Wanting to Rent Points and Looking to Know the Ins and Outs

[KimberlyC]

We'v'e considered buying into DVC but want to hold off for a year for a variety of reasons. I'd like to rent points for a trip (Sat to Sat) either October 25, 2008 through November 1, 2008 OR November 8, 2008 through November 15, 2008. I've read a lot here about how to protect myelf, contracts, etc., but what I haven't seen is information to provide up front to make the transaction smoother. For example, I know that we will want DDP and pay for daily maid service. Is there anything else that an owner should be notified of up front so that it can be done as part of the initial reservation and I won't have to call and pester the owner later?

Also, since the 11 month mark has passed (but the 7 month mark isn't here yet) what are the odds of an owner being able to get a reservation - SV studio at BWV or BCV (87 points)? If it is likely impossible, what about VWL availability? I want to try them all but my preference would be BWV, BCV and VWL - in that order. I realize I'm looking at Halloween time period and F&W festival so I want to be realistic.

Anything else I should know about renting? I'd like to move on this sooner rather than later but I'm trying to get educated. TIA!

 

[CarolMN]

Will you want Magical Express? If so, the owner will need to know your flights & arrival / departure time. That can be added later if you do not yet have your flights purchased.

You can arrange for the extra housekeeping at check in.

FWIW, I do not think you have much of a chance of getting a standard view (or a PV-Boardwalk view) at the BWV. I do think you have a good shot at getting a Pool/Garden unit if you arrange for a BWV owner to call prior to the 7 month mark. The BWV Preferred View points are the same as for a unit at the VWL or BCV.

My advice is to find a BWV owner and negotiate terms. Then the owner can make the reservation before too much more time passes. (If you wait unitl the 7 month mark, any owner will do, but your chances of getting a reservation at BWV, VWL or BCV decrease dramatically).

You can ask that the BWV owner first check for a SV and then if one isn't available, reserve a PV for you. I doubt many owners will want to waitlist for a renter. Too many other possible renters out there to tie up points hoping for a waitlist to come through.

Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

No standard view at the BCV. It's all one view and they are the same number of points as the preferred at BWV.

If you want any of these three resorts, you'll need a member who has enough points at that resort as a home resort. So you might need to work with three members if you can't find a member with enough points at two or three of them. And you want to book it before 7 months out.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Availability is always a gamble for times that are popular with DVC members. Since F&W is a popular DVC time, I would contact a BWV or BCV owner ASAP and see if they can secure a reservation for you. Since BWV is your preferred first choice, you should look for a BWV owner. Don't expect to get standard view though, because those are likely waitlisted already for that time period. Most BWV owners need to book Standard view right at the 11 month booking window. I would doubt any one renting points would want to waitlist rentals, since that could compromise their points and the chance to re-rent them should something fall through. If you contract with a BWV owner and can get your preferred reservation, then the owner will need to give all of your personal information on the people staying in the room to MS. This will include names, ages, addresses and phone numbers. If you are doing the dining plan, that will have to be arranged at that time as well, but you wont pay for it until you check in at the resort. As for daily cleaning, you don't have to decide about that until you arrive. My guess is that you will choose not to do it. Most of us find it very inconvenient to worry about when housekeeping is coming in. Also, be aware that there are different kinds of housekeeping services, and they each have a different cost. If you just want trash and towel service daily, that will be the least charge and is dependant on the size unit you have. Full cleaning each day (not sure why that would be necessary) is significantly more and is often difficult to get, since it is not the norm for DVC accommodations. Many have reported irregularities in this happening. The good thing is that if it doesn't happen, you shouldn't get charged for it either. I can't recall the prices, but I know that for a studio, trash and towel is something like $10 a day and a full cleaning is around $35 a day. You can call for that as late as 24 hours ahead.

 

[digitap]

Sorry, but what is F&W? We're possibly looking at Nov 16 to arrive for about a week and leave before Thanksgiving. Are there special events at this time that would make reservations hard to get? We'd be looking to rent points as well, and I see that we're also already past the 11-month opening window.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sorry, but what is F&W? We're possibly looking at Nov 16 to arrive for about a week and leave before Thanksgiving. Are there special events at this time that would make reservations hard to get? We'd be looking to rent points as well, and I see that we're also already past the 11-month opening window.

Food & Wine Festival at Epcot often causes lots of DVC booking options. I think Nov. 16 would be AFTER the F&W. That should be a good time to get reservations without worry of the 11 month window. It's also a fairly low point cost time until November 26.

 

[chalee94]

Sorry, but what is F&W? We're possibly looking at Nov 16 to arrive for about a week and leave before Thanksgiving. Are there special events at this time that would make reservations hard to get? We'd be looking to rent points as well, and I see that we're also already past the 11-month opening window.

the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be over by then.

your dates should be easier to get, but if you've got your heart set on cheaper BW-standard view rooms, you'd still want to find a BWV owner pretty soon.

 

[crisi]

Food and Wine is Sept 26 to Nov 9th this year. Best bet for booking these at this date would be between November 9th and Thanksgiving week.

 

[crisi]

As to what F&W is - Epcot has a festival with special events and booths that have food offerings (and wine offerings) from all over the world. Its may be the most popular event for grown ups at WDW.

 

[KimberlyC]

Thanks everyone. It sounds like I will have an easier time with the November 8th reservation than the October 25th but since my child wants to trick or treat at WDW I may still try for that. I guess it doesn't hurt to post a reservation wanted on the Rent/Trade board and see if somebody who owns enough points at BWV or BCV and wants to rent them can aquire a reservation at this time.

 

[bigtimepolyfan]

I am very interested in buying into DVC but my wife has a degree of trepidation over it. Thus I feel renting points from someone to "feel" it all out, especially at a resort we have interest in pursuing, will be a good route to take.
The question I have is what can one expect to pay to rent? I know this depends on resort, unit size, time of year, and length of stay. But as a hypo, what would a Sun-Thurs stay between Feb 1-15 '09 (Dream season) at AKL run me in a one-bedroom, savannah view? This would run a DVC owner 130 points (26pts per night). What is a reasonable rental offer in your opinion?

 

[mommacat56]

I just (over this past weekend) booked a stay at OKW from 10/30 to 11/4 in a 2 BR. I was told by MS that availability was still good. If you wanted to go for Halloween, you still have a chance at OKW. It's just a short bus ride away. Just a thought.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am very interested in buying into DVC but my wife has a degree of trepidation over it. Thus I feel renting points from someone to "feel" it all out, especially at a resort we have interest in pursuing, will be a good route to take.
The question I have is what can one expect to pay to rent? I know this depends on resort, unit size, time of year, and length of stay. But as a hypo, what would a Sun-Thurs stay between Feb 1-15 '09 (Dream season) at AKL run me in a one-bedroom, savannah view? This would run a DVC owner 130 points (26pts per night). What is a reasonable rental offer in your opinion?

Most folks will rent points for $10-$12 per point. That puts that ressie at around $1400. Generally, the earlier the better for making those reservations, and if you are interested in AKV, you might want to specify Kidani Village when it opens, since those rooms will be significantly larger than the ones in Jambo house (main lodge).