Invited friends in 2-beroom BWV; a few questions...

[beattyfamily]

Ok, we invited friends to come with us to share a 2-bedroom at BWVs.

It dawned on me after I invited them that they will be in a studio while we'll be on the nice one-bedroom side. Should I feel guilty? I mean they aren't going to pay for their nice studio side so I shouldn't, right?

Also, how do they get out of their room? Will they have their own exit? How did you all handle privacy etc..? Our children will probably have to sleep in that living room so it won't be too private, right?

My husband is also worried that they will ask if our children and their children can sleep together and he's NOT going to stand for that. I promised I would lay down some ground rules before we go. Have you ever done that?

Has anyone had any problems like these?

Also, what if they want daily maid service. Would mousekeeping do both rooms? They would bill me, right?

Are there really 3 balcony's as the floor plan shows?

Do you all let your family/friends use the whirlpool?

I know this sounds silly but I want other DVCers perspective on these issues...thanks so much!

By the way this is for next year and we've never stayed at the BWV's yet.

 

[poj7]

Do you have a dedicated 2-bedroom or a lock-off? The lock-off has a mini kitchen and it's own entrance to the hallway. The dedicated does not have an entrace to the hall. The room is accessed through the living room. In place of the mini kitchen is storage, I believe or maybe a vanity.

I believe this is accurate information for the BCV, and I'm assuming it is true for BWV also.

Paul

 

[KathyR]

I have taken family and had our kids sleeping on the pull out.

I did not feel guilty at all in the 1 bedroom section. It is our room which we are sharing. The studio is still really nice!!!

We handlled the privacy issue by closing the lock off door when our kids went to bed. We would open ours when we were up, and they would open thiers when they were up. So, when they were both open, they could come on in

Both the studio and 1 bedroom have an exit, so that won't be an issue.

 

[KathyR]

Do you have a dedicated 2-bedroom or a lock-off?

All BWV 2 bedrooms are lock offs, so they will each essentially have their own room

 

[spiceycat]

all BWVs are lock off - no dedicated - so yes they will have a studio unit - all studio units have a door leaving out to the hall.

No you are the member - it is your timeshares - you are entitled to the 1-bedroom.

What are ages and sized of children - you are talking about?

that could help alot - if they are little - they might want to be together.

the studio is a complete unit in itself - besides between the studio and 1-bedroom are doors one of both sides - you can lock it if they become trouble and ask the front desk to change your keys.

Of course I would ask the front desk to lockoff the 1-bedroom part from the studio when I checked in - then you can have your credit card on your key - and they can have theirs. If you want to open the doors (and your friends do too) no problem open them - if you want them to remain closed - that is okay with DVC too. Your choice - not theirs.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by spiceycat
"What are ages and sized of children - you are talking about?"

Our DD's will be 5 and 8 and their DD's will be 6 (almost 7) and 4 1/2 and the DS will be 2.

"Of course I would ask the front desk to lockoff the 1-bedroom part from the studio when I checked in - then you can have your credit card on your key - and they can have theirs. If you want to open the doors (and your friends do too) no problem open them - if you want them to remain closed - that is okay with DVC too. Your choice - not theirs."

I find this part interesting and I don't know much about it. I can ask the front desk to lock the lock-off doors? I thought we locked it if we wanted. What's the difference? I'm afraid our friends would be insulted??

If I chose not to officially lock it, we can't have separate bills/keys?

 

[KathyR]

I think what spiceycat meant was to have separate entrance keys to each of the rooms. Meaning you can't unlock their studio exit door and they can't unlock your 1 bedroom exit door. Only you and your guests can decide to open the lock off doors or shut them.

 

[spiceycat]

I don't think so - the keys don't work that way - for them to be able to charge - the computer has to recognize them having a room - if they sharing your 2-bedroom it can't.

you need to go though MS to make sure the computer understand that these are separate units -

you don't lock the doors - housekeeping - locks the unit before you arrive (so you won't be blamed) - just explain that it was necessary for them to be able to charge and the front desk will back you up.

as I say it is up to you to unlock the doors - and I like my privacy!

however kids that young - might really want to be together!

 

[LR_BCV]

so do you mean that your husband doesn't want them to suggest that all the kids sleep in the 2nd bedroom and they (the parents) take the sofabed in the main area? That would be the only way all the kids could sleep together! My kids would probably want to split up (the 4 1/2 and 5 yo and the 8/7 yo).

What we've done in similar situations is let the kids all fall asleep together (if they behave!) and then move them around when we're ready for bed -- they're usually out cold and don't even wake up.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm sorry but now I'm more confused about the locking or not locking of the lock-off doors and having charging privileges/a room key or not etc...

If we do NOT ask for the doors to be locked by BWV then our friends can't have their own room key/charging privileges?

If we DO ask for the doors to be locked then we can't change our minds later and open the doors once we're in the room without contacting the front desk?

It would be nice if they could have their own keys and charging privileges but we could still open that lock off door when we are all together.

Could someone please explain this to me one more time...

Thanks!

 

[zulaya]

I *think* what was trying to be said here is that since you are making a 2 BR reservation in your name (not your guest's names) that there will be one set of keys for the 2 BR unit. I am guessing because this is one reservation, that only 1 credit card can be used for charges.

Again, I *think* if you make 2 separate reservations - a 1 BR for your family, a studio for your guest's (and request that they be connecting) - then there will be 2 separate sets of keys. Your keys will open the outside doors to your 1 BR and you can have your credit card for your charges. And your guests will have keys that open the outer door of their studio and allow them to charge to their credit card. AND if you are in connecting units, you can choose to open the connecting doors (which are inside the units) and you can each travel in and out of each other's units as you see fit.

 

[KathyR]

You can open the lock off doors no matter what you decide. They are controlled by the occupants via a deadbolt type lock on each side that is open by turning it. No key is required to open them.

Here is my understanding of the rest:

Your friends will get room keys regardless of what you do. Those keys will open both the studio and 1 bedroom exit doors. If you do not want them to be able to open both rooms or you both want charging privaledges then you must inform DVC that you want the rooms to be recognized in the computer separately. So, then the occupants in the 1 bedroom would have a set of keys that are only able to open the 1 bedroom door, and your friends family would have a set of keys that only open their studio door.

Personally, I could care less about charging on my room key. I would also have no problem with my friends/family having a key that opens both sides of the unit. But that is me. I would just have the lockoff door open at all times except when someone is sleeping. It is all so much easier that way

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by KathyR
You can open the lock off doors no matter what you decide. They are controlled by the occupants via a deadbolt type lock on each side that is open by turning it. No key is required to open them.

Here is my understanding of the rest:

Your friends will get room keys regardless of what you do. Those keys will open both the studio and 1 bedroom exit doors. If you do not want them to be able to open both rooms or you both want charging privaledges then you must inform DVC that you want the rooms to be recognized in the computer separately. So, then the occupants in the 1 bedroom would have a set of keys that are only able to open the 1 bedroom door, and your friends family would have a set of keys that only open their studio door.

Personally, I could care less about charging on my room key. I would also have no problem with my friends/family having a key that opens both sides of the unit. But that is me. I would just have the lockoff door open at all times except when someone is sleeping. It is all so much easier that way

If this is true, then I do feel better. Do I do all this when I arrive or now?

My biggest concern is the charging. I do NOT want them charging on my CC. I would prefer them have their own charge card on file too or not give them charging privileges and they'll just have to survive on their own.

It would also be nice if they couldn't open our 1 bedroom front door but it's not the end of the world. I do trust them. It would be nice for us to have separate keys for the front doors and then be able to open and close the lock-offs when we want to.

I did a search on this and it seems to me I cannot do what I want to. Most people said in the search that there can only be one credit card on file for charging privileges and there can only be one set of keys...

 

[PamOKW]

This type of question came up once before recently. When making plans with people, everyone should give consideration to what is really going to work. It sounds like you husband has some doubts about being with this other family constantly.

A one-bedroom and a studio costs more in points than a two-bedroom but it could be the solution. This way everyone has a clearly defined space and there has to be an "invitation" to come on over.

I don't think anyone wants to see a vacation detriorate to the point that the front desk has to come and lock the door.

These trips are meant to be fun for everyone...not the beginning of the end of a beautiful friendship. If a little "space" will help the trip go more smoothly, then the extra points may be worth it.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by PamOKW
This type of question came up once before recently. When making plans with people, everyone should give consideration to what is really going to work. It sounds like you husband has some doubts about being with this other family constantly.

A one-bedroom and a studio costs more in points than a two-bedroom but it could be the solution. This way everyone has a clearly defined space and there has to be an "invitation" to come on over.

I don't think anyone wants to see a vacation detriorate to the point that the front desk has to come and lock the door.

These trips are meant to be fun for everyone...not the beginning of the end of a beautiful friendship. If a little "space" will help the trip go more smoothly, then the extra points may be worth it.

Yes, I guess we didn't think it through. They practially invited themselves too. They tend to be moochers and my husband is very hesitant about all of this. When he finds out about the charging/room key issue, he'll flip! I'll bet he'll pay the extra 17 points to have separate rooms.

If we do book 2 separate rooms, then can we still have connecting rooms with doors that can open?

We've already mentioned the kitchen and whirlpool, though, so now how do I tell them it's by invitation only? Hopefully, we won't be in the room much anyway. The last time we talked, they said they won't be doing any cooking so that's good!

 

[todsue99]

Just so you know. They can have keys that open the doors, but do not have charging privileges. Just make sure you have the right keys. It says right on the card/key. They can just use there Credit Card while they are out.

That said.... It sounds like you should not be going on vacation with these people. If you are that concerned about what they are going to do I think you might want to change your mind. Are you chaging them anything for the room? If you are not, just tell them you do not have enough points or something. You have many concerns about the people you are traveling with right now and you aren't even there yet. I do not know how you can enjoy a vacation that way. Everytime that I have gone to WDW we have sayed in a 2-bedroom with other people and we leave everything open. We have even had others stay in Studio and give them the key to our room to use the washer and dryer. If you don not feel comfortable with these people I would not go. It will only ruin your time and that is almont impossible at WDW. Just my opinion. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[beattyfamily]

Cancelling would not be an option at this point. I just couldn't do it to them. They already booked a cruise with us as well.

I have concerns especially since they are not family and are sometimes moochers but they are very nice people otherwise and they are one of our best friends. They are Godparents to one of our DD's and my husband is Godfather to their 8 month old son.

I couldn't just cancel now; it's not an option.

We have been on an overnight trip once before but by accident we didn't have connecting rooms so I guess it's not the same but it went well.

I'm really mostly worried about the charging issue. Everything else is minor and can be worked out.

 

[KathyR]

You can request only 2 card keys to have charging capabilities, and the rest will say not valid for charging. That way you and your husband will have the charging and they won't, but that does not solve your issue of having them not be able to open your front door.

I just called the BW front desk as I am curious , and the man at the front desk said he believes you can request to have the rooms keyed differently via member services when you make the reservation, so I would give MS a call and see what they can do.

 

[LR_BCV]

THe charging thing is easy: they get keys that do not charge. Period. No big deal, it just means they have to have cash or their CC handy.

If you or your husband do have concerns, and you still want them to go but not be in your space, go ahead and make 1 BR/1 Studio reservations, do *not* ask for connecting rooms, and then tell the friends that there wasn't a 2BR available.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by KathyR
You can request only 2 card keys to have charging capabilities, and the rest will say not valid for charging. That way you and your husband will have the charging and they won't, but that does not solve your issue of having them not be able to open your front door.

I just called the BW front desk as I am curious , and the man at the front desk said he believes you can request to have the rooms keyed differently via member services when you make the reservation, so I would give MS a call and see what they can do.

Thank you very much for calling! I'll call them and find out!

Thanks!