1 Bedrooms are over priced (point wise)

[PamOKW]

While looking at one instance, you are saying why do I pay X% more in points when I would only pay X% more for cash, that really doesn't work overall. There are too many variables to compare points versus cash rates. For one thing, seasons are different. The DVC seasons do not match up to the resort seasons.

You could also ask the same question about why does a 2 bedroom cost so much more than a 1 bedroom? The answer is....because that's how the points are distributed. There's no sense beating yourself up wishing about how you'd like things to be (from point values to furniture in the units)....DVC is what it is and we all knew that going in.

 

[Dean]

For some reaons this thread reminds me of the 1 BR sleep 6 type of discussions we've had over the last year or so. It does make me wonder though if buying DVC with the idea in mind of using a 1 BR almost exclusively is a good deal for DVC. I've always looked at it as the studio or 2 BR scenario both of which compare about break even to a moderate with either one or 2 beds depending on which DVC unit being compared to. The current cash price and point differences suggest to me that in terms of money, the 1 BR may be the worst deal with DVC outside HH in general off season. Still, there is more to this than money plus there are other savings and protections within the DVC program like dining savings, inflation protection, sales tax avoidance, familiarity, etc.

 

[Loubon]

You know there is one other way to look at this.....

If you use the generally accepted $10 per point that would mean $140 for a studio and $300 for a 1BR. (in your example)

A room at one of the moderates such as Coronado is $169 (I used 3/23/04 for this example with standard view, tax would be extra)

A room at a deluxe such as GF is $444 (same considerations as above).

So the comparision is not so much the spread between room choices. It is the comparision between regular hotels. In both case you are better off but you are getting an even better deal with a 1BR. And that does not even factor in the benefit of more room etc.

 

[Loubon]

You know there is one other way to look at this.....

If you use the generally accepted $10 per point that would mean $140 for a studio and $300 for a 1BR. (in your example)

A room at one of the moderates such as Coronado is $169 (I used 3/23/04 for this example with standard view, tax would be extra)

A room at a deluxe such as GF is $444 (same considerations as above).

So the comparision is not so much the spread between room choices. It is the comparision between regular hotels. In both case you are better off but you are getting an even better deal with a 1BR. And that does not even factor in the benefit of more room etc.

 

[Loubon]

Actually, I didn't realize you mentioned 7/04 so I picked 7/26 as the date. The numbers are $144 +tax and $378 +tax respectively.

I guess the point is that on cash Disney more than doubles what they would consider comparable rooms (actually 162% more)whereas in points it is only double.

 

[childsplay]

quote:
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Originally posted by PamOKW
IMHO, DVC did absolutely the right thing making the master bedroom a master bedroom -- not a hotel room.
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Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
Agreed.

Disagree, politley

 

[InstImpres]

I agree it is sometimes a tough choice, more vacations smaller room or less vacations bigger room. The bottom line is, it is personal choice and it may vary from trip to trip.

The same discussion could be had about 2 Bdr. vs. GV (though agter touring one I know the living room is fabulous). I can get my family 3 2 bdrm units for a few less points than 1 grand villa for a week. The true bottom line is we could have 2 2 bdrms and have more beds and baths than a GV and I could still take an extra trip but I decided to go with the GV as it looks amaing, impressive and will work for more of an extended family type of vacation with the easy living room gatherings. I am trying really hard not to think about the extra Dis week I am giving up to do this

JMHO
Sandy

 

[d-r]

A room at one of the moderates such as Coronado is $169 (I used 3/23/04 for this example with standard view, tax would be extra)

compare apples to apples, though. If you have been around Disney enough to make a commitment to join DVC, you have been around Disney enough to know not to pay $169 for CBR. $99 or $109 is what most people who are frequent, return sorts of guests at wdw would pay for CBR.

Even more direct, compare the price of the very room that the OP listed in this very thread - 30 points per night at a one bedroom at wlv, $285 per night cash reservation. Add in the tax for the cash reservation, compare that to the 60 weekend points at the one bedroom. Compare that to two ajoining regular hotel rooms at the wilderness lodge for $119-$129 each per night (say a king in one room and bunkbeds + queen in the adjoining). At the current time, a one bedroom villa at wlv on points is not a bargain. The comparison is not with rack rates, it is with going rates.

Now that doesn't mean that I regret buying my points at wlv or that I am not happy with the point system that I bought when I bought it - I am not complaining about it, I'm just being realistic about it. The benefit of dvc is inflation protection when those going rates go up, and the flexibility from already having the points.

DR

 

[married@wdw]

I didn't read this whole thread, but I do understand the appeal of a studio. We're a young married couple with no children who enjoys eating out every meal and spends very little time in the room, so a low-point studio at OKW is perfect for us on most trips. We bought the 150 point minimum at OKW and we get lots of nights in a studio for that at a low cost and get to stay on property. And the nice thing about DVC is when we want something better than that (a one-bedroom BWV Boardwalk view in January -- hooray!), we can usually get it.

If I had money for an another add-on (we just added 50 points, but that's so we can stay longer, not in a better room!), we'd definitely stay more frequently in a one-bedroom. We still wouldn't use the kitchen area much, but I love the jaccuzzi tub and the king bed -- not to mention two TVs so I can watch the news while DH watches cartoons in the morning. But I'm happy with my studio and I think there are lots like me.

 

[perdidobay]

As to the OP's situation, I am thinking the difference in the price is due to getting an DVC discount quote on the 1 bedroom.

As for the topic of studio use by DVC members......... isn't that why we all bought DVC, for the flexibility?
Some may want to stay 2 weeks and take a relaxed vacation, cooking in most nights.. and spending days laying around the resort........
others go only for 3-4 days, visiting the parks non-stop all day and night and eat out the whole trip.
DH and I want to play in the parks all day and night when we go to WDW. I don't cook ( I cook at home 6 days a week, I sure don't want to on MY vacation!) Don't worry about laundry and never use a jaccuzi anywhere anyway. A studio is perfect for us, it is going to be used only for sleeping and showering and changing clothes. And I still have that home away from home feeling.................I'm at WDW for gosh sakes!
Now next May, we will bring DDs and 2 extra people...then we will definitly be in a 2 bedroom, having these choices is the best single thing about DVC in MHO.
IF we had 2000 points, we still wouldn't come for more than 3-4 days at a time and we still would only stay in a studio, just DH and I. The amount of points we have has nothing to do with our decisions.

 

[marlouwrig]

We have just bought 175 points at BCV.

We know that this will buy us about 2 weeks for four of us at most times of year 2 years out of 3 in a studio. Even in a studio this is superior accommodation at an extremely reasonable price and what is more one which is within our budget and which we could comfortably afford.

Would I like to be able to afford a 1 or 2 bedroom every year?

Yes in an ideal world most certainly I would and maybe in years to come this will be possible. However for now I am absolutely delighted with my purchase and the holidays which it will provide, and I can't wait for our next trip home next October.

I do agree however that twice as many points for a one bedroom as compared with a studio is about right when you take into account the additional space and facilities which is provides.

Maybe one day.......

 

[lisareniff]

Going from:

Studio -> 1brdm - increases amenities and living space

Studio -> 2 Bdrm - increases amenities and living space AND increases beds (2->4)

Sometimes it would be nice to increase number of beds without increasing amenities. (But I like the amenitites!!! so it is not an issue with us!!)

-Lisa

 

[TDC Nala]

I love studios! I'm single, and don't need extra beds! I don't cook! I don't wash clothes (and if I have to, such as the mysterious black streaks on my only pair of pants last trip, there's free laundry facilities)! The refrigerator is small but it holds all the Diet Coke and beer I can drink! What on earth would I do with a one-bedroom, except use up enough points to take another trip? So I'm terribly happy with the studio point schedule, especially at Old Key West with its really big rooms (I call it my 'other' home resort).

 

[PamOKW]

What on earth would I do with a one-bedroom,

Once in awhile you'll have to treat yourself to the luxury of lounging in the whirlpool tub while your clothes are washing right in the room.

I agree that the studio is wonderful, especially for one or two folks who are stretching points...but be sure to treat yourself from time to time over the next 30+ years.

 

[DebbieB]

Even if it's just my mom and I, we always get a 1 bedroom. The reason I fell in love with DVC was the living room, full equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, large bathroom with walk-in shower. She goes to bed early, my typical late night is surfing on my laptop while watching Jay Leno in the living room. Staying in a studio to me would be just like any hotel room, not the reason I bought DVC.

 

[TDC Nala]

Once in awhile you'll have to treat yourself to the luxury of lounging in the whirlpool tub while your clothes are washing right in the room.

if i'm going to spend part of a trip sitting in water, it's going to be at Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[d-r]

See, this is why dvc is great because people want different things and can get them. To me this is like the "resort" vs. "condo" thing, people like to travel in different ways. I'm sure when our baby is born and we are traveling with him a washer and drier will seem great. But up until now, "luxurious" to me never included washing my clothes - luxury was more like someone picking up a shirt and bringing it back to me on a white hanger in a nice plastic wrap laundered, pressed, with medium startch. But what is cool about DVC is that not only can people choose different types of vacations based on their likes, but they can change over time as their needs and desires change across their lifetime. Isn't DVC great -

 

[tiggerguy2000]

I think the points per room are fine. Remember they said this will never change so if we start changing the point per room then they will change it to a higher number not lower!The cash part im not up on so......
tiggerguy2000

 

[PamOKW]

But up until now, "luxurious" to me never included washing my clothes -

I'll always remember Al Michaels reporting from WDW (one of the big ABC/Disney specials) and expressing shock that he was in a room with a washer/dryer. Gee, wonder where he was?

Yeah, I know I didn't really give a good example. DebbieB's description is more to the point. I have used the studio when hitting the parks is the primary goal. But, over the long time we will all be traveling to WDW, I think folks should give the bigger units a try. It really is like owning a second home at WDW, not just visting in a hotel.