Renting DVC Points to Try Before You Buy
So you’ve heard about DVC and are intrigued. You’re already starting to do your research, reading blogs, watching vlogs, and asking questions in forums. Maybe you even have a sense of which resort you would like to have as your home resort. Another great way to learn more about a DVC resort is to rent points to try before you buy.
Yes, you can visit a DVC resort pretty easily or go to one of the DVC open houses, but staying at one allows you to truly learn the ins and outs and pros and cons of a resort that may not be initially apparent. Better yet, if you can’t decide between two potential home resorts, maybe a split stay with both of them can help you decide which to own. If you plan to rent points as a means of trying out DVC, here are few things you may want to take note of during your stay at a potential home resort.
Check Out the Sleeping Arrangements and Room Quirks
There are lots of helpful resources that provide the layouts and capacities of the various villas, but nothing beats actually being in the room. Perhaps you find that the sleeper sofas are actually fine, or maybe you find that you and your family would be much more comfortable in a resort that has two real queen-size beds in a studio, as you would find in Old Key West’s Deluxe Studios and the Grand Floridian’s Resort Studios. Then there are small quirks that may or may not matter to you, like the many confusing doors in the Beach Club Villas master bathrooms or the very dark rooms at both Jambo House and Kidani Village. These are all aspects of the room that are better judged in person than from a photo or video.
Scope Out Transportation Options
How long does it take to get from the resort to the parks via bus? How reliable is the transportation? If you do not typically rent a car, is it difficult to get around the resort without one? If you are thinking of buying a contract at Riviera but know that someone in your family has a fear of heights, how do they fare on the Skyliner? For resorts like the Beach Club Villas and BoardWalk Villas, where you can walk or take a Friendship boat or Skyliner to Hollywood Studios, you can even figure out which mode of transportation is fastest. These are the details that you may not really know until you stay at the resort and take Disney transportation on a regular basis and an important aspect of being able to try before you buy DVC.
Try Out the Various Eateries
Dining options vary from resort to resort. Are there offerings to suit everyone in your travel group? Not every resort has a true quick-service restaurant. For example, the BoardWalk mainly offers the BoardWalk Bakery, Leaping Horse Libations pool bar, and a few kiosks along the boardwalk as quick service locations. Would that be a deal breaker for your family? Is it convenient to get to the eateries in the resort? Maybe it doesn’t faze you to walk outside to another building for food as you would do at the Polynesian. Is a place for late-night bites a must for your family? These are some questions to consider when checking out the resort’s dining options.
Explore the Pool and Amenities
If pools are a big part of your vacation, you’ll want to find a resort that has a great pool. Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club may be the de facto best resort pool on Walt Disney World property, but some parents find it hard to keep track of littles ones there. Plus, there are also great pools at the Polynesian, Copper Creek, Kidani Village, and Aulani, among other DVC resorts. Don’t forget to check out the quiet areas of the resort too. Sometimes these hidden gems like the upper floors of the Wilderness Lodge lobby or the rocking chairs on the BoardWalk porch become the places that you’ll want to return to time and again.
All in all, the best DVC resort for you is completely subjective, but renting points and trying out a DVC resort before jumping in to become a member can be extremely helpful. Looking to book a trip to your future home resort? Contact the DVC Rental Store. When you’re ready to buy, don’t forget to check out listings from our friends at DVC Resale Market.
