Occupancy Questions - Family of 6

[ontheuptick]

Hello all -

Trying to figure out which resort to buy in the resale market and came across the occupancy numbers on David's cost & point calculator. I have a family of 6 (although my youngest is an infant, so for now Disney sees me as a family of 5 - but I'll eventually be 6).

If I remember right, DVC will let you book 1 more person than the official occupancy states, but they won't provide linens, is that correct?

David's shows the following occupancy for 1 Bedroom units:
AKL Standard = 5
BLT = 5
Saratoga = 4
BWV = 4

Does that mean that once my family is officially 6, I would not be able to book a 1BR unit at Saratoga or BWV, but I would be able to at AKL or BLT?

My family is fine at this stage crowding into a 1BR. Am I right that if we bought at Boardwalk (our favorite resort) we would be required to step up to the 2BR condo - thus making it a much more expensive proposition than getting 1BR rooms at AKL?

Thanks for your help!

 

[kamik86]

Yes you would officially be considered a 5+1 family so any place that officially sleeps 5 would be fine.

I'm nto sure about the one extra but no blankets. An AKL standard 1 bedroom has sleeping place for 5. A king bed for 2, a queen pullout sofa for 2 in the living room, and a twin pull out chair for 1 in the living room.

 

[ontheuptick]

Yes you would officially be considered a 5+1 family so any place that officially sleeps 5 would be fine.

I'm nto sure about the one extra but no blankets. An AKL standard 1 bedroom has sleeping place for 5. A king bed for 2, a queen pullout sofa for 2 in the living room, and a twin pull out chair for 1 in the living room.

Yes, I know I would be 5+1 right now. But, that's only for 2 more years. Let's forget about that and consider me a 6 person family which is what I will be for the bulk of the contract. How does that affect my questions?

 

[kamik86]

Yes, I know I would be 5+1 right now. But, that's only for 2 more years. Let's forget about that and consider me a 6 person family which is what I will be for the bulk of the contract. How does that affect my questions?

When you officially have 6 you will have to go up to a 2 bedroom or get two studios.

Two studios is cheaper but changes are they wont' connect as most studios connect to 1 bedrooms to make 2 bedroom lockoffs. So this is a solution that is best for when at least some of the kids are old enough where you would be ok with them being in a room a little ways down the hall.

 

[Dean]

Yes, I know I would be 5+1 right now. But, that's only for 2 more years. Let's forget about that and consider me a 6 person family which is what I will be for the bulk of the contract. How does that affect my questions?

Once you hit 6 officially you'll need a 2 BR or 2 studios to accommodate 6. You should plan on a 2 BR really starting about 1-2 years after you buy at the LATEST. By the time you get educated (usually takes about 6 months), find a contract and close (variable but 3-6 months) then book, you'll likely only get 1 or 2 trips out of a sleep 5 villa. But it will give you a little cushion in contract size for a while. Just plan for a 2 BR and you should be on target.

 

[ontheuptick]

Once you hit 6 officially you'll need a 2 BR or 2 studios to accommodate 6. You should plan on a 2 BR really starting about 1-2 years after you buy at the LATEST. By the time you get educated (usually takes about 6 months), find a contract and close (variable but 3-6 months) then book, you'll likely only get 1 or 2 trips out of a sleep 5 villa. But it will give you a little cushion in contract size for a while. Just plan for a 2 BR and you should be on target.

Got it. I don't know why, but I swear I had read multiple times on here that you can have 1 more than the occupancy of a DVC Villa on points. Is that totally untrue? Meaning, you absolutely can't book 6 people into a 1BR with a 5 occupancy?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Got it. I don't know why, but I swear I had read multiple times on here that you can have 1 more than the occupancy of a DVC Villa on points. Is that totally untrue? Meaning, you absolutely can't book 6 people into a 1BR with a 5 occupancy?

You absolutely cannot book 6 into a 1BR ever.

Where your confusion is coming in is that at BCV, BWV and Saratoga, the 1BR have sleeping spaces for 4, but will allow you to book 5 to the villa. It's BYO bed.

It's not "can always book one more than listed." It's those specific units sleep 5, with the caveat about bedding.

 

[ontheuptick]

Got it. Thanks!

As far as the booking 2 studios for a family of 6, are there resorts where you are more likely to be able to get connecting studios? I know Poly obviously you are almost assured. What about other resorts? AKL? Boardwalk?

Do any other families of 6 or 7 regularly do the 2 studios method and get connecting studios..?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The only resort that even has connecting studios is Poly, and it's not guaranteed to get that request. It's very likely because all but 2 studios connect to another studio but just be aware that the adults could very likely end up in different rooms. Any other resort the best you can hope is to have them close to each other.

I'd say it's fairly uncommon for larger immediate families to do 2 studios because there aren't connecting rooms. It's 2BR's.

 

[cvjw]

Only Poly has connecting studios and they are not a guaranteed booking category.

Other resorts have studios that may be side by side or across the hall from each other, but that also is not guaranteed.

With a family of your size, I would plan on a 2 bedroom villa.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Besides which, 2 studios doesn't get you an in-room W/D, hang out space, or the full kitchen.

 

[Brian Noble]

My advice: plan for a 2BR, not two studios. As the prior poster suggests, the added amenities of a kitchen, living space, W/D are really quite nice. Comparing our experiences over the years in 2BR (or larger) condos vs. connecting hotel rooms, the former were much more relaxing and enjoyable.

 

[BillPA]

If you get 2 studios, there MUST be an adult in each unit. You can't put the kids in one and Mom and Pop in the other.

 

[Dean]

My advice: plan for a 2BR, not two studios. As the prior poster suggests, the added amenities of a kitchen, living space, W/D are really quite nice. Comparing our experiences over the years in 2BR (or larger) condos vs. connecting hotel rooms, the former were much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Other than Poly, I'd concur.

Got it. I don't know why, but I swear I had read multiple times on here that you can have 1 more than the occupancy of a DVC Villa on points. Is that totally untrue? Meaning, you absolutely can't book 6 people into a 1BR with a 5 occupancy?

My guess is you saw the info about 5 plus one in a 1BR even those that sleep 4 in setup.

 

[crisi]

There are connecting studios at Vero, but the drive in for rope drop is kind of long .

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There are connecting studios at Vero, but the drive in for rope drop is kind of long .

Technically connecting Inn rooms but guess that's what you're referring to. I don't think any studios connect there do they?

 

[DenLo]

I agree that some of the Inn rooms connect, but the studios only connect to 1BRs at Vero.

 

[ldo]

We have done 2 studios a few times. Sometimes they were across from one another, other times, they were on different floors. Those were at AKV and VWL, so not a big deal (we separated the adults). But, can you imagine at SSR, OKW being at totally different parts of the resort? I would look at places where 2BR are lower points. FYI-don't count on AKV value 2BR--lots of people want those. Good luck.

 

[skier_pete]

FYI: 2 studios cost about 2/3rds the cost of a 2-bedroom. Of course the two bedroom gives you a kitchen and Washer/Dryer which 2 studios do not and also gives you about 1/3 more space. It's of course budget vs comfort.

Folks are right to say generally the studios don't connect. I know at AKV - Jambo house they DO have studios that are directly next to each other. Beach Club also has some and I believe Boardwalk does too but I couldn't find that for sure. However, in all those cases, the studios next to each other are rather rare - so you wouldn't be able to guarantee them. Poly is the only place they actually connect - and while they don't guarantee there either - you could probably get them next to eachother.

However - one thing to also consider - TWO studios at the Poly cost more points than a two bedroom standard at AKV. Looking at choice season - 2 rooms at Poly for a week are 260 pts, and standard 2-bedroom at AKV is 229 (Savanna View is 296.). Other seasons show the same. Remember not all resorts are created equally - or at least equally priced!

 

[n2mm]

I agree about studios not being near each other. I just got back and had two studios. I called prior and had a travel with added to each studio so that we could be somewhat near or at least the same hall. It didn't work. Two different floors and two different ends of the BWV resort. One near elevator and the other bear the tennis court/canal. A long walk indeed and stairs too between floors.