What DVD company to book with?

[AngelaVa]

I see with searching for a renting a Disney DVC that there are several and I have a few questions that I hope that can be answer here.

I am looking into renting a DVC for 2 Adults. My questions are what company I should book with. Please tell me why I should book with that company. What benefits that I will receive with that company?

I do not know how to book with a private owner, and I like working with a travel agent. Thank you for your help and time.

 

[RobDoc]

Since the Rent/Trade Board is not a discussion forum, this post has been moved to Member Services where I'm sure you will get some great responses.

Your post was also edited to remove specific rental information (Resort(s), dates) which could encourage scammers to contact you directly.

Good luck with your rental!

 

[cruisehopeful]

If you rent DVC from an owner or a broker, you have very restricted cancellation. Booking through Disney paying the high rates gives you a normal cancellation policy.

If you look to the right of this page, you'll see an advertisement for DVC rental store. They charge a lot more per point than others, but have a cancellation policy where you might not lose all of your money if you have to cancel. I'd thoroughly read their policy and then decide if it was worth the high price tag.

There are lots of other brokers. You may find it easier to rent directly from owners and there is a forum here that is specifically for that. I don't know of any entity or person that acts like a travel agent, but chances are that there are some.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

An agency is not a travel agent and won't be doing things like booking dining or similar travel agent type stuff. They just connect an owner and a renter and provide a contract and financial transfer services.

 

[Best Aunt]

OP, you said you like working with a travel agent. What do you like about it? Whether you rent through an individual or through an agency, nobody will be providing the type of services that a travel agent might. You will get a room reservation. Anything else you want, you will have to do yourself (other than a room request, which owner must make for you.)

 

[AngelaVa]

Since the Rent/Trade Board is not a discussion forum, this post has been moved to Member Services where I'm sure you will get some great responses.

Your post was also edited to remove specific rental information (Resort(s), dates) which could encourage scammers to contact you directly.

Good luck with your rental!

Thank you so much for the help.

 

[chalee94]

I see with searching for a renting a Disney DVC that there are several and I have a few questions that I hope that can be answer here.

I am looking into renting a DVC for 2 Adults. My questions are what company I should book with. Please tell me why I should book with that company. What benefits that I will receive with that company?

Not clear if you understand what you are asking. DVC is Disney's timeshare. Disney owns some of the points for their timeshare and you can book directly through Disney or other travel sites to the extent that they have availability...so DVC studios (for 2 people) can be booked through a travel agent if rooms are available. But they are expensive:




The alternative is that I own DVC and I can book my timeshare (think "vacation home" that happens to be on Disney property) and sub-lease it to you. In that case, you will never be dealing directly with Disney and it can be awkward for travel agents since individuals aren't going to compensate them for their work. There are brokers who act as go-betweens to connect you with owners - they can take out some of the risk by making guarantees as a business that if the owner bails on you (since again, DVC is owned by individuals like me who own the reservation until you check in), then that broker will step in to find comparable accommodations or whatever is in their contract.

We call the alternative "renting points" but technically you are renting a reservation from an individual. Disney/DVC will not speak with you - you would need to talk to the owner to make requests or ask for changes to the reservation. (You would be able to link the reservation to MyDisneyExperience so long as it still exists.)

"Renting points" can be cheaper but there are trade-offs that you should make an effort to understand:

1) DVC owners often book at 11 months out, so availability can be extremely limited on the highest demand options inside the 11 month window and often a bit limited inside the 7 month window for anything but SSR studios.

2) DVC reservations are usually a "no refunds" policy (as owners may not be able to use the points if you cancel) - so be sure you are 100% on your dates and plans, and strongly consider travel insurance.

3) I also should add that DVC studios (other than OKW studios - which have 2 queen beds) only have 1 queen bed and 1 pullout sofabed. If you don't have kids it might not matter, but it's a different set up than the hotel rooms.

 

[typhoon55]

Ok also a newbie here. I understand some of the pros and cons of renting DVC points. But my questions is....do magic bands work with DVC, such as opening the door? And what about charging to room which my guess is that you cannot do that. Looking for March 2022. Hoping to finalize the dates this week.

 

[chalee94]

Ok also a newbie here. I understand some of the pros and cons of renting DVC points. But my questions is....do magic bands work with DVC, such as opening the door? And what about charging to room which my guess is that you cannot do that. Looking for March 2022. Hoping to finalize the dates this week.

DVC is "onsite."

To the extent that "onsite" has any benefits, DVC has those same benefits: free parking at the parks, magic bands, DDP (no "free" dining ever but you can add the dining plan), early entry to the parks, charging to the room and free delivery from the parks to the room.

No parking fees for points rentals though.

 

[Yinn]

I see with searching for a renting a Disney DVC that there are several and I have a few questions that I hope that can be answer here.

I am looking into renting a DVC for 2 Adults. My questions are what company I should book with. Please tell me why I should book with that company. What benefits that I will receive with that company?

I do not know how to book with a private owner, and I like working with a travel agent. Thank you for your help and time.

I can give you my perspective as an owner who has rented their points on the rental boards as well as with various rental companies. Hopefully it will help you in making a decision.

First and foremost, none of the options are travel agents. They're not going to be able to book your flights, arrange transportation, etc. The rental companies are middle men who broker an agreement between you and a private DVC owner.

That said, they help you with two main points.

1) They locate points for you by accessing their own database of owners and sending out a letter of intent to rent. How quickly they can locate an owner for a reservation for you will depend on their database. This is slightly different than renting privately because on disboard it is the sellers who post a letter of intent to rent out, leaving the renters doing the searching.

2) They provide a consistency of experience. Each seller on here has their own quirks. Some will be extremely accommodating and communicative, others will not. With a broker, you have the same general experience time in and time out.

As for who you want to use? Use the companies that are big names, they have the biggest database of owners and will hopefully be able to locate the points you need as soon as possible. Smaller companies may be cheaper, but if they don't have a large book of owners, they'll have a tougher time getting the points needed for your reservation.

Why might you want to go private?

That said, with a private owner you generally have some significant savings. With a broker, you're renting points at $18-20/pt. With a private owner, you're renting at $12-18/pt. It can be up to a 60% savings.

Some private owners (raises hand) are even willing to do waitlisting, which rental companies don't generally do.

Your terms are also negotiable with a private seller. I have a standard contract but I've been approached with requests that range from payment terms (ie, monthly payments) to discounts for paying it all up front. Everyone vacations and manages their finances differently, and a private owner will hopefully be able to accommodate you better.

Why might you want to avoid going private?

- I've been approached by renters who have had urgency unfortunately. "The owner backed out, I know it's available can you grab it PLEASE?" I wish I could say that rarely happens but I'd say about 25% of my reach outs are people who thought they had something else. My advice is to look the person up on the boards and rent from people who are more established.

- It's a pain in the butt. You contact an owner and you ask if they can make a reservation for XYZ. You have no idea if it's available today and it might be hours before they get back to you. By then it might no longer be available. Even if it is unavailable, it might have only been unavailable right then and becomes available later on. The back and forth can be exhausting. As a seller I have definitely gone back and forth with folks. Sometimes it's a timing issue, other times they saw on some rental site that was never accurate and the room isn't available in real time.

- There's more risk. I haven't seen a consistency of bad experience in private rentals. But the reality is that you're dealing with a person instead of a company. There's no BBB to file to, generally not covered by payment protections.

Hope this helps.

 

[AngelaVa]

I can give you my perspective as an owner who has rented their points on the rental boards as well as with various rental companies. Hopefully it will help you in making a decision.

First and foremost, none of the options are travel agents. They're not going to be able to book your flights, arrange transportation, etc. The rental companies are middle men who broker an agreement between you and a private DVC owner.

That said, they help you with two main points.

1) They locate points for you by accessing their own database of owners and sending out a letter of intent to rent. How quickly they can locate an owner for a reservation for you will depend on their database. This is slightly different than renting privately because on disboard it is the sellers who post a letter of intent to rent out, leaving the renters doing the searching.

2) They provide a consistency of experience. Each seller on here has their own quirks. Some will be extremely accommodating and communicative, others will not. With a broker, you have the same general experience time in and time out.

As for who you want to use? Use the companies that are big names, they have the biggest database of owners and will hopefully be able to locate the points you need as soon as possible. Smaller companies may be cheaper, but if they don't have a large book of owners, they'll have a tougher time getting the points needed for your reservation.

Why might you want to go private?

That said, with a private owner you generally have some significant savings. With a broker, you're renting points at $18-20/pt. With a private owner, you're renting at $12-18/pt. It can be up to a 60% savings.

Some private owners (raises hand) are even willing to do waitlisting, which rental companies don't generally do.

Your terms are also negotiable with a private seller. I have a standard contract but I've been approached with requests that range from payment terms (ie, monthly payments) to discounts for paying it all up front. Everyone vacations and manages their finances differently, and a private owner will hopefully be able to accommodate you better.

Why might you want to avoid going private?

- I've been approached by renters who have had urgency unfortunately. "The owner backed out, I know it's available can you grab it PLEASE?" I wish I could say that rarely happens but I'd say about 25% of my reach outs are people who thought they had something else. My advice is to look the person up on the boards and rent from people who are more established.

- It's a pain in the butt. You contact an owner and you ask if they can make a reservation for XYZ. You have no idea if it's available today and it might be hours before they get back to you. By then it might no longer be available. Even if it is unavailable, it might have only been unavailable right then and becomes available later on. The back and forth can be exhausting. As a seller I have definitely gone back and forth with folks. Sometimes it's a timing issue, other times they saw on some rental site that was never accurate and the room isn't available in real time.

- There's more risk. I haven't seen a consistency of bad experience in private rentals. But the reality is that you're dealing with a person instead of a company. There's no BBB to file to, generally not covered by payment protections.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for this, Yes it did help. I understand it a little bit better now.

 

[Hungryhippo]

I’m also a newbie (trying to learn more about renting dvc) - is there a universal/master calendar to check dvc availability for the public (non-dvc owners like me) can access?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I’m also a newbie (trying to learn more about renting dvc) - is there a universal/master calendar to check dvc availability for the public (non-dvc owners like me) can access?

Not that is accurate.

 

[Hungryhippo]

Not that is accurate.

Thanks!! Another follow up question - if I was to go thru a broker to seek a Disney rental, would the broker check for Availability first before reaching out to their clients with an intent to rent? Just wondering if brokers have access to accurate dvc availability info (or if that info is limited to actual dvc owners)? Thanks so much for all your help!!! Really appreciate this forum.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks!! Another follow up question - if I was to go thru a broker to seek a Disney rental, would the broker check for Availability first before reaching out to their clients with an intent to rent? Just wondering if brokers have access to accurate dvc availability info (or if that info is limited to actual dvc owners)? Thanks so much for all your help!!! Really appreciate this forum.

Brokers email and reach out to owners with the request, Those owners then respond they are interested and get it booked.

The broker does nothing other than put the two together. So, once an owner is contacted, they check and book for the renter in real time.

I am sure all brokers are owners as well so they can check, but until one actually does, it can change so that is why a broker puts out a request to an actual owner who wants to rent a reservation to get it booked.

 

[Hungryhippo]

Brokers email and reach out to owners with the request, Those owners then respond they are interested and get it booked.

The broker does nothing other than put the two together. So, once an owner is contacted, they check and book for the renter in real time.

I am sure all brokers are owners as well so they can check, but until one actually does, it can change so that is why a broker puts out a request to an actual owner who wants to rent a reservation to get it booked.

Thank you for taking the time to explain!

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks!! Another follow up question - if I was to go thru a broker to seek a Disney rental, would the broker check for Availability first before reaching out to their clients with an intent to rent? Just wondering if brokers have access to accurate dvc availability info (or if that info is limited to actual dvc owners)? Thanks so much for all your help!!! Really appreciate this forum.

As Sandi alluded to above, availability is dynamic, changing minute to minute, and if the broker checked and found availability first, that doesn't mean it will still be available when the actual owner tries to book what you want. So I don't think the brokers check. If you want to get a general idea of what's likely to be available for your dates, here is some OLD data (prepandemic) that might be helpful: https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-bd-charts-september-2019-2-bd-added.3689931/. Just be aware that with the general glut of points now, availability is tighter than it was when these charts were developed, and it's even more important to book as early as possible and to be as flexible as possible.

 

[Yinn]

As Sandi alluded to above, availability is dynamic, changing minute to minute, and if the broker checked and found availability first, that doesn't mean it will still be available when the actual owner tries to book what you want. So I don't think the brokers check. If you want to get a general idea of what's likely to be available for your dates, here is some OLD data (prepandemic) that might be helpful: https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-bd-charts-september-2019-2-bd-added.3689931/. Just be aware that with the general glut of points now, availability is tighter than it was when these charts were developed, and it's even more important to book as early as possible and to be as flexible as possible.

There are a couple of companies that do pre-check. I've gotten emails before that have stated that they confirmed availability and need me to respond/book ASAP. However as you point out, a lot could happen in the time it takes me to respond - or if I don't for them to move on to the next owner and for them to respond.

 

[hetzeltj]

ive had luck with renting from people on the rent trade board