Occupancy Thread

[Zurg]

Originally posted by Desperado
... Of course, I also walked and rode my bike over two miles to school, even in the snow. We didn't even have calculators to help us with math. We didn't have a microwave, we had black and white TV and I had to learn how to use a phone with a rotary dial on it.....

LOL only TWO miles. I must have walked five, up hill both ways......

 

[LisaSt]

Yes a studio will sleep 2 adults and 3 kids we often use a studio on our trips and have 3 kids with us.

 

[Bill K]

What is the difinition of "overly large"?

 

[fam4jc]

Hi. I am looking to rent DVC points for the first time before deciding to purchase or not. We have two families going and one has three children all over the age of three. Do any of the studios offer the day bed in addition to the couch bed and regular bed? I've heard that BWI has this but I don't know about the villas. This will be important in our decision because we often bring extra people with us.
Thanks for your help.

 

[CarolMN]

The dedicated studios (also know as studio plus units) at the BWV do have a daybed. However, it is very narrow and very short - approx 4 feet. IMHO, it is not suitable for a bed. Some here have reported that it is very hard to boot. We used it to store our "souvenir purchases".

The BWV are the only DVC resort that have the daybed arrangement in some of the studios. It is a request only and cannot be reserved/guaranteed. Most studios are lock offs (i.e., connect to a 1 befroom unit to make a 2 bedroom unit). Those do not have the daybed.

IMHO, you would be better served to reserve at the BWI or one of the deluxe hotels that offer a twin sized daybed.

Best wishes -

 

[KristiKelly]

You didn't mention the ages of the kids, but you could take an air mattress or a ready-bed (it's a kids sleeping bag with an air mattress inside that you blow up).

 

[Frozenfingers]

On our first trip we reserved a two bedroom lockoff, it gave us a good feel for what the accomodations are and how we can "adjust" for our vacation needs (which change trip to trip). To me, it sounds like you would be best served renting points for a two bedroom lockoff as well. I think a two bedroom costs the same as two studios, you'd need to check the point charts for sure.

 

[eis67]

Can I put 5 in a 1 bedroom? We have an 8, 6, and 3 year old and I've been told by DVC that although they say only 4 in a 1 bedroom they don't tell owners that they can't. When I make a reservation should I say 5 or just tell them 4? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[LisaSt]

Yes you could even put them all in a studio if you wanted especially at those ages. We had 5 in our 1 bdrm last Dec with no problems. We have also had 5 in a studio at BWV and VWL so don't worry about it.

 

[CarolMN]

The stated maximum occupancy for DVC studios and 1 bedroom units is 4 persons plus a child under the age of 3. A Pac 'n Play portable crib is provided for the child.

DVC does not provide cots, rollaways or extra bedding to accomodate more than the stated maximum.

That said, no one does bed checks, and MS apparently accepts bookings for families of 5.

Threads asking about occupancy for DVC units tend to "stray" from DIS Board guidelines because several posters have very passionate opinions about exceeding room occupancy levels. I tell you this only so that you do not feel bad for asking the question or wonder why the thread gets locked, moved, or tagged on to the end of another thread - and it will!

Best wishes -

Edited to add:
Welcome to the DIS and most especially to the DVC Forum!

 

[Mickey]

We also had 5 in one bedroom and had plenty of room. We stayed at OKW and the one bedrooms there are over 1000 sq feet. To be honest, we could had 2 more people and still not had a problem. The other DVC resorts the one bedrooms are a little smaller, but 5 will fit very comfortably. Disney will provide you with extra bedding if you request, but they do not have roll a way beds. Seeing that, an air mattress works great. In the past this has been a heated discussion, and to be honest everyone is entitled to their own opnions. In the end, you have to do what is right for you. Disney does not do checks, they in fact when I called them, did not have a problem with it. I even told them I was going to have five in a one bedroom when I checked in.

Have a great time

 

[CapeCodFam]

Call Member Services. If they take your reservation for 5, you'll have your answer.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by CapeCodFam
Call Member Services. If they take your reservation for 5, you'll have your answer.

That's a good answer!

 

[disneygang]

We are a family of seven DS's 4, 6, 7, 10 and DD 11. We are looking at the possibility of becoming DVC members. We just returnd form a 7 night/8 day stay at the Allstar Sports (first Disney resort stay) and we had to get two rooms.

On the return flight home I met a member who told me about the 1 BR Villas and that it is possible for us to stay comfortably. Does anyone have any experience with using a 1 BR with a family of seven. Is it allowed for us to do that if we choose to?

Any other input about points for a family this size to stay in 1 or 2 BR. I am thinking that maybe 200 pts to start. I am going to look into the numbers now.

Did I see that all the resorts have a points system not just the DVC resorts?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

1 BR's are supposed to be for up to four people with room for one child under three. Besides having only 1 King bed and a pull out sofa, you wouldn't be issed the number of keys to the world that you would need for things like early admission or transportaion.

We are a family of six and always get a 2BR. That is just right for us. I can't imagine a family of seven fitting comfortable into a 1BR. I would suggest you continue staying at the All Stars of buy enough points for a 2BR, which will not save you any money.

You can use points at most of the resorts but it is not very cost effective to do so.

Good luck and hang on for the ride.

HBC

 

[Disney Doll]

The official rules for a 1BR unit are a family of 4 with a 5th child under the age of 3 who can sleep in a pack & play. While the 1BRs are a nice size(very large at OKW and fairly amply sized, although not as big, at the other resorts) 7 in a 1BR is quite cramped, so you'd probably always need a 2BR.

 

[jekjones1558]

The cheapest DVC option for a 2 bedroom is to stay at OKW (218 points for 1 week) January, September or beginning of December. If you have school age kids, these times are probably not too good. That being said, if you ever get a chance to see a 2 bedroom unit, you will fall in love. A plus for the budget is the chance to do some meals and snacks in a fully equipped kitchen, which can be quite a savings with a 7 member family!
Good luck!

 

[ripleysmom]

You would definitely not be comfortable in a 1BR. A 1BR only has 2 beds, a king in the master bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room.

With a crew of 7 I would look at buying enough points to stay in a 2BR

 

[SoCalKDG]

You can also just do Sunday night through Thursday night in a two bedroom for 120 to 160 points at BWV. You can also get two studios, which is for 8, and would be much nicer than Allstar Sports. This would cost 90 to 110 points Sunday through Thursday, or 170 points for the whole week. Or try a 2 bedroom Sunday to Thursday, then two studios Fri & Sat. You could make 200 points work(plus you can always borrow 20-30 points every year giving you even more).

 

[Pa@okw95]

You need a two bedroom. Don't even think of a one bedroom. The two bedroom is designed for 6 people but will fit 8 if you use the sofa-sleeper in the living room.