A 1BR is the most expensive room type

[gsdweller]

I don't think one bedrooms are the most expensive at all. Not when you count how much money they save you.

Aulani is a great example. Being able to cook a decent breakfast and an occasional lunch or dinner in the kitchen saved us thousands of dollars on our last trip. Only having to pack for 3 or 4 days on a 2 week trip because you have a washer dryer also saves bundles in extra checked luggage fees and getting a smaller car because there is not so much to pack.
Not having to go to prison because you killed your children in a tiny cramped studio is also a massive savings.

That being said, I can see the desire to save as much as you can. I am just not in that spot any more. Relaxation and comfort are more important than savings when we are on vacation. I am not into all the extras like cabanas or other ad-ons, but I like a nice space to chill in. In all the years we have been members, we have hardly ever stayed in a studio. Even when it is just 2 of us.

 

[Fullchaos]

For us the 1BR was one of the reasons we chose the amount of points we did. While the number that the studio and the 1BR can sleep are equal in some cases, the access to the in room washer / dryer and full kitchen are enormous benefits (especially having a fridge that can safely store milk and other baby / toddler friendly items). The amount of time it saved us washing breast pump equipment, bottles, and blown-out outfits was substantial.

 

[lorimt]

It still boggles my mind why the Aulani 1BDs only have 1 bathroom….. you have to take so many showers after going to the pool/Ocean.

Yes! We are planning our first trip out there and DH would prefer not to go if we are unable to get a 2 bedroom at the 7 month mark. He does not want to share a bathroom with our 3 boys. At WDW, if all 5 of us are traveling we do only 1 bedrooms at AKV or BLT or 2 bedrooms.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Yes! We are planning our first trip out there and DH would prefer not to go if we are unable to get a 2 bedroom at the 7 month mark. He does not want to share a bathroom with our 3 boys. At WDW, if all 5 of us are traveling we do only 1 bedrooms at AKV or BLT or 2 bedrooms.

One set of tummy troubles and the whole trip can get bad pretty fast…..

 

[Disdreaming479]

Even when I’m by myself at wdw, I’m only staying in a studio for 3 days max, then moving to a 1bdrm villa. They’re just so much better!

 

[AstroBlasters]

I remember one trip where my wife was on her period, my oldest son has Chron’s disease and has to take his time doing his business, and my youngest consistently didn’t ponder that he’d have to use the restroom until it’s near emergency levels…. and then my wife discovered that lobster sandwiches served by Disney have some ingredient that her body disagrees with…. I said NEVER AGAIN. We will either be in 2 studios/hotel rooms or a villa/suite with 2+ bathrooms or we can’t afford to actually go.

 

[airjay75]

I remember one trip where my wife was on her period, my oldest son has Chron’s disease and has to take his time doing his business, and my youngest consistently didn’t ponder that he’d have to use the restroom until it’s near emergency levels…. and then my wife discovered that lobster sandwiches served by Disney have some ingredient that her body disagrees with…. I said NEVER AGAIN. We will either be in 2 studios/hotel rooms or a villa/suite with 2+ bathrooms or we can’t afford to actually go.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at that post - probably funny in hindsight, but man, that just sounds really, really rough.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at that post - probably funny in hindsight, but man, that just sounds really, really rough.

Oh… I absolutely laugh at it now!

 

[ShaneDJ]

I remember one trip where my wife was on her period, my oldest son has Chron’s disease and has to take his time doing his business, and my youngest consistently didn’t ponder that he’d have to use the restroom until it’s near emergency levels…. and then my wife discovered that lobster sandwiches served by Disney have some ingredient that her body disagrees with…. I said NEVER AGAIN. We will either be in 2 studios/hotel rooms or a villa/suite with 2+ bathrooms or we can’t afford to actually go.

Good example of the benefits of two available toilets.

I've never understood why people keep saying that the Poly longhouses have two bathrooms. They don't...because they only have one (1) toilet!

 

[Patmcpsu]

It should be obvious that:

• more space per occupant = more comfortable
• more space per occupant = less efficient

I do like the airline analogy. People regularly complain about coach seats being tight, but refuse to pay extra for premium seats. Like the 1BR villas, there is the "once you fly first class, you'll never want to go back to coach" mantra. Comfort costs money, and it's hard to justify until you actually experience it.

There's also the aspect that I'm constantly bleeding money while at Disney, so I prefer quality over quantity on my trips. Spending twice as long in a studio would be much more expensive overall, even if the number of DVC points is the same. Plus I can only handle five days of Disney before succumbing to the crowds, fatigue and overstimulation.

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

Synchronized pooping for the win.

 

[lowlight]

The usefulness of a 1BR varies according to family setup and how you vacation. For us, having the washer and dryer is great. When we had babies, having the separate room was key for nap time and nursing. Now that our kids are a little older, a studio is fine for most trips. Longer trips and split stays we may end the trip with a few days on a 1BR to not have to trek to the laundry room. We never make meals other than easy breakfast and lunches which we do with the kitchenette.

I’d imagine as the kids get older we will work our way back into 1BR and eventually 2BR as the need for privacy grows, which will be tough since selling half my points, as you almost never see a 1BR DVC rental on third party sites.

 

[Brian Noble]

my youngest consistently didn’t ponder that he’d have to use the restroom until it’s near emergency levels

When I had kids in the house, we had three Amusement Park Rules:

1: No one rides alone.
2: No one rides anything they don't want to, even if we are on the loading platform.
3: If anyone has to go, everyone has to try.

#3 was precisely because my youngest would swear on a stack of bibles that he did not have to go, and the instant he was in front of a urinal, it was Niagara Falls Time.

 

[Fullchaos]

The usefulness of a 1BR varies according to family setup and how you vacation. For us, having the washer and dryer is great. When we had babies, having the separate room was key for nap time and nursing. Now that our kids are a little older, a studio is fine for most trips. Longer trips and split stays we may end the trip with a few days on a 1BR to not have to trek to the laundry room. We never make meals other than easy breakfast and lunches which we do with the kitchenette.

I’d imagine as the kids get older we will work our way back into 1BR and eventually 2BR as the need for privacy grows, which will be tough since selling half my points, as you almost never see a 1BR DVC rental on third party sites.

When we were buying in, this was partially what I was thinking too. I assumed we're going to need 1BR / 2BR in the short term, and then when the kids are older go towards studios - but then have to go back to 1BR / 2BR when they get older and we need to have more privacy.

One of the nice parts of DVC that you can kind of have flexibility as things change over time.

 

[Massachusetts]

We generally travel with a party of 7 or 8 but out last trip was the immediate family of 5 for an extended long weekend (5 nights) at BWV. We did 2 studios for the first time. We would probably do it again for a quick 2-3 night trip but longer trips would be at least a one bedroom (min 2 bathrooms). Full kitchen means less quick service and having in room laundry makes packing easier. I do not begrudge the point difference between studios and 1 BR's.

 

[Brian rhymes with dyin]

I greatly prefer the 1-BR but I really have to actively use the additional perks to make it worth it in my head. Use the kitchen. Wash clothes. Poop simultaneously, etc.