Pros and Cons of a DVC Beach Club Studio Villa compared to a non DVC BC Water View room

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I just started looking at the Beach Club DVC studio Villa to rent through Disney. I have a BC Water View room booked already but starting to wonder if I should consider the BC Villa? What are the pros and cons of the BC Studio Villa to the non DVC BC Water View room? Also what would the possible room views be from the BC villas? Any real unappealing views? Distance to Stormalong bay or walk to Epcot? Never stayed at either so all thoughts appreciated.

 

[Micharlotte]

I stayed in a villa and a regular room this summer. I loved both of our rooms and locations of both. The views were not great at either but it didn’t bother me. The walk to Epcot is amazing and a great way to get to the park. We walked to HS as well so we didn’t have to wait. Walking through Epcot to international gateway after illuminations was crazy though! I would book a studio villa again if I was going as a couple. The couch was nice and kept the room feeling open, but if I had to sleep on it, no way. We actually switched rooms after only 2 nights because the couch bed was so uncomfortable. We even brought bed toppers and it didn’t make enough of a difference. For the kind of money it costs I want a nice bed. And with it out there was really not a lot of room once you manoeuvred all the furniture out of the way.

 

[kaytieeldr]

BCV view might be the leisure pool, trees, or road. But the villas are even closer to Epcot than some of the resort rooms. Minimally, but closer. Stormalong Bay white both BC and YC, but is in no way so far from the villas that distance should matter https://www.bing.com/images/search?...608011202613808962&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0

 

[DisneyWishes14]

With BC villas, you basically get a view of the villa pool or woods (and sometimes the walking path to EP). The villas are very close to the path to EP and also to the Marketplace. I didn't feel like the walk to Stormalong Bay was overly long. When we stayed in the villas, we had a room close to the villa lobby which I really loved as we were super close to the resort building. I found the villas to be very quiet, which I liked as well. The only downside to the studio is you only get one real bed. That worked ok for us as a family of 3 with a younger one who was fine on the pullout. Now that he is older, he wants a real bed. If you feel comfortable with the pullout and the studio would save you some money, I would book the villa!

 

[Hopefully]

I just started looking at the Beach Club DVC studio Villa to rent through Disney. I have a BC Water View room booked already but starting to wonder if I should consider the BC Villa? What are the pros and cons of the BC Studio Villa to the non DVC BC Water View room? Also what would the possible room views be from the BC villas? Any real unappealing views? Distance to Stormalong bay or walk to Epcot? Never stayed at either so all thoughts appreciated.

Who is in your party? What are the ages? As others have stated the Villa only has one Queen size bed and a sleep sofa. As a couple we love the extra floor space the folded up couch offers. But with more, someone is sleeping on the pull out.
If you are renting directly through Disney you will receive daily Mousekeeping services. Other wise it is just daily trash removal (security check) Clean towels and new supplies on day 4, but no daily Mousekeeping.
The Villas have a kitchenette, with a small under counter refrigerator, small sink, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, plastic utensils and paper plates. It is nice, but does take up floor space. The Villas building was built in the former CM parking lot behind the BC. There are no special views. Each Villa does have a full balcony verses only about 50% AT BC

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Who is in your party? What are the ages? As others have stated the Villa only has one Queen size bed and a sleep sofa. As a couple we love the extra floor space the folded up couch offers. But with more, someone is sleeping on the pull out.
If you are renting directly through Disney you will receive daily Mousekeeping services. Other wise it is just daily trash removal (security check) Clean towels and new supplies on day 4, but no daily Mousekeeping.
The Villas have a kitchenette, with a small under counter refrigerator, small sink, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, plastic utensils and paper plates. It is nice, but does take up floor space. The Villas building was built in the former CM parking lot behind the BC. There are no special views. Each Villa does have a full balcony verses only about 50% AT BC

I do have a preteen so this does concern me re the studios. Thanks !

 

[Hopefully]

I do have a preteen so this does concern me re the studios. Thanks !

Yes then, that would concern me too. If it is more that a few nights it might be uncomfortable for the preteen. But a full balcony is important to me. So I end up weighing the difference between a second bed and a balcony.
We have taken our adult DS in a 1 BR Villa and he has slept on that pullout. He said it was not great, but OK. But I believe the pull out in the 1 BR is a Queen vs a Double in the Studio.
Good Luck.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Yes then, that would concern me too. If it is more that a few nights it might be uncomfortable for the preteen. But a full balcony is important to me. So I end up weighing the difference between a second bed and a balcony.
We have taken our adult DS in a 1 BR Villa and he has slept on that pullout. He said it was not great, but OK. But I believe the pull out in the 1 BR is a Queen vs a Double in the Studio.
Good Luck.

I guess the question is - Is the benefit of a Studio in any way, greater than a child being not the "most" comfortable for a few nights? What are the benefits of the studio overall?

 

[patty57]

I guess the question is - Is the benefit of a Studio in any way, greater than a child being not the "most" comfortable for a few nights? What are the benefits of the studio overall?

I know the regular rooms have a fridge...do they also have a microwave? I haven't stayed in one in a long time. The studios do have the kitchenette, which is great for reheating leftovers.

If the regular rooms do have a microwave, then I can't see any benefit to a studio since you have a child who will use the pull-out.

 

[Hopefully]

I know the regular rooms have a fridge...do they also have a microwave? I haven't stayed in one in a long time. The studios do have the kitchenette, which is great for reheating leftovers.

If the regular rooms do have a microwave, then I can't see any benefit to a studio since you have a child who will use the pull-out.

No the regular rooms do not have a microwave. You can use the one in the Marketplace, if you wish.

OP one definite advantage to the studio Villa is the guarantee of a full balcony. Another is the kitchenette if you will use it. As a family though, I think I would go with a regular resort room. The main resort rooms are definitely closer to SAB and the bus stop as well. The Villas are a tad bit closer to Epcot.

 

[starry_solo]

I've only stayed in the villas in the studio with 3 adults total. Both times, one adult used the pullout bed, even though the second time (2017), they had the murphy bed conversion with the table. We did open it up to see how it worked and whether it was comfortable (it was). First time (2012) in a HA room since that's all they had available when we checked in, the view was of the front of BC so we could see buses pull up (ME, not the resort buses). The second, we had a view of the wooded area.

We liked the kitchenette (with microwave, coffee maker, mini fridge, extra sink) and definitely made use of it.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

No the regular rooms do not have a microwave. You can use the one in the Marketplace, if you wish.

OP one definite advantage to the studio Villa is the guarantee of a full balcony. Another is the kitchenette if you will use it. As a family though, I think I would go with a regular resort room. The main resort rooms are definitely closer to SAB and the bus stop as well. The Villas are a tad bit closer to Epcot.

We are doing a split stay so we are only visiting Epcot DHS and maybe Disney Springs while there. So no need for the bus. I do plan to use SAB with 2 young children but I also may prefer a quiet pool since I worry SAB may be too much with a rambunctious 2+ yo. I guess I’m thinking since quick service is limited in seating we may be better with a studio? Since our child is rambunctious and we mAy have to bring food to our room at times. I still wonder if I might regret somehow having already booked a water view room. However never been there either way so need all input.

 

[SarahC97]

In my experience, if you're looking for a room for more than two people, a regular hotel room is better. As others have stated, the couch beds in the DVC studios are too uncomfortable to actually sleep on for any length of time.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Having stayed in a studio, I would say, if you have more than 3 in your party, you are better off in a regular room. If you have 3, but the 3rd is 10 or older, you are still better off in a regular room. My DS is now 11 and really doesn’t want to sleep in a pullout any more.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Having stayed in a studio, I would say, if you have more than 3 in your party, you are better off in a regular room. If you have 3, but the 3rd is 10 or older, you are still better off in a regular room. My DS is now 11 and really doesn’t want to sleep in a pullout any more.

Why is that though? Mostly the couch issue? Or is the room space where the beds are smaller?

 

[PolyRob]

I would personally go with the regular Beach Club room. The only resorts where I think the studios can really compete with the resort side rooms (and have me consider giving up a bed for a similar cost) are the Grand Floridian and Polynesian. Both those studios are newer than their resort counterparts and themed beautifully. They also have additional bathroom space which BC does not.

The only real benefits a BC studio would have over a regular room is a microwave and a chat set. As previous people have posted, you can use the microwave in the marketplace and the regular BC room has a desk which can be used to eat on. To be honest, BC QS is very limited and unless you want grab and go, salads, or a cold sandwich, you will probably eat elsewhere. There are also tables and chairs outside, in the solarium, and even in front of Beaches & Cream. If you plan on using the pool, you will probably dine at Hurricane Hanna's instead.

I remember your plans are to come from Polynesian. I feel you would regret going from a resort you already like with one of the largest rooms on property with two queens beds to a studio with a sleeper sofa for 2 children. BC really has a lot of wonderful stuff to offer and if you're in a room that you dislike or is lesser than your previous, I think it would negatively affect your overall impression of the entire resort.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I would personally go with the regular Beach Club room. The only resorts where I think the studios can really compete with the resort side rooms (and have me consider giving up a bed for a similar cost) are the Grand Floridian and Polynesian. Both those studios are newer than their resort counterparts and themed beautifully. They also have additional bathroom space which BC does not.

The only real benefits a BC studio would have over a regular room is a microwave and a chat set. As previous people have posted, you can use the microwave in the marketplace and the regular BC room has a desk which can be used to eat on. To be honest, BC QS is very limited and unless you want grab and go, salads, or a cold sandwich, you will probably eat elsewhere. There are also tables and chairs outside, in the solarium, and even in front of Beaches & Cream. If you plan on using the pool, you will probably dine at Hurricane Hanna's instead.

I remember your plans are to come from Polynesian. I feel you would regret going from a resort you already like with one of the largest rooms on property with two queens beds to a studio with a sleeper sofa for 2 children. BC really has a lot of wonderful stuff to offer and if you're in a room that you dislike or is lesser than your previous, I think it would negatively affect your overall impression of the entire resort.

Thanks for that well thought out reply. We are actually doing BC then Poly. But either way I think you are right. I will keep my water view room. You bring up the most important points.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The benefits of DVC villas increases as you book one bedroom villas or larger. Studios are just glorified hotel rooms and you don't even get two real beds. If you "rent points", you don't get daily housekeeping either. Just minimal services every four days. Plus the "security" trash removal which might only get some of the trash or none of the trash.

 

[JETSDAD]

Another benefit usually associated with DVC studios is being able to rent points to get a studio at a reduced rate vs booking through Disney. If you're only interested in going through Disney then I'd probably just go with a regular room.