Waiting for any promo vs. renting DVC points

[Heidi Loves Disney]

Hi. I'm not sure where to post this questions, so if I posted on the wrong board please forgive me and point me in the right direction.

Right now my only option for mid-November is full price everything. I've received no pin codes, and I was told that I'd have to wait until at least the end of August for any November discounts to come out (is that true?)

So, now I'm looking into renting DVC points. When I priced out 9 nights at a mod at full price vs. DVC rental for the same amount of nights, they seem about the same price.

I've been reading like crazy about renting dvc points, but I'm nervous and confused still.

I'd love to just get my trip booked and be done with it until we go, but I just can't justify paying full rack rate for everything right now. I've tried calling several times to see if there is anything at all for me, but nothing.

If I wait for renting dvc, I may not be able to get what I want. I know I may not be able to get what I want regardless.
If I wait for some sort of discount from Disney for mid-Nov, I could end up being disappointed and kicking myself for not renting dvc.

Any advice??

 

[KBazzel]

I went through the same battle with myself recently. We ended up renting DVC points. It gave us a bigger room (we got a 1bd value at AKV) and allowed us to save about $300 over what my estimate would have been for the best discount during that time frame at a Deluxe. We did end up dropping 1 day from our trip because I didn't want to rent weekend points if I could help it but we may end up adding some more days to our trip if a great offer from Disney comes out or if things go well for us this year (I receive royalties twice a year and never know what they'll be). We're talking about adding a couple nights and doing the platinum package. But even if that doesn't happen we'll be happy with what we've already got booked.

In the end I got a bigger room at the resort that we really wanted to stay in and ended up saving at least the same (if not more) than I would have if I'd waited for a discount.

There is some risk invovled in renting points but I followed the suggestions here for making sure you're renting from someone you can trust and I'm very happy with the owner we rented from. In fact, in between checking for availability and making our reservation our room was sold out. She wait listed us and it came through the very next day. I'd say do your homework and only rent from someone you feel you can trust and then enjoy your trip.

Kira

 

[missenmickey]

We went through the same thing. We ended up renting points for our August vacation. We are staying at BLT in a Lake view studio. For us, it was almost the exact same cost as a moderate and we are staying deluxe for the first time.

We had no problem at all renting form someone here on the Dis boards. Make sure they provide you with a contract and a confirmation number. You should be able to log in to the DVC site to see your confirmation.

One last thing, dining is not included. You can add it ahead of time and pay for it when you check in. I like that we are booked - regardless of any deals that come out. The only other thing you will have to purchase seperately are tickets. However, using Undercover Tourist saves a few dollars.

 

[kdm0516]

I'm having the same problem. I don't really care about the room or where we stay. I'd probably go with OKW if using the DVC but through Disney POR. Pricing POR at full price is double the cost of DVC but if they offer the meal plan free it ends up being about $200 cheaper. I'm wondering if the resort would be on sale on top of a free meal plan.
I'm like you though and just want to get it booked and over with. I'm tired of thinking about it all the time!!

 

[RadioFanatic]

We're another one here who rented points for december after deciding everything. Ended up paying $125 per night for a deluxe that I NEVER would have gotten otherwise.

 

[robinb]

Have you actually had an owner check availability? If so, you have to decide what is more important to you: saving money at a moderate using a code or staying in nicer resort in a better room. A lot of people look at staying in a DVC resort as an upgrade for the same price.

 

[kdm0516]

Do you do the dining plus plan when you go through the DVC?

 

[robinb]

Do you do the dining plus plan when you go through the DVC?

You can always pay for the DDP.

 

[kdm0516]

He didn't check availability for me because I was so undecided. He told me has points (my friend bought points from him for May) and what each resort would cost and that OKW usually has availabilty. OKW would cost us $620 for Oct 23-29. POR would cost around $1200 without a discount. I don't know that any discount would be as great as the DVC. DDP would be $750 for us.
My airline is booked but that isn't to say something wouldn't happen that would make us change our plans or have to delay it. Plus, I got an awesome price on airline so I really don't want to change it

 

[kdm0516]

Hi. I'm not sure where to post this questions, so if I posted on the wrong board please forgive me and point me in the right direction.

Right now my only option for mid-November is full price everything. I've received no pin codes, and I was told that I'd have to wait until at least the end of August for any November discounts to come out (is that true?)

So, now I'm looking into renting DVC points. When I priced out 9 nights at a mod at full price vs. DVC rental for the same amount of nights, they seem about the same price.

I've been reading like crazy about renting dvc points, but I'm nervous and confused still.

I'd love to just get my trip booked and be done with it until we go, but I just can't justify paying full rack rate for everything right now. I've tried calling several times to see if there is anything at all for me, but nothing.

If I wait for renting dvc, I may not be able to get what I want. I know I may not be able to get what I want regardless.
If I wait for some sort of discount from Disney for mid-Nov, I could end up being disappointed and kicking myself for not renting dvc.

Any advice??

I think I just figured it out FINALLY. booking through DVC and getting the dining plus plan I would spend $1268
If Disney offers % off it would have to be more than 40% off on POR in order to be cheaper. Only if they offer FD would it be cheaper, especially if it is FD at All Star. But this is also all based on the dining plus not QSDP
So DVC would be the better way to go or hold out only for FD on dining plus plan

 

[Heidi Loves Disney]

Thanks for the replies. I've narrowed it down to 2 resorts. Now I hope I can find someone to rent points to me.

 

[trtl6941]

I'm in the same boat right now! We are definitely going and were planning to stay at the POP resort and now I am realizing if I rent points, we can stay at the AK villas for about the same price It almost seems too good to be true. I don't know what to do because if they do end up offering FD then the POP would be a great deal! If they don't, well, I might be bummed I didn't rent points! Why can't they just announce FD already

 

[Trishtack]

I am piggybacking on the thread. Kira - would you mind sharing the info on how to evaluate who to buy points from? I want to do this for a Sept. trip. The savings would be $1944 over rack rate of a deluxe and $784 off a 40% code at a deluxe.

Thanks!

 

[PigletsMommy]

I am piggybacking on the thread. Kira - would you mind sharing the info on how to evaluate who to buy points from? I want to do this for a Sept. trip. The savings would be $1944 over rack rate of a deluxe and $784 off a 40% code at a deluxe.

Thanks!

Me too... I have been toying with the idea of a quick trip in October for our Anniversary and I think renting points would actually be the best option...unless a good promo comes out.

 

[robinb]

I am piggybacking on the thread. Kira - would you mind sharing the info on how to evaluate who to buy points from?

If you are new to renting, I would go with someone with some experience. Your rental will go smoother with someone who knows what they are doing. I would also select someone with some "presence" on the DIS. You can look at their past posts and get a feeling for them. That's not to say that you won't have a perfectly reasonable transaction from someone who is brand new to renting points or only here on the DIS for the DVC rent/trade board. However, I believe that you will have an easier and more efficient transaction with someone with a history on the DIS and a history in renting. YMMV .

 

[DaniB]

I'm wishing I knew about renting points before our trip was booked and everything.

Ah well - now I'm planning on it for our next trip.

But while it sounds easy/good in theory, I find all the information on the DVC side confusing!

 

[missenmickey]

The key to renting points is to be flexible. Having flexibilty in dates and resort preference will help. Sunday thru Thursdays are cheaper then weekends. Study the DVC resorts and the point levels so you will know exactly what you need when you are contacting someone to rent from. We are so excited to be staying at BLT this August. It was very easy to rent points!

 

[Trishtack]

I have been reading the rent/trade board for weeks. So many people respond to one post and I rarely see replies from the OP. Do you have to be first in the reply to get a shot?

 

[StuckInKS]

He didn't check availability for me because I was so undecided. He told me has points (my friend bought points from him for May) and what each resort would cost and that OKW usually has availabilty. OKW would cost us $620 for Oct 23-29. POR would cost around $1200 without a discount. I don't know that any discount would be as great as the DVC. DDP would be $750 for us.
My airline is booked but that isn't to say something wouldn't happen that would make us change our plans or have to delay it. Plus, I got an awesome price on airline so I really don't want to change it

Worst comes to worst ... you book OKW w/ DDP now and FD ends up being offered for fall. In that situation your paying $170 that you wouldn't have paid at POR with FD. I'd book it if you are worried about OKW selling out within the next month. If not, I'd hold off as we will probably know the fall deal by then (or a few days later.) If Disney end up doing Free QSDP and you have to pay to upgrade, that will knock even more off that $170.

 

[cricket00]

I have been reading the rent/trade board for weeks. So many people respond to one post and I rarely see replies from the OP. Do you have to be first in the reply to get a shot?

this is a great point!!

i always hear "it's so easy" but then realize i'm the 457th person in line.

any DVC points-renting tips from the experts out there?