney has no reason to offer a discount on them so they won’t.

 

[Genie+]

I think what the post is asking is if booking a cash room now and watching for discounts seems like a good idea verses renting a DVC room on points now, especially because a cash discount may end up cheaper than the DVC rental (and it also has more generous terms). They are also willing to give up the ‘villa’ and just take a discounted cash room at Wilderness Lodge if an offer does not have villa inventory.

If that’s the case, yes I think booking the cash room is a good strategy.

 

[CarolynFH]

I second the recommendation to look at the DVC rental change and cancellation policy, because they’re almost always very restrictive as a result of how DVC points work. In general, you need to be committed 100% to the reservation. It’s not at all like making a cash reservation that can be cancelled without penalty.

 

[tinkerjo]

Sorry I wasn’t clear. Because we live i. Ohio renting points in February is chancy(we drive) so I like being able to cancel or change the reservation fairly last minute. I was thinking of booking a studio via the Disney website and hoping when discounts are released that I could save some money (knowing there may not be discounts on that room type and many have to change) but a 25% discount would even be a slightly better discount than renting points so I thought it was a chance worth taking

 

[tinkerjo]

I think what the post is asking is if booking a cash room now and watching for discounts seems like a good idea verses renting a DVC room on points now, especially because a cash discount may end up cheaper than the DVC rental (and it also has more generous terms). They are also willing to give up the ‘villa’ and just take a discounted cash room at Wilderness Lodge if an offer does not have villa inventory.

If that’s the case, yes I think booking the cash room is a good strategy.

Exactly, thank you

 

[CarolynFH]

Sorry I wasn’t clear. Because we live i. Ohio renting points in February is chancy(we drive) so I like being able to cancel or change the reservation fairly last minute. I was thinking of booking a studio via the Disney website and hoping when discounts are released that I could save some money (knowing there may not be discounts on that room type and many have to change) but a 25% discount would even be a slightly better discount than renting points so I thought it was a chance worth taking

Sorry I misunderstood. I agree with booking on cash and hoping for a discount - I’ve read multiple posts reporting success with that, although there are no guarantees, of course.

 

[tinkerjo]

I guess I never realized that the price could potentially be comparable. We have rented points in the past and was happy with it but the lack of flexibility worries me.

 

[Genie+]

Exactly, thank you

I just followed along somebody else doing this with the discounts that dropped last Thursday.

They were shooting for one of 3 DVC resort villas. Once the offer opened they kept checking inventory. It took 2 days of periodically checking to find their great match with Boardwalk. Even if you don’t see your favorite picks at first, availability does change so you may have luck later. Persistence can pay off Copper Creek’s a little hard but if included in the listed resorts - it is possible. Good luck! WL is a great back up plan. The odds are usually better.

 

[Harmacist]

For flexibility I'd probably book now and wait for discounts to drop.

Renting points is usually cheaper, but I've found it really depends on where you want to stay and what time of year. I have a CCV studio booked this coming August through Disney that was $296 pre-tax and like 2400 total for 7 nights. Adding paying for the hotel with discounted Giftcards bought from BJs/Target, and I don't think I could've gotten the room cheaper through renting.

I am also thinking that discounts may be large next year with Epic Universe looming, but that's just wishful thinking in my head though. I ,at a minimum, wouldn't expect discounts to be any worse than this year.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Sorry I wasn’t clear. Because we live i. Ohio renting points in February is chancy(we drive) so I like being able to cancel or change the reservation fairly last minute. I was thinking of booking a studio via the Disney website and hoping when discounts are released that I could save some money (knowing there may not be discounts on that room type and many have to change) but a 25% discount would even be a slightly better discount than renting points so I thought it was a chance worth taking

The problem with DVC reservations is that you will most likely lose money if you try to cancel or make any changes. I had booked a DVC reservation for the first time ever for our trip last April because I didn't think I could get a discount for a regular room. The whole thing blew up when our niece scheduled her wedding around the same time as our resort reservation. And then it turned out that I could have gotten a discount for a regular room after all. So, I won't rent DVC points again.

 

[TeamSy]

I guess I never realized that the price could potentially be comparable. We have rented points in the past and was happy with it but the lack of flexibility worries me.

I too was under the impression renting points was cheaper. We learned within the past 2 years or so that this is NOT the case. With the right discount (and they always seem to come if you're looking), booking directly through Disney came out cheaper each time. This year, we booked a 1 bedroom BCV when a discount came out through Disney for $400 cheaper than it would have been renting points. We pay less up front, have a MUCH more favorable cancellation policy. Plus daily housekeeping. You have to be patient for the right discount, or at least that has been our experience in the past.

 

[Marthasor]

So DH and I are looking to go to WDW for our anniversary in February. We love WL, in particular Copper. Creek. I was looking at renting points for a studio, 5 nights $2250 approximately. Well I did the math and if there is a discount of 25% at the time we go, it would actually be cheaper than that. If I made a reservation now and called the minute discounts come out, is that the way to go? I know I run the chance that discounts would t be on my room type, but I could switch over to a regular room and wouldn’t be sad. (So I loose a microwave. The couch is the thing that DH would miss most) is this a good plan? I’m not opposed to some other resorts, but we just love the vibe of WL.

I would book whatever is in your budget now and then modify, if you can, if discounts are released. Having an existing reservation does not up your chances of getting a discount and calling on the day a discount is released is not the way to go as there can be very long hold times. I would be online the day the discounts open to either modify your existing reservation or, if the website is not cooperating, book a new reservation (and cancel the old one) should CCV, BRV or WL become available in the discount inventory.

 

[georgina]

I too was under the impression renting points was cheaper. We learned within the past 2 years or so that this is NOT the case. With the right discount (and they always seem to come if you're looking), booking directly through Disney came out cheaper each time. This year, we booked a 1 bedroom BCV when a discount came out through Disney for $400 cheaper than it would have been renting points. We pay less up front, have a MUCH more favorable cancellation policy. Plus daily housekeeping. You have to be patient for the right discount, or at least that has been our experience in the past.

So, I have a rented studio at Saratoga Springs for 5 nights in March 2025 for $1500. The same room through Disney is $3240. You're telling me Disney will have a discount over 50% in March for DVC rooms? I seriously doubt it, but I will keep an eye on it for fun.

 

[tinkerjo]

So, I have a rented studio at Saratoga Springs for 5 nights in March 2025 for $1500. The same room through Disney is $3240. You're telling me Disney will have a discount over 50% in March for DVC rooms? I seriously doubt it, but I will keep an eye on it for fun.

That’s a really good price! Saratoga Springs has a cheaper points than some of the others making it more affordable to rent points. It’s a crapshoot, but for the resort I want, I think I will hold out and see if I can get a good discount. It’s just a 5 night trip for DH and I so not too picky, but after staying deluxe last year we kinda got spoiled

 

[georgina]

That’s a really good price! Saratoga Springs has a cheaper points than some of the others making it more affordable to rent points. It’s a crapshoot, but for the resort I want, I think I will hold out and see if I can get a good discount. It’s just a 5 night trip for DH and I so not too picky, but after staying deluxe last year we kinda got spoiled

I'm often offsite, so it is a splurge. David's rents SSR and OKW for $20/pt, so it is a great deal.

Last year I picked up a 4 night confirmed reservation at GF, which was a bucket list, one-and-done item. I feel OK balancing them with $93/nt off-site stays. I'm usually on solo trips, and my inner cheapskate often prevails.

 

[tinkerjo]

I'm often offsite, so it is a splurge. David's rents SSR and OKW for $20/pt, so it is a great deal.

Last year I picked up a 4 night confirmed reservation at GF, which was a bucket list, one-and-done item. I feel OK balancing them with $93/nt off-site stays. I'm usually on solo trips, and my inner cheapskate often prevails.

We did some off site trips for a few years to save money and it just didn’t work well for us( DH is done in the parks by 2-3 so he either would stay and be cranky or we left and I wasn’t returning with the kids by myself, it was too much trouble/time) it’s just so nice not to drive for a few days and feel relaxed and carefree. Yes, I can do that at a value and have considered it for our stay, but if I could get WL we would both be happy and we prefer the studio only for the couch to sit on.

 

[RoadsterGirlie]

We ALMOST had rented points for our trip in January 2025 at the Grand Floridian. However hubby got cold feet with that level of commitment. I ended up booking a cash room instead for the same dates at the same resort.

Others are right, by the time the rolling discounts drop, the pricing can be at least comparable to renting points with FAR better flexibility.

Glad I did do a cash reservation because at the end of the day I changed my mind and switched us to the Poly. Can’t wait for this trip!

 

[Counting Stars]

When in February are you planning to go? I think there is a run Disney event, princess half marathon at the end of the month. The 20th through the 24th. Something to be aware of if your anniversary is at the end of the month as this might affect both demand for studios and discounts offered.