Best DVC Studio for 3 adults and 2 kids under 3?

[Baloo76]

*I apologize if this is bad etiquette* If so I will remove this! I posted this on the resorts board before I realized there was a DVC Board and I don't think there's a way to move it, so this is technically a double post.

We are planning to go to WDW in October 2016. there will be 5 of us - myself and DW, DS1 (1 month short of 3 yrs), DS2 (17 mo) and MiL. While having my MiL there will be a great help with kids, it definitely makes finding a room a little more tricky. We are hoping my older son will be ok on a bed at that time, but my youngest will be in a crib/pack 'n play.

I have been looking at renting DVC points, and I have been pouring over the pros and cons of every DVC studio. I've sort of been driving myself crazy. While kid-friendly is important, it's not as important to us as having enough room in the actual room (including a comfortable sleeping option for my MiL) or convenience to at least MK and/or Epcot and some restaurants. Also 1BR are way out of our price range so needs to be a studio.

For example, DVC studio at Poly seems perfect (has murphy bed + supposedly a more comfy sofa bed), but is def on the higher end of our budget (and who knows about availability via rental points) especially since we need to pay up front. On the lower end of our budget, OKW has 2 queen beds which is nice, but is not that convenient to any park. BW and BC villas are great for DHS and Epcot but only have a queen and (uncomfortable?) sofa bed so fitting in the kids would be tricky.

Any advice from those who have been in the situation (or even those who haven't) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[LauraLea]

I would stay off site in a cheaper villa than have that set-up in a studio. Check into Bonnet Creek.

Laura

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

You clearly have done your research and seem to understand the pros and cons. Poly or OKW would be your best choices, IMO. Poly is new and great location, OKW has two queens and is less expensive. So kudos, because your pros and cons are the same as I would have said. Personally, given those two choices (or any studio, really), I'd choose Poly.

That said, for your situation, I'd go for a 1BR if you could afford it. I like my MIL, but really wouldn't want to share a room with her and my two kids for a week. You could probably line up someone with BLT points 11 months in advance and get a standard view room to save money if you act quick. Or do AKL. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That said, there are 30 BLT 1-BR with standard views, and October is Food & Wine. So you'd have to have someone with 11-month availability on the day the 11-month opens, and even then you might be missing days. One of the reasons it is so much easier to get 1BRs at OKW and SSR is just that there are so many more of them.

 

[spiceycat]

would go with OKW (yes it is far from the MK) - you get 2 queen beds - you can bring a air mattress for your child - the rooms are bigger.\

Poly would also work and with little ones might be the better one - despite the cost - 1 queen bed, queen bed sleeper sofa (the only one so far the other studios have double (full) sleeper sofa) and the murphy bed for your kid - it is also big. you can monorail, boat (from the Polyn), walk to TTC and take the ferry to the MK. for Epcot just walk over to TTC.

would not even consider BLT (my favorite) way to small for a family of 5 in a studio - now 1-bedroom different story

 

[happymommy]

Are you certain you, your wife, and your MIL will want to actually share one room for a week with your young kids? That would offer no privacy for the adults. I wouldn't do that if it were me.

I'd instead look at two rooms, and try to get them connecting (I know other than the Swan and Dolphin this isn't guaranteed).

 

[southerngirl528]

As much as I love my home resort, OKW, in this scenario I would have to recommend a Studio at the Poly Villas simply because they are larger by a bit and they have the split bathrooms. I do agree with the other posters that if you can swing 2 rooms or a larger villa I think everyone would enjoy the vacation more.

 

[Dean]

IMO I'd only do OKW with this scenario unless I was willing to give the MIL the bed and take the pull out myself. I agree with the above, I'd go off site for a larger room if the budget is tight enough to not include a 1 BR. A 1 BR at BWV, OKW or AKV value would be the best IMO.

 

[supersnoop]

An OKW one bedroom is only one point per night more than a PVB lake view studio. I'll have to agree with so many others that I would not want to share a studio with my MIL for that long. I think an OKW one bedroom is an economical option. Likewise, two studios at OKW would be the same number of points as a PVB lake view studio, so that might be a good choice, too.

 

[LynnsGirl2027]

I had an OKW studio booked for myself on a Saturday prior to our Sunday-Friday vacation with my sister, husband and boys 3 and 5. I was able to get a much cheaper flight on Saturday and had just enough DVC points to come a day early. My sister found herself in the same boat with cheaper flights so she booked Saturday as well and we decided we could just be crowded for the first night and have a full day Sunday in the park. The room had two double beds we would have fit perfectly since the boys are small and the 4 year old sleeps with his parents anyhow. I called down to add them to the room and they told us they couldn't put 5 of us in a OKW studio because of fire laws. And there were no 5 person studio's available anywhere so I had to buy some extra points and move to a one bedroom at Kidani. IMHO - we would have fit better in the OKW studio, haha. I ended up sleeping with the 5 year old in on the sofa bed and was not very comfortable at all .

I guess for the points, one studio (if they allow you) at OKW would be the way to go.

 

[Minniesgal]

For the size of your party I wouldn't sTay in any smaller than a DVC 1 bedroom. I'd probably pick Kidani

 

[happymommy]

Sorry had to add this. I'd never ask my MIL to sleep on a pull out couch on vacation, to help with my kids. She'd deserve her own bed.

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

I had an OKW studio booked for myself on a Saturday prior to our Sunday-Friday vacation with my sister, husband and boys 3 and 5. I was able to get a much cheaper flight on Saturday and had just enough DVC points to come a day early. My sister found herself in the same boat with cheaper flights so she booked Saturday as well and we decided we could just be crowded for the first night and have a full day Sunday in the park. The room had two double beds we would have fit perfectly since the boys are small and the 4 year old sleeps with his parents anyhow. I called down to add them to the room and they told us they couldn't put 5 of us in a OKW studio because of fire laws. And there were no 5 person studio's available anywhere so I had to buy some extra points and move to a one bedroom at Kidani. IMHO - we would have fit better in the OKW studio, haha. I ended up sleeping with the 5 year old in on the sofa bed and was not very comfortable at all .

I guess for the points, one studio (if they allow you) at OKW would be the way to go.

If your child was 3, then they are a child. The OP has an infant, so you can usually (always?) add 1 more to the total count for an infant in a pack n play

 

[DenLo]

Are one of the kids, sleeping with mom and dad, in a pack 'n play, or are you bringing an air mattress? Because OKW sleeps four not five, they allow five but it does not have that many beds.

The only studios with the pull down murphy (bunk-sized) bed is PVB, VGF, VWL and now BWV is adding them (not all rooms have them yet). PVB and VGF are wider rooms so adding the pull down bed didn't remove the natural walk space to the bathroom and front door. Also PVB and VGF have split bathrooms which will make it easier to get ready in the mornings and when dining out at night. But they still only have a single toilet for the room.

You will have problems getting at room at VGF unless you are renting from a VGF owner and booking at the 11 month mark

Have fun making your decision and I hope you get what you want.

 

[pkhosla]

HI There---

You've received lots of great advice here. I would only add that if you can swing it the 1 bedroom would be great. That said so much depends on what your family situation. i.e. how much you get along with your MIL How much time you plan to spend in your room? How often you'll be at the parks?

For us-- BLT is our favourite because access to MK, monorail, and the three pools at Contemporary and BLT as well as community hall (Crafts and games for kids) is more important than a few extra sq ft. Being able to walk back and forth to MK is also super helpful with young kids and when families want to split up and do different things.

However, I totally understand that for others the sq ft is a major consideration.

The pull outs at BLT are great. If MIL doesn't mind sleeping with one of your kids or with DW then I would do the pull out with one kid--- MIL and DW in bed and then pack and play. We find it fits nicely near the entrance.

As an aside, I've worked with a few renters from these boards who have been great and check availability and find something before I've ever had to pay them.

I'm sure your trip will be awesome.

 

[Brian Noble]

IMO, if you are dead set on staying in a DVC studio, thinking about the comfort of the unit first is going to trump the rest of your considerations. No resort is close to everything, and a central location is sometimes better for your vacation overall. True, OKW is not near a park, but it has boat access to Disney Springs, so tons of restaurants within easy striking distance.

That said, I think there are two clear choices for a studio and your travel party : PVB first, then maybe GFV. Each has three sleeping surfaces, a reasonable amount of space, and a split bathroom to help make things easier when getting ready in the morning. I personally would never put four people, let alone five, in a 2nd gen DVC resort (VWL, BWV, BCV, SSR). BLT is probably best for a couple---it's the smallest, and the layout is not efficient at all. OKW's studios are large, but only two sleeping surfaces and no split bath. AKV has the same problems without the size advantage.

However, October is a busy season for DVC, and you will need to book during the Home Resort period for either PVB or GFV, and you're going to pay a premium per point to do that. You can spend about the same money and get a 1BR at OKW which would give you tons more room, three sleeping surfaces, and a more functional unit. You would not get the split bath, but the space might make up for it. Not tons of restaurants right there, but you have boat connectivity to Disney Springs, which gives you a lot of options. Another way to go might be to get two Value or Moderate rooms.

And, though it is sacrilege to say so, I agree with Laura: you might be better off in a 2BR at Bonnet Creek. You will spend less on it than any of these other options, you will have substantially more room, and the resort is lovely. No, you don't get the perks of being onsite, but as long as you are willing to drive yourself (I often do even onsite) then it's quite convenient a location.

I've stayed at both near-park resorts (BLT, VWL, BCV, BWV) other Disney resorts (OKW, CSR, POR), and well-located offsite resorts (Bonnet Creek, Vistana, VV@Parkway, and Windsor Hills). Those vacations were all a lot more alike than they were different. If budget is a concern, it's really hard to beat the value of, say, Bonnet Creek. It's more centrally located than many of Disney's own resorts, including OKW, and I've loved my stays there.