The Disney Vacation Club, or DVC, is a vacation club exclusively for members who make a financial investment in Disney property. Members spend several thousands of dollars to get deluxe villa accommodations at a Disney Vacation Club Resort.
But did you know that you can get this deluxe treatment without purchasing any property shares? That’s right! Non-members and even members can rent DVC points for their next Disney vacation.
Here are some things you need to know if you’re thinking about renting DVC points.
1. Pros of DVC Point Rental
Renting DVC points is a great way to save money for your Disney vacation.
If you are planning to book a moderate resort, you’ll save a good bit of money, but if you’re thinking of booking a deluxe resort, you can really save a ton of money and get better accommodations with a kitchenette and laundry access.
You are also able to get a Disney Dining Plan without purchasing park tickets, which means you can purchase your tickets from an authorized broker (instead of from Disney) and save even more money.
2. Cons of DVC Point Rental
Although I think the pros will outweigh the cons, they are worth considering when deciding if renting points is right for you.
Most importantly, and most anxiety inducing, is that you won’t personally have control over the reservation. Disney will not speak with anyone who isn’t a member about a rental. Therefore, the member will have to make the reservation for you in his or her name and he or she must make any changes including setting up the Disney Dining Plan or the Magical Express. If the member is hard to get a hold of or difficult to deal with, this might make the process stressful.
Another con of staying in a DVC villa is that Mousekeeping doesn’t visit daily. In a weeklong stay, they might only visit once. (I should note that they do visit between every reservation.) If you’re like me and you always have your “Do Not Disturb” sign up, it’s not a big deal, but some people want the full hotel experience with fresh everything, every day. Don’t worry – you can always call the front desk for more towels!
3. Why members rent points
You might be asking yourself this important question: “Why would a DVC member want to rent their points rather than using them themselves?” There are a couple of reasons.
Some people can’t vacation every year or they’d like to go somewhere else besides Disney (unbelievable, I know!). In this case, they can rent their points and use the money towards another vacation.
What’s more, the DVC is quite a significant financial investment, so renting points allows a member to offset the costs of membership. Members who have a lot of points can rent some of their points and still vacation themselves on the remainder of the points.
4. Rent from a company
There are companies that exist for the purpose of renting DVC points. This is the most reputable way to rent points since these companies are accredited by the Better Business Bureau. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that a full-time staff is handling your rental as well as your communication with the owner of the points making this a convenient and easy transaction.
Some of the top rated rental companies include DVC Rental Store and David’s Vacation Club Rentals. They have a good reputation and both have home resort inventory, which means they have owners on their boards willing to rent their points at their home resort. This allows renters to book 11 months in advance.
5. Rent from an individual
Although renting from a company gives you the most peace of mind, renting from an individual can save you money. Members can independently post their willingness to rent their DVC points on forums like Disboards DVC-Rent/Trade Board and MouseOwners’ Rent/Trade/Transfer Board.
The problem with renting from an individual is that you have no guarantees regarding your reservation. Did the member call to schedule your reservation? Did they schedule the correct dates? Will they decide to use the rental themselves? It can be a pretty scary process, and you’ll probably be worried until you check in and your reservation comes up.
If you are considering renting from an individual, there are a few ways to protect yourself. First, I would suggest booking with an established member as opposed to someone who is new to the forum. You can also ask for references from past renters. Finally, it’s a good idea to pay with a form of payment that can be tracked like a credit card or Pay Pal.
A Final Word
If you think that renting DVC points is right for you, you’ll have to decide whether you will rent from an individual or a company. An individual can charge as low as $10 per point (a really super bargain) if they are in a pinch or the points are about to expire, but you’ll have peace of mind booking with a company, and you’ll probably only spend a few more dollars a point.
Also, if you’re considering making an investment in the DVC, renting points can be a good way for you to test run the accommodations. The program isn’t right for everyone, so the ability to try it out before taking the leap can be pretty valuable!
Have you ever rented DVC points?