Best Point Use Option -- 3 adults, 2 kids, 1 infant

[I❤MICKEY]

I'm new to DVC. I am trying to find the most cost effective resort/room points option for 3 adults (me, DH and my mom), 2 kids (ages 7 & 5) and infant (7 months).

I had initially thought that a 1 bedroom (OKW/AKL) would be my best option as it sleeps 5 plus 1 infant but it seems at the same resorts booking 2 studios require less points. Am I thinking about this correctly?

In comparison what would the pros/cons be of each room option. I think the 2 studios would probably provide more room, individual beds and double the bathrooms. Right?

If we proceeded w/ 2 studios what would be the likelihood we would get joining rooms? What/where would I request joining rooms?

I've been told handicapped accessible rooms are difficult to get and would decrease my chances of getting joining rooms. My mom would be ok w/ toilet riser and shower chair. Is it possible to request these items in advance? Does every resort have them available?

Any insight provided is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[disneynutz]

There are no adjoining studios. You can request the they be close to each other but it is only a request.

HC rooms are a booking category that you need to reserve. There are only so many available per resort and they are in different locations throughout the resort.

Bill

 

[hakepb]

There are no internally joining studios. Only studios that join a 1BR to form a 2BR lockoff.

1BR at Kidani and BLT both have 2 full bathrooms, plus a sleeper chair and couch. They both have standard view categories that can save points, if available.

In general, 1BR contain at least as much space as 2 studios.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

If you go with the two studios you would be losing the full kitchen and in room laundry that is included with the one bedroom!

 

[jekjones1558]

A Kidani or BLT 1 bedroom would work well. All DVC resorts have shower chairs and toilet risers available, assuming they are not all spoken for (and that is not likely). I would note the need for those things on your reservation and mention them again at checkin.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Good to know that there isn't an option for studios to be joining. Bummer. I guess my Mom could have a room all to herself and I could keep all the kids with us. Or let them take turns sleeping in her room as a special treat. I'll have to think about how I want to handle that.

Aside from the fact that it actually costs more the other down side with the one bedroom is the pull out sofa. I really don't think it would be comfortable for my mom which means DH and I would have to sleep on the sofa bed which won't be fun for us either -- those sofa beds are not comfortable in my experience.

Tell me about the sofa chair. Is this similar to a pull out sofa that will be uncomfortable with a bar in the middle of her back? Does anyone have a picture?

The kitchen isn't quite as important as we are flying in so we probably wouldn't cook in the room anyway. The mini fridge, toaster and microwave in the studio would be sufficient for our needs. The laundry might be nice but frankly I have no interest in doing laundry when I'm on vacation.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[lovin'fl]

Good to know that there isn't an option for studios to be joining. Bummer. I guess my Mom could have a room all to herself and I could keep all the kids with us. Or let them take turns sleeping in her room as a special treat. I'll have to think about how I want to handle that.

Aside from the fact that it actually costs more the other down side with the one bedroom is the pull out sofa. I really don't think it would be comfortable for my mom which means DH and I would have to sleep on the sofa bed which won't be fun for us either -- those sofa beds are not comfortable in my experience.

Tell me about the sofa chair. Is this similar to a pull out sofa that will be uncomfortable with a bar in the middle of her back? Does anyone have a picture?

The kitchen isn't quite as important as we are flying in so we probably wouldn't cook in the room anyway. The mini fridge, toaster and microwave in the studio would be sufficient for our needs. The laundry might be nice but frankly I have no interest in doing laundry when I'm on vacation.

Decisions, decisions.

Sofa chair was very comfortable according to my teen DS...he loved sleeping on it and even said it was better than his bed at home.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Thank you everyone for the insight.

It looks like OKW also offers a 1 bedroom w/ sofa chair. Pricing seems comparable to AKL. Can anyone confirm this is accurate?

I am still worried about that sofa chair. I will have to give it some more thought. Not sure my Mom would be comfortable.

 

[Dean]

I'm new to DVC. I am trying to find the most cost effective resort/room points option for 3 adults (me, DH and my mom), 2 kids (ages 7 & 5) and infant (7 months).

I had initially thought that a 1 bedroom (OKW/AKL) would be my best option as it sleeps 5 plus 1 infant but it seems at the same resorts booking 2 studios require less points. Am I thinking about this correctly?

In comparison what would the pros/cons be of each room option. I think the 2 studios would probably provide more room, individual beds and double the bathrooms. Right?

If we proceeded w/ 2 studios what would be the likelihood we would get joining rooms? What/where would I request joining rooms?

I've been told handicapped accessible rooms are difficult to get and would decrease my chances of getting joining rooms. My mom would be ok w/ toilet riser and shower chair. Is it possible to request these items in advance? Does every resort have them available?

Any insight provided is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

If you could swing it, I'd plan for a 2 BR at OKW, AKV value or standard or BWV standard.

 

[lovin'fl]

If you could swing it, I'd plan for a 2 BR at OKW, AKV value or standard or BWV standard.

I agree. Those are the best options for a party of 6 and great point deals.

 

[Dean]

I agree. Those are the best options for a party of 6 and great point deals.

I'd probably stay off site to get the larger unit if that was the only way to do so rather than crowd into a 1 BR or compromise to 2 studios.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Thank you everyone.

I'd probably stay off site to get the larger unit if that was the only way to do so rather than crowd into a 1 BR or compromise to 2 studios.

I'm sure the room itself would be cheaper staying offsite but then we would have to deal with a rental car, car seats, getting to/from the park, etc. There are so many conveniences staying on property. Especially with someone who will have a scooter and an infant. But I appreciated the suggestion.

If you could swing it, I'd plan for a 2 BR at OKW, AKV value or standard or BWV standard.

I'll look into the 2 BR. If I recall it really does increase our costs but perhaps it would be worth it.

Can you tell me a little more about the AKV value. How do you go about getting this type of room. What makes it "value"? How early do you need to request?

Again, thank you to everyone for your help. So exciting and yet so daunting planning a trip.

 

[Dean]

Thank you everyone.



I'm sure the room itself would be cheaper staying offsite but then we would have to deal with a rental car, car seats, getting to/from the park, etc. There are so many conveniences staying on property. Especially with someone who will have a scooter and an infant. But I appreciated the suggestion.

It's still a lot cheaper overall even with the other items. I personally would not go in this situation staying in a 1 BR with this group, at least a 1 BR set up as DVC does.

I'll look into the 2 BR. If I recall it really does increase our costs but perhaps it would be worth it.

Can you tell me a little more about the AKV value. How do you go about getting this type of room. What makes it "value"? How early do you need to request?

Again, thank you to everyone for your help. So exciting and yet so daunting planning a trip.

It will be roughly half again as much as the 1 BR for a 2 BR. I simply mentioned the 3 cheapest on property 2BR units. For AKV value, you'd likely have to plan this at 11 months out. They would provide what you need for only maybe 25% over the OKW 1BR cost. AKV standard isn't much more than the others I mentioned earlier.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

It's still a lot cheaper overall even with the other items. I personally would not go in this situation staying in a 1 BR with this group, at least a 1 BR set up as DVC does. It will be roughly half again as much as the 1 BR for a 2 BR. I simply mentioned the 3 cheapest on property 2BR units. For AKV value, you'd likely have to plan this at 11 months out. They would provide what you need for only maybe 25% over the OKW 1BR cost. AKV standard isn't much more than the others I mentioned earlier.

We are over a year out from our trip so I think we will try for the AKL 2 BR value.

Again, thank you.

 

[Dean]

We are over a year out from our trip so I think we will try for the AKL 2 BR value.

Again, thank you.

You're welcome, good luck with your planning.

 

[keishashadow]

We are over a year out from our trip so I think we will try for the AKL 2 BR value.

Again, thank you.

The values tend to book quickly at AK. I closed a few weeks after my 11 month window opened for a trip next May and had to waitlist several days...the last day just came through

you might want to book something at your home resort to make sure you have a place to stay onsite, then waitlist if necessary.

 

[lovin'fl]

Sounds like OP might be renting points...not a DVC member themselves. If so, OP would need to get points rented now through an owner of AKV so that they can book right exactly at 11 months out. I am an AKV owner and booked a 2BR club level for 3 nights in Aug 2015. I had to walk the resie to get the 3 nights I wanted and each day, by around 10am, the exact day 11 months out was all booked. Value is tough to book like club level is (not as bad but close).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Can you tell me a little more about the AKV value. How do you go about getting this type of room. What makes it "value"? How early do you need to request?

Again, thank you to everyone for your help. So exciting and yet so daunting planning a trip.

The Value rooms are located at Jambo and were converted from standard hotel rooms rather than deluxe hotel rooms which means that they are a little smaller than the other DVC rooms. They are approx 3 feet shorter in depth which means that they do not have the sleeper chair. Also, all of Jambo is composed of lock offs which means in a Value 2BR you will have a studio connecting to a 1BR (which does mean there will also be separate entry doors if anyone ends up needing a little privacy). There will be a queen bed and double sleeper sofa along with the kitchenette and bathroom in the studio section and a queen sleeper sofa in the living area with the full kitchen. The master will be a king size bed and across the hall from it is the other bathroom that will have a combo whirlpool tub/shower, double sinks and water closet all in the bathroom.

The Value rooms are comprised of some pool view, some savannah view and a couple of parking lot view rooms and no requests for the view are allowed. They are a nice value and the smaller size are why they are designated that way. The uncertain view also is a part of that category.

 

[Pirate Granny]

The couch and sleeper chair is very comfortable in the one bedroom at Okw

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Thank you everyone. We are getting the points from a friend. AKL is the home resort so at exactly the 11 month mark we are going to try to make the reservation. We've also been told we can book online one hour before the call center is open so we should have a good chance.