Pre-cruise stay at OKW

[quirty30]

Just a little background - we are on the Fantasy for a 7 night cruise in June. Many months ago, I booked AKV Jambo CL 1BR for 3 nights after the cruise. Only recently did I firm up our plans before the cruise. Was planning to fly in the day before, but was able to use frequent flyer points to get flights 2 days prior. I would have had to pay for Friday flight. Anyway, we get in late on Thursday (after 9PM.) I managed to book a studio, near the HH at OKW for Thursday and Friday. Having never stayed at OKW, we plan on just relaxing at the resort on Friday, then have dinner at Olivia's and get to bed early, so we can head to the port early on Saturday morning (using a Town Car service rather than relying on the later DCL bus.)

Here's my dilemma. I'm traveling with my 2 kids, DS 13 and DD 11. We have never stayed in a studio before. I really don't think we need to waste points on a 1BR, but there is one available at the moment (also near HH.) Given that we will only be in the room about 36 hours, I think we can rough it in the studio even if it means sharing a bed with DD (she is not keen on the idea.) I also think the smaller studio will be a good lesson on downsizing prior to the cruise, since our cabin will be way smaller than any hotel room we've ever stayed in. I honestly have enough points for the 1BR, but I really can't justify it. Given the situation, what would you do? Appreciate any advice!!! TIA.

 

[SusieBea]

I'd stay with the studio. They are larger than a regular hotel room, and I think your logic about anticipating the size of a cabin is sound! Olivia's is lovely, and there's the boat to DTD to offer other diversions. Stand your ground and save the points.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I would also stay with the studio. Going from an OKW 1BR to a studio is a shock...let alone going to a DCL cabin. Not that DCL Cabins are awful (we regularly have four of us in ours and our teens are 19 and 15) but going from a 1BR to a cruise cabin would make it seem really small.

 

[taaren]

Agree that saving the points and staying in a studio is a much better idea.

For 4 people for 2 nights, we have no problem staying in studios (our mix is 3A, 1C, but same feeling). Its when we get to 4+ nights that we start to feel squished in there and we want the space of the bedroom units.

On the ship we barely spent any time in the room so we never noticed how small it was.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yep, that short of a stay? Studio...

 

[quirty30]

Thank you all. Sounds like I made the right choice. DD is just going to have to tough it out .

 

[SusieBea]

Thank you all. Sounds like I made the right choice. DD is just going to have to tough it out .

And she's got that AKL CL 1 bdrm to look forward to (if she's good!). Enjoy your trip!

 

[MEK]

The studio is the biggest one you'll ever get to stay in, so I say do it. Just stayed at a studio with my DH and 17 year old son in December and we made out just fine. You will love being near the HH. It was wonderful! Oh - and don't forget to make a stop at the Gurgling Suitcase and order the turtle crawl. Yum!

 

[quirty30]

And she's got that AKL CL 1 bdrm to look forward to (if she's good!). Enjoy your trip!

I know some people thought we were nuts to book CL after a cruise, but I am really looking forward to spreading out a little and getting my laundry done, and relaxing in the lounge and at the resort. We have no park visits planned.

The studio is the biggest one you'll ever get to stay in, so I say do it. Just stayed at a studio with my DH and 17 year old son in December and we made out just fine. You will love being near the HH. It was wonderful! Oh - and don't forget to make a stop at the Gurgling Suitcase and order the turtle crawl. Yum!

I was so excited to score villa near the HH. I never drive at WDW and we are just thrilled to have all the amenities nearby. I will definitely take your advice about the Gurgling Suitcase .