Renting DVC

[water*drop]

We're considering renting DVC (probably through David's, though I'm open to other ideas) for a week-long trip at the beginning of May 2017. We'd be going with my parents and DD (she'd be turning 5) and DS (he'd be turning 2). Ideally, we'd like to rent a 2-bedroom at BLT.

First, does anybody have a guess at how likely it is for us to actually manage to GET a 2-bedroom rental at BLT? We'd put in the request 11 months out, and we don't really care which view we get, but I don't know how likely it is for them to get enough points for the rental before the 2-bedrooms at BLT fill up with actual DVC members.

Second, what should our next choice be if we can't get a 2-bedroom there? Request a 2-bedroom someplace else (pro: still in a 2-bedroom, con: not on the monorail)? Request a 1-bedroom at BLT (I think that works? It says an occupancy of 5, but is that 5 "adults" and then DS doesn't count because he's in a crib, or does he still count, meaning we need something with an occupancy of 6+?) and deal with being in super tight quarters with my parents (pro: still on the monorail, con: that's a lot of closeness...)? Just book two normal rooms at Contemporary instead of trying to rent DVC (pro: still on the monorail, con: sending the kids back to the hotel with my parents is harder since they'd need one of our magic bands to get into the room...or would DD's work since she's a paid guest??)? Other ideas? We will have a vehicle, so we don't necessarily need to rely on Disney transportation, but being on the monorail seems easier with DS needing to nap, etc, and we'll be spending most of our time at Magic Kingdom since the kids are small.

[ilikedonuts]

You should be absolutely fine getting a 2 bedroom at BLT. What view are you looking for?

[ilikedonuts]

Lake view 2 bedrooms will even be available at 7 months for early May.

[water*drop]

Mar 30, 2016 7:18:13 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

You should be absolutely fine getting a 2 bedroom at BLT. What view are you looking for?

We don't really care. We've been trying to decide how to prioritize the views, and we're getting nowhere. The idea of a theme park view is nice, but the huge disboard thread with various room views make most of the standard views not look very bad for a lot cheaper, soooo...idk.

[curbsideprophet]

We were able to rent points for a BLT 2 bedroom for last Oct. you are planning far enough out that I think you should be able to get that.

We had a theme park view and it was fantastic. DD loved being able to look out he window and see the castle. We could see the electrical water pageant and the fireworks from our room.

[ilikedonuts]

Mar 30, 2016 7:22:12 GMT -5 water*drop said:

Mar 30, 2016 7:18:13 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

You should be absolutely fine getting a 2 bedroom at BLT. What view are you looking for?

We don't really care. We've been trying to decide how to prioritize the views, and we're getting nowhere. The idea of a theme park view is nice, but the huge disboard thread with various room views make most of the standard views not look very bad for a lot cheaper, soooo...idk.

2 bedroom standards are limited so you have more then a 50% chance of getting a theme park view (but lower floor of course), but that also means you'd probably need David's to have a blt owner ready to book at 11 months. May isn't crazy high demand but I'm not sure how fast the standards go that time of year. We got one at 11 months for October 2014 (and we lucked out with the absolute best room for a standard view).

If you HAVE to have theme park view then for sure book that. If in the end you don't have then you have more flexibility.

[elcjet]

We used DVD Rental Store and got a studio at BLT for December within a day, so I would say at the 11 month mark you stand a very good chance at getting a 2 bedroom. Poly is really the only thing we had a problem securing --- I ended up giving up and opting for a split stay between BLT and BWV just to make sure I wasn't asking for too many points at one resort.

[Deleted]

We had one of those 2 bedrooms that is a Standard now but used to be a TPV in September. It was spectacular.

2 years before I had w LV studio. I actually liked the LV so much more because I kept waking up at night to make sure my castle was still there in the 2 bedroom lol!

[tinkerbell]

I don't have anything useful to add to the discussion, but I will say that the 2-bedrooms at BLT are awesome! When I stayed in one there were 9 of us (all adults) and we never felt like we were on top of each other. It was also helpful that the 2 bedrooms there have a 3rd bathroom.

[hymen]

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

[thebulldog]

Is there a specific website to do this? We have plans next feb to stay at AOA mainly for my mom to stay eith my sis and her kids in a family suite. Can renting points be cheaper?

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[TamiTaylor]

We are renting a 2bd villa at the AKL in June. The total cost for the 4 nights is $2262 for 5 adults and a 3yo. It does not include our tickets but I think we are getting a heck of a deal. We priced out AoA suites (we would have needed 2) and renting points for AKL was roughly the same price.

[lala]

Apr 1, 2016 15:46:04 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Apr 1, 2016 15:44:06 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Is there a specific website to do this? We have plans next feb to stay at AOA mainly for my mom to stay eith my sis and her kids in a family suite. Can renting points be cheaper?

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

AOA isn't one you can rent points. You can only rent points for a DVC room.

This. Renting points for a one or 2 bedroom DVC vila will not be cheaper than an AOA suite. Renting a studio would be but then you'd just be in one room. 

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

I'm glad to see this. I am trying to use them to book, and we've had our request in for a month now. 7 months is in a few weeks so I hope I have better luck when that hits.

[water*drop]

Apr 2, 2016 11:10:59 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

I'm glad to see this. I am trying to use them to book, and we've had our request in for a month now. 7 months is in a few weeks so I hope I have better luck when that hits.

Let me know how your experience is. The waiting aspect of renting points seems stressful, but it definitely works out better for us cost-wise than pretty much any other option that we've considered for this trip.

[water*drop]

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

I'm glad to hear this. I'm nervous about the idea of having to wait, but I guess the worst case scenario is that nothing becomes available there even at 7 months and we book somewhere else.

How did you like working with DVC rental store? What made you pick them over other sites? We're still trying to decide who to rent through.

[hymen]

Apr 2, 2016 18:24:14 GMT -5 water*drop said:

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

I'm glad to hear this. I'm nervous about the idea of having to wait, but I guess the worst case scenario is that nothing becomes available there even at 7 months and we book somewhere else.

How did you like working with DVC rental store? What made you pick them over other sites? We're still trying to decide who to rent through.

I loved them. We picked them because they don't charge to check for availability - I think David's does? Or at least a deposit? You work with an is individual agent and she was so responsive and timely. When BLT wasn't available at 11 months she said she would contact me at the 7 month mark, and it was literally within minutes after opening business hours when she had a quote for me. I recommended them to my sister and we are using them again for our upcoming June trip (staying at AKL this time). My ILs are DVC members and we had considered joining as well, but I think we are going to stick with renting right now.

[TamiTaylor]

Apr 2, 2016 18:24:14 GMT -5 water*drop said:

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

I'm glad to hear this. I'm nervous about the idea of having to wait, but I guess the worst case scenario is that nothing becomes available there even at 7 months and we book somewhere else.

How did you like working with DVC rental store? What made you pick them over other sites? We're still trying to decide who to rent through.

Not hymen, but we also are using DVC Rentals. I am working with Kate, who is super responsive. I didn't have to pay anything for availability check. You have to pay a % of the reservation up front but the remaining place isn't due until 45 days before your trip. So we have been making payments each month which really helps the budget. They also offer cancellation insurance (we got it.) I believe we can cancel anytime before 3 days for arrival and get a full refund (I think that sounds right.)

[hymen]

Apr 1, 2016 16:14:08 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

We are renting a 2bd villa at the AKL in June. The total cost for the 4 nights is $2262 for 5 adults and a 3yo. It does not include our tickets but I think we are getting a heck of a deal. We priced out AoA suites (we would have needed 2) and renting points for AKL was roughly the same price.

When are you going in June? We will also be at AKL in a 2-bedroom! We are staying at Kidani and I am excited for the extra 3rd bathroom. We enjoyed it at BLT.

[TamiTaylor]

Apr 2, 2016 19:48:49 GMT -5 hymen said:

Apr 1, 2016 16:14:08 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

We are renting a 2bd villa at the AKL in June. The total cost for the 4 nights is $2262 for 5 adults and a 3yo. It does not include our tickets but I think we are getting a heck of a deal. We priced out AoA suites (we would have needed 2) and renting points for AKL was roughly the same price.

When are you going in June? We will also be at AKL in a 2-bedroom! We are staying at Kidani and I am excited for the extra 3rd bathroom. We enjoyed it at BLT.

8-12

[hymen]

Apr 2, 2016 19:50:33 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Apr 2, 2016 19:48:49 GMT -5 hymen said:

When are you going in June? We will also be at AKL in a 2-bedroom! We are staying at Kidani and I am excited for the extra 3rd bathroom. We enjoyed it at BLT.

8-12

We are there at the end of the month. You'll have to post how you like it. We have never stayed AKL but my sister has and loves it.

[lala]

Apr 2, 2016 19:00:45 GMT -5 hymen said:

Apr 2, 2016 18:24:14 GMT -5 water*drop said:

I'm glad to hear this. I'm nervous about the idea of having to wait, but I guess the worst case scenario is that nothing becomes available there even at 7 months and we book somewhere else.

How did you like working with DVC rental store? What made you pick them over other sites? We're still trying to decide who to rent through.

I loved them. We picked them because they don't charge to check for availability - I think David's does? Or at least a deposit? You work with an is individual agent and she was so responsive and timely. When BLT wasn't available at 11 months she said she would contact me at the 7 month mark, and it was literally within minutes after opening business hours when she had a quote for me. I recommended them to my sister and we are using them again for our upcoming June trip (staying at AKL this time). My ILs are DVC members and we had considered joining as well, but I think we are going to stick with renting right now.

Hmm, we've only used David's b/c it was the big one the first time we looked into it back in 2007. You do have to give like $44 or something when you submit the request but it's applied to your total or refunded if they don't have it. It's just to prevent having to do a million checks I'm sure. I've never found it to be a big deal and have only been more than happy withe their customer service. 

[hymen]

Apr 2, 2016 20:17:31 GMT -5 lala said:

Apr 2, 2016 19:00:45 GMT -5 hymen said:

I loved them. We picked them because they don't charge to check for availability - I think David's does? Or at least a deposit? You work with an is individual agent and she was so responsive and timely. When BLT wasn't available at 11 months she said she would contact me at the 7 month mark, and it was literally within minutes after opening business hours when she had a quote for me. I recommended them to my sister and we are using them again for our upcoming June trip (staying at AKL this time). My ILs are DVC members and we had considered joining as well, but I think we are going to stick with renting right now.

Hmm, we've only used David's b/c it was the big one the first time we looked into it back in 2007. You do have to give like $44 or something when you submit the request but it's applied to your total or refunded if they don't have it. It's just to prevent having to do a million checks I'm sure. I've never found it to be a big deal and have only been more than happy withe their customer service. 

I'm sure David's is awesome too. We have just been happy with DVC rental store as well.

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

Do you remember how far after the 7 month mark you were able to book?  We hit 7 months today and I'm impatient lol.

[ilikedonuts]

Apr 12, 2016 11:41:20 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

Do you remember how far after the 7 month mark you were able to book?  We hit 7 months today and I'm impatient lol.

What specifically are you looking for? I can check and see what is still available.

Do they not have an owner with points for you to rent yet through the rental company?

[hymen]

Apr 12, 2016 11:41:20 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Mar 31, 2016 19:33:17 GMT -5 hymen said:

We rented through dvc rental store and got a lake view 2 bedroom at BLT. We couldn't book at 11 months out but were able to at the 7 month mark.

Do you remember how far after the 7 month mark you were able to book?  We hit 7 months today and I'm impatient lol.

She emailed me right at 7 months, early in the day. Do you have a rep you're working with? I would just email and ask if they have any availability.

We had originally tried to book at 11 months out and there was nothing, so our rep put us on a list for 7 month mark.

[Deleted]

Apr 12, 2016 14:18:15 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Apr 12, 2016 11:41:20 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Do you remember how far after the 7 month mark you were able to book?  We hit 7 months today and I'm impatient lol.

What specifically are you looking for? I can check and see what is still available.

Do they not have an owner with points for you to rent yet through the rental company?

We were looking at a 2 bedroom at AKL, but I heard back earlier today that those booked up now.  So now I'm having them check on Boardwalk or Old Key West I guess.  I don't think they have an owner with points yet.

[ilikedonuts]

Apr 12, 2016 14:46:14 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Apr 12, 2016 14:18:15 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

What specifically are you looking for? I can check and see what is still available.

Do they not have an owner with points for you to rent yet through the rental company?

We were looking at a 2 bedroom at AKL, but I heard back earlier today that those booked up now.  So now I'm having them check on Boardwalk or Old Key West I guess.  I don't think they have an owner with points yet.

I just checked. Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are the only ones left with availability on 11/12/16.

ETA: for a 2 bedroom

[Deleted]

Apr 12, 2016 15:12:24 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Apr 12, 2016 14:46:14 GMT -5 @lindy said:

We were looking at a 2 bedroom at AKL, but I heard back earlier today that those booked up now.  So now I'm having them check on Boardwalk or Old Key West I guess.  I don't think they have an owner with points yet.

I just checked. Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are the only ones left with availability on 11/12/16.

ETA: for a 2 bedroom

Thank you! Let's hope we can get into Old Key West then. It doesn't look amazing on pictures (I've never stayed there though) but my ILs really want a kitchen.

[lacey]

Can I add a question? We have been working with DVC rental store for a 2 bedroom at BLT Dec. 10-14. I emailed them yesterday and they say there is still availability but they haven't found an owner to rent to us yet. Does anyone know if there is any benefit to trying with David's? Are they likely to have more owners with points?