For Those w/Older Teens

[DisneyStarWisher]

So, my teens are getting ready to turn 18 and 16, and it's getting much harder to plan trips due to school and work. I want to keep having family trips for as long as I can though. We have always booked 2 BRs unless it was just two of us (then we book studios). I'm starting to think it would be wise to just book 2 studios instead of a 2 BR, so that if they can't make it, we can cancel the one studio. Other thoughts--

Pros:
easier to cancel studio if they can't make the trip
saves a lot of points as compared to 2 BR (freeing up some for extra trips)
separate space/more privacy

Cons:
no in-room washer/dryer (kitchen and whirlpool are useless to me)
smaller balconies
chances of not being located close together (but my plan is to book AKV Value Studios so they will be on the same floor and fairly close)
smaller living room space for when we hang out together in the room (Does that even happen when they are this age though?)

Does anyone out there do this? How do you handle your kids growing up?

 

[Patricia]

It does get more challenging as the kids grow older when it comes to planning our vacations, doesn't it? I have three grown children, 28, 24, and 18. It has progressively become tougher as the older two have to juggle work schedules and try to fit in the time to vacation with us. When we went in October, my oldest could not come - first time we were not all together. I have done exactly what you said with the two studios. It works very nicely and you are exactly right about the advantages. The only disadvantage is that you do not have a living room to hang out in all together, but that was really not much of an issue. Either way you are together with your children making more memories - all good. Good luck!!

 

[eeyoresmom]

I book 2 studios now and it's a good thing, I had to cancel one for our upcoming trip when DD decided not to come. We tend to spend mornings and evenings all together in the parks. We sometimes split up in the afternoon when some want a nap and some want pool time. Works out really well.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Thanks for sharing how you plan for this strange phase of life. We didn't take our boys to WDW until they were 9 and 7 and didn't join DVC until they were 12 and 10. Wish we had started when they were younger! Of course, we took some great vacations to other places then.

I really think this is the way to go right now. I just hope I don't miss the 2 BRs too much. I realize if they do keep traveling with us as the years go on, we will have to look at accommodation changes later as there are wives and grandkids in the picture. So hard to plan with so many uncertainties.

Anyone else with teens and young adults do the same thing? something different?

 

[CarolynK]

My kids are the same age, DD is 18 and DS is 16. While we do occasionally "splurge" on a 2-BR, we have almost always gotten 1-BRs, we've never gotten a studio. We bring along an inflatable coleman or aerobed and the kids take turns sleeping on it (we do carry-ons only, and the bed takes up a little more than half of one roll-aboard). For us, DVC is all about "home" which means kitchen and washer/dryer. I wouldn't be willing to give up those conveniences. Can you try a 1-BR first?

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

My kids are the same age, DD is 18 and DS is 16. While we do occasionally "splurge" on a 2-BR, we have almost always gotten 1-BRs, we've never gotten a studio. We bring along an inflatable coleman or aerobed and the kids take turns sleeping on it (we do carry-ons only, and the bed takes up a little more than half of one roll-aboard). For us, DVC is all about "home" which means kitchen and washer/dryer. I wouldn't be willing to give up those conveniences. Can you try a 1-BR first?

Your response really got me thinking. We usually stay at AKV and HHI. My boys don't like sharing a bed and I know that AKV Kidani has the sleeper chair and I've heard that HHI is supposed to be getting one. So I was thinking it might work until I remembered we would have only 1 bathroom (except at Kidani). I would trade the w/d, kitchen, and whirlpool for that extra bath. I wish HHI had an extra bath because that's where we would want the extra space more so than WDW.

 

[mouselike-harrier]

DS is 18 and DD is 14. I always get a 1BR. DS sleeps on the sleeper couch and DD sleeps on the sleeper chair. They like having the living room to themselves. Have thought about instead of booking AKV or the like, to book a 2BR at OKW. With older teens, I would never give up the large kitchen.

 

[disfanforlife]

We have always stayed in a 2 bd. This past November would be our first time going without our DD's so we booked a one bedroom and told son he could invite a friend. Friends family decided to join us so since we had enough points we booked a 2 bedroom and all stayed together. Then guilt set in so we booked a second trip for this first time ever in a 12 month period but only had enough points left for a one bedroom. We are staying next week with our DD's. Plans do change but I don't know how I will like even staying in a one bedroom. I will know more after this trip....... I don't like the idea of a studio - to meet part of what I enjoy bring a DVC owner is the space of the larger villas. We already have another trip booked for December and it is a 2 bedroom again, but we are planning all three kids for that trip and my parents too for part of it!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

DS is 18 and DD is 14. I always get a 1BR. DS sleeps on the sleeper couch and DD sleeps on the sleeper chair. They like having the living room to themselves. Have thought about instead of booking AKV or the like, to book a 2BR at OKW. With older teens, I would never give up the large kitchen.

At WDW, we eat out every meal except for breakfast, which is always pastries or donuts. Now at HHI, we also do lunch in the room some, but it's always leftovers warmed up from wherever we ate the night before. This time, I'm thinking some Dye's Gullah takeouts, but a microwave would still be sufficient. A full kitchen just doesn't get used by us. I worry more about not having the big balconies and the washer/dryer.

OKW and AKV are our two favorite resorts at WDW. If I did 1-BRs though I'd have to book at Kidani just for the two bathrooms. If I remember correctly, OKW and HHI have a similar layout as far as the baths. They have the separate room off the master bedroom that has a sink and the whirlpool. Then the connecting room has the toilet, shower, and sink. If they only had two separate toilets and showers, this would be a no-brainer. But four people sharing one toilet and one shower just does not feel like home to me. We have three full baths at home, so we are spoiled.

It's so interesting to hear everyone's experiences. Please keep them coming!

 

[CarolynK]

Your response really got me thinking. We usually stay at AKV and HHI. My boys don't like sharing a bed and I know that AKV Kidani has the sleeper chair and I've heard that HHI is supposed to be getting one. So I was thinking it might work until I remembered we would have only 1 bathroom (except at Kidani). I would trade the w/d, kitchen, and whirlpool for that extra bath. I wish HHI had an extra bath because that's where we would want the extra space more so than WDW.

Well, at least at Kidani a 1-BR will work for you, so that's something. While only one bathroom in a 1-BR at BWV can sometimes be a challenge for us, I'm the opposite of you, I can't imagine a WDW stay without a kitchen and washer/dryer!! But, I'm totally with you on the whirlpool (though DH loves it)!
Those sleeper chairs are great, Vero has them in the 1BR too...I wish the BWV living room was big enough for one, we could leave the inflatable at home!

We actually use the kitchen A LOT - our only meals outside the villa are a couple of dinners at BlueZoo (we are so done with WDW restaurants but that's another thread!). We have so many great restaurants in the Chicago area that only BlueZoo feels like a treat to us.

 

[sarahk0204]

The 1 BR at BLT have 2 bathrooms as well as the sleeper chair.

Are studio balconies smaller? The only way I see you having less balcony space is if you get a 1 BR?

 

[CarolynMink]

My DD is soon to be 19 and DS 16. We decided to take a year off because there are so many conflicts with their schedules. (For the first time ever I am trying to rent out points. )

We tend to book the 1Br + air mattress or sleeper chair at AKL or BLT. Note: my DD always gets the sleeper chair as she is only 5'2". DS would never fit.

There have been times when they fly separate from us so, then the 2 studio idea would work out much better.

The good new is ... our teenagers still love to have family time at WDW.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

The 1 BR at BLT have 2 bathrooms as well as the sleeper chair.

Are studio balconies smaller? The only way I see you having less balcony space is if you get a 1 BR?

I'm pretty sure studio balconies are smaller. That's because the living room area of a 1 BR is wider than a studio, thus making the balcony wider. I know for a fact that HHI's studio balconies are smaller than a 1 BR balcony.

My DD is soon to be 19 and DS 16. We decided to take a year off because there are so many conflicts with their schedules. (For the first time ever I am trying to rent out points. )

We tend to book the 1Br + air mattress or sleeper chair at AKL or BLT. Note: my DD always gets the sleeper chair as she is only 5'2". DS would never fit.

There have been times when they fly separate from us so, then the 2 studio idea would work out much better.

The good new is ... our teenagers still love to have family time at WDW.

We rented points out last year and ended up using the money to take a shorter trip to Gatlinburg. WDW is 12 hours away compared to the 4-hour drive to the Smoky Mts. I may just have to settle for those quick trips closer to home due to their schedules, and do the WDW/HHI trips with my DH. But if we can find a time to all go together, I'm all for that.

 

[Judique]

I'm pretty sure studio balconies are smaller. That's because the living room area of a 1 BR is wider than a studio, thus making the balcony wider. I know for a fact that HHI's studio balconies are smaller than a 1 BR balcony.

At WDW the balcony size can vary based on the resort and location of the room. I've had a one bedroom at BWV that had one teeny balcony and I've had a studio at BCV with a huge balcony.

At HH, the one bedroom balconies are all large enough to hold a picnic table, benches and two rocking chairs.

Some studios at HH have extra deep balconies and some have less deep balconies. I love the deep ones because you can usually have shade and sun, plus keep the chairs dry.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

At WDW the balcony size can vary based on the resort and location of the room. I've had a one bedroom at BWV that had one teeny balcony and I've had a studio at BCV with a huge balcony.

At HH, the one bedroom balconies are all large enough to hold a picnic table, benches and two rocking chairs.

Some studios at HH have extra deep balconies and some have less deep balconies. I love the deep ones because you can usually have shade and sun, plus keep the chairs dry.

Good to know about the balconies. I figured all the studio balconies were smaller. I'm pretty sure all the AKV studios have smaller balconies.

At HHI, are the deep balconies the ones on the right side of the Lodge as you face the front of it?

 

[ldo]

at HHI, the 2BR (and I assume 1BR) have large balcony with picnic table. Studios have standard hotel-style balcony. It is a toss up of 2 Studios vs 1 BR as they cost about the same amount of points. You get more beds with 2 studios--and bathroom (except at K). But, I would rather have a livingroom, dining table, larger patio and full kitchen and squeeze into 1BR with air mattress with my older kids. We did 2 studios once with my parents--we had the dining plan, so no need for kitchen--but our VWL studio rooms became just a place to sleep vs relaxing, socializing, etc. on vacation.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

at HHI, the 2BR (and I assume 1BR) have large balcony with picnic table. Studios have standard hotel-style balcony. It is a toss up of 2 Studios vs 1 BR as they cost about the same amount of points. You get more beds with 2 studios--and bathroom (except at K). But, I would rather have a livingroom, dining table, larger patio and full kitchen and squeeze into 1BR with air mattress with my older kids. We did 2 studios once with my parents--we had the dining plan, so no need for kitchen--but our VWL studio rooms became just a place to sleep vs relaxing, socializing, etc. on vacation.

I've read on here that the picnic tables on the HHI balcony are gone. They were replaced by a round table and 4 chairs.

You're right about the studios and 1 BRs costing about the same. That's why it's a harder decision. A larger living area would be nice for some. Usually my DH and I are the only ones inside and we are usually on the balcony. Our boys are outside fishing nonstop.

I asked my boys and they voted for 2 studios. I think they like the thought of having their own room. I actually like it too just because they stay out late and fish at the pier and sleep in late the next day which would mean my DH and I wouldn't be able to use the living room or kitchen at all in the mornings. We will try it next summer and see. If we don't like it we will try the 1 BR.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

My kids are the same age, DD is 18 and DS is 16. While we do occasionally "splurge" on a 2-BR, we have almost always gotten 1-BRs, we've never gotten a studio. We bring along an inflatable coleman or aerobed and the kids take turns sleeping on it (we do carry-ons only, and the bed takes up a little more than half of one roll-aboard). For us, DVC is all about "home" which means kitchen and washer/dryer. I wouldn't be willing to give up those conveniences. Can you try a 1-BR first?

What size bed? We have a queen air mattress but don't think it will fit in a I bedroom at BC or BW.

 

[CarolynK]

What size bed? We have a queen air mattress but don't think it will fit in a I bedroom at BC or BW.

We bring a twin, a queen will be pretty tight, if it fits at all.

 

[CarolynMink]

What size bed? We have a queen air mattress but don't think it will fit in a I bedroom at BC or BW.

We have a twin mattress as well. We keep the mattress bedding and pump in an Owners Locker. I have never had a problem having it fit in any room that we have been in.