Why didn't someone tell me that I could have been living "la vida DVC"???

[masonsmousermom]

I am an avid planner of our Disney trips, and we have taken 4 trips in the past year. And, imagine my disbelief when I found out that I didn't know a thing about renting DVC points!!!

So, now that I've figured it out, I have some questions for anyone that is experienced in DVC point rentals:

When do I begin posting a request for points for an upcoming stay? We kind of like to plan trip within a 2-4 month period... we don't plan a year in advance. Will renting points work for us?

I've read about how we rent points, but what is the BEST way to get the points we want...when we want them. I notice that as soon as someone posts points for rent, there seems to be LOTS of response.

What are some of the "perks" of renting points... i.e. I heard that DVC renters are treated like DVC members. Is that true, and what is the special treatment?

Questions about maid service... We would be interested in a studio- nothing fancy. I read that we would only receive towel service every 4th day. What do you use for towels between that time? Do we have to reuse our towels for 4 days? Do people normally do towels in the laundry? And where do we do laundry? (Studios do not have w/d to my knowledge) And what about the trash? Do we take it out? And where?

We seem to be really leaning towards Boardwalk Villas- are they more difficult to rent than other DVC resorts?

Thanks! Sorry there's so many questions all at once, but I just HAVE to know more about this! I still can't believe I never read about it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want to wait 2-4 months out, you might not find anything available. But you might also find something at SSR or OKW since they are bigger.

Non-members are not entitled to any member perks. You will be treated like any WDW resort guest.

Since DVC is a timeshare, we only get service to the villa every four days. If you stay at least 8 nights you get a full cleaning on day 4 and fresh towels and the trash removed on day 8. If you stay less than 8 nights, you get your towels replaced on day 4 and the trash removed. If you want more frequent cleaning or extra towels you will have to pay for that. Most DVC guests just hang up their towels every day and reuse them for four days.

A studio will hold four guests plus one under the age of three, but five in a studio (including that infant) gets a bit crowded.

There are laundry rooms for the studios, but they are small with only two washers and maybe three or four dryers.

Points are going for anywhere from $10 to $15 a point. You pay a premium if you want special treatment by the owner - waitlisting or modifications, or difficult reservations.

Cancellation might not be possible since you are making an agreement with a single person. Disney will not get involved in any manner if you have a disagreement with the owner. The owner makes the rules about payment and changes or cancellation. You need to settle this before you agree to a reservation.

 

[Lynne M]

What are some of the "perks" of renting points... i.e. I heard that DVC renters are treated like DVC members. Is that true, and what is the special treatment?

When people say that DVC renters are treated like DVC members, they mean that renters aren't treated as second-class citizens. Some renters are concerned that they'll be treated badly by the hotel staff, as they are not members. That won't happen, as the staff really doesn't know that you're not a member.

There's no 'special treatment' that members get. There are some discounts available to members, but you generally need to show a DVC membership card to get those.

As a renter, you'll get the same privileges that all Disney resort guests get - EMH, ME, charging to your room key, etc.

 

[corinnak]

Non-members are not entitled to any member perks. You will be treated like any WDW resort guest.

You will probably still hear "Welcome Home!" when you approach the check in desk, though.

One other small perk you would be able to get as a renter would be that you could add the Disney dining plan (through the person from whom you are renting, and to be paid at the resort upon your arrival) and it would not be tied to a package deal, i.e. you don't have to buy park tickets through Disney.

 

[HockeyKat]

If you are planning 4 trips a year, you may want to consider buying into DVC yourself. Even renting points for 4 5-night trips Sun-Thurs in a studio (240 pts for all studios except the hard-to-get standard BWV or OKW) would be a minimum of $2400 a year.

That being said, renting points is a bit risky. There is no way to actually confirm your reservation with WDW until a few days before the trip, or be sure that your reservation hasn't been cancelled. As far as I know, most of the point renters are above board, but that doesn't mean there aren't any bad ones.

But, risk aside, it is definitely a better deal that cash ressies, if you are travelling Sun-Thurs.

-Kat

 

[NYMomof4]

I was going to say the same thing about considering owning at DVC. When I started to take trips a few times a year-it started to makes sense. There are smaller contracts through resale that might work.

 

[ScarletFire]

That being said, renting points is a bit risky. There is no way to actually confirm your reservation with WDW until a few days before the trip, or be sure that your reservation hasn't been cancelled. As far as I know, most of the point renters are above board, but that doesn't mean there aren't any bad ones.

-Kat

I've rented points for an upcoming vacation. The transaction in complete and I have the confirmation letter from DVC. When can a renter call WDW to confirm the reservation? I understand non-members are not allowed to call MS. Is there a point when the renter may call the resort to confirm the reservation?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've rented points for an upcoming vacation. The transaction in complete and I have the confirmation letter from DVC. When can a renter call WDW to confirm the reservation? I understand non-members are not allowed to call MS. Is there a point when the renter may call the resort to confirm the reservation?

The resort should have your reservation about three days before the start of your stay.

 

[ScarletFire]

The resort should have your reservation about three days before the start of your stay.

Thank you.