Does anyone buy DVC to stay in studios only?

[dsneygirl]

With just us and baby we plan on mainly studios for a few years. After kid #2 I'm sure we'll go up to a 1bdr for the privacy and just take less frequent trips. We've stayed only in studios so far and have been quite pleased.
We have a King bed and a jacuzzi tub at home so it's not the bee all for us to have that on vacation.

 

[lsutigger2]

We bought enough points to stay a week in a 1 bdroom. But we have stayed in studios (VWL & SSR only). And have gotten extra trips by saving points some years and banking them.

But since our stay at SSR in the studio we promised ourselves that we would only stay in 1 bdrms from now on. And it had nothing to do with SSR. We just enjoy the king bed - it's what we have at home.

We are doing a family trip of 7 adults and 1 very adorable baby in Nov. and will have a 2 bdrm and a 1 bdrm. I was insistent that everyone have their bathrooms and bedrooms, except for my niece who volunteered to sleep on the sofa bed, as she is not staying the whole time with us.

Anyway, a point most folks agree with is that DVC offers so much versatility. There are some many ways to use your points. It is a great idea to start off small. But beware, the add-onitis bugs sometimes bites quickly.

 

[YoMickey]

We bought with the intention of using the 1 bdrm when the kids get bigger. Right now we're being frugal with the points and only plan on staying in studios for the next 2-3 years.

 

[simzac]

We are staying in a 2br this coming Jan, our first trip home. Contract we purchased had points banked, so why not splurge our first trip. After this we plan to stay in studios exclusively to maximize our points.

 

[las3888]

We bought DVC and didn't have children at the time. We did it because we were at WDW all the time paying alot of money for hotel rooms and decided to save -- probably along the lines of what you are thinking.

Well, we have DS now and he is so young. We originally started with a small contract, and have no regrets whatsoever. However, with DS, we wanted some separate space (DS is a light sleeper and again is so young....he is still in a crib). So we like the 1BR. We now have space to go and watch tv or whatnot while he is asleep. It also helps having the kitchen for fruit, milk, (used to be formula etc) for him. We do breakfast in the room, but we did in a studio as well b4 DS.

Anways, my point is, having stayed in 1BRs and 2BRs now, I would absolutely still go back to a studio if DS were older and could stay up later than 8pm or if it were just DH and I. I hope this helps.

 

[crisi]

We are staying in a 2br this coming Jan, our first trip home. Contract we purchased had points banked, so why not splurge our first trip. After this we plan to stay in studios exclusively to maximize our points.

Uh-oh........

This sounds familiar....... when you get a slight fever and a feeling to call your guide, let us know.

(I'm being cute, I hope you enjoy your stay and find the two bedroom luxurous, but unnecessary).

 

[jade1]

Ask yourself

1) "would I go to WDW and stay in a WDW hotel for a good price?". It is obviously assumed that means a hotel room anywhere from Allstars to CBR to GF.

If the answer is yes (likely absolutely if you like WDW) then move on to #2

2) "what if it is a hotel room with a kitchenette and you can pick from 5 luxury resorts with great locations" for arguably less then the Moderates and even Allstars?

If the answer is yes again then buying DVC and staying in studios is something you should look into.

You will find there are even larger accomodations available to use as your needs change or you manipulate your points or add on points and you may take advantage of these through personal choices.

Think how many people are staying in WDW "hotel" rooms year after year having the time of thier lives-just have not discovered what a great option DVC is.

 

[Suzi Q]

No, I don't think you are being unrealistic if that is what you want to do. My husband and I always stay in a studio when we go to WDW because we're not in the room except to sleep and take showers. We had a 1 BR when we went to HH and thoroughly enjoyed it, but we were in our room more. It was just a nice relaxing vacation. This fall we are taking our son's family with us to HH and are getting a 2 BR. But to answer your question, it just depends on how you want to use your points. That is the beauty of DVC. It fits about everyones needs.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We stay in a studio a lot, most of the time actually.

We have 170 points, I wish we had more, maybe 250 total. We make 170 work for us though. We stay in a studio because we can get more trips out of our points.

Down the line, our kids will be older and taking them out of school a few times a year won't be such a good plan. So then we will need a one bedroom, (or 2 even with 2 kids) more.

Anyway I have no problems with studios. Especially with just 2 adults. I have made it work with a baby, a 3 year old and a preteen at least 2 times. (preteen was my niece.) It was cramped, but we had a great time.

I regret not getting more points at the time, but I don't regret joining DVC at all. As it is we manage with what we got (I went from working to being a SAHM, so buying more points isn't going to happen until I go back to work.) Still as a SAHM we can still afford our WDW vacations, with out DV there is no way we would be able to go as often as we have (1 to 3 times a year.)

 

[magsmom]

We have 180 points, and have always stayed in a studio. The difference in points from a studio is just too much for me to justify.

 

[Boston5602]

Before I bought , I always stayed in a 1 bedroom or more . I thought I'm only staying in a 1 bedroom everytime I go. My first trip since buying is this summer and I booked a studio. My niece and I are going for a week and I couldn't see "wasting" points on just the two of us( she's only ten and couldn't care less ) Next trip will be 1 bedroom because it will be 3 adults . If all you want/need/can manage is points for studio , go ahead and do it

 

[jacksmom]

We are a family of 3 with a 9yo ds, and really prefer the 1 bedroom! rolleyes: Although we do stay in a studio some, to maximize our points! We love the king bed, the washer/dryer, and the garden tub in the 1 bedroom! We just got back from 3 nights at a studio at VWL and it was plenty of room for us, but we missed the 1 bedroom (I think we are spoiled! ). I think we are going to eventually add on to be able to stay in the 1 bedroom all of the time! We currently can stay 1 week in a 1 bedroom and 1 week in a studio a year! So. I would suggest that if you plan on just doing a studio, you never try the 1 bedroom! You don't miss what you don't know!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Since there are lots of people who stay in studios here, I hope that someone can answer this for me. Does anyone bring, (when flying) some sort of dishes to use for meals/microwave cooking. If so, what kind. Our next 5 night studio stay is in December, and I'm hoping to find something that's not too heavy to use. I have always brought Gladware for storing fruit salad that I cut up, and to use as cereal bowls. I bring a grilled cheese sandwich maker. However, our last stay was in a 1 bedroom, and I didn't cook any more than I did in a studio, but we both love eating off of "real" plates.

I'm afraid to bring 2 Corelle dishes, they splinter so much if they break, but is there any brand that would suit my needs, lightweight, microwavable (for soup/chili)? I would only need to bring 2 of each.

Bobbi

 

[MaryJ]

Since there are lots of people who stay in studios here, I hope that someone can answer this for me. Does anyone bring, (when flying) some sort of dishes to use for meals/microwave cooking. If so, what kind. Our next 5 night studio stay is in December, and I'm hoping to find something that's not too heavy to use. I have always brought Gladware for storing fruit salad that I cut up, and to use as cereal bowls. I bring a grilled cheese sandwich maker. However, our last stay was in a 1 bedroom, and I didn't cook any more than I did in a studio, but we both love eating off of "real" plates.

I'm afraid to bring 2 Corelle dishes, they splinter so much if they break, but is there any brand that would suit my needs, lightweight, microwavable (for soup/chili)? I would only need to bring 2 of each.

Bobbi

I have some Tupperware plates that are microwave safe, and have brought them along when staying in a studio. If you go to their website, www.tupperware.com, then click on by category, choose microwave and you can find both plates and bowls. I'm tempted to order the bowls myself because we cook instant oatmeal in the microwave and I'm always afraid there will be a boilover using those small paper bowls in the microwave!

 

[deerh]

As mentioned, go with what you are comfortable with. We started out in studios, now 1BR and 2BR are the norm. Later on, when the kids get older, ours are 13 and 17, they want to bring friends, and a studio just won't do..

That is when you may want to add on..
But enjoy DVC, studios are great!

DeerH

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have some Tupperware plates that are microwave safe, and have brought them along when staying in a studio. If you go to their website, www.tupperware.com, then click on by category, choose microwave and you can find both plates and bowls. I'm tempted to order the bowls myself because we cook instant oatmeal in the microwave and I'm always afraid there will be a boilover using those small paper bowls in the microwave!

Thank you! That was just what I was looking for!

Bobbi

 

[Judique]

Hi, there! Not a member yet, but actively saving $$ towards it (we want to pay cash). We plan to buy a small contract and stay only in studios. How realistic am I? I just figure that we stay in studios now when we travel (even with the kids) and stay in hotels. Why get a 1+ bedroom and spoil it for other vacations (what other vacations?) Besides, we don't cook when we're on vacation so the full kitchens will just be taking up space.

Do you think I'm kidding myself? Will I regret a small contract? Did anyone plan to do this and later realize it didn't work out and get frustrated? I don't want to regret my decision to buy in. And I really don't want to buy more points later.

What has your experience been?

Thanks!

That was my original plan. I stuck to it while I needed to. But circumstances change and now I am able to do the type of room needed for the group size. I added on when I was comfortable doing so.

 

[ryley26]

Always stay in a studio. There are only four of us and we stay more days. Last two trips ten and next two ten days.

 

[WOW]

Well, I don't want to say this, BUT if you ever stay in a 1 bedroom, you will never want to stay in a studio again!!! We are OKW members and thought that perhaps we would use studios, (the studios at OKW are nicer than most hotel rooms), needless to say we LOVE the 1 and 2 bedrooms....especially for longer visits.....you really feel like your are "Home". PS We bought more points so that we could do this. However, I will say that our children (without mom and dad) always stay in a studio and just love it. Of course, that is all we offer up to them. Good Luck

 

[westjones]

To be honest, I'm not sure it's realistic to buy in with the intention of ALWAYS getting a Studio. You have twins. When those twins become pre adolescent you may need a bit more room as it will be like having 4 adults in a hotel room.

I have twin girls who are turning 13 in about 10 weeks. We just spent a week at BWVs in a studio. Most of our trips are studios. We tried out a two bedroom and a one bedroom once each, but the rest have all been studios.

My girls bring all the 'hair' stuff, but we don't have problems enjoying ourselves in the studio, in fact it is EASIER now that they are older.

DH and I get up first and get ready and made coffee. Then we wake them up and we go out on the balcony and enjoy our breakfast while they get ready. We even left them in the room alone and went for a walk around the resort while they were getting ready.

Then we were out of the room most of the day at the parks. As for the towels, I bought these colored plastic clothes pins at the Dollar Tree and each of us had an assigned color. We tracked out towels and washclothes by the color of the clip on them, so we didn't have a problem going 3 days with one set of towels. I have used the washer and dryer at VWL, BCV, BWV and VB and I have never had to wait for a washer or a dryer at any of these places. I just leave my clothes and go back to my room and then go get them. It really wasn't a problem and I think it is nice to have the free laundry service.

For us the studios are fine. Of course the larger units are nicer, but we use regular hotel rooms when we do other trips, so compared to those our DVC studios with the kitchenettes are great!

DJ