size of studios

[gravymom]

Greetings all,

My family is thinking about renting DVC points for an upcoming vacation (would love to buy but it just isn't a possibility right now). Anyway, can someone tell me the size of a studio. We are a family of 5 - 3 kids ages 4, 3, and 1 - would we be out of our minds in a studio? The kids all sleep in our bed at home, so if the bed is a queen or bigger, that's not a big deal.

TIA

Amy

 

[Melrosgirl]

I read on tourguidemike.com that the studios for Beach Club Villas (and some of the other DVC properties) are 356 sq . ft. The OKW studios may be larger though.

DVC only allows 4 people in a studio...since you have a 1 year old though, that rule may be different. Not sure.

Personally I would opt for a larger unit with a family of five.

 

[WDWguru]

A studio will have either two queen beds or a queen and a pull-out sofa. You'll also have a pack-n-play crib for your 1-year-old. DVC allows four plus an infant under 3 in the studios and one bedrooms.

I agree that you may want a larger unit, however. If bedding isn't an issue, a one-bedroom will give you a master with a king bed and a pull-out sofa in the living room. Plus you'll get separate sleeping and living quarters, a larger bathroom with separate shower and whirlpool tub, a washer and dryer in the unit and a full kitchen. A two bedroom gives you that PLUS an attached studio unit, so two more beds (either two queens or a queen/pull-out combo) and another bathroom.

Even a studio will be larger than a regular room at any deluxe on property, but the extra living area and amenities of a one or two bedroom would be worth the extra cost, imho.

 

[gravymom]

Thanks for the info.

Unfortunately, since this trip we have to buy APs, upgrading to a larger unit just won't work.

Our other option is to stay the whole trip at POR. If you all were not DVC members (imagine yourselves in my position), would you rather stay in a studio or a moderate?

Thanks

Amy

 

[WDWguru]

Without question, a DVC studio. You'll have more room, be at a resort with deluxe amenities and have the mini-kitchen. You'll also have access to a laundry room for free (not in the room, but just bring your own soap).

 

[gravymom]

Thanks WDWgurnu (and everyone else).

I went to tourgudiemike's site and I was surprised that in a one-bedroom villa that the capacity is four guests. That totally puts DVC out of our range cause the one-year-old won't stay under three forever and we would never be able to buy enough points for even a once-a-year trip in low season at a 2-bedroom villa (and we are far too addicted for that to happen). Bummer!

 

[littlestar]

There are studios at Boardwalk Villas that are studio plus (meaning they have a small daybed). Something to think about.

We have friends that joined at Boardwalk because of this (they have five in their family) and Disney has always accomodated them. I know I have heard they are not guaranteed, but our friends have always gotten them when staying in a studio with their three kids.

Boardwalk is only available resale, though.

 

[gravymom]

littlestar - I might have to try the studioplus this trip - now if I can talk one of the kids into sleeping on it (don't thnik my 6' 4" hubby will fit! LOL) Thanks for that tidbit of info.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Isn't there a portacrib in all the rooms? I don't actually use it--my kids are 22 and 25--but I've tripped over it often enough, and it seems like it's everywhere! Can't a 1 year old sleep in that, or is it just for really tiny babies?

 

[gravymom]

Any "ordinary" 1 year old could sleep in it, but I seriously doubt that "Velcro" would be very hip on the idea that she was not sleeping with Mama (aka - the food source!) I would have better luck trying to get DH to sleep in the portacrib! LOL

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by littlestar
There are studios at Boardwalk Villas that are studio plus (meaning they have a small daybed). Something to think about.

True, but DVC no longer guarantees these units so you'd never know if that's what you had until you checked in. Most timeshares limit 4 to a 1 BR even if they are larger than hotels rooms. There are exceptions outside of WDW but not that many. Some of the moderates (and others) have a trundle bed where you can sleep 5. I'f you're thinking about buying, I'd recommend you start saving your money so you can pay cash and then buy the minimum points, 150. I'd also recommend you buy at either OKW or BWV as they will be less points. If you plan to go to WDW routinely, can avoid weekends part of the time and stay on property, it will save you money in the long run. If you plan on going long weekends, DVC will never work out for you.

 

[colleen costello]

GravyMom, your last post made me laugh -- I had "velcro" kids too. I swore my dd would go to college before she weaned... but of course the time came and now our nursing is just a fond memory!

One thing I recall from a post a while back that I thought might interest you. A Mom posted about staying at one of the AllStars, where the rooms are small. She said they moved the night table and pushed the beds together and that let them all sleep family-style, plus made for more space in the room. Maybe a plan like this would help you?I suspect you could do this at any moderate. Also, we stayed at both BCV and OKW last summer and I think you'd do OK in either. At BCV, you and Daddy and Velcro could be in one bed, the other 2 little ones in the pull-out couch bed. It's crowded when you pull out the couch at night but otherwise OK. At OKW there are two big beds. Also more storage space and the beds are high up and the suitcasess (ours, at least) can slip tightly under for storage. ALERT! The beds are really high for little kids. The first thing I did was call housekeeping, who brought railings for the mattresses. A friend was down this June and her 4-year old rolled out of bed in the night and they spent hours at Celebration Hospital having his ear stitched! The extra square footage at OKW may make this a better choice for you. We loved both resorts but felt like the 4 of us had a bit more room at OKW. My kids also loved the quiet pool at OKW as it was super-warm.

Enjoy!

 

[joepoe]

OKW studios are definitely larger than the other DVC's (376 sq ft vs. about 359). We did a 4 night stint in a studio with our family of five (dd's 6,6 and 3 at the time) and we all fit in the two queens at OKW. With little kids, it's not so bad, although stuff tends to be laying around everywhere and if you don't want to sit on the bed, you only have the choice of a chair at the table, which is probably going to be covered with even more stuff. I'm kind of claustrophobic sometimes, and it was a bit too cramped for me. (I can't imagine staying there with bigger kids and sleeping bags and air mattresses as well. Would not be that relaxing of a vacation for me-but that's just me)

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by gravymom
littlestar - I might have to try the studioplus this trip - now if I can talk one of the kids into sleeping on it (don't thnik my 6' 4" hubby will fit! LOL) Thanks for that tidbit of info.

Well, my 5'6" sister had difficultly sleeping on the day bed...it's pretty short.

As a general rule, a studio will be bigger than an 'ordinary' room at the moderates. The beds still sleep only 4, but for your short term prospects, a studio should suit you fine. Once the kids are older, and start the era of '(s)he touched me', you'll definitely need more room.

I'm assuming you're looking into the DVC _and_ buying of AP's makes you a disney fanatic...and one who prefers the moderates over off-site or the all-stars. That means you're the prime candidate for DVC. I understand from your post that financially things are tight for you, but did you factor into your planning the cost of an additional room at the moderates once the munchkins become less munchkin in size? Don't forget to factor in having the ability to prepare your own meals.

One tip I read over and over with regards to paying for DVC is to use the money you'd pay on your rooms towards your DVC buy-in costs.

-Joe

 

[gravymom]

Colleen,

Hubby will probably be on the pullout couch (Hey, he's the one who has to have BWV) The older two kids are also afflicted by the velcro syndrome. Only Mama will do when it comes to sleeping in the bed. We will probably be on top of one another, but that would happen at POR.

My problem with trying to afford DVC is two-fold:

A) When the baby hits three, then we have to stay in a 2 bedroom and we can only "afford" 150 points, so those would be chomped rather quickly. We can stay at the Contemporary in the wings fairly cheaply and still fit all five.

B) The dues would eat us alive (as if the payments weren't going to stretch the budget enough). It is bad enough to have to pay homeowner's due in Feb, but DVC dues would break the camel's back.

Hopefully, after my DH's business gets off the ground, we can pick up some points resale.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[MELSMICE]

gravymom - we also have 5 in our family & debated for many years whether to buy into the DVC for financial reasons & deciding whether it was a good investment or not.

In Nov. we rented OKW points, came home & bought a resale. It was much less expensive than going through Disney. Also, even if you did get in with the minimum 150 pts. you could at least have some of your accommodations each trip. You could always stay in a WDW resort on high point nights & go to DVC on lower point nights.

Another option would be to go every 2 years & used banked or borrowed points.

My point is to never write off the idea of joining. I pretty much had & here we are - we made all our bank transfers today & Friday we will go get the cashier's check to send to The Timeshare Store.

BTW - I would look into renting the points for a studio at OKW because you would have the mini kitchen.

 

[gravymom]

do all the studios have the mini kitchen or just at OKW? Thanks again

 

[ncligs]

All of DVC studios have the mini kitchen.

 

[MELSMICE]

Didn't mean to confuse you w/ the mini-kitchen. After I posted I realized that you were interested in BWV. I don't know I said you should rent points at OKW.

 

[colleen costello]

The "mini kitchens" are so cool. Not as "mini" as they look! They include a microwave, toaster, small sink and dorm-size fridge. That fridge held a lot more than I thought it would. We shoved in milk, lemonade, Cokes and some fussy beer for Daddy. Also fruit, frozen waffles, and condiments. It was great. I brought paper plates and cups and bowls and we made breakfasts all week plus snacks. Bought donuts, dry cereal, peanut butter and crackers at the Winn Dixie and we were set! I figure we saved lots of Disney dollars eating breakfast in the room.

The bathrooms at the DVC properties are also a good size. Even if the 5 of you are sharing, there is room to spare.