Help choosing room from those more knowledgeable about such things, please.

[Shaft41]

We are a veteran Disney family, but, since we are a family of 7 with 5 kids, our stays on property have been limited to POR, Cabins at FW, and Pop. The last two trips we've made we stayed off property, since we needed more space as the kids got older, as well as budgetary considerations, since my wife and I are both teachers and don't make bank.

For my youngest's graduation trip next summer, she, naturally, wants to go back to WDW for the first time since 2021. We have the opportunity to rent DVC points from a family friend, and, with this savings, we are looking to go back on property, and maybe stay in a deluxe resort we never could afford otherwise, as she is giving us a good deal on renting the points. We started looking at our options after she told us what seemed to be available, but I would love feedback from people who have actually stayed there.

It looks like only 3 of our kids will go with us next summer, so there will be 5 of us. My daughters are 22 and 17 and son is 20, so full-grown. We were looking at studio rooms at BW, BC, WL, GF and Riviera. 1-bedrooms at places like AKL, SS, and OKW would give us a little more space and a kitchen, but the sleeping arrangements don't seem a ton better with only one "real" bed and a sofa bad and sleeper chair, so I'm not sure it's worth the extra money, since we will be spending little time in the rooms other than to sleep.

I assume my son, who's 6'4" like I am, would not fit on the pull-down twin bed in a studio, as I'm guessing it's shorter than it even looks in pictures. One of my daughters probably could. My kids probably wouldn't love the idea of all sleeping in the same room, in case of parental snoring, but they might be willing to suck it up to stay in a deluxe. We liked that it appeared the studios at GF and Riviera had two showers, while the other studios seemed to have one. The Riviera being on the Skyliner seems solid, but the GF being so close to MK is a plus as well.

Any advice for first-time DVC point renters new to the world of Deluxeness? Unfortunately, going up to a 2-bedroom is going to be out of our price range, so that's not an option. Thanks!

 

[tinkerjo]

We just stayed in a studio at SS and the pull down bed is short! My daughter slept on it and is 5’5” on a good day. It was perfect for her but my 6’3” boys could have not fit. We did stay in a 2 bedroom at copper creek and I will say my son slept on the sleeper couch ok. Wasn’t super comfy, but he fit.

 

[Babsy]

The Epcot resort area is great for teens. So a studio at the BW (studio 412 sq ft) or BC (studio 356 sq ft) would be first choice if the sleeping arrangements will work for you. Personally, however, a studio would be a little too 'cozy' for me and my family with 5 adults. BUT: You can walk to both DHS and Epcot. You also have easy access to the Skyliner to go to other resorts. And the Boardwalk area can be fun. If staying at the BC, you will all love Stormalong Bay in the summer! Also, I'm not sure, but occupancy limits on some studios may be 4 adults?
OTOH
Have you considered a two bedroom at OKW? The number of points needed is different at different resorts and the OKW is often cheaper than most of the others. A two bedroom at OKW will give you three real beds and a LOT of space for everyone to spread out. You will have 2 separate bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, a full kitchen for meals and your own laundry facilities. Plus you are next door to Disney Springs. 2 bedroom square footage is 1333 sq ft! I have lived in smaller houses. A king bed in one bedroom, two queen beds in another bedroom and a pull out sofa in the Living room! Huge balcony with full table and chairs.

If doing the one bedroom, I would choose between OKW (942 sq ft) for larger space or AKL (710 sq ft Jambo, 807 sq ft Kidani) for fantastic theming. I would eliminate SSR.

It all depends upon what your priorities are and how well you tolerate being in a fairly small space together. If location is most important, BW or BC. If comfort sleeping and space to spread out is important OKW , (even if you had to drop a day to do it). If some extra space will help, theming is important and proximity to the parks doesn't matter, then a one bedroom at AKL would probably be my choice.

 

[Shaft41]

We just stayed in a studio at SS and the pull down bed is short! My daughter slept on it and is 5’5” on a good day. It was perfect for her but my 6’3” boys could have not fit. We did stay in a 2 bedroom at copper creek and I will say my son slept on the sleeper couch ok. Wasn’t super comfy, but he fit.

Good to know, thank you. My 5'6" oldest daughter would probably have to take that one then.

 

[Shaft41]

The Epcot resort area is great for teens. So a studio at the BW or BC would be first choice if the sleeping arrangements will work for you. You can walk to both DHS and Epcot. You also have easy access to the Skyliner to go to other resorts. And the Boardwalk area can be fun too. If staying at the BC, you will all love Stormalong Bay in the summer!
OTOH
Have you considered a two bedroom at OKW? The number of points needed is different at different resorts and the OKW is often cheaper than most of the others. A two bedroom at OKW will give you three real beds and a LOT of space for everyone to spread out. You will have separate bedrooms and bathrooms, a full kitchen for meals and your own laundry facilities. Plus you are next door to Disney Springs. It all depends upon what your priorities are and how well you tolerate being in a fairly small space together.

Thanks for your reply. My oldest really would love to stay at BW, as she loves the area from exploring while staying elsewhere. I did see where Stormalong Bay is supposed to closed from January-June, and we are planning on going right when school gets out at the beginning of June.

I didn't get a quote on points for a 2 BR at OKW, but the points needed for a 1 BR at OKW came out to more than $150/night more than a studio at BW, BC or WL. But it's something to check into.

 

[Babsy]

Thanks for your reply. My oldest really would love to stay at BW, as she loves the area from exploring while staying elsewhere. I did see where Stormalong Bay is supposed to closed from January-June, and we are planning on going right when school gets out at the beginning of June.

I didn't get a quote on points for a 2 BR at OKW, but the points needed for a 1 BR at OKW came out to more than $150/night more than a studio at BW, BC or WL. But it's something to check into.

FYI: Make sure that you check on the occupancy limits. You may not be all be able to stay in some of those studios.

 

[lanejudy]

My oldest really would love to stay at BW, as she loves the area from exploring while staying elsewhere. I did see where Stormalong Bay is supposed to closed from January-June

Note that Stormalong Bay is the pool area for the Beach and Yacht Clubs, not for Boardwalk. Boardwalk has it's own pool and does not have access to Storamalong Bay.

 

[Mle8308]

Don't do the WL studio for 5. I love BRV, but the studio is one of the smallest of the DVC studios and for 5 adults I don't think it would work. The Polynesian has large studios and two showers, not sure of that is available. They are the largest of the DVC studios and a great location. If all else fails, you can do a 1BR and arrange to have an air mattress shipped to the resort.

 

[Shaft41]

Note that Stormalong Bay is the pool area for the Beach and Yacht Clubs, not for Boardwalk. Boardwalk has it's own pool and does not have access to Storamalong Bay.

Yes, you're right. I meant to say Beach Club, not Boardwalk. Thank you.

 

[Shaft41]

Don't do the WL studio for 5. I love BRV, but the studio is one of the smallest of the DVC studios and for 5 adults I don't think it would work. The Polynesian has large studios and two showers, not sure of that is available. They are the largest of the DVC studios and a great location. If all else fails, you can do a 1BR and arrange to have an air mattress shipped to the resort.

Good to know. My wife wasn't enamored of the theming when she looked at the Poly studios, but this is a plus for sure.

 

[Mle8308]

Good to know. My wife wasn't enamored of the theming when she looked at the Poly studios, but this is a plus for sure.

I just stayed in one about 2 weeks ago and I loved it (I didn't expect to). The location was great, you can boat or monorail to the MK, walk to the TTC for the monorail to Epcot (it's faster than boarding the monorail at the Poly and going all the way around to the TTC). It shares busses at times with the GF, but it's the first stop to pick up and drop off. And a decent amount of food options, and if you want a change, take the monorail to a different resort! The only problem might be drawer space. There is no dresser, the drawers are under the queen bed and it's not a lot of space if you don't pack light. There is some drawer space in the bathrooms, that is the only negative I had. Sleeping surfaces are a queen bed, a queen Murphy bed, and the small drop down twin.

 

[meekey7197]

The sofa beds in the AKV one bedrooms are awful. It’s set for a refurb in 2025 so hopefully they will remedy that.

Saratoga Springs 1 bedroom will at least give you real beds for 5 but someone is going to have to share.

Where does the person you are renting from own? If you can get a Boardwalk 1 bedroom standard that could work. It’s the same amount of points at AK and OKW 1 bedrooms. You would have to bring an air mattress or cot for the 5th person though.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I would not put 5 adults in a studio with only one bathroom. I would lean toward a 1BR at AKV-Kidani just to get the second bathroom. Yes, those pull out sofas can be rough sleeping but young people seem to be able to handle them better. And egg crate mattress topper can help tremendously. You would also have the benefit of a full kitchen, which makes getting breakfast quickly helpful and you would have a freezer to freeze water bottles.

 

[Counting Stars]

I would not put 5 adults in a studio with only one bathroom

Absolutely this- Nor would I recommend the size of a studio for five adults. Just too close for five grown folk. Unless you are getting a super deal on the points, and you love that Disney skin to skin experience, I would suggest a return to two rooms at Pop, skyline access and available food court. The deluxes are wonderful without a doubt, but keeping your family comfortable can make or break a vacation. Ask me how I know

 

[gottalovepluto]

Re-think this entire situation. Let go of the idea Deluxe is better, if you aren’t spending resort time it really isn’t.

Price out 2 rooms at Swolphin if you’re driving towards Deluxe. The girls can share a bed but the boy absolutely needs his own at that age or else this trip is gonna be dredged up in therapy down the road. Also, price out 2 rooms at Pop or CBR, you still get the Skyliner but at a discount. Bonus two full bathrooms + privacy from parents snoring can be the difference between a nice trip and an I can’t wait to get home trip.

Only experience I have among your suggested rooms is RIV studio which is too tight for 4 adults, much less 5. It has a surprisingly tiny footprint outside of the bathroom.

 

[esss36]

If you are considering 1 bedrooms, then you can get 2 studios at the cheaper DVC resorts.

Looking at the info you gave, they are calculating about $15/point which is a great deal (during the summer, BC/BW/BRV studios are 16 points weekdays, whereas OKW 1 bedroom is 26 points).

2x studios that are cheaper than that 1 bedroom (weekdays) and give you a lot more beds:

OKW = 22 points
BW standard = 24 points, but hard to get
SSR and AKL = 28 points (I love AKL but not sure about the sofa beds)

(I pulled the points off of dvcfan, so you may want to poke around for other options - not sure if I can link, but easy to google for 2025 dvc points chart)

 

[Anthony1971]

As some above. Your options for 5 adults will be a bit rough.
I would get 2 studios - same cost as 1BR points wise.
1 BR at Kidani ONLY has a 2nd bathroom as well as enough real sleeping surfaces -Both OKW and Kidani have a sleeper chair - (resorts you listed)
2BR at OKW the points are lower and you will have plenty of space.
with the 1 or 2 BR you will have a full kitchen and washer and dryer.
note the studios will not be connected but they should accommodate near each other.
If you choose a studio POLY DVC will be the best as it has 2 showers. The pull down bed under the TVS can fit an adult I have laid on them 6'4 NO but a normal 5 10 rang adult... I will not say there a lot of wiggle room as it will not but it can be done....
The GF Resort studios have 2 real queen beds and a real day bed which may be better sleeping arrangements. I did not lay on the day bed but it was easily as big as the pull downs maybe bigger and will have more wiggle room as it is not under the TV.

I would strongly suggest you go over to the DVC boards for better info...

 

[Shaft41]

The sofa beds in the AKV one bedrooms are awful. It’s set for a refurb in 2025 so hopefully they will remedy that.

Saratoga Springs 1 bedroom will at least give you real beds for 5 but someone is going to have to share.

Where does the person you are renting from own? If you can get a Boardwalk 1 bedroom standard that could work. It’s the same amount of points at AK and OKW 1 bedrooms. You would have to bring an air mattress or cot for the 5th person though.

I believe OKW.

 

[Shaft41]

Absolutely this- Nor would I recommend the size of a studio for five adults. Just too close for five grown folk. Unless you are getting a super deal on the points, and you love that Disney skin to skin experience, I would suggest a return to two rooms at Pop, skyline access and available food court. The deluxes are wonderful without a doubt, but keeping your family comfortable can make or break a vacation. Ask me how I know

Yes, we will talk about this. That's why if we were going to do it, we liked much better the idea of a studio with two showers, at the very least.

 

[Shaft41]

Re-think this entire situation. Let go of the idea Deluxe is better, if you aren’t spending resort time it really isn’t.

Price out 2 rooms at Swolphin if you’re driving towards Deluxe. The girls can share a bed but the boy absolutely needs his own at that age or else this trip is gonna be dredged up in therapy down the road. Also, price out 2 rooms at Pop or CBR, you still get the Skyliner but at a discount. Bonus two full bathrooms + privacy from parents snoring can be the difference between a nice trip and an I can’t wait to get home trip.

Only experience I have among your suggested rooms is RIV studio which is too tight for 4 adults, much less 5. It has a surprisingly tiny footprint outside of the bathroom.

This is literally the first time in 15 trips I've even remotely considered a deluxe, and I wouldn't be this time normally, but when I see where I can potentially get a studio at BW/BC/WL for about $40 more a night than ONE room at All-Star and cheaper than a room at POP, I'm giving it a look. We may ultimately decide we can't do it because we want more space, but the price is sure appealing.