On the fence about 2 Bedroom VS 3 Studios at BCV

[yekcoh_99]

My head is hurting!! We're planning a trip next May and wanted to bring some family along for a grand gathering. My family consists of myself, my wife a 4 year old and 2 year old. We figured we'd stay in the Master of a 2 bedroom unit and have the kids sleep on an air mattress in our room.

My sister, her husband and 3 year old can stay in the other bedroom.

Another sister will be joining us...and her boyfriend is saying he wants to come too, but is notorious for backing out of things. He'd prefer to have their own room and not sleep on a pull out sofa (regardless if it's free). He's also concerned about not having his own space and having to go into one of the bedrooms to use the bathroom. I can see this last point a LITTLE bit.

We can swing 3 studios, but will use all but 2 of our points and that includes borrowing everything through 2012. If we do a 2 bedroom unit I realize we may be a bit cramped, but will save more points. Would it be that bad with all of us in a 2 bedroom if her boyfriend comes along considering how much time we're going to be elsewhere other than our rooms? What about enough areas to put luggage and unpack for that many people?? Is there much closet space?

I keep going back and forth with what to do. HELP!!! On one hand I'd love to experience a 2 bedroom unit (we're new to the DVC), but can see the sensibility of separate rooms. But I HATE using all those extra points on a 3rd room ... especially if he ends up backing out.

I realize it's their vacation too and they need to be comfortable, but if someone offered me a free room at the BCV and that meant sleeping on the sleeper sofa, I think I'd be grateful and fine with that.

BCV is our home resort and we are dying to stay there (we've never been). We stayed at AK last trip and it was nice...but I want BCV this trip. I realize AKV has a 3rd bath and the rooms are a bit larger, but I want BCV. I also realize my sister and boyfriend can get their own room elsewhere if my offerings aren't to their satisfaction, but I wanted us all to be together at the same resort and they can't afford to stay there on their own.

Sorry for the book. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!!!

 

[BLTSam]

One thing I have been trying to remind myself, is sometimes you have to put yourself first, especially in this situation! If you have really been wanting to try BCV, then you definitely should not have to sacrafice. If someone in your party is not happy with the FREE accomodations you are offering (they don't know how lucky they are!) then they should just get their own room somewhere else (and probably where you can't just walk over to Epcot!!)

 

[ClarabelleCow]

honestly, I would get the two bedroom, you and your family stay in the bedroom with two beds, let the other family with one child stay in the master, and get a studio for the other sister cash, maybe let the two sisters split the cost! That way, if boyfriend backs out last minute, cancel the reservation and put sister on couch, or sister without kids may enjoy her own space!!!

Or, you keep the master, put all three little kids together in second bed with the other sister! they are small and young enough to all sleep together. IMHO!

I can't stand having the airbeds and couch in living room used, heck, if we can, we get a two bedroom for the four of us, and last year got a 1 bedroom for just myself and son!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If the boyfriend is picky and prone to last minute changes, I would NOT book a seperate studio for them unless you are sure you can cancel in time to bank those points. If that's not the case, then they are either going to have to stay on the sofa bed or get their own accommodations.

Why is it some folks just have to look a gift horse in the mouth?

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, I would go with the 2 BR. If the BOYFRIEND is not comfortable with this arrangement then the two of them can get a value room to sleep in.(and I am thinking this will be the BEST scenario ALL AROUND) You can still all spend time together in the kitchen/dining/pull-out couch area!! I have stayed in BCV 2 bedroom and there is adequate room in the Master bedroom for an air mattress for your two little ones. They will also LOVE the jacuzzi!! A little hint for the pool area is head over to the YClub side with your 2 and 4 year old, that is where the sand and kiddie area is and this area has MUCH more seating than the BClub side. Any ??'s just ask. BCV is my FAVORITE home resort!! Joan

 

[Granny]

I agree with others....I'd get the 2BR and have the other room reserved as a cash reservation. Your sister & boyfriend may also want more privacy than the living room allows for.

And from a personal standpoint, I would feel very crowded with 9 in a 2BR even if two of the children are 3 years old or under. That's just my opinion, not a judgement.

Good luck!

 

[mrsmith9]

Have you considered a Threehouse Villa at SSR? You get 3 bedrooms for a 2 bedroom point equivalent?

Put each of the adult couples in a bedroom, put the ingrate boyfriend in the bunk bed, and put the kids on the sleeper sofas.

 

[yekcoh_99]

If we do an air matress in the Master Bedroom is there room for a double or just a twin? (BCV)

Does anyone know how much closest/dresser space there is to put your clothes and luggage so you're not tripping over it all the time?

Thank you so much everyone for your input!!!

We thought about choosing one of the newer resorts w/larger 2 bedroom units, but BCV is our home resort, we've never been there and are set on making this work somehow. We're dying to stay there.

 

[Hopefully]

Personally I have mixed feelings too, so I may not be much help. I think having you all sleep in a 2 BR will be crowded. You asked about unpacking and stowing luggage etc, and that will be crowded. There is drawer space in the LR armoir, but no hanging space for thse folks. The suitcases will be piled around. I like having the living space "free" for everyone to gather in and then head off to their own rooms for private time. There also is the bathroom issue.
However having the full kitchen will definitely be convenient and save you money. Just having breakfast and snacks in the room is a wonderful time saver and and money saver. Having the washer and dryer enables you to pack less and it is so convenient will little ones.
Since DS boyfried has an issue with the sofa bed, I would suggest they book a room at a Value Resort for the 2 of them. You and the rest of your family can be in 1 2 BR. Then is he does cancel DS can cancel the extra room and join you. You can all hang out in your Villa even if they are sleeping elsewhere.
However, another consideration is that they would not be able to join you at SAB unless they are listed on the Villa registration.
Good Luck with your decison.

 

[Pakey]

I'm in the opposite camp. I'd do the studios. I've done many large groups at DVC and I've learned that separate studios makes everyone happier. First of all, cramming that many people into a 2 bedroom is not fun. For the sister and boyfriend sleeping on the sleeper sofa, there is going to be nowhere to put their luggage/clothing except in one of the bedrooms which is going to make it very incovenient for everyone. And without knowing him, I'm going to be the boyfriend is not an early riser but will be forced to get up when all of the children get up and come up for breakfast--awkward and unhappy mornings in the future!!!

Second, if they cancel on you (and this happens all of the time) you are stuck with a 2 bedroom reservation for just your family. If you do the studios and any of them back out, you can cancel their portion and still have your room.

I would book 2 studios and let the one with the boyfriend, should they decide to come, pick their own hotel and pay for it themselves. Two studios is much less points than a 2 bedroom and sister/boyfriend can figure out their own thing.

I would never do that many people in a 2 bedroom anywhere but at OKW where the units are bigger. Even the THV are small; we felt horribly cramped with just 4 adults there.

 

[yekcoh_99]

My sisters and the husband are fine sharing the 2nd bedroom with 2 beds. I'm not sure about the boyfriend though. The kids could take the sofa. That way they can just wake us up in the Master Suite instead of everyone else. The 2nd family is on board 100% and I really don't see them backing out. The sister/boyfriend might, so I still feel very comfortable going with a 2 bedroom.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Six adults and three kids will be very crowded in a BCV two bedroom villa. It might work out better with an OKW two bedroom, but you would still have the same problems with your sister and her boyfriend in the living room. And, never, never, never offer up the master bedroom to your guests unless they are paying for the villa. The owner gets the master. Always.

Could you get a two bedroom and a studio at OKW for about the same number of points?

 

[Joan S.]

If we do an air matress in the Master Bedroom is there room for a double or just a twin? (BCV)

Does anyone know how much closest/dresser space there is to put your clothes and luggage so you're not tripping over it all the time?

Thank you so much everyone for your input!!!

We thought about choosing one of the newer resorts w/larger 2 bedroom units, but BCV is our home resort, we've never been there and are set on making this work somehow. We're dying to stay there.

Hi, there is a good amount of space near the sliding door in the Master bedroom. If you move the chair back to the wall you SHOULD be able to fit a double. There is a good amount of drawer space and a walk -in closet next to the bath area that has the jacuzzi and sink with vanity.(this is a divided bathroom so the next room will be the shower with pedestal sink and then the toilet in its own little room!) This closet usually has a high chair,ironing board and iron,also a large laundry basket. We bought into BCV as soon as they were being built and have stayed at least once each year since then in 1 and 2 BR units. So I can pretty much walk thru it in my head!! Joan

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I wouldn't go with the three studios for a completely other reason -- With three little kids, I'd want my washer/dryer in my villa.

I'd also put in a second vote for moving the whole show over to OKW. The kitchen and eating area in BCV is about half the size of OKW. At BCV the table seats four and no more. At OKW, you have a big round family size table, plus another round table in the second bedroom. We had a family trip where we put those two tables together in the main room and had family dinners for eight people nearly every night...and we were not at all crowded.

And finally...I would not extend myself any further for this boyfriend. It sounds like any plan you make to accommodate him will not be appreciated and you will end up the loser.

 

[MISSINWDW]

I would book the 2 bedroom, go to MK the first day, go straight to the Jungle Cruise and pitch Extreme High Maintenence (EHM) boyfriend over the side when no one else is lookin'. But that's just me.....

 

[Sandisw]

I agree with many who said get the 2 bedrooms and then book a studio with cash.

To me, if you are willing to allow them to stay with you then I would put that on the table. You can stay with us on the couch for free, or, I can book you your own room for X amount of dollars.

I don't think that I would book extra studios with points when you could end up eating those points. At least with the cash studio, you can cancel a lot closer to the trip without really loosing anything.

Good luck!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, The BCV also has counter seating for 3 (this is located near the pullout) perfect for the young children. IMHO you will be fine in the 2 bedroom at BCV,young children take up less room than fully grown ones . But I still think BEST case scenario is a value for sister and boyfriend, that way you can use the pullout sofa room/kitchen/dining as a place to all hang out together. OF course you can still hang out there and just have S/BF pullout bed when everyone is going to sleep. Also if you ask for a LOCK-OFF you will have that extra entrance to the second bedroom PLUS that room will have it's own fridge and microwave.(since this is actually a studio, you get that extra kitchenette) With EASY access to EPCOT and DHS (plus SAB) this is a GREAT location!! Joan

 

[yekcoh_99]

Hi, The BCV also has counter seating for 3 (this is located near the pullout) perfect for the young children. IMHO you will be fine in the 2 bedroom at BCV,young children take up less room than fully grown ones . But I still think BEST case scenario is a value for sister and boyfriend, that way you can use the pullout sofa room/kitchen/dining as a place to all hang out together. OF course you can still hang out there and just have S/BF pullout bed when everyone is going to sleep. Also if you ask for a LOCK-OFF you will have that extra entrance to the second bedroom PLUS that room will have it's own fridge and microwave.(since this is actually a studio, you get that extra kitchenette) With EASY access to EPCOT and DHS (plus SAB) this is a GREAT location!! Joan

Joan - Thank you so much for this and your other response with the layout information. I really appreciate it!!

 

[yekcoh_99]

Many thanks to all who have responded. We have decided we're going to book a 2 bedroom at BCV. If they want to join us, they are more than welcome. If not, then they are welcome to book their own room and join the rest of us when they can. The sad part is they can't afford to stay at BCV and will probably stay at one of the value resorts - which will limit our time together. Especially since they won't be able to access SAB.

Regarding being cramped, I think we'll mainly just be at the resort to sleep and use the pool in the evenings. We'll probably be in the parks from morning till night so I'm not really worried about having enough seating at the kitchen table. I typically eat while getting ready anyways. I think getting ready in the morning's will be the biggest hurdle, but we're early birds whereas the others aren't so we'll probably be ready by the time they wake up to use them.

Joan - I'm hoping your perspective of so many in the room not being too bad is correct. More space would be desirable, but as I mentioned, we want BCV this trip for location, the pool and the whole resort. We're willing to accept being a little cramped in order to get our desired location. My sister/husband don't mind that either. They figure we'll be in our room so little it won't really matter in the end, plus it's free. Hopefully we just won't all hate each other by the end.

Thanks again everyone!!! Next May can't get here fast enough!!

 

[yekcoh_99]

I would book the 2 bedroom, go to MK the first day, go straight to the Jungle Cruise and pitch Extreme High Maintenence (EHM) boyfriend over the side when no one else is lookin'. But that's just me.....

LMAO