Studio vs. 1 Bedroom, family of 4

[Mamiamjo]

To the OP, I would start out with the amount of points that is within your budget at this time. You probably do not "need" the space of a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom unit yet since your twins are so young. It might be "nice" to have a 1 bedroom though, if they need quiet for sleeping/napping while you're still up.
Remember it is easy to add on points later if you think you'll need larger accomodations. It's also easier to go from a studio to a 1 bedroom than the other way around so you may want to start out in a studio

 

[CraftyMouse]

We usually get a 2BR because we travel with family/friends, however when it is just the 4 of us (DH, me, DD16 & DS13) we are fine in a Studio. We generally look at where we stand, points-wise, and make our decision based on that. If we have lots of points available we'll go for the 1BR. If not we'll go for the Studio.

If you are happy in a regular hotel room you'll be fine in a Studio. Be warned though...once you try out that 1BR it won't be easy to go back. Your kids are young right now so a Studio is probably just fine. If, as they get bigger, you want to go to a bigger unit you can always add on to your membership.

 

[Brian Noble]

As you can see, it differs for each family. While I personally prefer the larger units, it might be most prudent to start out with a purchase large enough to cover your annual needs in a studio, and add on later if it seems that the studio is no longer working for you.

One word of caution: it is very difficult to go back to a studio once you've gotten used to something bigger.

 

[rstackjd]

We took out first trip "home" in April. Out home resort is AKV but due to the short timing we stayed at SSR. Wtih the developer points and whatnot we were able to get two studios - one for my wife and I and one for our daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids (2 & 5). The little ones were just fine on the sofa sleeper and we all had a great time.

Daughter and hubby did get a "date night" when wife and I did grandparent sitting duty so the lack of privacy wasn't an issue for them. I suspect however that without built-in baby sitters you might want the ability to get a little privacy. Then again, after a whole day in the parks with 2 little ones, I would think most parents are, to be polite - too pooped to participate anyway!

For our money, the studio is a really good value.

 

[Markeymouses]

How many DVC stays have you taken? That might change if you are a newbie!!!! and as your kids get older........teens and privacy tend to come into play.

That is true but there are so many opinions because everybodys fam is different. Our house is small so there goes the privacy Our family is so so so so busy during school because of ballet, swim, dance, student council....etc... that once the summer comes we like a little togetherness but I can tell ya that last 2 days (of 2 weeks) the kids are dying to get away from us and see thier friends They definitley have had enough.
I think you're right if you start out within your budget you can always add on, we get mailings for good incentives all the time so it seems there always a deal out there! Enjoy your family and your future Vacations any decision to spend time with your fam is a good one!

 

[pickles]

STUDIO

Family of 4 here - me, DH, DD(turned 14 during our trip 2 weeks ago), & DS10.

Staying in a studio enables us to go twice as often as a 1 Bedroom. Those darn points are just about double a 1 BR!!! No way is it worth having the extra space, IMO.

We also don't need the full kitchen as we eat NOTHING in our room...we do the Dining Plan every time.

adult question here....when do you do "it"? or put less adulty...how do you share any intimacy? part of vacation is to have your spouse around with no ringing phones, barking dogs, nagging kids, annoying puters etc...
even if you take out the "do it" question, just plain cuddling without kids staring at you..doesn't it bother you to have them in the bed next to you?

everyone keeps saying the 1 bedroom doesn't have a 2nd bed, but the couch pull out is a suitable bed for at least 2 kids and when mine were younger it fit 3. I will take a 1 bedroom anyday!!

 

[crisi]

everyone keeps saying the 1 bedroom doesn't have a 2nd bed, but the couch pull out is a suitable bed for at least 2 kids and when mine were younger it fit 3. I will take a 1 bedroom anyday!!

It doesn't have a second "real" bed. Our kids have done fine on the pullout as well, but some people really want two "real" beds - which means a two bedroom or an OKW studio.

 

[jodifla]

We're a family of 3, and we stay in studios for shorter trips, and 2 bedroooms for longer trips most of the time!

We normally have a revolving cast of guests, and they take the second bedroom and DS stays with us in our room.

Then when the guests leave, DS takes the bedroom and we have our alone time.

 

[MinnieGi]

We're a family of four with kids that are 8 & 4 and we have always stayed in a one bedroom. To us the villa makes the vacation so relaxing. We stay usually from 7 to 10 nights and love the kitchen for breakfast and snacks and an occasional lunch or dinner. The washer and dryer is great for not having to pack as many clothes. The kids do fine on the sofa bed. DH and I enjoy our alone time relaxing in our own bedroom.

 

[kim_d]

We did a studio once when it was DH and I (no kids yet). We now have a 5yo and a 3yo and would not stay at a studio, unless it was a quick trip (like 3 nights). Since we typically go for 10+ nights we always do a one bedroom, we actually did a 2 bedroom in September and we were spoiled. We just did an add-on and I think 2 bedroom might be the way to go from now on.

 

[SalandJeff]

When we purchased, we thought we would always stay in a Studio. It was just dh and me. But once we stayed in the one bedroom, it spoiled us! It is so nice to have the extra room, bathroom, closets and kitchen (even if we just use it for tea and bagels), and washer/dryer. We now have a 4 year old, and I can get her to sleep in the bedroom much earlier than in the studio when she hears us moving around, etc.

If you can afford to, I would go for enough points to plan for the 1 bedroom.

 

[katied]

1 bedroom!!!! With little ones, the kitchen and washer dryer is so great. We had a trip in May with DS (13 months) and DNiece (23 months). Mealtime in the resort is so much easier than eating out with little ones - we had breakfast and dinner in every night. Also, we did wash daily. Plus, the kids had some much more space to play in - even if it's just in the am getting ready to go, or in the evening before/after dinner, having enough space for little ones is great.

The main reason we bought DVC was for the kitchen and washer/dryer perks. If it was just a studio, I don't think it would be worth it to buy.

Another huge perk - you can put kids to sleep in one room and then still be up/watch TV/etc. in the other room.

 

[mooneyda]

Lately, I have taken my brothers family down with us we have gotten to studios. I actually prefer the studio for the saving of points and the fact that we are never in the room except to sleep.
I know lately we have been drawing the studios at boardwalk that over look the boardwalk and have been getting great views of the fireworks at Epcot

 

[Ms. WDW]

This is easy; 1 BR. When we first bought into the DVC my then 9 year old son was very upset. He loves the Polynesian and was not happy that we were not going to stay there anymore. Well the next summer we booked into our new "home" at the Boardwalk and I'll always remember this; he walked in, ran into the bedroom, then went into the bathroom and saw that Jacuzzi. He then turns to me and said "forget the Poly Mom this place is cool".

I know most people don't plan on spending much time in the room but we're so much more comforatable in a 1 BR than a Studio and it is almost like being "home".