DVC Occupancy Thread Part 2

[montrealdisneylovers]

I am 5'10" and I sort of expect my daughter (who is 12) may wind up around my height and she'll be the one using the Murphy Bed at VGF, so I asked our guide if I could lay down on it before we signed the dotted line. It seemed like a normal twin bed to me (albeit, it's been a while since I last laid down on a twin bed). If it's shorter, it's not *much* shorter than a twin. My feet hung off the end, but they would on a normal twin-size mattress, too.

Looking forward, I think we may wind up doing split stays at VGF and BWV *if* we are permitted to do 5 in a BWV studio. We were told during our tour that DVC doesn't count heads and if we wanted to do 5 in something that technically sleeps 4 that's OK. Has anyone had any trouble making a reservation for 5 in a studio at BWV? We know we need to provide bedding...

Even though they may not count heads, they will not give you a key for the 5th person which may affect EMH.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

Thanks, that helps clear it up a bit!
Wondering if I put my DD with me on the bed if that would be fine? She has a sleeping bag and a DW blanket she always uses on our trips, but I hate to put her on the floor I know the bed will be more than big enough.

To open up the pull out, you have to remove the cushions. You can always put those on the floor and she can sleep on them with a sleeping bag. I would probably also cover them with a sheet if possible.

 

[Deb & Bill]

At BWV you can make a reservation for 5 in a Garden/Pool View studio. You cannot reserve a Standard or Boardwalk View studio for 5.

Only if one is under the age of three. You can't book five in a studio at BWV if none are under the age of three.

What they used to call the Studio Plus with the deacon's bench and thin crib sized pad (referred to as a "daybed") cannot be requested. You just get it if you get it. But it is no where long enough for a 12 year old.

 

[Missyrose]

At BWV you can make a reservation for 5 in a Garden/Pool View studio. You cannot reserve a Standard or Boardwalk View studio for 5.

I don't believe view has anything to do with it. You can book four plus an under-3 in any BWV studio.

 

[Deb & Bill]

To open up the pull out, you have to remove the cushions. You can always put those on the floor and she can sleep on them with a sleeping bag. I would probably also cover them with a sheet if possible.

Not at BWV. Those cushions stay attached to help support the foot of the bed. You'd need to bring your own air bed.

 

[thisismyusername]

I have read a few threads (perhaps here, perhaps other Disney forums) where people have had success booking a studio for five (none under the age of 3). Does it just depend on who you get on the phone when you make your reservation?

Would we always be OK with adding a 5th to one bedrooms that only sleep 4, but perhaps not OK with studios?

We spend very little time in the room, and I have no interest in preparing lunch or dinner while I'm at Disney, so we are most interested in maximizing our stays at the resorts we like than having lots of room and a kitchen. This is why we finally jumped on DVC to own VGF since the studios do sleep 5. Chances are we will definitely book there more than anywhere else since there's no question we fit, but as much as I love the GF and the monorail, we'd be sad to not split stay for a few nights in an Epcot resort, too.

 

[Missyrose]

I have read a few threads (perhaps here, perhaps other Disney forums) where people have had success booking a studio for five (none under the age of 3). Does it just depend on who you get on the phone when you make your reservation?

Would we always be OK with adding a 5th to one bedrooms that only sleep 4, but perhaps not OK with studios?

We spend very little time in the room, and I have no interest in preparing lunch or dinner while I'm at Disney, so we are most interested in maximizing our stays at the resorts we like than having lots of room and a kitchen. This is why we finally jumped on DVC to own VGF since the studios do sleep 5. Chances are we will definitely book there more than anywhere else since there's no question we fit, but as much as I love the GF and the monorail, we'd be sad to not split stay for a few nights in an Epcot resort, too.

How old is your fifth person? The murphy bed in the VGF studio is pretty small.

 

[thisismyusername]

How old is your fifth person? The murphy bed in the VGF studio is pretty small.

It's not that bad. I laid down on it, and I'm 5'10". It's fine for someone my size.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have read a few threads (perhaps here, perhaps other Disney forums) where people have had success booking a studio for five (none under the age of 3). Does it just depend on who you get on the phone when you make your reservation?

Would we always be OK with adding a 5th to one bedrooms that only sleep 4, but perhaps not OK with studios?

We spend very little time in the room, and I have no interest in preparing lunch or dinner while I'm at Disney, so we are most interested in maximizing our stays at the resorts we like than having lots of room and a kitchen. This is why we finally jumped on DVC to own VGF since the studios do sleep 5. Chances are we will definitely book there more than anywhere else since there's no question we fit, but as much as I love the GF and the monorail, we'd be sad to not split stay for a few nights in an Epcot resort, too.

You know the points required for a VGF studio are almost exactly the same as a one bedroom at OKW? Probably three times the space, bigger beds, full sized kitchen, full sized washer and dryer, parking right outside your villa.

 

[thisismyusername]

You know the points required for a VGF studio are almost exactly the same as a one bedroom at OKW? Probably three times the space, bigger beds, full sized kitchen, full sized washer and dryer, parking right outside your villa.

Yes; I'm just not that interested in staying at OKW yet. Perhaps my priorities will change if we start spending more time in the room and less time in the parks, but for now, we really do only use the room for sleeping and showering, so convenience to the parks and good resort amenities are our two top priorities.

 

[bigvig1130]

I just think its funny how there is a huge debate on whether you can fit 4 or 5 people in an 800 square foot villa, but no one bats an eye at squeezing 4 people into a 250 square foot stateroom on a cruise.

 

[cwnhokie]

Sorry I've been reading through this thread and I'm just more confused. We are just staying for 2 nights and our 5 year old usually sleeps in bed with us anyway when we are away. We would love to stay at AKV is a studio, do they allow that?

 

[Chuck S]

Sorry I've been reading through this thread and I'm just more confused. We are just staying for 2 nights and our 5 year old usually sleeps in bed with us anyway when we are away. We would love to stay at AKV is a studio, do they allow that?

No, a studio sleeps 4, plus 1 child under the age 3 in a pak n play.

If you have 2 adults and 3 children, all of them are age 3 or older, you can not book a studio. The exception will be Grand Floridian Villas, the studios will have an additional small bed.

 

[Dean]

I just think its funny how there is a huge debate on whether you can fit 4 or 5 people in an 800 square foot villa, but no one bats an eye at squeezing 4 people into a 250 square foot stateroom on a cruise.

There are several components to this issue. For a timeshare there are almost always occupancy rules. If one calls them and tells them there are 20 people in a studio and DVC says OK, I don't have a problem with the member though I would with the system. OTOH, if you purposefully tell them there are 4, when there are 5 or 6, simply to bypass the rules, that's dishonest and unethical. There are some maint costs that are generated that are additive to any other costs. To me it's more about the principle than anything else.

 

[bigvig1130]

There are several components to this issue. For a timeshare there are almost always occupancy rules. If one calls them and tells them there are 20 people in a studio and DVC says OK, I don't have a problem with the member though I would with the system. OTOH, if you purposefully tell them there are 4, when there are 5 or 6, simply to bypass the rules, that's dishonest and unethical. There are some maint costs that are generated that are additive to any other costs. To me it's more about the principle than anything else.

I'm not saying that people should lie to get around policy. I'm just saying that people on here seem to be questioning DVC's lax policy by allowing 5 people in a room that was originally slated for 4 and are turning it into a serious space issue. Besides, I don't think you can get around the system as easily with DVC as you may be able to with your average hotel. With KTTW cards and such. They seem to keep a pretty good inventory on who is on the property.

 

[Dean]

I'm not saying that people should lie to get around policy. I'm just saying that people on here seem to be questioning DVC's lax policy by allowing 5 people in a room that was originally slated for 4 and are turning it into a serious space issue. Besides, I don't think you can get around the system as easily with DVC as you may be able to with your average hotel. With KTTW cards and such. They seem to keep a pretty good inventory on who is on the property.

I don't see anyone making a big deal of the semi official approach DVC has taken to occupant. Personally I think they should stick to the contractual info that's in the POS though I do think allowing one under 3 is OK since they do that consistently throughout WDW. I'd say DVC is one of the easier timeshares to bypass occupancy rules. I'm aware of some that have you sing a waiver on checkin, will fine you if you're over at any point and will kick you off property if you don't get down to occupancy in 2 hours. To be clear, I do think allowing 5 in a 1 BR is not OK but it's not that big of a deal. I think the largest issue over the years related to this topic HAS been those sneaking around. As I said, to me it's a matter of honesty and principle, those that do purposefully and secretly go over don't have any. Back to your previous post, it's a big deal because of the lack of integrity far more than the numbers.

I'm reminded of a "joke" I heard once where a man asked a woman if she'd spend the night with him for $1M and when she said yes, he replied, how about $50. She got indignant and asked him what he thought she was and he replied, we've established what you are, now we're just haggling over price. IMO the principle involved is directly applicable to this subject.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just think its funny how there is a huge debate on whether you can fit 4 or 5 people in an 800 square foot villa, but no one bats an eye at squeezing 4 people into a 250 square foot stateroom on a cruise.

It's more about who can evacuate in an emergency if it occurs. The life boats determine how many people can be on the ship. The stairs/corridors/exit door determine how many people can be in a building. Not the amount of space in a room.

And I would hate to be squeezed into a stateroom for 250 sf for a week with three other people. We've only cruised once and it was the two of us and our son who was six or seven at the time. I didn't care for it and don't plan on cruising ever again.

DVC sets the rules on occupancy, not us. Even if the one kid is small and is used to sleeping with the other six kids in one twin sized bed.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes; I'm just not that interested in staying at OKW yet. Perhaps my priorities will change if we start spending more time in the room and less time in the parks, but for now, we really do only use the room for sleeping and showering, so convenience to the parks and good resort amenities are our two top priorities.

That's funny, because when we stay at OKW, we find it has GREAT access to ALL parks compared to some of the other resorts. Bus service from OKW is about the best it gets on site. BWV and BCV are resorst you can walk to two parks, but it gets to be a hike, and the boats seem so slow to me. And for get it if you are going to MK or AK from there. It takes forever! BLT is a quick walk to the MK, but since we tend to spend less time there than the other parks, and you still have to use buses to the other parks... We just have found the bus service to be much better and faster from OKW to all parks except AK. The only reason that one is slower from OKW is because that bus stops at Blizzard Beach on the way to and from AK.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm reminded of a "joke" I heard once where a man asked a woman if she'd spend the night with him for $1M and when she said yes, he replied, how about $50. She got indignant and asked him what he thought she was and he replied, we've established what you are, now we're just haggling over price. IMO the principle involved is directly applicable to this subject.

Great point!

 

[DisneyKidds]

No, a studio sleeps 4, plus 1 child under the age 3 in a pak n play.

If you have 2 adults and 3 children, all of them are age 3 or older, you can not book a studio. The exception will be Grand Floridian Villas, the studios will have an additional small bed.

You can book a reservation for 5 in a BWV Garden/Pool view studio. I've done so several times, and I have a reservation for 5 in a BWV Garden/Pool viwe studio in December. These units have a small sleeping bench (when I say small, it's small), but at least you can make the reservation.