Occupancy Thread

[AFMom]

When I was young, it was such a treat to get to go to Disney at all! All through my childhood, even as a teenager, my parents would take me, my sister, the two of them, and a good friend that we both thought of as our 'other' sister, and we'd all happily stay in a tiny little motel room. Never thought it was bad at all, and it was all we could afford. We had a blast, have wonderful memories, and my parents could never afford more than a Best Western - that was delux to us. If they had tried to save for a bigger room - we never would have gone ( we only went every 2 or 3 years as it was). So I think some of these replies are a little funny! No offense to anyone at all - but I'm sure you'll see why I can see humor here! I would have no issue at all with getting a 1 bdrm with 3 kids, even older kids! Especially at OKW, where the rooms are so big. And if they can't handle sharing a bathroom or sleeping on an air mattress - well, maybe they can start pitching in their allowance, or get a job at McDonalds to help with more points! DVC doesn't seem to mind! Now - I certainly don't want to get into the whole 'occupance thread' issues here, and packing in 2 families into a 1 bdrm for a week would be an issue! Just my $.02!

 

[SoCalKDG]

This always makes me laugh. Doesn't anyone remember growing up in a 700 ft apartment? Millions of people do it in Southern California. Or visiting grandparents for Christmas with 9 people in the 1000 sq ft house? It was vacation, and no one seemed to mind.

By the way, I fall into the more square footage trap all the time. I have a new house and sometimes I think about adding a sunroom......and there is only 3 of us.

If MS says you can put 5 in a 1 bedroom, go for it. Its much better than putting 5 at Coronado Springs and Port Orleans. Having a 1 bedroom with 5 should seem much less crowded than a room/studio with 4, IMHO.

 

[spiceycat]

their children ages are 17, 12 and 8 plus one at college - the POR would work but only this year - POR says that the trundle bed in the AB section is only good for 9 years old and younger.

her kids are getting to old for any of the cheaper alternatives for 5 in one room.

this has been a big complaint about the WDW resorts they are designed for a family of 4 - not 5 or 6 -

but I guess WDW thinks that the majority of families in the US fit that description.

I still remember trips with Grandmother - 2 rooms at the Polyn resort for only the 4 of us - boy were we living it up!!!!

I still recommend for families of 5 or more - to get 2 studios - yes I know it means splitting up the parents until one of the kids gets to be 18 - but hey - in my opinion it beats the alternatives..... Unless money is not a problem - then hey get a 2-bedroom at a DVC resort - or get a suite at a WDW resort.

 

[kweaver]

As a mom of three, I can understand the feeling that a 2BR will become almost a necessity in the future.

However, if you are comfortable in a 1BR for now and MS allows it, I see no reason to stay in something larger. Personally, I can't see our family of 5 staying in one room at POR or any of the deluxe hotels...but it worked out fine in a 1BR this summer.

SSRex - I have a lot of respect for you and I'm always interested in reading your informative posts. I think the thing to remember here is that everyone is different. There are many people who do sleep in close quarters with their kids...and <gasp> even share the same bathroom. There's nothing wrong with that...it's a personal decision whether you're on vacation or at home. As far as saving $$ goes, no one should be telling another person how to spend their $$ on vacation.

Most financially stable/upper income people that I know are very frugal with their spending and know how to find good values.

SoCalKDG - I totally agree. We also fall into the square footage trap. It's a tough thing to avoid...and so much to keep clean!

 

[mgoble]

Sometimes it comes down to availablilty. We booked a 1BR at BWV for Columbus Day weekend and recently decided to bring my sister for a total of 5 (kids are 5 and 8). Called and are waitlisted for a 2BR but MS stated we may stay in 1BR with 5 but no bedding or towels.

 

[jarestel]

I think it tends to be those who have mucho points or those who don't have more than 2 children who get a charge out of singing the "occupancy chorus" at every opportunity. If your family ( and DVC ) is happy with the accomodations, then that's all that matters.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But I still think that five people in a studio at BCV, including three adults and two older kids is just a little bit tight. You might not get the okay from MS, plus you don't get any bedding for the 5th person. I can't see it as much of a treat to squeeze five in a studio, even for only two nights.

 

[laceemouse]

I have to say that if DVC doesn't mind than I don't mind if someone squeezes in an extra person, especially a kid. But I fall into the "we like our space" catagory. We have 4 kids and love the 2 bedroom units, but I must admit we are all a little spoiled now adays. We are not wealthy, and do not have mega points, but my kids really get on each others nerves, and mine, in close quarters. Heck, at home we have 3100 square feet plus a full finished basement, and they still get on each others nerves!!!!

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

I have been watching/reading this thread ever since I posted what I thought was an innocent question about accomodating my family of 5, and it got tacked onto the end of this thread. I appreciate that there are a variety of opinions, including those opinions that conflict with mine. Mostly, I find it interesting and constructive. Sometimes, though, I'm not sure if I should laugh, be angry or feel insulted. That probably just depends on how good/bad the rest of my day is going

I don't understand the reasoning of wanting to put more people into a room designed for less. If it is the money than it should not be used on a vacation. If you want to save money, then go camping. If you want to have a relaxing, spacious villa, get a 2 bedroom and enjoy your time both together and separate from the kids.

I don't understand the reasoning of wanting to make broad insulting statements about how other people should spend their money or where they should spend their vacation. Since I am now feeling both angry and insulted, I guess today wasn't the best day for me to read some of these posts.

After much reflection (and editing), I've come to this conclusion:
If I want to "have a relaxing stay in a spacious villa" I will get a 2 bedroom. On the other hand, if I "want to save money", and because MS allows it, I will get a 1 bedroom. Further, IF MS allowed it, and IF I wanted to save even more money I would get a studio because it is my money and my vacation, and I'll spend both exactly how I like as long as I am not breaking any rules. And if anyone else wants to do the same, I don't care, because it's none of my business!

And above all, I will not allow shallow, elitist, exclusionist and hurtful statements to make me think for even one second that my family is not worthy of experiencing the Disney magic to its absolute fullest.

Hmmm...I really thought I was going to stay on the sidelines and avoid getting involved in this debate.

 

[CarolAnnC]

To provide some insight, the topic of room occupancy at DVC Resorts used to be forbidden on this board, per our Webmasters. All discussion on the topic was remanded to our Debate Board. With the demise of the Debate Board this year, it was deemed that we would try to allow the topic on this board, provided all posts stay on this one thread. Also, all posts must adhere to our DIS Posting Guidelines. So be aware that all room occupancy related threads are merged here, and feel free to continue the discussion on this one if you like. Take care...

 

[DrTomorrow]

MARCIAKAZ,

A review of your original post:

Originally posted by MARCIAKAZ
We are DVC wannabes...surfing this board and others soaking up all the bits of info out there. We're now considering renting points for a Nov. 2005 trip to have real taste of the DVC experience. So here's the question: Can a family of five(me, DH, DD-17, DS-16, DD-11) stay in a 1-bdrm? Allowed by Disney? If so, would it be comfortable enough, considering we'll spend little time in the room? I've seen conflicting info on this issue. Obviously, we want to do that for the point savings, but not unless it's by the book (or at least with permission).

shows that you were pretty much soliciting peoples' opinions on this topic, so I'm not sure why you're surprised that you got them. And you brought up both savings and comfort, so the post you quoted was on point, albeit not as polite as it could have been. That's the consequence of asking other people their opinions: you run the risk of being told things you don't want to hear.

[As an aside, I share that poster's confusion. I'm a rule-follower: if a taxi's posted capacity is 5, I wouldn't dream of trying to cram in 6, even if they'd fit; if the grocery line says "12 items or less", I count and if I have 13, I go to the regular line; if the IRS form says that only certain expenses apply, I only use those expenses. Plus, we bought into DVC for, among other things, more room; when DW and I go, we prefer a 1BR, just for the two of us (Hedonistic? Yep!). So I too don't understand why anyone would would try to fit in more people than an area was designed for. I agree to disagree, but it is a fair issue for discussion.]

That being said, I'm glad that you've come to a position that works for you. Looking at your original post, it's a personal judgement call: it isn't "by the book", but it is with MS' permission.

Best of luck, and - so maybe we can learn something from your experiences - could you come back to this thread after your trip and let us know the plusses and minuses?

 

[ChairborneRangr]

"If you want to save money, then go camping."

hmmm...

I know there are multiple threads within this one thread, but this statement shows that the poster isn't following at all the plight of the family of 5 (or 6).

[soapbox]
Renting DVC points, getting a studio for ~90 a night is great, for the family of 4. To add one more smallish child, you are stuck with A) getting two studios B) getting a 1-bedroom and special dispensation or C) getting a 2 bedroom.

Let's see... 4 people $90 a night, 5 people $180 a night. That sucks. Period. Oh yeah, I forgot the worst option. Actually paying "discount" rates of ~$250 for a room with a daybed at the regular resort.

What is so difficult about charging a per head price with a minimum per room. $22.50 per head is very doable. If they'd let me use a Studio with an air mattress I'd be happy to pay the $112.50 a night.

I have the resources to take my family lot's of places. We've been in 30+ states and multiple countries. That doesn't mean I want to throw my money away.
[/soapbox]

This is only an issue for another couple of years for us. By then our college students will be too involved with their own lives.

Anyway it would be nice if Disney cared about larger families. Until then, I guess it is multiple value rooms for us.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

DrTomorrow:

Of course I expected opinions when I asked my original questions. I did not express "surprise" at getting them, even the ones that "I didn't want to hear." I object to none of the responses that resulted from my original post. In fact--as I said in my last post--I appreciate that there are a variety of opinions, including those opinions that conflict with mine.

However; I specifically object to, and am offended by, and surprised by (call me Pollyanna), blatant rudeness whenever and wherever I experience it.

I, too, am a rule follower...all the ones you stated, and surely many others. That's one of the reasons I asked the accomodation question in the first place.

I will also agree to disagree on the apparantly very fine point of what constitutes a rule in this particular instance.

Though our trip isn't until Thanksgiving week 2005, I look forward to posting plusses and minuses. Ironically, I am now considering a stay at AKL in a deluxe savannah view room which accomodates 5--in a smaller space and for more $$ than a 1bdrm at BWV / VWL, but "by the book."

Funny you should use the grocery line example...just a few days ago, DH and I approached a "20 items or less" register with no other customers in the line. I looked into the cart, figuring it was too close to guess, and began counting out loud. The cashier grabbed the front of the cart and pulled it toward her and said "don't worry about it, close enough". Hmmm...ethical dilemma?

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Ethical Dilema!?!

Rules are not laws If you ask, and management says yes, then it is OK... If the clerk says its ok, its OK.

I am a rule follower, but I will also give management the opportunity to be reasonable. VERY politely. And if they say no... it's no. The good thing is CMs try very hard not to say "NO".

 

[SoCalKDG]

Everyone has broken a rule or a law sometime in there life. Every city and state has outdated rules and laws that are still on the books but not enforced.

If a cop tells you to go through a red light, or a checker says put your groceries here, the existing rule/law has been overruled by the rule/law makers/enforcers.

Thus, if MS takes a reservation for 5 in a studio or one bedroom, then it is allowed. If a person makes a reservation for 4, then puts 5 into the room, they are breaking the rules.

Now putting this many in any unit and having them do this is a different story.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by MARCIAKAZ
However; I specifically object to, and am offended by, and surprised by (call me Pollyanna), blatant rudeness whenever and wherever I experience it.

Well, if you're referring to the quote you included with your prior reply, I think to term it blantantly rude is a bit subjective. Based upon that little snippet (I looked and couldn't find the entire post), I'd use descriptors more along the lines of "curt" or "opinionated." The theme of the post ("I don't understand the reasoning....") was echoed by many people.

Regardless, discussions of room occupancy tend to be very polarizing topics. There are people who feel that occupancy limits should be strictly adhered-to, and frankly the documents we sign as members support this argument.

Others are a bit more lax in their interpretation, and will cite exceptions made by DVC as proof.

It's a lot like trying to have a "civil" discussion regarding politics--it just ain't gonna happen. No matter how innocuous the intent might be behind a series of statements, someone is bound to interpret comments as abusive, rude or otherwise offensive. IMO, the best course of action is to not take it personally--agree to disagree and move along.

For whatever it's worth, count me amoung those who really doesn't care what others do with their points. However, I also couldn't imagine putting 5 or 6 people in a 1B or (heaven forbid) a studio. We bought DVC so that we could avoid the days of cramming our family of 4 into a Moderate or Value room. Sure, we've done that for one or two nights in a hotel on vacation elsewhere. But a week at Disney World--no way.

Now that's not meant to be an insult toward those who choose to put 5 in Studio--it's just my opinion. YMMV.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Interesting, and here I thought this thread got bumped as a tribute to Richyams!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by SoCalKDG
Everyone has broken a rule or a law sometime in there life. Every city and state has outdated rules and laws that are still on the books but not enforced.

If a cop tells you to go through a red light, or a checker says put your groceries here, the existing rule/law has been overruled by the rule/law makers/enforcers.

Thus, if MS takes a reservation for 5 in a studio or one bedroom, then it is allowed. If a person makes a reservation for 4, then puts 5 into the room, they are breaking the rules.

Now putting this many in any unit and having them do this is a different story.

Yes, but - and here's the tricky part - being granted an exception does NOT mean that the rule is null and void from this point onward. If a police officer tells me to go through a specific red light, that dows NOT mean I can breeze though red lights until the day I die (which could be quite soon, if I really choose to do that ). If a checker says that I can take my 23 items through the 12.or.less line tonight, that doesn't mean that I should expect and demand to be allowed to do so in the future.

So, since the OP of this sub-thread - who was sincerely interested in what was proper - asked what the rules were, that's what they were told. Some folks have had success in getting MS to make exceptions, but until Disney actually changes the legal documents that we sign and/or agree to, the current capacity restrictions are "Da Rules". (Where're Cosmo and Wanda when you need them?)

And I too could really care less if someone puts a 5th person on a aero-bed in a 1BR, except for the generally-accepted concern that disregarding one rule tends to make it easier to disregard others. I've already read about people discovering a neighbor smuggling a cat into a DVC room (bad news for those who are allergic), and having pressurized.gas stoves in the units and balconies. So where do we draw the line? A family of six? Seven? Eight? That slope's so slippery I'd need skis!

But hey, we'll be at SSR in December with some close friends; it'll just be four adults in a 2BR - and we're giving THEM the Master Bedroom. So if the Joad's want to stay next door, it's fine with me.....



PS Ob RH: If you are going to exceed capacity, go for OKW - I hear their rooms are the biggest....

 

[Dean]

There's no doubt that anyone who's upset about the occupancy issue should be upset with MS and DVC and not the members as long as MS and the resort is allowing it. And I have no problem with a child over here and there, within reason. OTOH, the statement "but my guide said it was OK" is meaningless and not a reasonable support of going over the occupancy limits. Anyone who bought directly from DVD signed they understand and agree to the occupancy limits and anyone who bought resale assumed the requirements as well. And if DVC starts to enforce the rules in place, no one has any reason to complain.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by MARCIAKAZ
However; I specifically object to, and am offended by, and surprised by (call me Pollyanna), blatant rudeness whenever and wherever I experience it.

Agreed.

And if DVC starts to enforce the rules in place, no one has any reason to complain. [/B]

Nonsense. A dramatic change in restrictions, enforcement and the practical application of policy as described by MS on mutiple occasions would certainly be a valid complaint. It is absurd to claim otherwise.