Talk to me about renting DVC points vs paying for a regular room

[correcaminos]

We have rented DVC two times now, and loved it. We did not mind not having the rooms cleaned every day, however you can pay extra (I think $60 per day) to have the room cleaned daily. Additionally, if you would like additional towels, you can just call the front desk and mousekeeping will bring them no charge.

Towels may bring a charge so feel free to request but you may or may not get them for free. It's usually $6 for a towel pack

Room cleaning charges very based on room size


Trash & Towel:

Studio/Inn = $15 per service
One Bedroom = $20 per service
Two Bedroom = $25 per service
Treehouse Villa = $25 per service
Grand Villa = $35 per service

Full cleaning:

Studio/Inn = $30 per service
One Bedroom = $45 per service
Two Bedroom = $60 per service
Treehouse Villa = $60 per service
Grand Villa = $75 per service

Laundry soap (single load box) = $1
Towel pack = $6
Toiletries (bar soap, shampoo, etc) = $5
Coffee service = $3

 

[Phonedave]

You have been over a lot of the differences between the actual rooms, and sombody touched upon on the non-refundability of a points rental, but you really need to be aware of the difference between the points process and a normal cash booking.

DVC is designed for the long range planner. DVC owners can book 11 months out where they own, and 7 months out al all other properties. For popular rooms and locations, such as you are looking at, rooms will start booking at 11m onths out, and when the 7 month window opens, any remaining inventory will really start to disappear. This means you have to make your booking well in advance.

Second, you need to be aware that the booking is in the name of the DVC owner, and under control of the owner (and only the owner) until you actualy check in. You cannot call DVC to check on the reservation, you cannot call DVC to book DME, you cannot do anything with the reservation - DVC will not speak to you until you are checked in. There have been a few horror stories of people renting points in a private transaction, and then getting shafted when they go to check in. Most owners want money up front,and you are trusting that they will interact with DVC as you wish. Brokerage places add a bit of cost to the transaction, but they act as middle men. They will take your money and hold it in escrow. They will not pay the owner until you have successfully checked into your room. I have heard of cases where things did not work out with points rented through a broker, and the broker paid for a room for the client and then went off and did whatever leagal things they had to do witht he owner to get compensated. So, short story, a broker costs more, but also provides a level of safety.

One the other hand remember that you are actualy staying in a property that is partially owned by the owner, and you are technically their guest. If you steal bedding, bust up the furniture, or incurr a cleaning fee, the owner is going to be charged.

As far as DVC rooms are concerned, they have pretty much spoiled me for other acomidations. If I check into a hotel and there is no microwave or bar sink, I feel cheated.

Just beware, renting DVC points can also be a gateway drug to owning DVC points.


-dave

 

[lostpro9het]

Just beware, renting DVC points can also be a gateway drug to owning DVC points.
-dave

FACT!

 

[TheMouseFan]

We will be staying in a Boulder Ridge studio this December. I had to contact dvcrequest.com exactly 11 months in advance to secure this room. I have a friend at work that waited one day after I booked and wasn't able to get in via dvcrequest.com. They book quick for the holidays.

BTW - We purchased trip insurance through Travel Guard. It is affordable piece of mind!

Thanks!

Do you request at the beginning of the month at 11 months or 11 months from the day you want your stay to start? We want to go mid-december, so do I need to request Jan. 1 or middle of Jan?

I just looked up travel insurance last night and decided I would probably use Travel Guard.

 

[TheMouseFan]

You have been over a lot of the differences between the actual rooms, and sombody touched upon on the non-refundability of a points rental, but you really need to be aware of the difference between the points process and a normal cash booking.

DVC is designed for the long range planner. DVC owners can book 11 months out where they own, and 7 months out al all other properties. For popular rooms and locations, such as you are looking at, rooms will start booking at 11m onths out, and when the 7 month window opens, any remaining inventory will really start to disappear. This means you have to make your booking well in advance.

Second, you need to be aware that the booking is in the name of the DVC owner, and under control of the owner (and only the owner) until you actualy check in. You cannot call DVC to check on the reservation, you cannot call DVC to book DME, you cannot do anything with the reservation - DVC will not speak to you until you are checked in. There have been a few horror stories of people renting points in a private transaction, and then getting shafted when they go to check in. Most owners want money up front,and you are trusting that they will interact with DVC as you wish. Brokerage places add a bit of cost to the transaction, but they act as middle men. They will take your money and hold it in escrow. They will not pay the owner until you have successfully checked into your room. I have heard of cases where things did not work out with points rented through a broker, and the broker paid for a room for the client and then went off and did whatever leagal things they had to do witht he owner to get compensated. So, short story, a broker costs more, but also provides a level of safety.

One the other hand remember that you are actualy staying in a property that is partially owned by the owner, and you are technically their guest. If you steal bedding, bust up the furniture, or incurr a cleaning fee, the owner is going to be charged.

As far as DVC rooms are concerned, they have pretty much spoiled me for other acomidations. If I check into a hotel and there is no microwave or bar sink, I feel cheated.

Just beware, renting DVC points can also be a gateway drug to owning DVC points.


-dave

Thanks! I have been looking at dvcrentalstore.com as I have heard good things about them. I am a very OCD/type A personality, so no worries on the damaged or stolen property from me! But I can see how some people wouldn't care!

 

[LAKid53]

Thanks!

Do you request at the beginning of the month at 11 months or 11 months from the day you want your stay to start? We want to go mid-december, so do I need to request Jan. 1 or middle of Jan?

I just looked up travel insurance last night and decided I would probably use Travel Guard.

11 months from the check-in date.

Edit: However, you might be able to submit your request to the company you are renting points through more than 11 months prior to check-in date. They just won't be able to book a resort prior to that.

 

[TheMouseFan]

11 months from the check-in date.

Edit: However, you might be able to submit your request to the company you are renting points through more than 11 months prior to check-in date. They just won't be able to book a resort prior to that.

Thanks! I'll be sure to check with them sometime next month to ask how that works.

 

[Ted Daggett]

You have been over a lot of the differences between the actual rooms, and sombody touched upon on the non-refundability of a points rental, but you really need to be aware of the difference between the points process and a normal cash booking.

DVC is designed for the long range planner. DVC owners can book 11 months out where they own, and 7 months out al all other properties. For popular rooms and locations, such as you are looking at, rooms will start booking at 11m onths out, and when the 7 month window opens, any remaining inventory will really start to disappear. This means you have to make your booking well in advance.

Second, you need to be aware that the booking is in the name of the DVC owner, and under control of the owner (and only the owner) until you actualy check in. You cannot call DVC to check on the reservation, you cannot call DVC to book DME, you cannot do anything with the reservation - DVC will not speak to you until you are checked in. There have been a few horror stories of people renting points in a private transaction, and then getting shafted when they go to check in. Most owners want money up front,and you are trusting that they will interact with DVC as you wish. Brokerage places add a bit of cost to the transaction, but they act as middle men. They will take your money and hold it in escrow. They will not pay the owner until you have successfully checked into your room. I have heard of cases where things did not work out with points rented through a broker, and the broker paid for a room for the client and then went off and did whatever leagal things they had to do witht he owner to get compensated. So, short story, a broker costs more, but also provides a level of safety.

One the other hand remember that you are actualy staying in a property that is partially owned by the owner, and you are technically their guest. If you steal bedding, bust up the furniture, or incurr a cleaning fee, the owner is going to be charged.

As far as DVC rooms are concerned, they have pretty much spoiled me for other acomidations. If I check into a hotel and there is no microwave or bar sink, I feel cheated.

Just beware, renting DVC points can also be a gateway drug to owning DVC points.


-dave

We rented points through Daves DVC Rental (dvcrequest.com) which went very smoothly. As soon as we paid, I was given a confirmation number and I could see my reservation through My Disney Experience, which was comforting. We were also able to get the owner to set us up with the Disney magical express (they could have set up the dining plan as well, but that does not benefit our family, and the process seemed complicated, since the DVC owner has to make the payment, so I needed to get them a gift card in the exact amount... seemed too difficult). I could see where there could be issues with the DVC owner not following through with a request, however they have a vested interest as well, since they are trying to get paid for their points that would expire unused otherwise.

I agree that I would probably never stay in a non-DVC room in the future after staying 2x in DVC rooms....

 

[Weather_Lady]

We were also able to get the owner to set us up with the Disney magical express

Perhaps Disney has loosened up on the DME aspect, or allows you to do it both ways -- I was able to use the usual DME link (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/airport-transportation-reservation/) for our upcoming DVC rental, to make the DME arrangements myself. All I needed (in addition to other details, like lead guest information and names of people in the "flight party") was the resort confirmation number.

 

[LAKid53]

We rented points through Daves DVC Rental (dvcrequest.com) which went very smoothly. As soon as we paid, I was given a confirmation number and I could see my reservation through My Disney Experience, which was comforting. We were also able to get the owner to set us up with the Disney magical express (they could have set up the dining plan as well, but that does not benefit our family, and the process seemed complicated, since the DVC owner has to make the payment, so I needed to get them a gift card in the exact amount... seemed too difficult). I could see where there could be issues with the DVC owner not following through with a request, however they have a vested interest as well, since they are trying to get paid for their points that would expire unused otherwise.

I agree that I would probably never stay in a non-DVC room in the future after staying 2x in DVC rooms....

Next thing you know, you'll be purchasing points in Riviera Beach.....

But I agree, the only cash room I'd book would be GF.... I don't even stay in a studio anymore, unless I'm visiting just for a night or two. I want my full kitchen...and washer and dryer.

 

[BigHero4]

Thanks!

Do you request at the beginning of the month at 11 months or 11 months from the day you want your stay to start? We want to go mid-december, so do I need to request Jan. 1 or middle of Jan?

I just looked up travel insurance last night and decided I would probably use Travel Guard.

You will request 11 months from the start of your trip. So if you plan on your first night at the resort being December 10, you would make your DVC request on Jan. 10. So far it's been a very easy process through Dave's (and with Travel Guard).

 

[Weather_Lady]

You will request 11 months from the start of your trip. So if you plan on your first night at the resort being December 10, you would make your DVC request on Jan. 10. So far it's been a very easy process through Dave's (and with Travel Guard).

Just to add to that -- even though the reservation request can't be made by David's/DVCRental, etc. until 11 months from your anticipated arrival date, you can still make the reservation request TO the rental company a day or two prior, so that it's queued up to be made ASAP on the eligible date. I've done this every time I've made a rental request. (That being said, I can't say it ever "helped" me to do that, since each time it took several days or weeks for a member to list the right number of points at the right resort with David's so they could make the reservation anyway, but YMMV...)

 

[lunchbox1175]

I have used the DVC Rental Store...specifically Katrina Little a few times now including a stay at Aulani, and have never had any problems. I have a trip coming up in February that I just booked in September. I believe its actually cheaper if you can book closer to the time you want to go, but you run the risk of not being able to get the resort that you want. For this specific trip, I got a 2 bedroom at Saratoga Springs and saved about $800 vs using Disney site.

 

[LAKid53]

So you can rent DVC points without being a member?!

Yes

 

[nickys]

Just to add to that -- even though the reservation request can't be made by David's/DVCRental, etc. until 11 months from your anticipated arrival date, you can still make the reservation request TO the rental company a day or two prior, so that it's queued up to be made ASAP on the eligible date. I've done this every time I've made a rental request. (That being said, I can't say it ever "helped" me to do that, since each time it took several days or weeks for a member to list the right number of points at the right resort with David's so they could make the reservation anyway, but YMMV...)

I don't know how early David's let you make your request, but I'd have thought you should be speaking to them at least a couple of months before the 11 month mark.

When David's match a request with owners who have listed their points, they email all the owners who have the required number of points at the required home escort. The first owner to respond gets asked to make the booking. So making your request 2 days before the 11 month mark is not giving much time to get a response from an owner. You want an owner to be waiting to make that reservation at the 11 month mark, in some cases right at 6am.

As soon as you know when you want a reservation then call David's and get the ball rolling. I don't know what checks they make first before moving ahead with your request, but they will take you through the process.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I don't know how early David's let you make your request, but I'd have thought you should be speaking to them at least a couple of months before the 11 month mark.

When David's match a request with owners who have listed their points, they email all the owners who have the required number of points at the required home escort. The first owner to respond gets asked to make the booking. So making your request 2 days before the 11 month mark is not giving much time to get a response from an owner. You want an owner to be waiting to make that reservation at the 11 month mark, in some cases right at 6am.

As soon as you know when you want a reservation then call David's and get the ball rolling. I don't know what checks they make first before moving ahead with your request, but they will take you through the process.

That's odd: I've done it earlier in the past (several weeks before), and been told - by David's - that it wasn't necessary and of no advantage to do it that early, although they'd be glad to put my request in their queue, to be addressed when the 11-month mark arrived. Perhaps their view on that has changed.

 

[nickys]

That's odd: I've done it earlier in the past (several weeks before), and been told - by David's - that it wasn't necessary and of no advantage to do it that early, although they'd be glad to put my request in their queue, to be addressed when the 11-month mark arrived. Perhaps their view on that has changed.

Well I guess David's isn't worried about getting the really hard to get reservations then! Maybe they just refuse a request for AKV value rooms, or BW during F&W....

Or, of course, maybe you weren't wanting one of the all but impossible to get rooms. But if someone did say they wanted one, either they would have to action it early or they would have to accept it was unlikely to be fulfilled, and temper expectations.