Are 3 kids (one age 2) too many in a studio or 1 bdr?

[tink'smom2B]

I certainly will abide by Disney rules. It just seems that renting a 2 bdr. for us will be a huge waste of points. I don't intend to do anything but sleep in our room. We love Disney World way too much. I also thought of renting two studios, but hate to leave the kids in another room (ages 2, 5, and 12). I also wonder if there are two studios that connect. Our home resort is VWL. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Richyams]

No studios connect in any DVC resort.

You are within the rules easy, a child under 3 doesn't count.

I still wouldn't want to stay in anything less than a two bedroom. I like my privacy, the extra bathroom is priceless, and its just more comfortable.

The pullout couch being out pretty much takes up the whole living room in a one bedroom and a studio is, well, just one stupid little room.

I would do the two bedroom and let little Johnny bring a friend.

 

[goofy4dvc]

If you're really concerned with saving points and don't plan to be in the room much, you could probably get by with a 1BR, especially if you put the 2-yo in the portacrib or on a blow up mattress in the master bedroom. With a 12-yo, I don't think there would be room for 3 on a sofabed. The studio would be workable, but not preferable, if you stay at BWV and request a studio with a daybed which would accommodate the 2-yo. The studio is much smaller though, like a regular hotel room, with small bathroom. The bathroom in the 1BR is much larger and would be much more comfortable, as well as having a LR that the kids could watch tv while you have some quiet time in your Master BR.

 

[tigalig]

A studio with one child was okay, though a 1BR is better because it allows us to say goodnight and still have some time to relax by ourselves. I think a 1BR would be the minimum with three little ones and 2BR might be ideal, depending on your length of stay.

HTH.

Ida

 

[Beth]

In the 1BR at OKW, the sofa and the loveseat form an "L" - meaning that, when you extend the sleeper sofa, the "bed" butts up beside the loveseat. I think you could probably sleep the three children across here...

 

[carone0318]

I don't have 3 kids, but I do have 2. On our last trip, ds (2 at the time) was sleeping in the pack & play. We stayed at BWVs in a studio, and we set the pack & play up on the other side of the wall by the sinks between the closet and bathroom. It worked perfectly for us. Dd slept on the pull out couch and dh and I slept on the bed. We could put ds down to nap or when it was time to sleep at night and we could put on the tv and he would not be disturbed. I found there to be plenty of room. I did make dd's bed every morning and folded it back up to a couch. If you are just sleeping in the room and not hanging out in there, I do believe the studios are do-able. FYI - the strategy of placement of the pack & play that I described above will not work at OKW, they don't have that wall to separate - best friends experienced first hand! Just my opinion. I am too greedy with my points to blow them on a 1 bdrm and I think the kids like being all together. I know I will feel differently when they are older, but enjoy the closeness now .

 

[disnutt]

I've got 3 kids DDs 8, 4 and DS 8mo. We're staying in a studio at SSR in November because I figure it may be the only time we'll be able to stay in one. The MS said there was a pack and play crib already in the room. I figure we'll move up to the 1 BRM next year. I want to try all the accommodations that are available.

 

[Divamomto3]

I have 3 kids..but mine are bigger. When we go to SSR next year, we will definitely have a 2 BR. My kids will be 12, 10, and 5 then...all boys. DH and I are checking out a studio for ourselves in August.

 

[vernon]

For this trip you could get away with a one bed at OKW , you'd have plenty of room for the foldaway crib for the little one. There seems to be much more floorspace in OKW compared to the other resorts, usually I would say location is a counter balance, but given the group size I think OKW would fit best on this particular trip. Long term you're going to need a 2 bedroom though which is a step up in points. But look at it as a short term measure as it's likely by the time the eldest reaches 18 they're going to want to go away with their friends most of the time .

 

[mikesmom]

I would also recommend the 1 bedroom. As Rich said, the 2 year old does not put you above the limit, but that is a lot of "closeness" in a studio. I would think the 12 year old would be needing a little more space. Besides, with 3 kids along, the washer/dryer in the 1 bedroom would probably be invaluable.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... but we've stayed in a studio with our 3 young kids several times and it's been fine. We are definitely the type who spend all day out of the room at the parks or pool and only need a microwave and fridge for snacks, so it seems like a waste to spend triple the points for a 2-bedroom villa... That being said, when ours get older (and our youngest is out of a crib), I would definitely either opt for a 2-bedroom or at the very least 2 studios.

Happy planning,
Sarah

 

[tink'smom2B]

Thanks so much! I've got a lot to think about and since I'm new at this, I'm trying to get the most for our points. So much to remember and so much I don't know yet!!! Thanks for your help!

 

[BWVDee]

If you really want to save pts and will not spend a lot of time in the room other than to sleep, bathe etc., then you will be fine in a studio. A 1 br would be much nicer and having the w&d right in the room is no doubt more convenient, but you will still be fine in a studio and it will be a lot less pts.
Putting the 2 yo in the port a crib in the alcove by the bathroom is a great idea. Your 12 yo and 5 yo will fit fine on the sleeper sofa. We have had many grown adults sleep on a DVC sleeper sofa and have yet to get one single complaint. If you decide to go with a studio, I would pick a resort that has the queen bed and sleeper sofa set up. The additional room during the day when the sofa bed is closed is wonderful.
There are free w&d in the laundry rooms of all DVC resorts for guests to use, just remember to bring your own detergent and dryer sheets.
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I have 4 kids. Usually at least part of the trip. It is I and the younger three traveling alone.( Ds9, and twin Ds's 3.) Then we get a 1 bedroom and ds9 sleeps on an elevated air mattress in the master bedroom, Twins in bed with mom.
I like the 1 bedroom VS the studios because I love having the washer and dryer. And the boys always need thier big tubby.
However if anyone else is traveling with us, for instance when DD comes in with Nana for the last few days, I put them alone in a studio. If we all travel together that is come in at the same time I would be in a 2 bedroom.
Only once have I put the 5th person (my brother) on the couch. I will be honest, I could not stand having the living area be a bedroom. Folding the bed, storing clothes, I simply would not do it again.
With the little kids I prefer them in with me. it sounds like at least your 12 year old would benefit from the 2nd bedroom. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

[kathleena]

We had 3 kids in a 1 br and it is cozy for a week.

I would not do it with a studio. Just not enough room - for clothes, for kids, for voices, for privacy, in the bathroom etc.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree that this trip would be ideal for a 1 bedroom at OKW. The laundry room is a perfect place to put the pac N Play so the baby has a private room. There is plenty of room in the living room and Master, and the points are much less than the other resorts. I would ask how long your trip is planned for. Is this your first DVC trip? If it is your first, remember that you will be coming back many times, and wont have to commando the parks so much. WHEN you will be there is an important bit of information too.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Have done the studio with three, will be doing it again in july & august. There is plenty of room for three. No need to waste the points on more until they are older & need the beds.

 

[zurgswife]

Prior to owning DVC....I switched hotels mid trip...didn't like Fort Wilderness Cabins and CRO put my family of 6 in a studio plus....the kids were 3m, 3,4,5 and actually it wasn't bad...now....with ages 6, 10, 11,12 we only get a 2bdrm...and some times that isnt' enough room...

 

[wildcatwmn]

I remember being 12 (amazing as that was a long time ago) and being on family trips and having to stay in the same room (usually on a roll away) as my mom and dad (the boys always got the other room, if there was one, otherwise I always got the sofabed). I would go with the one bedroom just so you aren't on top of each other and at least the 12 and 5 year old can stay up and watch TV at night, have some space, leaving the adults some privacy (and vice versa).

 

[ErinC]

You will be just fine in a studio. Why waste the points if you don't have to. We'll be staying in a studio at BCV in May, me, DH, DD8, DD4, DD1, and we are not planning on going to the parks much at all. We've stayed in "normal" hotel rooms several times and done fine. A studio is a little larger than a regular hotel room, plus you have the fridge and microwave. If you choose Wilderness Lodge, the studio's there have a nice entry space that would probably fit the pack and play, and the closet in the entry is a great place for the stroller (without having to fold it up). My kids are usually so exhausted that you could crank the TV all the way up and it wouldn't keep them from going to sleep! Have a great time and enjoy your trip.