Studio vs. 1 BR

[goofy1223]

I have just in my papers! Is a 1BR significantly better than
a studio because it seems that the difference is double
the points!

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Studio is good for 2 -3 people (but can sleep 4) and they are a little larger than the standard hotel room.

The 1 Br is more than twice the size of a studio and comes with a full kitchen and also sleeps 4.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

One bedrooms are significantly bigger (although whether it is better is open to interpretation! ). In the 1bdrm there is a living area with full kitchen and a separate master bedroom with a large bath. While in the studio there is a sleeper sofa and a queen size bed plus kitchenette (OKW is the exception with 2 queen beds, no sofa). Whether you go for the studio or 1 bdrm depends on your family's vacation habits. If you mainly use the room for sleeping only, then a studio would be the best use of points. If you like to spend time in the room, around the resort and want to save some $$ by cooking meals in the room, or just really want more space than a 1bdrm would be better.

 

[bcvillastwo]

Yes, in my opinion a 1bdrm is significantly better than a studio. But with that said, in order to save points and go more frequently we use a studio about 2/3 of the time and a 1bdr or 2bdrm the other 1/3. Why, when we use a studio it's just 2 of us but in a 1 or 2bdrm there's anywhere from 2-8.

The one bedroom is really nice and we would love to stay in one every time we go but we also like WDW enough to want to go at least 3 times a year. It's simply an economic decision balanced against other needs and desires.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Don't the 1 bedrooms also all have washer/dryers and whirlpool tubs? To me, those would be the real pluses.

 

[jekjones1558]

Yes, 1 bedrooms have washer/dryers and whirlpools. That's what makes the decision to use double the points really tough! When my husband and I go, we usually spend little time in the room. I don't cook on vacation, although it is nice having a full size frig. etc. The washer/dryer is not a big deal to us if we are there without kids. It is hard for us to justify a 1 bedroom EXCEPT:
WE DESERVE TO SPLURGE ONCE IN A WHILE! I like the flexibility of DVC--deciding whether to blow the points or go more times! Try both and go from there.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

In June (our first DVC trip) we stayed in a 1-BR. In July we stayed in a studio. I prefer the 1-BR. The main reasons are laundry in the room and a complete kitchen. I don't like hot water from the microwave and I have to have a cup of tea every morning. I am trying to convince DH we need more points so we can stay for longer periods in the 1-BR!!! Annmarie

 

[CarolMN]

The one bedroom units also have either a DVD (BCV) or a VCR and two TVs. That might seem like a little thing, but if you have young children or a DH who is a compulsive, channel-flipping remote hog, it can easily sway the decision. I NEED to watch the DVC channel at least once a day when I'm at home!

 

[Lora]

We used to split the time evenly between the 1 BR and the studio, but the 1 BR really has won us over. We'll stay in a studio occasionally to save points (especially on the weekend), but we really prefer the 1 BR for the following reasons:

1. More space
2. Kitchen (Besides saving money, having casual meals in the room makes for heathier eating.)
3. Privacy from the kids.
4. Jacuzzi
5. Laundry in the room

Of course, when we take the grandparents along, we need the 2-BR.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

...Privacy from the kids...

I was wondering when someone was going to mention this one......seems like a pretty major benefit of the one and two bedroom setups.

 

[Richyams]

Nah, I think most people with kids get the two bedroom. Who wants that couch open every night.

I think a family of four is perfect for the two bedroom.

 

[JimC]

We prefer the one bedroom for week long stays. The plusses for us are the additional space, jacuzzi, laundry and full kitchen.

On shorter stays we might go for the studio or we might revisit some of our favoite resorts (particularly AKL) with Disney Collection. We still need to stay at GF.

 

[beccasmom]

The studios are very nice and we’ve stayed in them many times, but usually only for one night. I like some privacy and there isn’t much there unless you’re on the porch or in the bathroom! I actually stayed in a studio for one week with three other gals…..and we are all still speaking! It felt somewhat claustrophobic though and I wouldn’t repeat that scenario if I could help it. Especially since I became sick with a cold and felt somewhat like the Grim Reaper everytime I coughed. For two adults and two kids it is more comfortable, in my opinion. For four adults, much less so.

We like the room to spread out and be able to do a wash, some cooking if we are so inspired and, certainly not least….the jacuzzi! And all of us lounging on the porch in the evening is a lovely family ritual.

However, I do understand why people reserve the studio….saving points on a weekend (that’s why we do it), saving points in general, not really needing the extra space, etc. It is definitely a lovely place to stay – the bathroom is very large and the microwave/fridge gives several possibilities to do some eating in the room if so desired. It really is a matter of personal preference.

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

We've split our stays between a studio and 1 bdrm. DH really likes the 1 bdrm (and so do I). We find the studio comfortable for two adults. Wouldn't do it if I were bringing another adult along.
Our first 1 bdrm stay was for 8 nights last Oct. It was really nice to have washer/dryer, jacuzzi, cooking equipment. Yes, we cook a bit. I get tired of park food (we don't do many of the sit down places). This time we'll be in a 1 bdrm at OKW (had to check out the size!) and it is only for a few days - so I figured I only need to bring two pair of shorts!!! We've saved some points staying in the studio and now have a small surplus. We bought enough to stay in a 1 bdrm for a week. But we've ended up going several times in a year and wanted to make the points stretch a bit.

One of the many things I love about DVC is the flexibility.

 

[Disney Doll]

We generally travel with a group of at least 5 adults(2 couples and 1 single) so we do the 2BR. If DH and I go alone, we do a 1BR. Once we did a studio when we planned a last minute long weekend trip, and while the studio was fine for the 2 of us for 3 nights,I did miss the space of the 1BR.

We have purchased enough points so we can stay in a 1BR each time we go to WDW(usually twice a year). The way I look at it, vacation is a splurge. When we first purchased, we didn't have enough points to stay in a 1BR twice a year if we stayed the whole time on points, so what we would do is stay in a regular resort over the weekend, and then move to the DVC property on Sunday or Monday, when the points per night cost dropped, and then finish out the vacation at the DVC property. That way I got to stay at the different resorts AND take advantage of the DVC.

 

[Terry S]

Well, I haven't stayed in a studio yet. I have either stayed in the 1 bedroom with 2 people or the 2 bedroom with 4 people. I have to agree with Richyams, I think the 2 bedroom is perfect for 4 people, I hate to keep pulling the couch out!

With that said, I don't know if I won't ever stay in a studio, next year we will only have 100 points left after our scheduled trips with the family and if I want to take a trip again with my best friend, it will either be a very short trip in a 1 bedroom or we will stay in the studio for more days. I think we might just choose the studio and see how it goes.

 

[kaf7878]

If you're traveling with anyone outside of a husband and your kids go for a one bedroom. If its just your immediate family (esp if your kids are little) go for a studio. My kids are 4 and 1 and studio is more than fine for us. We've stayed in the 1 bedroom and LOVE IT but I'd rather make more trips in a studio than less trips in a 1BR

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by beccasmom
I like some privacy and there isn’t much there unless you’re on the porch or in the bathroom!

If you have the extra points.....go for the 1BR.