Saved $2119.95

[derncare]

I just wanted to second all this. We are heading to our second trip to WDW at the end of Nov/beg of Dec this year. I had originally booked a room at the All Star Movies resort as with everything we are planning, this is all we could afford. It is my DREAM though to stay at Animal Kindgom Lodge. I picked up the Unofficial Guide Book and was reading it and it gave some info on renting DVC points. I did some research and low and behold, only a week later, I have now cancelled my All Star Movies reservations (got a full refund) and am now staying at my dream ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE with a Savanna View for a few $ cheaper overall than it would have cost us at All Star Movies. I can't tell you how excited I've been - cloud 9! I recommend you look on mousesavers.com under their DVC info. All the way at the bottom it gives you some information as to how to go about in the safest manner possible in renting points. I followed all their steps and I am very content that this is legit. I can't wait to stay at AKL. It's a dream come true!

 

[DVCBELLE]

Also, keep in mind there are only so many allotted free Give-A-Day tickets; and I'm wondering if there will be any left by December 15. Just a thought.

There is a limit to the vouchers not the tickets - in other words - if you earn the voucher you can redeem it - so as long as you get signed up and do the work - they will not deny your voucher at the gate

I always reccomend people stay on DVC points - my brother is going with us in Sept. - he got a quote at POP for $2400 for the week (tickets & dining). He is paying $50 more and will be at BWV now.

 

[bumbershoot]

What kind of savings can be had?

I signed up for the mousesavers newsletter, which comes out of the 15th of each month. Went through the special link inside the newsletter to undercovertourist, and I was able to buy a kid's 7 day base ticket for 199.95. There is no shipping cost with UCT.

The same ticket through disneyworld.com is $214.07.

 

[blanq]

I originally booked a two bedroom Beach Club Villa for 6 adults and two children for this coming December, on line, total cost with park tickets and meal plan $7570.95. I then went on the DVC trade/rent site and rented a Boardwalk, two bedroom villa, for the same time period, at $10.00 per point, cost $1690.00. The tickets will cost me about $2231.00, and the meal plan around $1530.00, total cost about $5451.00 or a savings of over $2000.00 over the on line Disney price. Just something to think about.

I think that many on this board are already aware of the renting points option, and make connections through the DVC rent/trade board here on the DIS, but it is good to post your experience for those who don't realize it is an option. I have rented points a number of times, and likely will for an Oct trip I am planning. Renting points saves tons of money over rack, or even discounted rates, through WDW directly. It allows you to stay in accommodations in resorts that have plenty of amenities, and having some kitchen facilities is nice too as it can help you cut down on meal expenses.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I just wanted to second all this. We are heading to our second trip to WDW at the end of Nov/beg of Dec this year. I had originally booked a room at the All Star Movies resort as with everything we are planning, this is all we could afford. It is my DREAM though to stay at Animal Kindgom Lodge. I picked up the Unofficial Guide Book and was reading it and it gave some info on renting DVC points. I did some research and low and behold, only a week later, I have now cancelled my All Star Movies reservations (got a full refund) and am now staying at my dream ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE with a Savanna View for a few $ cheaper overall than it would have cost us at All Star Movies. I can't tell you how excited I've been - cloud 9! I recommend you look on mousesavers.com under their DVC info. All the way at the bottom it gives you some information as to how to go about in the safest manner possible in renting points. I followed all their steps and I am very content that this is legit. I can't wait to stay at AKL. It's a dream come true!

Are you renting at Jambo or Kidani? Both have AKV but are separate buildings with separate check-in...

Remember that the MEMBER owns and controls the reservation... you can't change it or add/delete anything since member service's will speak only to the member... so, for example, if you want to add DDP or ME, the member must call and do this...

For many people who are interested in renting, this is the deal breaker... you really have to trust the person you are renting from... not that it is likely to happen, but, for example the member might be having financial problems and sell their DVC cancelling all future reservations... I mean, you don't know what could happen and not having control makes some folks nervous...

Still, for the price and the accommodations, it's a great deal!

 

[waltsdouble]

Maybe I really lucked out with the DVC owner I'm dealing with. She lived close, so, I was able to make face to face contact, and she's been great with talking to member services with my requests. I just hope everyone has the same luck.

 

[flakypuff]

I've rented twice now. first time was $600 for a week at BWV (studio). I just recently rented, currently at SSR but hoping to change to BLT at 7 months. I've paid less than $500 for 4 nights in a studio.

I just wanted to second all this. We are heading to our second trip to WDW at the end of Nov/beg of Dec this year. I had originally booked a room at the All Star Movies resort as with everything we are planning, this is all we could afford. It is my DREAM though to stay at Animal Kindgom Lodge. I picked up the Unofficial Guide Book and was reading it and it gave some info on renting DVC points. I did some research and low and behold, only a week later, I have now cancelled my All Star Movies reservations (got a full refund) and am now staying at my dream ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE with a Savanna View for a few $ cheaper overall than it would have cost us at All Star Movies. I can't tell you how excited I've been - cloud 9! I recommend you look on mousesavers.com under their DVC info. All the way at the bottom it gives you some information as to how to go about in the safest manner possible in renting points. I followed all their steps and I am very content that this is legit. I can't wait to stay at AKL. It's a dream come true!

You guys make it seem alot easier than I thought..thanks. I am going to take a look!

 

[JamieW]

We go in the offseason and we have gotten the boardwalk and wilderness for $90 a night! Now that we have 3 kids we cant get a studio anymore, so we are out of luck unless we want the 2 bdrm. But for a long time this saved us a ton of money!

we ordered tickets thru the mousesavers link to undercover tourist.

You can rent a 1 bedroom at BLT or AKV.

 

[Lucky4me]

We've rented points for a studio off season Sun-Fri and bought park tix from undercover tourist.
Can't beat those savings.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

great thread, I've always wanted to rent points but there are so many questions about it...this thread answered many of them!

How can you find a renters rating? Surely the DIS isn't the only place where people rent their points?

 

[G's mommy]

I have rented points through the Dis boards 5 times in the last 2 years, all 5 with different owners and I have had nothing but A+ experiences with each and every one. Twice I even needed to change my dates and they were willing to work with me and even though I had to switch resorts, they were able to accomodate my situation. Just be aware that if you do need to cancel or change anything after the reservation is made, you may not be able to do it all, or it may require you switching resorts. You need to have your dates set in stone before contacting the owner. Also, have a first, second and maybe even a third choice on resorts. If you have your heart set on one particular resort, such as the Beach Club villas, then find an owner that has Beach Club as their home resort. DVC members can make reservations 11 months out at their home resort, only 7 months out at other resorts. This really comes into play if you are trying to go over a holiday (Thanksgiving and Christmas) or during peak summer vacation travel times. Another thing to remember is Friday and Saturday night stays cost double the points of week nights. Weekend nights are not that good a deal. I always rent points for Sunday - Friday, then move to another resort for the weekend if I am staying the extra nights. I can usually book a resort room with a code cheaper than paying weekend points. Be sure to get all terms in writing when negotiating with your owner. Most have some type of contract. I like to pay a deposit, then pay balance when I get the confirmation in hand. Some owners want all the money up front, some are willing to let you make payments. It varies from owner to owner. Start watching the board, you will get an idea of how things work.

 

[delmar411]

great thread, I've always wanted to rent points but there are so many questions about it...this thread answered many of them!

How can you find a renters rating? Surely the DIS isn't the only place where people rent their points?

there are other dvc owners sites but they can't be listed here on the DIS. As to ratings, there doesn't appear to be anyplace that I've found that hosts rental FB. It would be to have IMO but there wouldn't be anyway to really know if it was legit so I guess that's why it's not out there already.

But unless someone is a first time renter, they should have references to offer that you as the buyer should definitely be checking.

 

[delmar411]

[snip] Another thing to remember is Friday and Saturday night stays cost double the points of week nights. Weekend nights are not that good a deal. I always rent points for Sunday - Friday, then move to another resort for the weekend if I am staying the extra nights. I can usually book a resort room with a code cheaper than paying weekend points. [snip]

Point charts have changed. Weekend points and weekday points have been shuffled around so it's a good idea to take a look at the resort charts before deciding on days to stay.

 

[waltsdouble]

Just one last thing to think about. (I love playing with numbers) Two rooms for my party of 8 at Pop Century, same dates, DDP, and tickets: $4954.55. So for another $500.00 I get a preferred view, 2 bedroom Villa at the Boardwalk, same meals, same tickets.

 

[Tiger926]

Just to let people know, that our DVC dining bookings are changing, as confirmed on our DVC board today from our brand new current DVC member magazine.

We will be required to pay for the Dining Plan upon booking - it used to be that we could pay for the DP (we don't have to buy tickets, as already mentioned) upon check-in, but this is changing over the next few months. Not sure what this means for rentals, as owners have to make all arrangements, as Member Services will not deal with renters. It'll be interesting to see how this is implemented.

Just something else to inform you about. Good luck to OP and anyone else renting points. We love DVC, but don't rent our points.

Happy travels, Tiger

 

[DVCBELLE]

We used to be able to book up to two days before we left and then pay for it upon arrival. My understanding is that we will still be able to book until 2 days ahead of time and pay for the DDP upon adding it to your reservation.

You could never add the DDP upon check-in

 

[WDWjen]

I didnt mean to suggest I got the room through UT. Just the tickets....using the Mousesavers link. As for renting points...

I read through the entire rent/trade board here on the Disboards.
I posted what I wanted and then also responded to those willing to rent.
I got the owner's phone# and called and we spoke for a while until I felt secure..once he made the reservation I called the hotel to confirm my name was on the reservation.
I sent a check to the owner for the amount (9 points a night at $10/point =$90 x 5 nights = $450) no taxes no other charges. Other times I've used paypal. (we've stayed at BWV, VWL, and SS using points)

Keep in mind, it was off season and was a standard studio, I was flexible with dates, and I wasnt picky about what was available.. I only booked a few months out (last minute decision to take the trip) and I waited to buy airfare until he told me what was available.

We originally did it because we were thinking of joining DVC and we wanted to really see if it was something we wanted..(we do, but cant afford it)

Bottom line -if you can be flexible -you get to stay onsite at a deluxe resort and the benefit of having kitchenette saves even MORE money!

 

[mom of princessx2]

All you renters beware there is one problem with renting. Sometimes you become an owner!!

I fell in love with DVC

 

[Tiger926]

We used to be able to book up to two days before we left and then pay for it upon arrival. My understanding is that we will still be able to book until 2 days ahead of time and pay for the DDP upon adding it to your reservation.

You could never add the DDP upon check-in

Sorry - I just read my post and I meant 'pay' for dining plan upon check-in, so I just edited it.

Thanks. Tiger

 

[DVCBELLE]

At first I thought you were totally off your rocker b/c I had just read my Disney Files and did not see what you were talking about - then I saw how sneaky they were putting it in there - so thanks for pointing it out!!