Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[Chuck S]

Not new, it is what they were supposed to be doing, otherwise occupancy in a two bedroom lock-off could conceivably be 10.

 

[bpmorley]

Not new, it is what they were supposed to be doing, otherwise occupancy in a two bedroom lock-off could conceivably be 10.

I wrote that wrong. I didn't mean new policy, I meant is it new that they are enforcing it. I didn't want to break the rules, but there was a mistake in booking and we wound up in a studio not a 1bdr

 

[Chuck S]

. I didn't want to break the rules, but there was a mistake in booking and we wound up in a studio not a 1bdr

That mistake in booking may be why they allowed it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

That mistake in booking may be why they allowed it.

I agree, and I KNOW they will not allow you to specifically book 5 in a studio. A year ago, when we were booking for NYE, we originally booked a studio for 4 of us for NYE switching to a 2 bedroom NY Day. Well, things change, and a 5th person got added. When I called about 6 months out to see if we could add the 5th person, they would NOT allow it in the studio, so we had to cancel the studio and book a 1 bedroom for that one night. No big deal, because we moved to the 2 bedroom in the morning, but I KNOW they woud not book it that way.

 

[Finny]

One of the reasons we are buying DVC is so that the five of us won't have to be scrunched in one room together again!

It seems like it would be a very tight fit.

 

[bpmorley]

One of the reasons we are buying DVC is so that the five of us won't have to be scrunched in one room together again!

It seems like it would be a very tight fit.

Suprisingly it wasn't that bad.

 

[UConnJack]

I have always watched this thread, but never contributed since its obvious people’s opinion on this subject are largely concrete. However, I figured I’d finally weigh in, for what its worth, although I know its not a new opinion or one that’s going to change minds.

I understand the point that occupancy is set in the contract, but if MS allows it (i.e., 5 in a 1br, 9 in a 2br), I don't see what the big deal is. I do also understand the argument about wear & tear and pool crowding. But personally, I do not think the allowance of 1 extra person in some of the rooms contributes enough additional wear & tear and crowding to make a big stink about. Comparison to other timeshares is irrelevant since this is not some other timeshare. Because this is Disney, I suspect the percentage of family ownership with kids is higher than other timeshares, and there is a big difference between 5 adults and 2 adults/3 kids in a 1-br.

Many of you may think that 5 would feel too crowded in a 1-br, but considering a regular hotel room or DVC studio accommodates 4, to expect a 1-br (at twice the square footage) to accommodate 5 is not unreasonable or too crowded. If you feel that it is too crowded for you, get the 2-br, but for many of us, an 800-sqft room is plenty spacious for 5. And if we don't have a problem sleeping on a sleeper sofa or an air mattress, why should you care?

My problem with the new AKV setup is that they should make 5 in a 1-br and 9 in a 2-br official across all the DVC resorts, not just some units at only AKV. I too like the idea of switching out the King bed in some 1-brs at all the resorts for a different bed arrangement. Not 2 double beds, but 2 queens if they fit, a queen and a double, or better yet, a queen and a set of bunks like they have in some WL rooms. Make them a guaranteed request like BW view or the BCV 2-br dedicated room.

 

[Chuck S]

I have always watched this thread, but never contributed since its obvious people’s opinion on this subject are largely concrete. However, I figured I’d finally weigh in, for what its worth, although I know its not a new opinion or one that’s going to change minds.

I understand the point that occupancy is set in the contract, but if MS allows it (i.e., 5 in a 1br, 9 in a 2br), I don't see what the big deal is. I do also understand the argument about wear & tear and pool crowding. But personally, I do not think the allowance of 1 extra person in some of the rooms contributes enough additional wear & tear and crowding to make a big stink about. Comparison to other timeshares is irrelevant since this is not some other timeshare. Because this is Disney, I suspect the percentage of family ownership with kids is higher than other timeshares, and there is a big difference between 5 adults and 2 adults/3 kids in a 1-br.

Many of you may think that 5 would feel too crowded in a 1-br, but considering a regular hotel room or DVC studio accommodates 4, to expect a 1-br (at twice the square footage) to accommodate 5 is not unreasonable or too crowded. If you feel that it is too crowded for you, get the 2-br, but for many of us, an 800-sqft room is plenty spacious for 5. And if we don't have a problem sleeping on a sleeper sofa or an air mattress, why should you care?

My problem with the new AKV setup is that they should make 5 in a 1-br and 9 in a 2-br official across all the DVC resorts, not just some units at only AKV. I too like the idea of switching out the King bed in some 1-brs at all the resorts for a different bed arrangement. Not 2 double beds, but 2 queens if they fit, a queen and a double, or better yet, a queen and a set of bunks like they have in some WL rooms. Make them a guaranteed request like BW view or the BCV 2-br dedicated room.

I'm not sure they could make that kind of a change to the bed set up in existing resorts without a membership vote, as it essentially, and substatially, would change the product we purchased. It may not be legal under FL timeshare law.

 

[bpmorley]

I understand the point that occupancy is set in the contract, but if MS allows it (i.e., 5 in a 1br, 9 in a 2br), I don't see what the big deal is. I do also understand the argument about wear & tear and pool crowding. But personally, I do not think the allowance of 1 extra person in some of the rooms contributes enough additional wear & tear and crowding to make a big stink about.

And don't forget about groups having less than the maximum allowed. We're doing 5 in a 2bdr in Dec. That leaves room for 3 groups to have an extra person in whatever size villa they are staying. And there would be no impact on wear & tear or pool capacity

 

[UConnJack]

I'm not sure they could make that kind of a change to the bed set up in existing resorts without a membership vote, as it essentially, and substatially, would change the product we purchased. It may not be legal under FL timeshare law.

True. It's unfortunate they didn't set this up initially (i.e., more options than just a King in a 1-br). I think it would have appealed to a very large portion of the DVC membership, especially those with kids

 

[Granny]

True. It's unfortunate they didn't set this up initially (i.e., more options than just a King in a 1-br). I think it would have appealed to a very large portion of the DVC membership, especially those with kids

There have been a few polls on this site about this and my recollection is that the vast majority of DVC owners like the king bed. Keep in mind, every time they offer more options it increases the chances that someone won't get what they want.

As for the actual topic of this thread, I'll leave that up to you all.

 

[UConnJack]

There have been a few polls on this site about this and my recollection is that the vast majority of DVC owners like the king bed.

Yes, but as I've been repeatedly told, polls here can't be proven as representative.

Keep in mind, every time they offer more options it increases the chances that someone won't get what they want.

Yeah, you're right. Although getting a queen bed vs. a king isn't the end of the world or even really an inconvienience. Not like a non-smoker getting a smoking room or something.

 

[freshmanjs]

But since two studios will not connect and may not be close to each other, if you want to be together, you'll need the two bedroom.



MS has allowed five in a one bedroom, but they will not provide additional bedding or linens. You'll still only get four bathtowels, two hand towels and four face cloths. No rollaways will be provided for the fifth person.

What happens if you call housekeeping and ask for some towels? Will they refuse to bring them? Can you pay for extra towels?

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Yeah, you're right. Although getting a queen bed vs. a king isn't the end of the world or even really an inconvienience. Not like a non-smoker getting a smoking room or something.

Read my signature line. It would be a big problem for me to get a queen bed for me and my husband to share. That's why I like the one bedroom the way it is.

 

[Dean]

What happens if you call housekeeping and ask for some towels? Will they refuse to bring them? Can you pay for extra towels?

There is a $6 charge or a 4 towel pack.

 

[LisaS]

Although getting a queen bed vs. a king isn't the end of the world or even really an inconvienience. Not like a non-smoker getting a smoking room or something.

When DH and I opt to pay the extra points for a 1BR, it's primarily for the king bed and jacuzzi. I would be very unhappy if a paid the extra points for a 1BR and ended up with a queen-size bed.

 

[UConnJack]

Personally, while kings beds are comfortable, there is something I don't like about being so far away from my wife. Queen size beds are perfect IMHO, allows plenty of personal space, yet close to your partner. In this regard, I don't see much difference between a king bed and just sleeping in two single beds.

But I don't much see the problem of having some 1-br's with a different bed arrangement to make sleeping arrangements easier for some families. I'm not saying most or even half, but some. Make the different setups guaranteed to minimize people getting setups they don't prefer. I think there are enough people who would want this to support some rooms with this arrangement. I don't think most would be too upset if their preference wasn't available. Even just from a security standpoint, I find it uncomfortable having my 4-6 year old children sleeping alone in the living room where the door is located. I also don't like having to put them to bed in the master bedroom, only to have to move them out later in the night.

Now I know it is likely never to happen at existing resorts, if for no other reason than what Chuck gave, that the units were not sold with those arrangements and would likely take a vote by the membership. That said, I would like to see some variety in future resorts to this end.

 

[UConnJack]

When DH and I opt to pay the extra points for a 1BR, it's primarily for the king bed and jacuzzi. I would be very unhappy if a paid the extra points for a 1BR and ended up with a queen-size bed.

Whereas I pay the points to get a living space and kitchen. I would actually rather save the living space from being use as bedding, having us and the kids in the bedroom. I know you will say to get a 2-bedroom, but that is a complete waste of space and points for 4 people IMHO. I just think a little bedding variety would be nice.

 

[tjkraz]

And don't forget about groups having less than the maximum allowed. We're doing 5 in a 2bdr in Dec. That leaves room for 3 groups to have an extra person in whatever size villa they are staying. And there would be no impact on wear & tear or pool capacity

Disney certainly doesn't plan (or budget) as if each room is filled to capacity year round. They have their own statistics and know the average occupancies for different size units. Let's say a One Bedroom villa averages 3 occupants per night. As soon as you raise the posted occupancy from 4 occupants to 5, some parties will take advantage of it and increase their party size. Over time, you may see that average of 3 occupants per night increase to 3.3 or 3.5 per night.

That may not seem like much but it's impossible to ignore that the net result is more wear and tear on the rooms and more people at the pool.

In some cases, the net impact may be greater than just an extra guest here and there. Let's say a party of 9 wishes to stay at a DVC resort. If the max occupancy is 8 in a two bedroom, you probably have those 9 guests spread over a two bedroom AND a studio. However, if DVC allows all 9 guests into the two bedroom, the studio is free for up to 4 more guests. In this situation, allowing a ninth person into a two bedroom raises the total resort occupancy by as many as 4 people--the 4 who are able to book the Studio left vacant by cramming 9 into a 2B.

You've also have people using the room in a manner for which it truly isn't equipped. There just isn't enough bedding in a One Bedroom for most parties of 5. When people bring their own air beds or cots, it increases the likelihood of damage to the room or furnishings while people are moving furniture around on a daily basis. Or you've got people attempting to sleep on love seats or living room chairs that really weren't designed for such a function. Again, there's an increased likelihood of damage to the furniture.

That said, I tend to fall into the camp of "if DVC says it's OK, I'm OK." I'm not going to turn my nose up at anyone who is within DVC's published or verbal guidelines. And if they reduce the limits to 4 and 8 again, so be it.

But I think it's undeniable that an increase in the level of permitted guests raises the average room occupancy and average resort occupancy. And I'm sure there is some cost passed-on to members as a result of these changes. Spread over millions of DVC points, it's probably not a significant amount, but it does exist.

 

[dianeschlicht]

What happens if you call housekeeping and ask for some towels? Will they refuse to bring them? Can you pay for extra towels?

Sure, you can pay $6 for an extra towel pack.