Potentially unpopular opinion regarding point rentals

[yesdnil]

Hello, all. We're new DVC members, so we're still exploring the insurance and outs of membership and doing our research about all the resorts and the quirks of DVC booking vs booking a regular stay at a deluxe resort.

Anyway, I've been a little bothered/disappointed by the way that it looks nearly impossible to book at a WDW resort that isn't your home resort at 7 months, especially considering that a lot of those 11 month bookings are just from people planning to rent out their reservation during popular events (e.g. BCV during any Epcot festival)

Personally, I think we'll be okay because we bought where we plan to stay most of the time (CCV), and we're planning to stay in larger villas (not studios). The other resorts we're most interested in (like Kidani savannah view) tend to have better availability anyway. But from what I've observed, I think we'll have an extremely difficult time ever staying at BCV or Poly without waitlisting and/or RAT stalking, which seems unfair, considering non-members can rent points so easily.

SO HERE'S THE UNPOPULAR OPINION PART: What if 11-month home resort priority booking was only for members staying on that reservation? Members planning to rent/trade/borrow points could still do whatever they want, but they'd have to wait until 7 months to book.

Thoughts? I'm not looking to start any fights! Just curious what members who've been around longer think about this idea. I could be totally overlooking something, so let me know what you think!

 

[momto3pirates]

My initial thought is how do you monitor who is renting and who is booking for personal use. We own at GCV. Next year I have 2 2 bedrooms booked. One is for my family and one for my friends. Would that mean I could book my family but not the others traveling with us?

 

[supersnoop]

So, what if I want to book a room for my sister and her family? Or for my daughter and her friends? Should I lose the home resort advantage that I paid dearly for?

 

[kboo]

especially considering that a lot of those 11 month bookings are just from people planning to rent out their reservation during popular events

I want to know what the basis is for this statement. I don't see a lot of dedicated reservations for rent.

 

[davper]

I don't think it should be changed. Yeah, I wish I could book at BCV at 7 months out for F&W, but that is what I get for not owning there. And if and when the resale prices go down again, I will own there.

But in the meantime, I just plan to rent the points at 11 months out.

 

[yesdnil]

I am clearly not any sort of Disney executive or policy maker, and I can just about guarantee you that they will never make this change because they only make decisions that financially benefit them in some way.

My thought was just about the advantage to members, and the increased availability of non-home resorts at 7 months. As a member, yes, 11 month home priority is great, but it means that we are at a disadvantage to renters at every single non-home resort. This idea was really just about addressing that particular disadvantage.

Am I the only one who feels discouraged that non-members have this advantage over us?

 

[Bing Showei]

Am I the only one who feels discouraged that non-members have this advantage over us?

You're only looking at one side of the equation though. On the other end of that non-member rental may be a member who had to cancel a trip last minute, or needs the money to pay for something else.

As challenging as 7-months can be, I personally would not sacrifice that flexibility/freedom in order to improve my chances of booking BCV as a non-home owner at 7-months. Who knows when the time will come when I will need to rent my points out?

 

[kboo]

Am I the only one who feels discouraged that non-members have this advantage over us?

I don't because ---

I rented DVC several times before we bought. Before owning, I had heard a lot of DVCers say they'd rather have control of their reservation, etc etc. Make their own DME, etc. Now as an owner I see that I have more flexibility - for our first trip on our own points, I first booked a studio at BLT, then decided I wanted a 1BR ... at BWV. So we booked a 1BR at BWV at 7mo, then I changed my mind AGAIN and decided we'd rather be at BLT, so I stalked my way *back* to BLT to a 1br std in under 7 mo. No way I could have done that as a renter. So, there are benefits to being an owner and booking on your own points that you don't have as a renter/non-member.

And - if I want to experience BRV/CCV or the Boardwalk area at Christmastime, I will rent points more than 7 months out, rather than try to use my (more expensive anyway, except CCV) VGF or BLT points to try to get it at 7 months.

I guess that's the thing - you're a non-member at any resort that's not your home resort, so if it's definitely a busy DVC time, you can rent points. And rent out your own points to offset the cost, if that's what's bothering you.

 

[JETSDAD]

Every reservation is booked by a member....if they weren't renting them out they'd be booking for themselves or family/friends. They're using points that they paid for for whatever purpose they want....that's the same flexibility that I want as an owner. There are far more benefits to owning vs renting than the other way around.

 

[yesdnil]

Maybe this is just the point where I suck it up and think about buying more points at other resorts lol. Is this how they get us?!

 

[yesdnil]

I guess that's the thing - you're a non-member at any resort that's not your home resort

That's a good way to look at it

 

[kboo]

Maybe this is just the point where I suck it up and think about buying more points at other resorts lol. Is this how they get us?!

Yes.

Give it a few months... or stays... (see my signature...)

 

[Roxyfire]

Hello, all. We're new DVC members, so we're still exploring the insurance and outs of membership and doing our research about all the resorts and the quirks of DVC booking vs booking a regular stay at a deluxe resort.

Anyway, I've been a little bothered/disappointed by the way that it looks nearly impossible to book at a WDW resort that isn't your home resort at 7 months, especially considering that a lot of those 11 month bookings are just from people planning to rent out their reservation during popular events (e.g. BCV during any Epcot festival)

Personally, I think we'll be okay because we bought where we plan to stay most of the time (CCV), and we're planning to stay in larger villas (not studios). The other resorts we're most interested in (like Kidani savannah view) tend to have better availability anyway. But from what I've observed, I think we'll have an extremely difficult time ever staying at BCV or Poly without waitlisting and/or RAT stalking, which seems unfair, considering non-members can rent points so easily.

SO HERE'S THE UNPOPULAR OPINION PART: What if 11-month home resort priority booking was only for members staying on that reservation? Members planning to rent/trade/borrow points could still do whatever they want, but they'd have to wait until 7 months to book.

Thoughts? I'm not looking to start any fights! Just curious what members who've been around longer think about this idea. I could be totally overlooking something, so let me know what you think!

Polynesian is pretty easy many parts of the year, although maybe not during Fall Frenzy. Also consider the fact that renters may not always be non-members. In fact I'm renting a CCV 2 bedroom with some close friends because I just don't have enough points to make that reservation myself. It's easier to go all in on that and get the accommodations we want. I can then (and have) rented my BLT points to cover my portion of the cost. Honestly, if one wants to stay at BCV and use the 11 month priority there, it's possible, you may just need to look into a transfer or points or consider renting a reservation from another member if you don't mind giving up that element of control.

 

[Grumpy6264]

My personal take on availability is that the major 'problem' is the sheer volume of points that are available to be used and the flexibility in using those points. There are always going to be resorts that are more popular than others and times of the year that are more popular than others. Demand is going to be concentrated to those locations/times of the year, regardless of whether the reservation is for owners use or a rental.

Having resorts like HHI, Vero Beach and Aulani in the system is probably a larger part of the 'problem' than rentals. These resorts do not have a presence at WDW, so they are foreign points and add external demand. If I choose to use my Kidani Village points at OKW, then those points open up at Kidani Village for someone else to use. However, if someone uses HHI points to stay at OKW, there is no off setting points available at another WDW resort to be used by someone else. Combine that with all the special events that go on throughout the year and you have a very competitive market, which is exactly what this designed to be.

When we bought in 2010, it was made clear to us that booking a non-home resort at 7 months could be done, but it isn't guaranteed. So far, we have been pretty lucky and have gotten what we wanted (with the exception of this upcoming trip; but we booked less than 6 months out for Christmas, so that is to be expected.)

It may be getting more difficult, but I think that is just a function of the flexibility and size of the system more than anything.

 

[jlwhitney]

If you aren't wanting studios booking at 7 months at most places most of the year really is not that hard.

 

[BillPA]

I appears that you did not follow the advice on this board to "buy where you want to stay".
Sadly you are finding out why most of us give that advise.
But know, even if you try to book home at 11 months, you may not get what you want. Some times and some resorts are very, very popular. You need to learn how to plan far ahead for those dates/resorts.
WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[disneynutz]

My personal take on availability is that the major 'problem' is the sheer volume of points that are available to be used and the flexibility in using those points. There are always going to be resorts that are more popular than others and times of the year that are more popular than others. Demand is going to be concentrated to those locations/times of the year, regardless of whether the reservation is for owners use or a rental.

Having resorts like HHI, Vero Beach and Aulani in the system is probably a larger part of the 'problem' than rentals. These resorts do not have a presence at WDW, so they are foreign points and add external demand. If I choose to use my Kidani Village points at OKW, then those points open up at Kidani Village for someone else to use. However, if someone uses HHI points to stay at OKW, there is no off setting points available at another WDW resort to be used by someone else. Combine that with all the special events that go on throughout the year and you have a very competitive market, which is exactly what this designed to be.

When we bought in 2010, it was made clear to us that booking a non-home resort at 7 months could be done, but it isn't guaranteed. So far, we have been pretty lucky and have gotten what we wanted (with the exception of this upcoming trip; but we booked less than 6 months out for Christmas, so that is to be expected.)

It may be getting more difficult, but I think that is just a function of the flexibility and size of the system more than anything.

Bungalows and cabins add a million points that are bought by owners who only want to stay in a studio so even booking at 11 months is going to be a challenge.

Bill

 

[Grumpy6264]

I agree, 11 months for a Studio at a resort with Bungalows and cabins is going to be a challenge. I feel bad for those owners, especially given how much it cost per point. I am glad we bought when and where we did.

 

[cvjw]

I own at multiple resorts, lots of points and I book villas for my immediate family, my extended family, friends and renters.

Should I not be allowed to book a villa for my son at bcv at the 11 month mark with the points I paid for so that you have a better shot of getting to stay at bcv at the 7 month mark? I think not.

Same goes for reservations that I rent out to pay for Disney cruises. If I am not using my points, someone will be. I will not be letting my points expire so others have a better shot of booking at the 7 month mark. My points will always be used.

 

[Grumpy6264]

You should absolutely be able to use your points the way you want to use your points. They are your points.

I can understand people wanting to book at 7 months or closer at a non-home resort, and being disappointed if there is little or no availability but that is the nature of the beast.

Personally, I don't think rentals or reservations for family/friends is the issue. Given the flexible nature of DVC, availability at 7 months or less is going to be an issue. We shouldn't be blaming the problem on people who use their points to rent a reservation or let another family member use it. A reservation is a reservation, regardless of whether the owner is using it or someone else. As more points enter the system, it is going to be more difficult to use non-home resorts.