Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[staceymay00]

Unofficial policy is that Member Services will allow you to book five people of any age in a 1BR villa that sleep four, however you will not be provided linens and towels for the 5th person. My understanding is that all five people are listed on the reservation and can use ME, EMH, have the DDP, etc. This is not true for studios where you can have only four people plus one child under three, and the unofficial policy of 5 in a 1BR could change at any time. Only BLT, AKV and OKW have 1BR villas that officially sleep five. The OKW villas were just modified to add the sleeper chair and the new point charts do say that most 1BRs there sleep five, so I am assuming linens and towels are provided for five.

We are a family of five and when we bought last year I figured we would make do with a 1BR for a while, however we ended up splurging on a 2BR for our first stay and that pretty much ruined us for future trips. We just loved having a separate bedroom and bathroom for the kids without dealing with pullouts in the living room. Because we bought with the intention of sometimes booking 1BRs, I only considered BLT, AKV and OKW since they have sleeping space for five. Even though I knew MS would allow all five of us stay in a 1BR at other resorts, I could not justify spending all that money on DVC and still having to bring an air mattress and linens, plus what if MS changed the policy? Even though we realized we want more space than a 1BR, it is nice knowing a 1BR is an option for all five of us.

Should your friends feel strongly about staying in a 1BR to reduce costs, BLT and AKV Kidani have the advantage of two bathrooms in a 1BR villa. OKW has just one bathroom in a 1BR, however the living area is very spacious, which must be nice when you have kids sleeping on pullouts in the living room.

 

[tjkraz]

That sounds good for them, but only for now. Do any studios have options for 5 (other than PNP)?

THANKS!

IMO, anything short of a two bedroom is only a temporary solution for a family of 5. Those kids will be teenagers in a few short years and even a one bedroom which sleeps 5 will be uncomfortable--if not downright inappropriate--for a family of that size.

 

[Brian Noble]

IMO, anything short of a two bedroom is only a temporary solution for a family of 5.

You *could* get by with one of the 1BRs with the 2nd Bath and the sleeper chair. But, even for my family of four, I *really* prefer a 2BR.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You *could* get by with one of the 1BRs with the 2nd Bath and the sleeper chair. But, even for my family of four, I *really* prefer a 2BR.

You COULD, but would it really be a vacation then? I never plan to put more than 2 in a 1 bedroom. Sometimes it works out differently though. Occasionally I'll have one of our adult kids decide to join us long after we have planned and booked. It's okay by me if they want to sleep in the living room, but they also know that if they would make that decision earlier, I'd have gotten the 2 bedroom.

 

[szymcl]

When I was a kid, we always had one hotel room, 2 adults 3 kids. I always had a cot or sleeping bag as the girl, my 2 brothers shared a bed. It was fine for us even as we became teenagers. We raised our kids the same way. They can adapt to anything. When we took them to Europe, we were glad, as a lot of the great little places in London, Ireland, Austria etc, are tiny rooms/tinier bathrooms!
Sure a 2 bedroom for 5 is nice, but for me, the flexibility of the 5 in a one bedroom helps now that my kids are in college and beyond. A few times I have reserved a 2 bedroom, only to have one or two cancel or just can't commit early. It's nice to have the flexibility to say, "We'll be there, come if you can, we may have to squeeze, but we'll be happy to see you!" The five of us stayed in a one bed BLT, it was fine, fun, great!. 4 of us stayed recently in a 2 bed OKW, it was great too, but one bedroom would have been fine too. I think the fact that we have a large home makes it more special to be close on vacations.

 

[K9pal]

In 2012, we will be taking the whole fam and staying 4 nites at VWL. We are planning to book a studio and a 2BR. Fam consists of DH & I, daughter, her DH and 2 kids (6 & 8), and son, his DW and 4 kids (12, 10 and twins 4). Had planned to put the family of 4 in the studio, with hubby and I sharing the 2BR with the family of 6. But the little cousins are close and want to all stay together, so now they want DH and I to take the studio while all 10 of the others take the 2 BR. They would use 2 twin size aero beds for the little ones. So... my question is, can we do this? Will we have to check in according to the original plan and then make the switch on our own, or will DVC allow us to do this? I can't figure out what to do to keep everyone happy. We won't have enough points to book a 1br instead of the studio. Appreciate any advice!

 

[bpmorley]

Technically, you have room for 13. But I don't think they'll let you check in putting 10 in the 2bdr. I would check in with 4 in the studio and make the switch on your own. Just my opinion

 

[mousefan1972]

No, studios are 4 + an infant (under 3). Once the youngest is 3, they will need at least a 1 bedroom. AKV, BLT, and OKW have the sleeper chair so will provide sleeping space and bedding/towels for 5 in the 1 bedrooms (well, not the values at AKV).

None, and they will enforce it on the reservation side.

I agree. However, when I stated such on another DVC discussion forum, I was quickly told by the OP that an MS CM encouraged her to book 5 (3 adults, and a 12 and 9 year old) in a BWV studio. She claims to have the reservation confirmation with all 5 people listed. Another poster chimed in that they too have booked 5 over the age of 3 in a studio. Have any of you heard of this? I thought 4 plus one under 3 in a studio was strictly enforced. We are a family of 4 who have outgrown a studio; I can't imagine stuffing 5 people in one.

 

[Sandisw]

I agree. However, when I stated such on another DVC discussion forum, I was quickly told by the OP that an MS CM encouraged her to book 5 (3 adults, and a 12 and 9 year old) in a BWV studio. She claims to have the reservation confirmation with all 5 people listed. Another poster chimed in that they too have booked 5 over the age of 3 in a studio. Have any of you heard of this? I thought 4 plus one under 3 in a studio was strictly enforced. We are a family of 4 who have outgrown a studio; I can't imagine stuffing 5 people in one.

I have never heard of them allowing 5 in the studio. And, I am with you, no way would I cram 5 in a studio--4 is bad enough. Yes, we did 5 in the CR before DVC and now that we own, we will never go back to that!!!

 

[Sandisw]

In 2012, we will be taking the whole fam and staying 4 nites at VWL. We are planning to book a studio and a 2BR. Fam consists of DH & I, daughter, her DH and 2 kids (6 & 8), and son, his DW and 4 kids (12, 10 and twins 4). Had planned to put the family of 4 in the studio, with hubby and I sharing the 2BR with the family of 6. But the little cousins are close and want to all stay together, so now they want DH and I to take the studio while all 10 of the others take the 2 BR. They would use 2 twin size aero beds for the little ones. So... my question is, can we do this? Will we have to check in according to the original plan and then make the switch on our own, or will DVC allow us to do this? I can't figure out what to do to keep everyone happy. We won't have enough points to book a 1br instead of the studio. Appreciate any advice!

I believe that you will have to book things so that you stay within legal occupancy limits. However, as mentioned before, Disney does not do bed checks to make sure that everyone is in the right room. If a cousin decides to stay in a different room, I think you will be fine.

 

[mousefan1972]

I have never heard of them allowing 5 in the studio. And, I am with you, no way would I cram 5 in a studio--4 is bad enough. Yes, we did 5 in the CR before DVC and now that we own, we will never go back to that!!!

Thanks, I feel less crazy now. Although it was entirely frustrating to be told, "No, you can book 5 in a studio because I did it!" after I had just said that MS strictly enforces 4 plus one under age 3.

 

[charvel67]

We stayed at SSR, our home resort in 10/2009 and there were 5 of us in a 1BR. This room was huge, at least we thought more than enough room. 2 adults and 3 kids, 17, 12, and 5 years old. Plenty of room no problem. Just my 2 cents.

 

[dianeschlicht]

In 2012, we will be taking the whole fam and staying 4 nites at VWL. We are planning to book a studio and a 2BR. Fam consists of DH & I, daughter, her DH and 2 kids (6 & 8), and son, his DW and 4 kids (12, 10 and twins 4). Had planned to put the family of 4 in the studio, with hubby and I sharing the 2BR with the family of 6. But the little cousins are close and want to all stay together, so now they want DH and I to take the studio while all 10 of the others take the 2 BR. They would use 2 twin size aero beds for the little ones. So... my question is, can we do this? Will we have to check in according to the original plan and then make the switch on our own, or will DVC allow us to do this? I can't figure out what to do to keep everyone happy. We won't have enough points to book a 1br instead of the studio. Appreciate any advice!

You wont be allowed to book 10 in a 2 bedroom. If you are in AKV, BLT, or OKW, you will be allowed to book 9, but the only way you could book 10 is if at least one of them is under age 3.

 

[las3888]

I am the OP and appreciate all the advice. It's for my friends who are a family of 5. I am a family of 3 and we are in LOVE with 1 BR's. We have a really hard time going anywhere else and staying in a normal room. That being said, there seems to be a lot of distaste for 5 in a studio. While I wouldn't want to do it, and luckily we have the means to afford 1 BR's at this point, I am thinking that in general, there are tons of families that trek to Disney every year and put 5 in rooms at all the resorts including the moderates and values.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am the OP and appreciate all the advice. It's for my friends who are a family of 5. I am a family of 3 and we are in LOVE with 1 BR's. We have a really hard time going anywhere else and staying in a normal room. That being said, there seems to be a lot of distaste for 5 in a studio. While I wouldn't want to do it, and luckily we have the means to afford 1 BR's at this point, I am thinking that in general, there are tons of families that trek to Disney every year and put 5 in rooms at all the resorts including the moderates and values.

Fine by me if they put them in the moderate and value rooms as long as they don't mind not being able to take advantage of EMH for the "extra" people. When it comes to DVC though....The extra people mean extra wear and tear on my ownership investment and could mean more dues for me to pay. That's why we don't want the occupancy limit breached.

 

[Dean]

I agree. However, when I stated such on another DVC discussion forum, I was quickly told by the OP that an MS CM encouraged her to book 5 (3 adults, and a 12 and 9 year old) in a BWV studio. She claims to have the reservation confirmation with all 5 people listed. Another poster chimed in that they too have booked 5 over the age of 3 in a studio. Have any of you heard of this? I thought 4 plus one under 3 in a studio was strictly enforced. We are a family of 4 who have outgrown a studio; I can't imagine stuffing 5 people in one.

Until a few years ago they did do this routinely. They made the change to more strict enforcement at the same time they went to the semi formal option of 4 in a 1 BR. However, Disney is infamous for being inconsistent so it would not surprise me if it happened this week. Likewise, they would previously allow 6 in a 1 BR and 10 in a 2 BR but no longer.

 

[Dean]

I am the OP and appreciate all the advice. It's for my friends who are a family of 5. I am a family of 3 and we are in LOVE with 1 BR's. We have a really hard time going anywhere else and staying in a normal room. That being said, there seems to be a lot of distaste for 5 in a studio. While I wouldn't want to do it, and luckily we have the means to afford 1 BR's at this point, I am thinking that in general, there are tons of families that trek to Disney every year and put 5 in rooms at all the resorts including the moderates and values.

Just like there are people that bring pets, etc. It is my opinion and philosophy that dishonest people will find a way to be dishonest when it suits their purpose and to do this on the sly would fit that definition. IF one tells DVC and they reserve and list it that way I still have issues with it but with DVC and not the guest.

 

[las3888]

Just like there are people that bring pets, etc. It is my opinion and philosophy that dishonest people will find a way to be dishonest when it suits their purpose and to do this on the sly would fit that definition. IF one tells DVC and they reserve and list it that way I still have issues with it but with DVC and not the guest.

I am not advocating any dishonesty. My original post is that I have no clue what the minimums are for DVC studios, 1 BRs, etc. let alone moderates, values, and deluxes. We are a family of 3 and never have to think about these rules etc. However, I am just finding it odd that families of 5, and face it, there are MANY, have to stay in something beyond a normal hotel room? I am not saying it's true or not or right or wrong...it's just more of what are these families options--seriously--you have an extra kid and you have to book a series of rooms for a family of 5? Glad we're a family of 3, let's just put it that way....

 

[Dean]

I am not advocating any dishonesty. My original post is that I have no clue what the minimums are for DVC studios, 1 BRs, etc. let alone moderates, values, and deluxes. We are a family of 3 and never have to think about these rules etc. However, I am just finding it odd that families of 5, and face it, there are MANY, have to stay in something beyond a normal hotel room? I am not saying it's true or not or right or wrong...it's just more of what are these families options--seriously--you have an extra kid and you have to book a series of rooms for a family of 5? Glad we're a family of 3, let's just put it that way....

For a family of 5, there are hotel options at Disney that are legit, for timeshares it quickly becomes a 2 BR for most resorts. If you're saying that timeshares SHOULD provide cheaper options for a family of 5 than a 2 BR, then I would somewhat disagree. DVC has to a degree, and some places do; but not many and they have no responsibility to do so.

 

[las3888]

I somewhat disagree...I feel that only DW has these problems. DL seems ready to give out cots and sleeping bags to accommodate a wide variety of sleeping arrangements.

Too bad for my family of 5 friends...they will probably not be buying DVC if they are faced with 2 BRS only in their future.....