Thoughts on two studios vs. two bedroom villa?

[jennybdis]

We are in the planning stages of purchasing our first contract and figuring out the number of points we want to buy. We are a family of five: my oldest is a girl, who is currently 11; my middle is a boy who is 9, and my youngest is another boy who will soon be 6. We just returned from a stay at the Yacht Club in a standard room where we had two queen beds and the day bed where the boys slept together in the one bed, and my daughter took the daybed. Although the room wasn't spacious, it was absolutely fine for our vacation and we had a wonderful time (and really didn't spend a ton of time in the room anyway...)

Anyway, we have potentially narrowed our purchase down to either BWV or BCV, and, assuming that's where we'll primarily stay, I recently discovered that there is no two-bedroom villa that has two double or queen beds (non-sleeper sofas) in the second bedroom, even if it's not a lock-off (as I know that all of the BWVs are). (I am correct on that, right? There is no BCV two-bedroom that has two queen or double beds in the second bedroom, right? Each second bedroom is configured with one queen bed and one sleeper sofa, correct?)

If you don't plan to cook dinner while on vacation, and losing the jacuzzi isn't a big deal for you, (losing the king bed and our own bedroom is kinda sad, but not a deal breaker) does it make more sense to consider doing two studios? Is it difficult to find joining studios?

Does anyone think with the makeup of our family that it would make more sense to think ahead a few years and go with the two bedroom? In that case, the boys could each have their own bed in the bedroom (one on the bed and one on the sofa) and my daughter could be on the sleeper sofa in the living area?

Further, how difficult is it to find two bedroom villas that have two actual beds in the second bedroom? Is this something that can be requested during the reservation process?

Thanks for any help or insight.

 

[tomandrobin]

Two bedroom.....

Full Kitchen

Two full baths, three if staying at BLT or AKV

1/3 more space vs two studios

Dedicated space for everyone to get together

Dedicate two bedroom will have three beds vs two for a studio

 

[tomandrobin]

Oh....The master bedroom side has a big walk-in shower.

And the two bedroom has a washer and dryer in the room.

 

[stacieps]

does it make more sense to consider doing two studios? Is it difficult to find joining studios?

There are not connecting studios - if a studio is connected to anything it is a 1 bedroom, to make a 2 bedroom. When booking 2 separate rooms you cannot be guaranteed that they will be anywhere near each other.

 

[DannysMom]

What you will want to book is a DEDICATED 2 BR --Which they do have at BCV. You will need to request a 2 queen bed 2 BR. Some of the dedicated 2 BR @ BCV will have a queen bed and a pullout sleeper sofa in the second bedroom.

If you get 2 studios they will never ever connect.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are in the planning stages of purchasing our first contract and figuring out the number of points we want to buy. We are a family of five: my oldest is a girl, who is currently 11; my middle is a boy who is 9, and my youngest is another boy who will soon be 6. We just returned from a stay at the Yacht Club in a standard room where we had two queen beds and the day bed where the boys slept together in the one bed, and my daughter took the daybed. Although the room wasn't spacious, it was absolutely fine for our vacation and we had a wonderful time (and really didn't spend a ton of time in the room anyway...)

Anyway, we have potentially narrowed our purchase down to either BWV or BCV, and, assuming that's where we'll primarily stay, I recently discovered that there is no two-bedroom villa that has two double or queen beds (non-sleeper sofas) in the second bedroom, even if it's not a lock-off (as I know that all of the BWVs are). (I am correct on that, right? There is no BCV two-bedroom that has two queen or double beds in the second bedroom, right? Each second bedroom is configured with one queen bed and one sleeper sofa, correct?)

If you don't plan to cook dinner while on vacation, and losing the jacuzzi isn't a big deal for you, (losing the king bed and our own bedroom is kinda sad, but not a deal breaker) does it make more sense to consider doing two studios? Is it difficult to find joining studios?

Does anyone think with the makeup of our family that it would make more sense to think ahead a few years and go with the two bedroom? In that case, the boys could each have their own bed in the bedroom (one on the bed and one on the sofa) and my daughter could be on the sleeper sofa in the living area?

Further, how difficult is it to find two bedroom villas that have two actual beds in the second bedroom? Is this something that can be requested during the reservation process?

Thanks for any help or insight.

BCV has 25 dedicated two bedroom villas with two queen beds in the second bedroom. The other dedicated two bedroom villas at BVC have one queen and one double sleeper sofa because there wasn't enough room to put two queen beds in some of the second bedrooms. You need to own at BCV and book as close as possible to 11 months out to get those rooms.

If you book two studios, you and your spouse would have to split up for the vacation because two studios will never connect. You might even be located on different floors or buildings (depending on the resort you book). You could not put the three kids in one and you and your spouse in the other. At least not for seven years until Kid #1 turns 18.

OKW has the only studio with two real beds - two queen sized beds - in the studio. So every two bedroom, whether dedicated or a lockoff, will have a second bedroom with two queen beds.

No studio will allow all five of you in one studio either. Studios are limited to four persons plus one under the age of three.

 

[bobbiwoz]

In BCV, there are about 20 something dedicated 2 bedrooms that DO have 2 queens in the second bedroom. We bought BCV so that we can get one of those at 11 months out when we know we're having family staying with us!

Bobbi

 

[SusieBea]

Further, how difficult is it to find two bedroom villas that have two actual beds in the second bedroom? Is this something that can be requested during the reservation process?

Thanks for any help or insight.

I realize OKW wasn't one of your preferred resorts, but OKW is the only DVC property that has two actual beds in the second bedroom and studio. The rooms at OKW, particularly the great room in the one and two bedrooms, are significantly larger than the great rooms in the other properties. You also get a full-size washer and dryer at OKW. (It's also the cheapest point-wise to reserve.)

 

[jennybdis]

I am so glad I asked this question--thank you for your help! The Disney site says that all of the two-bedroom villas at BCVs are one queen/one sofa in the second bedroom (perhaps they don't have any dedicated for cash?)

So if those are a hot commodity, as I'm assuming they would be, does it make more sense to buy into BCV since BWV doesn't have any dedicated two bedrooms? Can anyone share any insight into what their kids are like as they head into the tween/teen years (specifically boys and whether or not brothers are OK with sleeping together in the same bed?)

 

[jennybdis]

And by the way, when you make your reservations, are you assured that you get the two beds vs. one bed and one sleeper sofa, or do you get what you get when you check in?

 

[DannysMom]

The dedicated 2 BR at SSR as well as at OKW will also have 2 real beds in the second BR.

Even if your kids do not want to share a bed, in any lock off 2 BR (so a studio plus a connecting 1 BR) there will be a king bed in the master, a pullout sofa in the living room, and the second bedroom will have a queen bed plus another pullout sofa.

 

[jennybdis]

By the way, I should note that I thought that the two studio option was an option because of the DVC tour. I think it's rather crappy I was given misleading information as our guide told us that we could rent two studios instead of a two bedroom if we were looking to conserve points. He never mentioned that two studios adjoining one another (like hotel rooms can) isn't an option.

He also made it sound like ALL of the one-bedrooms had sleeper chairs and that was our best option with the makeup of our family. Only upon doing our homework following the presentation did we realize that's definitely not the case. Had we been impulsive and signed up that day, we would have--without question--bought SSR points for a one-bedroom, and then wound up with a pretty big surprise when we went to make a reservation to find that we had limited resort choices for one-bedrooms that sleep 5 people, and that SSR isn't an option.

And he's worked for Disney for 30 years...

 

[cvjw]

I can answer your question about teen/preteen boys sharing a bed while at Disney - mine will not - they haven't liked to share a sleeping space since they were in elementary school. We are a family of 4 - with our boys being 16 and almost 13. We either stay at BLT/Kidani in a 1 bedroom for the extra sleeping space, or book a 2 bedroom at the other resorts.

Another thing to consider as your kids get older is the bathroom configuration. Having 1 bathroom for us is a no-no. We would never get to leave the villa in the morning if we were sharing a bathroom. It will be more of an issue for your family with 3 kids - you will most certainly need a villa with 2 bathrooms.

We were lucky enough one year at BWV to have 2 studios that were side by side, but that is a rarity. If you go the 2 studios route, plan on splitting up the adults, and hope for the best that your studios are close. On one stay at BLT, we had family joining us in a studio, and they were on the 4th floor, while we were on the 11th floor - and our reservations were supposedly linked. They just told us sorry at the front desk - the room on the 4th floor was all that was available.

 

[Pakey]

And by the way, when you make your reservations, are you assured that you get the two beds vs. one bed and one sleeper sofa, or do you get what you get when you check in?

When you book your reservation, you will know at that time if you have 2 beds in the 2nd bedroom. You need to make sure you request it. These go quickly so if you only book 9 months out, you may not get one with the 2 beds.

If this important to you to have this option, I would definitely buy BCV over BWV.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I can't imagine trying to stay in two unconnected studios with a family of 5. But then again....I'm someone who is looking at getting a 3 bedroom grand villa at AKV for Christmas next year for just 4 of us! That way adult son and adult daughter each get their own room, and we get our usual master.

 

[Deb & Bill]

By the way, I should note that I thought that the two studio option was an option because of the DVC tour. I think it's rather crappy I was given misleading information as our guide told us that we could rent two studios instead of a two bedroom if we were looking to conserve points. He never mentioned that two studios adjoining one another (like hotel rooms can) isn't an option.

He also made it sound like ALL of the one-bedrooms had sleeper chairs and that was our best option with the makeup of our family. Only upon doing our homework following the presentation did we realize that's definitely not the case. Had we been impulsive and signed up that day, we would have--without question--bought SSR points for a one-bedroom, and then wound up with a pretty big surprise when we went to make a reservation to find that we had limited resort choices for one-bedrooms that sleep 5 people, and that SSR isn't an option.

And he's worked for Disney for 30 years...

He may have worked for Disney for 30 years, but how many of those for DVC? If he said adjoining, he may have been correct. Adjoining doesn't mean connecting, just that they are near to each other. Connecting is the term that means they open up to each other (like connecting rooms at the other resorts).

The only one bedroom villas with the sleeper chair are OKW, BLT and AKV (not the value villa). DVC will currently allow five in a one bedroom that doesn't have the sleeper chair, but they won't provide anything for the fifth person - no towel, no bedding. You can bring an aerobed for that person. But since they started building one bedroom villas that actually sleep five, they could go back to the four in the other one bedrooms if they chose to follow the documentation.

 

[Geezer]

I can't imagine trying to stay in two unconnected studios with a family of 5. But then again....I'm someone who is looking at getting a 3 bedroom grand villa at AKV for Christmas next year for just 4 of us! That way adult son and adult daughter each get their own room, and we get our usual master.

Yes, but then you are making us stay in a 1 bedroom with 3 people at Aulani.

 

[LSchrow]

another option is to bring a twin aerobed. we used one when we had DH, DD, DS, and myself in a 1bdrm. real aerobeds (and some of the off brands) inflate and deflate in (literally) seconds, have a built-in pump, are lightweight and fit in a carry-on with bedding (the resort doesn't supply the linens).

bringing an aerobed was a great option for us, and took less than 5 minutes out of any day

that way you can pick the resort that appeals to you most, without worrying about only getting a 2-bdrm dedicated (side note: we found the BWV sofabeds VERY comfy).
and i agree with the others, 2 studios wouldn't work.
enjoy

 

[jennybdis]

Are you allowed to add another person to the one bedrooms? I thought they would only allow you to have sleeping capacity on the reservation?

The towel deficiency wouldn't be a big deal as we could grab a few from the pool, right?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you allowed to add another person to the one bedrooms? I thought they would only allow you to have sleeping capacity on the reservation?

The towel deficiency wouldn't be a big deal as we could grab a few from the pool, right?

Some one bedroom villas sleep four (only one king and one queen sleeper) and some sleep five (one king, one queen sleeper and a twin sized sleeper chair). Currently DVC will allow five in all the one bedroom villas, but not a sixth under the age of three in the ones that sleep four. They will not provide any bedding or linens for the fifth person.

DVC asks that we not use pool towels if we need extra towels in the villas. They cost extra to launder and we pay for that. If you need additional towels, you'll need to pay for an extra towel pack (four bath towels, two hand towels, four face cloths and a tub mat) for $6. Or bring some from home.

So, no, you can't take towels from the pool to use in your villa. To wrap up to walk from the pool to your villa, yes. To grab a stack to use in the villa, no.