How many switch from 2BDR to Studio?

[timkin]

How many switch to a studio from a 2 bedroom for the weekend to save the points? Let's use OKW for an example. I can stay 12 days for 260 vs. 328points if I switch to a studio for the weekend days. This is for the Adventure season but I'm sure it is similar for other seasons. How many do this? Is it worth the hassle? I'm still trying to decide if DVC is right for us, which resort to buy into, and how many points to get. We are used to staying at the value resorts which used to be fine because the kids were young, now that they are older and bigger a larger accomodation would be nice.

Another question while I'm at it. When we toured the models at I believe BWV they were all very nice. Do the units get updated or refreshed on a regular basis? Thanks.

 

[murcor]

it sounds good when you are crunching numbers . For us it would be too much of a hassle.

To pack your things up and check out by 11am, wait to check back in earliest in 4pm and do that again . I feel it wastes the entire check out day, check in day.

Maybe we just have too much stuff and no patience

 

[spiceycat]

generally go with a value resort for the weekends. you can generally find a discount (have an DVC AP).

and if I have to rent points to do it - I do that.

of course most of the time I go back home - just stay Sun-thurs (leaving on Friday).

this time I am staying offsite until Sunday.

 

[disneydiz]

We also go with a hotel room somewhere on property for a Friday or Sat. Every year we go Easter Week, and I refuse to use 75-points for a Friday or Sat. stay (1-bedroom, BWV).
This Easter we check in Sunday and check out on Friday (4/13), and then we are going to a Studio at SSR. I called MS and got a member's discount on the room ($269) -- otherwise, it would have been 39-points for a Studio at SSR!! I keep looking for AP discounts for that week, but they probably won't offer anything.

Yes, the units do get refreshed but nothing on a regular basis -- for BWV the sofa beds are brand new.

 

[Deb & Bill]

As long as you only have four in your group, you could switch to a studio (unless you got two studios). We purchased enough points to stay the entire time. Our time is too important to move and move again.

 

[castleri]

How many switch to a studio from a 2 bedroom for the weekend to save the points? Let's use OKW for an example. I can stay 12 days for 260 vs. 328points if I switch to a studio for the weekend days. This is for the Adventure season but I'm sure it is similar for other seasons. How many do this? Is it worth the hassle? I'm still trying to decide if DVC is right for us, which resort to buy into, and how many points to get. We are used to staying at the value resorts which used to be fine because the kids were young, now that they are older and bigger a larger accomodation would be nice.

Another question while I'm at it. When we toured the models at I believe BWV they were all very nice. Do the units get updated or refreshed on a regular basis? Thanks.

We not only switched resorts we stayed off site at Christmas for the weekend between Christmas and NY. I could have had a night at POP and then another at CSR for a total of $352 dollars. Got a plain old room down on route 192 for $122 total for the two nights. We started with 4 in our group at OKW from 12/24 to 12/29, my DD, her SO, DGD and me. DD and SO went home then just my DGD and I stayed at the offsite hotel on the weekend (she and I went to TL and shopping on the Saturday and checked into SSR early on Sunday) and on 12/31 my DH joined us at SSR for 4 nights. We did pack a separate bag each for the two nights so we didn't have to deal with the big luggage. I have not found it to be that much trouble to switch If I had used points for the weekend the last 4 nights of the trip would not have happened. We had a 10 night trip in Sept. 2006 a 2BR . Because my DH did not want to change at the weekend that trip to an offsite or value resort there are not enough points for this year to allow everyone to stay in a 2 BR so he and I will be in the studio at SSR and the rest will be staying at ASM. I don't feel guilty as they are our points and if the his DD who wanted to stay 10 nights last year had settled for 7 we could have done a 2BR this year for the 6 of us. We have stayed offsite on weekends to save points and planned any activities that were not Disney parks for those days such as US and the Disney waterparks. This of course requires that you have a car or are willing to rent one. We have rented cars either from Alamo or Dollar the last couple of trips for just a few days to do the things offsite and to get groceries. This past trip I rented one to go back to the airport because by the time I tipped all the people who would handle my bags at Disney and on ME and then I would have to get a cart to get through the airport it was almost the same amount of money and I could leave Disney later than taking ME..... especially at DVC resorts as only twice have I had lines at the check in desk. One was before we knew we could check in before 4 and obviiously a number of others thought they had to wait until 4 also. The second time was when hurricane Jeanne was on its way and they were moving people in from other resorts and FW. The line that day was around the lobby and almost out the door. It really all depends on your wilingness to give up a little time to do the check in days. If you had a lock off 2 BR and were lucky enough to keep the studio and get the same unit when you check back into the 2 BR it would be a piece of cake but the chance of that happening are very very small. If you need to store your luggage between changes it can also be a hassle waiting for bell services etc. If you can just leave it in your car then it is not so bad. There are many many things to consider and this is definitely a question that each person has to look at based on their group and how muuch time they are willing to give up from parks etc, One other thing we have done is plan on a changeover day as a "down" day using it to go to DTD and spend time at the pool, or going to other resorts to see what they are like. If you go with the switch from 2BR to srudio I would get up early and go try to check in and hope that there is a room available at that time or by 11am so everyting can just be moved rather than have to be stored and collected again later if you don't have a car.
You are wise to be asking these questions before you make a decision as to how many points you might need. Looking at all the possibilities gives you a better understanding of how to make your points go as far as you can. Be sure to look at the banking and borrowing options when you are doing this also. Good luck with whatever you decide - There is definitely no "one answer fits all" to this question.

 

[Muushka]

We are going to WDW for Christmas. We have a 1 BR at VWL for Dec 23 (low points) and Dec 24 (high points). Then we are switching to a studio for 2 more nights. This made sense for us because:

1. OK, I will admit it, we are frugal
2. We don't have kids so moving is no big deal for us. We will have just gotten off of a cruise, so our packing will be strange anyway. While at the 1BR we will get the laundry done and just pack an 'annex' bag for the last 2 nights and put everything back into the car.
3. By switching rooms we are able to have the DDP just for the 2 nights while at the studio. We plan on doing the CP so the DDP will save quite a bit of $$.
4. We actually enjoy changing rooms (although I admit I would prefer going from a studio to a 1 BR!).

Forgot to mention that we switched from a studio for 4 nights to a 1 BR for 4 nights 2 years ago to save points. We did the studio at BCV and the 1 BR at VWL. That was a great way to save points and get to experience 2 great resorts.