4 adults + 1 year old in a studio?

[Pirate4Ever]

Has anyone stayed in a studio villa with four adults and a young child (1 year old in a pack and play in our case)? If so, how was it?

We're taking my DW's parents to Disney for the very first time next summer- in fact, it will be their first legitimate vacation in 34 years! We have 129 pts to use and our home resort is SSR. We're staying 7 nights and are contemplating changing our reservation to OKW (2 beds instead of sleeper sofa is the main draw), BCV, or BWV at the 7 month mark. We have contemplated borrowing points from our next UY to move up to a 1 bedroom, but we'd rather not if we don't have to because my wife and I would like to go back to Disney the following year.

My concern is obviously space. Will it be too crowded to move around in the morning? Is sharing a bathroom with so many an issue? Its not like we're stuffing extra people into the room, but 4 adults is a lot for a studio. We're not planning on spending hours and hours in the room, but will probably be back for naps in the afternoon.

So if you've done it- how was it? Would you do it again? If you haven't done it, am I crazy for considering it? Or am I worrying about nothing?

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW might work because you'd have two actual queen sized beds. In all the others you'd replace one queen bed with a double sleeper sofa. OKW has the biggest bathroom of all the studios as well.

So, it's doable, but not all that comfortable. If you could afford a second studio, that would be more comfortable. Then no one would have to sleep on the living room sleeper sofa like you'd have in a one bedroom.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I would never even consider it. It would be way too cramped. I don't even like staying in a studio with 2 adults and 2 small boys! I can not even fathom staying with my in laws in a studio! The horror!
If you can afford it, see if you can buy some points for transfer from the Time Share Store, $12 per point. 2 Studios would be so much better, or a one bedroom at Kidani would give you 2 full bathrooms and a whole lot more room to stretch out.
JMHO

 

[castleri]

I would never even consider it. It would be way too cramped. I don't even like staying in a studio with 2 adults and 2 small boys! I can not even fathom staying with my in laws in a studio! The horror!
If you can afford it, see if you can buy some points for transfer from the Time Share Store, $12 per point. 2 Studios would be so much better, or a one bedroom at Kidani would give you 2 full bathrooms and a whole lot more room to stretch out.
JMHO

Absolutely totally agree with this statement. We are going with DD and 2 DGS and have a 1 BR at BLT and then a 2 BR at OKW. The 1 BR at Kidani would be the way to go if you can get some extra points or cut one day off the trip. Could you do the trip in Sept so you could stretch the points more than if you travel in the summer? Whatever you decide I hope you have a wondrful trip.

 

[DebbieB]

First vacation in 34 years, I would get them their own studio. Pay cash if you have to.

 

[Pirate4Ever]

I'm hearing all the things that I've been thinking and after discussing with my wife, we're looking at either a 1 bedroom or 2 studios.

However, this brings up a new problem. To do either, we would have to borrow all of our 2012 UY points to make this work. That's not the issue- the issue is that to book either a 1 bedroom or 2 studios at SSR (our home resort), we would have to buy 11-12 one time use points. At 7 months, I'd like to change it to AKL, OKW, or BWV- all of which require less points (for certain room types) than the stay at SSR.

So let's say we get BW standard view studios at 7 months. Because it takes less points, can I get a refund on the one time use points that I buy to make the original reservation? If not, do I get to back some of my borrowed points from the original reservation? Or is it worth it to just wait until 7 months and try to get into one of our 3 preferred resorts and risk no availability?

Seriously, thanks for the advice- it's much appreciated!

 

[Pirate4Ever]

First vacation in 34 years, I would get them their own studio. Pay cash if you have to.

Touché.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm hearing all the things that I've been thinking and after discussing with my wife, we're looking at either a 1 bedroom or 2 studios.

However, this brings up a new problem. To do either, we would have to borrow all of our 2012 UY points to make this work. That's not the issue- the issue is that to book either a 1 bedroom or 2 studios at SSR (our home resort), we would have to buy 11-12 one time use points. At 7 months, I'd like to change it to AKL, OKW, or BWV- all of which require less points (for certain room types) than the stay at SSR.

So let's say we get BW standard view studios at 7 months. Because it takes less points, can I get a refund on the one time use points that I buy to make the original reservation? If not, do I get to back some of my borrowed points from the original reservation? Or is it worth it to just wait until 7 months and try to get into one of our 3 preferred resorts and risk no availability?

Seriously, thanks for the advice- it's much appreciated!

You can't get a refund on your one time use points and you can't "unborrow". Do you have any current year points in the reservation? You could ask them to free those up for the difference and then bank those (if you are in your banking window). Most likely you could get OKW or SSR @ 7 months. BWV standard or AKV value might be difficult.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

You can't buy the one time use points until the 7 month window.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm going to bet that for July 2012, you would be able to get two studios at OKW at 7 months out. You could book two six night stays at SSR at 11 months out and at 7 months out book two seven nights stays (or whatever your points will get).

 

[Sammie]

Honestly if I had to share one room with 4 adults it would not be considered a vacation.

I mean, we all make strange noises during the night sometimes and also have to get up and use the potty, do you really want your inlaws that close while sleeping and using the bathroom.

I wouldn't.

 

[ToddyLu]

For the love of Pete---please, please get them their own studio. I promise, promise you will not be sorry.

DH and I use studios every time we use DVC. We get one and the parent gets one. DH and I need our down time and they need theirs. We love each other but my Dad's smoring is horrible and my Mom fusses over trying to make everyone happy....she will offer you a cup of coffee four times. My MIL needs her sleep and IS NOT a morning person. For that long YOU will be very uncomfortable--as much as you like your in laws I am sure your wife likes them better and after 3 days that might be a stretch in the best of circumstances.

Then there is the whole, I want to watch TV but the baby needs a nap or Dad wants a nap. Plus after all the rich food in WDW I need the privacy of my own restroom ( I am sorry to bring that up --just being honest). If it were a weekend you could swing it no problem...but not for that long.

Even the most perfect DH would begin to loose it.

My Mama and Daddy have never stayed DVC and have only been to FW and Pop many years apart and their last trip was in 2008. We stayed at Pop and had adjoining rooms which was great. THis year we are taking them for their first DVC trip and they deserve to be treated to a terrific room of luxury for just the two of them.

 

[robinb]

Our family stays in Studios all the time and they are perfectly comfortable for us. That being said, I would NEVER share a studio with two other adults. No way, no how. Nope. Not gonna happen. If you are point-poor, I would use the same number of points you allocated for a week in a studio and stay 5 nights (Sun-Fri) in a 1 BR instead.

 

[Pirate4Ever]

Loving all the input- thank you all very much!

After reading what everyone has said, we're thinking a 1 bedroom is the way to go. We like the idea of 2 studios, but DW really wants her parents around to help with our DD if needed. We are totally fine giving them the bedroom while we sleep on the pull-out (side note: how are the pull-out sleepers?). We're OK with sharing a bathroom, but are looking hard at trying to get into a 1 bedroom at Kidani which has the two bathrooms. Since I'm very confident that we can get a 1 bedroom at SSR or OKW at 7 months, we'll just wait till our 7 month window to book (thanks btw for the reminder about buying 1 time pts at 7 months only!).

So since you've all been so helpful tonight, I have 1 last question: what order would you put these 1 bdr villas in for 2 Disney Vets, 2 Disney Rookies, and 1 beautiful 1 year old girl? Can't book until 7 month window for 7 days end of July- beginning of August:

-Kidani (or AKL - standard view for either)
-SSR
-OKW
-Boardwalk (standard view)

 

[robinb]

We are totally fine giving them the bedroom while we sleep on the pull-out (side note: how are the pull-out sleepers?).

No, No, NO! YOU get the bedroom and the in-laws get the fold out. Your points, you get the master bedroom.

So since you've all been so helpful tonight, I have 1 last question: what order would you put these 1 bdr villas in for 2 Disney Vets, 2 Disney Rookies, and 1 beautiful 1 year old girl? Can't book until 7 month window for 7 days end of July- beginning of August:

-Kidani (or AKL - standard view for either)
-SSR
-OKW
-Boardwalk (standard view)

AKV Kidani - only because of the two bathrooms
BWV - location, location, location ... although you are unlikely get a standard view at 7 months.
AKV Jambo - love the animals! Just don't book a "Value" villa because they are too small. The Standard View here will guaranteed be a Pool View.
SSR - Nice and relaxed
OKW - Biggest of all the resorts, BUT you might end up with one of those funky 1BR where you can only access the bathroom through the master bedroom.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My first choice would be a Kidani standard 1bedroom, and my friends who have slept on the pull out in the living room say it was fine. There you get the two full baths.

Secondly for me would be BWV, standard, because of the location, and the resort itself.

My next choice would be Jambo, 1 bedroom standard. I wouldn't try for value, because a pack 'n play wouldn't fit in the master bedroom. However, if you do give the DGPs, the master bedroom, then I would try for value before standard if you want your DD where you are sleeping. I've gotten a 1 bedroom value for only 2 nights one June, at less than 7 months out.

I prefer SSR over OKW, but I really think that you will get one of the above if you call exactly at 7 months out.

Bobbi

 

[acomasdiaz]

I would definitely say Kidani first too since it has the 2 bathrooms. If that's not available I would go for OKW because of the size. We did a 1 bedroom with my in- laws once at OKW and it was livable. Good luck!

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I think you have a pretty good chance of getting Kidani at 7 months. It is a a very big resort.

 

[robinb]

I would definitely say Kidani first too since it has the 2 bathrooms. If that's not available I would go for OKW because of the size. We did a 1 bedroom with my in- laws once at OKW and it was livable. Good luck!

The only problem with OKW is that half of the buildings have 1BR where the bathroom can only be accessed THOUGH the master bedroom. That setup is in units 30 and under which is nearly all the buildings that are close to the Hospitality House. DVC realized what a PITB that is and the rest of the buildings (31-62) had an additional doorway added through the laundry room.

That being said, OKW is HUGE.

 

[DisneyHeather]

This thread made me decide this morning to switch from a BLT studio to a 1 bedroom at Kidani for January because we will be 4 adults and a 9 month old. I'd been worried about the space with a studio too and this thread was the deciding factor in changing my mind. I had to buy 8 one time use points but I think we will all be happier.

Thanks for posting this question