Shoud we rent DVC studio or do a value resort?

[BensWife]

We are looking into a summer 2015 trip. We can rent a studio for about $200 more than a value. Is a studio smaller or about the same as a value? DH and I are big people and trying to sleep on a double bed at a value may be nuts, but having to have the kids sleep on a pull out couch for the whole week in a DVC studio may be nuts too. The kids will be 8 and 5 at the time of the trip. Have you had your kids sleep on the could bed for the whole week? Were they ok with it? I think the boys would love the themeing of a value better than say Old Key West, but for a couple hundred more though (now a difference of $400), we could rent say at WL. However, if we do that now we are about the same as a mod. Would a mod, say POR, be better than renting DVC points for a studio at WL? We are ok with renting since we have pretty secure dates (would have to go during the summer, but can't really take time off during the school year for that long since I am a teacher) and are fine with the limited housekeeping. Any thoughts?

 

[Kingdome8]

We rented a studio at akl kidani last April. Was awesome. My girls 9,5 slept on couch bed and loved it. We also had a one year old in a crib. Room size was fine. The girls absolutely loved it there. I will always rent points. The way to go. Next it's either boardwalk or beach club. Will be last time in studio cause youngest will be 3 after that. Then up to one bedroom.
My kids love hotels almost as much as park ...LOl. And having the better less crowded pool with water slide was great. Plus they had games and activities around the pool all day and movies on a big screen at night.
The wow factor was nice

 

[skatalite]

We are looking into a summer 2015 trip. We can rent a studio for about $200 more than a value. Is a studio smaller or about the same as a value? DH and I are big people and trying to sleep on a double bed at a value may be nuts, but having to have the kids sleep on a pull out couch for the whole week in a DVC studio may be nuts too. The kids will be 8 and 5 at the time of the trip. Have you had your kids sleep on the could bed for the whole week? Were they ok with it? I think the boys would love the themeing of a value better than say Old Key West, but for a couple hundred more though (now a difference of $400), we could rent say at WL. However, if we do that now we are about the same as a mod. Would a mod, say POR, be better than renting DVC points for a studio at WL? We are ok with renting since we have pretty secure dates (would have to go during the summer, but can't really take time off during the school year for that long since I am a teacher) and are fine with the limited housekeeping. Any thoughts?

The only DVC resorts you mentioned were Old Key West and Wilderness Lodge, so the information I share will be about the value studios there, compared to value resort rooms and Port Orleans rooms.

Here's a floor plan of a value studio villa at OKW:

Here's a floor plan of a value studio villa at WL:

- The OKW villa is 390 square feet and has two queen beds.
- The WL villa is 365 square feet, has a queen bed and double-sized sleeper sofa.
- Port Orleans French Quarter standard rooms are 314 square feet and have two queen beds.
- Port Orleans Riverside standard rooms are 314 square feet and have two queen beds.
- Art of Animation standard rooms are 277 square feet and have two double beds.
- All of the All-Star resorts' and Pop Century resort's standard rooms are 260 square feet and have two double beds.

Based on your preferences for comfort when sleeping:

- OKW will be your best bet, as it's not much more than staying at a value, but you do get two queen beds.
- POR would be your next best bet due to the two queen beds.
- WL would be your third best bet. If the kiddos are fine sleeping on a double together at a value, then I don't see them having a problem with sleeping on a pull out sofa since it's also a double.
- Then AOA due to its extra square footage (but not by much!)
- Then the rest of the values.

I can't comment on your preferences for theming since you like what you like. But I will say if you and your family don't spend much time at the resort when you do vacation at Disney, then theming might not be important enough to go with a value resort option, considering the DVC studios are much larger and are nicer (in my opinion).

I would recommend you consider the Animal Kingdom Lodge, because I feel it has a great combination of theming and value, since it is the least-expensive resort to stay at when renting DVC points.

Hope that helps!

 

[clapton]

I would definitely do the DVC rental. The beds in the value resorts are very uncomfortable IMO!

 

[smiths02]

FWIW...the studios at VWL are being refurbed and will include a pull down bed like POR, so your kids wouldn't have to sleep together

 

[JennyDrake]

I am the Self Professed Queen of The Values, having stayed at each multiple times-- in 6 weeks I will be renting points and staying in my first ever DVC studio--I'll post about my experience--also feel free to PM me!

 

[goofy kc]

If you can afford it go for the studio.

After years of staying at Values I can honestly say 'never again!'

My primary complaint is noise and the dozens and dozens of teens that seem to be running around. We finally thew in the towel after a particularly torturous weekend during a cheerleading competition. 1am cheer practice next door, upstairs and outside.

Additional plus is better bus service and the possible ability to be able to walk to a park (or two!).

JMHO

 

[herb102211]

If you can rent a DVC studio over value, I would highly recommend it. Old Key West has some of the bigger studios on property. There are 2 queen beds there (most of the other DVC resorts have 1 queen bed and a pull out queen sofa). We’ve stayed there a few times and love the tranquility of the resort. With that said, it is a very spread out resort. I would recommend getting a room near the hospitality house if you can (when booking your reservation, it’s a separate category).

We haven’t stayed at the WL yet, but it is a gorgeous resort! If you plan on spending a lot of time at MK, this might be your best option, as it is closer than OKW or POR are to MK , and you can take the boat there.

All in all, I would try for a DVC or deluxe resort if you can!

 

[katieam1]

I am also with the if you can afford it I would rent the points. We always enjoyed our stays at a value but we are so much happier now that we are DVC. The beds are more comfortable IMO at the studios than the values. Never stayed at AOA but I would still say renting points and staying in a studio. Good luck with your choice and I hope you have a magical vacation!!