Does anyone actually prefer staying in a studio?

[bunny]

We just bought 150 points a couple of months ago and are planning our first trip for late next summer. I would love to stay in a one bedroom but with our points we could only afford 5 or 6 nights and then would have to switch to a value or moderate resort. We usually like to go to Disney for 9 or 10 nights since we only can go once a year. My husband hates to change hotels. He wants to stay in a studio the entire time. I am trying to convince him that it won't be bad to switch but he says if I can stay in a moderate resort for 5 nights anyway why do I need a one bedroom? He also hates to make food on vacation, so we will definitely be getting the dining plan. When he is on vacation, he wants to totally relax. No making food, doing laundry, cleaning up, etc. I agree with him, but I get nervous when I hear everyone say how small studios are. Is there anyone who prefers to stay in a studio their entire stay? I know I need to add on more points but right now that is not financially possible. We have 2 small children and have stayed in regular hotel rooms alot.

 

[dizneeluvr]

We always stay in a studio at WDW, we get larger rooms at HHI depending on if we have guests, but if it is just the 4 of us, a studio works fine, we spend minimal time in the room so it meets our needs perfectly.

The beauty of DVC is you can decide what works for you!!!

Mike

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I love staying in a studio. Usually its just me but I've done it once with my mom and my niece and it was no problem. I didn't find it any less spacious than staying in a one bedrrom with my mom and my aunt.

The key here is that you say "two small children". If they were bigger I'd probably say go for the one bedroom for that length of time. One downside is that if they are small enough that they would normally go to bed early that is the situation where people seem to be happy they got a one bedroom.

For such a long span of time I wouldn't stay in an OKW studio however...it has two queen beds rather than a queen and a sofa. The studio plan for BWV, VWL, BCV and SSR has a nice indentation by the bathroom and in some cases by the front door if they are small enough that you could have them nap in a pack n play.

Editted to add: Have you considered going in September? The points are lower than August. Another option might be to pay cash for the middle friday and saturday. That might free up enough points to let you stay in a one bedroom.

 

[Chuck S]

We alternate between studios and 1 bedrooms every other trip. We have always stayed at OKW, so the studios have 2 real queen beds (not a pull out).

That said, we do like having the laundry in the 1 bedroom (as well as the other amenities) but always plan "wash time" when we are in the studios. We travel for 9 to 10 days eash trip, 2 trips per year, and while I understand not WANTING to do laundry, it really is nice not to have to bring so many clothes. It really is an advantage to have the washer in the 1 bedroom in case you get drenched from rain or clothes are soiled to just get back to the room and pop them in the washer.

9 to 10 days without doing laundry is a lot of clothes to pack, no matter what size unit you are getting.

 

[Dean]

It's hard to believe how anyone would prefer a studio to a 1 BR. However, I think there are easily situations where the studio will do just as well and with OKW, better for some groups than a 1 BR due to the bed arrangement. If I weren't going to spend a lot of time in the room and didn't plan to cook, I'd go with one or more studios. The problem is that as our preferences have evolved, we tend to do more in the room and enjoy the whirlpool tub and extra space immensely.

 

[toesmom]

We also own only 150 points so the option of 1 bdrm takes all our points away very quickly even at the lowest point season.

So we are booked in studio also with 2 little kids. We are bringing air mattress so we're not all squished on pull out couches.

Cooking on holiday? I don't think so. Full kitchen is not needed really. And washers/dryers are free to use, so again I can live without it.

Actually because we are booked in studio, the rest of the points are being used at Vero in August (not in 1 bdrm of course)

And coming from Canada, I really hope to stay outdoors more than inside the hotel room, since we're indoors the rest of the winter anyways.

 

[pouncingpluto]

The only thing I would sometimes like better about the studio is that since it doesn't have a kitchen, there is no guilt about not using the kitchen that you're "paying" for.

But if they had a one bedroom with no kitchen (for a short trip when we don't want to cook), that would be perfect!

 

[Judique]

We just bought 150 points a couple of months ago and are planning our first trip for late next summer. I would love to stay in a one bedroom but with our points we could only afford 5 or 6 nights and then would have to switch to a value or moderate resort. We usually like to go to Disney for 9 or 10 nights since we only can go once a year. My husband hates to change hotels. He wants to stay in a studio the entire time. I am trying to convince him that it won't be bad to switch but he says if I can stay in a moderate resort for 5 nights anyway why do I need a one bedroom? He also hates to make food on vacation, so we will definitely be getting the dining plan. When he is on vacation, he wants to totally relax. No making food, doing laundry, cleaning up, etc. I agree with him, but I get nervous when I hear everyone say how small studios are. Is there anyone who prefers to stay in a studio their entire stay? I know I need to add on more points but right now that is not financially possible. We have 2 small children and have stayed in regular hotel rooms alot.

We originally started with 160 points and added on over the years. At the time, a studio was a nice step 'up' from a regular room(even at the Poly where we used to stay), if you don't count cleaning. We liked the 'separateness' of the kitchenette for coffee and snacks - just seems so much neater then having it all piled in the bedroom area or yucch! coffee pot on the bathroom vanity as I've seen some places. As we added on and our travel patterns changed, we sometimes get studios and sometimes get one bedrooms. When we go at high point times such as Xmas or Easter which is frequently, you will find us in a standard studio at BWV. For Food and Wine Festival, we can get a one bedroom for approximately the same number of points as a studio at Easter. We certainly prefer the space of the one bedroom, but our point management and pocketbook dictates that we balance it out. 150 is a good start and as your life changes, so will your needs. Some sell out, some add on and go more often. Enjoy every moment.

 

[magsmom]

The studios are larger than the moderate rooms (314 sq ft for a moderate, 356 sq ft at WL, BCV, SSR, BWV, 372 sq ft at OKW).

We stay in studios for all of the reasons you point out. The only thing that I really prefer with the 1 bedroom is the washer. With 180 points we get 10 days to 2 weeks in a studio based off of the time of year that we go.

 

[jarestel]

Well, I can't say I prefer staying in studios, since the larger rooms are fantastic, but I don't mind when the need arises. I look at it as simply staying in a regular hotel room, rather than a suite. It's not bad and certainly doable, but if points grew on trees, I'd probably stay in the larger units all of the time.

 

[Muushka]

We originally bought 150 points intending to mostly stay at studios. Then we stayed in a studio and bought some additional points to be able to stay in a 1 BR (we are just 2 adults). We much prefer the 1 BR. BUT..........

This past Dec we stayed 8 nights. 4 in a BCV studio (loved that resort) and then 4 in a VWL 1 BR (my beloved VWL). We were both afraid that we would hate the studio, but we actually did enjoy it. It forced us to eat out a lot (which we don't usually do). We had the DDE so it wasn't that expensive.
I guess what I am saying is that the 1BR is really a luxury. Something that is nice to have, but considering the alternatives, it is not a necessity.

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

Contrary to popular vacationing patterns of DVC members where it has been suggested that once you go to a 1BR its difficult to go back to a studio, we have done just that. We don't mind the studio at all and find it roomy enough. The meal plan makes it that much easier. I do miss the washer/dryer in the room more than I miss the kitchen. I think the studio will be fine and you get to stay longer.

 

[mbw12]

We enjoy being on disney property period...in a nice resort. We alteranate....we have stayed in studios, 1-bedrooms, and 2-bedrooms....depends on the amount of people and the time frame....and how stingy or generous we feel like using our points!!!! this year, we are being "cheap" with our points and staying in a studio for 6 nights at VWL....we are a family of two adults and two children ages 8 and 6. We alternate and manipulate our points to the best use for OUR needs!

 

[disneymom225]

Your husband sounds like mine! He hates to cook on vacation and wants to go out all the time! We stayed in a studio (VWL) in August w/ our DD (18 months) and thought it was more than enough room. We stayed 6 nights. We did eat breakfast in our room most days but one of us would walk DD down to Roaring Forks to grab some fresh fruit-that was more of a chance to let DD run and let the other one have some peace. All other meals we ate in the parks. We would also put DD to sleep and sit on the balconey and drink a glass of wine at night-that made it really seem like a vacation. I think you should be fine. We only have 150 pts. too but figure in a few years when they are paid off-we'll buy some more so we can use a 1 bdrm but for now-we're ok with the studio.

 

[AMcaptured]

We have stayed in both many times but stay in a studio now. We go for about 4 weeks throughout the year and I would rather be there for 4 weeks in a studio than 2 weeks in a 1 bedroom. Also, there is everything I need in a studio except for the washer and dryer but I have had some great conversations with fellow members while washing the clothes...

I have no use for the kitchen as I rarely cook at home so I am not cooking on vacation. I think you should go with your husband on this the first time and don't move. I am not a fan of moving, I know a lot of people are, but I see it as a waste of a day and I hate having to remember a new room number.. Never mind how to get there....

Try the studio first and after your first trip if you think you need the 1 bedroom, tyou can plan your second trip differently!


JMO

 

[SaratogaShan]

We usually stay in a studio if our family is traveling alone. Because the kids are 3 years old and 10 months old, it just works out better for us to have the two beds in the same room. I am not sure I would feel comfortable with my DD on the sleeper sofa in the living room until she was older. Most of the time when we stay at SSR, we leave the couch in the studio folded and put the sheets on top. Plenty of room for her to sleep on it "as is". Also, this arrangement gives us plenty of space for the pack and play which my son sleeps in. The downside is not having the washer, but we will just do a load during pool time if need be.

 

[slp87]

We've only stayed in studios, so I can't compare to the 1 BR, but a studio works out great for us. We typically have a small breakfast in the room (cereal, breakfast bar) and keep some snacky stuff to take to the pool or eat on in the evenings. We like being able to fold up the couch and have the extra room. If we need to do laundry, I just put in on when we head to the pool. The studio will only have paper plates/bowls, plastic ware and a couple of glass coffee cups. We like to eat cereal out of something more substantial, so we bring some of the Gladware bowls and cheap utencils. If we don't have room to squeeze in the gladware on the way home, I don't feel bad about throwing it away. Our only problem with the studio has been when DD wants to watch the Disney channel and DH wants to watch the news.

 

[toesmom]

We are bringing our portable 7" dvd player so the little ones can watch their movie and my dh get his tv. Worth the investment because we can use the dvd player on the plane as well.

 

[Doctor P]

We love staying in studios.

 

[byoung]

No problem with a studio for us. Got 20 nights for are 200BWV points with some points left this year. Not a bad time share to me.