Best resort for 5 adults/trying to save some money

[xjust_courtx]

I'm starting the planning process for a girls' trip in early May 2023, for myself, my sister, and three of our friends. Cost is important to us, and so one of the options we were looking at was renting DVC points and staying at a DVCR. Would any of the studios actually accommodate 5 adults? They all say they sleep five, and we plan on being in the parks most days anyway. Was largely looking at BLT, Boardwalk, maybe BCV, but I am definitely willing to look at other options. Just have never done it and have only stayed truly on property once (CSR), so I wanted some advice.

 

[DeeBee3]

As a woman myself, my biggest advice - consider bathrooms! Look up the square footage of each studio and the layouts. I was just at Beach Club, in a studio, and there is no way 5 adults could fit in there. There was a queen bed, a pull-out couch (terrible, no mattress, no padding), and a murphy bed that my daughter (8) slept in. It was find for me, husband and 2 kids, but no way 5 adults could do that comfortably. You need rest after walking all day.

Look into other non-DVC resorts for space purposes.

 

[Marionnette]

I'm starting the planning process for a girls' trip in early May 2023, for myself, my sister, and three of our friends. Cost is important to us, and so one of the options we were looking at was renting DVC points and staying at a DVCR. Would any of the studios actually accommodate 5 adults? They all say they sleep five, and we plan on being in the parks most days anyway. Was largely looking at BLT, Boardwalk, maybe BCV, but I am definitely willing to look at other options. Just have never done it and have only stayed truly on property once (CSR), so I wanted some advice.

BLT does not sleep 5 in a studio. BWV and BCV will both accommodate 5 people. There is a small, bunk-size bed under the television console. It's smaller than a twin mattress and may not be comfortable for an adult.

There is not a lot of storage space and they can be very cramped with 5 adults, all sharing one bathroom.

A family suite at AoA might be a better choice. You would still get a kitchenette and they have 2 bathrooms.

 

[xjust_courtx]

i am also looking at one/two bedrooms, depending on the place, as well. i think BLT has a one bedroom that could fit our needs. A couple of the friends have never been to Disney so I'm just trying to come up with some on-property options for us too

 

[lorimt]

I would consider moving up to a one bedroom if you stick with DVC. Kidani has two bathrooms in the one bedroom which would be nice with 5 adults.

 

[sndral]

I’d look at the Poly, the split bath might be helpful w/ that many adults. I believe that the studios there have a queen size bed, a queen size size sofa bed, & a pull down twin bed & are fairly large studios.

I would consider moving up to a one bedroom if you stick with DVC. Kidani has two bathrooms in the one bedroom which would be nice with 5 adults.

Although BLT studios are tiny, the 1 bedrooms there are a decent size & also have 2 bathrooms.

 

[Marionnette]

If cost is important to you, two studios will cost less than a 1BR villa. A 2BR villa is almost 3X the cost of a studio.

 

[xjust_courtx]

If cost is important to you, two studios will cost less than a 1BR villa. A 2BR villa is almost 3X the cost of a studio.

oh that is a good idea. i'm not very good at sight math, but using my calculator yeah that's certainly the case! would anyone know if the rooms are connected at all? It's not super important but it would be nice

 

[starry_solo]

oh that is a good idea. i'm not very good at sight math, but using my calculator yeah that's certainly the case! would anyone know if the rooms are connected at all? It's not super important but it would be nice

Only at Poly, but I think that's only a request.

Studios are connected to one bedrooms, together they make a 2-bedroom lockoff.

your best bet for on-property is the family suite as another poster mentioned above.
Another option, not on-property so no perks, is Wyndham Bonnet Creek 2-bedroom presidential, which can usually be had for $1000/week.

 

[sndral]

oh that is a good idea. i'm not very good at sight math, but using my calculator yeah that's certainly the case! would anyone know if the rooms are connected at all? It's not super important but it would be nice

Poly and the new opening in June resort studios at VGF [will] have connecting studios.

 

[RoseGold]

BLT studio is going to be too tight. Poly would be fine IMO. The Poly Murphy after the recent renovation is wonderful, and I personally slept on the little foldout, I'm an average size woman. I haven't seen the new Grand Floridian building, because it opens in June, but it's supposed to be similar size, and I think it would be even better, because it has two dedicated queens. BC does sleep five, but that is a TIGHT room, with practically no storage. You could do it though, and it would be the cheapest option that isn't OKW/SSR.

The BLT 1BR would be a very comfortable option with two bathrooms, and standard view is good value. But that room is tough to book for a reason.

I'd consider the Caribbean Beach 5th sleeper rooms in this discussion.

Also, the Marriott Swolphin allow a rollaway bed for a charge. That might be cheapest of all.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Cheapest is probably a standard view studio at Boardwalk Villas. Not going to be a lot of room though and those sofa beds aren’t very comfortable (according to my 6 year old). The deluxe studios at Grand Floridian and Poly both felt more spacious and both have a split bath (only one toilet though) and Murphy beds. The Murphy beds are all 6 year old approved. I slept on one to try it and I have to agree, it was pretty comfy.

 

[RivShore]

If you want to consider off site, you might be able to get your own 2 BR cottage at Margarettaville for much less than renting a DVC studio. It's a great, highly themed resort that's minutes away from the parks.

 

[Best Aunt]

BCV studios have almost no storage space. They got rid of the dresser when they put in the pull-down bed under the TV. The one real bed is on a platform, so you can't put suitcases underneath it. The closet has things in it taking up space (iron, ironing board, possibly a fire extinguisher). If you have the sofabed open, and you have the pull-down bed open, you will barely be able to walk around. I'm not sure you would have space for 5 carry-on bags, let alone 5 bigger suitcases.

OP, see if you can find youtube video tours of the DVC rooms you are considering. If you are able to find one of a BCV studio with the sofabed and pull-down bed open, I think you may decide that 5 adults would not be comfortable there.

BWV is probably the same, but it's been a long time since I have stayed in a studio there.

 

[FinallyFL]

BWV is probably the same, but it's been a long time since I have stayed in a studio there.

BWV studios still have a small dresser and a sleeper sofa - no murphy bed. For budgeting purposes, it's most realistic to plan on a pool/garden studio.

 

[Marionnette]

BWV studios still have a small dresser and a sleeper sofa - no murphy bed. For budgeting purposes, it's most realistic to plan on a pool/garden studio.

BWV and BCV have identical layouts for their studios. They were converted to "sleeps 5" around the same time with the crappy table/pull-down bunk combo underneath the TV where dresser space used to be.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

5 + saving money, I would look at an OKW 1BR.

 

[ciaoaloha31]

I think the new resort studios at Grand Floridian may suit your needs if you do not need a kitchenette and ok sharing 1 bathroom if you really wanted to squeeze into 1 studio. The beds will be raised so you will have storage space for luggage. I also like suggestion of 2 studios v. a 1 bedroom if you do not need a full kitchen. For that I would go with Poly or Grand Floridian Resort Studios and have a request for connecting studios (or at least a note made of traveling with so there's a better shot at being nearby if connecting is not able to be filled.) 2 Poly Studios would give you 4 bathrooms (2 tub/shower combos w/ toilet+ vanity, 2 Walk in showers with vanity)

 

[han22735]

If I had to pick a studio for 5 it would have to be the Poly. At least you get 2 bathroom areas, the murphy bed and the pull down twin bed. Easy to close everything up and give yourself more room when not sleeping.

 

[sndral]

If I had to pick a studio for 5 it would have to be the Poly. At least you get 2 bathroom areas, the murphy bed and the pull down twin bed. Easy to close everything up and give yourself more room when not sleeping.

I agree the Poly seems the best fit for OP’s needs, although realistically there’s no studio that will comfortably fit 5 adults + their luggage IMO, but I like my space & am likely biased in that regard.
To clarify, the Poly bathroom areas aren’t 2 full bathrooms, there is one room w/ a toilet, sink, & shower/tub combo & another room w/ a sink + shower.