thinking of renting DVC points for first time

[ms*mountaineer]

I'm planning our next trip - and we'd like to stay where we could walk to Epcot, such as Beach Club or Boardwalk. I've never rented DVC points before, but I'm looking into doing it for this trip. By my rough calculations - it seems definitely cheaper to rent DVC rather than book a regular Deluxe resort room, even with potential discounts that may be offered. Is that generally the case? Am I missing something?

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you rent a reservation, you are working with an individual, not Disney. So you may not be able to cancel or modify the reservation. You get limited housekeeping, only every four days and not full cleanings (only if you stay eight nights or more).

So you give up all your rights to the reservation and those are maintained by the owner of the points.

 

[Ln42]

Generally, renting is a good deal. We rented from friends last year and saved quite a bit over the 40% off deals. It depends on the price per point, etc.

We enjoyed the experience and ended up buying in to DVC this year. The lack of control on the reservation and limited ability to cancel or make changes was fine for the short term but we decided ownership made more sense for us long term.

Just make sure you check out the reputation of the owner before you rent. Im sure people here can make recommendations.

Good luck!

 

[pmcpmc]

With the increasing number of resorts and owners popular areas are better booked as close to the eleven month window as possible

 

[crisi]

What you are giving up:

Your arrangement is with an individual, not with Disney.

You won't qualify for promotions (apparently Free Dining is the most distressing)

You will not have daily housekeeping

Your resort will be a DVC resort - the studio rooms are a little different - generally featuring a queen bed and a full pullout. If you need two queen beds, your DVC options are limited to OKW. If you want a King bed, you'll be reserving a one bedroom - which doesn't save nearly as much money. On the other hand, for a couple that can share a queen bed, the pullout is wonderful....its like a small studio apartment.

Your cancellation policies will be different, and vary with the owner and the arrangements you make. Many DVC owners make the transactions final. If you can't go, you might be out your money.

Likewise, payment terms vary by owner. Many will ask for half up front and half 90 days out. Most can't take credit cards.

Availability can be tricky as implied. The closer you can make your reservations to eleven months prior to travel, the more choices you'll have. If you want October for this year right now, you may find not a lot of availability - particularly those Epcot resorts which are almost certainly booked up by now.

You gain a really nice room at a very affordable price.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

Thank you for all the responses. I am considering renting from DVCRequest.com - which looks to be a reliable way to do it. And I do realize that once I book, I would not be able to cancel - which is why I want to be sure about what I'm doing!

But it really seems like the way to go -anyone else have any thoughts for me?

 

[crisi]

Thank you for all the responses. I am considering renting from DVCRequest.com - which looks to be a reliable way to do it. And I do realize that once I book, I would not be able to cancel - which is why I want to be sure about what I'm doing!

But it really seems like the way to go -anyone else have any thoughts for me?

Even with DVCRequest.com the member holds the reservation. DVCRequest acts (as I understand it) as primarily a matchmaking service.

But fraud is very rare and almost all DVC rentals are "reliable."

 

[ValpoCory]

Thank you for all the responses. I am considering renting from DVCRequest.com - which looks to be a reliable way to do it. And I do realize that once I book, I would not be able to cancel - which is why I want to be sure about what I'm doing!

But it really seems like the way to go -anyone else have any thoughts for me?

Two weeks ago, I spent about 2 days responding to all the folks on the DVC-Rent/Trade board with BWV points to rent. It was so much easier that I had anticipated. I matched up with someone who rented me 86 points for a Standard View Studio in late January for 8 nights at $10 per point. That reservation would have cost us ~$2800 from Disney, and I got it for $860 total ($107.50 per night). The renter is extremely nice and professional, someone I hope to rent from again.

So now we do the renting method every time, with a 40% off Moderate as a backup plan. 40% off Moderate would have been between $90-$100 per night, so a little cheaper than renting, but with a worse location.

 

[kaffinito]

I rented before buying, and was really pleased with the savings over a regular resort stay. I saved a lot of money going that route, and got over my initial panic over not having control over my ressie. (I'm one of those "switchers" ) After the first time I rented, I did it again with no problem. I liked renting, and it led me to buying in.

 

[PSUGuy]

Next March will mark the 4th time we'll have a BoardWalk studio for less than what a Moderate WDW resort would be when taxes are figured in. Can't beat renting DVC points, IMHO.

Bill From PA

 

[ValpoCory]

Next March will mark the 4th time we'll have a BoardWalk studio for less than what a Moderate WDW resort would be when taxes are figured in. Can't beat renting DVC points, IMHO.

Bill From PA

This is my first time renting a BWV studio, but I predict it won't be my last. My family just doesn't visit Disney World with the frequency necessary to justify the DVC. Renting works best for us, with an acceptable-to-us back up plan of a moderate or Wilderness Lodge with 40% off. But hopefully I'll have continued success renting, just like you.