5-1 Br Not That Old Chesnut Again

[Horace Horsecollar]

Disney Vacation Development can do what they want at future DVC resorts. If they want to offer a 1 bedroom condo with 12 bunk beds in the bedroom, all sharing one bathroom, so be it.

But owners at existing resorts have the right to expect that the current configurations will be available until 2042.

If a bunch of exisiting 1BR units were reconfigured to have 2 double beds instead of 1 king bed, it would suddenly be much more difficult to book a 1BR with king. And the crowds at the pools and on the bus system would increase. It wouldn't be fair to existing owners. And it would violate the terms of the offering. (So it's not going to happen.)

So feel free to suggest different configurations for future DVC resorts. But please recognize that the DVC resorts are timeshares, where owners have the right to expect what they paid for and DVC has the obligation to provide it.

By the way, there's more than one definition of luxury. Some people prefer the kind of luxury that a spacious, well furnished 2BR condo provides, while other people prefer the service-oriented luxury that a resort like the Grand Floridian provides, even if it means squeezing a family of four into 2 beds in a single room.

 

[Snowgod]

I too think that things should stay the way they are at the current DVC resorts. Future resorts should look at something different to accommodate the larger family structures. I personally would not want more than four in a studio. A new configuration for one bedrooms that sleep six would fill the void for families and groups. This would allow a lockoff 2 bedroom that could sleep 10 (what a crowd) and leave the grand villa for 12.

 

[kem330]

Well as long as this has not turned into a debate, I'll add my 2 cents. As currently configured, There's no way you could even change the master bedroom to fit two doubles, let alone 2 queens.- there isn't enough space, ditto for the living room- where would you put the extra bed? Do I wish they had been designed for more? Yes, I think it would be nice for a family of 5 to fit in a one bedroom- hey it's a lot larger than a BC/BW regular room that sleeps 5. But DVD did not choose to offer this arrangement. The studios in my opinion, are pushing to fit 4- not because of space as much as that hideabed is way too small for two adults. It would be nice if some, like OKW, had two queens instead of the sofa. Really, for convenience and economy I think it would be nice if one bedrooms could accomodate a family of 5 - 6, BUT they were not designed that way. We had a choice to accept DVC's design or not. And it appears DVC has been more than a little ambiguous about allowing a fifth child/person on the floor with your own bedding.

 

[wheeler]

Being a "newbie" (bought in June and have stayed only 2 days in a VWL Studio in Dec.) I didn't realize what a CAN OF WORMS this topic is or I never would have posted yesterday! I've never been in a 1 BR or a 2 BR (bought sight unseen) and have only seen pictures of them on the internet and in my DVC books. Yes, I imagine it *IS* written somewhere in those documents what the "limits" are, but since I have to work 65 hours a week to pay my bills and DVC, I never got around to reading it WORD for WORD, and was simply asking the question - not trying to "bend the rules" and get anyone's opinions on HOW to "bend the rules". Sometimes a question is merely a question......no "hidden agenda" here, folks! Sheesh!
(OKW vs. BWV or "poolhopping" anyone?)
It is much easier and faster to get an answer here on the DIS, than to log onto the DVC site or find it in my book, that's all..... I seriously did not know the rooms were for studio-4 1BR-4 and 2 BR-6 and GV-12.......having a family of 4, it never occured to me to look into any other option until DH realized he couldn't go this trip so I thought of inviting my parents......I guess I learned MY lesson for the day!
(thank you to those who "nicely" told me or PM'd me that 5 is not allowed.....that's ALL I wanted to know!)

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by wheeler
I seriously did not know the rooms were for studio-4 1BR-4 and 2 BR-6 and GV-12.......having a family of 4, it never occured to me to look into any other option until DH realized he couldn't go this trip so I thought of inviting my parents......I guess I learned MY lesson for the day!
(thank you to those who "nicely" told me or PM'd me that 5 is not allowed.....that's ALL I wanted to know!)

Actually, the occupancy limit for a 2BR is 8 (not 6). There's a king in the master bedroom, 2 queens in the second bedroom, and a pull-out queen sleeper sofa in the living room. Very nice, even for a family of four! Especially at OKW, the Sun-Thu point requirements for 2BR units really aren't bad. A DVC member with 150 points can get 5 spring or summer nights in a 2BR for those 150 points.

The topic of occupancy is a hot button about which there are strong opinions on both sides. For a new DVC member, it's valuable to know that the bedding is designed for studio-4 / 1BR-4 / 2BR-8 / GV-12, which are the official maximum capacities. (There are no roll-aways at DVC resorts, nor would there be good places to put roll-aways in the DVC units.) But families of 5 sometimes stay in studio and 1BR units with sleeping bags or inflatable mattresses and their own bedding and towels -- with varying degrees of encouragement or discouragement from DVC Guides, Member Services, and the front desk.

I nice to see that this thread hasn't turned into a nasty argument. Instead, there's been good discussion about room configurations and how DVC compares to other timeshares.

Perhaps future DVC resorts should have larger "1BR Plus" units, with a king bed and kids' bunk beds in a larger master bedroom, a queen sleeper sofa in the living room, and a "half bath" (toilet and sink) off the living room, in addition to the full bath off the bedroom. Such a room would hold a familiy of up to 6. The points would be bewteen a 1BR and a 2BR.

 

[Olaf]

I didn't realize what a CAN OF WORMS this topic is or I never would have posted yesterday!

Actually Wheeler this discussion has been pretty tame. Most of the threads on this topic get locked out or deleted. I always giggle when I see it brought up by a newbie--they don't know what they are in for.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I think the issue of 5 in a one bedroom has a lot to do with the ages of your kids. our children are very small all pre-school, two still under three, and we wouldn't feel comfortable with them sleeping in a separate bedroom. Families know what's best for them and what accomodations they need for a comfortable vacation. The easy option is to call your resort and ask them if the fifth person is OK, it's thier decision.

We'll need the second bedroom for our family down the road, but right now it would go totally unused, and deprive someone else of a studio accomodation .

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by TnRobin
Actually Dean, we experienced a similar situation when planning our trip to Hawaii. I was unsure whether DS would be coming with us or not. When I asked about getting a efficiency/studio for up to 3 people (in case I couldn't get a sitter) I was told by MS that they could not guarentee me a studio that would accomadate more than 2 people. The exchanges only allow 2 people in a efficiency/studio. Guess we will be getting a 1BR (I am heart broken )

I'm glad my point had some practical relevance for you. You should do ok with asking for studios, just get the info up front so you know whether a resort has studios and the sleeping and kitchen situation of each. A quick review of the II HI listings suggest that other than the 2 Marriott's there are very few units with studios and all the rest I saw would sleep 4. The problem with the two Marriott's is that they are hotel conversions and the "studio" are similar in setup to newer DVC units with a King (I think) and a pull out and I believe NO kitchen. While they will sleep 4, they only are listed as exchanging for 2.

I have to disagree about the luxury vacation.

I must agree with a later poster and say that there are different types of luxury. To me, the luxury of space, a kitchen, W/D and the like is a biggie. While it may not be the Halekalani, it sure beats the pants of most other options.

5 is possible in 1 BR. Like and need the King bed, I'm on vacation. Maybe some 1br can sleep 5 for ($$), $10-$15 a night like non DVC resorts?

While I understand the sentiment, I'm struggling to think of many timeshare that offer roll aways. I can only think of two at present. One is a resort in Aruba with over 400 units in a hotel type format and the other is a mixed use property in HI, the Embassy.

I also believe that most resorts that offer sleep 6 1 BR units have 2 baths and know that the ones that exchange for 6 have 2 baths. I can even think of one resort where most of the 2 BR units sleep 5 max.

 

[PamOKW]

DVC is about providing value to frequent Disney travelers.

I purchased DVC early on as a luxury vacation home. The amenities and service were top-notch. There was no "Home Away from Home" designation and The Disney Vacation Club (aka OKW) was listed as a Deluxe Resort. The costs over time were reasonable but by no means did I purchase as a way to do Disney cheaply.

Over time, there has been a move to keep DVC competitive. The amount of points required was lowered as the price rose to keep the bottom-line buy-in doable for a greater majority of people. Some of the extras that didn't effect the experience were eliminated rather than incurring the costs of replacement due to damage and theft (i.e., colored towels, artificial plants, etc.)

I think the debate over adding people to the units is influenced by how the membership is perceived. Those who are trying to get the most "bang for the buck" are looking for ways to save on points and not go to the larger units. Those who are indeed looking for a luxury vacation are worried about the impact the overcrowding may have over time.

I leave it to DVC to monitor the situation to the satisfaction of all members.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, it would seem to me that to put 5 into a 1BR, you'd need 2 pull-out type things in the livingroom, since NOBODY better touch me king size bed! You'd need the current couch(queen size bed)plus another chair(or one of those new wider "chair and a half" things) that would pull out as well, into probably a twin size bed. Probably would make walking through the livingroom at night when everything was "pulled out" kind of hazardous, but I'd be in my king size bed asleep, so it wouldn't be my problem!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
Well, it would seem to me that to put 5 into a 1BR, you'd need 2 pull-out type things in the livingroom, since NOBODY better touch me king size bed!

With the exisiting, comfortable L-shaped arrangement of the sofa an love seat in the OKW living rooms, a pull-out love seat would extend into the same space as the pull-out sofa. That wouldn't work too well.

I know your real point is to advocate leaving the king size beds as they are. I'm sure that's what will happen. That's what DVD/DVC and the buyers agreed to, and that's what DVC is obligated to continue to deliver.

 

[Lesley]

There would be plenty of room to put a pull out chair in the bedroom of the 1br.....would be good for that young child who is nervous about sleeping in another room, etc... Or for giving the 3 kids the bedroom (2 boys sleep in the bed and girl on the pull out).

I really don't think we'll see any of this happen as then the occupancy of a 2br would go up to 9....and I think that's where you could start running into some sticky situations as far as large noisy groups.

Honestly DVC has given me yet one more reason to try to maintain my family of 4 as it is Not that losing my mind with just 2 kids has nothing to do with it!

I think eventually our family of 4 will even want a 2br....we have a boy and a girl who are 5 years apart. I don't think my son at 14 will want to share a bed with his 9yo sister! And that will give us room to invite others to join us...kids' friends, etc... And we love that king bed!

 

[rbuzzotta]

I can't believe this topic isn't locked yet????!!! LOL!

Wheeler, don't feel bad, I asked the same questions when I first joined DVC (sight unseen) and I am a family of 5. My baby no longer fits in the "under 3" category and we need the 2 BR. Yes, I am nervous about the units that have the separate exits but pray I get the dedicated 2 BR so that I may be able to relax and enjoy my vacation. I know I would be too nervous in a lock-off!!

Enjoy your new ownership and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's the only way we learn.

 

[wheeler]

what this situation reminded me of is similar to when a "newbie" goes on the Community Board and asks: "We're on a budget, and staying at the All-Stars, but we heard that the Beach Club and the Polynesian have really cool pools. We could park at the Poly, take the monorail to MK for the day, then go swimming at the Poly before heading back to the All-Stars. Should we bring our own towels, or does the Poly provide them?"

I actually "wince" when I see that because I know what's coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's like pouring gasoline on a fire.

I'm glad this thread hasn't been locked. It's providing good information, and people are "disagreeing" without throwing each other in the gasoline-accelerated blazing Storm-Along-Bay!

I definately need to sit down and actually "read" my DVC book instead of just "looking at the pictures" and grinning like an idiot.....there's probably a whole lotta useful INFO in there! (just poking fun at myself, there)

Have a great day!

 

[crisi]

You guys do know its possible to sleep three, even four in a King sized bed?

We seem to do it most nights with my kids - at least from about 2am on.

(There are even "family bedders" out there who sleep the whole family in the big bed by choice! Not out of laziness and the refusal to tuck a screaming three year old back into his own bed at 2am like me. I have friends who have three kids. The little ones sleep in the big bed with mom and dad (a queen sized one) and the eight year old camps on the floor in a sleeping bag - at least during thunderstorms. Not my style of raising kids, but the kids are turning out ok).

In fact, if I visualize our next trip to WDW, I see a one bedroom in the future - and four in a king bed with the couch never pulled out. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll want to sleep on the pull out.

 

[Chuck S]

I think the studios are great for 2 or 3 people, especially if you don't spend a lot of time in your room and don't cook. Studios also give you the option of bringing friends, but maintaining privacy (by getting separate rooms instead of sharing - sometimes there can be too much togetherness). For a "family" vacation, I'd opt for the 1 bedroom. I think "overcrowding" in a 1 bedroom would detract from the overall enjoyment of the vacation experence.