Does Anyone Only Stay in Studios?

[DiznEeyore]

Just curious about this....everyone always says that once you stay in a one-bdrm or larger you'll never go back. We stayed in a VWL 2-bdrm in Dec., and then an OKW studio in May and had no problem with it (mind you, an OKW 1-bdrm is bigger than our house, so the studio seemed very spacious). Just wondering if anyone out there avoids the larger villas and sticks with studios?

[Richyams]

I stick with the grand villas.

[DiznEeyore]

Well, yeah, Rich, we all knew that. ;)

[sitchu2]

Yes, I do. I do not need room on my vacations to wdw , I dont like to stay in the room or cook, but I like staying at deluxe resorts, and stretch my vacation dollars. Booking 2 studios is the same points as using a one bedroom but sleeps double the amount of people.
By using studios I have been able to vacation every 6 months for a week to 10 days instead of only once a year . I like always having a vacation to look forward too. Another benifit of stretching the vacation dollars is the reduced cost of admission. The cost of an anual pass really makes it worth longer or more frequent visits.
Many people pay big dollars to stat at the deluxe hotels, and a studio is basically a deluxe hotel room, that works just fine for me and my family.

[adamak]

I usually go with my DH only, so we always stayed in Studio (standard also). We only booked 1 or 2 bedroom when we have more than 3 people coming with us.

[sunking]

yep...we use studios as well...we are a family of four (me, wife, son (12) and daughter (10))....we will be staying in a beach club villa studio beginning on july 15th for 5 nights...
i'm not going to disney to spend any time in the room or cook an elaborate meal...the studio provides some nice touches (frig and microwave) that a normal deluxe room does not...i'm in disney to be out and about in the "magic" of it all...our typical day starts at about 7:00am (or earlier) and doesn't normally end until the park closes...
staying in a studio allows us to take more time as well by stretching the points that we have purchased into more days...
now, i may begin to feel different about this should my son or daughter start to give me grief about the sleeping arrangements but until then, it's a studio for me....
have fun!!!!
sunking

[leslieh]

We have used the studios many times, to save points. I prefer the 1 bedroom, but it comes down to the points again. The 1 br is like a home away from home. I dont cook either, but do bring food back occassionally. We have two DDs teenagers and have no problem sleeping together

[lsutigger]

Even thought I've only stayed in a studio (VWL), DH and I are looking forward to staying in a 1-Bdrm at BCV this Oct. DH was the one really wanting to stay in the 1-Bdrm, so we'll see after this visit. I don't think I would have trouble going from one to the other. I may be wrong. Only time (122 days!!) will tell.

[KNWVIKING]

DW and I are studio people.We started with 180 pts at OKW and wanted to streeeach them as far as possible. We have since added 25 pts at OKW,70 at VWL and 72 at BCV. Because I only get 4 wks vacation, we may have to move up to a 1 br or risk loosing points,(I realize I have other options). But like others have stated, my room is not my vacation. Aside from Milk,OJ and bagels/cream cheese for morning snack, we eat out all the time. We're lousey cooks when we're home, even the magic of Disney can't improve our skills on vacation.

PS: But maybe the only way I'm going to get a sofa at OKW is to book a 1 br :-)~

[we3luvdisney]

We are members at the BWV and always stay in a 1 bedroom overlooking the boardwalk. However, on one trip we decided to stay in a studio, with a standard view. We made this decision so we could stay longer. The extended time at WDW was great, but we DID miss the 1 bedroom. After a day in the parks my DW & DD usually hit the "sack" early, while I stay up and watch TV. I could not do this in a studio.:(

[nydizfan]

I love the fact that I can save SO MUCH MONEY just cooking in the room. Thats why I love the one bedroom. I have stayed at a studio twice...but never again.. I love the fact that I can watch tv and not bother anyone... cant do that in a studio.BTW I am a chef so I save mucho money by cooking ........dave;)

[doubletrouble_vb]

So far I've only stayed in studios...on site... I didn't find myself craving a 1 bedroom except at OKW. The first time I stayed at VWL I didn't go into the parks at all and just loved lounging on the balcony for breakfast or sitting on the sofa to watch the US Open (tennis). I think the lack of a sofa and the darkness of my room was one reason I wasn't happy at OKW. I've seen the 1 bedroom so I know I'd be perfectly happy in an OKW 1 bedroom....but I like saving points too!

As long as I have a sofa, a fridge and a micro I'm happy. You CAN cook in a microwave you know! It's a matter of combining canned ingredients!!! LOL...

[Peterd]

The studios are very nice, but for us, we would have to get two or more to accomodate our family comfortably. We sometimes would get two for a weekend, when the two bedrooms or the GV were sold out over the weekend at the BW. We're a family of seven, most of the time more. We like to be able to do our wash in our rooms, saves on over packing, and lugging everything downstairs. The extra T.V.s for the kids is a great thing, and the extra showers are a major plus when we want to get ready to go anywhere in a hurry. For a short trip, they're fine for us. If it were just me and my wife (which I know we could never do Disney without the kids), a studio would be Ok, but we would miss the extras the villas have to offer.
On our trip this Nov, so far we have 5 studios, two 2brs, a 1 br, and a GV at the BW. The friends and family in the studios sleep and shower in their rooms and party in ours. They love the studios.
When we use the GV, there really isn't a typical day for us. We usually go with a bunch of friends and family, bunch of rooms, and various times leaving the rooms. We never do the parks before 11 or noon. That time is usually used for the gym, running(wife), or breakfast with the friends and family. So the room, (for us) IS a major thing. It's usually the meeting place. It's really To each his own. I wish the BCV and WLV offered GV's too. For the five in a studio/ 1 Br thread, we usually have 7 to 9 sleep in our GV (instead of 12), so for the room nazis who worry about the overcrowding at the resort, they can say their extra people are staying in our room. :rolleyes:
I think DVC spoiled us, and for us to go to studios after the other rooms, WE would be disappointed. It's really what your into. Yes, you can get more for your DVC buck by staying at a studio or GV at Okw. We did that when we started, but as we and the kids got older, our preferences changed. Enjoy!

[spiceycat]

are you and your family close - then a studio will work. If not then go for the 1-bedroom.

I don't think I will ever take my mother in a studio again - we fought the whole time - my friends a different story.

In December I am going with people I don't know well - so we will start in a 1-bedroom (until we get to know each other) at OKW, then we go to a studio at VWL (I hope this works well for everyone)

and when there are males along I always get a 2-bedroom - however I might just get 2 studios in the future sounds like that might work best.

[dtheboys]

I only use a studio.....W/ 5 kids and my wife, that is all that we can afford!!! It's a liitle cramped, but we make it! I some nights have the kids sleep down aon a lounge near the pool.
That way when they wake up they can save us 10 chairs near the pool. We just throw a few towels on all of the lounge chairs, and head to the park all day!! It's nice come back about 4:00pm, and we have chairs waiting for us! Of course we only do this at Easter week, and other busy times!
See ya at Disney!!!

WAIT,WAIT.....This is a JOKE!!!!!! Just wanted to wake you all up this morning!!!

See ya, :jester:

[joepoe]

Originally posted by dtheboys
I only use a studio.....
WAIT,WAIT.....This is a JOKE!!!!!! Just wanted to wake you all up this morning!!!

See ya, :jester:

ROTFLMAO!

Good One!

[joepoe]

Originally posted by sunking
...i'm in disney to be out and about in the "magic" of it all...our typical day starts at about 7:00am (or earlier) and doesn't normally end until the park closes...
sunking

Holy Smokes! You guys are tough! We don't have the stamina. We usually get going around 9 or 10 and then maybe hit the pool at 2 or three and then hang out til the evening hours when we go to PI or DD or the fireworks and I am usually sound asleep by 10! So to us, the bigger rooms provide enough space4 to kick back relax, and not trip over everybody's stuff while we wait for the bathroom.

JP

[LodgeMan]

We always stay in the studios...have no problem with them and love them...

[robinb]

We usually stay in 1 BRs, but will stay in a studio when points are tight. We pefer the extra room, the cooking facilities, the jacuzzi and the laundry in the unit.

[Allan]

We've stayed in both BWV and OKW studios a few times but we prefer the extra room in the villas. It just seems to make our time in the room much more relaxed.

[jbthi]

We've never stayed in a 1 BR. When it's just my husband and I we stay in a studio. When we take the kids and/or grandkids we stay in a 2 BR. When I'm in a studio I don't miss the kitchen. With just the 2 of us we either eat out or get meat from the deli for sandwiches and cereal for breakfast.

It would be nice to have 2 bathrooms but you don't get that in the 1 BR. I guess the only thing I miss is the washer/dryer in the 1 BR.

[Snowgod]

DW loves the tub in the 1 bedroom and I like the shower in the master bath. Did an addon so we could always stay in at least a 1 bedroom.

[sgtdisney]

In 10 years of going to OKW, I have never stayed in a Studio. Not once.. Our first trip down there in 1992 was in a 2 bedroom and it spoiled me. We do tend to go down with family either on my wife's side or mine, so that is another reason. The few times we have been down there alone for a few days, it was in a 1 bedroom. I suppose I should try the studio sometime... I just think it would be hard knowing what was on the other side of that lock off door..... :p :p

[downontheBW]

It's just DH and myself so our trips have always been studios. I know I'd love the 1 bedroom but can't part with the extra points. We always end up going over weekends so the points are high. If I ever go without a Friday and Saturday, I'll probably choose a 1 bedroom just for the extra room. I won't use the kitchen, though - I hardly use the one at home any more.

[OKW91]

We stay in a 1 bedroom over the Xmas Holidays, it's are treat to each other. The rest of our visits, usually 2 or 3 times during the winter months, we stay in a studio. We do this because it gives us more time to at the resort, rather more time at WDW then a big room!!

[raidermatt]

Well, we just completed our first trip home, and we used a studio for 2 weeks. It suited us just fine. Its me, DW, and 3-year old DS. (We travelled with another couple who had an adjacent studio next to us, as well as a couple of friends who stayed at the ASMu). A one BR with washer/dreyer would be nice, but for now, it just doesn't justify the extra point cost (and therefore $$$ cost) that a 1 BR carries. The fridge, microwave, toaster and sofa/sleeper were nice amenities we don't get in regular hotel rooms and that was enough for us.

However, as DS gets older, and we possibly add another child to the mix, we will probably purchase some more points and start going with 1 BRs.

It just depends on the size of your family, how much time you actually spend in the room, whether you want to cook, etc.

[EROS]

We only use the studio units, primarily at BWV, for our family of 3. However, we purchased enough points to eventually move up to the 1-bedroom unit when our 5 year old moves into adolescence:D :D .....

[POLLY ANN]

We also use the 2BR and GV, but our kids are under 5, so it's not like we are at the parks dawn to dusk. I can't imagine staying in a studio with MY kids at this age! lol Maybe when they are older and can take care of their own personal hygiene, etc. (it gets tiring having to bathe, dress, and feed 3 kids every day!), we can stay in a studio, spend more time in the parks, and stay longer in Disney! ;)

[joepoe]

I should also mention that it might be nice, once we retire, to spend the month of January in a studio at OKW to get away from the midwestern winter for awhile. Studio is ideal for two and good for four, unless you are a little claustrophobic like me.

[dianeschlicht]

Sunking, you are new to DVC... Give it a few years, and you will feel differently!;)

[yesdisneyfool]

Just completed an addon (april) so that we can spend our Mardi Gras trip in a 1b at OKW (usually have family in WDW at this time) We get a studio (only Me, DW & DD) at the other DVC properties to experience the other resorts during our shorter trips at other times during the year.

[Ralph&Pam]

We have been at BWV for 4 nights followed by 3 nights at VB in January, back to BWV for 6 nights in March, and have just returned from 6 nights at BWV (followed by 4 nights at a beach resort on the FL gulf coast). All the DVC stays have been in studios. It works very well for the two of us, since we only plan eating breakfast (toast and coffee with fresh fruit) and an occassional pizza in the room. On days when we have a big dinner planned, we usually just have a very light lunch (or even no lunch), either fast food or leftovers. The fridge and microwave provide exactly what we need when on vacation, along with the deluxe hotel accommodations. I don't use the Jacuzzi we have in our master suite at home (actually it's been used once in 14 years), so it's unlikely I'd use one when on vacation. This most recent trip was the first time I felt having a washer and dryer would have been convenient, since we were away from home for 10 days. We actually did laundry half way through the trip, using the laundry at BWV. It was no big deal, but did require more attention than just loading the washer and dryer as convenient like we do at home.

Overall, we like stretching our points for the added nights in a studio rather than reducing our stays by a factor of 2.

Now I'll suffer withdrawal for a bit, since we won't be back to WDW again until January.

Ralph

[hoosiergirl]

joepoe--my idea exactly! DH and I hope to add on enough points to get us out of here for a month during the winter once we retire. Staying in a studio would be just fine for us. The only problem will be--what to do after 2042??? ;)

[Chuck S]

We usually get a studio. Every couple of years we splurge on a 1 bedroom.

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by hoosiergirl
The only problem will be--what to do after 2042??? ;)

I'll be 81, don't know if I'll still want to do WDW?

:confused: Who said that, I must be having a daymare.

[ohioMickey]

dtheboys...

I only use a studio.....W/ 5 kids and my wife

You finally leaving your 2 dogs at home now? What gives?

[mickeys#1fan]

...on what we want out of the stay. In summer, we hardly go to the parks. We'll spend a week lounging around the pools and the room, so the 1BR is great. We also economize by cooking fairly often. Also, the washers are great for minimizing packing. A long soak in the Jacuzzi is also just the ticket after a taxing day of lying around the pool.

At Christmas we usually get a studio. We're in the parks as long as stamina allows us, which usually means from rope drop until Spectromagic is over (or Fantasmic or Illuminations). Because of that we eat out all the time. A big room isn't necessary.

[BillM]

We only stay in a 1 BR, usually at OKW. We don't leave the room until about 10:30 AM. Like to enjoy the amenities of the 1 BR, read the paper, watch GMA ot Today. We usually get back around 10 PM. Sometimes we come back around 4 and sit on the porch, have a drink and then go to the CG or FF for dinner. We bought the points for this purpose and have Florida Residnet Seasonal passes so we are never running full speed. Only studio we have stayed in is when we visited for our Tour(when we bought).