Studio vs. One Bedroom

[Brian Noble]

Is the daily point requirement for a one bedroom and all the perks that come with it (addtional space and kitchen, etc) worth it vs. a studio (more nights)?

We are a family of four. I do not consider sharing the same sleeping space with my children to be "vacation". I might sometimes do it for a single night here or there, in extenuating circumstances, but in Orlando, I'd rather stay offsite in a condo than onsite in a studio with my kids.

 

[LSchrow]

for 2 ppl, we prefer studios (the one bedroom is overkill for us....we don't use the kitchen, jacuzzi, etc). we eat mostly offsite or small meals (cereal, sandwiches), and laundry is minimal. for 3-4 ppl, a 1 bdrm. anything over 4 ppl, 2 bdrm or grand villa.
with even 1 small child, i would book a 1bdrm for the laundry, room for a pack and play, seperate area for a sleeping child, ease of cooking for a child (who tend to be more finicky eaters).

the only non-negotiable with us is the view, preferably BW view (we would, and have, changed travel plans if "our view" was unavailable).

 

[PoohsFan1]

Once you stay in a 1BR it is hard to go back.

I have heard this from so many people. We too have only stayed in Studios but to be fair we have only stayed on DVC points once so far and our upcoming trip we are staying at BCV in a studio and then going over to SSR to a 1 bedroom. I have a feeling we are going to be so spoiled by the 1 bedroom that it will be so hard to go back to the Studios, but like the OP said, the point difference is steep and we would much rather stay in a studio and go for more nights then staying in a 1 bedroom for fewer nights.

 

[szymcl]

This has so much to do with what you are used to! When you vacation somewhere else do you get a suite? When our kids were little, we spent numerous wonderful vacations with 2 adults and 3 children in the Dixie Landings room with the trundle bed. We are on vacation to be together so it was fun. And as to the King size bed, yes I do have one at home now, but then I was younger, and we just aren't that big. So, totally personal choice, no wrong answers! Just enjoy!

 

[peabody58]

DW and I joined DVC thinking we would do studios exclusively for the 2 of us. We'll we have so far experienced 1 BR's twice (SSR and BLT). We also had a 1 BR suite when in Albany. We are now converts to the 1 BR experience. We've changed our vacation routine from short 4-5 day trips to 9-10 day trips.

Our reasons for a 1 BR include:
- the added room to be able to spread out and relax.
- let the spouse sleep while the other enjoys the rest of the villa.
- always have the option to invite friends along.
- W/D is a huge plus.
- Full kitchen is used for breakfast and lunch's, as well as late night snacks.
- Having the ht tub is such a treat.

I am the tight wad in the family, but scrimping on accommodations for a week plus vacation is no longer an option. We found the vacation experience more relaxing and enjoyable having a 1 BR vs. a studio.

 

[Sammie]

We joined DVC for larger accommodations. We would stay fewer days to have a larger place.

It is not a home away from home for us to be uncomfortable.

 

[kristenrice]

When we joined DVC, our intention was to stay in 1BR's with our family of 4. For us, the whole point was to be able to affordably stay in the "vacation homes", which for me, do not include studios. Our introduction to DVC was a full-price CRO trip in a 2BR at OKW for 7 nights with my parents in 2001. That was when I decided that single-room accommodations would simply not satisfy me anymore.

Fast forward to 2008....I had rented a reservation in a savanna-view studio for 6 nights at AKV-Jambo. Because it was my second cash-trip that year, I could not afford a 1BR. It was me and my friend along with my DD's, ages 3 and 5 at the time. DH and I had just closed on our own 100-pt resale at AKV and I was dying to check it out. After that stay, I was even more indecisive. The studio was more than adequate, even with the small kids. So, I started the same "do we go more/longer in studios, or less and stay in 1BR's" debate.

Here's the compromise I've settled on...

We start our trip in a studio for 1-2 nights. We pack for those nights in our carryon so we do not need to do a lot of unpacking. We also add a dining plan for those nights so that we do not need to cook in the room. Then, for our last 3-4 nights, we move to a 1BR within the same resort. On "switch" day, one of us drops the luggage at Bell Services while the other one checks in to the other room. Then we head out to the park for the day. When we return, we grab our luggage and head up to our new room. It is very easy to do and a great way to both stretch our points and still enjoy the benefits of a 1BR. By day 3, we are ready to do some laundry and relax a little more in the room.

A lot of folks find a split-stay to be a hassle and prefer to stay put. In a perfect world, I would love to stay in a 1BR for 5 nights every trip. Unfortunately, that would mean fewer trips than I would like so for me, the split-stay is the price I pay to go more often.

 

[bangzoom6877]

We love the 1BR because we are a family of 4 with 2 small children. The kids go to bed earlier than we do, so DH and I can still hang out when the boys are sleeping. I also love the washer/dryer. Never thought I would want to do laundry on vacation, but it makes a HUGE difference when we come home...I can't stand unpacking and doing mega-loads of laundry after vacation. Worst part of going on vacation, for me. So, this prevents that from happening! What a pleasure to be able to put clothing right from the suitcase into the closet/dresser!

We also eat breakfast in the villa most mornings, so having the extra space is very nice.

Once the boys are grown up and DH and I go just the 2 of us, we would definitely do a studio. But for the 4 of us, we like the extra space. We went on a cruise in July (on NCL, not Disney) and we had 2 connecting cabins...best decision! We just like the extra space.

 

[shonnons]

Greetings,

I am in the process of completing my first DVC purchase (200 AKL through resale). We have picked AKL as it's our favorite place to stay!

You said you like the AKV. Have you thought about a compromise of a value room? A 1br value room is not much more than a view studio.

 

[DVC Jen]

I totally go against the grain each and every time this question is asked.

We stay in a studio 99.99% of the time we are at WDW. And we are a family of 4 that is 4 ADULTS! Our daughters are 18 and 23. It is fine for us. We have never felt like we are falling all over each other. The only time it is ever an issue is with the bathroom. Poor DH - 3 women he rarely gets in there.

Even that isn't that big of a deal with a little planning.

Decide what is more important for you - more days or more room? How much time will you be spending in that room anyway?

I can honestly say I LIKE being all together in one room for our vacation. The rest of the year we are all very busy and each going our own way. This brings us together and we reconnect - whether we like it or not!

Seriously - we like it.

 

[rmcildw2m]

Yes it is worth it to spend extra points for the 1 br ,the bathroom upgrade alone is worth it .

 

[tkillini99]

We had only done 1BR in the past, until 2010 when we had a trip to Disneyland planned, and we also wanted to sqeeze in a WDW trip as well. To make our points work, we stayed 6 nights in a studio at VWL in May, and 3 nights in a studio at VGC in July. 6 nights was pushing it a bit, but it really wasn't too bad. I don't think I would have done it when my kids were really tiny, but by daughters were 7 and 3.5 at the time, and they can sleep through a little noise, so it wasn't a big deal. I still prefer a 1BR and do that if I can, but if it means adding an extra trip in, I wouldn't hesitate to do a studio again (probably not for more than 4 or 5 nights tops, though). For our next longer trip, I am planning to do the split stay, studio first then move to a 1BR.