Studio vs 1 Bedroom Villa

[Nicsmom]

We (Me, DH, DD13, DS3) usually stay in a 1 bedroom villa. We are considering staying in a studio to make it a longer trip (10 days). We've stayed in rooms at the Beach Club and had no problems. We also don't use the kitchen too much-just coffee and bagels. No cooking. Do you think we'll miss the space, washer/dryer of the 1 bedroom or will it be worth it to stay almost twice as long? Has anyone done this before? What were your thoughts? Thanks!

 

[NedsTJ]

Hmm, 10 days in a studio with a 13yo and a 3yo....I don't care if it is disney, this has follow-up family counseling written all over it! LOL!

I guess it depends on how much time you spend in the room. If you're just sleeping there, it might be ok. Theres always the pool and community center when the 13yo starts to get "rammy" and needs his own space for a bit.

 

[snowbunny]

I wouldn't be worth it to me. I need the W/D (although there is one on the floor) and I like to hang out in the villa living room and relax. Ten days in one room with the four of us would have me ready to come home before it was over. Will your youngest need to nap at all in the afternoons?

 

[OlderMan]

the space, the washer/dryer, the privacy, etc.

Our DD's are 9 and (almost) 11. We've begun getting 2 BR's so they can each have their own bed and some privacy when I get up for my AM constitutional and coffee with DW.

Just what works for us!

 

[toesmom]

We (Me, DH, DD13, DS3) usually stay in a 1 bedroom villa. We are considering staying in a studio to make it a longer trip (10 days). We've stayed in rooms at the Beach Club and had no problems. We also don't use the kitchen too much-just coffee and bagels. No cooking. Do you think we'll miss the space, washer/dryer of the 1 bedroom or will it be worth it to stay almost twice as long? Has anyone done this before? What were your thoughts? Thanks!

I'd stay twice as long, especially if you don't need the full kitchen. There's always the laundry facility if you need it. You probably will miss the extra space, but at Disney you'll probably be out of the room most of the day anyhow.

 

[PatsMom]

Sometimes we stay in a studio and sometimes in a one bedroom. Depends on the season, number of points we have left, etc. There are only 3 of us (DD 16). We do like the space of a one bedroom but if we weren't dealing with taking her out of school for many trips, we'd probably choose to stay longer and book the studio. But we really aren't in the room very much and I never cook. I have used the washer maybe twice. Even if we are back in our room early in the evening, if the weather is nice, DD and I would head for the pool. Once DD is off to college and doesn't always come with us, our plan is to go more often and stay in studios.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

It Wouldn`t Be Worth It To Me We Love The Space

 

[Kathi OD]

I would think that with a 3yo you would still be needing to come back to the room for part of the day to rest. Four of you in a studio, trying to be quiet so the little one can rest, is going to be tough. I'd be getting the extra space this trip and wait a few years before opting for the longer time frame. JMHO.

 

[Nicsmom]

I don't think I'll miss the W/D or kitchen. They're nice to have but I can deal with not cooking and doing laundry on vaca I'll miss the space for sure. My DS is starting to lose the nap. So, by the time we go I'm sure he won't be napping. Still undecided.

 

[Alexander]

The only thing I would miss is the washer and dryer. I will say go for the longer trip. If it doesn't work out great, chalk it up to lived and learned. Go for the longer trip. Besides, if the little one does nap, it'll probably be in a stroller. If in the room, the older one will probably want to go to the pool anyways!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We have no problem with a studio and DD14 will be taking a friend this trip for 12 days as well.

It's Disney so we are just happy to be there and do some snacks and so forth in the room. But Points are always tight so we would rather go longer and more offend then have the Space and other things that go with the 1bdrm.

Try it and if it didn't work then you will know.

 

[Sabor]

You could split the trip and extend it longer but not quite twice as long.

Start off in a studio for the higher point value weekend two nights and maybe one more then switch to a 1BR for the next 4 or 5.

You wont feel cramped at the beginning of the stay and you will appreciate the room after the switch and then utilze the laundry.

 

[abeyst]

You could split the trip and extend it longer but not quite twice as long.

Start off in a studio for the higher point value weekend two nights and maybe one more then switch to a 1BR for the next 4 or 5.

You wont feel cramped at the beginning of the stay and you will appreciate the room after the switch and then utilze the laundry.

that's what i was going to say. Or you could stay at a value resort for Fri-Sun then go to a 1BR.

Or maybe stay 9 days instead of 10?

We've stayed in 1BR's and Studios. The studios for us now is fine cause it's just me and 2 little kids (9 and 5). You'll find that you need an adjustment period when you first go into a studio b/c it's very different than staying in a 1BR. Just try not to compare the 2. Staying in a studio is just like staying in a hotel room anywhere, right?

I stay as cheap as possible - the # of days at Disney is MUCH more important than my room accomodations.

 

[LSchrow]

really depends on how much time you're going to spend in the room together.
if you're going to be out most of the day, & just sleeping there, the studio will be fine IMHO.
if you're going to spend hours lounging in the room, the tension might build.
just think: many families stay in a regular resort room without any counseling needed ~ it just might feel a little more crowded as everyone is accustomed to the space of a 1 bdrm. your 13yo DD is prob going to feel the "space" issues the most (teens tend to need a little more breathing room), so i would just encourage her to do a little on her own: hang out at community hall, go for a swim..it'll give her the time she needs, & she'll prob love that little bit of freedom.
we've only stayed in studios as 2 ppl, but find the kitchenette more than sufficent for b'fast & snacks (all we really need is the coffee-maker; the toaster, microwave & mini-fridge are just nice bonuses ).
the laundry room is convenient ~ DH norm just does 2 loads of laundry late at night when they are empty, & we hang out by the pool (BWV) until it's done.
i think you'll be fine

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

No, not for me, i couldn't go back now. especially now that my boys are 14 and 11. i need the extra space and love the laundry in room, saves much packing we can travel very lite (2 cases for 4-people)

 

[mikesmom]

Nah, I wouldn't do it. We tried to back down to a Studio once for just a quick 3 day trip. We swore never again. It's not relaxing. It's not just the living space , it's where to put all the "stuff" - luggage, personal items, clothes, snacks. Yikes, the very thought for 10 days (particularly with a teenager) gives me the willies

 

[DVC Mike]

We too are spoiled now with the 1 BR. It would be hard to stay in a Studio for more than 2-3 days. We'd miss the space, full kitchen, and the Washer/Dryer.

That's one reason I've been doing a few point add-ons -- so we can stay only in a 1-BR and stay on Fri/Sat nights too!

 

[MissyDVC]

We also just tried a quick 3 night stay in a studio and will never do that again . It is DH, myself, DS9 and DD7 and we missed our space and it reminded us of one of the reasons that we bought DVC in the first place--Space, laundry, balcony, kitchen....space So yes we really did miss it and we were out of the room alot. Have a great trip no matter what you choose

 

[CarolAnnC]

Unless you are staying at OKW where they have two beds in the studios, you will have one bed and a full size pull out sleep sofa. I think it would be too cramped for comfort for your family for such a long trip.

I would do the one bedroom with less days.

 

[Brian Noble]

Heck, if I really really needed a longer trip, I'd rather (gasp) stay in a full villa offsite than an onsite studio.

Studios are hotel rooms, and in my book, hotel rooms are not vacations when the kids are along. Just me and my better half, maybe. But, even then, a hard sell.