Studio vs. 1BR for family of 4 (Spin off of Studio/Cruise thread)

[Enna]

We are brand-new to DVC.

We're a family of 4, with 2 of that 4 being elementary-school aged kids.

Typically, when we travel we do fine with a 2 queen bed hotel room. However, other than OKW, there doesn't seem to be that option for any unit smaller than the 2BR.

Could someone explain the benefits of the 1BR vs.the studio?


It seems to me that my kids will be sleeping on the sofa bed, and their stuff will be in the living area, regardless of the room type. Knowing how I feel when I vacation, I think I could live with the studio--looking at it as a 2 bed efficiency-style hotel room easier than I could deal with the thought of a bedroom plus a living area that needs to be converted to a bedroom and back to a living area each day. The kids are young enough that they still want their treasures of the day (balloons, wand from CRT, etc.) near the bed, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to spend the extra points on a 1BR to make the living room a bedroom. We're also not in the rooms that much. Even if we spend time at the resort the kids are usually either in the swimming pool or sound asleep.

Obviously, the 1BR also has a larger kitchen area. At this stage of our life, VACATION means that I don't have to cook. We will probably continue to do the dining plan for the next several years, which means that the kitchen is less important.

So, given our situation is a 1BR really a better choice for our family vacation week?


Now that I think of it, is DVC even a good choice? Would we be better off continuing to stay in the Deluxe hotels instead?


Honest opinions appreciated!

 

[DVCLiz]

First, welcome to DVC!!!!! I don't know if you will reap the benefits of DVC if you are going to be better suited to a Deluxe resort room. For most, the benefits of DVC come when they "move up" to the larger accomodations, so you are in a tricky area. A 2 queen bed room probably would suit you just as well, if not better, than a DVC studio, just in terms of bed space - I don't know whether your kids are boys or girls, or if/when they would need to move to their own bedrooms or separate beds.

I will tell you that the 1BR has a washer/dryer, and that is very important to me now that I've had it. It's so easy to come back from the parks, throw a load of clothes in, and know I'll have clean laundry - we just don't have to pack that much. And the refrigerator is great, even if we are not coooking or eating any meals in the villa, which we never do, either. But we load up on soda, cheese and crackers, etc for the room and we really like that feature, more so than if we were staying in a regular room.

I will tell you that we are a family of three, with a mom and 2 teenage girls, and we have found BY FAR that a 2 BR is the best way for us to vacation using DVC. We are all so happy when we have 2BRs and each girl has her own queen size bed and mom has a king. When we go to WDW we tend to collect a lot of stuff, too, and there's nothing better than a separate bedroom for the girls!!!! I hate to have our living area cluttered with a bed.

I don't know that this helps you any!!! But we have found that for us it's better to use our points on a 2BR, and we bought enough to be able to do that on most trips.

 

[Enna]

Thanks, Liz. I was thinking either we "rough it" in a Studio or do the 2-bedroom. The 1BR just hasn't ever appealed to me, and I wonder if I'm missing out on something since so many seem to love those.

We plan to start with one contract and add on eventually. That would probably be about the time when we decide that the kids need extra space.


As an aside, we're considering offering studio accomodations to family for a trip in 2009 or 2010. We *know* we don't want to do the Grand Villa with my 6 or 7 other people from both sides of the family plus the four of us. We all have very different styles, and would do better in seperate rooms with each small group doing their own thing plus a few big-group events. I just have to wonder if "just a studio" will be a problem instead of being appreciated as a gift, kiwm?

 

[jodifla]

I bought DVC to be able to do wild things, like stay in a 2 bedroom, not in a hotel type room.

So my family of 3 normally gets a 2 bedroom for trips. Half the trip DS, 5, has his own room, and the other half we normally invite friends down, and DS sleeps with us in the King. Although I think there's enough room in the one bedroom for a couple of sleeping bags/twin air mattresses.

You have a lot of flexibility with a one bedroom. You could have the kids go to sleep in the master, then just move them to the sofa sleeper when you are ready to go to sleep. Or you could have them in sleeping bags in the master.

We LOVE being able to put DS asleep in another room, then be able to sit out on or balcony with drinks, or inside watching a movie. THAT's why we bought DVC, so we could have some privacy, and we could share with our friends.

 

[DVCLiz]

Thanks, Liz. I was thinking either we "rough it" in a Studio or do the 2-bedroom. The 1BR just hasn't ever appealed to me, and I wonder if I'm missing out on something since so many seem to love those.

We plan to start with one contract and add on eventually. That would probably be about the time when we decide that the kids need extra space.


As an aside, we're considering offering studio accomodations to family for a trip in 2009 or 2010. We *know* we don't want to do the Grand Villa with my 6 or 7 other people from both sides of the family plus the four of us. We all have very different styles, and would do better in seperate rooms with each small group doing their own thing plus a few big-group events. I just have to wonder if "just a studio" will be a problem instead of being appreciated as a gift, kiwm?

The benefit I see for the 1 BR is some privacy for mom and dad, if you know what I mean. Because the sleeping arrangements for the kids is pretty much the same in a studio or 1BR - two kids on a sofa bed, either right next to mom and dad in the studio or in another room in a 1BR. That's why the 2BR is so great - separate sleeping for everyone AND a living area.

We stayed this summer in a 2BR for 5 nights, then went off-site and came back the next week for another week in a 1BR. The girls hated the sleeper bed so much (it was at WL and I think it was the old style) that we all three slept in the king bed beginning the second night.

2BR if possible is the way to go - I added on, too, when I realized we would appreciate the extra space so much.

Now having said all that, it's still a wonderful vacation when we go if we stay in a regular resort room (we stayed at the Poly last year for a weekend). I don't mean to whine about "only" having a single room at WDW - even that is fabulous and a treat, of course!!! It's just that, given the options, a 2BR DVC is the ultimate for us in terms of space (well, other than the really deluxe suites on property, which we might try for a night or two once in our lifetimes!!)

 

[Deb & Bill]

The benefit to the one bedroom is that I get to share the king sized bed with my husband. We don't do good in a queen together.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Another benefit of the 1BR -- besides the king bed, washer/dryer, full size fridge-- another TV. If the kids are fighting over what to watch, or I can't stand to listen to anymore kiddie shows, they can go in the MBR. Also great if someone is tired during the day or has a headache and needs some quiet.

 

[Gizmo1951]

Studio does not have the whirpool tub which makes the decision of a 1 or 2 bedroom an easy decision for me

 

[panfan]

I will also join the " I LOVE the one-bedroom club" !! For most of the reasons already listed....Privacy for Mom & Dad... two t.v.'s....the jacuzzi...
washer/dryer...just more all around room in general. Yes , the sleeping arrangements are the same as the studio w/ the pull out but having the two rooms , larger bathroom etc really makes a difference to us! Not to mention the lovely walk -in closet. Feels like more than "just a hotel room " We also find it is great for when younger ds needs his aftenoon nap, we put him in the master and then older ds can watch t.v. in the living room without disturbing etc.

 

[szymcl]

I am the lone person in favor of the studio for you! When my 3 kids were young, ages 0-15, we used to do fine in studios and just plain 2 queen or double hotel rooms. We were close and together all the time on vacation, and it was fun to be so close. We are used to a 5 bedroom house, but for some reason, on vacation we enjoyed the closeness! We didn't join DVC until my kids were late teens, and now that they are 17, 20 and 21, we rent a 2 bedroom when we vacation together.
But I wouldn't trade the close knit days when we were all in a room at Dixie Landings with a trundle bed! Of course for you that means you can stay longer! I think the studio with the microwave and refrigerator is all you need, and you can still do your laundry for free, just not in your room.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

The benefit to the one bedroom is that I get to share the king sized bed with my husband. We don't do good in a queen together.

It's that urban sprawl thing... we get it too.

 

[Amy5000]

I'm a newbie and I haven't planned many disney vacations yet, but I plan to use a studio for our family of 4. I went back and forth with what type of accommodations I would be happy with, and I admit that the washer/dryer in the room is attractive. That said, we have friends who have been members for many years and they always vacation in a studio with their family of four. For me, ultimately, thrift won out and I decided that we'll do studios too. I've often thought that I don't want to ever stay in a 1 bedroom as I'm sure I'd be ruined for a studio.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Lesley]

We've liked one bedroom villas when we had younger kids who tend to produce more laundry and when we cooked more at the resort. I also like the whirlpool tub. Now we're moving on to 2br's because our kids are gettting older and bigger, and there are 3 of them (youngest is 3). It was nice when the kids took a nap to be able to have a quiet room for them vs. being in a studio. The second tv is also nice. And the bigger fridge even if its only for drinks. I did discover at one point that eating in our room during a vacation made it not a vacation for me. Now we'll make lunch when its convenient for us to do so (pick up the fixin's for grilled cheese or whatever at the resort store...) but we generally only use the kitchen for making breakfast (just cereal or something frozen/microwaveable), after hours snacks, and for drinks.

If you don't spend a lot of time in your resort a studio should be just fine. I think studios are a great value for the points and so few points can go so far. But I think what really did me in on the studio was the laundry situation. I don't like taking time out from our vacation to do laundry, but I'd usually find myself running to the laundry room as everyone else was falling asleep...waking up at 2am to realize I needed to get our clothes from the dryer and trekking through the BWV in my pajamas to fetch them. Not fun. I also dislike coming home with all our clothes dirty and spending the next few days doing nothing but laundry. In a 1br, I can just throw a load of wash in as needed and not worry about it.

 

[crisi]

We stay in a one (or two) bedroom.

We put all the luggage in the master bedroom closet (which at BWV is HUGE). When you shower, you take your clothes into the HUGE bathroom. The kids sleep in the living room, but their stuff isn't there (well, they are kids, their stuff is everywhere - there clothes are in the bedroom).

The thing that surprised me about the one bedroom is that I do laundry and do cook. Just things like eggs for breakfast, but the kitchen gets used - which I would have never thought it would given my habits. Our first trip involved my husband's aunt on an Atkins diet, so we made eggs a habit in the morning and it stuck. Laundry becomes really easy when its "toss today's stuff into the washer."

(The aforementioned nookie upgrade is nice as well).

We don't have a lot of points, but we don't go very often - every other year. So the number of points we have can be used to book a larger room. We'd never use all the points we had with studios - just don't stay that many nights or at expensive times of year.

 

[morgklm]

For our first trip home next year, we asked the kids, DS16 and DS15, whether they would prefer a 1 bedroom for 1 week, or a studio for 2 weeks, and they both said studio! One of the rare times that they actually agreed on something. They do know that they will be sharing the pullout, and are OK with this. We do not mind the closeness, since we actually spend only enough time in the rooms to sleep. We are new owners, and do not have enough points for a 2br, but I'm know we'll be adding on.

 

[Enna]

Thanks, everyone for sharing your reasons and suggestions. I suppose the good thing about DVC is the flexibility which allows everyone to make a choice that best fits those who will be travelling.

 

[lisareniff]

I think the upgrade from a studio to a 1 (or 2) bedroom is most beneficial when you have young children, especially when they are very young.

One room -> two - allows every one to get the sleep they need. Little ones can go to sleep while adults get to say up and read, talk, watch TV with the lights on! In the morning one child can sleep longer if the other gets up early. Lessens the meltdowns when everyone is well rested.

Kitchenette -> Kitchen; It's great to be able to feed kids when they need to be fed. Breakfast when you get up. Sure you can do it in a studio but you can do it much better in a one bedroom. Also plenty of room for cold drinks and real plates and utensils.

Laundry room -> In room laundry; Ahhh.. it's great to only pack half your clothes and not cut into vacation time going to the laundry room. Toss a load in before you hit the parks, change it when you come back for lunch. This also releaves stress with little ones. You can let the kids play and not worry that it's their last pair of clean shorts, etc.

Studio bedding -> 1 bedroom bedding; You are going to bigger beds for each. Queen -> King and full pullout sofa -> Queen pull out sofa. The kids might sleep better with an extra foot of space.

Standard Bath -> Supper Bath; That big tub is cool! ...so is the walk in shower!

 

[crisi]

You also have zero risk of ending up bathless in a one bedroom.

Some of the Handicapped Accessible studios don't have tubs - just roll in showers. That can be very difficult if you are trying to bathe small kids.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Once you have experienced DVC for a few years, you will find the larger unit sizes are MUCH more to your liking. I know it is hard to imagine being in the room at all during a WDW vacation, but once you find yourself going back two and three times a year, you learn to relax and enjoy the WHOLE of WDW, including the accommodations.

Many trips it is just two of us, and even then we usually stay in a 1 bedroom with an occational studio for a night on either end. If there are 3 or more of us, we get a 2 bedroom. This is not only for the extra beds, laundry and kitchen, but also for the the extra bathroom.

 

[pilferk]

We are brand-new to DVC.

We're a family of 4, with 2 of that 4 being elementary-school aged kids.

Typically, when we travel we do fine with a 2 queen bed hotel room. However, other than OKW, there doesn't seem to be that option for any unit smaller than the 2BR.

Could someone explain the benefits of the 1BR vs.the studio?


It seems to me that my kids will be sleeping on the sofa bed, and their stuff will be in the living area, regardless of the room type. Knowing how I feel when I vacation, I think I could live with the studio--looking at it as a 2 bed efficiency-style hotel room easier than I could deal with the thought of a bedroom plus a living area that needs to be converted to a bedroom and back to a living area each day. The kids are young enough that they still want their treasures of the day (balloons, wand from CRT, etc.) near the bed, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to spend the extra points on a 1BR to make the living room a bedroom. We're also not in the rooms that much. Even if we spend time at the resort the kids are usually either in the swimming pool or sound asleep.

Obviously, the 1BR also has a larger kitchen area. At this stage of our life, VACATION means that I don't have to cook. We will probably continue to do the dining plan for the next several years, which means that the kitchen is less important.

So, given our situation is a 1BR really a better choice for our family vacation week?


Now that I think of it, is DVC even a good choice? Would we be better off continuing to stay in the Deluxe hotels instead?


Honest opinions appreciated!

I'll be honest: I've never understood the 1BR "thing" at the most of the DVC resorts. At AKV, I get it...you get the extra person (5) over a studio, and at Kidani (the new, to be constructed building) you get an extra bathroom, as well.

But for the rest of the DVC resorts, I agree with your perspective. In either case, your kids will be on a (albeit comfy) sofa bed, in either case you're converting the "living" area into a bedroom, of sorts, and if you don't see any use for the kitchen.....well, I think you've got it right. The 1BR is likely not for you.

The ONE benefit is some privacy for the adults and not having to turn the lights out at the kids bed time. You have your own room, own TV, and your own access to the bathroom (and whirlpool tub) after the kids have turned in for the night. That may, or may not, be worth it to you.