Family party in villa

[Beach_Bound9]

Why does the position of the sun have anything to do with how many people are allowed in a unit?

Oohhhhhh now I get it. Day vs over night. Well, it didn't take long for the occupancy discussion to hit this thread. Oh well. Enjoy your party. The final decision maker is MS, and they have given you the go ahead.

I confess, we have friends in Tampa, and if they decided to stop by one evening to visit us in our one bedroom or two bedroom villa to say hi and visit for a couple of hours, I really don't see how that is a violation of occupancy limits. I'm not talking about them using our room as a base of operations for a full day of pool use, or for a full day of parks, or a cascade of cars parking, just stoping by in the evening to visit us, and perhaps going out to eat at a Disney restaraunt. I'm not even talking about an all day party of 15 people. Two people, stopping by to say hi and sit down and talk before we head out to dinner. If someone is claiming that violates occupancy limits, I think they are taking it too far. I could see how some would think an all day party was taking it too far as well, that falls into the "base or operations" for a larger group type scenario. Seems like the lines are grey.

 

[dznymom1]

I'm not trying to start an arguement, and believe me, I understand the opposing position. But, if DVC rules only apply to "overnight" guests (which it does NOT say), what is the limit to "DAY" guests? Can I, staying in a studio, invite over 2 or 3 friends for the day? How about 5? 10? 20? 50? 200?>>


Then we can safely assume that if the maid comes by to clean your room and you have 4 people staying in a 1 bedroom, one of your party exits the unit before you let her in?

There is a certain amount of common sense to be applied here, and it seems to me that the OP asked a very reasonable question and has gotten quite a variety of responses - some well thought out and others accusatory and inviting flames. I say, be considerate of the people around you, use common sense, and don't clog up the pool areas. I'd much rather have a respectful group of 15 visit for an afternoon than some of the screaming elephant people that have been over us on some of our trips!

We have made many friends through DVC and we often plan our vacations to coincide with one another. We visit each others units at will, and I can assure you that we don't do a head count!

 

[Beth]

Even if they "did" all have rooms at OKW for the night - they would likely still gather in one villa for the party for a few hours. How is it any different?

We had sixteen in 3 rooms over Memorial Day weekend (2 2BR's and 1 GV - WAY too much room - you guys should have joined us! ) - but we all congregated in the GV several times. We were exceeding the occupancy limit of that one unit during those times...

I could see an issue with the parking, though - some of the buildings can get really tight - like the 2 new buildings that don't have their own lots - or the buildings across from the HH that are always infringed upon by the overflow from the check-in area...

 

[CarolAnnC]

Certain resorts such as the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas sell what is called a "day room". The people (4 per room) are allowed to use the resort facilities for a price less than what an overnight rate would be. Yet, they still pay a price.

What is next for DVC? Owners renting out their points to people for "day rooms"?

 

[bz8bls]

Hmmm...I guess that I shouldn't invite my friends over for Xmas dinner at OKW (2-Bedroom). They will be visiting Disney on Xmas (staying offsite) and I planned to invite them over for Xmas dinner with us. Let's see...6 of us in a 2-br, inviting a family of five...oh my gosh, 11 people, I'm three people over the max..maybe I'll just tell three of the invited family members to eat in the car.

Where do you draw the limit????

 

[slp87]

So I guess that when my parents and my family of 3 (7 yr old DD) were at BWV and we went to my parents studio to visit and relax, we were in violation. 5 in a studio!

 

[Beach_Bound9]

Hmmm...I guess that I shouldn't invite my friends over for Xmas dinner at OKW (2-Bedroom). They will be visiting Disney on Xmas (staying offsite) and I planned to invite them over for Xmas dinner with us. Let's see...6 of us in a 2-br, inviting a family of five...oh my gosh, 11 people, I'm three people over the max..maybe I'll just tell three of the invited family members to eat in the car.

Where do you draw the limit????

Having some people over for christmas dinner seems reasonable to me. In fact, it is much more reasonable that a large graduation party.

 

[rayelias]

So far, no one who thinks the party is fine has answered my questions.

1. If 15 is alright, how about 20? How about 50? How about 100? What is the limit? And is it an arbitrary number based on who you talk to or who you are or what you're doing?

(in response to the mousekeeping comment, the maid is not an "occupant")

2. Why is a DVC member paying cash at a non-DVC resort NOT allowed to use the DVC facilities, yet you feel "guests" (whatever # that may be) of people staying at DVC are permitted to use the facilities.


Sorry, guys. This is pretty cut and dry. I am SHOCKED if MS actually allowed this.


All the snide comments about "I guess I can't have 5 people in a studio" or "I guess I can't invite my friends over for dinner", and the like. I guess not. You read the rules. You signed a contract agreeing to follow the rules. You don't like it? Rent a bigger room. I'm saddened by the complete disregard and disrespect for the rules and regulations which we all agreed to. I guess rules only apply to some people. If you had a rule that someone entering your home had to remove their shoes, if I visited your home, I would respect your rules. I also respect the DVC rules I agreed to.

And, just so no one thinks I'm a complete heel, there is "bending" the rules (allowing 5 in a studio, or having a friend or two over for dinner) and then there is having 30 people you meet at Downtown Disney all over for a pool party the next day.

Again, just trying to illustrate the reason there are rules and what could/would happen if we disregarded them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Certain resorts such as the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas sell what is called a "day room". The people (4 per room) are allowed to use the resort facilities for a price less than what an overnight rate would be. Yet, they still pay a price.

What is next for DVC? Owners renting out their points to people for "day rooms"?

I thought I read on the DIS about people actually staying offsite and using OKW as a gathering place for their entire group- using the pool, parking, etc.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Congrats to your niece WDWCRAZY32 ! (ps: my ds just graduated high school on Wednesday !)
I, personally, don't think what you propose is wrong as long as the party is not wild (which I'm sure it isn't going to be) and the noise levels kept at respectable levels. I think a family of 4 or 5 with young kids running around and yelling/laughing/screaming can make more noise than a gathering of 15 adults alot of time. You stated they won't be staying overnight, so I just don't see how you'd be breaking the occupancy rules ? I feel those are set with overnight reservations in mind.


You never mentioned anyone using the pool (which I feel would be overstepping the boundaries a bit). Sometimes the pools are crowded enough with just the guests using them. Our family of 5 is staying in a 2 bedroom at OKW this August. I plan on having our in-laws (family of 4) come and visit us and stay for dinner one night. They're staying at our offsite timeshare (Vistana) and we wanted to show them our DVC accomodations as well. So we'll be over the occupancy as well. I see nothing wrong with this for a few hours visit ? Why should I have to reserve a GV just so my family staying offsite can spend a couple hours sharing dinner with us

 

[RobDoc]

So far, no one who thinks the party is fine has answered my questions.

1. If 15 is alright, how about 20? How about 50? How about 100? What is the limit? And is it an arbitrary number based on who you talk to or who you are or what you're doing?

(in response to the mousekeeping comment, the maid is not an "occupant")

2. Why is a DVC member paying cash at a non-DVC resort NOT allowed to use the DVC facilities, yet you feel "guests" (whatever # that may be) of people staying at DVC are permitted to use the facilities.

Sorry, guys. This is pretty cut and dry. I am SHOCKED if MS actually allowed this.
...

Again, just trying to illustrate the reason there are rules and what could/would happen if we disregarded them.

The maid is just as much an occupant as guests visiting the registered occupants of the villa. (IMO, neither the maid nor the guests are occupants of the room.)

Actually, Disney has been doing EXACTLY this since 1991. They have model villas open all day/every day with far more people in the room than the "occupancy" limit quoted above. These visitors are generaly there for 15-45 minutes each, but there are hundreds each day. In most of the resort information provided by Disney, the "occupancy" is stated as sleeps 4 or sleeps 8 - suggesting to me at least, that the "occupancy" is governed by the number of beds available in the room.

Every Wednesday at SSR, there is a Member's Update followed by a catered party for those at the update in the GV model at the resort. The week I was there recently, about 60 guests attended the party and were there about an hour. The question posed in this thread seems no different to me. They were not asking about using their villa to house the extra guests overnight (which would exceed the stated occupancy for the villa), but only for a brief celebration where friends and family could gather for a short time. I'm not at all surprised that MS and the resort have already given permission for the villa to be enjoyed by the occupants and their guests for a brief event. I'd be very disappointed if they had given permission for everyone to stay overnight. Welcoming friends and family is what Disney and DVC is all about.

Regardless what opinions are made here (both pro and con), the final decision on this matter will be made by the resort.

 

[married@wdw]

Didn't read all of the responses to this, but we've done parties like this several times -- always at OKW. We got married at WDW, as did my sister-in-law. When we put my family (all coming from CT) together with DHs family, we total at least 20 (depends on if friends come along, as well as SIL's ILs, who now frequently come too). We have had parties in 2-bedrooms and GVs about 5 times now and never had even a hint of a problem. For SILs wedding we had about 50 people in a GV the evening after the wedding -- I'd guess the people on either side of us didn't even know we were there.

Have fun!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

It is your "home" away from home. If you know how to hold a responsible party in your home neighborhood, you should also know how to hold a resonsible party in your vacation home as well. I see nothing wrong with a gathering of 15 or so. I guess I would draw the line at pool access, but I see no harm in having a get together in your unit.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

Enjoy your party.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thank you for this clarification on your position, I wouldn't have realized that based on earlier posts...

Glad you thought about it and reposted with more information. I think WebmasterDoc probably said it the best, it's up to Member Services.

If there were 10 - 20 units all doing this at the same time and all planning on pool parties...... well that could cause a crowding problem, you have a point there. Enjoy you visits.

??????? Explain this post please????? As far as I know that quoted statement of mine was my FIRST post to this thread. I didn't have to to think about anything and "repost more information".

 

[Beach_Bound9]

My impression was that this post:

...You are assuming that the other guests will be glad to compromise their enjoyment just so you and your friends can have a good time. That's rude, and stupid, and I'm surprised that the rest of you are OK with this lame-brained idea. You are assuming that all the guests will be quiet, discreet, and polite, and you know that isn't going to happen....

(in which I actually thought some of the wording used was a bit harsh and over the line IMHO) Was different from the position represented in this post:

...If you know how to hold a responsible party in your home neighborhood, you should also know how to hold a resonsible party in your vacation home as well. I see nothing wrong with a gathering of 15 or so....

At least that was my impression. I could be wrong. It seemed like the second position was a much softer view and actually an approvel that was not indicated in the earler post. At least that's how I read it. It wouldn't have caught my attention so much if it wasn't for the use of such strong words in the first post directed at the OP.

 

[dianeschlicht]

But they are posted by two different people. I didn't change anything in my thinking. I am not Cruelladeville, so I would probably have different ideas and thoughts. I thought you were saying I had changed my position.

 

[jmminarik]

It is your "home" away from home.

Yep.

We had 13 people on the "great family vacation of '02" and though we housed them in 2 studios and a 2-BR, we all congregated in the living space of the 2-BR. It is more than enough room for holding this many humans. I'd not want to do it in any other resort's living room though.

To the OP, have a nice celebration.

-Joe

 

[RweTHEREyet]

According to the "New Member Handbook" it states that "One-Bedroom Vacation Homes have one bathroom and can accoomodate up to four Guests plus one child under age three in a portable crib."

According to the "Product Understanding Checklist" it states that "Occupancy in DVC Resort Vacation Homes is limited to 4 persons in a Studio or 1-Bedroom, 8 persons in a 2-bedroom, and 12 persons in a 3-Bedroom."

Neither place says anything about SLEEPING a certain number of people.

I'm not trying to start an arguement, and believe me, I understand the opposing position. But, if DVC rules only apply to "overnight" guests (which it does NOT say), what is the limit to "DAY" guests? Can I, staying in a studio, invite over 2 or 3 friends for the day? How about 5? 10? 20? 50? 200?

If I'm staying cash onsite (non DVC site), I am NOT permitted to use the DVC facilities, even though I'm a DVC member. Should non-DVC members NOT staying at a DVC property, or even on site, be permitted to use DVC facilities?

I submit that the occupancy limits placed on the room(s) are there 24 hours a day, not just when the sun sets.

I hope you are never in a DVC villa and require the need of EMT's that would put you over the max in a room.

 

[CharlesTD]

Or heaven forbid something breaks in the room and you need it repaired I hope somone leaves so the people can all come in to fix it LOL. It seems silly actually could youimagine having to send the wife or kids out of the room while they fixed the dishwasher or something just to be sure you didn't have 6 people in your 1 bedroom or whatever the case may be.