Going back to regular room after staying in a villa

[oceanmarina]

Hi all,

By some miracle I was able to convince DH to go back to Disney this August (even after out less than magical trip last summer). We compromised by cutting it down to 5 nights - one less than we usually stay. As the summer deal is not out yet (it's later than usual this year ), and the airfare prices are starting to creep up, I want to book something soon. I have enough American Airlines miles to book a 5 night stay and I won't have to pay for the lodging part of our trip. However in the resorts we wanted to stay in, only a regular/standard room is available with my miles. For the past 5 trips or so we have stayed in a 1 bedroom villa. I really like the washer drier in room, the extra room, the fridge to keep drinks/snacks in (we are a family of 4, the kids are 9 and 12 now, and we do spend a good amount of time in the room I would say).

Before we stayed in a villa, we always loved a standard room. DH says he could care less and might actually sleep better in a standard room (in the villa, the kids usually take over our king bed and DH sleeps on the queen foldout, which kills his back, so he's happy to get to sleep on a real mattress! )

So I'm wondering what people's thoughts are - does a standard room seem cramped after staying in a villa?

Thanks so much for any feedback, Marina

 

[cvjw]

It would be terribly hard to go back to a regular room after staying in dvc 1 and 2 bedroom villas for my family. My boys are older than yours, but we decided years ago that it wasn't a vacation if we were all in the same hotel room.

I have stayed in studios if it was just 2 people at Disney and I did really miss the washer/dryer, the kitchen and all the extra space.

But, if this is the only way you can get to Disney, I would choose it rather than staying home.

 

[siestakeys04]

I have never stayed in a villa but when our kids were 6/10 we stayed in a standard at wilderness lodge with bunk beds it didn't seem crowed to me. I am one who likes to keep things off the floor and dressers because I don't like clutter. I think you would be fine.

 

[NicoleLarson]

We are DVC but also stay in regular rooms sometimes. 1 bedrooms are very nice but we don't feel super cramped in regular rooms. The most cramped we've been is when we did a split stay 1 bedroom at BWV then we went to a bunk room at WL. That room felt tiny but I think it was just because we had come from such a large room. We just stayed at CSR and didn't feel cramped at all. You may want to Google magical deals and you might find a great deal on a deluxe room for your dates.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done both. If you are booking a deluxe resort, the rooms are pretty big! Though I too love the washer dryer, we're happy in a standard room too.

 

[beccasmom]

I would stay anywhere at Disney if the alternative was staying home. However, we are longtime DVC members and have been very spoiled. The deluxe resorts are very spacious and would be no problem. And the mods are fine as well. I really found the value resorts to be too small, although fine if you're basically touring all day anyway; if you like to hang in the room, not so much. How about a FW cabin?

 

[AngiTN]

It didn't for us. We didn't end up being huge fans of the Villa though. I prefer the regular rooms, though I can't quite put my finger on why.

 

[BK2014]

DW and I had this conversation as we have only ever stayed in a Studio, but are splurging on a one bedroom villa for our next trip. We were concerned that we might not be able to go back to a studio after staying in a one bedroom. But we both agreed that if a one bedroom is not an option for our next trip, then we wouldn't really be deciding on a studio instead of a one bedroom, we would be deciding on either going to WDW or staying home. Looking at it from that perspective should make the choice pretty easy.

 

[Trip planner]

I think if you are staying in a deluxe that has a couch and a balcony you will be fine. For a variety of reasons I had to travel a lot last summer with my family of four (to various cities including WDW). We only felt cramped in hotel rooms that were just beds with maybe a table and chairs because there was nowhere to lounge except the beds. Obviously the 1 bedroom suites are the best, but we also spent 7 nights at a standard at Poly and we were fine. I didn't do any laundry while I was there

 

[HairyChest]

I prefer standard rooms. I like being in the same room with the whole family instead of separate and I hate the pull out beds. 2 queens is bliss and special family time together instead of everyone in their own rooms

 

[Dug720]

It didn't for us. We didn't end up being huge fans of the Villa though. I prefer the regular rooms, though I can't quite put my finger on why.

Same for my family. Granted now that we are all adults we tend to get 2 rooms - but have done one if necessary. We also defy the "never go back to regular cruise cabins after Concierge" logic as we have had zero problems going to Ocean View and even Inside.

I guess we're just not fancy people.

 

[fla4fun]

I like the villas and the standard rooms. I do miss the washer/dryer when I'm not in a villa, and having a microwave is nice, but other than that I can do quite well in a standard room. But, then, I stay at all levels of Disney resort, from value, to mod, to deluxe/DVC, and have great vacations in all of them. So long as your expectations are in line with the resort type you have booked, you may not miss it as much as you think.