1 bedroom vs. studio

[eporter66]

We are a family of three. We do use the kitchen, as our daughter is up by 7:00. We make breakfast in the room, and this allows us to get an early start and not have to worry about her being hungry.

We love the space the one bedroom provides. When we get back to our room at night, our daughter can sleep in the bedroom, and we dont have to tip toe around . We can have the TV on, relax, hang out and enjoy the rest of the evening. I really like this part of it too.

We make a stop and get some snacks, drinks, and a few other things to keep on hand. I cant tell you how much this comes in handy.

It is just our preferred way, there is nothing wrong with the studio rooms at all. But - having stayed in both, the comfort the one bedroom provides will make it our choice from now on. We may need to add on when she gets older so we can move up to the two bedroom

 

[BroganMc]

Looks like most people on this thread prefer a 1 bdrm--does that mean that studios are easier to book? (I guess that shows that I'm a studio type person, looking into getting our feet wet with DVC by starting small, buying a resale with enough points to let us book a studio for a week every other year)

Absolutely not. MS often tells me studios and Grand Villas are the quickest to fill up. Studios because they are the cheapest points. 1bedrooms tend to be available longer since they have the same capacity but are nearly twice the points.

I'm torn. In 1bedrooms I can only afford 12 nights in Disney a year. Studios I can get 21 nights. I like the in-room washer/dryer and desk area of the 1bedroom. But with studios I can stay longer. And it's not really that much of a hassle to take our laundry to the pool (i.e. the nearby community laundry room). We managed just fine with three adults, a powerchair and scooter in a studio last New Year's. And the two of us did just fine last October.

So I prefer to break it up. I'll do 2bedrooms when we bring other family down, studios when it's a choice of stay longer or more points, and 1bedrooms when I can afford to splurge or am willing to pay cash for weekends.

 

[Flyerfan]

Definitely 1BR over studio. Just DH and I and we love the king size bed and having that separate living area. The washer/dryer is a huge plus as I hate to have that big pile of dirty laundry when I get home. We will only be going once per year in the future so we'll keep borrowing points to get the 1BR if we have to and when we run short of points we'll adjust (pay cash or skip a year )

 

[drakethib]

My 2 cents is that 2 adults and a small child you can get by in a studio for a couple of days.

After that it gets cramped. It did for us anyway.

 

[buzz5985]

It depends on our trip. If it is a quick 3 - 4 day trip - with a lot of park time - we get a studio. A longer trip we get a 1 BR - there is just 3 of us, DS is 11. If my Father tags along we get a 2 BR. LOL We have been getting a lot of 2 BR's lately.

 

[eva]

When we bought over 10 years ago our daughters were 11 and 14. One of the main reasons we bought was so we could have a king size bed, while our DD's could have their own bed. When we stayed in a regular hotel rooms before DVC, the two girls fought all night long. The youngest is a bed hog. So in the beginning when it was the four of us we always rented 2-bedrooms. Them having their own bathroom was a huge point too. So even now with the girls grown and gone, we are too spoiled. I might be willing to stay in a studio off and on, but DH won't. I hate to say it, but we have never stayed in a studio yet. I know that we would have a hard time fitting everything in the smaller frig. Even with just the two of us, we pretty much fill the entire full size frig with juice, milk, water, beer, wine, fruit, bagels, cream cheese, freezer packs, etc. Of course having the jacuzzi (and a separate shower), two separate sink areas, the washer and dryer, and larger balcony (at OKW) are a real plus.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I third adult is coming with me in June, so I today booked a 1 bedroom and cancelled the studio. For me, I guess that's the criteria when it's not with DH, when friends come with me, 2 Adults total, I book a studio, 3 and it's a 1 bedroom. I think 4 adults as a total and it would be a 2 bedroom.

Bobbi

 

[dvcdisney]

We stay at a 1 bedroom for size and definitely for the washer and dryer. We use the kitchen to have cereal for breakfast and milk and water in the fridge. Other than that, it's all about space. We do like the idea of a stand up shower and not having to go into the tub. We have yet to use the jacuzzi. We have one at home so we don't really use the one at hotels since they have been used by so many people.

 

[BriarRose59]

We stayed in a studio for the first time this past weekend. It was DH, DD17 and me. We won't do that again. We mostly use the kitchen for breakfasts. I did not know that the studio had paper plates and bowls. Not my cup of tea when I'm on vacation. I also missed the washer/dryer which I was aware wasn't in there but decided we could do without on this short trip. We were there 3 nights. My DD came down with a bad allergic reaction to some food on Saturday night and we sure could have used the full kitchen to prepare her chicken soup when she was finally able to keep food down again. The store at the resort only had condensed chicken soup so we needed either a pan or a ceramic bowl, we had neither. Artist's Palette did not have chicken soup, but someone in the Turf Club gave us a large serving even though they were closed after my DH explained why we needed it. It will be a 1 bdrm or larger from now on for us!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We bought in with the idea of staying in studios ...

We did stay in a studio for 3 nights on our first DVC trip ... we rented points. Loved the kitchenette for fixing quick lunches, washing sippy cups (had 4 year old and 22 mo old). Sofa bed worked out well b/c it folded up and we had a nice little sitting area. Convinced us to buy into DVC.

Stayed in a 1 bedroom for the next trip. HEAVENLY! Plunked DD5 into the sofa bed, DD2 was still small enough for a pack n play ... so she went in the hallway. DH and I relaxed in the master bedroom until our bedtime. Now that was a RELAXING vacation with little ones! I'm scared to try a studio again!

 

[dianeschlicht]

When it's just the two of us we do a 1 bedroom. If we have 3 or more, we do a 2 bedroom. The only time we do a studio is for an occational Saturday night on either end of a trip. We didn't buy DVC to stay in a glorified hotel room. We want comfort, a Jacuzzi, 2 TVs, full fridge and laundry facilities.

 

[Mr Man]

We bought into DVC specifically for the 1BR.....haven't used it yet!

We seem to be stuck on 2BR (always bringing guests). I see the 1BR being perfect for my family of 4. Washer/dryer, kitchen, separate BR, King size bed, jacuzzi tub..........

We will try Studio someday but am hard pressed to see any value in it honestly.

JMO

 

[bnlbebes]

In the 10 years as DVC members - we have never stayed in a 1BR.

When it's just the immediate family - DW, DS(5), and me - we get a studio. maybe that will change as DS gets older.

If we're not in a studio, we have a 2BR with every available space filled by freinds and/or family.

I'm very frugal, here, so for now, don't see a reason to splurge for a 1BR. We get breakfast at BW Bakery nearly everyday and don't eat in for any other meals while at WDW.