I’m mulling over all of our options for a potential trip end of May/beginning of June 2020, and I’m considering renting DVC points vs. booking current rack rates through MVT in hopes that discounts or agency exclusive come later and also thinking through a package vs. room only and buying tickets through UT. Rather than hijacking another similar thread, I started this one. I’ve spent way too much time thinking about this already, so I’m getting my list of pros and cons down so that others can comment on anything I may have missed (I also have been thinking about offsite, but that would make this too long!). I realize some of these are subjective, and nothing is guaranteed.
Renting DVC
Pros
- Preferred location (assuming I can get it)
- “Deluxe for the price of a moderate”
- No parking fees
Cons
- Have to be locked in now
- Pay now
- Not refundable unless I also buy travel insurance (though we may have some via a CC, will have to check)
- Can’t use Disney GCs (which I’ve bought at a discount) to pay
- Limited mousekeeping
- Kids would need to sleep on a pull-out couch, not a real bed
Book current rack rates with MVT in hopes of future discounts
Pros
- More flexibility, not locked in now
- Don’t have to pay in full now
- Refundable/cancel-able
- I can continue to amass discounted Disney GCs and pay with them
- Everyone gets a real bed
Cons
- Less preferred location
- Parking fees (or is MVT still exempt from paying?)
- No guarantee of a discount or agency exclusive…or if there is one, but not where I’ve already booked, I may have to pay more when switching (i.e. would tickets go up if I did a package at one resort now, but switched to another later?)
Booking a package with MVT
Same as above ^, but additional pro is that I lock in current WDW ticket prices.
However, if I decide to add dining later, does that change my package enough that I’d pay the current ticket and/or hotel rate?
Booking a room only with MVT and tickets through Undercover Tourist
Pros
- Best ticket prices now
Cons
- Locked in now
- Pay now
- Can’t pay with Disney GCs
From what I remember reading- if I get mailed tickets, not e-tickets, those are refundable, but once you link them in MDE, they aren’t, correct? Anything else between a mailed ticket and an e-ticket I should know?
That’s everything I’ve come up with so far…Am I forgetting something? What else would you add to any of the pro/con lists?
I’m mainly just getting tired of thinking about it, but feeling the pressure to decide something because my 11 month mark is coming up if we go the DVC route. I thought some other knowledgeable eyes on it might help! Good info about MVT & parking!
go figure!!). Not all DVC brokers require total payment up front. There is also the option of checking brokers for confirmed reservations, which can be a smoking hot deal (not always) than an 11 month or 7 month DVC request, but do require you to wait uncomfortably close to when you want to go than you can stand. The one thing I would never do unfortunately is rent DVC point from an individual unless you personally know them as some DVC owners web sites are reporting more scammers than I am comfortable with. This main issue you have from my vantage is when your trip is planned. MVT may not know what discounted packages are available until much later this year. If I were in your shoes, I think maintaining flexibility & control is most important.