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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
So I was looking at the cost of going to Disney in December.
The packages from the Disney Website are:
Art of Animation - Little Mermaid suite
- 8 days/7 nights at
- 7 day Park Tickets for 2 adults/2 kids
- Dining plan for all 4 of us
- Memory Maker
- Transportation to and from the airport
Total is - $4572
Port Orleans French Quarter
- 8 days/7 nights
- 7 day Park Tickets for 2 adults/2 kids
- Dining plan for all 4 of us
- Memory Maker
- Transportation to and from the airport
Total is - $5308
Caribbean Beach
- 8 days/7 nights
- 7 day Park Tickets for 2 adults/2 kids
- Dining plan for all 4 of us
- Memory Maker
- Transportation to and from the airport
Total is - $5720
When I look at David's DVC Rentals I can get the following:
Bay Lake Tower: $1854
Polynesian: $2142
When adding the park tickets, dining plan and memory maker it brings the totals for each of the above monorail resorts:
Bay Lake Tower: $1854 + $3436 = $5290
Polynesian: $2142 + $3436 = $5578
Am I missing something?
Wouldn't it be more beneficial to rent the points and stay in a monorail resort for almost the same amount of money as it would to stay at Port Orleans or Caribbean Beach? I know the DVC rentals are around $1k more than Art of Animation but I would be willing to splurge for the ease of the monorail.
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Posted 1/25/19 1:04 PM  |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Keep in mind you don't get daily housekeeping when you rent points. And the cancellation policies are more strict, so I would get insurance for the points you are renting.
What size room is that at the Poly and Bay Lake? Some only have one bed and a pull out, vs. 2 beds in a regular resort
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| Posted 1/25/19 1:10 PM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by BargainMama
Keep in mind you don't get daily housekeeping when you rent points. And the cancellation policies are more strict, so I would get insurance for the points you are renting.
What size room is that at the Poly and Bay Lake? Some only have one bed and a pull out, vs. 2 beds in a regular resort
Both were standard studio rooms. I wouldn't need daily housekeeping but would like for them to come 2-3 times during the week that we are there.
I would like to have 2 double or queen beds but if one's a bed and the other a pull-out that may be ok too. Can stick the kids on the pull-out.
I don't plan on spending a lot of time in the room. The usual shower, change for the pool and sleep. That's about it.
Message edited 1/25/2019 1:14:41 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/19 1:13 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
In studio DVC units, you will not get two beds (the only resort that has this option is Old Key West - not on the monorail).
The Grand Floridian & Poly will have a queen sized bed, a queen sleeper sofa and a small drop down murphy bed (smaller than a twin)
Bay Lake will have a queen bed and a sleeper sofa.
Bay Lake studio rooms are SMALL - very small - even for just DH and I it's tight (like no room to walk around the bed tight).
You will not get maid service every day. For stays of 7 nights or less, you will get trash service every day. You will get clean towels on your 4th day. For stays of 8 nights or more, you will get trash service daily and instead of the towel service, you will get a full cleaning on your 4th day.
I've rented out my points through Davids a few times. It's a great way for a non-DVC owner to save some $$$. However, you have to plan FAR in advance - especially for peak times/resorts. There are no cancellations/changes, etc. You can ask David's to contact the owner to add the meal plan/magical express when you make your reservation.
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| Posted 1/25/19 1:51 PM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by Mill188
In studio DVC units, you will not get two beds (the only resort that has this option is Old Key West - not on the monorail).
The Grand Floridian & Poly will have a queen sized bed, a queen sleeper sofa and a small drop down murphy bed (smaller than a twin)
Bay Lake will have a queen bed and a sleeper sofa.
Bay Lake studio rooms are SMALL - very small - even for just DH and I it's tight (like no room to walk around the bed tight).
You will not get maid service every day. For stays of 7 nights or less, you will get trash service every day. You will get clean towels on your 4th day. For stays of 8 nights or more, you will get trash service daily and instead of the towel service, you will get a full cleaning on your 4th day.
I've rented out my points through Davids a few times. It's a great way for a non-DVC owner to save some $$$. However, you have to plan FAR in advance - especially for peak times/resorts. There are no cancellations/changes, etc. You can ask David's to contact the owner to add the meal plan/magical express when you make your reservation.
Thank you for the information.
Do you rent out your points?
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| Posted 1/25/19 2:15 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
I have rented them out a few times, but honestly - we always seem to use them all each year! I do always say that if I ever have any that I'm not going to use, I will post them here first though.
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| Posted 1/25/19 3:13 PM |
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Mrs-D-Girl
Love my fur baby
Member since 8/07 5183 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
We got to Disney once a year and rent from David's every time. IMO, it's the only way to go for us.
We get a 1 bedroom (2 adults, 1 child), but we like having the extra room, 2 TV's, washer/dryer, Kitchen. We stay in a Deluxe resort for the price of a moderate and more space.
One downside I guess is you have to pay in full.
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| Posted 1/25/19 4:04 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
You're really not missing anything. For us it also was approximately the price of a moderate. It can be an incredible deal especially for a studio.
I think some people don't like not being in control of the reservation. I would normally be one of those type A people but I got over that for the price. Plus their customer service is very good. Get travel insurance because it's non refundable and you must pay in full upon booking.
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| Posted 1/26/19 5:07 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
I think you can pay a la carte for more housekeeping if yiu want a second visit.
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| Posted 1/27/19 4:17 PM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
You can pay for additional mousekeeping visits. It’s expensive though. I want to say $36 or $38 for a studio. Arrangements can be made at check in
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| Posted 1/27/19 8:09 PM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by JennP
You're really not missing anything. For us it also was approximately the price of a moderate. It can be an incredible deal especially for a studio.
I think some people don't like not being in control of the reservation. I would normally be one of those type A people but I got over that for the price. Plus their customer service is very good. Get travel insurance because it's non refundable and you must pay in full upon booking.
I thought I read that once the reservation was paid for on David's website that it's now under your name with Disney and accessible through the My Disney Experience App. This way I would be able to add my ADRs, Fast Passes, Memory Maker, Dining Plan, etc.
Is that not the case?
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| Posted 1/28/19 9:12 AM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
This is where it is confusing. The reservation will be in your name, but you won't "own" the reservation. The owner of the points will always retain control over the reservation.
DVC reservations are not in the same system as regular Disney cash reservations.
Once you get your reservation confirmation number from Davids, you can absolutely add it to My Disney Experience and make your ADRs, fast passes, and purchase tickets or memory maker.
However, in order to purchase the dining plan or make your Magical Express reservations, you must go through Davids who must have the DVC owner add these items to the reservation.
Dining plans and magical express reservations for DVC owners are handled through DVC Member Services - not central reservations. Member Services will not speak to anyone but the member.
That is where you have to give up some control. Davids will tell you to contact them as soon as you have your flights booked to add ME. If you know you want the dining plan, I would inform David's of that when you make your request for reservation - it makes it easier for everyone involved to do it in one transaction rather than piecemeal it together.
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| Posted 1/28/19 9:58 AM |
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dianadrw
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 2092 total posts
Name:
Me
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Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
You can't cancel. That's the catch.
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| Posted 1/28/19 10:07 AM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by Mill188
This is where it is confusing. The reservation will be in your name, but you won't "own" the reservation. The owner of the points will always retain control over the reservation.
DVC reservations are not in the same system as regular Disney cash reservations.
Once you get your reservation confirmation number from Davids, you can absolutely add it to My Disney Experience and make your ADRs, fast passes, and purchase tickets or memory maker.
However, in order to purchase the dining plan or make your Magical Express reservations, you must go through Davids who must have the DVC owner add these items to the reservation.
Dining plans and magical express reservations for DVC owners are handled through DVC Member Services - not central reservations. Member Services will not speak to anyone but the member.
That is where you have to give up some control. Davids will tell you to contact them as soon as you have your flights booked to add ME. If you know you want the dining plan, I would inform David's of that when you make your request for reservation - it makes it easier for everyone involved to do it in one transaction rather than piecemeal it together.
Thank you! Very helpful information.
What if there are any problems leading up to the trip or while we are on the trip that I would normally contact Guest Services about but can't because I rented points and can not speak with member services. Who do I contact? Is the response quick?
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| Posted 1/28/19 10:13 AM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by dianadrw
You can't cancel. That's the catch.
I am ok with not being able to cancel. I did see that there is insurance available which may be a good option to purchase depending on how much it is.
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| Posted 1/28/19 10:14 AM |
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dianadrw
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 2092 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by nraboni
Posted by dianadrw
You can't cancel. That's the catch.
I am ok with not being able to cancel. I did see that there is insurance available which may be a good option to purchase depending on how much it is.
If you're ok with that then you're good. I rented directly from an owner a few years ago. It was a great experience for us. I contacted InsureMyTrip.com and told them what I was doing and they wrote me a relatively inexpensive policy. I think it was about $150.
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| Posted 1/28/19 10:37 AM |
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Mill188
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 3072 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by nraboni
Thank you! Very helpful information.
What if there are any problems leading up to the trip or while we are on the trip that I would normally contact Guest Services about but can't because I rented points and can not speak with member services. Who do I contact? Is the response quick?
It depends. Any problems relating to the ROOM reservation or ME or Dining Plans, you will have to go through Davids. They will then have to contact the DVC owner. Honestly, I cannot imagine any issues with the room reservation before your arrival, especially since you cannot change your dates. The DVC dining plan must be paid for and requested 2 days prior to check-in (and if you're renting, well in advance of that) so there won't be any issues there. If you have a problem with delayed flights, etc., it doesn't become a problem until the next day. You would contact Davids in the meantime and have them handle it.
As far as room issues upon arrival, you can't complain about location or view or request an upgrade or late checkout with DVC. If it's a housekeeping issue, just go to the front desk and they will take care of it.
If there are any issues with the dining plan AFTER you arrive, the front desk will help you. If you find out that say your dining plan isn't included - that's an issue for Davids (I've never heard of that happening, just trying to think of an example).
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| Posted 1/28/19 11:57 AM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney - Renting Points vs. Traditional Rental
Posted by dianadrw
You can't cancel. That's the catch.
I find that cancellation is 100% necessary with kids. I have 3 little ones and cancelled when my biggest got very ill the day before we were supposed to leave for Spring break. We were staying at a Marriott and though we thought we would lose the first night (we called them day of), not having to lose serious $$$ to cancel was nice (we ended up spending it on medical deductibles).
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| Posted 1/28/19 12:04 PM |
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