Sofa beds?! Really?

[EWL]

Wow-- am I understanding correctly that all the studio and 1BR DVC accommodations rely on the use of sofa beds for more than 2 people? So only the 2BRs have two *actual* beds? Are the sofa beds comfortable? Because I can't think of one that I've ever slept on that has been.

I realize this gives added flexibility when there aren't 3-4 people, but wow. I have been looking at buying in, but DW is not convinced and having one bed and a sofa bed does not help my argument that DVC is equivalent to "deluxe" accommodations. What do people think about this?

 

[jodifla]

Wow-- am I understanding correctly that all the studio and 1BR DVC accommodations rely on the use of sofa beds for more than 2 people? So only the 2BRs have two *actual* beds? Are the sofa beds comfortable? Because I can't think of one that I've ever slept on that has been.

I realize this gives added flexibility when there aren't 3-4 people, but wow. I have been looking at buying in, but DW is not convinced and having one bed and a sofa bed does not help my argument that DVC is equivalent to "deluxe" accommodations. What do people think about this?

Most of us buy DVC to stay a week at a time, and/or we stay in 1 bedrooms. That's where the deluxe comes in .... King bed, jacuzzi tub, full kitchen, patio.

And staying in a studio is just a glorified hotel room to me when you have two beds. The sofa makes it feel more like "home" and its just right for kids.

 

[mouseaider]

It's just my DW and I so..... we love the sofa bed.

It is never made into a bed, but it is a comfortable place to sit while enjoying a cocktail in the evening. Much better than sitting on another bed or a hard chair.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Have stayed in a 1BR (BLT) and a studio (AKV). The sofa bed in both of them were nice.

 

[drusba]

Studios at OKW have two queens in the studio. The other DVC resorts at WDW all have the queen bed and a full size sofa bed in the studio. 1BRs have a king in the bedroom and a queen sofa bed in the living rooms. You are wrong that the 2BRs have two beds in the second bedroom, some do some don't.

The sofa beds are OK and of better quality and easier to sleep on than many sofa beds you find in other hotels.

 

[chalee94]

Wow-- am I understanding correctly that all the studio and 1BR DVC accommodations rely on the use of sofa beds for more than 2 people? So only the 2BRs have two *actual* beds? Are the sofa beds comfortable?

i've slept on one at SSR and thought it was fine.

if you want real beds and don't care about the extra space in 1BRs or 2BRs, there are OKW studios. otherwise, timesharing is probably just not for you. nothing wrong with that.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

I slept in a sofa bed at OKW this past December and it was just fine. You will sleep like a rock on anything after a full day.

 

[Pakey]

The biggest feature for me is the sofa bed. It allows us to have so much more room (just my husband and I). If I wanted a room with 2 beds, I'd just stay at one of the Disney hotels.

We've had adults sleep on them on some of our vacations and nobody has complained. Of course, they are getting free lodging. If they are not happy with the accommodations, they are also free to stay at one of the Disney hotels (this includes all 3 of my adult children and their spouses, LOL).

 

[jakenjess]

The sofa beds are the memory foam type mattresses, not those horrible coil things, and are quite comfortable. Our two teens have no problem sleeping on them.

 

[EWL]

Studios at OKW have two queens in the studio...

Thank you ! I am reading thru the Passporter Guide to DVC but overlooked that!

The sofa beds are the memory foam type mattresses, not those horrible coil things, and are quite comfortable. Our two teens have no problem sleeping on them.

Very helpful, thanks. I have experienced some really bad ones. It would of course be DD sleeping on it, not me.

..otherwise, timesharing is probably just not for you. nothing wrong with that.

Yep, could be... trying to figure that out. Thanks for the help!

 

[GoofItUp]

We've used the sofa beds at BWV and VGC. Well...my 2 & 4 yr olds were suppose to be sleeping on them, but mommy or daddy invariably ended up over there by morning. I found both of them to be fine. I actually kind of preferred the one at BWV to the regular bed.

For us right now, the "deluxe" part of DVC is staying at a location I otherwise wouldn't get to try. Just to be at BWV, BCV, VGC, etc., is the part I love. I would never pay the rates to stay on the hotel side, so this was I get to do stay there for a signicantly reduced price over the long-haul.

 

[sleepydog25]

I'll throw my argument behind those who have already said that the deluxe part mostly comes from the entire experience, especially the 1BR and 2BR suites. I have slept on the sofa bed before, and as others say, it's a step up from your typical sofa beds, though certainly not up to par with an actual bed. I've only stayed at a studio once, and while it's nice, I much prefer my stays to be in either a 1 or 2 BR. The full kitchen comes in handy, though not as much as the in-suite washer/dryer. The extra space in a 1 or 2BR suite helps me unwind after a day in the parks and also helps me feel more pampered than a studio. Having prepaid accomodations for the life of the contract will, in the long run, be a more cost-effective way to visit Disney for the next 30 years (I've been in DVC for over six years already). Good luck with your decision.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

I have been looking at buying in, but DW is not convinced and having one bed and a sofa bed does not help my argument that DVC is equivalent to "deluxe" accommodations. What do people think about this?

DVC **IS** Deluxe accommodations. If you stay at SSR in a Deluxe Studio paying rack rates or if you stay at SSR in a Deluxe Studio using DVC points, it is the same resort with the same rooms. The biggest difference is that once you buy DVC and it is paid off (if you finance it) then you only pay maintenance fees for the remainder of the contract. In my case, my MF run about $1100 a year. I have 250 points and for that I can stay 5 nights in a 2 bedroom or THV plus an additional 5 nights in a Deluxe Studio. Rack rates for the 2 BR for 5 nights would run me about $3600 during the time I go so just that one trip saves me $2500... And, since my points are all paid for, my room for the next 44 years is paid for..

 

[crisi]

n, but DW is not convinced and having one bed and a sofa bed does not help my argument that DVC is equivalent to "deluxe" accommodations. What do people think about this?

I don't agree that DVC is equivalent to Deluxe accommodations. That isn't to say we aren't happy, but I happen to like daily housekeeping and lotion in the rooms.

I'd try before you buy. Rent some points. Try out the sofabed for yourself. They are nice sofabeds.

 

[Brian Noble]

does not help my argument that DVC is equivalent to "deluxe" accommodations.

They are not equivalent to deluxe hotel rooms. And, they are not meant to be. A hotel room is a place to sleep, and not much more. A DVC unit (and, indeed, any timeshare unit) is meant to be more of a home-away-from-home.

A studio, in my eyes, is really meant for an individual or a couple, for a short or busy stay. It's a little better than a hotel room for a couple---the couch provides better, more comfortable seating during the day, and the toaster, microwave, etc. provide a bit more in the way of creature comforts. But, not a place you'd want to spend time.

A 1BR is for that single/couple who want to spread out more, maybe because they take downtime away from the parks during the day. Having a "home" base to hang out in is a relaxing and enjoyable way to recharge your batteries. Perhaps one is a night owl while the other an early bird. Or, they want access to that kitchen for a real breakfast before being presentable, and so on. A 1BR might also be okay for a family with very young kids, or maybe two adult single/couple parties, but it's not ideal because you lose your common space when the sofa bed is in use.

For a family with kids (or a pair of adult couples) a 2BR is just more comfortable than than a 1BR. You get to keep your common space in case people are napping/sleeping in/turning in early. Everyone gets a "real" bed. The extra bathroom can be very convenient especially in the morning or on returning from the parks.

For my money, a studio for a family with a kid or two is simply a non-starter. I know people do it. But, I would rather stay offsite in a condo, townhome, or pool home than onsite in a single hotel room or studio. And I have done so when, for one reason or another, a larger DVC unit was not available to me.

 

[Brian Noble]

otherwise, timesharing is probably just not for you. nothing wrong with that.

This is a good point, and it ties in with my prior post. A timeshare unit isn't really a hotel room. Hotel rooms provide things that most timeshares don't---daily housekeeping, a few extra toiletries, room service, a higher level of individual service, etc. As I wrote above, most timeshares are "more like home". They don't have daily housekeeping (and most don't even have a the mid-week trash & towel service that DVC provides), there typically isn't room service (though the "hotel-style" DVC units do offer this) and so on. But, instead, the units themselves are much better equipped---full kitchens, washer/dryer, more space to stretch out. It really becomes your "home base" for your vacation.

My family has never been much for hotel rooms. We value the space, comfort, and convenience of a larger, better-equipped unit. Before we started timesharing, we would stay at a place like a Residence Inn or Homewood Suites sort of place rather than a hotel room or even an Embassy Suites-type property. We really value having that "home base" sort of feeling, and don't much miss room service or someone who makes our bed daily. Other people really prefer the more full-service model that hotels provide, and don't mind that they don't have those other things. And that's why Crisi's advice...

I'd try before you buy.

...is so excellent. You can really get a feel for whether or not you're a "timeshare person" or a "hotel person". The good news is that at DVC, you get get closer to the "hotel experience" than you can at most other timeshares, but that is the exception and not the rule.

 

[BlackRock]

My kids [adults] have slept on the sofa beds with out any problems

Blackrock

 

[mellvswdw1]

I agree with some of the previous posters....DVC is our home away from home. Due to us going so often we really enjoy the 1 BR so we can spread out and do our laundry and cooking. We really liked the AKV studio that we recently stayed in, it was nice for the two of us to have more space and it didn't feel like a hotel room.

We do not have children yet, but when we took my DSis and two kids, it was so nice to have a 2BR....pure heaven! But DVC isn't for everyone....best of luck with your decision!

 

[ToddyLu]

DH is 5"8 and 265#. He loves the sofa bed. I get the bed due to my back. I have tried to convince him to sleep with me in the bed but he prefers the sofa bed to stretch out on. We have a king at home and of course sleep together there. We both use CPAPs so separate sleeping can be "part of the vacation" . We have only stayed in studios at AKV and enjoy taking the parents who get their own studio. Our points go farther.


but compared to a regular room at Pop---studio is shear HEAVEN.

 

[BDJazz]

I have a question regarding the sofabeds. Are the sheets already on them or do you have to request extra sheets and pillows if you want to use the bed?