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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Help on where to stay
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Lillykat
It is a good price as long as you are willing to take the risk.
There is no risk from David's, he's a very reputable company.
Well really it is not 100% risk free. He is a very reputable company and I would use him if I went that way. It is the smart option if you want to rent points.
But...
Renting points is final sale so to speak. You have to pay at booking. It is like a non refundable hotel prepay. You should get insurance but...it can be a pain to jump through hoops and depending on the reason for cancellation the insurance could make it a pain. That has been a big negative to me bc with young kids, elderly grandparents etc one never knows what could happen where you might need to cancel. With a package through disney they are good about rebooking you if needed. With David's you can just rebook easily, and you might have to fight with insurance depending on the policy and cancellation issue.
The reality is you can still have a problem. Some people write up contracts when renting points. You can do that renting directly from an owner....Disney does not recognize brokers. I believe David vets his DVC members. That is a huge plus. Hopefully he knows who he is getting points from...but everyone has to be a new client at some point.
He does not make the reservation or ME etc. that is done by the owner. So while he does have parties sign a contract (he is Canada right) the owner for whatever reason could still mess with or cancel the booking as you are not in control of it, nor is he. From a few I have spoke with who use him to rent their points- they said he pays 50% at booking and 50% at checkin. I am sure it is very rare but I know I have seen posts with issues. So at most they get 50% of your money.
Again, I would totally go this route when renting, so don't think I am anti David's at all. I do think it is the much safer option. But if you rent through him I believe in being 100% informed so no surprises down the road. Kwim?
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Posted 3/13/14 2:46 PM  |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Disney Help on where to stay
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Lillykat
It is a good price as long as you are willing to take the risk.
There is no risk from David's, he's a very reputable company.
Well really it is not 100% risk free. He is a very reputable company and I would use him if I went that way. It is the smart option if you want to rent points.
But...The reality is you can still have a problem.
I rented points from David's last year and I agree with the above.
The risks basically come in two forms:
Technically the owner can renege on the agreement. I asked David's about this specifically. The owner does not get paid until you check in so they have every incentive to follow through. You get a full refund if they renege but you are still out a place to stay. They said it has never happened but if it did they would be "working the phones furiously" to get you a room. To soften the blow of this risk, we booked a nearby Marriott that we could cancel at 6 pm the night of check in, which we did when we knew all was well.
The second risk is that it's non refundable. You can get travel insurance to reduce some risk. Every policy is different but generally you are covered for things like illness and weather issues. You are never covered if you just change your mind because you feel like doing something else so you have to make sure you 100% want to go.
We had a great experience and feel comfortable with the risks. We'd like to go back in 2015 and the only reason it looks like we won't rent points again is because I found out we need two regular beds - apparently the pull out couch didn't cut it - and you can only get that configuration by staying at a resort that doesn't interest me or by getting a two bedroom villa which is very expensive even with points.
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| Posted 3/14/14 10:38 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Help on where to stay
Posted by JennP
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Lillykat
It is a good price as long as you are willing to take the risk.
There is no risk from David's, he's a very reputable company.
Well really it is not 100% risk free. He is a very reputable company and I would use him if I went that way. It is the smart option if you want to rent points.
But...The reality is you can still have a problem.
I rented points from David's last year and I agree with the above.
The risks basically come in two forms:
Technically the owner can renege on the agreement. I asked David's about this specifically. The owner does not get paid until you check in so they have every incentive to follow through. You get a full refund if they renege but you are still out a place to stay. They said it has never happened but if it did they would be "working the phones furiously" to get you a room. To soften the blow of this risk, we booked a nearby Marriott that we could cancel at 6 pm the night of check in, which we did when we knew all was well.
The second risk is that it's non refundable. You can get travel insurance to reduce some risk. Every policy is different but generally you are covered for things like illness and weather issues. You are never covered if you just change your mind because you feel like doing something else so you have to make sure you 100% want to go.
We had a great experience and feel comfortable with the risks. We'd like to go back in 2015 and the only reason it looks like we won't rent points again is because I found out we need two regular beds - apparently the pull out couch didn't cut it - and you can only get that configuration by staying at a resort that doesn't interest me or by getting a two bedroom villa which is very expensive even with points.
This is excellent to hear...they do get paid somewhat upfront...but only 1/2 the money. They final 1/2 not until checkin (what they wrote me last year when I considered it and is on their site). Booking a throw away/cancel room is smart. Will definitely consider this in the future. I am so tempted but with attorneys in the family they are nervous of the risks...lol.
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| Posted 3/14/14 2:51 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Disney Help on where to stay
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by JennP
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Lillykat
It is a good price as long as you are willing to take the risk.
There is no risk from David's, he's a very reputable company.
Well really it is not 100% risk free. He is a very reputable company and I would use him if I went that way. It is the smart option if you want to rent points.
But...The reality is you can still have a problem.
I rented points from David's last year and I agree with the above.
The risks basically come in two forms:
Technically the owner can renege on the agreement. I asked David's about this specifically. The owner does not get paid until you check in so they have every incentive to follow through. You get a full refund if they renege but you are still out a place to stay. They said it has never happened but if it did they would be "working the phones furiously" to get you a room. To soften the blow of this risk, we booked a nearby Marriott that we could cancel at 6 pm the night of check in, which we did when we knew all was well.
The second risk is that it's non refundable. You can get travel insurance to reduce some risk. Every policy is different but generally you are covered for things like illness and weather issues. You are never covered if you just change your mind because you feel like doing something else so you have to make sure you 100% want to go.
We had a great experience and feel comfortable with the risks. We'd like to go back in 2015 and the only reason it looks like we won't rent points again is because I found out we need two regular beds - apparently the pull out couch didn't cut it - and you can only get that configuration by staying at a resort that doesn't interest me or by getting a two bedroom villa which is very expensive even with points.
This is excellent to hear...they do get paid somewhat upfront...but only 1/2 the money. They final 1/2 not until checkin (what they wrote me last year when I considered it and is on their site). Booking a throw away/cancel room is smart. Will definitely consider this in the future. I am so tempted but with attorneys in the family they are nervous of the risks...lol.
I stand corrected about the 1/2 up front. You're right. I could have sworn they made the owner wait for the full sum.
I loved renting. It really brings the insane prices back down to earth.
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| Posted 3/14/14 6:05 PM |
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Athee
I believe in miracles!
Member since 8/07 2462 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Disney Help on where to stay
I don't post too often, but we just went to Disney for presidents day week and we stayed in the Holiday Inn at downtown disney (traveled with a 3 year old) and it was perfect! The hotel is about 20- minutes from Magic Kingdom. Shuttles run every half hour to and from the park. (They are free)- we saved a lot of money by staying outside of disney but still within minutes away- included free breakfast for kids but we did not eat (brought snacks) so I can't comment on that- rooms were clean, and comfortable. Would stay there again!!
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| Posted 3/15/14 10:21 AM |
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charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Disney Help on where to stay
We stay off-site, it's so much cheaper. We stayed at the Homewood Suites on International Drive last time and this time we are staying at the Doubletree just outside Downtown Disney. We would never be able to go 2x in three years if it wasn't for saving on the hotel.
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| Posted 3/16/14 9:07 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney Help on where to stay
I have a feeling they will change this...but will it change your mind to now not be able to pre-book FPs? Especially when people say the lines at the kiosks are long and not always having good choices available? If it is not changed will this effect how you feel about staying off site?
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| Posted 3/17/14 7:23 AM |
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