Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[Doctor P]

Just wanted to update that Member Services is allowing our party of 3 adults and 3 kids (ages 9, 6 and 1 year) in a 1 bedroom at Saratoga Springs July 20-27. They did highlight that they would not be providing the towels/bedding for the extra person.

Of course, it is TWO extra people. The extra person under 3 is also an add on that MS is simply allowing. It is not provided for in the legal documents.

 

[madelyn]

I was thinking it was actually an extra adult/child 3 and over that they were allowing. We were within occupancy with my original party of 2 adults and 3 children (ages 9, 6, and 1) I think, right? Don't the Disney resorts all allow a party of 4 plus a child under 3 years in a pack N play? Or is that an exception with the DVC resorts?

 

[tjkraz]

The legal documents state a maximum of FOUR occupants in a One Bedroom villa. Years ago DVC unofficially expanded that to 4 + 1 under age three. Then more recently it became 5 of any age. Now you're being told 5 + 1 is OK.

I think you'll find that many people bought DVC because of the greater level of luxury provided in the accommodations. People don't normally think of an accommodation with "one bedroom" as being suitable for 6 occupants, no matter how much space there is on the floor for sleeping bags or airbeds. In many ways, it's like buying a 4-bedroom, 3500 sq ft home and inviting 22 people to live with you. There may be enough physical space, but whether it makes for a pleasant living arrangement is another matter.

YMMV.

 

[gk90]

I just saw this on allears.net but can't find it anywhere else--I'm wondering whether this info is still current? Or is it outdated?

"Studio with Daybed: - Includes everything in the Studio room plus a five-foot daybed. Per Disney, this Studio with Daybed will accommodate "four adults maximum, plus one child who will fit in the daybed, plus one child under the age of three in a crib".
http://allears.net/acc/faq_bwv.htm

 

[spiceycat]

yes the BWV studio for 5 is still available - they use to let us request it - dedicated plus.

Now they don't.

so ask for a dedicated BWV studio and see if you get lucky.

these were only in the dedicated (not lock off) studios. all dedicated studios are not pluses.

the extra bed is very, very hard - but some kids still loved it. (okay not a bed more like a place to put your luggage). they are in all room types.

 

[gk90]

Is this the daybed? Or is this in the BW Inn & not the villas?

It looks like it would be ok for my nephew who's 4'5" and 50 lbs.

I guess the reason I thought that the BWV studios for 5 were no longer available was reading earlier posts in this thread saying that MS has been strict about enforcing the limit of 4 in a studio. Has anyone been able to book one of these studios for 5 recently? I'm trying to plan, budget and juggle points, days etc. for next year's trip.

 

[robinb]

I don't think that DVC will allow you to book a dedicated studio anymore. Sorry . Here is a picture of the day bed on the villas side:

My DD is about the same height as your nephew and I think she could probably still fit on it.

 

[LisaS]

Is this the daybed? Or is this in the BW Inn & not the villas?

It looks like it would be ok for my nephew who's 4'5" and 50 lbs.

That is a photo of a hotel room in the BWInn, not a studio in the BWVillas. Robinb's post shows the daybed/bench in a BWV studio.

 

[crys5]

yes the BWV studio for 5 is still available - they use to let us request it - dedicated plus.

Now they don't.

so ask for a dedicated BWV studio and see if you get lucky.

these were only in the dedicated (not lock off) studios. all dedicated studios are not pluses.

the extra bed is very, very hard - but some kids still loved it. (okay not a bed more like a place to put your luggage). they are in all room types.

we had 4 studio's this past thanksgiving, 3 of the studio's had these daybeds in them, we didn't request them, just got lucky i guess.

 

[dvcnut39]

Last year, my friend read in Birnbaum's that BWV permit 5 in a Studio. He called MS and booked it. He gave all the ages (none were under 5) and got the reservation. All 5 went to the check in desk and got their own keys. He had no problems the entire trip. To the best of my knowlege, everything he did was above board?

 

[supersuperwendy]

We are in the process of buying into the dvc. Yesterday I was talking to my guide about the fact that we are a family of five and I was excited that AKV one bedrooms sleep five. She then told me that actually ALL of the one bedrooms sleep five for DVC members, but most require you provide your own bedding such as an air mattress. I think that's awesome! I put off buying because I thought we would always need to get a two bedroom and it would be a lot of points! This is great news for me!

 

[tjkraz]

We are in the process of buying into the dvc. Yesterday I was talking to my guide about the fact that we are a family of five and I was excited that AKV one bedrooms sleep five. She then told me that actually ALL of the one bedrooms sleep five for DVC members, but most require you provide your own bedding such as an air mattress. I think that's awesome! I put off buying because I thought we would always need to get a two bedroom and it would be a lot of points! This is great news for me!

Well, I think it's a bit of a stretch say that the other DVCs "sleep" five since they are only equipped for four. You'll have one king bed and one queen sofabed plus bathtowels and washcloths for 4 guests.

Contractually DVC is only obligated to allow 4 occupants in resorts other than AKV. There are some who believe DVC may go back to the limit of 4 in the older resorts once they have more newer properties on-line which sleep 5 (like AKV.) Your salesperson may tell you that 5 in a 1B will be OK for the next 40 years, but all that really matters is what the contract states. As long as they stay within the written guidelines, they can change these unofficial policies at will.

Finally, give some consideration to exactly how long a 1B will be suitable for your family of five. Regardless of how old the kids are now, in another 8-10 years they will probably be teenagers. Having three teens sharing a queen-sized sofabed is somewhat less than ideal--not to mention the fact that all five of you will just have one bathroom.

By that time you will almost certainly have to upgrade to a Two Bedroom villa. Since they cost more, you'll either have to resign yourself to taking fewer vacations or spending several thousand dollars on more DVC points (and dues.)

 

[supersuperwendy]

Well, I think it's a bit of a stretch say that the other DVCs "sleep" five since they are only equipped for four. You'll have one king bed and one queen sofabed plus bathtowels and washcloths for 4 guests.

Contractually DVC is only obligated to allow 4 occupants in resorts other than AKV. There are some who believe DVC may go back to the limit of 4 in the older resorts once they have more newer properties on-line which sleep 5 (like AKV.) Your salesperson may tell you that 5 in a 1B will be OK for the next 40 years, but all that really matters is what the contract states. As long as they stay within the written guidelines, they can change these unofficial policies at will.

Finally, give some consideration to exactly how long a 1B will be suitable for your family of five. Regardless of how old the kids are now, in another 8-10 years they will probably be teenagers. Having three teens sharing a queen-sized sofabed is somewhat less than ideal--not to mention the fact that all five of you will just have one bathroom.

By that time you will almost certainly have to upgrade to a Two Bedroom villa. Since they cost more, you'll either have to resign yourself to taking fewer vacations or spending several thousand dollars on more DVC points (and dues.)

I completely understand all of that...I just thought it was nice that while the kids are still little we wouldn't be forced into a two bedroom as soon as we sign on the dotted line. It would stretch our initial point purchase a little further for a while. thanks

 

[janni518]

I've said this before but...


When we were buying our DVC and we were hanging out in the lobby area chatting afterwards we wound up talking to several guides and various office people. We asked about adding a 5th person to our party occasionally.

They said that there was no official rule about the 5th person in a studio or 1BR. It was a suggestion for the guests comfort, and that there "are no DVC police walking around checking for a 5th guest"."

Now, they may have all been wrong but I believe that the spirit of the statement is true. If you are willing to be a bit crowded that's your choice Unless you are causing a problem, I doubt you are going to have a problem.

 

[chepic]

The only trouble we ran into with having more than the allowed amount, was riding in on the Disneys Magical Express, in order for them to have a ticket, they have to be listed in the room. If they are not listed, they can't get on the bus. We had that happen this year, and had to make funky arrangements to get the rest of our large group to OKW.

Otherwise, I think there is plenty of room, esp. at our home resort of OKW.

che

 

[tjkraz]

I've said this before but...


When we were buying our DVC and we were hanging out in the lobby area chatting afterwards we wound up talking to several guides and various office people. We asked about adding a 5th person to our party occasionally.

They said that there was no official rule about the 5th person in a studio or 1BR. It was a suggestion for the guests comfort, and that there "are no DVC police walking around checking for a 5th guest"."

Now, they may have all been wrong but I believe that the spirit of the statement is true. If you are willing to be a bit crowded that's your choice Unless you are causing a problem, I doubt you are going to have a problem.

chepic is exactly right. There may not be any "DVC police", but Disney absolutely will impose limits on guests in other ways. The ones that immediately come to mind concern usage of Disney's Magical Express (DME), Extra Magic Hours (EMH) and the Dining Plans (DDP.)

DVC will only let guests register 4 occupants for a Studio, 5 for a One Bedroom and 9 for a Two bedroom. While they won't do bed checks at the resorts, they will not give you additional key cards which could limit access to EMH. They will not allow you to buy the dining plan for more than the stated occupancy. And they will not let you use Magical Express for guests unlisted on the reservation.

There's more to it than just the "spirit" of having such a rule. In practical terms, when you stuff more guests into a room than it was designed to accommodate, damage to the furnishings is more likely to occur. Some may argue that a One Bedroom has enough physical space for 6 or 7, but that often means sliding furniture around the room in an attempt to accommodate air beds or sleeping bags.

There tends to be added disruption for neighboring guests when rooms are overtuffed. A family of 7 (with 5 kids) staying in the cramped confines of a One Bedroom is a lot more likely to disturb adjoining rooms than a family of 4 in the same room...or that same family of 7 properly spread over a Two Bedroom villa.

And there is also a financial consideration on Disney's part. Disney WANTS a family of 6 or 7 to own enough points for a Two Bedroom. There are real expenses associated with every guest transported via DME (including an airport fee) so they aren't going to permit unlimited numbers regardless of the size room reserved.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've said this before but...


When we were buying our DVC and we were hanging out in the lobby area chatting afterwards we wound up talking to several guides and various office people. We asked about adding a 5th person to our party occasionally.

They said that there was no official rule about the 5th person in a studio or 1BR. It was a suggestion for the guests comfort, and that there "are no DVC police walking around checking for a 5th guest"."

Now, they may have all been wrong but I believe that the spirit of the statement is true. If you are willing to be a bit crowded that's your choice Unless you are causing a problem, I doubt you are going to have a problem.

You were right when you said they were all wrong. It is posted in the Public Offering Statement what the occupancy of the villas is. What a DVC guide tells you verbally and what you get in writing via your closing documents are often two different things. What is in writing will hold up in court. The verbal statements will not.

DVC Guides are salespeople. And they want to make that sale.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Nice to see the same old arguments are still made on this topic .

Yes, public offerings, contracts, etc., etc. are the legal documents, and they comment on occupancy.....but while we leave the lawyers to sort out exactly what that means, here is what DVC MS reps will take a reservation for:

Studio at BWV with a "Studio Plus" request - 5 people. (the request is noted, not guaranteed, and you get 5 in your studio whether you get the daybed or not)
Studio at any other DVC location - 4 people, plus an infant under 3
1 BR at any location - 5 people.

In any Studio or 1 BR you will only be provided bedding and towels for 4 people. An important thing to note is that in order to be issued a room key (used for EMH admission), use the DDP, or use Magical Express you must be listed on the reservation. Will Disney do bed checks to see if you have more than the number of people on your reservation in the room? No, but you won't be able to take advantage of these items.

 

[Dean]

The only trouble we ran into with having more than the allowed amount, was riding in on the Disneys Magical Express, in order for them to have a ticket, they have to be listed in the room. If they are not listed, they can't get on the bus. We had that happen this year, and had to make funky arrangements to get the rest of our large group to OKW.

Otherwise, I think there is plenty of room, esp. at our home resort of OKW.

che

They should be listed in the room to stay so only people trying to sneak in extras would be affected in this way. If you call and DVC allows the overage, that's a different matter, not right but different. DVC will allow a slight overage as Disneykidds states, but they shouldn't IMO as noted by Deb and Tim for a number of reasons.

 

[chepic]

They should be listed in the room to stay so only people trying to sneak in extras would be affected in this way. If you call and DVC allows the overage, that's a different matter, not right but different. DVC will allow a slight overage as Disneykidds states, but they shouldn't IMO as noted by Deb and Tim for a number of reasons.

Yes, I realize that. We were staying in a 3 bedroom for the night before our cruise with 4 families, we were 2 kids over which while booking, the reservation CM said we were fine. However, as I stated, when we tried to all get on the bus, it wouldn't work. We weren't trying to "pull a fast one" on Disney, just trying to have an easy transition for the cruise without using all our points.

cheryl