Process to make a reservation when renting DVC?

[sparro]

Hi there!

I've lurked a while but this is my first time posting so I hope I'm doing this correctly in the right area.

My family is planning a Disney trip this May and I've heard that renting DVC points can save a lot of money and be a great experience so I suggested we try that! However, I've never done this and am just wondering how the process differs from a regular reservation. I've read through some guides and I don't know if it's actually a daunting prospect or if I'm just overthinking this.

A few quick questions:
What information is needed for the DVC member to book the room? (do they need my Disney account info or just my name/email?)
Is it best to go through a third party or directly deal with a DVC member? (I heard David's Vacation Club Rentals is good?)
Is it possible to edit the reservation after the fact? One of my siblings isn't sure whether they can make it or not due to finals, so we may have 6 people instead of 5.
Any other tips/tricks/reassurances? My parents are a little nervous to go outside of Disney or Airbnb and I think their nerves are rubbing off on me haha.

Thank you!

 

[pixiegoose]

Honestly, it’s probably too late to book DVC for *this* May. Bookings open for members who own at the specific resort at 11 months out and then at 7 months out for all dvc members. You might be able to find confirmed reservations on one of the dvc rental sites but you’d have to be flexible with your dates as there is no changing whatever dates those confirmed reservations are for. When planning on renting DVC, you’d ideally start planning 12 months out so that you can get your request into a company (or owner) so they can find an owner for that specific resort and be ready to book right at the 11 month mark.

As for booking with a company or an individual owner, that’s up to you and your comfort level. I’ve rented through an owner but that’s because it was someone I personally knew, otherwise I’d probably go through a company as it gives you more protection if something hinky happens. And DVC reservations are not flexible like reservations through Disney- once you book your dates/resort, that’s really it. And many owners/companies require full payment upfront and there are no refunds if you can’t go/need to change.

As for adding/subtracting a person, that would be owner-dependent and you’d have to make sure you booked a villa that would accommodate the higher number of guests even if you end up with the lower number. And the owner would make the reservation in your name with your information and then give you the confirmation number to add to MDE, so you would see it/use it like a regular reservation for park reservations, dining reservation, etc. but only the owner can make changes to it (like adding/subtracting a guest).

 

[Mousetopia]

Dave's is great! You can stay in a premium resort for a moderate price. Ive used them many times. Dont buy from a member you dont know. You have no recourse if something goes wrong. They have all you need to know on their site. Key diff besides the above is its non refundable via Daves. If that scares you buy travel insurance. I insured $3000 for upcoming trip. Cost$150 ..As stated above its late for this year but worth looking, Finally once booked you link reservation to your MDE and off you go!

 

[DeeBee3]

I would reach out to the rental site you choose and start a conversation. I did this a while back before I bought into DVC and they gave me info, etc. At the very least, you can see what they say - they may say out right there is nothing available. You could also luck out. Like others have said, the dates are set so you can't go into it needing flexibility.

 

[Best Aunt]

What information is needed for the DVC member to book the room? (do they need my Disney account info or just my name/email?)

If you rent through David's, you will give the following personal information to David's, which David's will give to the DVC owner in order to make the reservation:

For the "lead" person on the reservation:
- first and last name
- address
- phone number
- email address
- gender

For every additional adult on the reservation:
- first and last name
- address
- gender

For each child on the reservation:
- first and last name
- age
- gender

After the owner makes the reservation, the owner gives the confirmation number to David's, which gives it to you. You go into your My Disney Experience account and enter the confirmation number.

Also: when people talk about saving money, they usually are comparing the cost of a 1 hotel room to the cost of renting 1 DVC studio. But you are talking about 6 people. You generally can't put 6 people in 1 hotel room (except maybe some deluxe Club Level rooms). You can't put 6 people in 1 DVC studio or 1 DVC 1-bedroom villa. So I think you would be comparing the cost of 2 hotel rooms to the cost of either 2 DVC studios or a DVC 2-bedroom villa. Five people versus six people makes a big difference.

 

[mouschievous]

We rented through a place that wasn't David's. We rented a 2 bedroom villa at Grand Californian in Jan 2020, for use in Sept 2020. Disneyland and VGC were still closed at that point, so we were given a credit. We used part of that credit for a 2 night, 2 bedroom villa confirmed reservation at Boulder Ridge (Wilderness Lodge) on our recent WDW trip, and are using the rest for a confirmed 4 night trip in a studio at Grand Californian this July.

As others have said, renting at this point will be very difficult given that it's just a couple months away, but you might be able to find a confirmed reservation. The problem with a confirmed reservation is the dates are already set. These are reservations that have already been made that someone has decided not to use, and you cannot change them. So if your dates are May 1-5, and the confirmed reservation is May 2-5, you'd either need to change your dates or find someplace else to stay the first night.

It also only saves money if you compare it to a deluxe hotel. To put it in perspective, our 2 night stay in a 2 bedroom at Wilderness Lodge in January was $1900, which would equate to $475 per night per room in a hotel. Less than rooms at Wilderness Lodge, but more than our rooms Caribbean Beach were.

 

[RoseGold]

LOL, this May. You're too late. Just stay at Swolphin. It's probably cheaper, there's laundry, and the location can't be beat.

The only way to do this at this point would be confirmed reservations:
https://dvcrentalstore.com/guests/reservations/

 

[Lovethemouse82]

Honestly, it’s probably too late to book DVC for *this* May. Bookings open for members who own at the specific resort at 11 months out and then at 7 months out for all dvc members. You might be able to find confirmed reservations on one of the dvc rental sites but you’d have to be flexible with your dates as there is no changing whatever dates those confirmed reservations are for. When planning on renting DVC, you’d ideally start planning 12 months out so that you can get your request into a company (or owner) so they can find an owner for that specific resort and be ready to book right at the 11 month mark.

As for booking with a company or an individual owner, that’s up to you and your comfort level. I’ve rented through an owner but that’s because it was someone I personally knew, otherwise I’d probably go through a company as it gives you more protection if something hinky happens. And DVC reservations are not flexible like reservations through Disney- once you book your dates/resort, that’s really it. And many owners/companies require full payment upfront and there are no refunds if you can’t go/need to change.

As for adding/subtracting a person, that would be owner-dependent and you’d have to make sure you booked a villa that would accommodate the higher number of guests even if you end up with the lower number. And the owner would make the reservation in your name with your information and then give you the confirmation number to add to MDE, so you would see it/use it like a regular reservation for park reservations, dining reservation, etc. but only the owner can make changes to it (like adding/subtracting a guest).

Agreed that if you’re looking to rent points for may I think it might be too late but if you want to rent points I would use Dave’s they’re the best and really care about getting what you want

 

[cm8]

Maybe try looking on the rental boards here?? Good luck if you’re still looking!