Some questions about renting DVC points.

[Son of Gadsden]

We have been thinking about buying DVC for a while, but we really started looking into renting a few weeks ago. I saw someone on the forums say they don't buy room reservations anymore, they rent every trip. When I looked at the prices, I was shocked. You can get a monorail resort for cheaper than a moderate. I looked into doing that for our current trip, but we were too late and everything was booked. What is the catch for renting? Why buy when you can rent for so cheap? How soon do places like GF and BLT book up for offseasons? And, last question, is your ability to cancel gone once you book? In other words, for this trip I could cancel and get my money back up to like 2 days. For DVC, once you buy the points and book, can you cancel and get your money/points back?

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[disneynutz]

11 months before check in is the earliest that members can book.

The owner keeps control of the reservation so there can be some risk in renting.

Renting is usually a final transaction with no refunds due to the nature of the DVC point usage rules.

Bill

 

[browniemtb]

When you rent you do not have any control over that reservation. So cancellations would be up to the renter and as the above post stated most times all sales are final with no cancellations. In the past I've moved things around but never had to cancel. Booking is another thing, depending on the time of year and which resort you really would have difficulty booking last minute as do DVC owners themselves. Now booking and paying for Disney Dining and ME all would have to be done through the owner.

That being said, I do agree that renting is a great value but for my family I enjoy the ownership experience and having direct control of every aspect of the stay.

 

[drusba]

DVC reservations have the following rules: you can book at your home resort (one at which you own) starting 11 months out from date of arrival and at another non-home DVC resort at 7 months out from date of arrival. If you cannot do at least 7 months out your choices threafter can be real limited and then, for end of Sep through marathon weekend in Jan, you should be booking during the 11 month window if you want a near park villas resort (Boardwalk, Beach Club, Bay Lake or Grand Floridian). DVC's high demand season by far is that end of Sep (when Food & Wine begins) through marathon weekend in Jan quarter. The rest of the year is essentially off-season for DVC demand, even the holidays, in that at 7 months out lots of things are still available even at near park resorts. In essence, what you may think of as high, medium and off season for Disney hotels and park crowds is inapplicable to DVC room demand. There are also certain categories of rooms that are highly popular and of limited number for which you usually need to reserve with the 11 month window for most any time of year: Animal Kingdom club level and value rooms, Bay Lake Tower standard view, BWV standard and boardwalk view, BWV Grand Villas, and OKW Grand Villa at the Hospitality House area, and likely once the resort is sold, Grand Floridian studios.. Also BCV and BLT Theme Park view can sometimes have issues at 7 months out at times in June and around holidays like July 4.

Most who rent have a policy of full payment up front and no return of funds if you cancel. You are renting from DVC members who can effectively lose the ability to use their points if you cancel. Moreover, you should also not assume it is easy to change a reservation to more days or another resort. Some will do it but the change may not be possible due to no availability.

Also be aware that you do not get daily room service with a DVC rental. They empty trash and replenish towels and sundries on the 4th day (you get full cleaning on the 4th day and trash and towel service on the 8th if you are staying 8 nights or more).

 

[Son of Gadsden]

Thank you guys so much for the information.

So, basically, the difference between renting and owning is about the same as renting anything else in life. It's cheaper than buying, but you're also running the risk of a bad owner, and you can't necessarily paint the walls the color you want.

That's all good to me. We don't really make ADRs and all that.

I think we may pursue renting for our next trip and possibly buy when we're a bit older. We're early 20s, and it's probably not a great idea to jump into a contract quite yet.

 

[chalee94]

Why buy when you can rent for so cheap?

if you got in a few years back, it was cheaper to buy in. i'm paying less than $8 per pt as a buyer instead of paying $13 per pt to rent...some who bought in earlier are doing even better. but if you have to buy in at $120 - $150...i'm not sure the value is there, no.

How soon do places like GF and BLT book up for offseasons?

hard to say. for one thing, the period from october to mid-dec (excluding thanksgiving) is relatively low season for the parks but is still super busy for DVC bookings. lower point costs per night typically mean the villas book up earlier. booking 6-7 months ahead will limit your options considerably.

And, last question, is your ability to cancel gone once you book? In other words, for this trip I could cancel and get my money back up to like 2 days. For DVC, once you buy the points and book, can you cancel and get your money/points back?

some people are nervous about having to book 10-11 months out with no cancel option...with a reservation that is NOT with disney but with an individual, who still has control of the reservation until you check in (so if the owner lapses in paying their DVC dues or decides to cancel the reservation and run - which is extremely rare but not unheard of - you would be out of luck.)

that's another reason why i bought in: i like dealing with disney directly and having control over the reservation.

 

[jockotaco]

I bought 125 points at $135 PP. I'm happy with what I purchased and enjoy the benefits of being a DVC member. With that being said rather than add on we have points transferred or rent a day or two from David's when we need more. I like this because I am not locked into large yearly dues and typically (I have points transferred in more than rent from someone) have control over the reservation.

 

[mcorbo]

Different owners also have different payment terms. Most will required payment in full once they send you the confirmation from DVC.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The main thing to understand is that you are not dealing with Disney at all. It's all between you and an individual who owns a Disney timeshare. So, if you have problems, you deal with the owner. If you think you can rent a smaller sized unit (like a studio) and get a free upgrade to a one bedroom or better view, that doesn't happen. There is no free dining. No buy four get three free. No Kids play for free. Unless the owner wants to offer that to you.

You purchase your own tickets. The member sets up Magical Express for you if you fly. If you have room requests, the member has to put them in or you go with what is available with online check in with the check boxes. Currently DVC members can purchase the dining plan, but you would have to pay the member and they pay Disney.

You don't get DVC member perks. Just resort perks, like getting your purchases sent back to your resort and extra magic hours.

Very few members offer any cancelation policy at all. Once you purchase the reservation, you've bought it, even if you can't go. And you lose any money you have paid the member. DVC points have expiration and there are limits to how they can be used. What you see on the Disney website is not what is available for points.

 

[crisi]

Renting isn't cheaper than buying RESALE over the long term. If you can buy VAKL for $74 a point, pay about $5 in dues, and use it every year, you'll have saved money over renting in about ten years - depending on how much you are able to rent for. If you can make use of discounts and perks you'll only get as a member, you'll do better faster. You get control over your points and your reservation, which means less risk.

But renting has a huge advantage that seldom gets mentioned , IF you can find an owner to book for you eleven months out, DVC availability is more plentiful than an owner who only gets to book "home" eleven months out and must wait and see what is available at seven months everywhere else.

One thing to be aware of with any kind of points reservation - member or renter - there are no "deals" from Disney - no free dining (which can make a DVC rental more expensive than booking at Disney in some cases).