Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[Deb & Bill]

You are correct that the studio and one bedroom have an occupancy of four. They also allow one under the age of three. Member Services has been allowing five in a one bedroom with no additional bedding or linens. So as long as they will allow your reservation, you would be okay. But if they decide to enforce the four in a room, you would need a two bedroom. Even if you buy in now with less than 250 points, you would definitely need an add-on in the future to give your kids a little privacy as they get older.

You might want to buy those extra points now while they are still cheaper. I've only seen points go up since we bought in back in 1997. We got our first points for $62.50 per point. Last points we bought were about $72 per point.

If you could swing a resale, you might be able to get those points a little cheaper than directly through Disney. But you might also be interested in the longer length contract with SSR (2054 vs 2042) and I'm not to sure about much savings buying resale on SSR.

 

[Anewman]

We are seriously considering buying into DVC but after reading that the studios and 1 bedrooms can only accomodate a family of 4 and a child under 3 it probably doesn't make sense for us long term unless we buy in at 250 pts (2 bedroom) which makes it a bit pricey. We have twin boys 6 years old and a daughter 5 months old, is the 4 to a room strictly enforced? any help here would be very much appreciated.

Kathy & Kyle

Well the rules are not enforced any stricter than if paying cash at a Value or Moderate. No ROOM CHECKS or asking everyone to go to front desk at check in time. It is somewhat on the Honor system.

But even buying enough points to house a party of five still makes more sense than paying cash for accomidations for 5(where it is allowed).

The FW Cabins are about as low(on site, price wise) that you can go for 5-6 persons. During October and November Cabins run $1960 per week, other than Thanksgiving a week in a 2bedroom(SSR) takes 255 points. Once the purchase price is paid off maintance fees on those 255 points comes to WAY LESS than that $1960, with the current fees it would be $976. Trust me that 2Bedroom at SSR is much nicer than a FW cabin, a week in a 2bedroom during the same timeframe retails for over 4K is it terrible to be able to pay less than the cost of a CABIN for the next 50 years?

But if going every other year instead of yearly, 150 points would be more than enough.

 

[WEHAVEM]

Hi...Thanks for your feedback, this really doesn't become an issue for a few years due to our daughter being under 3 and and by then we'll probably look at banking the points and taking a DVC Vacation every two years and either buy points off of a member for stays in between or an AP discount at a resort...the deposit is down and we are close to becoming members, will be vacationing at Saratoga Springs for 5 nights starting on Nov. 16th and that's when we'll (hopefully) sign all of the docs after our tour to complete our purchase .

Kathy & Kyle



Kristian, Kyle, Kaylen

 

[SueOKW]

I think you will be very happy you bought into this now. The every other year plan works as well as renting points. Someday you will get the dreaded addonitis and it will all be moot.

I love SSR - haven't stayed there yet, but the decor is so pretty to me.

 

[shellbelle1971]

Our family has six children: 4 boys ages 12, 8, 6, and 3, and 2 girls ages 10 and 6 months. One of the big attractions for us was the higher stated occupancy in a 2-br. We always want to be "legal", but finding any unit at all that permits this number can be challenging--we're frankly tired of having to "sneak" 8 into a Residence Inn which technically only permits 6, so we're just happy to find a place which meets our needs.

Now for the question: we like to sometimes take Grandma & Grandpa or aunt & uncle, etc with us when we travel. If YOU, dear experienced DVC-ers were planning for our family of 8 plus another couple, would you choose the 3 bedroom grand villa, or would you go with a 2-br + 1-br or 2-br + studio, or what? Just trying to think this through.

 

[Nanajo1]

Our family has six children: 4 boys ages 12, 8, 6, and 3, and 2 girls ages 10 and 6 months. One of the big attractions for us was the higher stated occupancy in a 2-br. We always want to be "legal", but finding any unit at all that permits this number can be challenging--we're frankly tired of having to "sneak" 8 into a Residence Inn which technically only permits 6, so we're just happy to find a place which meets our needs.

Now for the question: we like to sometimes take Grandma & Grandpa or aunt & uncle, etc with us when we travel. If YOU, dear experienced DVC-ers were planning for our family of 8 plus another couple, would you choose the 3 bedroom grand villa, or would you go with a 2-br + 1-br or 2-br + studio, or what? Just trying to think this through.

Trying to think this through. In the GV assuming you, DH and the baby would be in the MBR, then the boys would all be in one of the bedrooms. Would your 10yo dd share the 2nd bedroom with the visitors or would she sleep on the pull out sofa and your guests get the 2nd bedroom?
Another GV scenerio is your guests get the MBR, the boys have their bedroom and you DH, baby and DD get the 2nd bedroom, no one sleeps on the sofa. I like having the living room free of sleepers.
As far as getting a 2BR and either a studio or 1br I think that depends on how much time your guests will spend in their villa. If they will be in your villa for shared meals etc then I think the studio would be fine.

 

[Dean]

Our family has six children: 4 boys ages 12, 8, 6, and 3, and 2 girls ages 10 and 6 months. One of the big attractions for us was the higher stated occupancy in a 2-br. We always want to be "legal", but finding any unit at all that permits this number can be challenging--we're frankly tired of having to "sneak" 8 into a Residence Inn which technically only permits 6, so we're just happy to find a place which meets our needs.

Now for the question: we like to sometimes take Grandma & Grandpa or aunt & uncle, etc with us when we travel. If YOU, dear experienced DVC-ers were planning for our family of 8 plus another couple, would you choose the 3 bedroom grand villa, or would you go with a 2-br + 1-br or 2-br + studio, or what? Just trying to think this through.

For OKW either is OK. The 2 BR plus studio will be less points and give you flexibility if the others were to cancel. But the GV are simply cool. For the rest of the resorts including SSR, I'd do the 2 BR plus stdio regardless because of the points premium.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I'd put the family in another studio regardless, just to keep the trip friendly .

 

[EAP'sDAD]

On my recent trip I was having a conversation with a CM about the fact that I am allowed to have 5 in a 1br now. What I was told was that rule was made when you would receive free admission to the park with your DVC membership. Now that they no longer do that the rule hasn't been enforced, nor will it.

 

[kjm4]

Do any of the one bedroom DVC resorts sleep five? My wife, mom, D/D's (1,3 and 5) and I would like to share a one bedroom. The infant will sleep in a crib and the other two will cuddle up with whoever will snuggle. A two bedroom would be a waste. Sorry, mom gets the pullout.

 

[Disney Doll]

4 people. 5 if one is under age 3 and can sleep in a pack & play.

 

[NMW]

Do any of the one bedroom DVC resorts sleep five? My wife, mom, D/D's (1,3 and 5) and I would like to share a one bedroom. The infant will sleep in a crib and the other two will cuddle up with whoever will snuggle. A two bedroom would be a waste. Sorry, mom gets the pullout.

Yes, member Services will probably book this for you. They allow 5 in a 1 bdr (the baby would not count). Once the baby is three years old however, you'd need a 2 bdr because then you'd be 6! Good luck.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Do any of the one bedroom DVC resorts sleep five? My wife, mom, D/D's (1,3 and 5) and I would like to share a one bedroom. The infant will sleep in a crib and the other two will cuddle up with whoever will snuggle. A two bedroom would be a waste. Sorry, mom gets the pullout.

2 Bedroom a Waste!! No way, Mom and Dad in master, baby in crib, Grandma in one bed and the 3 and 5 year old in the other!!!!! ability to get the kids to bed and chill in the living room, three tv's!! I would go for it!


And Disney will get you bed rails, my son was out of a crib before he was two, he was a climber!! once in a big boy bed, he never left!! but at Disney we did get the bed rails and it was great!

 

[Dean]

Yes, member Services will probably book this for you. They allow 5 in a 1 bdr (the baby would not count). Once the baby is three years old however, you'd need a 2 bdr because then you'd be 6! Good luck.

MS is consistently inconsistent in this area. However, the impression I have gotten from MS is that they would count the baby. While they will allow 5 regardless of age, I believe 6 including an infant would be over what MS would generally allow.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Yes Dean is correct. They would allow one under age 3 in the pack and play. So Mom, Dad, grandma and 3 children would not be allowed. Plus, with one bathroom, that would be rather cramped!

 

[FreeTime]

I agree that it would not be allowed "legally." If the ressie was made without listing everyone it would be. However, people should not do this. We will have 5 in a 2BR in June and GASP! had 4 in a 2 br in Oct. And this was 2 adults and a 4 &5 year old! I think that many in a 1 br would be a nightmare!

 

[NMW]

Yes Dean is correct. They would allow one under age 3 in the pack and play. So Mom, Dad, grandma and 3 children would not be allowed. Plus, with one bathroom, that would be rather cramped!

I agree it would be cramped! I think it's gramdma that would push it. Three little ones and two parents in a 1 bdr would be fine. We did it all the time at the BC and the POLY in regular hotel rooms. Plus, one of the little ones would be in a crib. I have to agree with the people who suggested a 2 bdr if you plan to bring the grandmother, you'd all be way more comfortable.

 

[NMW]

MS is consistently inconsistent in this area. However, the impression I have gotten from MS is that they would count the baby. While they will allow 5 regardless of age, I believe 6 including an infant would be over what MS would generally allow.

That's interesting. I just guessed that the infant would not count. We know people who have put 6 in a 1 bdr two times now. However, two of the 6 are infant twins (they were age 1 and 2 for the two trips they took). The other two children are under 5. They just bought 200 more OKW points to always do 2 bdr stays now that the twins will be 3 years old this year. But as you point out, MS is consistently inconsistent. LOL Maybe they were just lucky or maybe it was because 2 of the kids were in pack and plays?? Who knows.

 

[Dean]

That's interesting. I just guessed that the infant would not count. We know people who have put 6 in a 1 bdr two times now. However, two of the 6 are infant twins (they were age 1 and 2 for the two trips they took). The other two children are under 5. They just bought 200 more OKW points to always do 2 bdr stays now that the twins will be 3 years old this year. But as you point out, MS is consistently inconsistent. LOL Maybe they were just lucky or maybe it was because 2 of the kids were in pack and plays?? Who knows.

Legally the occupancy is 4/4/8/12 for the various size units. Even the "one under three" is something that has been added only unofficially and one should not kid themselves to believe they do not count in occupancy considerations. If you tell MS or CRO who all will be there and it is allowed, that is one thing. To lie and not admit all that will be in the unit is quite another, and unethical IMO.

 

[DrTomorrow]

On my recent trip I was having a conversation with a CM about the fact that I am allowed to have 5 in a 1br now. What I was told was that rule was made when you would receive free admission to the park with your DVC membership. Now that they no longer do that the rule hasn't been enforced, nor will it.

No offense, but the bolded quote doesn't seem to make sense. They stopped giving away free admission years before SSR opened, yet we were told of the 4/4/8/12 occupancy limits when we bought in. If these limits really were a vestigial remnant of days gone by, they certainly would have eliminated them when planning & selling their biggest DVC Resort.