1BR Villas?

[IsDVCForMe?]

So I started looking at 1BR Villas at AKL and noticed they’re about ~$450 more per night than a deluxe studio.

Now, I didn’t look at a bunch of timeframes.

But if this is consistent, I just don’t see the point of buying double the points when a deluxe studio is ~$900/night and a 1BR villa is ~$1350/night.

For that same time period, a week in a savanna view studio is 116 points and 235 points in a savanna view 1BR villa.

What am I missing?

 

[PolyRob]

So I started looking at 1BR Villas at AKL and noticed they’re about ~$450 more per night than a deluxe studio.

Now, I didn’t look at a bunch of timeframes.

But if this is consistent, I just don’t see the point of buying double the points when a deluxe studio is ~$900/night and a 1BR villa is ~$1350/night.

For that same time period, a week in a savanna view studio is 116 points and 235 points in a savanna view 1BR villa.

What am I missing?

It's true the number of points a studio costs compared to a one-bedroom doesn't match the rack rate. Same if you upgrade from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom.

It's the experience of the one-bedroom that people like compared to a studio. It's spacious and more home-like with a full kitchen and living room. If you're park commandos and just want to sleep in a room the studios may be fine, but if you want more casual days, privacy + separate sleeping areas, full refrigerator, washer and dryer, etc the one-bedroom is worth it to a lot of members.

The points difference combined with lock-off units (studios filling first) is why a lot of people buy "sleeparound points" and just book whatever one-bedrooms are available. They're usually the last to fill based on points required. It's all season dependent. If you're planning during "fall frenzy" or high demand times (lower points season) you'll probably want home resort advantage. If it's a less popular DVC time you have a good chance of picking up one-bedrooms at places like AKV if you're flexible (value and CL rooms excluded).

 

[Wedgeout]

Points vs Cash might not balance out financially but both usage of points (116 or 235) is a savings from whatever cash you would be paying for that stay.

With points, think of it as a ‘square footage increase’, ‘full kitchen’, and ‘laundry in room’ premium.

Doubling your points in all on you. Want bigger? Want extra? Get out there and buy those points.

 

[VGCgroupie]

It's been pointed out many times that 1 bedrooms are the worst "value" in the DVC system. Things vary based off resort, time of year etc. But overall points to cash conversion on a 1 bed is always not as nearly good as all other rooms. Each person has to decide when they travel, and what type of rooms they want and how DVC will benefit them. Some people are just fine paying Disney cash to stay in rooms, some are not and would prefer to own DVC even when staying in 1 bedrooms.

I stay 1 bed about 45% of the time, 2 beds 25% of the time and studios 30% of the time. I have gotten an incredible value off of all of my contracts. There is not 1 of my 8 purchases that I would say I didnt fare WAY better than paying cash. But in the end if you dont think it's valuable to own DVC vs pay cash that is your choice.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Here is a thread I posted light heartedly about the 1 bed situation. Some weren't so light hearted on the matter if I recall. Anyway could be an interesting read for you.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/just-for-fun-showing-how-crappy-1-bed-value-is-in-dvc.3977403/

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

It's true the number of points a studio costs compared to a one-bedroom doesn't match the rack rate. Same if you upgrade from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom.

It's the experience of the one-bedroom that people like compared to a studio. It's spacious and more home-like with a full kitchen and living room. If you're park commandos and just want to sleep in a room the studios may be fine, but if you want more casual days, privacy + separate sleeping areas, full refrigerator, washer and dryer, etc the one-bedroom is worth it to a lot of members.

The points difference combined with lock-off units (studios filling first) is why a lot of people buy "sleeparound points" and just book whatever one-bedrooms are available. They're usually the last to fill based on points required. It's all season dependent. If you're planning during "fall frenzy" or high demand times (lower points season) you'll probably want home resort advantage. If it's a less popular DVC time you have a good chance of picking up one-bedrooms at places like AKV if you're flexible (value and CL rooms excluded).

Figured the amenities were probably the biggest factor.

 

[Wedgeout]

For family trips, villa size is usually for necessity of guest count. This analysis you are doing is to go bigger, but it’s not for capacity. You get points to be a practical person and save save save! However now you are noticing that you can actually afford the splurge.

It will get easier, the more times you upgrade. Majority of our trips are as a couple. We will do either studio or one bedroom based on how we feel for that trip and after looking over the ‘points dream sheet’ for the future.

You can and will be able to go back to a studio. Just that when in the one bedroom you won’t think that’s a good idea. But when back in a studio, will enjoy that cozy feel and wonder why you stay in a one bedroom.

“Soon you will book a cabin, bungalow, beach house, or penthouse just because you can”. (Full disclosure: I’m still a one bedroom & studio flip flopper..BUT..those are the words I keep hearing in my head anyway).

 

[airjay75]

Typing this from the patio of my VB 1 BR as I hear the waves and feel that gentle ocean breeze . . .

As I recall, you have young kids. Stay 3 or 4 nights in a studio. Then, go stay 3 or 4 nights in a 1 BR. You'll see why it's worth the points. It is night and day having two different sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a washer/dryer. Night and day.

Will you get as much value out of your points compared to studios or 2 BRs when comparing to rack rates? No, definitely not. Will you still get pretty great value? IMO, absolutely yes.

AKL may be one of those resorts where 1 BRs are pretty easy to book on cash, especially Kidani. That's not the case at all DVC resorts, and especially not for the lower point 1 BR resort view categories.

Of course, there are plenty of studio families out there who put 4-5 people into a studio for a week and have a perfectly lovely time. More power to them. That isn't me.

 

[Sandisw]

Square footage is a main factor that is used to create point values for DVC.

It’s because they are selling the units…think of how it would be done when building a house…the larger the space the more it costs.

For hotels, it’s different and pricing is based on what people are willing to pay to stay…and cash guests aren’t going to pay twice as much.

Now, many of us love them and think they are worth the extra points because of all it offers, even though they don’t sleep more people!

I will only do a studio with two people. If it’s more than that, it’s a 1 bedroom and 5 or more it’s a 2 bedroom.

 

[BruinEd03]

So I started looking at 1BR Villas at AKL and noticed they’re about ~$450 more per night than a deluxe studio.

Now, I didn’t look at a bunch of timeframes.

But if this is consistent, I just don’t see the point of buying double the points when a deluxe studio is ~$900/night and a 1BR villa is ~$1350/night.

For that same time period, a week in a savanna view studio is 116 points and 235 points in a savanna view 1BR villa.

What am I missing?

The upgrade from Studio to 1BR - Additional Room, Larger Fridge, Kitchen, Laundry

The upgrade from 1 Studio to 2 Studio - Additional Room, Separate Entrance.

The upgrade from a 1 BR to 2 BR - Additional Room and potentially Separate Entrance (depending on if it's a lock-off)

To me, the key upgrade from a studio to a 1BR is the laundry. If you're looking at a purely rack rate, the savings are less, but you are still saving. Unfortunately there's no way to use points and use cash for upgrades. So you have to make a choice, do you save a lot, or save a little less than a lot? I can tell you, I don't think any hotel at WDW is worth $900 a night, even for studios and I'm not paying $1350 a night for a 1BR. However, paying the number of points to cover the rooms are worth it.

Of course it's up to you and who you are as a person. Some would say, why stop at studios v. 1BR? Why not go to AKL v. Old Key West or Saratoga Springs? What's the point of paying points for AKL when you can get a large room for less points at OKW or SSR?

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

Square footage is a main factor that is used to create point values for DVC.

It’s because they are selling the units…think of how it would be done when building a house…the larger the space the more it costs.

For hotels, it’s different and pricing is based on what people are willing to pay to stay…and cash guests aren’t going to pay twice as much.

Now, many of us love them and think they are worth the extra points because of all it offers, even though they don’t sleep more people!

I will only do a studio with two people. If it’s more than that, it’s a 1 bedroom and 5 or more it’s a 2 bedroom.

Ahh, that’s a good point and makes the most sense.

 

[Simba's Mom]

As I recall, you have young kids. Stay 3 or 4 nights in a studio. Then, go stay 3 or 4 nights in a 1 BR. You'll see why it's worth the points. It is night and day having two different sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a washer/dryer. Night and day.

And a full size refrigerator/freezer for that gallon of ice cream and that gallon of milk you bought in the grocery order. And you never have to go to the ice machine, because that's one of the plusses of the refrigerator too.

 

[bluecruiser]

And a full size refrigerator/freezer for that gallon of ice cream and that gallon of milk you bought in the grocery order. And you never have to go to the ice machine, because that's one of the plusses of the refrigerator too.

Except the tap water at Disney tastes terrible, so I never make ice with it. That's what bottled water is for.

 

[MsChristy12]

We stay in 1-bedroom majority of the time and we love it. (just 2 adults) We bought DVC for the 1-bedroom. The extra space, washer/dryer, full kitche are worth it to us. Also, I'm the early riser compared to my husband, and it's nice that I can have my light breakfast/coffee and hang out in the living room without waking him up. Studios are fine with us if it's a short stay up to 4 nights. So far, we have been doing split stay and we'll stay in a studio 2-3 nights, then switch to a 1-bedroom. If I have enough points, it will be 1-bedroom all the way!

 

[cheryl.UK]

We travel to WDW for 3-4 weeks at a time from the UK and a studio for that amount of time just doesn't cut it. We spend the first part of our holiday in a studio while we hit the parks opening to close but move to a 1 bed when we slow things down. This year we are spending 8 days in a BLT studio and then 2 weeks in a BCV 1 bed.

 

[Brian Noble]

You aren’t missing anything. Studios are under-pointed, and 1BRs are over-pointed. This is clear when you look at the order in which unit types are fully booked.

And I don’t care. I did not get into timeshare to stay in a glorified hotel room for an extended trip.

 

[intamin]

1BRs unfortunately are the worst value in the DVC system. That being said, the additional amenities are invaluable.

I remember one night we were in MK for Tron previews and it was pouring, like water halfway up my legs at certain times but I wasn't going to miss previews lol.. Shoes were obviously completely saturated. Anyways, we got back to our room and it was so nice to throw all of our clothes into the laundry and our shoes into the dryer to dry them off. Then we ordered a BBQ chicken pizza to the room and ate it on the dining table. We didn't have to eat it on the bed or have to take our clothes down to the laundry room and try to fight with other people to use the machines at 11PM which people are using at that time because everyone's back from the parks. And then of course we put the leftovers in the fridge to eat for breakfast the next morning. Then you add the extra space and the door to separate you from the potential snoring of other people in your party and it quickly becomes worth it.

 

[DVCsloth]

Then you add the extra space and the door to separate you from the potential snoring of other people in your party and it quickly becomes worth it.

We are a family of three, wife and daughter like to sleep in and do the late-night events. and I like to get up early and go to bed early. The 1BR allows us the separate sleeping areas and not disturb each other's sleep. We love the VGF and Riviera studios for 3 or 4 nights max, anything longer and it's going to be a 1 BR.

 

[Brian Noble]

After sleeping on it, I've thought of a better (or at least more charitable) way to explain it.

Studios on DVC points are a stupidly good deal. 1BRs on DVC points are (usually!) still a good deal vs. the other ways I could book it, they just aren't that good. And that's fine.

There are a few times of year when the 1BR on cash at prevailing rates is competitive with a points booking, or maybe even cheaper depending on your cost-per-point. For example, in late June a week in a 1BR at SSR is $3,085 on the Passholder discount, all-in. If you don't have an AP, it is $3,600 (which might justify the cost of a single pass vs. tickets). That room is 206 points. At the AP rate, that's a per-point value of just under $15/pt. At the GP rate, it is just under $17.50. Both are less than the cost to rent points, and the AP rate is less than the cost to rent distressed points.

But there is one other facet to consider, and that is that points are already paid for, but cash is cash. Am I going to drop $3K on a week at SSR this summer? Probably not*. If I had 200 points to spend, would I spend it there? Why not! That's what points are for, taking vacations.

------
*: I will confess I am considering it....

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

Studios on DVC points are a stupidly good deal.

They are. After doing the math, if we stay in a savanna view studio for a week in December of 2027 we may “break even” depending on discount given for rack rate. We may be in the red just a little bit, but it will be close.

We are planning February 2028 and can’t see 2027 yet, but makes me feel good that one trip will have us pretty close to what we paid for our contract and 2 years of dues.