Booking DVC rental?

[meganew]

Has anyone done this recently or plan to? We did it in 2019 and it went really smoothly, the kids loved the room, and honestly it's the only way we could afford to stay at the Poly. I know things got shitty when covid first hit, but I'm looking to book in end of March 2022 so I have to assume things will be (hopefully) pretty back to normal by then. We went through DVC Rental Store last time and put in a request through them again- they have that week available at the Poly and it looks like it will save us some serious $$$ vs booking through the website, just not sure if it's still a safe bet.

I'm really hoping fast passes are back by then, too, but honestly it would feel amazing to just walk around the park and see the fireworks. 

[curbsideprophet]

We have rented in the past but have not recently since my parents now own DVC. That being said, not sure what you mean by sure if it is still a safe bet. There are always risks with renting, especially if you need to cancel for some reason. Obviously the resorts shutting down due to covid was something that had not happened before.

What are your concerns?

From what I have heard DVC Rental Store handled the covid shut down better than David's. However that is just what I have gathered from message boards/etc.

I do not expect Disney to shut down completely again, but I suppose it could happen.

[chocolatepie]

We rent often, both through DVC rental companies and individuals. There is a risk but other than some issues with David's rentals and how they dealt with COVID closures, I haven't heard from anyone that has had issues with being ripped off. The biggest risk IMO is that you can't cancel if something comes up. Some companies will relist your reservation so you may get some of your money back but that's a big what-if. Some individuals are willing to reschedule your dates if they are available (we've done that) - I would just make sure it's stated in the contract if you're wanting that option.

Our most recent rental was at Poly last month and it was amazing! I will never fork out the $$ to stay there without renting - the cost difference is huge!

[meganew]

Jun 9, 2021 19:21:50 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

We rent often, both through DVC rental companies and individuals. There is a risk but other than some issues with David's rentals and how they dealt with COVID closures, I haven't heard from anyone that has had issues with being ripped off. The biggest risk IMO is that you can't cancel if something comes up. Some companies will relist your reservation so you may get some of your money back but that's a big what-if. Some individuals are willing to reschedule your dates if they are available (we've done that) - I would just make sure it's stated in the contract if you're wanting that option.

Our most recent rental was at Poly last month and it was amazing! I will never fork out the $$ to stay there without renting - the cost difference is huge!

We opted for trip insurance last time and would do the same again, but I guess I’ll just have to check more closely what that covers.

[TamiTaylor]

If you do rent DVC points I would use DVC Rental Store if they still have the cancel for any reason insurance. I would 100% NOT use David’s. They were horrid during the shutdown. I am biased by just a rule of thumb Disney is really going to have the best trip insurance/cancellation policy.

[huskymom]

Did prices get much more expensive for renting points? We have to go through David’s (have a voucher from that mess last year) and we put in a request for a 1 bed villa at Beach Club and last I checked it’s the basically the same price as Disney rack rates (so with a Disney offer would be even worse potentially!). There is resort availability but no owner availability.

Will never use David’s again after this.

[Covergirl82]

We have rented multiple times through DVC Rental Store, and it was a good experience each time. We did have to cancel in 2020, and had bought the "cancel for any reason" insurance. (At first we rescheduled, and they were very helpful with the reschedule, which included changing resorts.) Be aware that it's a tiered refund structure, and the refund amount goes down as it gets closer to your trip. We canceled about 5-6 months out and got 75% back, and it was credited in our bank account pretty quickly (I think 1-2 business days).

We would definitely rent through DVC Rental Store again. I do agree with TamiTaylor that booking directly through Disney still gives you the best cancellation/refund policy and flexibility.

[meganew]

Update: we put the deposit down to start the process for renting points for March 26th to April 2nd.

Last time we did this it was so much earlier and there was something available right away, right now they have to reach out to their members and see if anyone is willing to rent their points. I’m wondering how long I should wait to hopefully find something before canceling and just booking through Disney. I mean, we literally just put the deposit down today so I’m trying not to get too anxious, lol. And luckily our week isn’t connected to Easter, which is why we’re really hoping to go. I know everything post-covid is hard to predict, but how far out from the trip would you give it up and just pay more through Disney?

[mccallister84]

Jun 21, 2021 12:44:59 GMT -5 meganew said:

Update: we put the deposit down to start the process for renting points for March 26th to April 2nd.

Last time we did this it was so much earlier and there was something available right away, right now they have to reach out to their members and see if anyone is willing to rent their points. I’m wondering how long I should wait to hopefully find something before canceling and just booking through Disney. I mean, we literally just put the deposit down today so I’m trying not to get too anxious, lol. And luckily our week isn’t connected to Easter, which is why we’re really hoping to go. I know everything post-covid is hard to predict, but how far out from the trip would you give it up and just pay more through Disney?

Isn’t booking through Disney fully refundable until orettt close to your trip? It so, I would do that but I like having back up plans.

[meganew]

Jun 21, 2021 14:19:32 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Jun 21, 2021 12:44:59 GMT -5 meganew said:

Update: we put the deposit down to start the process for renting points for March 26th to April 2nd.

Last time we did this it was so much earlier and there was something available right away, right now they have to reach out to their members and see if anyone is willing to rent their points. I’m wondering how long I should wait to hopefully find something before canceling and just booking through Disney. I mean, we literally just put the deposit down today so I’m trying not to get too anxious, lol. And luckily our week isn’t connected to Easter, which is why we’re really hoping to go. I know everything post-covid is hard to predict, but how far out from the trip would you give it up and just pay more through Disney?

Isn’t booking through Disney fully refundable until orettt close to your trip? It so, I would do that but I like having back up plans.

Ohhhh this is interesting. So book now through Disney, but keep DVC going and cancel the original booking if they do find something. That would help my anxiety but I’m not sure if I could get H on board lol

[meganew]

Well shit. It looks like all the rooms at the Poly are sold out for those dates already. Looks like I’m praying DVC come through.

TamiTaylor is there any way that they would be listed as sold out on the website but available through Disney agents?

[TamiTaylor]

Jun 21, 2021 15:11:56 GMT -5 meganew said:

Well shit. It looks like all the rooms at the Poly are sold out for those dates already. Looks like I’m praying DVC come through.

TamiTaylor is there any way that they would be listed as sold out on the website but available through Disney agents?

Like the DVC rooms are sold out? There is a ratio for dvc vs not. It is definitely possible that the DVC rooms are not available but non DVC rooms are available.

[meganew]

Jun 21, 2021 16:16:14 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Jun 21, 2021 15:11:56 GMT -5 meganew said:

Well shit. It looks like all the rooms at the Poly are sold out for those dates already. Looks like I’m praying DVC come through.

TamiTaylor is there any way that they would be listed as sold out on the website but available through Disney agents?

Like the DVC rooms are sold out? There is a ratio for dvc vs not. It is definitely possible that the DVC rooms are not available but non DVC rooms are available.

No, just through the regular Disney website. It says there’s nothing available that week already.

[TamiTaylor]

Jun 21, 2021 16:25:50 GMT -5 meganew said:

Jun 21, 2021 16:16:14 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Like the DVC rooms are sold out? There is a ratio for dvc vs not. It is definitely possible that the DVC rooms are not available but non DVC rooms are available.

No, just through the regular Disney website. It says there’s nothing available that week already.

At the Poly specifically or at any of the hotels?

ETA: I am seeing availability on my end for the Poly. Just not the studios. But they have standard rooms available still.

[meganew]

Jun 21, 2021 17:59:21 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Jun 21, 2021 16:25:50 GMT -5 meganew said:

No, just through the regular Disney website. It says there’s nothing available that week already.

At the Poly specifically or at any of the hotels?

ETA: I am seeing availability on my end for the Poly. Just not the studios. But they have standard rooms available still.

I was just looking and you're right- it does look like there's availability for standard rooms at the Poly, I must have only been searching studios somehow? Either way, looking at my quote from DVC and how much tickets would be to purchase separately it doesn't look like we'd actually be saving much at all. Now I'm wondering with the cancellation policy if it's safer to just go through them. Is there any other upside to going straight through Disney I'm not thinking of? Not sure how much has changed post-covid. 

[meganew]

Oh- and what is the payment process like if you go straight through Disney? Is it all up front? I know with DVC it's a portion now and then the rest 30 days out.

[TamiTaylor]

Jun 22, 2021 0:01:41 GMT -5 meganew said:

Jun 21, 2021 17:59:21 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

At the Poly specifically or at any of the hotels?

ETA: I am seeing availability on my end for the Poly. Just not the studios. But they have standard rooms available still.

I was just looking and you're right- it does look like there's availability for standard rooms at the Poly, I must have only been searching studios somehow? Either way, looking at my quote from DVC and how much tickets would be to purchase separately it doesn't look like we'd actually be saving much at all. Now I'm wondering with the cancellation policy if it's safer to just go through them. Is there any other upside to going straight through Disney I'm not thinking of? Not sure how much has changed post-covid. 

Pros to going through Disney instead of DVC:
-smaller upfront cost
-cancellation policy is better
-any promos or discounts that may come out are only available for rooms and packages booked via Disney or a Disney TA

The initial upfront cost of a package (room and tickets) is $200 with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to arrival. It you book DVC you have to pay a bigger deposit and have buy your tickets in full at the time of purchase. If you book DVC and have to cancel for whatever reason you will not be able to refund your tickets. If you book a package through Disney you get a full refund if prior to 30 days out and even after 30 days out it is still a great refund and you won’t be stuck with unusable tickets.

[meganew]

Jun 22, 2021 8:24:38 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

Jun 22, 2021 0:01:41 GMT -5 meganew said:

I was just looking and you're right- it does look like there's availability for standard rooms at the Poly, I must have only been searching studios somehow? Either way, looking at my quote from DVC and how much tickets would be to purchase separately it doesn't look like we'd actually be saving much at all. Now I'm wondering with the cancellation policy if it's safer to just go through them. Is there any other upside to going straight through Disney I'm not thinking of? Not sure how much has changed post-covid. 

Pros to going through Disney instead of DVC:
-smaller upfront cost
-cancellation policy is better
-any promos or discounts that may come out are only available for rooms and packages booked via Disney or a Disney TA

The initial upfront cost of a package (room and tickets) is $200 with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to arrival. It you book DVC you have to pay a bigger deposit and have buy your tickets in full at the time of purchase. If you book DVC and have to cancel for whatever reason you will not be able to refund your tickets. If you book a package through Disney you get a full refund if prior to 30 days out and even after 30 days out it is still a great refund and you won’t be stuck with unusable tickets.

Thank you for this! I think we’re leaning this way now regardless of DVC having availability, just because there’s so much unknown still for what fall and winter will bring. I reeeeeeally hope the worst is behind us, but who truly knows.