**** renting points ****

[Disneymom83]

Any help on this would be much appreciated. Im looking at going to disney World in [travel months removed]. Is really prefer not to stay at the values as we really didn't like some of the things with the resort we stayed in this past trip. But I really don't want to pay out of pocket for a deluxe/Villa. Where can I find out about renting points and from a reputable company? And how do I find out how many points it takes for the resorts?

I appreciated any help!


EDIT: Just a reminder that we do not allow specifics, such as dates or resorts to be included in threads about rentals, except on the Rent/Trade board. Thanks - Chuck S)

 

[chalee94]

the simplest way is to go here and read the FAQs:

http://www.dvcrequest.com/

there is also a rent/trade board here on the DIS where you can rent directly from individual owners. there should be point charts linked in the top-right-hand corner of the screen, or else go here.

remember that:

1) you are not renting pts, you are renting a reservation. the DVC owner maintains control over the reservation until you check in. member services will not speak to you about the reservation, only the owner.

2) most owners have a no refund policy if you need to cancel. be sure about your plans.

3) DVC stays do not include daily housekeeping. it is a "home away from home" concept so you may have to take out your own trash and make your own beds.

 

[mrsp1030]

You can pay for additional housekeeping days if you want. We often add a cleaning day in when we rent points. If you want to go in May, you need to check as many places will already be booked.

 

[Disneymom83]

the simplest way is to go here and read the FAQs:

http://www.dvcrequest.com/

there is also a rent/trade board here on the DIS where you can rent directly from individual owners. there should be point charts linked in the top-right-hand corner of the screen, or else go here.

remember that:

1) you are not renting pts, you are renting a reservation. the DVC owner maintains control over the reservation until you check in. member services will not speak to you about the reservation, only the owner.

2) most owners have a no refund policy if you need to cancel. be sure about your plans.

3) DVC stays do not include daily housekeeping. it is a "home away from home" concept so you may have to take out your own trash and make your own beds.

Thank you for the info. It'll be a big help as this is the first time we would be "renting points" or the reservation. I love the deluxe resorts so hopefully I can find something good.

 

[Disneymom83]

You can pay for additional housekeeping days if you want. We often add a cleaning day in when we rent points. If you want to go in May, you need to check as many places will already be booked.

Can I ask how your experience has been with "renting points"?

 

[Apopper74]

I have rented points 2 times and both times have been fabulous experiences.

 

[mrsp1030]

I've had a positive experience as well. I've rented from the rent/trade board on here as well as ***********.

 

[crisi]

Do know that a DVC studio will not be like a regular hotel room. Most at WDW (except at OKW), have a queen bed and a pullout sofa. OKW has two real beds (VGF adds a pull down bed to sleep five). For many people this is fine, but if you are looking for two real beds (which is something a lot of people want in a hotel room when traveling as a family) you'll need OKW.

Also, as chalee said, most DVC reservations should be considered non-refundable and final. That also includes changing your mind on dates or deciding to add a night. It may or may not be possible. Be certain of what you want when you start looking. If being out the money if you have to cancel due to job loss, illness, work schedules, etc., would be a hardship, make sure to get insurance privately that will cover the contingencies.

 

[mrsp1030]

It all depends on what you want. We rented a studio at AKL as our first time renting and we had our two DS with us: ages 4,2. They didnt mind sharing a bed and loved it. I actually preferred it to two beds as we had more floor space during the day and the little coffee table provided a great sized table for them.

 

[Disneymom83]

Well it'll be myself, my husband, DD 10 (will be nearly 11 at time of travel), DS 4 (will be nearly 5 at time of travel), and DD 4 months (will be 10-11 months at time of travel). I was thinking a studio as I don't think we can afford a 1 bedroom right now but I'm not even sure if that's be big enough. I've never stayed in a studio so I wouldn't know how well it would work. I just dont want everyone tripping all over everything and everyone.

We went this past April and I was pregnant. I stayed at All Star sports and it was awful because the size was just way too small.

 

[Disneymom83]

I was thinking I'd like to stay at GF because it's right next to MK and along the monorail. Never stayed there and have always wanted to. I thought it would be amazing for the kids and all of us to have a MK view amd just be able to see the park from our room. Plus I thought it would be great to watch the fireworks from our room.

 

[mrsp1030]

I'm not sure when you plan to go but if you want VGF it will book up fast. Also, the VGF have lake views but not a MK view. You can see the electrical water parade but not necessarily the fireworks.

 

[rlovew]

Well it'll be myself, my husband, DD 10 (will be nearly 11 at time of travel), DS 4 (will be nearly 5 at time of travel), and DD 4 months (will be 10-11 months at time of travel). I was thinking a studio as I don't think we can afford a 1 bedroom right now but I'm not even sure if that's be big enough. I've never stayed in a studio so I wouldn't know how well it would work. I just dont want everyone tripping all over everything and everyone.

We went this past April and I was pregnant. I stayed at All Star sports and it was awful because the size was just way too small.

If you thought a value was to small with 4 then you will think a value is to small with 5 except at OKW.

 

[rlovew]

I was thinking I'd like to stay at GF because it's right next to MK and along the monorail. Never stayed there and have always wanted to. I thought it would be amazing for the kids and all of us to have a MK view amd just be able to see the park from our room. Plus I thought it would be great to watch the fireworks from our room.

There are no MK views at the GFV and while you can hear the fireworks loudly in the rooms you can't see them.

 

[greengeen]

Do some research before you get your hopes up. Renting a 1BR at VGF in May would run at least $500/night, and studio (if they were available, which they are not) around $300/night. You could, however, get an OKW studio - which would be best for a family your size - for just under $200/night.

 

[Chuck S]

I agree, with the make up of your party and if you want a larger room, OKW would be the best. Preferably a one bedroom, but an OKW studio would be better than All Stars. Plus OKW takes fewer points per night than other onsite DVC resorts...so the rentals would be less expensive on a budget.

Just be aware that OKW is a "condo" style DVC resort. There is no room service meals like at the DVCs that are "attached" to other Disney cash resorts. Though you can order in Pizza from Port Orleans for delivery, or any offsite place that delivers. I occasionally gift an OKW 2 bedroom unit to friends with 3 kids (though their kids are older) and the kids prefer OKW over any other resort because of the room layout.

 

[Disneymom83]

Do some research before you get your hopes up. Renting a 1BR at VGF in May would run at least $500/night, and studio (if they were available, which they are not) around $300/night. You could, however, get an OKW studio - which would be best for a family your size - for just under $200/night.

THanks! What is OKW?

 

[KS_Disney_Dad]

Old Key West.

We did a studio with 2 kids and a baby in a pack n play and had plenty of room. We weren't tripping over luggage or trying to squeeze by the pack n play to get to the bathroom (which is HUGE!). OKW also has their own buses (at least they did in 2010) which is a plus. We loved OKW and would go back again.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you thought the All Stars were small (and you want to be close to the MK), you definitely won't want the Bay Lake Tower studio. It is very, very small. Especially for a group the size of yours. OKW will have two queen beds and a nice, large bathroom in the studio. Easy to bathe the baby in the tub.

Basically, a studio is just a hotel room. Most of the studios have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa, except for OKW with two queen beds and GFV with one queen bed, one double sleeper sofa and the murphy bed (twin sized). But the GFV studio will require as many points as an OKW one bedroom villa. And then you might as well take the OKW one bedroom with the full sized washer and dryer right in the villa (really handy with kids who might have lots of soiled clothing). You can head home with a suitcase full of clean clothing.

The OKW one bedroom villa would have one king bed in the bedroom, a queen sized sleeper sofa in the living room and a twin sized sleeper chair in the living room. And a pack and play for the baby.

Your only problem might be a lack of elevators. OKW is more like a community than a hotel. So the two and three story buildings don't have elevators. The stairs aren't difficult at all, unless you are hauling two strollers, a baby, and lots of other stuff.

 

[crisi]

In terms of square footage the rooms ARE bigger than a value room, but much of the space is used up by a queen bed rather than a full and a kitchenette. So you don't end up with spacious - particularly if you need the pullout to be a bed.