Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[OneMoreTry]

I meant this as a meta-occupancy thread. It is becoming an occupancy thread.

I want to say something about Appalachian culture -- from the viewpoint of someone who grew up in S Fla and has lived in many places from there to Washington state.

I live in the Appalachians now. The culture is different from what I'm used to in many ways. The culture CAN be somewhat closed at times. But the people are just like you and me. They are just as intelligent. Just as talented -- maybe more so. And they have done something most of America hasn't. They have preserved a culture. How? They are willing to sacrifice the rat race, the most expensive cars, the biggest houses with the best fixtures. They sacrifice for family and principles. For their values. They believe it's worth squeezing into a smaller space. Even giving up trips to WDW.

And that's what we haven't the guts to do.

I would rather have kids that are hillbillies than snobs. But on the other hand I want kids that respect rules and respect others. So I can say I'm on both sides of the issue. I would have a hard time exceeding the limit. but I don't judge those that do.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone. (If it does there's room in my mailbox.)

 

[rigsby25]

I just purchased and haven't ever stayed as a DVC member yet. This is for the "rules" people. When we went through the SSR presentation in May 04, probably because my daughter's friend was with us and we numbered 5, the person doing the selling said it was perfectly o.k. to bring an airbed and sleep 5 in a studio. I guess the "rules" go out the window if they are trying to make a sale and become "guidelines".

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I guess the "rules" go out the window if they are trying to make a sale and become "guidelines".

Actually, I don't think that is what is happenning at all with the discussion you cite. I think guides have always known and been informed by DVC management that MS would allow 5 in a one bedroom without extra bedding, and they are simply communicating that to potential purchasers.

This perspective that is always thrown up by so called "rules" people (or selective rules people, since they violate many other rules) is that the DVC sales persons are constantly lying. Personally, I don't see that as a valid assessment when it comes to the issue of occupancy.

There are lots of rules that I try to follow, some listed in my signature. But I don't see it as my role to try to force others to follow rules that don't affect me, or cause me harm. I certainly don't see it as my role to dictate vacation sleeping arrangements to others that are more restrictive than MS allows.

OneMoreTry, nicely said. Thank you for sharing.

"To each his own..." Enjoy your vacation.

 

[KristiKelly]

I can't help but wonder why 5 in a 1 bedroom is overcrowded, but 5 in a room at Port Orleans with a trundle bed that has to squeeze somewhere is not.

Our DVC guide said it's okay, so in my mind - case closed.

 

[NMW]

We have put five in a BCR room, POLY room and BWI room. We have never done the POR w/ a trundle option but I imagine that's really small. Why does not one person ever say that these rooms are too small for 5? IMO a 1 bedroom is quite large compared to any of these options. I don't think the overcrowed arguement holds water. As for comparing a couple and three young children in a 1 bedroom villa to refugees that's just, well, insane. Are you serious? Would you say 2 adults and 3 kids in a POLY room are like refugees because they have only 1 bathroom? Why would a 1 BR villa at a DVC resort be any different? I don't know anything about hillbillies being from the NorthEast, but I have seen many refugees on the news and they do not look like a family, ANY family, on a Disney vacation.
BTW, I also enjoyed the "Quiet Pools:with or without children" thread. Some of those people got REALLY mad. Those are the best threads to read!

 

[jarestel]

I am with those who choose to follow the rules because 1)it is a rule, and seems perfectly reasonable to me, and 2)I don't want my children's memories of Disney to be like they are hillbillies or refugees, with people sleeping on the floor and too many sharing one little bathroom.

To each his own, I guess?

FredS, I get a little nervous when the old "rule-follower" argument gets trotted out. There are hundreds of rules "most" people break whenever it's convenient for them to do so. For example: 13 items in the 12 item line ( hey, it's only one over the limit ), and as you indicated driving one or 100 hundred miles over the speed limit is, nevertheless, "breaking the rules". Or how about talking in libraries or speeding up when a light turns yellow so one can hurtle through the light as it changes to red? Ever call in sick to work when you felt fine? Or accidentally bring a dozen or so pens and notebooks home from work? I'm sure you can think of many more examples, but the point is unless one is an absolute "rule-follower" in all situations, it's kind of hypocritical to denigrate others who may not be as enlightened. And come to think of it, if one was so enlightened as to follow all of the rules all of the time, it would be difficult to believe they would feel compelled to pass judgement on the rest of us mere mortals.

But bottom line is this: I have a finite number of points I can use each year at WDW. I COULD book a 2-BR for my trip with my wife and 3 grandchildren ( which would make you happy ), or I could book a 1-BR and have points left over for another trip later in the year ( which would make me happy ). Now who do you think I want to make happy? I'm afraid that as long as MS keeps taking my ressies for 5 in the 1-BR, I'll keep making them so Jed, Granny, Elly, Jethro, and Pearl can get that extra trip.

 

[greenban]

We have put five in a BCR room, POLY room and BWI room. We have never done the POR w/ a trundle option but I imagine that's really small. Why does not one person ever say that these rooms are too small for 5? IMO a 1 bedroom is quite large compared to any of these options. I don't think the overcrowed arguement holds water. As for comparing a couple and three young children in a 1 bedroom villa to refugees that's just, well, insane. Are you serious? Would you say 2 adults and 3 kids in a POLY room are like refugees because they have only 1 bathroom? Why would a 1 BR villa at a DVC resort be any different? I don't know anything about hillbillies being from the NorthEast, but I have seen many refugees on the news and they do not look like a family, ANY family, on a Disney vacation.
BTW, I also enjoyed the "Quiet Pools:with or without children" thread. Some of those people got REALLY mad. Those are the best threads to read!

I did the POR 5-in-a-room, and I'm a POOH sized person, who got to sleep on the trundle bed! (I have a bad back and could not tolerate the beds in POR)

Yes, the room was way too small! It was tight with four, and painfully cramped with 5! We specifically booked a '5' in-a-room at reservation time.

Of course my last Disney hotel was the Grand Californian, and the one before was the Grand Floridian, so I was rather disappointed with this 'moderate' resort, but I couldn't afford a GF suite!

Never, ever again will I do 5 in POR, but I will try 5 in a studio (once) and 1 Bedroom to see if I need a 2 bedroom everytime we come home!

 

[tinkerbee]

I can't help but wonder why 5 in a 1 bedroom is overcrowded, but 5 in a room at Port Orleans with a trundle bed that has to squeeze somewhere is not.

Our DVC guide said it's okay, so in my mind - case closed.

Great Point.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

<snip>
But bottom line is this: I have a finite number of points I can use each year at WDW. I COULD book a 2-BR for my trip with my wife and 3 grandchildren ( which would make you happy ), or I could book a 1-BR and have points left over for another trip later in the year ( which would make me happy ). Now who do you think I want to make happy? I'm afraid that as long as MS keeps taking my ressies for 5 in the 1-BR, I'll keep making them so Jed, Granny, Elly, Jethro, and Pearl can get that extra trip.

This was so funny and yet made the point incredibly well.

BTW I hope y'all are gonna drive to WDW in that cool truck with Granny in the rocking chair.

 

[Dean]

I can't help but wonder why 5 in a 1 bedroom is overcrowded, but 5 in a room at Port Orleans with a trundle bed that has to squeeze somewhere is not.

Our DVC guide said it's okay, so in my mind - case closed.

The guides have no real power nor does them saying it make it enforceable or contractual. It's much like my teens when they say "but everyone is doing it". But until DVC decides to enforce it, the argument would be with DVC and not a member who is trying to be "reasonable".

 

[DisneyDVClover]

Ok don't shoot the newbie but why is this occupancy such a tough topic? We have 5 in our family and use a studio or a 1 bedroom mind you we have young children 8 and under. I look at it this way if Disney has a problem with it then they should say so and not allow it when booking we always have our entire family named on our res and have not been denied any accomodation yet. If people wish to do this on THEIR vacation so be if Disney doesn't like it they should enforce the rules in place in the contract it isn't for any of us to whine and cry about IMHO.

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...] if Disney doesn't like it they should enforce the rules in place in the contract it isn't for any of us to whine and cry about IMHO.

However, it is important for folks to be aware that there are such rules in the contract and that DVC may enforce them any time they wish. Take a look at the rumor/fact that the new MYW tickets will be biometric. If this is true, it is an example of a rule (non-transferability of tickets) that Disney didn't enforce for years, but will now enforce with a vengance, spending $$$ to revamp their ticket offerings and installing more biometric admission booths. [IMHO, this is one of the major points Dean has been making about this issue.]

 

[DisneyDVClover]

Point taken and in all honesty if they do start to enforce the occupancy rules we will abide we have never given away or sold hoppers with leftover days as we know we are always going to make another trek to the World so why give away something we will use. I guess it is ultimaletly up to Disney to decide if they will enforce the rule or change the rule and we have only to abide by it at that time or continue to use the rule leaniancy as it is now.

 

[Sammie]

However, it is important for folks to be aware that there are such rules in the contract and that DVC may enforce them any time they wish. Take a look at the rumor/fact that the new MYW tickets will be biometric. If this is true, it is an example of a rule (non-transferability of tickets) that Disney didn't enforce for years, but will now enforce with a vengance, spending $$$ to revamp their ticket offerings and installing more biometric admission booths. [IMHO, this is one of the major points Dean has been making about this issue.]

This is true and I have been told by friends that work for Disney that the changes in Early Entry and the Late Night Extra 3 hours will require any Disney resort guest wanting to remain to have a vaild resort ID including children except those under 3. So basically if you have more in your room than you have ID for then you will not get a wristband for the extra hours for that person.

It's basically a passive way to enforce occupancy.

 

[jarestel]

This is true and I have been told by friends that work for Disney that the changes in Early Entry and the Late Night Extra 3 hours will require any Disney resort guest wanting to remain to have a vaild resort ID including children except those under 3. So basically if you have more in your room than you have ID for then you will not get a wristband for the extra hours for that person.

It's basically a passive way to enforce occupancy.

True enough if you're "sneaking" extra people into the room. However, anyone listed on the reservation will get resort IDs and Disney will be the one deciding whether occupancy rules have been "violated" or not.

 

[pplasky]

This is true and I have been told by friends that work for Disney that the changes in Early Entry and the Late Night Extra 3 hours will require any Disney resort guest wanting to remain to have a vaild resort ID including children except those under 3. So basically if you have more in your room than you have ID for then you will not get a wristband for the extra hours for that person.

It's basically a passive way to enforce occupancy.

Disney has checked our ids for early entry already. We have had 5 in a room, and all of us had id's since we are all on the reservation.

 

[Sammie]

True enough if you're "sneaking" extra people into the room. However, anyone listed on the reservation will get resort IDs and Disney will be the one deciding whether occupancy rules have been "violated" or not.

Exactly as it should be. My point is some have posted they sneak people into the room by not adding them to the reservation. These will not have ID and will not be able to enjoy the perks associated with that ID.

If Disney allows for the extra ID's its fine by me.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

The guides have no real power nor does them saying it make it enforceable or contractual.

I think guides are working well within the directions management has been giving them concerning room capacity. Discounting guides doesn't address the issue.

... It's much like my teens when they say "but everyone is doing it".

I'm always surprised at the off base analogies that are attempted to be applied to 5 in a one bedroom occupancy discussions. One poster said DVC room capacity was like the cruise ship industry, but I guess they forgot the parts about unlimited meals one has on a cruise ship, table seating requirements at those meals and the need to pack food stores prior to the ship's departure, or legal lifejacket requirements and lifeboat capacity requirements. Seems like I noticed a difference in the size of the cruise ship pools and DVC resort pool sizes, but perhaps thats just me. The analogy seemed completely and totally off base to any part fo the discussion regarding 5 in a onebedroom at DVC, and yet is was presented in such a factual manner. How the phrase "but everyone is doing it" is suppose to apply when MS is saying they are OK with 5 in a one bedroom is a mystery.

Perhaps I just need to learn more about analogies, and maybe study some poker strategy to learn more about "bluffing".

5 in a one bedroom is OK with MS, a story with a happy ending. :thewave:

 

[Sammie]

FredS, I get a little nervous when the old "rule-follower" argument gets trotted out. There are hundreds of rules "most" people break whenever it's convenient for them to do so. For example: 13 items in the 12 item line ( hey, it's only one over the limit ), and as you indicated driving one or 100 hundred miles over the speed limit is, nevertheless, "breaking the rules". Or how about talking in libraries or speeding up when a light turns yellow so one can hurtle through the light as it changes to red? Ever call in sick to work when you felt fine? Or accidentally bring a dozen or so pens and notebooks home from work? I'm sure you can think of many more examples, but the point is unless one is an absolute "rule-follower" in all situations, it's kind of hypocritical to denigrate others who may not be as enlightened. And come to think of it, if one was so enlightened as to follow all of the rules all of the time, it would be difficult to believe they would feel compelled to pass judgement on the rest of us mere mortals.

But bottom line is this: I have a finite number of points I can use each year at WDW. I COULD book a 2-BR for my trip with my wife and 3 grandchildren ( which would make you happy ), or I could book a 1-BR and have points left over for another trip later in the year ( which would make me happy ). Now who do you think I want to make happy? I'm afraid that as long as MS keeps taking my ressies for 5 in the 1-BR, I'll keep making them so Jed, Granny, Elly, Jethro, and Pearl can get that extra trip.

You know I truely do not care how many people pack in a room at Disney. That is up to Disney to enforce. If having too many in a room disturbs my visit, I will complain then.

But for some reason it really bothers me when these discussions come up that some can not realize that some of us do not break rules. I don't. I don't speed, I drive slightly under to allow for any difference in my speedometer and the cops. I don't steal pens from work, I have plenty at home, I don't go to the library so I don't talk there. I have actually returned items when shopping to go in the Express line, or change lines.

It's not that I am a saint, I am just a person that sees no reason to break rules. There is no advantage to me to do so. Speeding leads to tickets which cost me money, stealing at work could cost me my job, speeding through a yellow light could get me killed. Having more items in the express line is rude to the others.

Maybe I am just a very logical person that sees rules are to be obeyed and there is a reason to have them. Actually I think I abide by rules because I am a polite person.

My Mother was a teacher, my Dad an exMarine. At our house rules were rules and were not up to discussion over abiding by them for convenience.

But please do not insult those of us who do abide by them, by saying we don't exist.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Sammie, like you said.