Renting points for AKL

[hsc3boys]

Hi, I am looking to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge October [DATES REMOVED] (4of us).
Have looked at price booking with Disney in the hotel, which at the moment is quite good as there is a discount. Then remembered that last year I was on this site and noticed you could rent DVC from members not able to use the points.
Having never stayed in DVC accomodation I have a few questions,
How does it differ from the hotel (only need a studio)?
I think I would need [POINTS REMOVED], can anyone tell me if that's right?
can I still use the magical express for free?
Do you still get extra magical hours?
Would we still get magic bands and be able to do fast pass plus on line?

Also slightly wary of arranging a holiday this way, what would happen if we arrived only to find we did not have a reservation?
What should I look out for if renting, has anyone done this before, and how did you get on?

Thank you for any advice you can give!!!

 

[SWofDisorder]

In the DVC forum there is a subsection with points for Rent. It is there that DVC owners post the points and price.

In the studio you will have small kitchette, microwave, small fridge, coffee maker, kettle. There is no housekeeping for a short stay.

You still get to use magical express, the magic bands get mailed to you, it is just like a regular reservation and you will get paperwork from DVC confirming your reservation in your name to your address.

The owner will send you the email confirm they get from DVC.

You do get magical hours, it is your reservation for staying at DVC. All the perks apply.

Make sure you use a contract and ask for references.

 

[hsc3boys]

Thank you for the info.

 

[Mrs Hobbes]

In the DVC forum there is a subsection with points for Rent. It is there that DVC owners post the points and price.

In the studio you will have small kitchette, microwave, small fridge, coffee maker, kettle. There is no housekeeping for a short stay.

You still get to use magical express, the magic bands get mailed to you, it is just like a regular reservation and you will get paperwork from DVC confirming your reservation in your name to your address.

The owner will send you the email confirm they get from DVC.

You do get magical hours, it is your reservation for staying at DVC. All the perks apply.

Make sure you use a contract and ask for references.

Be wary as well because your booking is with the DVC member - if the member decided to cancel your reservation you could indeed turn up at Disney without any reservation and Disney would not be obligated to sort you out. All the confirmation and paperwork regarding your booking will go to the member and even if they send it on to you so that you have paperwork they can still cancel or rearrange your booking at anytime. As the points are theirs. So be very careful use someone with a good reputation or a company that specialises in renting DVC points.

UK DVC members do not get mail regarding Magic Band s or Magic Express

So the magic bands don't get mailed to you - you collect them on check in. They work the same as everyone else's though - you can customise through My Disney Experience and book fast passes so long as you are able to link your tickets through the MDE.

You will not get any paperwork regarding Magical Express - you will be booked on and when you go to the check in desk they will have a record of you but you will not have anything to take with you to the desk.

 

[hsc3boys]

Contacted a company selling resale DVC, they informed me the magical express is not free to DVC members, is this true, trying to weigh up whether should just book with Disney direct or rent DVC property. I was also looking how cost effective it would be to buy a resale DVC property, not sure I can see the advantages, we would want basic accommodation as we are not in the room much, how comfortable is the sofa bed for two children?
Any oth disadvantages to renting DVC that I should know?

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

Contacted a company selling resale DVC, they informed me the magical express is not free to DVC members, is this true, trying to weigh up whether should just book with Disney direct or rent DVC property. I was also looking how cost effective it would be to buy a resale DVC property, not sure I can see the advantages, we would want basic accommodation as we are not in the room much, how comfortable is the sofa bed for two children? Any oth disadvantages to renting DVC that I should know?

Magical express is free for DVC.

The sofa beds have been fine in our opinion. My husband slept on the one in the living room of a 1 bedroom on our last trip (we split the kids up) and he felt it was perfectly fine (at VWL).

The housekeeping is not included with DVC. On the fourth day you have trash and towels but no cleaning. I think if you stay a week you get full cleaning one day. Also, you can not just get "extra" towels and shampoos/soap. They will charge you a nominal fee for these items when you are staying on DVC points. I vaguely think the DVC studios are slightly smaller than a standard room, but if you do some searching you can find for sure.

I would suggest renting DVC before jumping into buying. Also, research on the DVC purchase thread- lots of thoughtful advice there.

 

[hsc3boys]

Thank you, I wonder why I got told that DVC did not get free magical express. Was looking at renting at AKL this October in a studio, very interested to know if the room differs in size, will look into that, the housekeeping doesn't bother me.

 

[penlanspice]

We've stayed at all the DVC and regular hotel rooms and we prefer the dvc rooms, but there is only 2 of us so would rather the sofa over another bed, the appliances also come in handy.

If your looking to rent points use someone who has been on the board for a number of years, this is obviously no guarantee that every thing will be ok but it helps, I've rented a number off times when ive needed extra points and never had a problem. I've also rent quite often and usually send out a contract, you can also view your booking on line so this helps.

You also get all the privileges of regular rooms.