No more studios for me

[tecodis]

Well, it finally happened! I realize after staying DVC for the past year that studios are not for me. I've been converted to the dark side...one bedroom's only.

I stayed at OKW 3 times as an AP prior to being a DVC member. Each time I was upgraded to either a one or two bedroom.
Since becoming a DVC member a year and a half ago, I have stayed in one bedrooms at SSR, AKV-Kidani, AKV-Jambo and BCV.

Last weekend I stayed in a studio at OKW. It is just so small (and old). OKW has always felt like it needed some love and attention but the one bedroom's were very roomy. The studio feels like a large closet to me nowadays.
Will OKW ever be refurbished and updated? It's desperate for one!

I can't believe I succumbed to it. At least the add-on purchases have now been justified in my own head!


I must say that I am so thankful that AKV is my primary home resort! There is nothing like the larger villas and updated furniture and fixtures! The size of the tv in the OKW studio was laughable.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Feel free to add part of my signature block to your's.

 

[tecodis]

Feel free to add part of my signature block to your's.

 

[dmoore22]

Will OKW ever be refurbished and updated? It's desperate for one!

the tv in the OKW studio was laughable.

It's all relative. When we have our grown kids or guests with us we definitely need a one bedroom, two bedroom or a villa. When its just DW and me the OKW studio is actually almost too big. It serves our needs quite well. We have been DVC members long enough to have experienced several renovations and upgrades. These occur in cycles. We observed last spring renovations going on at the resort at buildings 16 and 62. Obviously these are phased in at certain sections so as not to shut down the entire resort. We're looking forward to seeing what progress has been made when we return at Christmas.

As far as the televisions we are not big TV watchers when we're on vacation except for maybe the giant TV at the ESPN Zone during baseball season, so that is not a big issue with us. Now that we have smart phones we use the TV even less. We don't really need them for the weather updates.

Again we experienced the transition from VCR to DVD in the rooms. I would anticipate that OKW will probably be one of the first resorts to get blueray with the current timing for upgrades. I definitely see the benefit of transitioning from CRT to HD flat panel from a space point of view. The new technology will take up less space which will give each room, whether a studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, or villa, an illusion of added space.

We do like OKW mostly for the feel of Old Florida as opposed to the touristy ambiance so common to the area. With OKW we feel like we are away from it all without being away from it all. How many cliches can I throw out? At OKW we can have our cake and eat it too!

 

[cvjw]

We stayed at SSR for part of last week, and went over to the DVC showroom for a look at the models. While we were there, the guide said that OKW was about to start getting a rehab. She said they were going to be shutting down whole buildings to rehab. I agree with you about the studios, they are just too small. Our family of 4 has just come to the realization that we need 2 bedrooms, instead of 1 bedrooms. It is just too much trouble making the bed up every night and morning, and not being able to use the den as a den.

 

[Reddog1134]

My first DVC stay will be in a studio at GCV. I don't mind it because I've stayed in small inexpensive hotels my whole life. But I have a feeling that when I get that 1BR in AKV it will be all over for the studios.

 

[dmoore22]

We definitely love the 1/2 bedrooms at OKW. The rooms are larger than most of the other DVC resorts. The same is true of the OKW studios. We've been using the studios more often as a means to budget our points for longer, multiple stays. We need our Disney fix.

 

[Meriweather]

A studio is just fine for us.....there is just the 2 of us and I can't see spending the points for a 1 bedroom.
We have stayed in a studio on three trips and a 2 bedroom on one (when we had 3 others with us).

 

[HsvTeacher]

A studio is just fine for us.....there is just the 2 of us and I can't see spending the points for a 1 bedroom.
We have stayed in a studio on three trips and a 2 bedroom on one (when we had 3 others with us).

I totally agree!

My DH and I have stayed in a 1-bedroom at Kidani. Although they are really nice, we prefer staying in a studio. They have more than enough room for us, and we would rather save our points so we can go to WDW 2-3 times a year.

 

[dmoore22]

I totally agree!

My DH and I have stayed in a 1-bedroom at Kidani. Although they are really nice, we prefer staying in a studio. They have more than enough room for us, and we would rather save our points so we can go to WDW 2-3 times a year.

Ditto Here!! Is it time for a Studio Lovers discussion? How many ways can we manipulate our points for longer, multiple trips? On the DVC member site Q&A for the New Home Resort Regulations it states, "Our research has shown that more than 92% of Disney Vacation Club Resort reservations are for a length of stay of 7 or less consecutive nights." How many of us are among the elite 8% that stay longer than 7 days because we prefer the studios?

 

[Dizny Dad]

A small studio at WDW is better than any large suite in Nowhereville.

 

[robinb]

We're a family of 3 and we are perfectly OK with studios. Especially when we go at really busy times like Christmas and New Year's Eve. We end up paying as much for a studio than a 1BR during a cheaper time.

 

[MaryJ]

A studio is just fine for us.....there is just the 2 of us and I can't see spending the points for a 1 bedroom.
We have stayed in a studio on three trips and a 2 bedroom on one (when we had 3 others with us).

I agree. DH and I just returned from a trip to VWL where we stayed in a studio. When it's just the two of us, there is plenty of space. However, I must say that we stayed in a studio at OKW once and really missed not having a couch. We do not have a TV in our bedroom at home, and it's just not comfortable for me to watch TV in bed.

Ditto Here!! Is it time for a Studio Lovers discussion? How many ways can we manipulate our points for longer, multiple trips? On the DVC member site Q&A for the New Home Resort Regulations it states, "Our research has shown that more than 92% of Disney Vacation Club Resort reservations are for a length of stay of 7 or less consecutive nights." How many of us are among the elite 8% that stay longer than 7 days because we prefer the studios?

And add to that list "What can you cook in a studio?" DH and I got creative on our last trip and made bacon and eggs in the microwave! I don't know that I would want to stay in a studio for longer than say, 10 days, because schlepping the laundry to the laundry room would get old, but for 10 days or less, a studio in fine! Which, BTW, does anyone else wish that there was at least one more washer in those laundry rooms? When we were at VWL there was essentially only one because the other one was out of order!

 

[Simba's Mom]

The studios at OKW have a different style in that they have 2 beds, rather than a sofa and a bed. In my opinion, they're the least desirable of the studios. That being said, DH and I also always get one bedrooms, even though there's just two of us. Must have a king bed, washer and dryer, and definitely two TVs. For some reason, if DH is around, the TV he's closest to seems to be stuck on sports. I have to have the bedroom TV to watch my "WDW propaganda". Last year, DH joined me for a few days on what was to be a solo trip, so we stayed in a studio at BCV. Although it was OK, it reaffirmed our need for a 1 BR.

 

[twinklebug]

A small studio at WDW is better than any large suite in Nowhereville.

Wise words.

That said, I think I need to re-think my all-studio, frequent visit approach as my kids are all entering their older years. Quality verses quantity me thinks. (that and I just realized that of our last 3 VWL stays, only one was a studio)

DD (16) -> couch, me-> king bed, DS (12) -> jacuzzi w/a pillow & blanket should work out fine

 

[spiceycat]

definitely love the studios - they are GREAT!

the 1-bedroom are nice - but you can go more often with studios - that wins for me.

 

[dmoore22]

The studios at OKW have a different style in that they have 2 beds, rather than a sofa and a bed. In my opinion, they're the least desirable of the studios.

Unless, of course, you lose the toss and get stuck sleeping on the sofa sleeper. Then those two beds look real good. Each resort has its unique character. OKW was the very first of the DVC resorts built so it will seem a little worn in the tooth compared to its newer siblings. For us the benefits of being a citizen of Conch Flats out weigh the negatives.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The studios at OKW have a different style in that they have 2 beds, rather than a sofa and a bed. ....

That's exactly the reason why if I have to stay in a studio, I'd only stay in an OKW studio. No one gets stuck on the double sized sleeper sofa. I think OKW has the best studios of all - larger bathroom, larger porch/patio, two queen beds, quieter, parking right outside by villa.

Wise words....DD (16) -> couch, me-> king bed, DS (12) -> jacuzzi w/a pillow & blanket should work out fine

Is that for the studio or one bedroom? No jacuzzi or king bed in the studio. But 12 yr old boys should be able to sleep fine in a bathtub as well.

 

[theww228]

But 12 yr old boys should be able to sleep fine in a bathtub as well.

I spent more than a few nights sleeping in a bathtub during college. Slept like a baby!

 

[dmoore22]

That's exactly the reason why if I have to stay in a studio, I'd only stay in an OKW studio. No one gets stuck on the double sized sleeper sofa. I think OKW has the best studios of all - larger bathroom, larger porch/patio, two queen beds, quieter, parking right outside by villa.

I couldn't said it any better!!