Renting DVC - Need Help Deciding Studio vs 1BR

[ISeeTheLight105]

My husband and I are in WDW withdrawal since our Disneymoon in 2013, and we are planning a trip for sometime near the end of 2016. We decided that renting DVC would give us the most bang for our buck, and we have also decided on the Boardwalk Villas in order to be close to Epcot (my favorite park!) and right in the middle of a lot of the action!
The only thing we keep going back and forth on is deciding between the studio or the 1BR. I have extensively researched the amenities for each, but the question becomes - with the huge difference in price (studios are roughly HALF the cost of a 1BR), is the full kitchen, washer/dryer, and large bathtub worth it, or can we get by with the mini fridge, microwave, and toaster to make some good meals so we can save money?

Can anyone make any compelling arguments one way or the other? Of course we would love to save money if we can, but if you guys feel that the added amenities in the 1BR are MUST HAVES, please let me know!

Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[craigkerstiens]

If it's just you and DH then I'd encourage the studio. For the different in cost alone between the two you could almost just eat out for the difference in price. The large bath tub our DD enjoys playing in, but beyond that we get little use out of it. The washer/dryer is incredibly handy, but for the longest time we were used to not having one, so if you're not spoiled by having one you probably won't miss it.

The microwave and toaster you may not have the best meals, but you could definitely do quick sandwiches or small pizzas so that you can save a few bucks that way. In our experience the 1 bedroom is really only beneficial when you have another couple with you that's okay with the a fold out couch, or when you want to kick the kids into the other room.

 

[ISeeTheLight105]

Good point about the cost savings allowing us to just dine out rather than stress about cooking in. Plus we don't want to completely miss out on all the awesome restaurants And we've never had a washer on any vacation (plus we put off laundry at home, I guess I can't imagine wanting to do it on vacation!)
Thanks for your response!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

As far as renting near the end of 2016 is concerned, you may have an easier time getting a 1BR vs. a studio. December is one of the big months for DVC.

 

[Tamar]

If you're still in the "honeymoon phase" and like being close at all times, then a studio is fine. My husband and I will always choose a 1 bedroom when available, even though we never use the tub and rarely use the laundry. Just being able to spread out is worth it to us...one person can get up and make coffee in the morning and watch tv or sit out on the balcony, and the other can sleep in. We also like to have breakfast in the room. Same thing at night, if one of us wants to stay up and read, they can do so without disturbing the other. We're together all day on our Disney vacations; having a little elbow room in the room is appealing!

 

[FoodieFriend]

our family prefers the 1BR over a studio. we definitely like the washer/dryer so we can pack less clothes & wash the new things we buy, we just have to remember to plan a wash day/night. we also like the full size fridge for freezing water bottles for the day at the parks. we didn't use the oven but washed dishes often. It was definitely a lot of room to spread out too. I guess it's definitely personal preference.

 

[rlovew]

If you want to stay at the Boardwalk during the last quarter if 2016 be aware that rooms are booking up fast and you need to immediately find an owner if you want to stay in a studio. Most of the studios will already be booked for October and November at this point and December started booking today.

 

[quinnc19]

Unless you are planning to cook elaborate dinners or LOVE spa tubs, I would recommend the studio if you can get it.

 

[ustasmom]

I stayed in AKV value studio with 3 kids and I am still planning to book studios even though a 1 bedroom might be a better fit. I wasn't planning to do any cooking so a toaster and a mini-fridge fit the bill. I thought that having no washer would be a problem but the Speed Queen machines on the floor are fabulous, much better than the stackables.
On the other hand, I read that 1 bedrooms are the last to be booked so that angle might become your default.

 

[rcchello]

If you spend all your time in the parks a studio is perfect. If you are like us and have been going to the parks, every year for the last 25 years a one bedroom is better. A one bedroom had a King-size bed, double sinks and whirlpool bath in the bedroom. A kitchen table and stove where you can prepare a proper breakfast and then sit down and eat at a table or on the balcony. On evenings which you are not in the park, you can sit on a couch together and watch TV or movies.

 

[Sammie]

Hard question to answer because for us that is why we bought DVC. We wanted all that room, the kitchen and washer and dryer. It is what we love most about our DVC stays.

 

[ISeeTheLight105]

Thanks for all your responses so far everyone! Sounds like the "extra elbow room" is popular, but we are a couple of snug bugs in a rug so we don't tend to mind crowding each other. I am leaning toward the studio - with the savings and since we do tend to spend a lot of time exploring the "World"- provided we can snag one! If they are already booking up in October (the month we were aiming for), we might end up trying for the first couple weeks in Jan 2017. We will hopefully be booking in the next month, and from the reviews, I am confident that David's DVC Request will help us find a spot for sometime around then

 

[suebeelin]

October is probably pretty booked bc of food n wine... You might still find a pool view room but I'm not sure.

First couple of weeks in january is also quiet and not that crowded. Plus you may be able to score a standard room in the 11mo mark, saving you even more money (if you don't mind a room with no view). Have fun!!!

 

[Dean]

My husband and I are in WDW withdrawal since our Disneymoon in 2013, and we are planning a trip for sometime near the end of 2016. We decided that renting DVC would give us the most bang for our buck, and we have also decided on the Boardwalk Villas in order to be close to Epcot (my favorite park!) and right in the middle of a lot of the action!
The only thing we keep going back and forth on is deciding between the studio or the 1BR. I have extensively researched the amenities for each, but the question becomes - with the huge difference in price (studios are roughly HALF the cost of a 1BR), is the full kitchen, washer/dryer, and large bathtub worth it, or can we get by with the mini fridge, microwave, and toaster to make some good meals so we can save money?

Can anyone make any compelling arguments one way or the other? Of course we would love to save money if we can, but if you guys feel that the added amenities in the 1BR are MUST HAVES, please let me know!

Thanks so much for all your help!

Since you know the technical differences, for 2 people where budget is important, I'd do the studio. The only way I'd splurge for the 1 BR would be if planning to cook significantly or hang out in the room a lot, unlikely in your situation. You could use the "savings" to get the Dining Plan if food were the issue and the DP made sense otherwise.

 

[Daddio]

Here is my two cents worth (3 cents of you're Canadian). If you need to be "convinced" to spend the extra money, I suggest you choose the studio. It comes with no remorse and if you've never stayed in a 1 Bedroom, there is nothing for you to miss. Should you ever have extra points, or extra money that you don't know what to do with, try the 1 bedroom option.

~ David

 

[pinklotusflower]

from what you've said I'd go with the studio as others have said you need to be booking asap if you want to go in October there are already a lot of dates not available for studios.

 

[DougEMG]

It is easily going to be about $140+ per night extra to stay in a 1 bedroom over the studio when renting points. so would you rather have a 1 bedroom, save that amount or have it to spend on something else?

I typically go with the studio and then use the savings on the room to spend elsewhere.

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

I would recommend the studio as well. I have never found a 1 bedroom worth the extra points or cost, particularly with only two in the room. Have a great trip

 

[Donna M]

The one bedroom will be useful when you have a family, but it sounds like the studio will work out just fine for now. If you need to do laundry, there is a washer and dryer available somewhere at the resort.

 

[Steve G]

You can consider splitting the difference: spend 1/2 of the trip in a studio and 1/2 in a one bedroom. You get a little flavor of both and avoid the inevitable buyer's remorse!!