1 bedroom or studio?

[mickeymouse710]

Member discounts are something like 20% off rack rates. They are limited to certain times of the year and a certain % of rooms, but I have never had a problem with a member discount being offered. But member discounts are never as good as AP discounts. If you are going to pay cash for weekend nights, I would definitely check out AP discount rates along with DVC member discounts. I would be very suprised if the DVC member discount will even come close to what you can book through CRO with an AP discount.
Good luck!

 

[mickeymouse710]

Originally posted by Lexxiefern
This is just my opinion of course, but I did not care for the OKW studio. I will only stay in a one bedroom there when I return....

We feel the same way. Love the OKW 1 br, but do not care at all for the OKW studio set up. As the 2nd br to a 2 br villa, it is great, especially if you need the 2nd bed; but for a total studio experience, it is seriously lacking.

 

[ceejay13]

I didn't think I would ever say this but I voted for the week in a studio. Actually, we are doing the same thing this September. We didn't realize we had a few points to use up before December, that we banked last year. We have always stayed in a 1 bdr or larger, and my DH said there was never any reason to stay in a studio. When we found these points a couple of weeks ago we decided that a studio at OKW was better than 4 nights in a preferred BWV 1 bdr, which is our home. We love OKW also and could get more for our points. We are from Kansas and I didn't want to go down to Florida for less than 6 nights so we went with the studio. I have to tell you that we are both really excited about this is, as it is a totally unexpected trip. It is also one of the rare times that it is just me and my DH without other family or friends. We can't wait.

 

[Candace]

I would stay in the moderate (my fav is POFQ) for the weekend *prior* to moving into the 1BR. With two small children, the 1BR will make it seem more like a vacation. Just remember to do the hotel thing at the beginning of your week, not at the end.

 

[PamOKW]

The member discount is 25% off rack rate. DVC decides if chances are good that they will have rooms that are not being booked on points (I think historic trends come into play along with what they show as booked) and make those rooms available to members. You receive the same housekeeping as if you were staying on points.

 

[panfan]

I am struggling with the same type of situation ! DH and I have two boys ages 3 and 8 as I know you have little girls. We constantly struggle with the studio vs. 1-bed now. We spoiled ourselves with our first trip as DVCr's in a one bedroom (BWV) .After staying in a regular hotel room....it's ..WOW !! Two TV's, Kitchen, Our own room while boys can watch the Disney Channel in the living room ( or in our room) Whatever....it's just so nice !! Not to mention the jacuzzi, walk in closet, two sinks, etc....
Then...our next trip we went to a studio (BWV again) . We figured we spoiled ourselves the first time but a studio would compare to a regular room..right??? While we enjoyed our stay, after all we were in WDW! It just wasn't the same as the 1-bedroom !!
NOw, for our trip this year , I have a studio booked buy everyday I think about calling and upgrading to a 1 -bedrooom...it's just I want to save pts for another trip the following year with family!!( LOL....more points needed!--maybe in a couple years)

The moral of this story is...........had we stayed in a studio the first time....we , like you, wouldn't "know any better" so unless you are prepared to be "1-bedroomers" from now on, I would suggest excerting some discipline and sticking with the longer stay in the studio.....

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by Candace
Just remember to do the hotel thing at the beginning of your week, not at the end.

Absolutely!!

 

[SnowWitch]

If it is 3 or less people occupying the room, I would go with the studio. However, if its 4 people I would most certainly go with the 1 bedroom.

When we purchased we said studio all the way; however, on our first trip home a studio wasn't available and we got a 1 bedroom. To make a long story short the only time we have ever stayed in a studio was on trips where it was just myself and my 2 sons.

The downside to the 1 bedroom is your spoiled from then on!

 

[JudyS]

If you do POR for two nights, your DD will get to use the pool slide there.

With an AP discount, it might not be that expensive for the two nights at POR. I feel that weekend nights on points aren't a very good value. So, I'd do two nights in a moderate and then switch.

 

[carone0318]

I voted studio.

Call me young and dumb, but I can stay at all levels of rooms and return to a studio, no problem. I guess spoiled is not in my vocabulary. Also, we are a family of 4.

My thinking is that my reason for buying DVC is for guaranteed vacations and no additional cost, why would I want to pay cash for extra nights, weekends or whatever. If you do pay cash for additional rooms extra, you are Disney's favorite type of customer. They drool over the members who pay cash over their intial investment.

Do whatever makes you happy, but I prefer letting that additional money weigh down my pocket while I walk through the parks. It keeps you grounded .

 

[dianeschlicht]

You didn't say how many were staying, but I will assume 3-4. If that is the case FOR SURE do the 1 bedroom! If you have only stayed in studios, you will LOVE the space and luxury! Why not treat yourself? I am sure DD will get along without a slide if she can easily Pool hop on over to SSR! It is just a quick boat ride away.

 

[jaysue]

You will be spoiled in the OKW 1BR - they are huge - go for it - enjoy the other 2 nights at a moderate you have not stayed at before - that way you keep DD all happy as well

Beware going back to a studio after staying in a 1BR though!

thanks
jaysue

 

[mb168]

In many cases I'd agree on staying at a moderate for the first 2 days and then the rest on points except they said this was a Sun-Sun trip which would blow a ton of points on the last two nights, especially in a 1BR. Move to a moderate Friday and save the weekend points double. You'll save between 48-86 pts by doin this. If you have to move anyway it may be better to have a pre packing Thursday, get everything washed up and loaded in the car and then not unpack everything for the last 2 days.

 

[mbb]

We managed to do the studio for one week...and were completely THRILLED....

Fast forward to Sunday's check-in at our 1bdr...
uh oh....
we have to go BACK to a studio on Friday after THIS????!!!!!!

Didn't happen...called MS on Friday am...
"Ummmm, any possibility of upgrading our ressie for a 1bedr?? There is availability???"
"HOW many POINTS???"
"Oh."
"Well"
....Yep, we did it...and so glad we did....

We're adding on at OKW...

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd spend 2 nights in a moderate and then move to the 1BR. DH and I do this quite a bit when we go, as a way to consevre some points. Plus, I like the idea of staying in a couple of different locations, trying out the different resorts etc. Makes it seem like 2 different vacations, or a longer vacation.

 

[jaysue]

CSR CSR CSR CSR!

 

[lenshanem]

jaysue, are you trying to tell me something?

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks everyone! I booked all week (seven nights) in a studio at BCV and then will switch to OKW at my seven month window. I then will just wait for AP rates in January for this April trip and see if it looks any good and just decide from there. I think DH wants to just stay put all week, but if the mod discount is too good I might have to go with that instead. We'll have to wait and see...

Sounds easy enough, but I thought I wouldn't be able to bank those two nights if I canceled cause I would have borrowed points for two other trips.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=598899

I feel better now knowing I can wait and then decide.

I also came to find out DH likes the more relaxed OKW (He stayed there once before w/o me when he went to see the Braves spring training with his Dad.) than the more hectic resorts. Surprise to me! Guess I should ask his opinion more often!

I definitely think we are going to stick with OKW for the spring break trip. I just have to hope the slide will be complete!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm sure the slide will be done by spring break. They have stated it will be open by the first of the year.

 

[paults]

1 bedroom and try other resorts for 2 nights