Thinking about Renting - newbie questions

[prissysoccerprincess]

I'd really like to rent but I'm still a little unsure how it all works, and have lots of questions. First off, are there extra fees to rent points beyond the price people list pp? Cleaning, maintenance, transfer fees? Others? If I wanted the Dining Plan, is that something the DVC member could add when they make the ressie, or is that only offered on the Disney website with whole vacation packages? Are there things that will be different by staying in place of a DVC member, rather than staying as a regularly booked guest? Anything else that I haven't thought of that might be helpful?

Which resort . . . It will be the first time for my hubby to go to Disney so I want somewhere with a "wow" factor. I've only been to WDW once before myself, and I stayed at Wilderness Lodge. When I walked into the lobby, there was a definite "wow" factor, if you know what I mean. We are thinking BCV, but is that out of the way from the main stream of activities? I saw someone's post that BWV is where the most action is, but how far is BCV actually from that? I just liked the idea of having the water park (RAB, right?) because we'll also be bringing our 4 y/o (and my teenage sis to be our bring-along nanny). I also liked that there is the walk way to the parks, but how feasible is it to actually walk from BCV to MGM or Epcot? If we do go with BWVs instead, what's the difference between P and S rooms? Just view? And lastly, by staying in the villas, how far are you from the pools associated with each resort? I want to be able to make a quick trip to the pool in the afternoon and not have it be an excursion.

Different Villa rooms. Please correct me if I'm wrong (or tell me if I'm right), but Studio villas are basically single hotel rooms, just with a couch and kitchen -- all the sleeping space is together. And the 1 BDRMs have a closed off bedroom? How does the bathroom situation work in those? Is it one bath with two door access, from the bdrm and from the living area? Do all 1 BDRMs have a king bed and whirlpool, or is that something I have to request when making the ressie?

Thank you so very, Very, VERY much for any input! I want to make this trip as magical as possible for my family.

 

[Chuck S]

All one bedrooms have a king suite and a whirlpool. Bathroom access will vary, depending upon the design of the resort. In fact, there was a design change during construction at OKW. Buildings 29 and lower have access to the bathroom through the master bedroom only, buildings 30 and over have a second bathroom entrance through the laundry room.

There are no additional fees or taxes, but you have limited housekeeping, trash and towel only on day 4. If you stay 8 days or longer, you have full housekeeping on day 4 and trash and towel on day 8.

You can purchase additional housekeeping or trash and towel days. The cost varies by unit size:
Pay As You Play
With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:

Toiletries Package, $5.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
Laundry Detergent (only in One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested


Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested
Studios are a basic room with a kitchenette, most have a queen bed and full sized sleeper sofa, OKW studios have two real queen beds.

Any rental transaction is strictly between you and the owner, Disney/DVC will not step in on your behalf if the transaction goes sour. The DVC member always has control of the reservation, and can cancel at anytime. Rental transaction require trust on the part of the owner and the renter.

The dining plan can be added to your reservation by the DVC owner, you will pay for it at check-in. The DVC version of the plan operated the same as the package version, except that you may purchase your park tickets separately from any authorized ticket seller, eligibility for the plan is not tied to a park ticket purchase through Disney.

Be sure to have contact info for the DVC owner (address, phone number, email) etc. And a contract spelling our the rights and obligations of both parties.

 

[Caskbill]

.... First off, are there extra fees to rent points beyond the price people list pp? Cleaning, maintenance, transfer fees? Others?

No, there are no other required fees. There are things that are optional that you can purchase if desired, such as in Chuck's post above, but none is required.

If I wanted the Dining Plan, is that something the DVC member could add when they make the ressie, or is that only offered on the Disney website with whole vacation packages?

You cannot get it on the website since DVC is not any type of Disney package. You can get it but the member you rent from has to arrange it. You pay DVC for it when you check in. You do not pay the member.

Are there things that will be different by staying in place of a DVC member, rather than staying as a regularly booked guest?

You receive all the same things that any other WDW resort guest receives. This includes free parking at the theme parks, extra magic hours, etc. You are NOT entitled to actual DVC 'member' benefits as a renter. Member benefits include things such as discounts at various restaurants, free Valet parking, pool hopping, and such. If the person you are renting from tries to tell you you're entitled to member benefits, they are wrong, and you might consider renting from someone else.

Which resort . . . It will be the first time for my hubby to go to Disney so I want somewhere with a "wow" factor. I've only been to WDW once before myself, and I stayed at Wilderness Lodge. When I walked into the lobby, there was a definite "wow" factor, if you know what I mean. We are thinking BCV, but is that out of the way from the main stream of activities? I saw someone's post that BWV is where the most action is, but how far is BCV actually from that? I just liked the idea of having the water park (RAB, right?) because we'll also be bringing our 4 y/o (and my teenage sis to be our bring-along nanny). I also liked that there is the walk way to the parks, but how feasible is it to actually walk from BCV to MGM or Epcot?

The resort will depend mostly on personal taste. It might also depend on what type of room you want, be it a Studio, 1-b/r, etc. OKW has the largest rooms of all the resorts. If you get an OKW 1-B/R, the 'wow' factor is when you first walk into the villa. BWV, BCV, and VWL all share lobbies with their respective hotels. If you like to swim, SAB (storm along bay) at BCV has the 'mini' waterpark feel. You can easily walk from BCV to Epcot. The walk to MGM is a little farther. (About a mile). There is water transportation available from both BWV and BCV to epcot and MGM.

If we do go with BWVs instead, what's the difference between P and S rooms? Just view?

Yes, just the view. Standard views are fewer points and look out over parking lots and driveways. Preferred views overlook waterways, and the boardwalk. Note that boardwalk view is a guaranteed view that must be reserved. It still uses the same points as for the regular water (preferred) views.

And lastly, by staying in the villas, how far are you from the pools associated with each resort? I want to be able to make a quick trip to the pool in the afternoon and not have it be an excursion.

It depends on what you mean by 'pool'. The DVC resorts all have a main pool, but there are also smaller 'satellite' pools at OKW, SSR, VWL, BCV. Depending on your particular villa, you may be close or a little bit away from the main pool, but in all cases you'd be close to at least one of the satellite pools.

Different Villa rooms. Please correct me if I'm wrong (or tell me if I'm right), but Studio villas are basically single hotel rooms, just with a couch and kitchen -- all the sleeping space is together. And the 1 BDRMs have a closed off bedroom? How does the bathroom situation work in those? Is it one bath with two door access, from the bdrm and from the living area?

I think chuck answered that question.

Do all 1 BDRMs have a king bed and whirlpool, or is that something I have to request when making the ressie?

No special request required. All have the king bed and whirlpool.

Thank you so very, Very, VERY much for any input! I want to make this trip as magical as possible for my family.

You're welcome. And don't forget, if you plan to use the DIS Rent/Trade board to secure your rental, be sure you read and understand all the posting rules, as explained in the 'sticky' posts on that board.