More space or more vacations?

[gkrykewy]

Disney would cease to be our number 1 destination spot if we had to stay in a hotel room or a studio. We made the mistake several years ago of trading our points for several nights at the Poly. We hated it so much we forfeited our last day and left early.

You wasted a night at the Poly? That's a crime against humanity which is illegal in most states.

I cringe just thinking about it.

 

[TOTALLYGOOFY]

It really depends on what type of vacation we are planning. When it is just the two of us, and we want to maximize our annual passes, work limits us to short but more frequent vacations over long weekends, and we really don't want to cook we opt for the studio's. We use 1 bedroom's when family or friends join us, and when we plan to spend less time at the parks. Of course if points and money were no object we would select 1 bedrooms + units.

 

[katmittens]

For us it depends on who is going on the trip. When DH and I are going alone it is a studio for us. I do like a studio with a couch and a bed. Our home resort is OKW so we have not stayed there by ourselves yet in a studio. When our kids come (26 and 23) we get a 2 bedroom, a few times we have had to get a 1 bedroom, but then we stay at OKW, since the living room is bigger. We try to take as many trips as we can, so a studio for DH and I is fine. I would like to get a 1 bedroom sometime, but since we still take at least one trip a year with the kids I need points for the 2 bedroom.

 

[DonnaL]

Depends on the trip and who's along........in October we're doing F & W with our oldest DS and his fiancee (wow......that sounds strange to me...he just got engaged this weekend!!)and we have two studios booked since we don't plan on doing ANY cooking......however, most trips we have at least a 1 bdrm because we do like having the kitchen and the w/d. When all of our kids travel with us (3 adults....DS29, DD27, and DS21 and DD's son, our 8 yr old grandson) we have a 2 bdrm......that doesn't happen too frequently that we have all 3 and GS also. We stayed at BLT in a 2 bdrm this past January with everyone and it was VERY nice having the 3rd bath.

 

[franandaj]

At WDW we stay in 1 br or larger (there are two of us). At DL since we only live 25 minutes away we settle for a studio. If I'm flying 3,000 miles across the US, it's a vacation and I want that jacuzzi tub!

 

[dopeygirl76]

We are a family of 4 but LOVE having a kitchen and washer/dryer. So we go 2 times a year in a 1 BDR - we will be trying our first studio in 5 trips at BLT in sept!!

 

[yopaulie5]

We are in the room so little that it doesn't matter that we are using putting 4 people in a studio. In fact for us, it's kinda fun that everyone is so close together for a couple of weeks.

 

[BeesKnees]

Studios suit us just fine and I do NOT view them as only a hotel room. We spend our days at the parks or at the pool and I am not about to cook anything more complicated than a bagel while on vacation so all I need is a toaster & a coffee pot. The microwave is handy too but I use the toaster more. Nor am I inclined to do laundry on vacation unless I absolutely have to.

That is why it is a matter of opinion. We are not going to spend all day at the parks nor are we going to be forced to eat all of our meals in restaurants.

We pack less clothes because washing and drying vacation clothing is super easy. We dry our towels in the dryer so they are super fresh for the next use. After 3 uses we go ahead and wash them.

The microwave is a useless kitchen appliance. You can't cook anything with it and if you didn't cook something what do you have to heat back up? We need a full kitchen.

I stay in hotel rooms all the time and the studio is just a hotel room. There is nothing wrong with that if it fits your style of vacation. It doesn't work for us and there are only 2 of us (no kids). We won't stay unless we can get a 1br.

The biggest problem I have with the studio is that for what I pay in maintenance fees each year would nearly cover 1 vacation in a premium room and with one of the many deals they run it could probably do more. If I had invested the money I spent buying into DVC I could do even more vacations in premium rooms.

Space makes the purchase worthwhile. Taking extended family members and having space for them makes the purchase worthwhile. But, again, it is a matter of opinion.

 

[ajf1007]

Since it's just my DH and I, we opt for more vacations and book studio's. We're pretty new to DVC and have just started taking people with us. The studio's work great for us since we're typically not in the room too much. We spend mornings by the pool, afternoons and evenings in the parks and then back to the pool so a studio is plenty big enough for us. Additionally, we've only started with 160 points so I imagine as we add-on (which will happen soon) we'd consider a 1 bdrm but for now, with 160 points, a studio works.

Of course, having said that, we are leaving in 60 days for DL and taking our nephew for his 21st and we've booked a 2 bdr in GCV. I'm sure I'll feel spoiled.

Next year we're doing a big trip and taking my best friend and her family as well as my brother and his family so I'm doing studio's for everyone..for many reasons but I think it would a better situation if everyone had their own space.

 

[twinklebug]

I prefer more/longer vacations over space so we've been booking studios.

... BUT...
This last trip DS opted for setting up camp on the floor instead of sharing a bed. Although he seemed comfortable I think we'll be going for the 1br units with sleeper chair from now until it's just 2 of us.

 

[Anal Annie]

That is why it is a matter of opinion. We are not going to spend all day at the parks nor are we going to be forced to eat all of our meals in restaurants.

You don't have to twist my arm to eat in a restaurant where someone else cooks for me!! We NEVER go out at home so it's a special treat on vaca. If I can't eat out I may as well stay home!

We pack less clothes because washing and drying vacation clothing is super easy. We dry our towels in the dryer so they are super fresh for the next use. After 3 uses we go ahead and wash them.

The microwave is a useless kitchen appliance. You can't cook anything with it and if you didn't cook something what do you have to heat back up? We need a full kitchen.

Well, I can do a LOT with a microwave. Maybe it's a hidden talent.

I stay in hotel rooms all the time and the studio is just a hotel room. There is nothing wrong with that if it fits your style of vacation. It doesn't work for us and there are only 2 of us (no kids). We won't stay unless we can get a 1br.

The biggest problem I have with the studio is that for what I pay in maintenance fees each year would nearly cover 1 vacation in a premium room and with one of the many deals they run it could probably do more. If I had invested the money I spent buying into DVC I could do even more vacations in premium rooms.

Space makes the purchase worthwhile. Taking extended family members and having space for them makes the purchase worthwhile. But, again, it is a matter of opinion.

And then there are some of us that are "points challenged". WE cannot stay for even one week in a 2 bedroom on what points we own. (I see no point to the 1 bedroom units since DS would still be on a sleep sofa). And for what we pay per year in maintenance fees on our piddly amount of points we get 14 nights of vacation in what WE consider deluxe accomodations. It IS very much a matter of opinion. I do not need a STOVE or a W/D that I won't even USE to call it deluxe!! I LOVE the kitchenettes - some are better than others (longer/more space). But for the most part I get up & start coffee, slice the bagels, wake up DH & DS, feed 'em & off we go for the day. We usually come back in the afternoon to change & go to the pool. Then we shower & go back out, returning at park closing. We go to sleep & do it all over again the next day. We simply just do not NEED to use up more points for a room we're barely in.

 

[BeesKnees]

Annie there is no right or wrong here because it is a matter of opinion and what works best for each of us.

The only thing here worth debating is using a microwave.

 

[gkrykewy]

I agree with BeesKnees re: the microwave. I have never used it over the course of about 4 studio stays since becoming members. Agree with Annie on the rest.

You must have a lot of points, BeesKnees! I think our maintenance fees would buy us about 1 night in a deluxe room each year.

 

[BeesKnees]

I agree with BeesKnees re: the microwave. I have never used it over the course of about 4 studio stays since becoming members.

I can't imagine what anyone would use it for. You could heat up water I suppose or melt something. I am not sure how that translates into cooking a meal.

 

[franandaj]

This is why DVC is so great! It is flexible and can work for all of us.

I happen to agree with BeesKnees, but that doesn't mean that AnalAnnie's scenario doesn't work for her family. We don't have a TON of points but we have enough that by banking and borrowing we can stay in a 1br for just the two of us for about a week. For us eating out every night can be more of a chore than a pleasure. While we enjoy eating out a few nights during our trip, it's nice to come home from the parks and eat a homecooked meal. I really enjoy cooking, so for me it isn't a chore. In fact vacation is not relaxing if I don't get to eat the food and flavors I'm used to.

I especially love to make a bacon and eggs breakfast twice during our stay. It's much more economical ($'s and calorie wise) than eating at a buffet or paying $10+ per person when all I want is an egg, 3 strips of bacon, and a slice of toast.

I just love the jacuzzi tub, and we get plenty of use from the washer and dryer. Because my partner is disabled, she tires easily so we rarely spend an entire day in the parks. With the 1 br she can nap while I cook dinner, relax in the tub and we're both happy. I go stir crazy when in the studios all I have to do is surf the internet. I do that all day at home, I want to do fun things to do in the room on vacation!

Our SSR maintenance fees wouldn't even get us three nights at the GF or AVK. Our VGC fees would get us two nights at that hotel.

 

[La2kw]

For years, it was more room with 4 of us so we did 1 bedrooms. Now, it's more vacations, since the kids are in college now and it's must DW and myself so we do studios and stay longer/more often.

 

[Anal Annie]

I can't imagine what anyone would use it for. You could heat up water I suppose or melt something. I am not sure how that translates into cooking a meal.

Well, for one thing, you can heat up leftovers in it (like I am going to do in a few minutes for our dinner this evening at home before we head out to DS's swim practice). At Vero last year we had a huge Italian meal one evening with lots of yummy leftovers to heat up for lunch the next day. You can poach eggs. You can make oatmeal. You can cook bacon or sausage (ie you can toast an English muffin, poach an egg & cook some bacon & you've got breakfast sandwiches - should you wish to go to such lengths). I have used it for heating frozen prepared items like those Jimmy Dean sandwiches as well as other frozen items like hot pockets or frozen pizzas as snacks. You could heat soup. You can make nachos. You could cook Ramen Noodles. It DOES serve a purpose if you're creative enough. We have hectic schedules at home and I rely on it all the time to cook my veggies like steamed broccoli & heat up leftovers etc.

 

[Alexander]

...snip
I stay in hotel rooms all the time and the studio is just a hotel room. There is nothing wrong with that if it fits your style of vacation. It doesn't work for us and there are only 2 of us (no kids). We won't stay unless we can get a 1br.

The biggest problem I have with the studio is that for what I pay in maintenance fees each year would nearly cover 1 vacation in a premium room and with one of the many deals they run it could probably do more. If I had invested the money I spent buying into DVC I could do even more vacations in premium rooms.

...snip

Yes, but that hotel room is in a deluxe resort. We can get three 7 night stays or four 5 night stays in a studio with our current point allocation. That is 20-21 nights in a deluxe hotel room (ie--studio). I honestly don't see my annual MF coming anywhere near covering that expense if I were to just pay cash at a deluxe resort for the rooms. Actually in just doing the math, and figuring $200/night for a deluxe resort, I could get only 7 nights for what I pay in MF. I am getting 2 more whole vacations by staying in studio.

I totally agree to each is own as to what kind of villa you stay in, but comparing paying cash for deluxe resorts and annual MF doesn't even come out close in the wash.

 

[Alexander]

Well, for one thing, you can heat up leftovers in it (like I am going to do in a few minutes for our dinner this evening at home before we head out to DS's swim practice). At Vero last year we had a huge Italian meal one evening with lots of yummy leftovers to heat up for lunch the next day. You can poach eggs. You can make oatmeal. You can cook bacon or sausage (ie you can toast an English muffin, poach an egg & cook some bacon & you've got breakfast sandwiches - should you wish to go to such lengths). I have used it for heating frozen prepared items like those Jimmy Dean sandwiches as well as other frozen items like hot pockets or frozen pizzas as snacks. You could heat soup. You can make nachos. You could cook Ramen Noodles. It DOES serve a purpose if you're creative enough. We have hectic schedules at home and I rely on it all the time to cook my veggies like steamed broccoli & heat up leftovers etc.

Oooh, those steamfresh veggies are the best! I completely agree, we use our microwave alot!

 

[BeesKnees]

Well, for one thing, you can heat up leftovers in it (like I am going to do in a few minutes for our dinner this evening at home before we head out to DS's swim practice). At Vero last year we had a huge Italian meal one evening with lots of yummy leftovers to heat up for lunch the next day. You can poach eggs. You can make oatmeal. You can cook bacon or sausage (ie you can toast an English muffin, poach an egg & cook some bacon & you've got breakfast sandwiches - should you wish to go to such lengths). I have used it for heating frozen prepared items like those Jimmy Dean sandwiches as well as other frozen items like hot pockets or frozen pizzas as snacks. You could heat soup. You can make nachos. You could cook Ramen Noodles. It DOES serve a purpose if you're creative enough. We have hectic schedules at home and I rely on it all the time to cook my veggies like steamed broccoli & heat up leftovers etc.

Ok. We don't eat any of that except the bacon, sausage, and vegetables which I wouldn't do in a microwave. I am not sure how the oatmeal works unless it is instant. We stay away from store-bought soup as much as possible because it is loaded with sodium and the stuff in cans tastes like the cans.

We use ours at home to reheat stuff every once in awhile but it doesn't even do a very good job of that so unless I am really short on time I prefer to use conventional means.

Don't even get me started on the horror that is microwave popcorn.