Things that first time DVC rentals need to know

[tstidm1]

This is my first time in three years in May, 2016 to WDW and I'm thinking about renting DVC for the trip. What are some tips in renting points? Do I need to make a reservation at the seven month point? Does the point rental fee include hotel tax? Where are places to avoid renting from (know not to rent from EBay or Craigslist)?

 

[Missyrose]

This is my first time in three years in May, 2016 to WDW and I'm thinking about renting DVC for the trip. What are some tips in renting points? Do I need to make a reservation at the seven month point? Does the point rental fee include hotel tax? Where are places to avoid renting from (know not to rent from EBay or Craigslist)?

Depending on the resort you want, you'd would be MUCH better off booking the rental during the home resort window (that starts at 11 months out from the arrival date). If you don't have your heart set on one particular resort, you can wait longer.

DVC reservations do not get daily housekeeping.

Most rentals cannot be canceled or changed once the reservation is booked (no date changes especially).

Some owners and brokers require an upfront payment once the reservation is made. No paying it down like you can through Disney.

The owner you rent from has to add DME, DDP and room requests for you. Member Services won't talk to the renter, only the owner.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You want to purchase trip insurance if there is the slightest chance you will need to cancel so you can get a refund. There are usually no refunds with DVC rentals.

Never purchase a DVC stay that is fixed for seven nights, especially starting on a Friday, Sat or Sun. Big clue: there is a $95 fee or the seller will give you a gift card to pay the $95 at check in. Those are RCI trades and not eligible for selling ("renting"). Both DVC and RCI can cancel them if they find out the reservation has been sold.

Don't plan on an upgrade to larger or better view villa. DVC doesn't give upgrades (even for cash) except when the villa you were supposed to be in is suddenly pulled from inventory for a mechanical or maintenance issue and they have no others to give you.

There is no hotel tax on timeshares except for Aulani.

Ignore any private messages you get in response to this thread you have started of offers to rent you points. Those are not allowed, mostly to protect you from unsavory types who want to cheat you.

What you see on the Disney Reservation Center website is not what is available for points stays. There are two separate inventories. Anytime a member trades out points for non-DVC stays (except for RCI trades), DVC has to pay for that stay. So they sell the equivalent villa stay to pay for the non-DVC stay. So if a member or broker tells you that "X" is not available for points at this time and you see it on the DRC website, it isn't available for points.

Book your stay as soon as you can (the closer to 11 months out the better) to insure you have a chance at getting what you want. Some booking categories need to be booked right at 11 months out when booking opens either on line or on the phone to Member Services (like AKV Concierge villas) because they are either limited or popular.

Members book stays at 11 months out for F&W, early Dec, Marathon, Christmas just to mention a few hard times to book.

 

[DenLo]

Studios do not have a washer and dryer in the room. They have a queen bed and a pull out couch. Some have a pull down murphy bed that is the size of a single bunk bed, so they would sleep five guests.

The 1BRs at WDW that have beds for five are BLT, AKV and OKW as they all have pull out chairs in the living room in addition to the pull out couch and at VGF, the 1BRs have a pull down murphy bed. In fact in a lock off VGF 2BR there is a pull down murphy bed in the 1BR and the studio, so the lockoff sleeps 10. That is the only DVC 2BR that sleeps 10. Note all 1BRs are listed as sleeping five but only the ones I mentioned have beds for the fifth person.

Most DVC villas have either a patio for the first floor rooms or a balcony on the higher floors. They widely vary in size and width.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And the one bedroom villas that don't officially sleep five and allow a fifth means you bring an airbed, sheets, pillows, blankets and towels. You won't have any of those for the fifth person.

One more thing. If you want more shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, etc, you will pay for those. You get what you get when you arrive and they are replaced every four days. Same with towels. You get one bath towel for each sleeping space and they are replaced every four days. If you want more, you can pay for extra cleaning (either Trash & Towel service or full cleaning) or buy a towel pack for $6. And you'll need another of those on day four.

 

[chalee94]

This is my first time in three years in May, 2016 to WDW and I'm thinking about renting DVC for the trip. What are some tips in renting points? Do I need to make a reservation at the seven month point?

for a may trip, you should have plenty of options at the 7 month window (don't count on BLT-standard, BWV-standard or AKV-club or value villas).

DVC books up more quickly for fall trips (especially nov/dec).

Does the point rental fee include hotel tax?

DVC owners pay property taxes so (other than hawaii) there is usually no double taxation.

the only other random comment i would add is that if you want a studio with 2 "real" beds, OKW is your only option within DVC. (but i have slept on the pullout sofabeds and they are generally pretty nice.)

 

[MrsNuke]

This will be my 4th trip on points, and I can't recommend it enough! However, I do have a new wrinkle that I'm hoping you all can help with...

My oldest and her best friend have decided to join us partway through our upcoming trip. I'm sure my owner will happily add them to our reservation when she gets my email, but I'm wondering how that works on the MDE site? Will the reservation automatically update with their names, or will I need to do something to it? My FP date is coming up in a few weeks, and I'd love to be prepared...TIA!

 

[JWG]

MDE is hit or miss. You (they) may or may not have to log in and enter the reservation number. Once they're added, if you don't see the reservation under their accounts then simply add it by entering the reservation number and it will update. When I made my last personal reservation my own MDE account didn't show the reservation, but when I tried to add it I received an error saying this individual is already on the reservation and it appeared.

Odd things happen when it involves Disney IT

 

[erocrobro]

I'm glad I found this thread as I am considering renting points for a stay in June 2016. My biggest question involves the parks. Is everything that would be available to a standard resort guest available to DVC guests? I'm thinking along the lines of MDE, FP+, dining reservations, etc.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

for a may trip, you should have plenty of options at the 7 month window (don't count on BLT-standard, BWV-standard or AKV-club or value villas).

DVC books up more quickly for fall trips (especially nov/dec).

Hi there! We are planning BLT 2 bed for Early December renting points. If we aren't worried about standard do we have to do this at 11 months or would you recommend 11 months?

 

[canadiandisneynut]

I'm glad I found this thread as I am considering renting points for a stay in June 2016. My biggest question involves the parks. Is everything that would be available to a standard resort guest available to DVC guests? I'm thinking along the lines of MDE, FP+, dining reservations, etc.

Everything is available. Dining will be the same and included if you add a dining plan on through DVC. FP+ and MDE are the same as well!

 

[disneynutz]

I'm glad I found this thread as I am considering renting points for a stay in June 2016. My biggest question involves the parks. Is everything that would be available to a standard resort guest available to DVC guests? I'm thinking along the lines of MDE, FP+, dining reservations, etc.

Parks are the same, a resort guest is a resort guest.

Bill

 

[chalee94]

I'm glad I found this thread as I am considering renting points for a stay in June 2016. My biggest question involves the parks. Is everything that would be available to a standard resort guest available to DVC guests? I'm thinking along the lines of MDE, FP+, dining reservations, etc.

Bus from the airport - EMH - fast pass + - dining priority... all "yes."

It's an on-site stay - just not the same with housekeeping and you are renting from an individual (so their payment terms and cancellation rules apply. )

One other random difference is that you can get the DDP without buying a ticket.

 

[chalee94]

Hi there! We are planning BLT 2 bed for Early December renting points. If we aren't worried about standard do we have to do this at 11 months or would you recommend 11 months?

at 11 months - here is some history to use in predicting future availability:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/predicted-dvc-booking-patterns-studios-some-1-bedrooms.3419112/