1B or Studio...I'm so conflicted!!! UPDATE: Booked the 1B

[panfan]

DH and I just had the same dilemma on our last trip !! We decided at the last minute to "sneak away" for two nights , just the two of us. ( first time ever doing this ) We originally had a studio at OKW like you and waitlisted for the others....6 days before we were to arrive, I cut out spring trip by one day to be able to get a 1-bedroom at VWL....It was worth it!! Even though it was a short trip, we did enjoy the room and location!!! When do you think the jacuzzi will come in handy more....a trip with or without the kids??? Enjoy , whichever you decide....

 

[OneMoreTry]

Go for the 1BR.

Next time spend a couple of days at a Disney hotel before your DVC stay to make up the difference.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks for all of the wonderful advice. Speaking from experience, it's so much easier to advise other people (spend THEIR points) than it is to make a decision for myself.

I called this morning and, sure enough, there were no BW view rooms left. I was told that there are "quite a few" preferred view 1Bs at BWV, so I'll stew on it for a couple of days.

But chances are we'll go ahead and upgrade--or more accurately *I* will upgrade and save it as a surprise for DW.

We've never stayed in BW before, and DW was pretty impressed with the area when we visited during our honeymoon a few years back. I know she will get a charge out of staying there.

To answer the question about the type of trip we have planned, I guess I would classify it as an "active, laid-back" trip--which probably makes no sense. DW was pregnant the last two times that we visited WDW, so she is really looking forward to hitting all of the thrill rides. But aside from that, we really plan on spending a lot of time relaxing and enjoying some time alone.

It will be our first time away from the kids in over 3 years, and we really don't plan to make a habit of vacations alone. So, I think there are some real plusses in the larger room.

Thanks again for all of the feedback. You guys (and gals) are great.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Hey, if it's not BW view, I wanna change my vote.

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
That is what a one bedroom is for, 2 adults no more. Just because the people on this board like to stuff familes into them does not make it right. The living room is not a bedroom and should only be used for emergencies. If there are more than two people they should go to the 2 bedroom or GV. I have been a member since 95, had many guests over the years and never used the living room for a bedroom. Too many people are buying into DVC that really can not afford it, that is for sure. I here such things as 4 adults in a studio, people asking how many people can stay in a one bedroom, all these statements lead one to believe that they have over -extended themselves when buying into DVC.

Pa...I totally disagree!!! Have you never taken a "ordinary" vacation where the parents sleep in one bed, and the kids in the other, in the same room?? I find it somewhat offensive that just because I went with a 1BR this past December that you feel that I'm one of these DVC members who cannot afford DVC. Well EXCUSE ME!!! I'll tell you one thing, if I had met up with a few more DVC people like you, then DVC wouldn't have my money. You're not the greatest of endorsers to get new DVC members into the club.

If you have this opinion fine. But don't make assumptions about other people whom you have no acquaintance with.

Brian

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by Richyams
They never should have dropped the minimum below 230. Its the 150 point packages that force people to over-occupy their rooms, avoid weekends like the plague and use the pullouts. I think they did all members a diservice when they did that.

Hey Rich...if they did such a disservice to you by raising the point minimums, by the way disservice is spelled with two, "s"'s, then do the majority of us who are not prejudicial owners a favor and sell your points back. We could use some additional points.

This is a new side of DVC members that I don't believe I'm taking a liking to. If those of us who have less than 230 points are not welcome, maybe there should have been something written into the DVC bylaws.

Not all of us live in Florida Rich. Maybe if you had to fly down to WDW everytime, and not have the Florida Resident discounts on tickets, then maybe you'd have less points as well.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by tjkraz
Thanks for all of the wonderful advice. ...

I called this morning and, sure enough, there were no BW view rooms left. I was told that there are "quite a few" preferred view 1Bs at BWV, so I'll stew on it for a couple of days.

You snoozeth you loseth, I guess.

 

[DemoBri1]

Just to take the reply to Pa's post a bit further. If you have 4 people in a 1BR that is not "stuffing" people into a 1 BR. By law the capacity on a studio or 1BR is listed as 4 adults and 1 infant in a crib. If people are disobeying that capacity level then yes that is a problem. If 1BR or studios were intended to have only 2 people in them, then there wouldn't be a pull-out in the room, and the capacity would be listed as 2 adults.

My kids are at an age now where they don't mind sharing accommodations, but when they get older, I'm sure we'll be going for a 2BR.

And one other thing Pa...you need to remember what the price per point was back when you bought in, and what the price per point was in '02 when I bought in. I'll bet you my initial purchase was pretty close in price to yours unless you bought a huge amount of points.

 

[Moonmom]

Originally posted by tjkraz
To answer the question about the type of trip we have planned, I guess I would classify it as an "active, laid-back" trip--which probably makes no sense.

OH! "Laid back...take it easy...relax...but...we're doing alot" I understand! That's how DH and I do our trips too.
We almost always stay at the BWV.. we love the location; and the atmosphere. We had a studio once.. now we always get the one bedroom. We almost always eat our breakfasts in; since we anxious to get started on our day, we want to get the "fueling" done before we head out. Though, part of that is nice is that we alternate in letting the other catch a little more sleep while one of us gets up and starts the coffee, sets the table, gets out the breakfast things; sometimes he or I will go down to the bakery and get a fresh muffin to share, (they're big) and grab a newspaper from the shop. Our favorite views, though, aren't the Boardwalk. We like being able to look toward MGM and the waterway and watch the launches go by.
We love being able to walk to both Epcot and MGM.. plus going out to walk on the Boardwalk in the evening. We live on a country road where the BIG excitment of the month is the town patrol pulling over a car that got caught going over the 30mph speed limit.
We'll sometimes split up during our visits; sometimes DH to play golf; and I'll opt to spend part of the day and the pool then wander into a park.. or he'll decide he wants to do his back to back RnR Coaster & Tower of Terror thing...(riding each over and over,, with lunch in between).. the combination of the two (with lunch included) isn't my thing.. so I'll head off somewhere else and we'll meet up later.. which inevitablly ends up with, "Oh, guess what I saw?"
May is wonderful time to go.. I've gone each May for the last 4 or 5 years and each time the weather's been great. And the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot and the "Flower Power concerts" are one of my favorites.
I feel a little guilty now... I AM going this May...but with my DD, ... DH and I are going in October.. Maybe I ought to plan a trip sooner.. he's such a nice guy..he deserves it. Or maybe he could fly down a few days during May. Hmmmmm.
Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time!

 

[Bugeye]

Just the two of us, kids are grown and we are not park commandos anymore. A studio would be just fine BUT, we just like the 1BR so pamper yourself. This may be the only trip without kids for awhile and the only one where you can chaseeach other around the room in privacy. Go for that whirlpool tub!

Oh yeah, and all on 150 points a year! We bank every year. We don't need more points.

 

[Disney Doll]

DH and I have no kids either, and we always get a 1BR. We've stayed in the studios, which are quite nice by any standards, but once you stay in that 1BR with the tub, the kitchen, the washer/dryer etc, there's no going back!

Since it's an adults only couples trip, splurge a bit and go for the 1BR. Even if it's not a BW view, a preferred view over there is probably pretty nice as well. And the location, within walking idistance to so much, can't be beat. Just strolling the BOardwalk at night is romantic and I also love being able to stroll through Epcot WS at night, maybe enjoying a glass of wine from France, holding hands...sigh....

 

[jaysue]

Seems like there are two classes of DVC membership according to certain posters - those who "can afford it" and "those who cannot afford it"

I am missing the points raised here - the rules are X people per Y type of unit - how am I "not able to afford it" or "by not going on weekends (sometimes)" a 2nd class DVC owner?

We own enough points to stay weekends and sometimes we do, sometimes we do not. We own enough points to get a 2BR for the 4 of us and sometimes we will get a studio for the 4 of us and sometimes a 1BR - I do not get what the problem is over than a certain degree of snobbery perhaps?

Anyways, you cannot keep all the people happy all the time

Now onto the matter of the OP topic:

Given the feedback by the OP, for sure with no doubt go for the 1BR!

thanks
jaysue

 

[Richyams]

Not all of us live in Florida Rich. Maybe if you had to fly down to WDW everytime, and not have the Florida Resident discounts on tickets, then maybe you'd have less points as well.

I lived in New York in '92 when we bought and also in '93 when we added on. We didn't move to Fl till late '97.

Flew every time for years.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I am missing the points raised here - the rules are X people per Y type of unit - how am I "not able to afford it" or "by not going on weekends (sometimes)" a 2nd class DVC owner?

I agree.....it's always something with some folks. Not everything is so black and white. There are so many different valid reasons why some people (such as myself), own under 230 points. For example we also own an offsite timeshare which equates to 7 nights in FL for us. With the amount of points we own with DVC, I can tack on an extra week on to our vacation. I honestly don't know if we'd be able to vacation more than 12-14+ days every year (depending on the season)? I think every individual/family knows what's best for them and what works for them. To make a statement so cut and dry as some people do around here doesn't make sense.
Our offsite timeshare is strictly a 2 bed/2bath villa. I have 3 kids and they still prefer to sleep on the sofa bed because everyone wants their own bed. I see no reason to be forced to rent a GV simply based on this preference ? I don't know what a family of 5 would do with all that extra space in a GV. I'd only consider renting one if I was bringing family/friends down. So my point is, we're a family of 5, stay in 2 bedroom villas and we still use the sofa bed and everyone is quite comfortable with this. What's the difference if a family of 4 rents a 1B or a family of 5 rents a 2B and both use the sofa bed ? And does this mean studios are only meant for 2 people so as not to use the couch as a bed? I don't get it.
Tjkraz ~ have fun suprising DW with a 1 bedroom and enjoy your quality time away from the kids.

 

[DrTomorrow]

To Tim (the OP): Treat yourself - more importantly, your DW - to the 1BR. We only go around the sun a limited number of times, so enjoy. For our first trip home (MH in May - w00t!) we're doing a studio at SSR, because I know that as soon as we do a 1BR, we won't go back.

As to the developing 'who belongs' discussion, I have the solution: simply have every DVC Forum poster add his/her total number of points to their signature - that way, we can know which people meet cetain 'acceptability criteria'.

[Of course, having purchased 300 points, I know that I'm "OK" ]

 

[DemoBri1]

Actually DrTomorrow...we should post the number of point, plus the price per point that we bought in at.

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by Bugeye
Just the two of us, kids are grown and we are not park commandos anymore. A studio would be just fine BUT, we just like the 1BR so pamper yourself. This may be the only trip without kids for awhile and the only one where you can chaseeach other around the room in privacy. Go for that whirlpool tub!

Oh yeah, and all on 150 points a year! We bank every year. We don't need more points.

Better watch out Bugeye in letting out your number of points. According to a couple of our wonderful neighbors, you really don't belong in DVC!!

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by disneycrazed139
My only fear is that it will be difficult to stay in a studio in the future!

These are words of wisdom! We started off staying with friends in a 2 bdrm. Haven't been in a studio yet, had one booked for an upcoming trip but the decided I wanted a 1 bdrm!

Sad Truth!

 

[Deemarch]

drtommorow, we did have someone start a thread to the tune of "what do you do for a living" next...Okay, laying it on the line...What is the dollar figure that you put on you 1040 form!

If someone feels as if they don't belong.....Maybe Dr. Phil can help you!!

I know I belong!!!! I'm a Disney nut like the rest of you!!!

 

[Judique]

Originally posted by tjkraz
OK, I need some advice.

DW and I are taking a solo trip (no kiddies) in May. Right now we have a Studio at OKW for 3 nights (30 pts). We've stayed at OKW before, and thus waitlisted for a studio at any of the other properties. I'm pretty optimistic that something will come thru over the next couple of months. And if not, we'll be perfectly content at OKW.

Now comes the hard part. The CM making our reservation just happened to mention that they had 1B Boardwalk View room available. Wouldn't that make for a memorable first time "Home"???

We really have no NEED for a 1B, and it will cost me almost 3x as many points (84). Getting the larger room now means I'll probably have to cut a day or two from a trip next spring--or borrow from '06.

It would be nice to have the larger bed, larger bathroom, separate living room. We probably won't do much cooking in the room either way--just breakfast and snacks. The 1B would clearly be a luxury for just two adults.

What would you do!?!?!

Go for the one bedroom BW view. Solo trip with you and your DW? And you want it to be extra special? (Reading between the lines, here) Treat yourself - it's only 3 nights and you both deserve it.