How many solo DVC'ers book 1 br?

[Donald is #1]

Now that I have taken my first DVC vacation, I am getting very corrupted! When I first purchased DVC in May, my plan was to purchase enough points for 8-10 days in a studio and then add-on over the next 3-4 years to have enough points for a 1 bedroom. Well, then the double developer's point incentive came out. So I added on my next 2 years worth of add-ons just 1 month after my initial purchase. I am now 2/3 of the way there to having enough points for a 1 bedroom for 8-10 days.

In October, my sisters and I had a 2 bedroom at OKW for the three of us and I am really spoiled! I really like the idea of having a separate living space from the bedroom. So, I am starting to think about doing my next add-on sooner rather than later.

OK, so where am I going with this? Well, probably at least 1/2 if not 3/4 of my trips will be solo. Have I really gone off the deep end? What do you other solo DVC travelers do?

 

[DVCLiz]

If I have enough points I always book a 1 BR. That's what makes it such a nice solo vacation for me. I can read, do needlework, watch TV, etc. in the living room without feeling like I am sitting by myself in a hotel room somewhere strange. It really does make it feel like home!!

The two benefits I enjoy most are the washer/dryer and the big tub. I pack very light for a solo trip if I have a 1 BR because I know I can do a load of laundry every night if I want to. And I LOVE the tub!!!

My last solo trip was for 6 nightas - a last minute trip. I only had enough points for 3 nights in a studio, so I used them this way - first night, studio on points at BCV, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th nights - 1 BR at OKW on member's cash discount, 5th and 6th nights - studio at SSR.

I loved having the 1 BR stay in the middle of that trip, because it was time to relax a little and do some laundry.

I'll always book a 1 BR if I can!!!

 

[eporter66]

I dont see it as a waste of points, I love the comfort and space a 1 bedroom provides.

 

[MdmMim]

I stay in a studio. I'd rather have a loooong trip in the winter, with a few shorter ones during the year than a 1 bedroom. I don't cook at home, I don't like jacuzzis--but I do miss the washer/dryer, but not enough to book a larger room.

For those who do book a 1 bedroom for a solo trip, I don't see it as a waste of points. If you enjoy a larger room, why not go for it? To each their own!

 

[jarestel]

If I were traveling solo (which I haven't done) I'd probably go for the studio. I wouldn't be cooking for myself so the kitchen would be useless. Probably wouldn't even do laundry for just one so the W/D wouldn't get any use either. So the value in a 1-BR for just myself would be pretty much non-existent, but if one were cooking and laundering the 1-BR would hold a bit more allure I'm sure.

 

[DVCLiz]

Hey, who said anything about cooking? You'll notice on my list of reasons the full kitchen is conspicuously absent!! No cooking for this girl on vacation...I do like the full refrigerator and the good freezer, though. I can buy some Mickey bars and keep them nicely frozen for a midnight treat...

 

[Simba's Mom]

I travel solo several times a year, usually and I always book a studio. I don't know how many other solo travelers are married, but I want to leave plenty of points for when DH and I both go and get a 1 BR.

 

[Donald is #1]

Everyone so far, thanks for your opinions! It is very interesting to watch how the poll is coming out.

My thoughts for moving up to a 1 BR.

1) More space so that I can spread all of my stuff out more!
2) Having a separate living space from the bedroom
3) Having a washer & dryer in the room so that I can take less clothes on my longer trip (8-10 days)
4) The jetted tub

Of course I also understand all of the reasons for staying in a studio. Especially since normally when I travel I get jsut a regular ordinary hotel room.

Please keep the opinions coming!

 

[Kathi OD]

I've never travelled solo, but I do know that I will never stay in a studio again if there is a way to get a 1 BR. The studio feels like a hotel room...the 1 BR like home and that's what DVC is supposed to be, right?

 

[mjy]

There are a few reasons why I almost always book a one bedroom instead of a studio. (Most often, by the way, I book at my home resort: BWV.)

1. I do not always go to the parks. Many times, I enjoy the resort. To that end, I really enjoy a separate living room and bedroom.
2. I like the washer and dryer. I typically do my laundry the last night so that I do not have to worry about it when I get home.
3. I hate tubs. I haven't taken a bath since I was two. (Yes, I wash! ) However, I like taking showers. And when I take showers, I do not like stepping up and in as well as up and out of bathtubs as well as having the curtains try to wrap around me. To that end, I truly prefer the one bedroom because I have a great stand-alone shower! (This would have to be my number one reason for opting for a one bedroom.)
4. Finally, I like the one bedroom because it accommodates a last minute guest. There have been times in the past that I planned on going alone only to find that a friend had vacation time coming at the same time as mine. So we go together and this way, with the sleeper couch in the living room, each of us have a separate room and bed in which to sleep.

So, those are my top reasons for preferring a one bedroom over a studio. Others' reasons may vary.

 

[gjw007]

I bought enough points to stay for a week in a 1-bedroom. I figure that I save some money by cooking instead of heading to eat out every meal plus I enjoy the space. I hate staying hotel-size (studio) rooms. I might be spoiled because I have other timeshares and have spent the better part of the last 12 or 13 years staying in 2- and 3-bedroom units even when it was just myself.

MJY's points also apply as I like the washer/dryer and I don't feel the need to get up to be there when the parks/activities open nor stay there until they boot me out of the place. I do like the whirlpool tubs rather than showers.

 

[helenabear]

I hope this will make sense....

but as a solo traveler I was leaving behind family. So to use all of our points on a trip just for me seemed like such a waste of points. My DH and I, however, prefer getting a 1 bedroom so unless we want to conserve for one year we go that route. I do like the space, but when I am alone and have my hubby back at home, I felt guilty to use them all.

Now if it were me and always just me, it would be a different story. The whirlpool tub is nice

 

[DebbieB]

When my mom was alive, I always booked a 1 bedroom. We loved all the extra room, she used to call it our "apartment". I did a solo trip in April, I had a studio but I missed the 1 bedroom. I'll have extra points next year, I may book a 1 bedroom for food & wine.

 

[Terpy]

I own a couple of two-bedroom, two bathroom timeshares off-site. I was lucky enough to exchange into an HGVC three-bedroom for my upcoming trip next October for Halloween Horror Nights.

I almost always travel solo as I get over five weeks vacation a year. I love staying for a week on-site, so I "settle" for the one bedroom. I'd love to try a two-bedroom, but the stay would be too short.

I enjoy making breakfast and having coffee in the morning. The Disney portions are sooooooo huge, I need the refrigerator and microwave for my leftovers. I also love the washer and dryer which allows me to pack half the clothes that I normally would, as I usually do a small load every evening or first thing in the morning.

I've never stayed at DVC in anything other than a one-bedroom.