Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[susieh]

When will the Doubting Thomases on here believe that you CAN book a 1 bed villa for 5.

I spoke to MS yesterday and the guy I spoke to said they have written instructions to allow it.

I dont disagree with those who say it isnt in the contract but for them to tell people they cant do it and that MS will not allow it is just plain wrong. Why try and spoil someone elses vacation for no reason.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just as long as the person who hasn't stayed there before realizes that they only have bedding and towels for four persons (unless one of them is under three and can sleep in the pack and play).

I'd hate to show up somewhere expecting space for five persons, maybe counting on a rollaway bed, and getting there and not having any place for the fifth person to sleep.

CRO will not book 5 in a one bedroom. I wish MS would stick with that, too.

 

[DebbieB]

there a studio pluses - that would work

the queen bed, double sleeper sofa and a day bed (not really - smaller than a love seat) - but if she is little it will work.

the problem - MS no longers allows member to request the plus studios.

So I have no idea how your friend could get one.

You can call MS and ask.

They don't allow a request or is it they won't guarantee it?

 

[susieh]

Deb and Bill - why do you say "CRO will not book 5 in a one bedroom. I wish MS would stick with that, too". ?

It does not harm you if MS allow 5 in a 1 bed villa and it might make the difference between being and not being able to afford a trip to WDW for someone else.

For myself, we wanted to go for Christmas one year and take our nephew (aged 15) as he has a severely disabled brother and his parents can't go away on holiday unless Gareth is in respite care - this is not possible at Christmas. Paul really wanted to come with us to WDW and we wanted to give him that opportunity. If we had needed to book a 2 bed we would not have been able to afford it (insufficient points) and Paul would not have been able to come with us. Because we could book a 1 bed he could

 

[Dean]

Deb and Bill - why do you say "CRO will not book 5 in a one bedroom. I wish MS would stick with that, too". ?

It does not harm you if MS allow 5 in a 1 bed villa and it might make the difference between being and not being able to afford a trip to WDW for someone else.

It's been a while since we discussed this aspect. But there are costs and consequences to putting extra people in units. These include wear and tear, parking issues, pool usage, restaurant crowding and the like. It also affects availability because if one squeezes into a unit this time, they will have more points to compete with later. Yes I know that there may be a small room extra during the stay in question.

IMO, any other option that also might affect the "costs" negatives has NO impact on this discussion and is just like when my kids say "everyone else is doing it". Such as slobs who abuse the room. Nor does the fact that some have less than occupancy as this is expected when a resort is planned.

 

[pplasky]

Deb and Bill - why do you say "CRO will not book 5 in a one bedroom. I wish MS would stick with that, too". ?

It does not harm you if MS allow 5 in a 1 bed villa and it might make the difference between being and not being able to afford a trip to WDW for someone else.

For myself, we wanted to go for Christmas one year and take our nephew (aged 15) as he has a severely disabled brother and his parents can't go away on holiday unless Gareth is in respite care - this is not possible at Christmas. Paul really wanted to come with us to WDW and we wanted to give him that opportunity. If we had needed to book a 2 bed we would not have been able to afford it (insufficient points) and Paul would not have been able to come with us. Because we could book a 1 bed he could

Because there are a few people on this board who can't get passed the fact that there are those of with 5 who would prefer a one-bedroom, for a plethora of different reasons, lower points being just one. These are people who obviously can afford many more points or who do not have children and therefore don't really care. We get the same responses(from the same people) everytime this topic is brought up. The fact is MS allows people to book 5 in a 1BR at the present time and those of us who need to do so will.

 

[mickeysgal]

It's been a while since we discussed this aspect. But there are costs and consequences to putting extra people in units. These include wear and tear, parking issues, pool usage, restaurant crowding and the like. It also affects availability because if one squeezes into a unit this time, they will have more points to compete with later. Yes I know that there may be a small room extra during the stay in question.

IMO, any other option that also might affect the "costs" negatives has NO impact on this discussion and is just like when my kids say "everyone else is doing it". Such as slobs who abuse the room. Nor does the fact that some have less than occupancy as this is expected when a resort is planned.

I guess I can see this argument from both sides. How does having more points because a family of 5 decided to "squeeze" into a one bedroom give them more points to compete with later, any different from those people that choose to check out on a Friday and Saturday to "save points"? Doesn't that produce the same sort of reservation/points availability competition that you're referring to? Why isn't there a general backlash against those that do that? Why...because its allowed, of course. Same as MS allowing 5 in a one bedroom is currently allowed. What about those that reserve a two bedroom that they really don't need? Granted, maybe that was all that was available at the time, but I know that friends of ours, (a family of 4) routinely reserve a two bedroom just because they have the points to burn (lucky them!). And that is certainly their choice. However, doesn't that technically produce unnecessary wear and tear of these larger units as well as decrease availability for those that really need them?

 

[Dean]

I guess I can see this argument from both sides. How does having more points because a family of 5 decided to "squeeze" into a one bedroom give them more points to compete with later, any different from those people that choose to check out on a Friday and Saturday to "save points"? Doesn't that produce the same sort of reservation/points availability competition that you're referring to? Why isn't there a general backlash against those that do that? Why...because its allowed, of course. Same as MS allowing 5 in a one bedroom is currently allowed. What about those that reserve a two bedroom that they really don't need? Granted, maybe that was all that was available at the time, but I know that friends of ours, (a family of 4) routinely reserve a two bedroom just because they have the points to burn (lucky them!). And that is certainly their choice. However, doesn't that technically produce unnecessary wear and tear of these larger units as well as decrease availability for those that really need them?

The difference is that one is contractual and one is actually in violation of the written contract. I addressed your last point in anticipation. The system was actually designed with the idea that the units would have an average occupancy much lower than the max occupancy, just like any hotel or timeshare. I suspect these calculation account for a minimal amount of room stuffing but not anywhere near the degree that happens when it's condoned by the management company and reservation system. At least DVC has clamped down on the studio and 2 BR, which I am glad of. Hopefully they will eventually do the same for the 1 Br.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

Because there are a few people on this board who can't get passed the fact that there are those of with 5 who would prefer a one-bedroom, for a plethora of different reasons, lower points being just one. These are people who obviously can afford many more points or who do not have children and therefore don't really care. We get the same responses(from the same people) everytime this topic is brought up. The fact is MS allows people to book 5 in a 1BR at the present time and those of us who need to do so will.

I'd have to agree with you on the above, well said.

When will the Doubting Thomases on here believe that you CAN book a 1 bed villa for 5.

I spoke to MS yesterday and the guy I spoke to said they have written instructions to allow it.

I dont disagree with those who say it isnt in the contract but for them to tell people they cant do it and that MS will not allow it is just plain wrong. Why try and spoil someone elses vacation for no reason.

Very well said. Thank you for sharing your well stated views, they make a great deal of sense.

 

[mickeysgal]

It would be nice if there was a happy medium such as possibly converting a very, very small number of one-bedrooms at each resort with two double beds instead of a single king sized bed. For those with small children, the two bedroom can be a complete waste of space and points. Certainly this would solve the bedding problem and the unit wouln't appear as "stuffed" with a family size of 5. I wonder if other timeshares have this alternative type of layouts available. I think what folks struggle with is a room designed for bedding for 4 with the only larger alternative being a unit designed for 8. It would be nice if Disney, in their next resort design, would consider this type of option.

 

[Doctor P]

FWIW, the industry standard in the timeshare industry is 6 in a 2BR, so I'm not sure that "what other timeshares do" is going to support expanding occupancy limits.

 

[Dean]

It would be nice if there was a happy medium such as possibly converting a very, very small number of one-bedrooms at each resort with two double beds instead of a single king sized bed. For those with small children, the two bedroom can be a complete waste of space and points. Certainly this would solve the bedding problem and the unit wouln't appear as "stuffed" with a family size of 5. I wonder if other timeshares have this alternative type of layouts available. I think what folks struggle with is a room designed for bedding for 4 with the only larger alternative being a unit designed for 8. It would be nice if Disney, in their next resort design, would consider this type of option.

As a rule no. Timeshares are generally designed for 2 people for studios and 1 BR and 4 for a 2 BR with the possibility of adding 2 more to most unit sizes by sacrificing privacy and elbow room. There are a few resorts that have alternate unit types such as a 1 BR sleep 6. They usually give no more privacy for the extra 2 than the LR does. Many are loft units and even then, they almost always trade the same as a regular unit of the same number of BR.

Most timeshare are very hard line on occupancy. A friend of my wife's was asked to sign a contract when they checked in to a Shipyard (HH) timeshare that if they went over the occupancy they would pay an extra fee AND get down to occupancy, then leave in 2 hours if they didn't.

Not aimed at you but it seems a good place to add it. I am amazed and amused at those that feel DVC should alter the entire scheme of their timeshare plan for their personal situation. 5 or more in one family is a tough deal for any travel choice, no reason to expect DVC would be any different. Like anything else, it's not the asking or wishing for the flexibility that I have a problem with, it is those with the actual expectation that are the issue. I wish my last car had been half the price it was, but when I went to complete the deal, they didn't think that was such a good idea.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

It would be nice if there was a happy medium such as possibly converting a very, very small number of one-bedrooms at each resort with two double beds instead of a single king sized bed. For those with small children, the two bedroom can be a complete waste of space and points. Certainly this would solve the bedding problem and the unit wouln't appear as "stuffed" with a family size of 5. I wonder if other timeshares have this alternative type of layouts available. I think what folks struggle with is a room designed for bedding for 4 with the only larger alternative being a unit designed for 8. It would be nice if Disney, in their next resort design, would consider this type of option.

Actually, I like the set up of the king bed and have no interest in there being a change in teh bed arrangements. I'm also very appreciative that MS now has written instructions and that it has been communicated as approved by my guide who is very reliable that 5 in a one bedroom is OK. I feel it is up to us to make any bedding alterations, cots, etc, to accomodate the 3rd child. Frankly, if our family had two different genders of children, it wouldn't be comfortable for us. Given that all our children are still small and the same gender, a one bedroom is plenty of space. The second bedroom would go totally unused until our children get older. It is also consistent with our stays at other hotels like Embassy Suites, Hyatt Suites, etc.

But, should the next resort have different room configurations to better meet customer needs for sale, seems perfectly reasonble to me. Seems very resonable to make the suggestion your making for the next resort.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Good Lord, double beds do not belong in DVC. Except for those sleeper sofas in some of the studios. I wish they could have been queen sized as well, but there just wasn't room for the queen sized sleeper sofa with the queen sized bed in some of the studios.

Leave them over at the Values and Moderates. That's why I refuse to stay in a value or moderate for more than one night. I refuse to stay in most Hampton Inns because they only have double beds.

I guess it really comes down to this. If you can't afford to stay in DVC the way it was designed, maybe you shouldn't stay there at all.

 

[Sammie]

FWIW, the industry standard in the timeshare industry is 6 in a 2BR, so I'm not sure that "what other timeshares do" is going to support expanding occupancy limits.

I truly do not think most DVCers based on comments posted on these forums want Disney to follow the industry standard. Most are certainly not as lenient. Occupany levels are heavily enforced and regulated. Violaters are fined or evicted. NS is also not an area not up for discussion. Most have you sign a contract at checkin that any trace of smoke even on the patio or balcony of a NS unit is automatic $500 fine.

As to sneaking people in and they not knowing, one timeshare I frequent on the coast of Florida offers rewards to other members to turn in those in violation of occupany levels. Believe me when you know everyone at the resort is watching you, it's very hard to get away with a violation of the rules.

So unless you want strict enforcement of the contract I would not be asking for standards set by other timeshares.

 

[susieh]

Good Lord, double beds do not belong in DVC. Except for those sleeper sofas in some of the studios. I wish they could have been queen sized as well, but there just wasn't room for the queen sized sleeper sofa with the queen sized bed in some of the studios.

I don't know if the poster is from the UK but the term 'double bed' is not used over here in the same way as it is in the US. Most of us have 4ft 6ins wide beds (we call those double beds), 5ft wide beds are Queen Size and 6ft are King Size. Single beds are 3ft wide - the term 'twin beds' is used for a hotel room with two single beds in it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I don't know if the poster is from the UK but the term 'double bed' is not used over here in the same way as it is in the US. Most of us have 4ft 6ins wide beds (we call those double beds), 5ft wide beds are Queen Size and 6ft are King Size. Single beds are 3ft wide - the term 'twin beds' is used for a hotel room with two single beds in it.

Double beds in the US are also 54" wide. The same width as two crib sized mattresses. Not wide enough for two adults. Two twins are the same width as a king sized mattress, but not as long.

 

[pplasky]

Actually, I like the set up of the king bed and have no interest in there being a change in teh bed arrangements. I'm also very appreciative that MS now has written instructions and that it has been communicated as approved by my guide who is very reliable that 5 in a one bedroom is OK. I feel it is up to us to make any bedding alterations, cots, etc, to accomodate the 3rd child. Frankly, if our family had two different genders of children, it wouldn't be comfortable for us. Given that all our children are still small and the same gender, a one bedroom is plenty of space. The second bedroom would go totally unused until our children get older. It is also consistent with our stays at other hotels like Embassy Suites, Hyatt Suites, etc.

But, should the next resort have different room configurations to better meet customer needs for sale, seems perfectly reasonble to me. Seems very resonable to make the suggestion your making for the next resort.

I agree totally. Although my three children are not of the same gender, which may soon cause us to want a 2BR, they all still sleep in the same bed at home, so naturally they do so on vacation as well. We usually stay in Suite hotel, all of which accept all five of us on a reservation. We have also stayed in Disney Deluxes(with all 5 on the ressie), which are considerably smaller than a DVC 1BR, and made out fine. I do not really care what the rest of the timeshare community does, I own DVC, they let me have 5 in a 1BR(whether in the contractual terms or not) and it works fine for us.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

Double beds in the US are also 54" wide. The same width as two crib sized mattresses. Not wide enough for two adults. Two twins are the same width as a king sized mattress, but not as long.

With no disrespect to Deb & Bill, my DH and I have slept on a double bed for the past 18 years and we fit just fine. DH is 6'1" and even though I'm just 5 feet tall and 100 lbs I think I'm still considered an adult. All I'm saying is that what might not be comfortable for some may be perfectly fine for someone else.

 

[WEHAVEM]

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