OKW studio for family of 4 versus 1 bedroom

[bradpga]

We are looking at a May trip to Disney and book a studio at OKW. This would require only 50 points for 5 nights and would leave just enough points for another trip during Thanksgiving. Problem is we bought DVC because of the space and privacy of a 1 bedroom (kids sleep on pull-out). Anyway, I don't know about backing down to a studio after being spoiled by the 1 bedroom. Whose done it and would you do it again? ps- kids are 4 and 7.

 

[lisaviolet]

We are looking at a May trip to Disney and book a studio at OKW. This would require only 50 points for 5 nights and would leave just enough points for another trip during Thanksgiving. Problem is we bought DVC because of the space and privacy of a 1 bedroom (kids sleep on pull-out). Anyway, I don't know about backing down to a studio after being spoiled by the 1 bedroom. Whose done it and would you do it again? ps- kids are 4 and 7.

Oh boy. I know your pain!!!! My partner won't even look at a studio after that OKW one bedroom. Or the BWV one bedroom...or BCV... But we might have a studio in May too!!!

Can you borrow and do the one bedroom?

If not, I would try to get a SV BWV studio. Waitlist if possible. It should be low points as well. Hopefully, enough for your next trip. I think another location would be better when looking at a studio.

Have a great trip,

Lisa

 

[Deb & Bill]

If I have to stay in a studio, I'd prefer OKW for the two queen beds. OKW studios have more room and the bathroom is large. Patio is only a small square, though, but that usually isn't a big issue.

We did it once and then we asked my mom to join us for the trip. We didn't get a two bedroom and stayed in the OKW studio. It wasn't too bad for the few days we were all in there together.

We usually get a one bedroom. Only get a studio if its a matter of points.

 

[lisaviolet]

If I have to stay in a studio, I'd prefer OKW for the two queen beds.

That's why you have to know what you like the best. Some DVCers, like Deb & Bill, really like the two beds, and no couch to pull out, at OKW.

I suggested SV BWV because I would miss the couch. Got to love DVC. Choices.

OKW studios are larger, a nice design (not long and narrow and have two windows) but I also find them dark because of the trees and bushes.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We are a family of four and so far have only done studios - at OKW, SSR and VWL. There are things about each one that we like over others. Our boys are 9 and 10 and they do NOT sleep well together, so we usually sleep one adult / one child -- so my preference is for OKW for sleeping.

However, what I like about the studios at SSR and VWL are that the bathroom vanity area is outside the shower / toilet so I can brush my teeth and wash my face while someone else is using the facilities -- makes getting ready in the morning (or more importantly at night after a long day in the park) a bit more efficient. I also like the lighting in the vanity / closet / kitchenette area better at SSR and VWL than in OKW - it seems darker and also less room in that area, so if you're using the kitchenette, that's something to consider as well.

Additionally, we enjoy sitting out on the balcony - so we like SSR better than OKW because it's a bit more spacious - and all four of us can be on the balcony at once. We only had a first floor room at VWL, so we didn't use the patio - and I've since learned to request a "non-1st-floor" room

Again, at OKW the boys really like the pool / slide there (although they also like it at the other resorts) but they REALLY like Community Hall at OKW - air hockey, pool, games, etc. But they are 9 and 10

I've slept with DS (10) on the pull-outs and they are fine, and if the boys slept together, they would be ok on the pull-outs, too -- and it is nice to have the little couch to sit on to watch t.v. instead of having to sit on the bed.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

It is very difficult to 'get busy' in a studio with your kids around.

If you can give THAT up for a week, then the studio's definitely worth it.

If it means you'll be intolerably confrontational in Disney the entire week because of the absence of busy time, then it's reeeeeeaaaalllllly not.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Sounds like "add-on" time to me so that you can have more points to always stay in a 1 BR. That's what we ended up doing because, just like we were warned, once a 1 BR, we couldn't go back.

 

[springandmac]

It is very difficult to 'get busy' in a studio with your kids around.

If you can give THAT up for a week, then the studio's definitely worth it.

If it means you'll be intolerably confrontational in Disney the entire week because of the absence of busy time, then it's reeeeeeaaaalllllly not.

too true! Me, DH and DD13 shared a studio at SSR....needless to say we won't be doin' that again!

 

[castleri]

We are looking at a May trip to Disney and book a studio at OKW. This would require only 50 points for 5 nights and would leave just enough points for another trip during Thanksgiving. Problem is we bought DVC because of the space and privacy of a 1 bedroom (kids sleep on pull-out). Anyway, I don't know about backing down to a studio after being spoiled by the 1 bedroom. Whose done it and would you do it again? ps- kids are 4 and 7.

Went from a 2BR at OKW to a studio at SSR during Christmas. The change allowed for an extra 4 nights from 12/31-1/4 plus a September trip in a studio. We had 4 in the 2 BR and then 3 in the studio. I would prefer the 1 BR but like my extra trips more. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the room I would go with the 1 BR if you are mostly going to be sleeping there go with the studio. If you go with the OKW studio - ask for a dedicated one and you can turn the big closet into a special place for the children to play and/or sleep using the linens off the second bed. It's like having their very own "fort" and may give you a little privacy.

 

[mikesmom]

DH and I stayed in a Studio for 4 nights a couple of years ago and didn't like it at all. And DS wasn't even along for that trip! I can't imagine trying a studio with 2 boys along, particularly after you've gotten used to the 1 bedroom. Of course, we really like relaxing in our room - your mileage may vary.

Once you've gotten spoiled by the one bedroom......

By the way, the spoiling is additive. We did the 1 bedroom for several years with DS and his buddy along. One year their weren't any 1 bdrms so we did a 2 bedroom. Now we have to have the 2 bedroom for just the 3 of us!

 

[Sammie]

It is very difficult to 'get busy' in a studio with your kids around.

If you can give THAT up for a week, then the studio's definitely worth it.

If it means you'll be intolerably confrontational in Disney the entire week because of the absence of busy time, then it's reeeeeeaaaalllllly not.

Gee you know years ago everyone slept in the same room, don't think that reduced the population though did it. Seems those cabin families had lots of kids.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...If you go with the OKW studio - ask for a dedicated one and you can turn the big closet into a special place for the children to play and/or sleep using the linens off the second bed. It's like having their very own "fort" and may give you a little privacy.

I'm not aware of two closets in the OKW studio. Are there some with another closet where the door to the one bedroom is? I thought that was just a wall.

I know the dedicated two bedroom OKW villas have a huge extra closet in the second bedroom where the exit to the outside would be.

 

[jemiaule]

I have a 4 year old and a 6 year old and at least 2 nights a week someone gets spooked by something and crawls into bed with us anyway. But I still like a one bedroom. It gives me some place to hide if I need to and some place to send a child who has gotten themselves in trouble.

I love my kids and spending time with them; but all day in the parks then sleeping in the same room with them...for five days straight...

 

[castleri]

I'm not aware of two closets in the OKW studio. Are there some with another closet where the door to the one bedroom is? I thought that was just a wall.

I know the dedicated two bedroom OKW villas have a huge extra closet in the second bedroom where the exit to the outside would be.

You are right - I think I was having a senior moment when I typed that - we were in the 2 BR. Thanks for the correction

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Did it once.

DH made me promise to "never subject me (him) to that again"

It was only a long weekend, only had so many points left as we had already had 2 trips... once you are used to the larger accommodations it really is hard to go back, IMO.

He did agree to a 1BR for this May's getaway (we usually do a 2BR with 4 of us). DS12 & DS9 are already asking me to buy an air mattress so they don't have to sleep together. We'll see how that works out.

To me, "squeezing in" is better than not going at all but if at all possible I would get at least a 1BR.

We really are spoiled!

 

[pb4ugo]

We are looking at a May trip to Disney and book a studio at OKW. This would require only 50 points for 5 nights and would leave just enough points for another trip during Thanksgiving. Problem is we bought DVC because of the space and privacy of a 1 bedroom (kids sleep on pull-out). Anyway, I don't know about backing down to a studio after being spoiled by the 1 bedroom. Whose done it and would you do it again? ps- kids are 4 and 7.

might you be able to transfer a few points into your account from another member so that you wouldn't have to be faced with such a dilemma/decision? dh and i bought into dvc just so we didn't have to sleep in studio-type rooms and could enjoy the ambience of a 1 br that is more like home! but then, we are only doing one trip to the world and one trip to hhi each year.