Going back to Studios after 1BR...

[Lorana]

In that way I always do where I second guess my decisions, my husband and I just recently purchased 2 Guaranteed Weeks at CCV for Weeks 47 and 48 in a Studio. While we don't expect to use them often in the next 4-5 years, after that our kids will both be in college, and we expect to do more "just us" trips to Disney -- not to mention that we're thinking ahead to when we retire and will want to spend that time in Disney!

But... since we discovered DVC, we have favored 1BR & 2BRs with our kids, and quite honestly haven't stayed in a Studio in a looooong time. We DID do a stay, just the two of us, in Port Orleans French Quarter last year, and we enjoyed it as it was just the two of us, which made me figure that a studio would be fine with just the two of us once we aren't traveling with the kids.

However... for those of you who did stay in 1BR and downsized to Studios, were you ever truly happy with just staying in a Studio?? I am wondering if we should have done 1 GW in a 1BR instead, lol. I figure when we eventually add on, we can always switch to a 1 BR if they are available, but I was also thinking that when we get towards retirement, we would also rather stretch our points/stays by staying in Studios over 1 BRs given that 1 BRs are SO MANY MORE POINTS. How hard is it to go back and downsize? I feel like we've been utterly spoiled by staying in 1BRs all these years!!

 

[drusba]

There are varying views. For many, going back to a studio is OK, for others, once they stay in a 1BR or larger, they can never go back. We are mostly in that second group; we like space and having a w/d and kitchen.

In any event, you should be aware of a particular issue. When going at an age when your kids are still kids, you think eventually it will just be the two of you and thus a studio should be no problem. We though that years ago but our experience has demonstrated otherwise, as now that we are older those trips alone seldom exist --- instead, we are still going with the kids and now grand kids, and sometimes just the grand kids.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Another in the second group-"once you go from a studio to a 1 BR, you can never go back". One stay we were short on points, so although we always stay in a 1 BR, we chose a studio. Well, unfortunately I spent the entire trip missing my 1 BR, and generally being impossible about it.

 

[Lorana]

This is not easing my "maybe I made the wrong choice," lol, because I *do* like the jetted tubs, full kitchen, w/d, and extra space. Well, I can hope then that we can get enough points over time to make it so that we can up to a 1 BR if it's available; at least we'll always have the studio if we want it.

 

[JETSDAD]

Our first couple of trips as owners were in 1BR units because we had a bunch of banked points to use quickly. Since then we've done mostly studios and still enjoy them. Unless things change we'll happily stay in studios, maybe mixing in the odd value 1 BR at AKV from time to time.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

The only time we stayed in a 1-BR was with two young kids. The next trip, we did a 2-BR, and that's what we've done ever since when traveling with our children (who are now adults). When it's just the two of us, we book studios. So we go from 2-BRs to studios with no problem. Now, we've never done a 1-BR just the two of us, but I would rather stay longer in a studio than have a shorter trip in a 1-BR. Plus I don't really care for the kitchen, jetted tub, and w/d anyway.

 

[Aussie RJ]

I’ve got to be honest, after one and two bedroom stays, a small CCV studio scares the socks off me!

 

[Bellecruiser]

I don’t think I could go back to a studio. We really love the king size bed.

 

[Livelovedance]

I love the space and “home” feeling of a 1 BR, but have no problem downgrading to a studio. As you said, 1 BR means a lot more points, and if I can use those points to book more trips, the studio wins!

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

For a short trip a studio is fine for me and my husband. When I go with my sister & niece for 5 nights I like a one bedroom. Little bit extra space and like having the W/D. I’ll throw the towels in the washer bef we leave for the parks and switch them to the dryer when we get back. I also like being able to pack just a carry on with having the W/D available in the room

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

This is not easing my "maybe I made the wrong choice," lol, because I *do* like the jetted tubs, full kitchen, w/d, and extra space. Well, I can hope then that we can get enough points over time to make it so that we can up to a 1 BR if it's available; at least we'll always have the studio if we want it.

That's a good way to think about it - you have a sure thing studio and can possibly upgrade. Though if you're still in your window for change, you could...

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I don’t think I could go back to a studio. We really love the king size bed.

I love how everyone is different. That’s why the OP needs to figure out what he/she loves. For us we really don’t like the king size bed at all. We have a queen at home, and we feel like we aren’t even in the same room when we sleep in a king.

 

[LilyJC]

I love how everyone is different. That’s why the OP needs to figure out what he/she loves. For us we really don’t like the king size bed at all. We have a queen at home, and we feel like we aren’t even in the same room when we sleep in a king.

We feel the same way! For the first 10 years of our marriage we had a full sized. At times we slept in one twin when placed in a room with two twins. Going up to a queen was strange and quite the adjustment. King is not our preference.

That said, it depends for us which resort we’re visiting. Hubby demands a 1 bedroom for family trips to Aulani as it’s a different type of vacation. The 1 bedroom at VGC is my favorite, but we pretty much always stay in a studio to save points and as it’s always a short stay. I prefer the studio at BCV as the kids have their own sleeping space. It really comes down to personal preference, number of family members on the trip, and vacation style for the particular trip.

 

[Lorana]

I honestly think I’ll be fine. I’ll miss the flexibility of cooking with a full kitchen. I was thinking back and realizing that while I’d prefer a 1BR, I’m just always happy to be there, and have even enjoyed stays in the All Stars (mostly because my kiddos loved them when little). It’s my hubby that I think will have the hardest adjustment, as I realize he’s always the one grumbling when we “downgrade.” I can’t afford 2 GWs in a 1BR, and I think I’d rather have those two weeks guaranteed and chance getting a 1BR than to be stuck only choosing one of those two weeks.

 

[DVCsloth]

We alternate between 1 bedrooms and Studios. There are only 3 of us, 2 adults 1 Eight year old. We have 4 nights coming up towards the end of the month in a studio. Then our September trip is 7 nights, 1st 3 nights in a studio then 4 nights in a 1 bedroom same resort. I'm just happy to be able to stay at the resort and be able to spend time at Disney. The 1 bedroom is pretty amazing, have only done this at GFV but our upcoming trips are going to be at CCV and the Studios are on the small side. I think having those guaranteed weeks will be pretty awesome that time of year. We pack light in the studio stays and pack as much away as possible, it's always a great time!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have had more one bedroom stays, but next year so far I have booked 10 days in a studio, 5 at BCV, 5 in HH. We hope to book Aulani at 7 months, and want a one bedroom there as my sister will be joining us, and I am concerned about the restrictions to borrowing from 2022 into 2021. So, I want to use as few points on my other stays as I can.

 

[acebatonfan]

This upcoming trip is going to be a 1 bedroom since I hadn't used any of the welcome home points last year and am bringing family along. I'm seriously going to miss my tiny galley mini kitchen and sliding bathroom door in the studios. I don't know what I'd do with all the space of a 1-bedroom if I was going on a 1-2 person trip, especially if I am on the DDP.

 

[dominickolas]

Maybe this is just me, but as I get older, I need to control my diet more tightly. I know the food at Disney is a big part of your vacation, but I think missing the ability to cook at your unit as often as you want would be important. That is much more important than the space or size of the bed.

 

[RoseGold]

I don't really cook, and never do a trip that long, so a studio is fine with me. I love the Poly studios.

 

[Lorana]

Maybe this is just me, but as I get older, I need to control my diet more tightly. I know the food at Disney is a big part of your vacation, but I think missing the ability to cook at your unit as often as you want would be important. That is much more important than the space or size of the bed.

That is admittedly part of my concern. DH is diabetic, and I have IBS, and much as we love dining at Disney, we like being able to keep costs down by making our own meals, but also save on expenses by doing so as well. I keep looking at the kitchenettes and wondering how hard (or easy!) it might be to prepare meals with only a microwave, toaster, and mini fridge.