studio vs 1 bdrm?

[spiceycat]

I love your philosophy especially with family.

yea - well stayed in a 2-bedroom with them - never again.

 

[vikkii19]

Thanks for the replies. A split stay is definitely out of the question. We did split stays on our last 2 trips and while I don't mind, DH said he never wants to change rooms again. Since it's his only rule for going to WDW I guess I have to obey.

Before posting I was leaning more towards the 1 bdrm, but now I'm thinking more about a studio. Airfare from Canada is really expensive so it would make more sense to stay longer, plus all the points you guys have made about being addicted to the 1 bdrm. I still have a little while before our 7 month window, so hopefully I'll make my mind up before then.

 

[Kidanifan08]

I think your making a great decision. As I said in my original post, airfare has become a much bigger part of our trip costs, so maximizing time at Disney is important. We did a split stay in October, and I feel like we lost about 30% of of transfer day. Going from a 2BR to a studio was a drag -- especially the tiny BLT studio! But, we really loved staying at BLT and being able to walk to MK and seeing the monorail from the resort. Our next two trips are split stays, but the second trip we go from one 2BR to another, so it should not be too bad. I am looking forward to 2013, when we stay in one room for the entire stay.

The only other studio that we have stayed in was at OKW. That was a huge room with two queen sized beds and plenty of room for all of our stuff. The only drawback was being on the third floor with no elevator in the building -- and a stroller! Otherwise, it was nice and it is a great resort. We did miss having a comfortable couch or chair to sit on at OKW.

I know you said you were thinking about BLT or VWL, but since this trip is really for YOU (our son's first trip was at 30 months old and he did a lot of watching and riding), you could consider trying out BWV or BCV. You would be able to walk to Epcot and HS and if you need to get to MK, you could walk through Epcot and hop a monorail. Plus, you would be able to enjoy the Boardwalk activities.

Whatever you decide, have a great time! We loved our Disney trips when our son was little! Now that he is almost 6, the trips are just as much fun, but there is much less sauntering through the parks and much more running from ride to ride.

 

[Anal Annie]

We're a family of 3 who have only ever used studios. We'd much rather have a longer trip or more than 1 trip per year. To be honest I get a little offended when other people dis the studios. They are much better than regular hotel rooms and the kitchenettes are fine for our needs (I refuse to cook on vacation other than some quick breakfast items). I also have no desire to do laundry on vacation. I know how to pack efficiently for a week to 10 days and not need to worry about it. I also agree that airfare is too high not to take full advantage of staying as long as possible.

 

[mdsd8700]

Everyone is different in their needs and what is important to them as you have read here. It seems as though you would be fine in a studio at this point. As it is definately hard to go back to a studio after a 1 bedroom!! We do enjoy the one bedroom but our kids aren't little kids (15 and 18) and we like them more for the extra space. I am one of those who never cooks on vacation and wouldn't do laundry either. So those amentities with a 1 bedroom don't apply too much for us. Agree with others that taking advantage of as much time in WDW is definite plus with the cost of airfare.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[DieHardJoe]

Funny, but even when we don't go with kids, we enjoy the 1-BR, simply because DW likes to sleep in later than me, and I enjoy opening up the drapes, puttering around, making some breakfast, reading the paper, etc, and it's just so difficult doing any of that in a Studio. Sure, we'll stay in a studio if that's what's available and/or we just want to stay longer, but our first preference is the 1-BR.

 

[LSchrow]

look at it in reverse.....will you regret not getting the studio (and losing the relaxation of a longer trip), or regret not getting the 1 bdrm (and not having the extra room)?
personally, i would probably go for the studio, especially as a longer trip makes more sense the further one is traveling from, imho. we find doing laundry easy (done on pool day), and we are big on cooking (it is vacation, after all).

btw, we used to stay only in 1 or 2 bedrooms when we went as a family of four. now we stay in studios (2 ppl), and really do not miss the 1 bdrm - so the theory that anyone cannot enjoy going from a larger villa to a studio is not true for all.
we'll take a studio, which has everything we could possibly need or want, for more days, over wasted room and a short vacation anytime

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

from staying in a studio at VWL and we were disappointed in how small the room was. It was tiny compared to the studio at OKW. OKW has the largest of the accomodations and even if we opt for a studio and not the one bedroom, we still feel we have plenty of room. That said...we LOVE the one bedrooms! On a short trip the laundry isn't a big deal. We can fit enough clothing in a carry-on to get through the stay. If need be....we will trek to and use the laundry.

bill

 

[TheYellowDart]

We went with out 18 month old last trip and wanted to come and say it would depend on the time of year... peak season go for 10 days so you can take it slow... Off peak? 7 days will be enough and still be relaxing =)

 

[sweetdana]

Studio.

 

[Desnik]

I went through the same thing while planning our next trip. Stick with the one bedrooms like we usually do or stay longer in the studio. We chose to stay longer in the studio and we have a family of four. This next trip we will spend a lot of time at the parks and enjoying the resort, not the room also we will be there in Aug and plan on lots of pool time. We have stayed in studios before so we know we'll be fine, it's the length of time that still worries me and the fact that we'll be staying at BLT. So I split it 3 nights at a studio at BCV and 6 nights at BLT in a studio. I will miss the washer/dryer in the room but I think that'll be it. Hopefully

 

[ciao_gina]

It could mean the difference between a relaxing week or a stressful 10 days. No one has mentioned the personality of your child. Does s(he) do well out of the room all day? If you are planning to stay for an 8+ hours in the parks does s(he) sleeps well in a stroller, isn't finicky about food, doesn't get overwhelmed in crowds, etc? If so, a studio may be fine if you aren't planning on making meals in the kitchen. If you need to spend a lot of time in the room, I can't imagine a studio (like a regular hotel room) working well. I assume there is no oven/stovetop. Plus the 3 of us did laundry every day in our 1 bedroom and it was great and helps to pack like and avoid paying baggage fees.

 

[photobob]

This is one of the most common debates about DVC, longer stay or better accommodations. I think in general when you first own DVC you look at the longer stay and as time goes by you start thinking bigger more comfortable accommodations. There are valid arguments either way and you just have to decide which you'd rather have!

 

[luckyman_apd]

This is one of the most common debates about DVC, longer stay or better accommodations. I think in general when you first own DVC you look at the longer stay and as time goes by you start thinking bigger more comfortable accommodations. There are valid arguments either way and you just have to decide which you'd rather have!

I've been considering our "future" with DVC. I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old. Right now with the two year old we are going with the extra room. We NEED to have an extra room for a nap. Sitting on the balcony with a 6 year old for 2 hours is no fun if it's raining and the pool is not an option. When the kids get older and nap time is no longer necessary, I can see us actually getting a studio instead so we can stay longer. The kids will be older, and be able to do more, so I feel like we will need the room less. When they are teenagers, they will be a PIA so I will want them in another room

Right now, since our contract has banked points that came with it, we are splurging for a 2br so we can take the grandparents with us. But next trip will be a split stay (hopefully in the same resort) to maximize our time. After that who knows, we'll go from there.

 

[photobob]

I've been considering our "future" with DVC. I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old. Right now with the two year old we are going with the extra room. We NEED to have an extra room for a nap. Sitting on the balcony with a 6 year old for 2 hours is no fun if it's raining and the pool is not an option. When the kids get older and nap time is no longer necessary, I can see us actually getting a studio instead so we can stay longer. The kids will be older, and be able to do more, so I feel like we will need the room less. When they are teenagers, they will be a PIA so I will want them in another room

Right now, since our contract has banked points that came with it, we are splurging for a 2br so we can take the grandparents with us. But next trip will be a split stay (hopefully in the same resort) to maximize our time. After that who knows, we'll go from there.

I can see that!! We did value and moderates when our kids were younger and we went so wide open that we basically just went back to the room for sleep! Now that we have some many trips under our belt we tend to take it slower and spend more time at the resort so the extra room is very helpful. Someone can take a nap in the bedroom and others can watch TV in the living room without waking them!

We are now empty nesters so we may look at doing a studio when it is just the two of us, but if my DD19 comes along we will go to a 1 BDR, if DS and DDIL come it will be a 2 BDR!

BTW-when we first bought in '06 we too started with a full year banked. We still try to keep a good bit banked every year so that we have a buffer in case we need a higher point stay than our yearly allotment.

 

[laura-k]

we usually take 10 day trips once a year -
Before dvc we stayed at a few of the moderates ,(back when you had to rent the fridge and werent there a few years when it was like a mini bar ??) and like the pp ,we just went non stop at the parks and basically only slept in our room ,and my kids swam ounce a day -
but my kids where young then and we where always with them
We also have a motor home and we did that and stayed at Fort Wilderness quite a few years and OMG my kids loved it and each year thats where they wanted to go .
They are older and since DVC and with having done so many trips we don't rush up to the parks real early anymore (At liest not usually, there was that much covented TSM fast pass to get a few times)
anyway my babies are grown guys now but at liest one of them usually can still come with us-so I fell in love with the 1 bedroom and have stayed in them even when its only me and DH and thought I always would , I haven't even tried a studio, but after reading this thread I have thought about it and other than the moving around room and the larger fridge -I don't really cook and I don't want to do laundry,maybe I will try a split stay in a studio/ 1 bedroom when it is just the two of us and see if I would really miss it that much, that way I could bank away points for 2 bedrooms when everyone joins us, or as we get older maybe take longer trips- Our home resort is Blt ,so the points do add up quickley ,and I so far have always had some banked up but I spend a few extra each year ,so this might be a good way to save !
Thank's all

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

Part of the joy of our travels when the children were younger was the fact that we all stayed in the same room together (hotel rooms). It was bonding time that none of us will forget. They wanted to spend the time with us and believe me those precious moments go by very very fast!!! Now that they are teenagers, the 1BR is nice because it allows us all more space, although we would have no problems doing studios if it meant more time at WDW!! Now it is DH and I who want to go to sleep while the girls want to stay up!

I guess it depends if your child will be able to sleep while you guys are watching TV or sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine

 

[awilliams4]

We would definitely choose a 1 Bedroom for 7 days over a Studio for 10 days at BLT. I don't think we would enjoy a small studio like BLTs for 10 straight days, we would be ready to leave at 4 or 5.

The Studios at BLT are pretty small but the 1 Bedrooms and up more than make up for it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would have given anything to have had the choice of a 1 bedroom when our boys were young enough to take naps. I would have picked the 1 bedroom without any hesitation.

You have 1 child, and so that's different right away! Best wishes as you make up your mind!

Bobbi