Villas - Sleeper Sofas

[rachellm]

We're spending a week in WDW with my family (DH and 3 kids ... 4 yo, 3 yo and 16 mo old), my parents and my MIL.

I'm still debating where to stay, but now we're considering renting DVC points.

How comfortable are the sleeper sofas? We'd get a 2 bdrm which would mean a bedroom for my parents, a bedroom for DH and I plus the kids, and my MIL on the sleeper sofa in the living room. I'm just concerned it won't be a good option for her!

[MinnMu]

I've been told that there are good ones and bad ones, but I can only speak from my personal experience. We stayed at the Boardwalk Villas about 4 years ago. The sleeper sofa was a torture device. We ended up folding it up and sleeping on it in sofa form (with a close second being the option of sleeping on the floor instead). I personally wouldn't gamble on getting a "good one" and risk ruining your trip.

[grimley1968]

My girls slept on sleeper sofas at BLT and at the Vero Beach Resort. In both cases there was a traditional size sleeper sofa, and a single chair that pulled out into a sleeper twin size bed. They were both comfortable for the girls. I can't imagine they'd have been very comfortable for an adult, but different people have different tastes. If MIL is a lightweight person it might not be that bad.

[rachellm]

I'd most likely be looking at AKL.
Sounds like this may not be a good option though!

[WIDisneyFan]

I have slept on the sleeper sofa at both AKV and BLT and they were comfortable. Not as nice as a bed, but far from the torture device I expected out of a sleeper sofa.

For kids i would say a week would be no problem - for an adult it would depend on what they were used to. Using my mom as an example, she could sleep in the tub all week and not notice, my dad would be a bear by the 2nd or 3rd night on the sleeper sofa (or just a bad bed).

Would there be a workable way to switch who had the sleeper sofa? (have not thought about the logistics on this)

[rachellm]

Originally Posted by WIDisneyFan

I have slept on the sleeper sofa at both AKV and BLT and they were comfortable. Not as nice as a bed, but far from the torture device I expected out of a sleeper sofa.

For kids i would say a week would be no problem - for an adult it would depend on what they were used to. Using my mom as an example, she could sleep in the tub all week and not notice, my dad would be a bear by the 2nd or 3rd night on the sleeper sofa (or just a bad bed).

Would there be a workable way to switch who had the sleeper sofa? (have not thought about the logistics on this)

Possibly. I'd be happy to offer for DH and I to take it instead of MIL. But she may prefer the sleeper sofa over the bedroom w/ 3 kids

I'd probably prefer the sleeper sofa over the kids!

[grimley1968]

Another option is to consider getting a 3 BR villa. I realize that's more expensive, but if your parents and MIL split the cost 3 ways with you, it might be affordable. That way MIL gets her own room, and there'd be more than enough room in the common area for kids to sleep on the sleeper sofas, crib, etc.

[rachellm]

Originally Posted by grimley1968

Another option is to consider getting a 3 BR villa. I realize that's more expensive, but if your parents and MIL split the cost 3 ways with you, it might be affordable. That way MIL gets her own room, and there'd be more than enough room in the common area for kids to sleep on the sleeper sofas, crib, etc.

Eek. I just priced this out since it sounded like a good idea. Price goes from $400ish/night to $1,000/night (renting points.)

[grimley1968]

Originally Posted by rachellm

Eek. I just priced this out since it sounded like a good idea. Price goes from $400ish/night to $1,000/night (renting points.)

Just to try all options, I'd price both out using WDW's website directly (not using points or the DVC system at all), and see if there's some availability and if the pricing is at least competitive or better.

We got hefty discounts just using WDW's website and applying room-only discounts to villa rooms, in the two times we've stayed in villas (1 BR once and 2 BR another time).

It may not be any better (and could be far more expensive), but it's worth a shot.

[FantasiaMagic]

I have slept in sleeper sofas at OKW, SSR, BCV and AKLV Kidani. They were all fine to sleep in. They were pretty comfortable. I also think while in Disney you are just so tired every night after a long day that you will just collapse anywhere!

[AJKMOM]

Most of the sleeper sofas, if not all now, are not what you think of-now there is no bar in the middle.

Disney had a furniture designer come up with a new sofa where it all unfolds, and the cushions stay on the couch. It really is not that bad, and certainly better than the old fashioned ones.

[grimley1968]

Originally Posted by AJKMOM

Most of the sleeper sofas, if not all now, are not what you think of-now there is no bar in the middle.

Disney had a furniture designer come up with a new sofa where it all unfolds, and the cushions stay on the couch. It really is not that bad, and certainly better than the old fashioned ones.

This is what we had at BLT and Vero Beach.

[lsenquiz]

We have a party about your size and we always rent a 2 bedroom and an extra studio. It will come out much cheaper than the 3 bedroom. If you did that you and DH could have your own room, your parents in their own room, your MIL her own room and the kids on the sleeper sofa with little one in pack and play.

We have always lucked out and gotten a studio that was right next door from our 2 bedroom. Everyone uses the 2 bedroom as base and the studio just to sleep.

We always stay at BWV and rent the standard view which saves us a bundle(you have to book about 11 months out to get this though). Which is kind of funny because I think the stardard view is superier to the preferred view. We always get a room that has a perfect view of the high fireworks from illuminations from our balcony.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by grimley1968

This is what we had at BLT and Vero Beach.

The sleeper sofa at BLT is the platform style where you remove the cushions. VWL, BCV, BWV all have the type where the back flips forward and the cushions stay attached.