Does anyone actually prefer staying in a studio?

[bunny]

We just bought 150 points a couple of months ago and are planning our first trip for late next summer. I would love to stay in a one bedroom but with our points we could only afford 5 or 6 nights and then would have to switch to a value or moderate resort. We usually like to go to Disney for 9 or 10 nights since we only can go once a year. My husband hates to change hotels. He wants to stay in a studio the entire time. I am trying to convince him that it won't be bad to switch but he says if I can stay in a moderate resort for 5 nights anyway why do I need a one bedroom? He also hates to make food on vacation, so we will definitely be getting the dining plan. When he is on vacation, he wants to totally relax. No making food, doing laundry, cleaning up, etc. I agree with him, but I get nervous when I hear everyone say how small studios are. Is there anyone who prefers to stay in a studio their entire stay? I know I need to add on more points but right now that is not financially possible. We have 2 small children and have stayed in regular hotel rooms alot.

[dizneeluvr]

We always stay in a studio at WDW, we get larger rooms at HHI depending on if we have guests, but if it is just the 4 of us, a studio works fine, we spend minimal time in the room so it meets our needs perfectly.

The beauty of DVC is you can decide what works for you!!!

Mike

[doubletrouble_vb]

I love staying in a studio. Usually its just me but I've done it once with my mom and my niece and it was no problem. I didn't find it any less spacious than staying in a one bedrrom with my mom and my aunt.

The key here is that you say "two small children". If they were bigger I'd probably say go for the one bedroom for that length of time. One downside is that if they are small enough that they would normally go to bed early that is the situation where people seem to be happy they got a one bedroom.

For such a long span of time I wouldn't stay in an OKW studio however...it has two queen beds rather than a queen and a sofa. The studio plan for BWV, VWL, BCV and SSR has a nice indentation by the bathroom and in some cases by the front door if they are small enough that you could have them nap in a pack n play.

Editted to add: Have you considered going in September? The points are lower than August. Another option might be to pay cash for the middle friday and saturday. That might free up enough points to let you stay in a one bedroom.

[Chuck S]

We alternate between studios and 1 bedrooms every other trip. We have always stayed at OKW, so the studios have 2 real queen beds (not a pull out).

That said, we do like having the laundry in the 1 bedroom (as well as the other amenities) but always plan "wash time" when we are in the studios. We travel for 9 to 10 days eash trip, 2 trips per year, and while I understand not WANTING to do laundry, it really is nice not to have to bring so many clothes. It really is an advantage to have the washer in the 1 bedroom in case you get drenched from rain or clothes are soiled to just get back to the room and pop them in the washer.

9 to 10 days without doing laundry is a lot of clothes to pack, no matter what size unit you are getting.

[Dean]

It's hard to believe how anyone would prefer a studio to a 1 BR. However, I think there are easily situations where the studio will do just as well and with OKW, better for some groups than a 1 BR due to the bed arrangement. If I weren't going to spend a lot of time in the room and didn't plan to cook, I'd go with one or more studios. The problem is that as our preferences have evolved, we tend to do more in the room and enjoy the whirlpool tub and extra space immensely.

[toesmom]

We also own only 150 points so the option of 1 bdrm takes all our points away very quickly even at the lowest point season.

So we are booked in studio also with 2 little kids. We are bringing air mattress so we're not all squished on pull out couches.

Cooking on holiday? I don't think so. Full kitchen is not needed really. And washers/dryers are free to use, so again I can live without it.

Actually because we are booked in studio, the rest of the points are being used at Vero in August (not in 1 bdrm of course)

And coming from Canada, I really hope to stay outdoors more than inside the hotel room, since we're indoors the rest of the winter anyways.

[pouncingpluto]

The only thing I would sometimes like better about the studio is that since it doesn't have a kitchen, there is no guilt about not using the kitchen that you're "paying" for. :)

But if they had a one bedroom with no kitchen (for a short trip when we don't want to cook), that would be perfect!

[Judique]

We just bought 150 points a couple of months ago and are planning our first trip for late next summer. I would love to stay in a one bedroom but with our points we could only afford 5 or 6 nights and then would have to switch to a value or moderate resort. We usually like to go to Disney for 9 or 10 nights since we only can go once a year. My husband hates to change hotels. He wants to stay in a studio the entire time. I am trying to convince him that it won't be bad to switch but he says if I can stay in a moderate resort for 5 nights anyway why do I need a one bedroom? He also hates to make food on vacation, so we will definitely be getting the dining plan. When he is on vacation, he wants to totally relax. No making food, doing laundry, cleaning up, etc. I agree with him, but I get nervous when I hear everyone say how small studios are. Is there anyone who prefers to stay in a studio their entire stay? I know I need to add on more points but right now that is not financially possible. We have 2 small children and have stayed in regular hotel rooms alot.

We originally started with 160 points and added on over the years. At the time, a studio was a nice step 'up' from a regular room(even at the Poly where we used to stay), if you don't count cleaning. We liked the 'separateness' of the kitchenette for coffee and snacks - just seems so much neater then having it all piled in the bedroom area or yucch! coffee pot on the bathroom vanity as I've seen some places. As we added on and our travel patterns changed, we sometimes get studios and sometimes get one bedrooms. When we go at high point times such as Xmas or Easter which is frequently, you will find us in a standard studio at BWV. For Food and Wine Festival, we can get a one bedroom for approximately the same number of points as a studio at Easter. We certainly prefer the space of the one bedroom, but our point management and pocketbook dictates that we balance it out. 150 is a good start and as your life changes, so will your needs. Some sell out, some add on and go more often. Enjoy every moment. :sunny:

[magsmom]

The studios are larger than the moderate rooms (314 sq ft for a moderate, 356 sq ft at WL, BCV, SSR, BWV, 372 sq ft at OKW).

We stay in studios for all of the reasons you point out. The only thing that I really prefer with the 1 bedroom is the washer. With 180 points we get 10 days to 2 weeks in a studio based off of the time of year that we go.

[jarestel]

Well, I can't say I prefer staying in studios, since the larger rooms are fantastic, but I don't mind when the need arises. I look at it as simply staying in a regular hotel room, rather than a suite. It's not bad and certainly doable, but if points grew on trees, I'd probably stay in the larger units all of the time.

[Muushka]

We originally bought 150 points intending to mostly stay at studios. Then we stayed in a studio and bought some additional points to be able to stay in a 1 BR (we are just 2 adults). We much prefer the 1 BR. BUT..........

This past Dec we stayed 8 nights. 4 in a BCV studio (loved that resort) and then 4 in a VWL 1 BR (my beloved VWL). We were both afraid that we would hate the studio, but we actually did enjoy it. It forced us to eat out a lot (which we don't usually do). We had the DDE so it wasn't that expensive.
I guess what I am saying is that the 1BR is really a luxury. Something that is nice to have, but considering the alternatives, it is not a necessity.

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

Contrary to popular vacationing patterns of DVC members where it has been suggested that once you go to a 1BR its difficult to go back to a studio, we have done just that. We don't mind the studio at all and find it roomy enough. The meal plan makes it that much easier. I do miss the washer/dryer in the room more than I miss the kitchen. I think the studio will be fine and you get to stay longer.

[mbw12]

We enjoy being on disney property period...in a nice resort. We alteranate....we have stayed in studios, 1-bedrooms, and 2-bedrooms....depends on the amount of people and the time frame....and how stingy or generous we feel like using our points!!!! this year, we are being "cheap" with our points and staying in a studio for 6 nights at VWL....we are a family of two adults and two children ages 8 and 6. We alternate and manipulate our points to the best use for OUR needs!

[disneymom225]

Your husband sounds like mine! He hates to cook on vacation and wants to go out all the time! We stayed in a studio (VWL) in August w/ our DD (18 months) and thought it was more than enough room. We stayed 6 nights. We did eat breakfast in our room most days but one of us would walk DD down to Roaring Forks to grab some fresh fruit-that was more of a chance to let DD run and let the other one have some peace. All other meals we ate in the parks. We would also put DD to sleep and sit on the balconey and drink a glass of wine at night-that made it really seem like a vacation. I think you should be fine. We only have 150 pts. too but figure in a few years when they are paid off-we'll buy some more so we can use a 1 bdrm but for now-we're ok with the studio.

[AMcaptured]

We have stayed in both many times but stay in a studio now. We go for about 4 weeks throughout the year and I would rather be there for 4 weeks in a studio than 2 weeks in a 1 bedroom. Also, there is everything I need in a studio except for the washer and dryer but I have had some great conversations with fellow members while washing the clothes...:)

I have no use for the kitchen as I rarely cook at home so I am not cooking on vacation. I think you should go with your husband on this the first time and don't move. I am not a fan of moving, I know a lot of people are, but I see it as a waste of a day and I hate having to remember a new room number..:) Never mind how to get there....:)

Try the studio first and after your first trip if you think you need the 1 bedroom, tyou can plan your second trip differently!


JMO

[SaratogaShan]

We usually stay in a studio if our family is traveling alone. Because the kids are 3 years old and 10 months old, it just works out better for us to have the two beds in the same room. I am not sure I would feel comfortable with my DD on the sleeper sofa in the living room until she was older. Most of the time when we stay at SSR, we leave the couch in the studio folded and put the sheets on top. Plenty of room for her to sleep on it "as is". Also, this arrangement gives us plenty of space for the pack and play which my son sleeps in. The downside is not having the washer, but we will just do a load during pool time if need be. :)

[slp87]

We've only stayed in studios, so I can't compare to the 1 BR, but a studio works out great for us. We typically have a small breakfast in the room (cereal, breakfast bar) and keep some snacky stuff to take to the pool or eat on in the evenings. We like being able to fold up the couch and have the extra room. If we need to do laundry, I just put in on when we head to the pool. The studio will only have paper plates/bowls, plastic ware and a couple of glass coffee cups. We like to eat cereal out of something more substantial, so we bring some of the Gladware bowls and cheap utencils. If we don't have room to squeeze in the gladware on the way home, I don't feel bad about throwing it away. Our only problem with the studio has been when DD wants to watch the Disney channel and DH wants to watch the news. :rolleyes:

[toesmom]

We are bringing our portable 7" dvd player so the little ones can watch their movie and my dh get his tv. Worth the investment because we can use the dvd player on the plane as well.

[Doctor P]

We love staying in studios.

[byoung]

No problem with a studio for us. Got 20 nights for are 200BWV points with some points left this year. Not a bad time share to me.

[JCPollyanna]

We also would rather spend 4 weeks in WDW in a studio, than fewer weeks in a one bedroom! :thumbsup2

[Goofy's apprentice]

I'm sure that most would prefer the space of the the 1-bed but balance that off with more time if a studio is used. I think of the 1-bed as a 'treat'. We book one for this April in OKW. As the time for the vacation got closer we both looked at the point usage and changed our minds. We'll now bank those extra 100 points and see what we can do with them in the next use year !

Studios are bigger that the 'value' rooms. The kitchenette layout is very useful. We can work breakfast (and sometimes quick lunches) when we go with the kids. We it's just the two of us for F&W there lots of room for a bar !!!

Try it for this trip. I think you will be very happy

[Coach Rick]

I have stayed in a 2 BR in OKW, which was bigger than our house. (kidding..almost). Last year we stayed in a studio 13 out of the 20 days we were there, a 1 BR the other nights. We are staying in a 2 BR lock-out in VWL this June. Last year we did 2 studios, and that was great. Our three children (11, 15, 21) had one, and DW and I had the other. That was great! We chose the 2 BR this year because we are taking DS's girl friend with us, so the three girls will be in the lock-out, so we can lock them out. :thumbsup2 I agree with not having the laundry facility in the unit as being the biggest draw back from studios. Perhaps they could take the ten foot closet, chop it down to 2 feet, and put washer/dryer combo in the rest of that wasted space. My parents would never want to stay in anything other than a studio. As far as a 1 BR, unless you really want the kitchen, and laundry, it's a waste of points IMO. I will never do a 1 BR again. I may never do another 2 BR again either. The 2 studios is ALLOT cheaper, and very nice in terms of the kids having their own space. Of course with my kids being older now they really appreciate this. Our DS (15) said it feels like they are on vacation by themselves (yeah with my wallet next door :rotfl2: ) My vote: STUDIO!

[crazywig]

It really is an advantage to have the washer in the 1 bedroom in case you get drenched from rain or clothes are soiled to just get back to the room and pop them in the washer.




or, as we found out, when your 16 month old get the puking virus in the middle of the night :crazy2: .

in the past we've done mostly studios as our two children are small but i wanted to splurge for our our first time at VWL. i am soooo glad i did.

[DiznEeyore]

I do miss the washer/dryer in the room more than I miss the kitchen. I think the studio will be fine and you get to stay longer.
ITA!!! :)

We've done all types of DVC accommodations (except Grand Villas) and have no problem "moving" between them, depending on what we want/need for a particular trip. We love the flexibility of DVC!! :goodvibes

[bobbiwoz]

Yikes, I didn't need to read this thread, but I have and luckily, I have until tomorrow to decide. We have 4 nights in an OKW one bedroom coming up in June (88 already borrowed points), and DS, 28, just told me that if it was humanly possible, he would love to visit WDW with the whole family in August. DS's ressie will be 70 points, if a studio is available at VWL, we will waitlist, whatever it takes to get him with us.

We have about 150 (550 in the contract) points in '07 left to borrow. This June time is special for DH and myself, we have a 1 night stay at the BCV for June 10th, that's the 40th anniversary of our meeting :love:, and then the 1 bedroom and then 3 nights at the Florida beach, in a Mariott resort. We begin this trip with ME to PC for Friday night. This is a 9 night Florida vacation for just us!

We could switch over our 88 points to a studio somewhere, not OKW, since we do not like the studio set there up for 2 people. Switching to a studio for the 4 nights, anywhere but OKW would mean that we only have to borrow 30 extra points, but this may be our only chance for a 1 bedroom stay in awhile. We're giving others the master bedroom in our 2 upcoming 2 bedroom stays, they are our honored guests.

I will continue to read what people think about studios. We have always been happy in them, or a two bedroom when the situations called for it, but we also want to experience the 1 bedroom luxury of OKW. I suppose the convenience of the laundry is also a factor, since we will be going elsewhere after OKW and fresh clothes to start that vacation would be great!

If anyone cares to help me make this decision, please do. Last night I made the PC ressie for 2 nights, but today I decided that the 1 night stay at BCV studio was non-negotiable, it is our special night and Heman's Hermits will be doing the Flower Power concert that night. So, what we have is 1 night PC, 1 night in a studo at BCV, 4 _______________ nights, and the 3 nights in Hutchinson Beach FL.

Thank you.

Bobbi :wave2:

[k_k_100]

If you are thinking of using all your points to stay in a 1 br - then paying cash for a mod. room - why not just rent the extra points & have them transfered & stay in a 1 br. the entire trip?

If that doesn't work - then I would take a studio for an entire trip over a Mod. for even part of the trip any day. A studio has everything you need - & the little kitchen area is great for storing left-overs, breakfast stuff, etc.

[jodifla]

If you're OK in a hotel room, you'll be fine in a studio.

We liked studios fine when it was the two of us. But now that we have a little one who turns in by 9 p.m., we almost always get larger accommodations so we don't have to tiptoe around the room.

Also, my reasoning is that I bought DVC so I wouldn't have to do the one-room thing. I did the Days Inn crammed in one room thing for years...no more!

[mattsdragon]

we just booked our first trip as DVC members. We got the studio, don't see any reason for anything bigger as we plan to eat in the parks anyway. The full sized coffee maker in the studio is all we need. Besides, after staying in values our last two trips, anything is a step up.

The whirlpool of the 1 bedroom is nice, but we've got a spa at home, so no loss there either.

[Cruelladeville]

A studio is fine when it's just the two of us, so at spring break we are renting a 2 bedroom for a week, then moving to a studio when everyone else goes home. We are OK with that, but I can certainly say that I would prefer staying put in a two bedroom if I could! :thumbsup2 We make 2-3 trips in a year, and alternate the sizes of the accommodations. Hey, I would rent a grande villa if I could, but a studio works just fine! :)

[WOW]

The studio's are really awesome, especially when you compare them to a regular hotel room!!! Very spacious and no need to cook!!!! You can wash clothes by the main pool, if you wish. I believe that they are still free???? They are the second bedroom of a 2 bedroom unit and have 2 queen beds (not a pullout). When our grown children go, that is what they always get. When we go (without kids), we always get a one bedroom because of the living room, which we love. It makes us really feel like we are "home". We are older than most of you here (I would guess), and we don't do anything close to "commando" anymore. We enjoy the complex, the pools and of course all of the parks, but never rush around any more. The only "cooking" we do is breakfast, english muffins, cereal or eggs. We have been members since 1994 and have added on many times, and we still go every year, several times......It is our absolute favorite place!!!!!

[cseca]

The max amt of party in my group is 2... :)
When I feel like splurging I'll do a 1 bedroom, otherwise the studio is more then enough. Even if I don't have a whole kitchen, microwave and little fridge is sufficient for the type of food I bring on my vacation (mostly microwaveable... :) ).
The only thing I miss is the washer dryer... but hey, there's always the free laundry room.
And I just think about how many points I'm saving by staying in a studio instead of a 1 bedroom.

[DisneyPhD]

We are pretty much the same as eveyrone else here. 1 bedrooms are nice, but we often end up trading that for more days (or more trips) in a studio. We make it work ok. I agree about bringing a portable DVD player, that helps.

While we don't need all a 1 bedroom offeres (with young kids it is just as easy to all be in the same room for now,) I find there isn't enough storage space for cothes in a studio. Not enough drawers and such. It makes for a messy trip. We stayed at PORS last May and found we all fit a bit better, the amore was much bigger.

Other then that studios are fine with us, I will take what I can get with a 170 point contract. As it is we are in a constant state of borrowing points. :rolleyes1

[PBader]

We usually opt for the one bedroom if we are going for a week or more. We will stay in a studio for a short stay of 3 or 4 nights. We have even splurged for a 2 bedroom (there are only 3 of us) for some stays. Alot of time we take other family memebers or friends with us and need the space of a grand villa. That is why we love DVC--the choices we have.
Paula

[mickeyluv]

We have a studio ressie for May but we are thinking of forking out the extra cash for a 1BR. Me, DH, and DD (who is 8 & 1/2 by the way). I was wondering about the difference in size of the balcony? I know that the studios have balconies, but are they really that much bigger in a 1BR? I'm just wondering if the 1BR is worth an extra $535.00 for a 5 night stay (not only because of the balcony). I'm trying to take everything into consideration. Full kitchen versus kitchenette type, washer/dryer, nice whirlpool and huge walk-in shower (saw pictures on DVC website/virtual tour), separate sleeping arrangements for me and DH away from DD, ;) . What do you "experts" think? This is our first DVC stay and not sure that this really matters, but we probably won't be able to get back to WDW before a couple of years after this trip. TIA! By the way, we'll be at OKW.

[Pooh Pooh]

We have stayed in a studio right from the start. Our way of thinking is that all we do is eat breakfast,sleep, and shower there.
We put in a lot of miles when we're at WDW.

[jdvm]

A couple of comments. Play the cards you're dealt; and go with your personal preferences. If you don't have points to burn, stay where you points will allow you to afford. If you don't have enough points to stay in a larger unit, the studios are great. If you don't mind switching rooms; try a combination. If you can afford the cash outlay, switch from points to cash (with a member discount) for the weekend nights when points seem to melt. If you're out of the room before sunup and back after midnight, the room isn't that important anyway.
But if you have the points and being in the room is a part of your stay, by all means, steer clear of a studio. I have stayed ay Old Key West many times on business by myself and always use a one bedroom. I didn't like a studio even by myself. It didn't feel like home...it felt like a hotel room. As a family we all watch movies together and like the couch and a big TV and fixing dinner. My wife and i love chilling out in the jacuzzi. Plus we like our privacy. My wife and I took out 18 year old to visit a college this weekend and spent one night away...in two hotel rooms. We would have driven back home late into the night rather than use one room. It's just our preference and other people would think we're being silly.
We know a couple who spend three weeks at Old Key West every January in a studio. They bring a electric skillet and cook almost every meal in their room. I would go nuts after about a day, but they're happy as clams. What's right for us is right for us.....what's right for you is right for you. Good luck

[bluedoggy]

We have traveled to WDW almost every year since 1976 and used to stay in "budget hotels" until we got a taste of staying on-site. After all these years of doing just a hotel room, and having been brought up to be "frugal", we were thrilled when we finally had the chance to stay in a studio at OKW. We finally bought our 100 pt OKW contract last year and "being frugal" and wanting the biggest bang for the buck - we will most likely stay in a studio for a long time- This way we will have enough points to bring our DD, DSIL & DGrD with us and each have our own rooms. If we win the lottery maybe we'll buy more points so we can all have our own 2 BR ( or Grand Villa????) LOL :cheer2: