Deluxe or 1bed at Home-away-from-home resort?

[ChiTownZee]

If you could get either a standard room at a deluxe monorail resort or a 1 bedroom villa at a Home-away-from-home resort (probably Old Key West) for about the same money, which would you choose?

 

[iloveokw]

Hands down - Old Key West - more room, full kitchen (save money), washer and dryer - great resort.

 

[WDWguru]

Without question, the 1-bedroom! Not only will you have about three times the space, but you'll get a full kitchen, washer/dryer , master suite with king size bed and a jacuzzi tub, and a completely separate living area and HUGE balcony. Yes, I'm a DVC owner and biased, but as someone who has stayed at almost every deluxe resort AND three of the four DVC resorts I can honestly say, for the same price, you'll be THRILLED with the 1-bedroom.

 

[catheren]

I agree w/ other posters, OKW 1-bedroom villa -- same price as a standard deluxe --- take OKW!

You have a full kitchen, washer, dryer, huge unit!!
Balcony has table and 4 chairs.

 

[Lewisc]

Family of 4, I'd go for the 1 bedroom (others have given you the reasons).

If I was just going with my wife I would probably go with the monorail resort. Location and we'd be less likely to use the kitchen and washer/dryer.

 

[JulesMom]

I would go with the 1 bdrm.

You will have so much more room!

 

[DebbieB]

Just a word of warning - once you stay in a 1 bedroom you will not want to go back to a regular room! I stayed a 2 bedroom at OKW and 6 months later I was joining DVC!

 

[mirlow]

I guess I will go against the popular vote We are a family of five and we love the convenience of the Polynesian. We even tried a one bedroom at the BWV's this summer and while it was nice I prefer a GV concierge room at the Polynesian for the same price. I'm trying to plan a trip in January and I thought about staying in a one bedroom at OKW. I have since decided to take it off my list. It looks great, but it's just a bit to big for me. That's another reason why we enjoy the Polynesian so much is that it feels intimate Some people like space I prefer location. Just a thought

 

[Scoootch]

You may also want to keep in mind that at OKW the 1-bdrms are alot roomier than at BWV's,WLV's and BCv's if you are thinking of staying at the DVC resorts. The deluxe resorts are wonderful - just not as much room to spread out. As any DVC member will tell you though, go for the 1-bdrm if the money is the same. You won't regret it.

P.S.-- If you do decide on going with the 1-bdrm, I wouldn't be surprised if when you get back we are all saying " welcome home" LOL.

 

[taylor1293]

I'd do a split stay and do both!

Which is exactly what we are doing on our next trip. I think both have their advantages and I look forward to staying at both BWV and CR!

Teresa

 

[MinnieGi]

We just came back from our first stay in a one-bedroom at OKW and LOVED it!!!! Sooooo much room! The hot tub is BIG, full dining table with four chairs, a couch, loveseat, and chair in living area, a center island in the kitchen, fridge, microwave, stove etc. in kitchen, full size washer & dryer in a serperate room, huge shower stall, two bathroom sinks in different bathroom area, and an awesome covered porch with ceiling fan and round table with four chairs. We had the most relaxed Disney vacation ever b/c we felt like we were really returning "home" every day. If you have a car you can park right in front of your villa which really saves you time going to the parks.

We felt very cramped in our WL room last year and also not as relaxed as we could hear our neighbors all the time, and the toilets flushing from many rooms above and below and the showers starting in the morning etc. I rarely ever heard a toilet flush at OKW, never heard a shower and never heard the people in the units next door to us and we saw them so we know we had neighbors.

Warning however, as others have said once you stay in the one bedroom you may not want to cram into the regular room again. We are now in the process of buying DVC resale!

Gi

 

[ilovebwv]

We are DVC members with DVC homes at OKW, BWV & HH, as everyone said the DVC villas will give you much more room and a kitchen, lr, dining area, w&d and jacuzzi tub. There really is no comparison between a deluxe hotel room and a 1 BR. But if you like the monorail resorts for the location, I would think about a DVC villa at either VWL, BCV or BWV. All of these resorts are very close to parks like the monorail resorts are, OKW is not close to any parks and having a car there is a almost a necessity, especially if you have young kids with stollers.

 

[luckytso]

I am a DVC member and originally we booked a 1-BR at BCV. But when the AP rate came out for next Feb., I ended up cancelling the 1-BR and booked Poly Concierge. I figured, for almost the same cost (I used the market price, $10, per DVC point to do the comparison), I sacrificed the space, but get to stay at a monorail resort with all the food offerings for the 5 of us (3 adults, 2 kids 4 and 1).

Everybody's needs are different. I would like to try the Epcot resorts in October/November (Food & Wine Festivals) or for New Year's Eve when I can walk in and out of Epcot/MGM myself (without needing any other modes of transportation), while at other times, I love the convenience of any of the monorail resorts.

 

[RobinMarie]

We are huge Magic Kingdom fans so assuming you will have daily access via annual passes etc, I'd go with the standard Grand Floridian room. I just LOVE the atmosphere, thought the pool was the best and love drinking coffee while looking at the castle.

 

[pinsandneedles]

is there room for an additional roll-away bed in these? Needing enough space for 3 adults, and 2 children. Also, are the pullout couches comfortable? Thanks for your answers in advance.

 

[dreamflight99]

I would have to definitely go with the Disney Deluxe Resort (LIKE the CR Tower you are considering ) for a couple of specific reasons. I prefer the alternate form of "transportation" these resorts offer (monorail, friendship boats) over the OKW Bus-Only transport. We also prefer the *MAGICAL EXPERIENCES* (like viewing the firework shows and castle from your bed/balcony) these resorts provide. Daily housekeeping is also a nice touch when on vacation. We stayed in a 1 BR at OKW a few years ago, and though I loved the accomodations--it just didn't surpass the MAGIC and convenience of the Deluxe. We stay at Disney's Vero Beach resort each summer, for 7-10 eves (no...we are not DVC members) in a 1 BR Villa. I absolutely LOVE it there, and enjoy the amenities & spaciousness these rooms afford. Yet, I'm one of those folks whom enjoy the comfort of the deluxe accomodations while ON DISNEY PROPERTY. We are reserved for this summer in a 1 BR suite at the Contemporary Resort (14th floor). The Concierge level services offered by any Disney Deluxe all but make up for (and IMO exceeds) the extra roominess gained by staying at OKW. It's not just about "quantity"...but "QUALITY" too, especially at WDW. Now...those little 2-story cottages at the BW...ohhh, that's another subject entirely! (LOL)

 

[WDWguru]

No, you can not get a rollout or extra bedding in the DVC units. The one bedroom units accomodate four people - or five if one is an infant under 3 that can sleep in a pack-n-play crib. If not, you'll need a two bedroom unit.

 

[Scoootch]

As the last person just posted, unfortuneatly, you can't get a roll-out bed but alot of people have posted that they have brought the aero-beds with them and they apparrently work well. There is plenty of room in the 1 bdrm units for them if you decide you want to try it.

As for the pull out beds in the sofa's being comfortable -- we have found them to be very comfortable. Disney changes out the mattresses on them frequently enough that they are in good shape. Have never had a problem or felt the bar like in most pull-out couches.

I also noticed that someone posted about the fact that they prefer daily housekeeping like at the non-dvc resorts -- FYI -- they do offer daily housekeeping for an extra charge if you are interested.

 

[WDWguru]

Just a note re: housekeeping. We find we actually LIKE not having it every day. We dont' have to worry about when we get up, putting valuables away, etc. And with the washer/dryer in the room, it's easy to toss the towels in if you find you need them cleaned. They do come and empty trash and give you new towels on the 4th day, then if you're there longer do a full cleaning later, but we find we don't really need it.

However, if you are renting the room via CRO, not renting points from a member, you WILL get full daily housekeeping just like any other WDW resort.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by WDWguru

However, if you are renting the room via CRO, not renting points from a member, you WILL get full daily housekeeping just like any other WDW resort.

Which we do at Vero. Different strokes...for different folks.