Max Occupancy in DVC Resorts

[DebbieB]

Do you seriously think Disney would take a chance on the liability it would be under if they knowingly allowed overoccupancy against fire codes? There is no way their risk control and legal departments would allow that.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

I don't believe it's a fire code issue. You can legally have 5 in a POR trundle room with one exit. A DVC 1 bedroom is at least twice the space of POR and has 2 or 3 exits (main door, living room balcony, bedroom balcony). There's no way fire code would not allow 5 people in a 700 square foot room with 2 or 3 exits but allow it in a 300 square foot room with 1 exit. If it was a fire code issue, there is no way Disney would take a chance on allowing overoccupancy.

Exactly. Very logical and well said. I think the fier coade aurgument is something the folks with only 4 or less in thier family like to trumpet. There is no mention of fire codes in the contract.

5 in a one bedroom is very comfortable for us. For others with sons and daughters, or older children, I could see why it wouldn't be.

 

[Nanajo1]

Exactly. Very logical and well said. I think the fier coade aurgument is something the folks with only 4 or less in thier family like to trumpet. There is no mention of fire codes in the contract.

5 in a one bedroom is very comfortable for us. For others with sons and daughters, or older children, I could see why it wouldn't be.

I find it interesting that you would state that there is no mention of fire codes in the contract. The contract does mention occupancy limits.
My family is at the point where two of my children's family are at 5 with an infant. I have 1BRs for them this next trip, in two years the youngest will be over 3. I know they would be fine in a 1 BR but DVC does not have to allow me to reserve this for them. This is my point DVC can decide to enforce the contract.
I don't understand the comment about families with 4.

 

[DebbieB]

The occupancy limit is based on the number of sleeping spots that are provided. They couldn't very sell say in the contract that the occupancy limit is 5 when they only provide bedding for 4.

If you seriously think there is a fire code violation, why would you check your family into a hotel that you think may have fire code violations?

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Fire code is at least based on the maximum occupancy for the resort (i.e. every bed filled and probably every pack-n-play too). On top of that there is likely extra "occupancy cushion" to accomodate for non-occupying guests and resort staff.

I've never seen exit doors at DVC chained shut, so I feel comfortable with my family of 5 in a DVC 1-BR unit.

 

[mickeysgal]

Oh, I get it. Total resort occupancy in order to exit the building.

Disney, the Corporation, simply would not put themselves at risk if they will list on the reservation and issue cards for 5 in a 1 bedroom. They wouldn't allow it and put themselves in a position of liability if the resort couldn't conform to fire code/occupancy codes and limits.

 

[sgtdisney]

Some things never change.

 

[Dean]

Actually we have seen significant change. Previously it was common to see 5 or 6 in a studio, same for a 1 BR and 9-10 in a 2 BR (sometimes more). There was essentially no enforcement of the WRITTEN rules in place. But we've seen a significant move toward limiting to 4 in a studio, 5 in a 1 BR though I think the 2 BR is still less clear. For the first time, DVC as a system has said no on a number of occasions and told people they needed to get a larger unit, a major plus IMO even though there is still a ways to go.

 

[sgtdisney]

Actually we have seen significant change. Previously it was common to see 5 or 6 in a studio, same for a 1 BR and 9-10 in a 2 BR (sometimes more). There was essentially no enforcement of the WRITTEN rules in place. But we've seen a significant move toward limiting to 4 in a studio, 5 in a 1 BR though I think the 2 BR is still less clear. For the first time, DVC as a system has said no on a number of occasions and told people they needed to get a larger unit, a major plus IMO even though there is still a ways to go.

I meant the old debate from years before lives on.

 

[Beach_Bound9]

I meant the old debate from years before lives on.

Yep. Oh well.

 

[amee]

I have a question....

How do they inforce the rules on this topic of occupancy unless people are honest about the numbers when they make the reservation?

Do they check? Is there some sort of cross-referencing between reservations and tickets purchased? I am just wondering.......

Just as an aside, when i made reservations for my brother'd family and my family for Thanksgiving, MS actually suggested that my brother's family get a 1 BR instead of a 2BR, when she saw it was 2 adults and 3 little kids. Up until then, i didn't even know it was an option................

Amee

 

[3DisneyKids]

Interesting thread and very helpful to me.

We stayed in an OKW Studio last year; 2 adults, 2 kids, and 1 under 3, so we were "legal."

Our kids are all young (5, 3, and 1.5 at time of trip) so all 3 slept in one queen and we slept in the other. No problem. However, it was crowded when we weren't asleep. Seemed like there were people and stuff everywhere.

We are planning on buying into DVC next year (fingers crossed and pixie dust, please) and I am so relieved to hear that we will be able to stay in a 1 BR. Our kids are now 6, 4.5 and 3, so we no longer meet the "infant" rule, however we can easily fit in a 1BR. Believe it or not, we'll give the kids the bedroom! All 3 in the King bed will be a fine fit (and they LOVE sharing a bed) and then DH and I get to stay up and have some adult time in the living room with a glass of wine, etc.

This pretty much seals the DVC deal for me. I was thinking we'd always need a 2BR and didn't know if we could afford it points-wise. Sure, when they're teen-agers we'll have to go that route, but for the next several years I'd like to be able to get a 1 BR.

 

[Doctor P]

I know this gets old, but I would never buy in with the assumption that I could put 5 in a 1BR since the only legally binding policy is 4. If you want to take a chance that MS will continue to look the other way (and that may be a reasonable chance to take), great. But always realize that the legal limit is 4 and that anything else is merely a nonbinding exception.

 

[Nanajo1]

I know when I post to this thead it is not meant to be confrontational but infomational. As it as been said DVC can enforce the occupancy limits stated in the signed contract. Just because they may choose not to on occassion does not change the fact that they can. So please be aware of this before you buy.
BTW your guide will downplay the occupancy limits if you ask about them.

 

[dianeschlicht]

These arguements always make me laugh. We usually have 3-4 in a 2 bedroom. We like our space. That being said, for one night on our upcoming trip (the first one), we will have 5 in a 1 bedroom. Why? Because when I called MS to add that night, a dedicated 2 bedroom was not available, and she suggested I take the 1 bedroom instead of 2 studios or a lock off 2 bedroom. I know we will be moving New Years Day, but that's no big deal. Sure hope they don't decide to enforce 4 to a 1 bedroom that night either!

 

[Beach_Bound9]

While I'm not one of those room occupancy fanatics constantly repeating the same aurguments (perhaps since thier own family is not 5), I will share that with 3 very young boys, we are very very comfortable having the 5 of us in a 1 bedroom, in fact our boys are too young to have in a bedroom by themselves. They are still at ages where they need supervision. However, as our boys get older, we did purchase plenty of points to allow for a two bedroom, they'll need thier own bathroom and space in the future. I agree with advice that you should purchase enough points to have two bedrooms with a family of five for the future, even if you choose to stay in a one bedroom occasionally while your children are young. I would submit that this advice is probably even more important and pertinent if you have both boys and girls. Best wishes on your future purchase.

 

[Dean]

While I'm not one of those room occupancy fanatics constantly repeating the same aurguments (perhaps since thier own family is not 5), I will share that with 3 very young boys, we are very very comfortable having the 5 of us in a 1 bedroom, in fact our boys are too young to have in a bedroom by themselves. They are still at ages where they need supervision. However, as our boys get older, we did purchase plenty of points to allow for a two bedroom, they'll need thier own bathroom and space in the future. I agree with advice that you should purchase enough points to have two bedrooms with a family of five for the future, even if you choose to stay in a one bedroom occasionally while your children are young. I would submit that this advice is probably even more important and pertinent if you have both boys and girls. Best wishes on your future purchase.

Let me get this straight. Those who feel the rules should be followed and enforced are fanatics and those that feel they should be able to do what is selfishly advantageous are not. If it feels good I guess.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Let me get this straight. Those who feel the rules should be followed and enforced are fanatics and those that feel they should be able to do what is selfishly advantageous are not. If it feels good I guess.

Actually, it seems to me that the debate is really about what the actual rules are. The written information says a 1 BR sleeps 4, while CMs and MS continue to say that 5 is fine (even if that 5th person is older than 3).

As long as there are rules, there will be those who break them. However, when rules are CONSISTENT and CLEAR, then they are certainly less likely to be broken.

 

[Dean]

Actually, it seems to me that the debate is really about what the actual rules are. The written information says a 1 BR sleeps 4, while CMs and MS continue to say that 5 is fine (even if that 5th person is older than 3).

As long as there are rules, there will be those who break them. However, when rules are CONSISTENT and CLEAR, then they are certainly less likely to be broken.

One thing about Disney is that they are not known for following rules consistently. Thus simply because someone is allowed to do something, even repeatedly, doesn't make it within the rules per se. I know some would like to make this a 5 people in a 1 BR issue but it has never been that restrictive of a discussion. DVC has started enforcing the rules on studios and on 1 and 2 BR to a degree. Pervious to about 9 months ago, 5 or 6 in a studio or 6 in a 1 BR was not that uncommonly allowed by MS, now they are far more strict about it, which I applaud. However, IMO, a written rule IS the rule. The only question is whether the rules are being followed.

 

[jarestel]

However, IMO, a written rule IS the rule. The only question is whether the rules are being followed.

If a tree falls in the woods... is it a rule? DVC made the rules and they can certainly enforce or not as they see fit. At this time, they are seeing fit to allow 5 in a 1-BR. Maybe tomorrow they will see things differently, but for now that's the way it is. No sense in letting it drive us crazy, eh?