Questions from a newbie!

[Gill H]

I think I get how to rent points (though I am a bit confused as to when is the best time to do it). But a few questions:

If you rent points...

Can you still use Magic Express?

Can you buy DDP? Even if you buy tickets from a different supplier?

Can you buy a refillable mug for length of stay?

Do you get a Magic Band or do you have to buy one?

What about split stays? Would you have to buy two lots of DDP?

Can you get your luggage transferred between resorts?


Sorry for all the questions! We are just crunching numbers for a November 2020 stay. Want to make sure we take all the costs into account.

Currently 10 nights at Coronado in November, with 14 day Ultimates and buying DDP, comes out at £3599 plus we would get a $200 gift card.

10 nights at AKL, buying 14 day Ultimates and DDP, comes out at £3833 (assuming £12 a point which seems to be the norm). Of course we wouldn't get the $200 gift card.

So is it worth a couple of hundred extra?

[dreamadream]

I’m no expert but recently booked a DVC and I know that;
Yes you can use ME but need to book it in advance
You can add DDP as soon as you book DVC
You get magic bands
The rest of it in not too sure about x

[YorkshireT]

Magic Express, yes the person renting your points has to book it for you.
DDP yes, when renting DVC points you don’t even need park tickets to get DDP. It is payable in dollars and your renter would want payment on booking it. Frankly, I wouldn’t bother and I’d pay out of pocket as making DDP a value is difficult.
Refillable mug- of course, just go to the shop and buy it.
Magic band- comes free like any other stay. When the room is booked you can link it to MDE and pick the band.
Split stays, you’d have to rent 2 lots of points. You could get DDP for none, one or both.
Yes on split stays they’ll transfer the luggage.
Yes AKL is worth a couple of hundred extra over Coronado. However there are better DVC resorts in my opinion such as ones on the monorail or the Crescent Lake resorts which wouldn’t cost you any more but are often much more cash.

[Gill H]

Could you explain ‘wouldn’t cost you any more’ please? AKL looks like it requires far fewer points than any other DVC, or am I wrong?

[Lizzim]

Originally Posted by Gill H

Could you explain ‘wouldn’t cost you any more’ please? AKL looks like it requires far fewer points than any other DVC, or am I wrong?

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What type of accommodation would you be looking at? If you are looking at the value studios at AKV then you would need an owner with AK points and them to book at 11 months and even then you wouldn't be sure to get them as they are so in demand.

[BevS97]

Can you still use Magic Express? Yes

Can you buy DDP? Even if you buy tickets from a different supplier? Yes but do the sums it’s rarely a good idea

Can you buy a refillable mug for length of stay? Yes. Again cheaper to buy a case of pop and keep it in your fridge

Do you get a Magic Band or do you have to buy one? Free

What about split stays? Would you have to buy two lots of DDP? Yes but it’s per night cost so it will cost the same regardless of one long stay or two short ones.

Can you get your luggage transferred between resorts?
Yes.

[BevS97]

Many of the DVC resorts are a similar number of points to AKL. Look at beach club / boardwalk / wilderness lodge / SSR / Okw. They are all very similiar.

[Gill H]

Originally Posted by Lizzim

What type of accommodation would you be looking at? If you are looking at the value studios at AKV then you would need an owner with AK points and them to book at 11 months and even then you wouldn't be sure to get them as they are so in demand.

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We would be looking at a value studio - we are only 2 adults.

Have bought DDP before, it works for us as we like to do lots of Signatures and would use all our snacks at F&W Festival.

[Lizzim]

Originally Posted by Gill H

We would be looking at a value studio - we are only 2 adults.

Have bought DDP before, it works for us as we like to do lots of Signatures and would use all our snacks at F&W Festival.

See more...

I think you need to be prepared not to get a value studio unfortunately - there are only a few of those and they are very in demand. Often AK owners have to walk their bookings to secure them.

Also, have you priced the DDP using the UK price? You would have to pay in dollars on a DVC booking, just wanted to check your pricing.

[Gill H]

Thanks Lizzim, this is really helpful.

So, Deluxe Studio is more likely then?

We are looking at Boardwalk Villas. We love Epcot and the Boardwalk area. Any pros and cons? The price of those seems very reasonable.

What about the two areas at Wilderness Lodge - is one better than the other? We have always wanted to stay at WL but never been able to afford it.