Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[Dean]

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.....

If they can't justify a 2 BR, they shouldn't buy in to DVC. WDW will give cots also, just not DVC portions related, in part, to occupancy issues.

 

[staceymay00]

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.....

This is an issue at other places besides Disney. I have three children and it is more difficult (and often more expensive) finding accomodations that sleep five. Disney actually is better than some places in that they do have some options that sleep five without the use of cots and air mattresses. Are they the least expensive options...no...but having more than one or two kids pretty much does away with life on the cheap anyway (as I am learning more and more each year!).

I do think there are 1BR options that can work if your friends can't or don't want to spend the money for a 2BR.

OKW - 1BR villas are spacious and sleep five, the best bang for your buck since point requirements are lower and resale prices are good, the downside of OKW 1BRs is only 1 bathroom. Points for 2BRs are more reasonable than at other resorts.
AKV - Many 1BRs sleep five and have two bathrooms. There are standard view rooms that require fewer points, but probably need to be booked close to the 11 month mark to ensure availability. Standard view 1BR and 2BR points are in line with OKW points, plus there are value 2BR units that sleep 5, but again it would be important to to book early.
BWV - Standard view 1BR and 2BR points are in line with OKW, but need to be booked early. Resale prices at BWV have dropped a good bit recently.
BLT - The 1BRs sleep five and have two bathrooms, however points required to stay are high and points will cost more.

Yes, these options are more expensive than a studio, but to be honest your friends will have a much better experience in villa in my opinion. We would not have bought direct for 2BR units that require the highest points of any resort - it is more than we could justify spending. However, since we happen to like OKW and bought resale we found the price to be reasonable for what we are getting.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Families of 5 often have to make hard choices. When we book cruises for our DGC's family, we have them in 2 connecting cabins because there are 5 in the family. I think DVC has done fine for these families by having 2 full baths and the sleeper chair in BLT and AKV, Kidani!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We always booked 5 in a studio until our oldest got married and left us.
We were all on reservation and all got keycards with our names. I was told you can have one over stated occupancy in all rooms except AKL values. They will not provide bedding or towels, but often housekeeping left us extra towels.

At the BWV they have a studio that has a daybed and they usually gave us one of those rooms. The thing is not full length and does not look comfortable, so we would always bring an airbed which we set up by the door so we could easily get to the bathroom without bumping into it.

It was not too crowded--I miss those days!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Families of 5 often have to make hard choices. When we book cruises for our DGC's family, we have them in 2 connecting cabins because there are 5 in the family. I think DVC has done fine for these families by having 2 full baths and the sleeper chair in BLT and AKV, Kidani!

Bobbie,
we have done over 10 cruises on Celebrity because they have many staterooms that allow 5 in a cabin. Now that our oldest is married, we have tried other lines and 4 in a room seems spacious.

 

[Geezer]

We always booked 5 in a studio until our oldest got married and left us.
We were all on reservation and all got keycards with our names. I was told you can have one over stated occupancy in all rooms except AKL values. They will not provide bedding or towels, but often housekeeping left us extra towels.

At the BWV they have a studio that has a daybed and they usually gave us one of those rooms. The thing is not full length and does not look comfortable, so we would always bring an airbed which we set up by the door so we could easily get to the bathroom without bumping into it.

It was not too crowded--I miss those days!

Not sure how you did that. You say you did it many times? We tried to book 5 in a studio for 1 night on the arriving end of a 9 night stay in a 2 bedroom. We wanted to save points that first short night before our 2 bedroom reservation started. We were not allowed to book it. They told me we had to book a 1 bedroom for that night. We booked the 1 bedroom, and it was fine. I know the studio would have been fine too, but it was definitely against the rules.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I thought we all bought the same DVC with the same set of rules. I know I got a book of DVC rules/Public Offering Statement plus other stuff when I bought. How is it that other members do not have to follow the same rules that I have to follow? Am I not special enough or what?

 

[Dean]

Not sure how you did that. You say you did it many times? We tried to book 5 in a studio for 1 night on the arriving end of a 9 night stay in a 2 bedroom. We wanted to save points that first short night before our 2 bedroom reservation started. We were not allowed to book it. They told me we had to book a 1 bedroom for that night. We booked the 1 bedroom, and it was fine. I know the studio would have been fine too, but it was definitely against the rules.

As I noted above, they used to allow that but there were changes a number of years ago, 2003 is the year that comes to mind when this happened.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I thought we all bought the same DVC with the same set of rules. I know I got a book of DVC rules/Public Offering Statement plus other stuff when I bought. How is it that other members do not have to follow the same rules that I have to follow? Am I not special enough or what?

I've often wondered that too. Why is it that some people seem to get special treatment? Could it be the squeeky wheel getting the grease or just what?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Originally, we booked Studios when it was just my 3 year old son and I, but as he aged (14 1/2 now) and we brought friends and family with us we changed our accomodations. We book 2 bedrooms, I want everyone to enjoy their time at Disney and the resort and just as I am very comfortable in my king size bed, I want everyone else to be comfortable as well. Comfortable for me also means that everyone should have some privacy and room to move around. I personally prefer fewer stays, or shortened stays that are comfortable rather than longer stays in crowded/cramped accomodations. I probably will offend some people by making this statement and if so I apologize in advance but it is my belief that the more people you cram in a room over capacity only leads to advanced wear and tear, and that, we all pay for. Just because you legitametely could fill all of the floor space with people in sleeping bags doesn't mean you should and that's why there are occupancy limits.

I do wish that the rules would be outlined better by the CM's because its seems that on many issues, every CM has his or her own spin on the interpretation of the rules. You can call 3 times and get a different answer to the same question and that shouldn't be, it only confuses people.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I probably will offend some people by making this statement and if so I apologize in advance but it is my belief that the more people you cram in a room over capacity only leads to advanced wear and tear, and that, we all pay for. Just because you legitametely could fill all of the floor space with people in sleeping bags doesn't mean you should and that's why there are occupancy limits.

I do wish that the rules would be outlined better by the CM's because its seems that on many issues, every CM has his or her own spin on the interpretation of the rules. You can call 3 times and get a different answer to the same question and that shouldn't be, it only confuses people.

Absolutely agree! I hate seeing people cram too many into a space. Just imagine if every studio had 5 people in it for a week at a time.

 

[hakepb]

Absolutely agree! I hate seeing people cram too many into a space. Just imagine if every studio had 5 people in it for a week at a time.

I tend to agree with your statement, but I don't think the difference is as great. I think people will spend more hours each day (with room for kids to run) in a larger unit vs a packed unit the group can only "crash" in for the night.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I tend to agree with your statement, but I don't think the difference is as great. I think people will spend more hours each day (with room for kids to run) in a larger unit vs a packed unit the group can only "crash" in for the night.

And what makes you think there isn't wear and tear on stuffing 5 people into a studio for sleeping, showering, breakfasting????

 

[Dean]

I thought we all bought the same DVC with the same set of rules. I know I got a book of DVC rules/Public Offering Statement plus other stuff when I bought. How is it that other members do not have to follow the same rules that I have to follow? Am I not special enough or what?

Part of DVC's problem in the past has been they haven't had a backbone to stand by the rules. Another is that DVC members as a group seem to feel more entitled than most and are not only willing to skirt the rules but brag about it and get upset with anyone that doesn't think violating the rules is OK. Just look at this thread as one of many examples.

 

[bpmorley]

Part of DVC's problem in the past has been they haven't had a backbone to stand by the rules. Another is that DVC members as a group seem to feel more entitled than most and are not only willing to skirt the rules but brag about it and get upset with anyone that doesn't think violating the rules is OK. Just look at this thread as one of many examples.

More entitled? really? I don't get the what the big deal is with anyone. For every person/family/group that puts an extra body in a room there has to be 50+(and that is a low estimate) that put 2 in a studio, 2 or 3 in a 1bdr, 5 or 6 in a 2bdr or 9 in a grand villa. Personally except for one time where we put 5 in a studio, we've always been under the limits. Twice in the THV with 5 then 6 the following year. We're always just 2 in a studio. We've done 2 in a 1 bdr and 4 and 5 in a 2bdr. So really, what's the big deal. Maybe I'll break the trend and put 12 in a studio next time, just for fun.

 

[dianeschlicht]

More entitled? really? I don't get the what the big deal is with anyone. For every person/family/group that puts an extra body in a room there has to be 50+(and that is a low estimate) that put 2 in a studio, 2 or 3 in a 1bdr, 5 or 6 in a 2bdr or 9 in a grand villa. Personally except for one time where we put 5 in a studio, we've always been under the limits. Twice in the THV with 5 then 6 the following year. We're always just 2 in a studio. We've done 2 in a 1 bdr and 4 and 5 in a 2bdr. So really, what's the big deal. Maybe I'll break the trend and put 12 in a studio next time, just for fun.

LOL, so because we usually have 2 in a 1 bedroom and 3 or 4 in a 2 bedroom, that makes up for times when someone has 6 in a studio or 10 in a 2 bedroom? I guess I don't see it that way at all.

 

[bpmorley]

LOL, so because we usually have 2 in a 1 bedroom and 3 or 4 in a 2 bedroom, that makes up for times when someone has 6 in a studio or 10 in a 2 bedroom? I guess I don't see it that way at all.

Do the math. it works for me. To be honest I don't care how many people stay in a room.

 

[tjkraz]

I don't get the what the big deal is with anyone. For every person/family/group that puts an extra body in a room there has to be 50+(and that is a low estimate) that put 2 in a studio, 2 or 3 in a 1bdr, 5 or 6 in a 2bdr or 9 in a grand villa. Personally except for one time where we put 5 in a studio, we've always been under the limits. Twice in the THV with 5 then 6 the following year. We're always just 2 in a studio. We've done 2 in a 1 bdr and 4 and 5 in a 2bdr. So really, what's the big deal. Maybe I'll break the trend and put 12 in a studio next time, just for fun.

Every time a guest goes over the occupancy limit, it increases the likelihood that the room will suffer damage as a result. People have to sleep somewhere and they have to store their luggage. Trying to house 6 people in a room designed for 4 undoubtedly leads to an increase in damage to walls, furniture, fixtures, etc.

That damage isn't un-done by guests who choose not to fill a villa to the limit.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The real math is the amount of square feet per person. If you are putting 6 people in a space where I am putting 2, I can guarantee you there is a LOT more stress and wear on the room after your 6 than after my 2.

 

[Dean]

More entitled? really? I don't get the what the big deal is with anyone. For every person/family/group that puts an extra body in a room there has to be 50+(and that is a low estimate) that put 2 in a studio, 2 or 3 in a 1bdr, 5 or 6 in a 2bdr or 9 in a grand villa. Personally except for one time where we put 5 in a studio, we've always been under the limits. Twice in the THV with 5 then 6 the following year. We're always just 2 in a studio. We've done 2 in a 1 bdr and 4 and 5 in a 2bdr. So really, what's the big deal. Maybe I'll break the trend and put 12 in a studio next time, just for fun.

You're assuming that the system accepts that each room will be full which is not the case. The system assumes the average occupancy will be lower than the max but assumes the max will be based on the upper limit of occupancy, not stuffing. That some will have less is already factored in so it's not applicable to the argument. The big deal is that there are REAL costs (both $$$ and otherwise) to such issues including pool use, parking, restaurants, extra maint, etc. And while there are other areas where there are also extra costs, each issue stands on it's own. So that one person won't use the pool or won't drive does not act as a credit for those stuffing. Besides, to do so on the sly is simply dishonest.