Renting points

[MattyBear]

Just started looking into renting points for the end of October 2018. Was curious on everyone's preference between David's and Rental Store. I know rental store offers the insurance but it seems like it's less useful the closer you get to your vacation. Was also curious what would stop a owner from canceling the reservation after we finish the transactions.

Thank you

 

[dreamfinder]

What stops the owner from canceling? The agreement they sign with the broker when they agree to rent the points. The reputable brokers will usually stand behind your reservation and make sure you have SOMEPLACE on property to stay if you show up and find the owner cancelled. It may be DVC, it may be a regular room, but they usually make good on it. They can then go after the owner in the courts, or let their business insurance cover the losses.

That is the main benefit to going with a broker and not some random on a message board. They should have a rental agreement in place that offers some recourse for buyer, seller and broker if anything goes wrong.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think both agencies are equally well-rated (and I think both are BBB-approved as well).

We've rented through David's three times now (one trip in the past, two upcoming). I did a lot of research before renting DVC and was hard-pressed to find any horror stories by renters from the more reputable agencies like David's and the DVC Rental Store. (In contrast, there were plenty of horror stories by those who'd rented from members directly.) In fact, I only remember coming across one of them, and it worked exactly like the contract specified -- the person showed up to check in at WDW, the member had canceled at the last minute, the renter called David's, and David's paid for them to get another villa of comparable value. (If an alternative had been available, the renter would have received "only" a full refund.) My husband and I are lawyers and we did go over the contract carefully, and were satisfied that it protected our rights sufficiently. Given that the written contract allows the agency to go after a member who cancels (not to mention they'd be blacklisted from renting their points through such agencies again), there is very little incentive for any member who lists points with a reputable agency to breach the contract. There is always a chance that it could happen, but that chance is slim enough (and the worst harm that would come to us is that we might end up in a different resort than we'd planned), and the cost savings are so huge with renting, that it's a risk we're comfortable assuming.

 

[MattyBear]

I think both agencies are equally well-rated (and I think both are BBB-approved as well).

We've rented through David's three times now (one trip in the past, two upcoming). I did a lot of research before renting DVC and was hard-pressed to find any horror stories by renters from the more reputable agencies like David's and the DVC Rental Store. (In contrast, there were plenty of horror stories by those who'd rented from members directly.) In fact, I only remember coming across one of them, and it worked exactly like the contract specified -- the person showed up to check in at WDW, the member had canceled at the last minute, the renter called David's, and David's paid for them to get another villa of comparable value. My husband and I are lawyers and we did go over the contract carefully, and were satisfied that it protected our rights sufficiently. Given that the written contract allows the agency to go after a member who cancels (not to mention they'd be blacklisted from renting their points through such agencies again), there is very little incentive for any member who lists points with a reputable agency to breach the contract. There is always a chance that it could happen, but that chance is slim enough (and the worst harm that would come to us is that we might end up in a different resort than we'd planned), and the cost savings are so huge with renting, that it's a risk we're comfortable assuming.

Thank you for the information. Did you use any trip insurance with your reservations with David's?

 

[Weather_Lady]

Thank you for the information. Did you use any trip insurance with your reservations with David's?

For the prior one (which was a 2-bedroom villa and therefore very expensive, for a trip that included two people of advanced age with medical issues), we did. For our upcoming trip (split stay, 2 different studios), which cost far less, we opted to go without trip insurance and take the gamble. We typically purchase our vacation insurance through Travel Guard. You can get free quotes via their website, and if you call to ask questions, you get a friendly, well-informed, English-speaking representative. If you buy the insurance within a few days of your initial trip deposit, you may be eligible for "cancel for any reason" coverage, which is a nice feature.

 

[FrostyNaples]

Over the past few years we've used David's exclusively for half a dozen or so vactions.

After watching even their pricing increase (though still the best value vs Disney direct) we've decided to become DVC members and nip our lifetime spending on resorts especially due to our frequency of going.

While there is no technical way of stopping a member from canceling your vacation unannounced, keep in mind your contract allows a full refund for this kind of breach. Sure it will mess up your plans, but you will get refunded.

We never had any issues on any vacations. Will continue to recommend and use David's to supplement our own stays when needed.

Just started looking into renting points for the end of October 2018. Was curious on everyone's preference between David's and Rental Store. I know rental store offers the insurance but it seems like it's less useful the closer you get to your vacation. Was also curious what would stop a owner from canceling the reservation after we finish the transactions.

Thank you

 

[Phonedave]

A broker protects both parties. They hold the payment in escrow. The person renting the points pays up front to the broker, but does not send the money to the person renting out the points until after the check in occurs.

The person renting the points out does not get paid if the cancel the reservations.

The person renting the points to use pays up front, so the owner will not get stiffed.

As @Weather_Lady said, the broker also has an incentive to keep their customers happy, so if something does happen, they will do what they can to make you satisfied, while they go after the person renting out the points.

-dave

 

[NelleBelle]

I just rented a 2 bedroom villa from David's for a trip in June 2018. @Weather_Lady, how did you go about getting your MB sent to you? Do you just enter the confirmation # David's gives you into your MDE account? This whole process is still a little new and confusing for me. I'm thinking of getting trip insurance since I'll be brining my mom (who has a heart condition) and my MIL. We just paid tonight so I figure if I get something tomorrow or the next day we should hopefully be good.

Does anyone have any advice for what I should do next with this new "rental"??

 

[Bullseye1967]

I am looking into renting points in the future, so I really appreciate you guys taking the time to give your input. It seems like a win/win situation for us.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I just rented a 2 bedroom villa from David's for a trip in June 2018. @Weather_Lady, how did you go about getting your MB sent to you? Do you just enter the confirmation # David's gives you into your MDE account? This whole process is still a little new and confusing for me. I'm thinking of getting trip insurance since I'll be brining my mom (who has a heart condition) and my MIL. We just paid tonight so I figure if I get something tomorrow or the next day we should hopefully be good.

Does anyone have any advice for what I should do next with this new "rental"??

Yes. Simply enter your confirmation number in MDE, like you would any other Disney reservation. Your reservation details will then be stored, and you will be able to customize MagicBands, make dining reservations (beginning 180 days from arrival, for your entire stay up to 10 days), etc. Your MagicBands and luggage tags will be mailed to you about a month before you travel.

If you want the DDP, you'll need to go through David's (giving them a CC# to pass on to the Member from whom you're renting, as they are the ones that have to set it up for you.) The dining plan is the only part of the reservation where you need the member's assistance. Everything else you will manage yourself through MDE.

At some point before your FP+ window opens (60 days from arrival), you'll need to buy Disney tickets (unless you already have annual passes, or have already linked valid tickets to your account) and link them to MDE, as well. You can buy them online directly from Disney, or from a reputable authorized reseller like Undercover Tourist. If you want MemoryMaker, etc., you can set that up through your MDE account as usual, too.

If you are flying in, once you have your plans in place, you can use this link to set up your Disney's Magical Express transportation: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/airport-transportation-reservation/

Also, as you mentioned, travel insurance is always a good idea when somebody has a medical issue, and you'll want to purchase it within a few days of your rental deposit if you want to be eligible for "cancel for any reason" coverage.

While you're making plans and formulating your packing list over the next month, I also recommend checking out the detailed room tours and amenities lists for your particular villa. The "your first visit" website has some great information for each villa/size category- so does http://allears.net/acc/dvc12bvamenities.htm. Each resort sets up its villas a little differently, and browsing photos and floor plans ahead of time will help you visualize the storage space (in a 2-bedroom villa, you will have TONS of room, not to mention all the comforts of a full kitchen and washer/dryer!!!), and will prevent you from inadvertently packing things that are already being provided for you (e.g., dish detergent and sponge, can opener, dishes and paper towels, etc.), or from forgetting to pack things that aren't (e.g., you'll get a coffee filter pack or two for your coffeemaker -- but that's it, so you'll need to bring your own for subsequent days!).

Also, just a reminder: with a DVC rental, you won't get daily housekeeping services - just "trash and towel" service on day 4 of your stay. When my family stayed in a 2-BR villa at Wilderness Lodge, we found that the lack of daily housekeeping made no difference whatsoever. We had a broom, vacuum, etc. in the villa that we could use to clean up after ourselves here and there, and we don't mind re-using towels or making our own beds [poorly]. If you decide that you want to pay for more frequent housekeeping, that's something you can set up at the front desk when you arrive.

 

[nickys]

Yes. Simply enter your confirmation number in MDE, like you would any other Disney reservation. Your reservation details will then be stored, and you will be able to customize MagicBands, make dining reservations (beginning 180 days from arrival, for your entire stay up to 10 days), etc. Your MagicBands and luggage tags will be mailed to you about a month before you travel.

If you want the DDP, you'll need to go through David's (giving them a CC# to pass on to the Member from whom you're renting, as they are the ones that have to set it up for you.) The dining plan is the only part of the reservation where you need the member's assistance. Everything else you will manage yourself through MDE.

At some point before your FP+ window opens (60 days from arrival), you'll need to buy Disney tickets (unless you already have annual passes, or have already linked valid tickets to your account) and link them to MDE, as well. You can buy them online directly from Disney, or from a reputable authorized reseller like Undercover Tourist. If you want MemoryMaker, etc., you can set that up through your MDE account as usual, too.

If you are flying in, once you have your plans in place, you can use this link to set up your Disney's Magical Express transportation: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/airport-transportation-reservation/

Also, as you mentioned, travel insurance is always a good idea when somebody has a medical issue, and you'll want to purchase it within a few days of your rental deposit if you want to be eligible for "cancel for any reason" coverage.

While you're making plans and formulating your packing list over the next month, I also recommend checking out the detailed room tours and amenities lists for your particular villa. The "your first visit" website has some great information for each villa/size category- so does http://allears.net/acc/dvc12bvamenities.htm. Each resort sets up its villas a little differently, and browsing photos and floor plans ahead of time will help you visualize the storage space (in a 2-bedroom villa, you will have TONS of room, not to mention all the comforts of a full kitchen and washer/dryer!!!), and will prevent you from inadvertently packing things that are already being provided for you (e.g., dish detergent and sponge, can opener, dishes and paper towels, etc.), or from forgetting to pack things that aren't (e.g., you'll get a coffee filter pack or two for your coffeemaker -- but that's it, so you'll need to bring your own for subsequent days!).

Also, just a reminder: with a DVC rental, you won't get daily housekeeping services - just "trash and towel" service on day 4 of your stay. When my family stayed in a 2-BR villa at Wilderness Lodge, we found that the lack of daily housekeeping made no difference whatsoever. We had a broom, vacuum, etc. in the villa that we could use to clean up after ourselves here and there, and we don't mind re-using towels or making our own beds [poorly]. If you decide that you want to pay for more frequent housekeeping, that's something you can set up at the front desk when you arrive.

Just to add to this, the allears site has some really good videos of most villa types of most resorts. David's site has the 360 room views, but the actual,videos are also really good to familiarise yourself with what's there.

You may also want to consider a grocery order, especially if staying in a 1 bed villa or bigger, where you have a full kitchen and full size fridge with freezer. If you think you might want to do bacon / eggs for breakfast or a pizza dinner. Coffee, filters, fruit juice, large size bottles of cola, beer, wine, ....... Maybe laundry pods, you'll just get one single wash size packet in the room. We usually always eat breakfast in our villa so get everything like cereal, bread, honey, pancake mix, fruit (you can request a blender from mousekeeping). And ingredients for a couple of easy dinners like pasta, sauce and minced beef for a bolognaise.

 

[Disneyworld_here_we_come]

I rented through David's and am currently in the middle of my stay. I am so happy I went this route rather than going through Disney. With 3 adults and 3 kids (2 of whom are "adult" age and size) a 2 bedroom villa is exactly what we needed. Everything was easy and smooth. You're treated like any other Disney member. It's the best decision I made!!

 

[NelleBelle]

Just to clarify, I don't need to set up Magical Express through Davids but can do it through my MDE?

We're vegetarian and so sometimes it's difficult to always get enough protein in your diet if your only eating at theme parks. So having a kitchen to make some meals (like breakfast and packing some sandwiches that have vegetarian "meat" and adding to lunch at the parks) is so helpful!!! Thinking about bringing a small suitcase that we would check that has some of our specialty foods we can't order from amazon or garden grocer. My DH, the coffee snob, can deal with having preground coffee for the trip.

If you want extra towels, do you request at check-in? Are there pool towels at the pool to use or ido you bring them from the room? We would likely bring beach towels from home since we plan to hit the water parks. Thanks for answering all these questions and sharing your experiences/wisdom! Definitely puts one at ease!

 

[nickys]

Just to clarify, I don't need to set up Magical Express through Davids but can do it through my MDE?

We're vegetarian and so sometimes it's difficult to always get enough protein in your diet if your only eating at theme parks. So having a kitchen to make some meals (like breakfast and packing some sandwiches that have vegetarian "meat" and adding to lunch at the parks) is so helpful!!! Thinking about bringing a small suitcase that we would check that has some of our specialty foods we can't order from amazon or garden grocer. My DH, the coffee snob, can deal with having preground coffee for the trip.

If you want extra towels, do you request at check-in? Are there pool towels at the pool to use or ido you bring them from the room? We would likely bring beach towels from home since we plan to hit the water parks. Thanks for answering all these questions and sharing your experiences/wisdom! Definitely puts one at ease!

Towels are provided at the pools, and water parks too now for all resort guests!

Whenever you want extra towels just phone mouse keeping. If you need extra bags for the recycling and trash you can ask there too, or if you see a mousekeeper in the hall just ask them.

I haven't rented but, afaik, once you have a resort stay linked you can set up Magical Express online. I don't know why they say you can't, I've only ever been asked for my reservation number and flight details. I think maybe because DVC members can also do it through member services, which you can't access, they say the owner will have to do it for you.

 

[NelleBelle]

All great info! Super helpful about the towels at the water parks--last time we were there, they were still making you "rent" them.

 

[Rob562]

Just to clarify, I don't need to set up Magical Express through Davids but can do it through my MDE?

Not quite MDE, but rather the web link @Weath
provided a few posts back.

All great info! Super helpful about the towels at the water parks--last time we were there, they were still making you "rent" them.

Or take a few extras from the pool and bring them to the water park...

-Rob

 

[NelleBelle]

Thanks everyone!!

 

[correcaminos]

Towels are provided at the pools, and water parks too now for all resort guests!

Whenever you want extra towels just phone mouse keeping. If you need extra bags for the recycling and trash you can ask there too, or if you see a mousekeeper in the hall just ask them.

I haven't rented but, afaik, once you have a resort stay linked you can set up Magical Express online. I don't know why they say you can't, I've only ever been asked for my reservation number and flight details. I think maybe because DVC members can also do it through member services, which you can't access, they say the owner will have to do it for you.

Remember that if you do call for extra towels you may be charged though.

 

[nickys]

Remember that if you do call for extra towels you may be charged though.

Oh yes, good point - sorry!

 

[NelleBelle]

How many bath towels can we expect in a 2-bedroom?