Thinking about renting Dis'er points-questions

[stellablue]

Hello!

We are thinking about renting points from a Dis'er for a 2009 trip. We've never done this before, so we have some questions, if you don't mind.

We usually do a split-stay of a moderate and a deluxe. But at the end of the summer we are moving & changing jobs and money will be tight as we are adjusting to our new home. We were thinking about just downgrading to a moderate resort for our entire trip, but then we thought about renting points from a Dis'er to stay at a DVC! Is it true that the price ends up to be the same as the price of a moderate?

It's just DBF & myself and we don't plan to cook. BUT we do like to take snacks & drinks with us, and would definately bring back leftovers to reheat for later.

We were thinking about staying somewhere on the BW (BWV or BCV), as Epcot is our favorite park.

Not sure of the dates yet (due to our both getting new jobs and unsure of the vacation time), but we would likely prefer a value season (after Thanksgiving 2009 or Jan/Feb 2009)

Our questions:
-*Main question: How early in advance should you start the process of renting points from a Dis'er?
-How many points would we need for a 7-8 night trip?
-What sort of private info do you need to share with the Dis'er?
-In a nutshell, how does the process work?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[DVC Mike]

Be sure and read the [thread=1669863]Considering Renting from a DVC Member?[/thread] thread.

 

[kimberh]

Hi Stellablue,

Besides reading the recommend thread as stated above, the only private information you need to give is: The names of all staying in room, address, phone number, ages of minor children, The payment arrangement are between you and the DVC owner. Some except credit cards, some except personal checks, some except money orders. It all just depends. Some except Paypal, some don't. Some want a cell phone, email address. We stay in communication. If a child is under 3, Disney has asked me for a Birthdate. Disney wants to know who is staying in the room. Then you need to know how to get back in touch with the DVC owner. Cell phone, home phone, address, email etc is not to much to ask, in my view. If you are booking 11 months in advance you will have a few questions. I would ask if there is a contract. That way everyone is on the same page. No misunderstandings. It really can be a smooth process, if handled properly. Ask for references.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are looking at the week after Thanksgiving in 2009, you'll want to have an owner looking for you no later than the end of December. The first week of December is the most popular time of the year for DVC members because the points are low and the holiday decorations are up.

If you want Jan/Feb 2009, you need to be looking right now. You are still in the home resort time frame (members can book at their home resort from 7 to 11 months out) and if you want the BWV or BCV, you want to work on getting that real soon.

The member may require full payment just to make the reservation.

A few other things to consider:

Think of this kind of like a Priceline reservation - you can't cancel, you can't change it. Your only option might be losing your money if you need to cancel.

You can't call Member Services to confirm. And CRO will not have your reservation. So you have to ask the member for a copy of the confirmation and that may be all you get.