I really really want a 2 bedroom

[rentayenta]

Only you know your family, so ask yourself: Will the kids be okay sharing a room for 10 days? Will your family spend hours in the living room and miss having a separate room from the living room for naps or privacy for the kids?

If you have stayed in a regular hotel room for 10 days before as a family why wouldn't a 1 BR villa work?

There's the voice of reason! There's my struggle.

We don't spend hours and hours in our villa but this trip will be way less commando than previously, 4 non-park days is totally unnatural for me but I am trying to embrace the DVC way of vacationing. DH only agreed to a trip this long for the third time because I promised it would be more laid back and we'd have some decent down/resort/golf/spa/swim time.

We did spend 10 days at the POR in 2007 but this trip will be 4 years later and although my kids grow slowly- they do grow.

They don't nap so much anymore though by teenage daughter is starting too again, damn hormones, but we do like a little quiet time. I like having a common non-sleep area but it's not a trip breaker. See my predicament?

 

[rentayenta]

I should warn you though once you get used to it you will have a hard time ever going back. It is so sad too when they run out of regular cars and upgrade you to a limo for the same price... so very sad.

We even hired a car to drive us from WDW to DCL.

I love it!

 

[liznboys]

I would get the 2br for sure with 3 kids the ages of yours. It will feel so much better in the room.

... DH only agreed to a trip this long for the third time because I promised it would be more laid back and we'd have some decent down/resort.golf/spa/swim time. ...

Oh you should definitely get the 2br then. You need to keep your dh happy with these trips!

Also, wanted to mention that we are going this Christmas and got BLT at 7 months (a 2br lake view) for Dec. 21-26.

 

[rentayenta]

I would get the 2br for sure with 3 kids the ages of yours. It will feel so much better in the room.


Oh you should definitely get the 2br then. You need to keep your dh happy with these trips!

I know, right? It's like I would be doing it for the greater good. DH does need to be kept happy. I know we could survive a one bedroom- it's Disney afterall but it seems counter-productive not to take advantage of one of the reasons we bought DVC to begin with: to be comfortable in beautiful surroundings.

Also, wanted to mention that we are going this Christmas and got BLT at 7 months (a 2br lake view) for Dec. 21-26.

Yay you! The holidays are the best time to be at Disney!!! Are you bringing or getting a tree? Stockings? Gimme the details....I love that lake view too!

 

[liznboys]

I know, right? It's like I would be doing it for the greater good. DH does need to be kept happy. I know we could survive a one bedroom- it's Disney afterall but it seems counter-productive not to take advantage of one of the reasons we bought DVC to begin with: to be comfortable in beautiful surroundings.

Yep!!

Yay you! The holidays are the best time to be at Disney!!! Are you bringing or getting a tree? Stockings? Gimme the details....I love that lake view too!

We went for Christmas 2008 so this'll be our 2nd Christmas in WDW. It was one of our most magical trips. We take a 6 foot skinny tree, easy to pack ornaments (Disney ones, of course), tree lights, stockings, window clings (that also stick on mirrors) another tiny tree for the kitchen countertop, prelit garland for the balcony (battery operated) and a few other decorations. Sounds like a lot but it was easily packed and fit in our van.

Anyway, maybe you'll be able to get BLT for your Christmas trip next year too. Maybe you'll have an even better chance since you won't be going for the actual holiday.

 

[rentayenta]

Yep!!



We went for Christmas 2008 so this'll be our 2nd Christmas in WDW. It was one of our most magical trips. We take a 6 foot skinny tree, easy to pack ornaments (Disney ones, of course), tree lights, stockings, window clings (that also stick on mirrors) another tiny tree for the kitchen countertop, prelit garland for the balcony (battery operated) and a few other decorations. Sounds like a lot but it was easily packed and fit in our van.

Anyway, maybe you'll be able to get BLT for your Christmas trip next year too. Maybe you'll have an even better chance since you won't be going for the actual holiday.

Sounds like pure magic! I would love to see your villa all decorated if you care to share some pictures! Disney is pure magic for sure during the holidays. Does Main St in MK at WDW do the *snow* too?

We went to Disneyland for Christmas in 2005- it was a gift from Santa. We ordered a tree from Vacation Planning. We also smuggled in to bell services the kids stockings and gifts- it was amazing!

Originally our dates were Dec 18-28 but I think that diminsihes the whole laid back feel as we are doing 2 days on and then one day off. I wanted to do all of the park days prior to Christmas because of the crowd levels. Crowds don't bother me but DH isn't a fan. Hanukkah in 2011 begins on 12/20 and my middle DD's bday is 12/21 so I wanted to make sure we were there for both those nights. Because Santa still visits, it would have been nice to be there Christmas Eve/Day too and of course all 8 nights of Hanukkah.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It's like the the recent thread, more trips/longer stays or less trips/more comfortable stays, for 10 days I vote "be more comfortable, get a 2br".

Personally, I want everyone to have their own comfortable space and I'm not giving up the master so it's always a 2 bedroom for the 4 of us( DS(13) & his BF(13) and my BFF). Our travel patterns, living in Florida, are different (been to Disney 50+ in my lifetime) so no more commando days. We really enjoy the resorts, we still go to the theme parks but we just do what we like. DVC makes it easy to have more family quality time together in a really nice & relaxing, comfortable setting!

 

[KiminChicago]

When we first bought DVC we booked a two bedroom villa at HHI because we thought that my in-laws were coming with us. Then DMIL got sick and so we ended up with 4 of us (me, DH, DS and DD) in the villa. Well, DS and DD were so spoiled what with each of them having their own (larger than their usual twin) beds and having their own bathroom that now they don't want us to ever get anything smaller than the two bedroom!

We're planning another stay at HHI next year and they've already said they wanted a two bedroom. I asked if they wouldn't mind sharing beds with DH and me and asking the grandparents to come along and I was really surprised when they said no. I also suggested that they could sleep on the sofa bed but even that wasn't an option. DVC has definitely spoiled us for any regular sort of hotel room!

 

[spiceycat]

We're planning another stay at HHI next year and they've already said they wanted a two bedroom. I asked if they wouldn't mind sharing beds with DH and me and asking the grandparents to come along and I was really surprised when they said no. I also suggested that they could sleep on the sofa bed but even that wasn't an option. DVC has definitely spoiled us for any regular sort of hotel room!

well you could leave them at home with a babysitter and make sure their friends knows you had to hire a babysitter because they were so unreasonable.

 

[edk35]

When we first bought DVC we booked a two bedroom villa at HHI because we thought that my in-laws were coming with us. Then DMIL got sick and so we ended up with 4 of us (me, DH, DS and DD) in the villa. Well, DS and DD were so spoiled what with each of them having their own (larger than their usual twin) beds and having their own bathroom that now they don't want us to ever get anything smaller than the two bedroom!

We're planning another stay at HHI next year and they've already said they wanted a two bedroom. I asked if they wouldn't mind sharing beds with DH and me and asking the grandparents to come along and I was really surprised when they said no. I also suggested that they could sleep on the sofa bed but even that wasn't an option. DVC has definitely spoiled us for any regular sort of hotel room!

Yep I agree. We experienced 1 bedroom for one night....and we know now that we are SPOILED for a 2 br. I also think that when we go ONE day without kids that dh and I will get a 1br. over a studio too.

 

[Sunshine22]

After staying in a 2 bedroom at BLT over Spring Break, my 2 DDs have begged me to always book them. It was great having a bathroom for each daughter and one for us. We were out the door much quicker too--lots of primping for teens!

 

[jerseygal]

We "splurged" on our points...

Did 3 Nights Kidani, 2 BR, 4 Nights Vero 2 BR!!!!!!!

HAVE 2 "OLDER" SONS, ONE 15 YEAR OLD, ONE 23....

THATS WHY WE BOUGHT DVC! WE BECAME TOO "OLD" FOR THE 1 HOTEL SHARING ROOM SCENE...2 YEARS AGO HAD A LOVELY VACA AT THE BEACH CLUB RESORT, BUT ALL SHARED 1 ROOM!

FINALLY DECIDED, WE WERE PAST THE "LETS ALL SHARE A HOTEL ROOM WITH 4 ADULTS:...ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE BEACH CLUB RESORT, LOVED LOVED SAB, BUT THATS WHEN WE DID OUR TOUR OF KIDANI SUMMER 2008!

LOVE LOVE MY DVC! SUMMER, 2009 2 ADJOINING ROOMS ON MATCHING FREE POINTS AT THE GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL IN DISNEYLAND FOR 4 NIGHTS!
WOW, COMPLETELY AWESOME!

AT A CERTAIN STAGE OF LIFE, YOU REALIZE WITH "OLDER CHILDREN"...DVC MAKES GREAT GREAT SENSE! AT THAT POINT WHEN WE PURCHASED,
ONE SON WAS 21 AND YOUNGER SON WAS 13! WE KNEW WE OUTGREW THE 1 HOTEL ROOM SCENE!

 

[edk35]

We "splurged" on our points...

Did 3 Nights Kidani, 2 BR, 4 Nights Vero 2 BR!!!!!!!

HAVE 2 "OLDER" SONS, ONE 15 YEAR OLD, ONE 23....

THATS WHY WE BOUGHT DVC! WE BECAME TOO "OLD" FOR THE 1 HOTEL SHARING ROOM SCENE...2 YEARS AGO HAD A LOVELY VACA AT THE BEACH CLUB RESORT, BUT ALL SHARED 1 ROOM!

FINALLY DECIDED, WE WERE PAST THE "LETS ALL SHARE A HOTEL ROOM WITH 4 ADULTS:...ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE BEACH CLUB RESORT, LOVED LOVED SAB, BUT THATS WHEN WE DID OUR TOUR OF KIDANI SUMMER 2008!

LOVE LOVE MY DVC! SUMMER, 2009 2 ADJOINING ROOMS ON MATCHING FREE POINTS AT THE GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL IN DISNEYLAND FOR 4 NIGHTS!
WOW, COMPLETELY AWESOME!

AT A CERTAIN STAGE OF LIFE, YOU REALIZE WITH "OLDER CHILDREN"...DVC MAKES GREAT GREAT SENSE! AT THAT POINT WHEN WE PURCHASED,
ONE SON WAS 21 AND YOUNGER SON WAS 13! WE KNEW WE OUTGREW THE 1 HOTEL ROOM SCENE!

I hear yaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I totally agree.

 

[rentayenta]

It's like the the recent thread, more trips/longer stays or less trips/more comfortable stays, for 10 days I vote "be more comfortable, get a 2br".

Personally, I want everyone to have their own comfortable space and I'm not giving up the master so it's always a 2 bedroom for the 4 of us( DS(13) & his BF(13) and my BFF). Our travel patterns, living in Florida, are different (been to Disney 50+ in my lifetime) so no more commando days. We really enjoy the resorts, we still go to the theme parks but we just do what we like. DVC makes it easy to have more family quality time together in a really nice & relaxing, comfortable setting!

Absolutely. I agree 100%. Part of the reason we bought was to relax and have that vacation within a vacation. I am slowly learning.

When we first bought DVC we booked a two bedroom villa at HHI because we thought that my in-laws were coming with us. Then DMIL got sick and so we ended up with 4 of us (me, DH, DS and DD) in the villa. Well, DS and DD were so spoiled what with each of them having their own (larger than their usual twin) beds and having their own bathroom that now they don't want us to ever get anything smaller than the two bedroom!

We're planning another stay at HHI next year and they've already said they wanted a two bedroom. I asked if they wouldn't mind sharing beds with DH and me and asking the grandparents to come along and I was really surprised when they said no. I also suggested that they could sleep on the sofa bed but even that wasn't an option. DVC has definitely spoiled us for any regular sort of hotel room!

It does spoil for sure! Once you have all that room, it's impossible to go back to standard hotels without feeling the impact of less space.

After staying in a 2 bedroom at BLT over Spring Break, my 2 DDs have begged me to always book them. It was great having a bathroom for each daughter and one for us. We were out the door much quicker too--lots of primping for teens!

Good point- sharing bathrooms does hold up the process of getting ready!

We "splurged" on our points...

Did 3 Nights Kidani, 2 BR, 4 Nights Vero 2 BR!!!!!!!

HAVE 2 "OLDER" SONS, ONE 15 YEAR OLD, ONE 23....

THATS WHY WE BOUGHT DVC! WE BECAME TOO "OLD" FOR THE 1 HOTEL SHARING ROOM SCENE...2 YEARS AGO HAD A LOVELY VACA AT THE BEACH CLUB RESORT, BUT ALL SHARED 1 ROOM!

FINALLY DECIDED, WE WERE PAST THE "LETS ALL SHARE A HOTEL ROOM WITH 4 ADULTS:...ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE BEACH CLUB RESORT, LOVED LOVED SAB, BUT THATS WHEN WE DID OUR TOUR OF KIDANI SUMMER 2008!

LOVE LOVE MY DVC! SUMMER, 2009 2 ADJOINING ROOMS ON MATCHING FREE POINTS AT THE GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL IN DISNEYLAND FOR 4 NIGHTS!
WOW, COMPLETELY AWESOME!

AT A CERTAIN STAGE OF LIFE, YOU REALIZE WITH "OLDER CHILDREN"...DVC MAKES GREAT GREAT SENSE! AT THAT POINT WHEN WE PURCHASED,
ONE SON WAS 21 AND YOUNGER SON WAS 13! WE KNEW WE OUTGREW THE 1 HOTEL ROOM SCENE!

Great philosophy- as the kids grow the 1 room hotel scene just doesn't work. And the older I get, the more space I want and deserve!

 

[DisneyMama27]

We have three kiddos, who were much smaller when we first bought DVC. When it has been the 5 of us, we have always had 1BRs. When we took family, we got a GV or 2BR. Loved the extra bathroom and sleeper chair at AKV, but realized that was our last year in a 1BR. Kids are just too big now, and I'd love to have the living room be just that. We stayed in the THV this year - glory, hallelujah! SO much fun, so nice to have that extra space! (It was hard to give up one of the rooms when BIL and SIL joined us the last few days!!)

Yesterday, DH booked our first stay for just the 5 of us in a 2BR next summer at AKV! We loved that resort, but as others have mentioned, it feels so far away - so we may try for another resort at 7mo. Whatever works out, we are all excited! Now I won't have to make the kids' beds every morning so I can walk thru the living room, I can get up in the morning and not have to tiptoe, and the kids will have a real dresser to unpack their stuff in (that was what they loved at the THV - a place to unpack and their OWN TV!!). And if we do stay at AKV, we will have THREE bathrooms!!

 

[rentayenta]

We have three kiddos, who were much smaller when we first bought DVC. When it has been the 5 of us, we have always had 1BRs. When we took family, we got a GV or 2BR. Loved the extra bathroom and sleeper chair at AKV, but realized that was our last year in a 1BR. Kids are just too big now, and I'd love to have the living room be just that. We stayed in the THV this year - glory, hallelujah! SO much fun, so nice to have that extra space! (It was hard to give up one of the rooms when BIL and SIL joined us the last few days!!)

Yesterday, DH booked our first stay for just the 5 of us in a 2BR next summer at AKV! We loved that resort, but as others have mentioned, it feels so far away - so we may try for another resort at 7mo. Whatever works out, we are all excited! Now I won't have to make the kids' beds every morning so I can walk thru the living room, I can get up in the morning and not have to tiptoe, and the kids will have a real dresser to unpack their stuff in (that was what they loved at the THV - a place to unpack and their OWN TV!!). And if we do stay at AKV, we will have THREE bathrooms!!

The THV look amazing and another reason we bought at SSR, they are a neat version of a 2 bedroom points wise anyway. They are one of my split stay options too. Funny, we'd do a split at our home resort but SSR and the THV are SO different. The THV are so old school Walt and I love them!



Real dressers and closets and the like become so important when on vacation. And not making that sleeper sofa every morning is a huge bonus!


We have stayed in a 2 bedroom at AKV and it rocked! We had a SV and it kept the kids totally entertained while we enjoyed coffee in the morning and a drink at night.

 

[DenLo]

There's the voice of reason! There's my struggle.

We don't spend hours and hours in our villa but this trip will be way less commando than previously, 4 non-park days is totally unnatural for me but I am trying to embrace the DVC way of vacationing. DH only agreed to a trip this long for the third time because I promised it would be more laid back and we'd have some decent down/resort/golf/spa/swim time.

We did spend 10 days at the POR in 2007 but this trip will be 4 years later and although my kids grow slowly- they do grow.

They don't nap so much anymore though by teenage daughter is starting too again, damn hormones, but we do like a little quiet time. I like having a common non-sleep area but it's not a trip breaker. See my predicament?

I think you may have answered your own question. I can't see your 14 year old have any quiet time with her siblings in the living room. Are you willing to sacrifice/share the king bedroom for "hormone meltdowns"?

But let me play the devil's advocate, once you go to a 2BR will you be satisfied with a 1BR? And will the points you have recently purchased (I think I read you have decided to become a member after all of your renting ) cover 2BRs for your future trips. Or will addonitis be eating it's way into your brain?

 

[rentayenta]

I think you may have answered your own question. I can't see your 14 year old have any quiet time with her siblings in the living room. Are you willing to sacrifice/share the king bedroom for "hormone meltdowns"?

But let me play the devil's advocate, once you go to a 2BR will you be satisfied with a 1BR? And will the points you have recently purchased (I think I read you have decided to become a member after all of your renting ) cover 2BRs for your future trips. Or will addonitis be eating it's way into your brain?

We bought in May 2009 and have never rented points. Our friends treated us in 2009 (OKW GV/AKV 2 br) and then we used our points and treated them this past June to the GCV 2 br. I agree with not wanting to stay in a 1 br after being in a 2br and haven't actually stayed in a Sudio or 1 br. before but figure because we fit it makes the most economical sense with regard to points usage.

 

[kirstenb1]

You live in Utah, I see, so it makes sense you'd want a longer stay, since you're so far away.

My max nights away from home is 5. So a 2br for 5 nights makes sense for us. We have 2 kids, and the thought of putting away all the bedding, and folding up the sofa bed would get old.

 

[beccasmom]

We book the 1-bedroom more often than other sizes because it usually works occupancy-wise. This year we sprang for the two-bedroom. It is actually my favorite size unit. Tons of space!

I am all about being economical w/ our points, but we are okay this year and will have plenty to spare. Sometimes, you just need to treat yourself!