Talk To Me About Renting DVC...

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I've read that brides have rented DVC points for their stay...This might be a great option for us. Give me some info!
Did you find people willing to rent on the rent/trade points board?
How does the transaction work?
Did you have any issues at check in?
Were you able to get the dinning plan?

Any other info greatly appreciated!

 

[carps09]

We are honeymooning at Disney in October and decided to rent points for the first time. I read through all the stickys on the DVC Rent Board and then I posted the dates that I was looking for. I heard from about 12 people and then selected the one I thought I wanted to work with. I asked them for references of prior renters and I received a very prompt response. With so many glowing reviews, I decided to rent the points. The owner sent us the Disney paperwork confirming our reservation and then we paid her via PayPal. The entire process was very easy, and the owner was excellent to work with. We did add the Deluxe Dining Plan, which we will pay for when we check in (you can't pay it up front like you do with a Magic Your Way Package). Obviously we haven't had our honeymoon yet, but I suspect everything will go smoothly.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Thanks for the response. I'm thinking this might be out best options...I'm perusing that board as well.

 

[MainStMandy]

I have rented a few times and have always found it easy and way cheaper. I would try to find someone renting for $10-$11 a point...I paid $12 for our honeymoon but that was because rooms were going fast and I wanted to lock in our ressie. I have rented both with people who have contracts and who have not. The most recent one I paid him 30% down, he sent the contract and the copy of the actual ressie in my name and I owe him the rest 150 days before. It's been great. We are staying at the BWV for a week for only $800!!!

 

[missy0107]

I rented when I went with my mom last year. We are renting this year for wedding honeymoon, I have 2 rooms booked, a studio and a 1 br. I usually look for bargains, I got my ressies for $8.50 a point this year, last year I got $9.50 a point. Depends on the resort you want (more popular, more $ per point). I had luck both posting my own post in the rent/trade board and also responding to offers. I love the quietness of the DVC resorts, it so worth the $$ to be able to walk onto a bus at park closing rather than waiting for the Value buses.

You CAN get the dining plan, but the rooms have kitchens so for some that may allow you to save $$ by bringing basics and taking leftovers back to your room. My mom and I did the DP last year and it was a lot of food for the 2 of us.

One of the people I rented from came to my house (LOCAL!) and picked up my check for full payment. The other wanted 50% up front to reserve and the rest when I received the official confirmation from Disney.

 

[lurkyloo]

We've rented a bunch! We stayed at Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge on our honeymoon, and Beach Club again for our anniversary. We're staying at Grand Californian Villas for my birthday in a few months, and we're staying at Beach Club and Bay Lake Tower in December.

I definitely think it's the best deal going for Deluxe Disney accomodations (well, except at Bay Lake Tower, which requires way more points).

The only thing that was scary for me the first time we rented was that renters are not in control of their reservations. We can't call DVC and put in room requests or even verify that the owner hasn't cancelled our reservation after we paid them. However, it is not really in owners' best interesst to cancel a reservation (especially when it's within the last 4 months of their Use Year, when there are restrictions on what they can do with those points).

The person we've rented from takes a 50% deposit up front and the rest about 2 months before the reservation date, but this may be an unusual arrangement.

 

[Beep]

We rented a couple of years ago and it was brilliant, so easy and cheap! We gave the resi we were interested in, the DVC member checked for us and when we accepted we paid a deposit. The rest was paid when we received the paperwork. We also had dining that the DVC member organised and we paid for it on check in.

We are renting again for our wedding week at the BWV (with the same DVC member as she kept the points for us) and we have upgraded to the garden view villas. We also have a couple of nights in a preferred view villa for my parents and it has cost a fraction of the rack rate.

You can check on the Florida Comptroller website to see if they do own the points as an extra security. Put the name of the DVC member in the bottom left field. I know it's not a guarantee but will give piece of mind that they do own the points.

We checked on the Osceola one to make sure the people we were getting the villa from owned it too.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. For deluxe stays I think it is worth it...Hmmmm...I hate it when I start thinking like this...

 

[LLLBelle]

I have to agree, DFi and I didn't even think we would be able to afford a honeymoon and were going to settle for value, which would have sufficed, but when it is not much more to rent for a Deluxe resort, why not?! We're staying at BWV in January for 6 nights and paid about 9.40/point for a BW view, so excited. We paid 50% up front through paypal and owe the remainder 60 days prior.

 

[figment fan21]

Everyone has given you the answers already but i just wanted to let you know that it is DEFINATLY worth it and a great way to save money but stay at the deluxe resorts!!! If you need any help let me know, we rented for our last trip and for the wedding

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Thanks for all the insight! It has helped a ton!

 

[Beep]

Not sure if you've seen this but it gives you an idea of how many points you need for what type of room and resort.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Alex thanks!

 

[BecBennett]

Just hijacking, but how far in advance can you book? I think I read something along the line of 11 or 7 months?

 

[lurkyloo]

If the resort you want is a Home Resort of the person you're renting from, you can book at 11 months. However, if they own their points at some other DVC resort, they won't be able to make a reservation for you until 7 months out.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Bec thanks for asking...I didn't think of that!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Hi everyone! I had a few questions for those who have done this before. My fiance are heading to the World in April (getting engagments pics done by Randy while were there, yay!) and we are both students strapped for cash so we were planning on staying at the Pop. My fiance hasn't been to Disney since he was little but I go several times a year with my family. After doing a little research it seems like renting DVC points is a much more economical way of staying somewhere nicer, and I have figured out that I think we could stay at BLT for only $50 more per night than Pop if we can get a reasonable deal on points ($10/pp). I am a little worried however about there not being much of any cancelation policy at all if we go this route, because my grandfather has stage 4 lung cancer right now and I am worried about losing our money if heaven forbid something happened to him at that time. I am also staying at BLT for the Marathon in Jan but only for 2 nights with my family, and I now my fiance would just love it there! So anyone have any advice for me? Would really appreciate it! Sorry that was so long! Thanks!!
Marissa

PS. On an unrelated note, my Dad bought me a pair of the bridal ears after I got engaged and I was just wondering what the etiquette was with when you wear em in the parks? Do you wait until your married or wear them when your engaged? Haha just wondering

 

[soulmates]

I am SUCH a big fan of renting! We went to the Wilderness Lodge Villas this past August and the price was LESS than a week at a moderate!! They treated us as if we were the OWNERS. We had free valet parking, and so much more. They took great care of us....unfortunatly, my DP says, now that she's stayed at a deluxe, there is NO way she can ever stay anywhere else! Guess she's a resort snob now!!

Our plan was to rent points for the BWV's but last night we checked out Old Key West and fell in love with the zero entry pool. Crazy, how a pool can be the "Deal Breaker!" So, we'll see what we can do. Our friends who rented us points the last time, are helping us again! Go for it~!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Thanks! Anyone else? Where's Luryloo and all the others who've done this? Any advice? Thanks!

 

[LLLBelle]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather.

I think if you can swing it, do it!

As far as a cancellation policy, it really depends on the seller. Also I'm not sure of all the legality of DVC, but it will matter if the seller can rent the points again, changing certain things within a certain time period. I am not terribly familar with the details of how that part works.

I know with the contract I have with a renter, I would lose my deposit if I have to cancel and I have to pay any extra fees that may incur from cancelling.

I would be upfront with the renter and see what happens. Discuss it in the beginning to avoid issues if you do have to cancel. I hope nothing does happen, but I would rather be safe than sorry.