DVC Occupancy Thread Part 2

[k3chantal]

Yes, the fire code and Disney's occupancy rules are 2 different things. OKW has enough square footage in the one-bedroom villa to allow 6 people as per fire code. They just don't offer the sleeping arrangement to allow that. The Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites & Spring Hill Suite for example,,all room that have 2 beds in master plus a pull out sofa to accommodate a party of 6. Disney CAN do that too, they just don't.

And for everyone just says oh well just book a two bedroom, I wish it were just that easy,, the extra cost is huge,, the difference between a one bedroom or a two bedroom is the difference in whether or not we are able to go to Disney at all;(

There is always going to be someone with one more than it allows, but in my humble experience of being a family of six, there are many hotels & resorts that can accommodate us,, sadly just not DVC without spending a fortune.

Sorry to sound bitter. I love Disney so much and it is getting so hard for us to go now. I am disheartened.

We usually take extended family or friends along when we go so we usually book a two bedroom.

This does mean that we go to Disney World less. We go about every two to three years.

IF you are a DVC member that is all the difference is between a one or two bedroom......a little more time in between trips. For us it is a choice, we like taking a larger group and sharing our timeshare.

However, as much as we like to share, there is nothing better in my opinion than when you first get to your villa and see that wonderful Master suite with the king sized bed that is meant for us. It is one of the perks for being a member in my opinion.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes, the fire code and Disney's occupancy rules are 2 different things. OKW has enough square footage in the one-bedroom villa to allow 6 people as per fire code. They just don't offer the sleeping arrangement to allow that. The Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites & Spring Hill Suite for example,,all room that have 2 beds in master plus a pull out sofa to accommodate a party of 6. Disney CAN do that too, they just don't.....

I think you are confused on fire codes. While some do have occupancy (number of people in the space) rules, most of the time those are for assembly occupancies - like churches or auditoriums. Hotels, dormatories, etc have egress space calculated on the corridor widths, number of people on the floor, etc. So it's not the size of the room (square footage) but the number of footprints in the room that they are counting. Disney does that by limiting the number of people in each room.

They need to get the required number of people out of the room, down the corridor and down the stairs to the outside of the place. Too many people in the room and there are then too many feet trying to get down the stairs to the exits of the building. Even with OKW having exterior stairwells, you can't just jump over the side of the stairs to get out if you have too many people trying to get down the stairs and away from the flames.

With a family of six you just have to pay more. You buy six park admission tickets. You fly six people. You pay for six meals. Your lodging is the only thing that needs to give???

 

[Dean]

Yes, the fire code and Disney's occupancy rules are 2 different things. OKW has enough square footage in the one-bedroom villa to allow 6 people as per fire code. They just don't offer the sleeping arrangement to allow that. The Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites & Spring Hill Suite for example,,all room that have 2 beds in master plus a pull out sofa to accommodate a party of 6. Disney CAN do that too, they just don't.

And for everyone just says oh well just book a two bedroom, I wish it were just that easy,, the extra cost is huge,, the difference between a one bedroom or a two bedroom is the difference in whether or not we are able to go to Disney at all;(

There is always going to be someone with one more than it allows, but in my humble experience of being a family of six, there are many hotels & resorts that can accommodate us,, sadly just not DVC without spending a fortune.

Sorry to sound bitter. I love Disney so much and it is getting so hard for us to go now. I am disheartened.

There are few options that work well for a family of 6 on a tight budget. Even the ones you mentioned likely only have certain rooms that will work for that situation. Looking at timeshares, there are very few that will accommodate 6 in a 1 BR but there are a few. The reality is that timeshares are directed more at 2 for a studio, 2-4 (max 4) for a 1 BR (even those that sleep 5) and 6 for a 2 BR even when the max capacity is more than those numbers. Off property timeshares are likely your best bet where you can get a 2 BR for much less. I know there are those that feel DVC and Disney have a responsibility to make the stays more affordable for those in between families like 5 or 6 but my opinion is this is not their job, their job is to fill the rooms and for DVC, to sell the points. If they feel they can sell more points with such an arrangement, they'll adapt to it. The reality is while they may miss a given family, they'll sell more points and the resorts will flow better with the current arrangement.

 

[myxdvz]

We own at BLT, and at the time of purchase (in 2010), we thought we were only going to be a family of 5. We used to do the value hotels (AsMo) when we just had the 2 girls and it was tight, so our stays at 2 BR OKW and 1 BR AKV Jambo in 2011 and our 1 BR in VGC in 2012 was amazing and converted DH who was against our purchase. Now he loves it.

In 2011, we became a family of 6. I just booked our 2013 cruise (which doesn't allow for 5 + 1 in a Family stateroom). My understanding is that until DS becomes 3, we can still continue to stay in a 1BR... That would make us a family of 5 + 1 under 3 in a 1BR. Right?

I'm now thinking we need to add some points if we have to do 2BRs starting in 2014 when DS turns 3.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We own at BLT, and at the time of purchase (in 2010), we thought we were only going to be a family of 5. We used to do the value hotels (AsMo) when we just had the 2 girls and it was tight, so our stays at 2 BR OKW and 1 BR AKV Jambo in 2011 and our 1 BR in VGC in 2012 was amazing and converted DH who was against our purchase. Now he loves it.

In 2011, we became a family of 6. I just booked our 2013 cruise (which doesn't allow for 5 + 1 in a Family stateroom). My understanding is that until DS becomes 3, we can still continue to stay in a 1BR... That would make us a family of 5 + 1 under 3 in a 1BR. Right?

I'm now thinking we need to add some points if we have to do 2BRs starting in 2014 when DS turns 3.

Correct, as long as DVC allows it. For the villas that only sleep four officially in the one bedroom (SSR, BWV, BCV, VWL) the limit is five. Period. Not five plus one. But if you are at AKV(not value villas), BLT or OKW, they probably will allow you five plus one under the age of three.

 

[Dean]

We own at BLT, and at the time of purchase (in 2010), we thought we were only going to be a family of 5. We used to do the value hotels (AsMo) when we just had the 2 girls and it was tight, so our stays at 2 BR OKW and 1 BR AKV Jambo in 2011 and our 1 BR in VGC in 2012 was amazing and converted DH who was against our purchase. Now he loves it.

In 2011, we became a family of 6. I just booked our 2013 cruise (which doesn't allow for 5 + 1 in a Family stateroom). My understanding is that until DS becomes 3, we can still continue to stay in a 1BR... That would make us a family of 5 + 1 under 3 in a 1BR. Right?

I'm now thinking we need to add some points if we have to do 2BRs starting in 2014 when DS turns 3.

I would agree with Deb's statement and add that DVC has been fairly strict the last few years in this area. They have routinely allowed 5 in a 1 BR no matter the age and 5 plus an infant under 3 for those that officially sleep 5. They have generally not allowed an extra plus an infant and have told many people no in this area. Since about 2000 or 2001 when they changed their approach to occupancy there have been few reports of MS actually allowing more than I've stated in a 1 BR. However, Disney is nothing if not inconsistent. I'd also point out that there were many told it was OK to go over in a sales presentation and this means nothing and is not binding to the system.

 

[ses1230]

We are staying in a 2-br next week - 3 adults, 2 children ages 7 and 4. A friend of me will be joining us for 1 night. Do I have to add him to the reservation? He will be driving and probably arriving when we are at the park, will that be an issue? Thanks.

 

[Dean]

We are staying in a 2-br next week - 3 adults, 2 children ages 7 and 4. A friend of me will be joining us for 1 night. Do I have to add him to the reservation? He will be driving and probably arriving when we are at the park, will that be an issue? Thanks.

Technically all occupying the room are supposed to be listed plus if you do so, they'll be able to get a key while you're gone. IF you have the DP, you'll need to get it for them as well for the entire trip even if only staying one night.

 

[ses1230]

Technically all occupying the room are supposed to be listed plus if you do so, they'll be able to get a key while you're gone. IF you have the DP, you'll need to get it for them as well for the entire trip even if only staying one night.

Great, thanks for the info Dean. No DP this time, so we are good there.

 

[Kingdome8]

How strict are hotels on people in room?
I have a studio booked for 4 people. If my mother came by to stay a few nights would that be a problem? Can't see how they would even know.
Anyone do this?

 

[erionm]

Unless one is under the age of 3, you will not be able to add her to the reservation. If she's not on the reservation: she will not have a room key of her own, she couldn't use DME, she could not take advantage of EMH.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

Also - studios can be kind of a tight fit. Where would she sleep?

 

[Deb & Bill]

How strict are hotels on people in room?
I have a studio booked for 4 people. If my mother came by to stay a few nights would that be a problem? Can't see how they would even know.
Anyone do this?

Yes, they are strict about occupancy. As long as one of the four was under the age of three it would be okay. But if everyone is three or older, she can't stay in your studio.

I agree with DVCismyhappyplace. Where would she sleep? If you have OKW, you get two queen beds. Anywhere else you have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa.

 

[LisaS]

Where would she sleep? If you have OKW, you get two queen beds. Anywhere else you have one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa.

I believe the OP is renting a studio at AKV from a DVC member. As you state, at AKV they will have a queen bed and full-size sofa.

OP, if you are renting from a DVC member, I would be inclined to obey the rules so as not to cause any issues for the member. If one of your kids is under three years old you would be within the rules. DVC will not provide a rollaway or cot or any sheets, blankets, pillows or towels for the 5th guest.

 

[Kingdome8]

Thanks for input guys. I agree no 5 th person. It's true probably would be tight and annoying. I'll just tell her strict rules. What's funny is my kids asked her not me. Lol. Oh well

 

[LisaS]

Thanks for input guys. I agree no 5 th person. It's true probably would be tight and annoying. I'll just tell her strict rules. What's funny is my kids asked her not me. Lol. Oh well

If you don't mind spending more money, ask the owner who rented to you to see if a 1BR is available. Other than the Value rooms, 1BRs at AKV officially accommodate five guests. There is a sleeper chair in addition to the sleeper sofa in the living area and the sleeper sofa is a queen size rather than a fullsize. If you get a 1BR in Kidani Village you will also get an additional bathroom.

ETA: This assumes the owner has additional points available for rent which may not be the case.

Another option is to rent an additional studio for the nights she needs.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Well won't those people from the room be in the corridor if there is ever an emergency?

And again, I'm saying that DVC member services is allowing more people in a 1 bdrm than CRO would just because you are a member. Doesn't make sense now does it.

There should be one set of rules for both parts of Disney. Whether it's MS or CRO.

A one bedroom is roughly double the size of a studio. Fore example, a studio at the BLT is 356 sq ft. A one bedroom is 727 sq ft.

A studio sleeps 4. A one bedroom sleeps five. To put it simply, in case of a fire, I'd much prefer to be on a floor full of one bedrooms that were sleeping 5 than a floor of studios that all slept 4 because the total number of one bedrooms (each sleeping 5) is going to be half that of those studios sleeping 4.

Here's the match:

Floor A - 12 Studios. If all were full, that would be 48 people trying to get off that floor.

Floor B - 6 One bedrooms. If all had 5 people, then that would be 30 people trying to off that floor.

Sooo, no. The occupancy limit of 4 doesn't make sense from a fire code perspective.

 

[Deb & Bill]

A one bedroom is roughly double the size of a studio. Fore example, a studio at the BLT is 356 sq ft. A one bedroom is 727 sq ft.

A studio sleeps 4. A one bedroom sleeps five. To put it simply, in case of a fire, I'd much prefer to be on a floor full of one bedrooms that were sleeping 5 than a floor of studios that all slept 4 because the total number of one bedrooms (each sleeping 5) is going to be half that of those studios sleeping 4.

Here's the match:

Floor A - 12 Studios. If all were full, that would be 48 people trying to get off that floor.

Floor B - 6 One bedrooms. If all had 5 people, then that would be 30 people trying to off that floor.

Sooo, no. The occupancy limit of 4 doesn't make sense from a fire code perspective.

Your logic is off. They don't put all studios or all one bedrooms on a floor. There is a mix and some are lockoffs.

 

[Dean]

How strict are hotels on people in room?
I have a studio booked for 4 people. If my mother came by to stay a few nights would that be a problem? Can't see how they would even know.
Anyone do this?

In case you do decide to allow her to go, I'd get at least a 1 BR if you can since Disney is fairly strict for the studios at 4 plus one under 3. Truthfully, I'd get a 2 BR if you could and all 5 were going. As for how they'd know, they likely wouldn't but would rely on people's honestly.

 

[Kingdome8]

I'm sticking with studio but just us.
I am thinking about buying dvc next year thru resale
She can come then. Was thinking I'd buy this year but will go down and check it out.