New room concept: 'Family Studios' at Poly2 (speculation)

[aka Charles]

A quick copy and paste rendering of what an "Ohana Suite" may look like.


With murphy twin under the TV, couch to murphy queen, and table to murphy queen, it can sleep 7.
Two bathrooms, washer/dryer, full-size fridge... it all can fit.
.

 

[Chuck S]

A quick copy and paste rendering of what an "Ohana Suite" may look like.

View attachment 752043
With murphy twin under the TV, couch to murphy queen, and table to murphy queen, it can sleep 7.
Two bathrooms, washer/dryer, full-size fridge... it all can fit.
.

I fail to see how that is substantially different from two connectng studios, which some at the Poly already do connect, except on studio has a king bed and no sleeper. And there in lies the problem of availability, cutting the availabbility of two bedroom lock-offs, and regular studios for families of 4 or 5, given it appears to take up the same square footage. It isn't like thower studios that are kind of squeezed in at The Riviera, too small to be a regular studio and too large to effiecently serve as storage/mousekeeprng supply room.

And given the 1 bedrooms already cost about the same as two studios, point wise, do you think members would be willing to pay the same number of points for this suite and not have a kitchen or washer/dryer?

 

[Pens Fan]

I fail to see how that is substantially different from two connectng studios, which some at the Poly already do connect, except on studio has a king bed and no sleeper. And there in lies the problem of availability, cutting the availabbility of two bedroom lock-offs, and regular studios for families of 4 or 5, given it appears to take up the same square footage. It isn't like thower studios that are kind of squeezed in at The Riviera, too small to be a regular studio and too large to effiecently serve as storage/mousekeeprng supply room.

And given the 1 bedrooms already cost about the same as two studios, point wise, do you think members would be willing to pay the same number of points for this suite and not have a kitchen or washer/dryer?

I agree. If someone wants connecting studios book two at the original Poly and request they be connected. I have zero interest in the concept of taking away kitchen / dining / living space and cramming more beds into the 1 and 2 BR villas.

I remember this idea came up once before on a thread here - the idea of reducing the kitchen to a kitchenette and adding more beds. I hated that idea then, and still do .

 

[aka Charles]

I fail to see how that is substantially different from two connectng studios, which some at the Poly already do connect, except on studio has a king bed and no sleeper. And there in lies the problem of availability, cutting the availabbility of two bedroom lock-offs, and regular studios for families of 4 or 5, given it appears to take up the same square footage. It isn't like thower studios that are kind of squeezed in at The Riviera, too small to be a regular studio and too large to effiecently serve as storage/mousekeeprng supply room.

And given the 1 bedrooms already cost about the same as two studios, point wise, do you think members would be willing to pay the same number of points for this suite and not have a kitchen or washer/dryer?

It depends on your needs and wants, and that may be different for different families.

In my case, I love a 1-bedroom. Separate bedroom, full fridge, and washer/dryer (my rendering above does have a washer/dryer) means a lot to me. It’s one of the reasons I bought into DVC. I have only used the stove/oven once, though.

I also love it when my brother’s family can come, but because of their schedule they don’t know until the last minute if they can. When they can, there will be 6 of us in total, so I have to scramble to add a studio or change my reservation to a 2-bedroom at the last minute. That can be difficult and usually requires moving over to Saratoga Springs since that’s where the availability is.

With this Ohana Suite I can book it and use it as a 1-bedroom, which I love, and still have the room to add my brother’s family without having to add or change a reservation.

As to cutting the availability of 2-bedroom lock-offs, if the studio side of a lock-off is booked, which it usually will be unless DVC holds it in reserve, you are left with a 1-bedroom that only sleeps 4-5. If DVC is going to hold it, then it should be a dedicated 2-bedroom.

The trick is to get the mix of different options to balance with the demand of the market. I am sure that DVC has a lot of data on this, but the market is ever changing as a newer, younger generation starts to become a part of this DVC family. I truly encourage DVC to try new ideas to meet the members needs, even if it’s something that doesn’t fit my needs.

 

[Chuck S]

It depends on your needs and wants, and that may be different for different families.

In my case, I love a 1-bedroom. Separate bedroom, full fridge, and washer/dryer (my rendering above does have a washer/dryer) means a lot to me. It’s one of the reasons I bought into DVC. I have only used the stove/oven once, though.

I also love it when my brother’s family can come, but because of their schedule they don’t know until the last minute if they can. When they can, there will be 6 of us in total, so I have to scramble to add a studio or change my reservation to a 2-bedroom at the last minute. That can be difficult and usually requires moving over to Saratoga Springs since that’s where the availability is.

With this Ohana Suite I can book it and use it as a 1-bedroom, which I love, and still have the room to add my brother’s family without having to add or change a reservation.

As to cutting the availability of 2-bedroom lock-offs, if the studio side of a lock-off is booked, which it usually will be unless DVC holds it in reserve, you are left with a 1-bedroom that only sleeps 4-5. If DVC is going to hold it, then it should be a dedicated 2-bedroom.

The trick is to get the mix of different options to balance with the demand of the market. I am sure that DVC has a lot of data on this, but the market is ever changing as a newer, younger generation starts to become a part of this DVC family. I truly encourage DVC to try new ideas to meet the members needs, even if it’s something that doesn’t fit my needs.

I just really don't see DVC or any timeshare, evolving into a dorm room type accomodation, when the simpler option of two studios is available, with a current laundry rooms. I stayed in a studio with a friend on my last trip, and used the launsry room at the nearest OKW pool. It was fine. And I usually get 1 one bedroom just for me, as I like the living area, and in room washer, it is a choice I make. You seem to think Disney needs to bend and accomodate families of 6...but why? If you're a family of 6, you know what your options are before deciding to buy DVC. Don't buy then expect the accomodations to change.

 

[ehh]

If you're a family of 6, you know what your options are before deciding to buy DVC.

Exactly. Families that want more occupancy at lower-than-2BR points in a single room may be deciding not to buy DVC. Addressing this market is a sales opportunity. DVC has repeatedly addressed the families that are good with traditional 2BR, but has not directly addressed the part of the market that would want Ohana Villas other than suggest 2BR or 'make 1BR work'.

Families that want to buy DVC and want 3 good beds in a room at lower-than-2BR points have no option to do the suggested adjoining Studios right now that Poly is 'sold out', not that adjoining Studios is an equivalent option to a bookable category anyway.

Higher occupancy 1BR (aka Ohana Villas) would also be an attempt to fix the demand problem for traditional 1BR if Disney's research shows the demand gap is due to occupancy being roughly the same as Studios and roughly half of 2BR.

To some considering DVC, this array of offerings looks bad:

• 1X Points, Sleeps 4-5 in 2 good beds (where Murphy beds installed or OKW/VGF2, just 1 good bed otherwise )
• 2X Points, Sleeps 4-5 in 2 good beds (where Murphy beds installed, just 1 good bed otherwise)
• 2.65X Points, Sleeps 8-9 in 3-4 good beds (depends on Murphy beds, some 2BRLO are just 2 good beds)
• 6.5X Points, Sleeps 12 in 5 good beds

 

[aka Charles]

You seem to think Disney needs to bend and accomodate families of 6...but why? If you're a family of 6, you know what your options are before deciding to buy DVC. Don't buy then expect the accomodations to change.

No, you totally missed the point. I was merely using myself as an example to illustrate how if DVC tried something new, like the idea speculated in this thread, it could meet the needs of some of the members. Just like the tower studios have done for some singles and couples. I certainly don’t expect DVC to make any changes just to meet my needs. And I am very happy with the way things are right now.

But at the same time, I don’t expect DVC to just stand still and do the same thing over and over again. They need to adapt to the market to remain strong, even if that means they try something that you or I might not agree with. Not everyone agreed with the bungalows, or the cabins, or the treehouses, or the tower/duo studios, etc. But many members love those options.

Having multiple options for the members is one of the strengths of DVC. If they add another option here, no matter what it is, I think it will be a good thing overall.

 

[RoseGold]

Have they shared interior art before sales begin in the past?

If by "interior art" you mean floorplans, those should be out soon. They're neccesary for various construction permits and the timeshare disclosures. The DL ones have been out for years.

 

[RoseGold]

They need to adapt to the market to remain strong, even if that means they try something that you or I might not agree with. Not everyone agreed with the bungalows, or the cabins, or the treehouses, or the tower/duo studios, etc. But many members love those options.

The tower studios are what make the "40% OFF" math work. It's why RIV and DL have them. I would expect Poly2 to have at least a few efficiency studios.

 

[CarolynFH]

No, you totally missed the point. I was merely using myself as an example to illustrate how if DVC tried something new, like the idea speculated in this thread, it could meet the needs of some of the members. Just like the tower studios have done for some singles and couples. I certainly don’t expect DVC to make any changes just to meet my needs. And I am very happy with the way things are right now.

But at the same time, I don’t expect DVC to just stand still and do the same thing over and over again. They need to adapt to the market to remain strong, even if that means they try something that you or I might not agree with. Not everyone agreed with the bungalows, or the cabins, or the treehouses, or the tower/duo studios, etc. But many members love those options.

Having multiple options for the members is one of the strengths of DVC. If they add another option here, no matter what it is, I think it will be a good thing overall.

I agree - just based on the number of posts I read that go something like “can’t our family of 6 fit in something other than a 2BR?” I think there would be a market for something like the ‘Ohana Suite. DVC owners are somewhat unique among timeshare owners in their tendency to want to book the smallest possible villas rather than the largest.

 

[ehh]

One or more of these is almost certainly true:

• Artist rendering is not representative in significant ways (we know it's wrong in minor ways)
• Backside of the towers sort out all the inventory deficiencies in these lake/pool view categories (2BR SV galore!))
• Poly Tower will simply have a bad ratio of room inventory
  • Any room inventory where 1BR > 2BR is bad, so this is independent of association and what happens with the existing 360 Studios
• Poly Tower is using 2-bay rooms in a new way

Adding a 5th option here after digging into some RIV/VGF2 data:

• Disney has data that shows 1BR is actually more popular than 2BR for new buyers, for whatever reason
  • (they might want to examine those reasons, of course)

Also walking back my "Any room inventory where 1BR > 2BR is bad" comment in light of new, albeit surprising, data.

 

[Sandisw]

I agree - just based on the number of posts I read that go something like “can’t our family of 6 fit in something other than a 2BR?” I think there would be a market for something like the ‘Ohana Suite. DVC owners are somewhat unique among timeshare owners in their tendency to want to book the smallest possible villas rather than the largest.

Maybe the change could be to make connecting rooms at PVB and resort studios at VGF a booking category instead?

This way, the can add more of the 1 and 2 bedrooms to the complex.

 

[ehh]

Maybe the change could be to make connecting rooms at PVB and resort studios at VGF a booking category instead?

This way, the can add more of the 1 and 2 bedrooms to the complex.

Today I learned the VGF Resort Studios are connecting studios. Makes sense considering the nature of the refurb, but good to know!

 

[CarolynFH]

Maybe the change could be to make connecting rooms at PVB and resort studios at VGF a booking category instead?

This way, the can add more of the 1 and 2 bedrooms to the complex.

Sure, that would help fill the desire that some people have for cramming as many people into a small space as possible. But that doesn’t mean that Poly2 couldn’t have a new villa type, does it? I think it’s fun to contemplate possibilities. And I remember the discussions when the RIV Tower Studios began to be rumored!

 

[Sammie]

Sure, that would help fill the desire that some people have for cramming as many people into a small space as possible. But that doesn’t mean that Poly2 couldn’t have a new villa type, does it? I think it’s fun to contemplate possibilities. And I remember the discussions when the RIV Tower Studios began to be rumored!

If the Tower stuidios at Riveria have been popular I think it would logical to include some. If not, I don't see why they would want to repeat that option.

 

[Sandisw]

Sure, that would help fill the desire that some people have for cramming as many people into a small space as possible. But that doesn’t mean that Poly2 couldn’t have a new villa type, does it? I think it’s fun to contemplate possibilities. And I remember the discussions when the RIV Tower Studios began to be rumored!

No, but they just added another 202 studios to the MK loop at VGF. I just think that the area doesn’t need more of them…I think having traditional 1 and 2 bedrooms is what is needed to balance that out.

I mean, we have close to 600 of them now between the two complexes? Granted, they will have some at Poly tower, but I hope we see a lot more of the larger units, especially since they can accomplish this type of family set up with what they already have.

 

[CarolynFH]

No, but they just added another 202 studios to the MK loop at VGF. I just think that the area doesn’t need more of them…I think having traditional 1 and 2 bedrooms is what is needed to balance that out.

I mean, we have close to 600 of them now between the two complexes? Granted, they will have some at Poly tower, but I hope we see a lot more of the larger units, especially since they can accomplish this type of family set up with what they already have.

Ah, I just realized you might be thinking that I’m referring to the Family Studios that @ehh envisioned. If you go back and review my post that you quoted in your post #52, I’m actually talking about @aka Charles idea for the “Ohana Suite” (post #41), sort of a 1BR that sleeps 6, with 2 full bathrooms like Kidani and 2 Murphy beds in the living room. You’re right of course that connecting VGF Resort Studios and Poly Deluxe Studios allows families to cram 10 people into the same space, with 2 bathrooms, but the Ohana Suite has laundry and a full size fridge, which might make it attractive to families that only need to sleep up to 6. Just another option!

 

[ehh]

FWIW, the "Ohana Suite" that @aka Charles posted is exactly what I've been suggesting as a "Family Studio". A 2-bay room that has 3 good beds (probably 2 Murphy beds in the living room) and some Villa-only features (but not necessarily all Villa-only features). He just explained it better

And the Ohana name came from @maui22

 

[Sandisw]

Ah, I just realized you might be thinking that I’m referring to the Family Studios that @ehh envisioned. If you go back and review my post that you quoted in your post #52, I’m actually talking about @aka Charles idea for the “Ohana Suite” (post #41), sort of a 1BR that sleeps 6, with 2 full bathrooms like Kidani and 2 Murphy beds in the living room. You’re right of course that connecting VGF Resort Studios and Poly Deluxe Studios allows families to cram 10 people into the same space, with 2 bathrooms, but the Ohana Suite has laundry and a full size fridge, which might make it attractive to families that only need to sleep up to 6. Just another option!

Yup! I did confuse the two ideas!! That one might not be so bad with the two couches. I could live without the stove but would want the table!! So

 

[maui22]

When we first bought BLT in 2009, I read the POS several times. If I remember correctly, the POS stated DVC had the right to make a 1BR sleep 8.