Best studio

[LSURyan]

In your opinion, which resort has the best studio? How do you think it compares to a moderate resort?

 

[Sammie]

OKW due to the fact it is the only studio with two queen size beds.

All the rest have a queen bed and a sofa sleeper.

Room layout, SSR because you have more privacy from the connecting one bedroom due to layout with a foyer.

BWV you have some dedicated studios which are nice, no connecting door.
and probably one of the more comfortable sofa sleepers.

The worst is BLT, unless it is just two people. They are really small.

 

[LSURyan]

I remember reading something a while back about elevator issues at OKW. I'll have a stroller.

 

[Sammie]

I remember reading something a while back about elevator issues at OKW. I'll have a stroller.

There are only 3 buildings with elevators and they try to save those for people with disabilities.

You could request a first floor.

All the other resorts have elevators.

 

[LSchrow]

In your opinion, which resort has the best studio? How do you think it compares to a moderate resort?

there is no "best studio", IMHO....each has its own merits.
while some prefer 2 queen beds, many others like having more floor space and watching TV/hanging out on a sofa, rather than sitting on a bed.

more than the rooms themselves, i would look at what each resort has to offer. those differences have a much greater impact on vacationing.
for example:
does your family love animals? at AKV, there is esssentially an african safari right outside your room (which can be seen rather close-up from many balconies).
will you spend a lot of time in MK? BLT is a short walk to MK, with some great views of the park.
have a passion for EPCOT and DHS? BCV and BWV are both within walking distance. BCV has a huge pool that many love, while BWV has amazing views unavailable anywhere else, with lots to see and do (surrey bikes, clubs, restaurants, bakery, eve entertainment, etc).
like more quiet and relaxtion? OKW and SSR are gorgeous, quieter resorts with wonderful places to stroll, and some of the best eateries in WDW (olivia's at OKW and turf club at SSR)

DVC resorts are comparable to WDW deluxe resorts (which some are attached to), not moderates, for their amenities and locations. another big advantage in DVC studios (IMHO) is the kitchenette, which saves us from having to eat out all the time.

 

[LSURyan]

I understand the "best" studio is highly subjective. That's why I worded the question as I did. I want opinions. I welcome differing opinions. I can find room sizes, amenities, and such many places online. Those facts will play into our decision. I want to know what YOU think, especially if you've stayed in one, or more.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

If you want an objective answer, based on complex matrices and comparative analyses, there is only one definitive answer for 2012.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village is the only DVC property to receive a AAA four diamonds rating. See: http://newsroom.aaa.com/diamond-ratings/

Members of this online group will certainly argue this point, but it is hard to challenge a systematic analysis of all resorts in North America.

 

[Lynne M]

I understand the "best" studio is highly subjective. That's why I worded the question as I did. I want opinions. I welcome differing opinions. I can find room sizes, amenities, and such many places online. Those facts will play into our decision. I want to know what YOU think, especially if you've stayed in one, or more.

But the thing is, other than the OKW's having 2 queen beds and BLT's being a bit smaller, a studio is a studio. There just isn't enough difference between the studios to call one 'best'. And even that difference is subjective. Some people much prefer the OKW studios because of the two queen beds. I don't care for them just for that reason, it's too 'hotel room' for me. I like having the sofa instead of the second bed.

I've stayed in studios at all of the WDW DVC resorts, and if I have preferences, it's to do with resort locations and amenities. And that changes on every trip, based on my plans. If I'm visiting my friends in Orlando, it's more convenient to be in the MK area, then I go for WL or BLT. If I want to spend a lot of time at Epcot, I go with BWV or BCV. If I'll have a lot of free time and want to lay out and read, I'll go with WL, because I like their quiet beach.

So it's kind of hard to know how to answer your question. What's important to you in a studio? What would make a particular studio best, or not-so-best, for you?

 

[dianeschlicht]

But the thing is, other than the OKW's having 2 queen beds and BLT's being a bit smaller, a studio is a studio. There just isn't enough difference between the studios to call one 'best'. And even that difference is subjective.
So it's kind of hard to know how to answer your question. What's important to you in a studio? What would make a particular studio best, or not-so-best, for you?

I agree with this! We don't stay in studios because it doesn't seem like a DVC stay. Given that though, if we had to stay in a studio and it was just the two of us, it wouldn't matter to us which one we stayed in. If we had to stay in a studio and we needed two beds....No question...OKW.

 

[bobbiwoz]

When I'm in a value studio at Jambo, I feel as if I won the lottery! Such a great resort for so few points!

Then I book VWL, and enjoy the little nooks and crannies, fireplaces, board games at the Carolwood pacific train room, the little spings in the villa pool, and think that studio is the best because it gives me access to all of these things.

I could go on about each, on site and HHI or VB. VB is the only place i would get an OVIR, because I love looking at the ocean. For just DH & myself a studio is just fine, perfect, because it has a balcony, a coffee pot in a kitchenette, not in a washing area or bathroom area as many resorts have it, and access to the resort it's in. There's a studio at VWL that I would hate because it doesn't have a balcony or patio.

We had a studio in an elevator room at OKW, and it was fine. I don't particularly like the set up there, the kitchennette was just outside the bathroom door, that bothered me a bit, but I would go to one again if I had to.

 

[HsvTeacher]

The only studio I wouldn't want to stay in is OKW. There's just two of us, and we don't like having the extra bed. We'd rather have a sofa. Otherwise, all the other WDW studios are roughly the same.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm happy to see members are telling you it's the resort more than the studio itself that matters. I agree, Kidani might have been rated the highest and I do love those rooms but without the rest of the resort to go with it, I'd be miserable in one for a week.

So the question to you LSURyan, is what resort strikes a chord with you the most? I think you'll be happiest with the studios there.

 

[tubtruck]

OKW must be the worst, I would think that not having a sofa is a massive disadvantage , unless of course more than 2 people and a second bed is needed, then it would me idea of misery having to share such a small space with two or three others.

 

[LSURyan]

That's the thing, I'm not sure which resort to try. We are certainly not WDW newbies, just haven't tried a DVC resort yet.

We were thinking OKW, but the elevator thing was a deal breaker. With two small ones and a double stroller, walking up stairs to the third floor a few times a day would probably ruin it for us. BLT is probably a bit small. We are two adults, 9,2,infant child.

There's valid reasons for all and everyone's tastes varies, I get it. We are considering renting points and staying at a studio instead of a room at a moderate. I know, I know, DVC resorts are more like deluxe resorts. We've stayed in many of the deluxes and on our last trip we tried POFQ and was really impressed. The microwave, deluxe accommodations and such are making us consider the studio DVC. we are going in the summer (we alternate between warm and cool trips) for a pretty long period, taking advantage of mid day pool/naps. We are thinking of preparing some food before and bringing some things that we microwave ready to save a little on food costs (we are going back for swim or naps anyways).

Thank you for your help. I know it was a question that I'd get varied answers to, that's what I was hoping for. Sorta like a what's your fav and why type thing. I can tell you my fav resort I've stayed in, but still loved each trip we've had and rarely repeat resorts, at least not on consecutive trips. Your responses have definitely helped us. At the very least, we've had great trip planning discussions over dinner now.

 

[bagsmom]

I am interested in following this thread. We are going to rent points in June 2013 and stay in a studio at Wilderness Lodge Villas.

We based our decision of where to stay on several factors. Maybe hearing this information will help you make your decision.

We want a resort that offers a lot of recreation for us and our kids. We aren't really the type to just lay out in the sun, so the "beachy" places weren't really up our alley. We want to save money and have very picky eaters, so we wanted a place with a kitchen of some sort. Our first thought was the cabins at FW, but boy are they expensive! Wow!

So, considering that fact that we want a resort with some fun stuff to do -- and that we won't be spending every day in a park -- and that we want a kitchen or kitchenette, the studio villa at WL seems like a great choice for us!

On our last WDW trip, we stayed in a room at CBR. The villa studio is bigger than that was, so for us, it's a step up. I can see how a DVC member who has stayed in some of the larger places would feel cramped. I'm thinking that we'll be thrilled with the accommodations!

I'll be eager to read future posts on here. THanks for starting it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW must be the worst, I would think that not having a sofa is a massive disadvantage , unless of course more than 2 people and a second bed is needed, then it would me idea of misery having to share such a small space with two or three others.

BLT studio sounds like misery to me. No way to get more than two people in that studio and even then it is crowded.

OKW is the largest studio at WDW and if there are only two people they can each get a bed to themselves to get a decent nights sleep. I've never found the sofas all that comfortable to sit on at DVC (at least in recent years when they have recovered them with scratchy material or changed the sleeper sofa and it sits horrible).

 

[madelyn]

Wanted to get updates to this thread because I am looking into a studio for a 4 night stay for my sister and my 10 year old son and possibly my other sister. They need to stay in either September or the first week of November for the Halloween party. I haven't been looking that far ahead....maybe since June (so 3 to 5 months ahead). The only studio that is consistently available "last minute" is Saratoga Springs, sometimes OKW (not near the Hospitality House) and Kidani or Jambo House some weeks. I am looking for 4 nights including a Fri/Sat. So whatever you decide, it is best to book early because studios go fast! Personally, I have only stayed in a studio at OKW and this was long ago (16 years ago) before we had kids. This was our first stay at any DVC that we can remember. It does have the 2 real beds. Washer/Dryers are by the pool. I have stayed in a Kidani studio and we requested to be lobby level near the lobby and this put us close to the Community Hall and the washer dryers. This past summer we moved out of a 2 bedroom at BLT and my sister, brother and my 2 sons ended up wanting to go to that late night at Magic Kingdom so ended up extending their stay at a BLT studio for 1 night while the rest of us moved to an off-site condo. That room is small! I can't imagine staying in it for more than a couple of days if you are a family with kids! It is very convenient to be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom though! I believe Jambo House is the only studio that has 2 sinks in the bathroom. I was worried about there being only 1 bathroom and someone pointed out if you are close to the pool, you will have access to the pool toilet if needed in an emergency. Or if you are in one of the DVC properties that are hotel style and you are close to the lobby you can use the restrooms in the lobby.

 

[spiceycat]

In your opinion, which resort has the best studio? How do you think it compares to a moderate resort?

first of all you can't compare DVC studio to moderate resort. they have stuff that the moderates don't. a full kitchennett - with under the counter refrigerator (not that box), microwave, toaster, coffee maker, wet bar.

so even in the early part you can't compare them.

then most are near a theme park -

MK - you can walk to the MK from BLT, you can boat or bus from VWL

Epcot - you can monorail to Epcot from BLT, from bwv and bcv you can walk to it or boat

studios - bw or bc you can walk or boat to it

DD - OKW and ssr you can walk, boat or bus to it. - now this does compare to PO where you can boat or bus to DD. but you can actually walk from SSR or OKW.

now AKL/V - is not walking, boating, monorail to any of the parks. It is bus transportation only. and it is the furthest from the MK. where I think you will be spending a good amount of your time.

so would pick either VWL or BLT - VWL is easier to get than BLT except in Dec.

the studio at BLT is small - but if you are spending the majority of your time at the MK - it might be worth it for you.

otherwise go with VWL - the boat ride is fun - the bus is quicker.