Studios for family of 4

[stacy~**]

We are currently deciding on a resale purchase and I have a question about room types. We just returned last night after a rental stay at SSR. This was our second SSR stay this year. Our first stay in March was just DH and I and the studio room was perfect. This trip we had both girls (ages 19 and 10) and I have to say it was pretty tight. Not unmanageable but tighter than we are used to (since we usually stay deluxe). During this trip we were also able to see a 1BR at AKV and I was blown away by the space. BUT we really don't have the funds to purchase enough points for a 1BR at this time. I am not really interested in regularly using the bank/borrow option to save points for the 1BR since we would like yearly trips. (PLUS the kitchen option space would be lost on me since I don't plan to cook on vacation...so that is a wasted amenity.)

Is it unreasonable to think we will be happy in studio rooms? Do families of 4 stay in them often? (an added element for us is since our oldest is 19 her traveling days with us might be less in the coming years....). We don't stay in the room to do much more than sleep/get ready.

I know OKW has 2 beds in the studio rooms, are there any other resorts than have a larger studio (particularly 2 sinks)?

Thoughts?

 

[disneynutz]

I can't tell you if you will be happy. I don't know if the kids will want to vacation with you every year.

If the numbers show a cost savings for you, then I suggest that you buy a contract at your favorite resort. If you hate studios, later you can buy another contract for a 1 bedroom stay or you can sell your original contract and walk away.

I will warn you that your vacation habits as a member will change and that the 1 bedroom space is nice even for 2 people.

Bill

 

[Splashboat]

Nobody can really answer for you but if you start with enough points for a studio you can always add on later. We started with 100 pt. contract because we wanted to pay cash for each contract.
Personally we don't want to be in a studio anymore but we spend a fair amount of time at the resort.

 

[Sandisw]

I think if your goal is yearly, and you found it was doable, then I think starting where you are comfortable--enough points for the studio--and adding on later is a good way to go.

We just stayed at VGF and having the 2nd shower was nice...it was just DD18 and myself but I could see how that, along with the little pull down bed, could be of benefit to a family of 4 staying in a studio--of course, I loved the resort so much that I added on some points!!!

Another option is to consider if you could afford a few extra points to do a few nights--at the end--in a 1 bedroom with a split stay.

Or, buy a few extra so that with banking and borrowing, you do a 1 bedroom every 3rd year with the studios on the off years.

Good luck!

 

[stacy~**]

I should have known better than to ask if we would be happy!

More than anything I was just wondering if others squeeze into studios or if I was crazy to be considering it.

Leaning towards just following through with our original thought of between 150-200 points. If we find studios too cramped then we can either add on points in a few years or do a shorter 1 BR stay with an add on cash stay (particularly when our oldest DD comes with us).

Decisions, decisions......

 

[kristenrice]

We are also a family of 4 (two daughters currently ages 8 and 11) and we have 100 points at AKV. I love the 1BRs but, yes, the points cost is a lot compared to a studio. The solution I've found that works for us is to start our stay in a studio for 2 nights and then move to a 1BR for the last 3. We don't typically get to the room until 7 or so on arrival day and then we spend day 2 in the parks. By day three, we are ready to use the facilities offered on the 1BR. Staying in the same resort makes switching rooms super easy. Just check in to the new room and drop your bags at bell services before heading to the park for the day. Then when you come back, grab your bags and head up to your new room. It's a great way to stretch the points and we only have to "suffer" in a studio for 2 nights.

 

[chalee94]

I should have known better than to ask if we would be happy!

More than anything I was just wondering if others squeeze into studios or if I was crazy to be considering it.

i'm sure people do it. i expect that a lot of DVC renters consider them a hotel room alternative.

but you'd need to maintain that commando mentality - once you relax and realize that you'll be coming back all the time and don't need to spend all your time on the move, you'll appreciate the extra room in the larger villas.

also, timeshare studios tend to be geared primarily to couples, so they aren't aiming to be a good fit for 4 adults. you can make it work but it's not ideal.

 

[stacy~**]

We are also a family of 4 (two daughters currently ages 8 and 11) and we have 100 points at AKV. I love the 1BRs but, yes, the points cost is a lot compared to a studio. The solution I've found that works for us is to start our stay in a studio for 2 nights and then move to a 1BR for the last 3. We don't typically get to the room until 7 or so on arrival day and then we spend day 2 in the parks. By day three, we are ready to use the facilities offered on the 1BR. Staying in the same resort makes switching rooms super easy. Just check in to the new room and drop your bags at bell services before heading to the park for the day. Then when you come back, grab your bags and head up to your new room. It's a great way to stretch the points and we only have to "suffer" in a studio for 2 nights.

This could be a nice compromise. I will definitely use this as an example when running some numbers. Thanks!

 

[paults]

We are currently deciding on a resale purchase and I have a question about room types. We just returned last night after a rental stay at SSR. This was our second SSR stay this year. Our first stay in March was just DH and I and the studio room was perfect. This trip we had both girls (ages 19 and 10) and I have to say it was pretty tight. Not unmanageable but tighter than we are used to (since we usually stay deluxe). During this trip we were also able to see a 1BR at AKV and I was blown away by the space. BUT we really don't have the funds to purchase enough points for a 1BR at this time. I am not really interested in regularly using the bank/borrow option to save points for the 1BR since we would like yearly trips. (PLUS the kitchen option space would be lost on me since I don't plan to cook on vacation...so that is a wasted amenity.)

Is it unreasonable to think we will be happy in studio rooms? Do families of 4 stay in them often? (an added element for us is since our oldest is 19 her traveling days with us might be less in the coming years....). We don't stay in the room to do much more than sleep/get ready.

I know OKW has 2 beds in the studio rooms, are there any other resorts than have a larger studio (particularly 2 sinks)?

Thoughts?

read the red above. You say tighter than usual because you usually stay deluxe. Are the deluxe resort rooms that much bigger than SSR studio? Are you comparing the same type rooms?

 

[stacy~**]

read the red above. You say tighter than usual because you usually stay deluxe. Are the deluxe resort rooms that much bigger than SSR studio? Are you comparing the same type rooms?

I don't claim to be an expert on all Disney deluxe resorts (or DVC resorts) but my comparison is based on a Beach Club hotel room stay in May vs. a Saratoga Springs studio stay last week and I would say there is a big space difference (although actual square footage I am unsure of and might not be much different?).

Example:

SSR studio had 1 bed with pull out sleeper:



BC hotel had 2 beds and daybed:



And then I believe the inside bathrooms are the same but the outside are much different:

SSR studio had 1 sink and no underneath storage:



Beach Club hotel room with double sinks and underneath storage:



I realize that BC and SSR studio rooms aren't apples to apples but just trying to visualize how DVC ownership will change our accommodation habits and if buying enough points to stay in 1BR rooms is what I will want to do (and that would be an upgrade from a hotel stay).

edited to add: I enjoy both resorts and this post is not intended to make SSR look bad or to complain about a studio. Just as a family I think we are probably better in a hotel room or a 1BR DVC room vs. a studio but with the increased requirement of points I am unsure of long term savings for 1BR stays.

 

[zgirls]

We are a family of 4 with 2 DDs ages 10 & 11. We have stayed in studios multiple times and also many times in 1 bdrm. For us it is really about length of stay, if we are going for a weekend (4days or less) we do not mind a studio. Anything more that 4 days we have to stay in a 1 bdrm and even then we feel like we are on top of each other.

 

[DebbieB]

I checked on allears and they show an SSR studio as 355 square feet. They don't have a measurement for Beach Club but Yacht Club is 380. CBR is 340.

 

[hakepb]

FWIW,
Here is a link to DVC unit sizes (sq FT)
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/grand-floridian/news/2291-dvc-villa-square-footage-by-resort

Here is a link that shows all resorts sqft (but the DVC numbers are off, so I can't guarantee reliability:http://blog.touringplans.com/2012/0...world-number-crunching-part-3-square-footage/


The 381 sqft BC deluxe room is larger than the 355 sqft studio, but a little smaller than the 390 sqft OKW studio.

DVC studios may also feel a bit smaller due to the kitchenettes using space, but I think the DVC arrangement is more versatile with the sofa allowing more comfortable seating. (I realize that is personal preference)

 

[crisi]

Deluxe resorts (via All Ears)

Deluxe Resorts:

Wilderness Lodge - 340
Animal Kingdom Lodge - 344
Beach Club - 380
Yacht Club - 380
Boardwalk Inn - 380
Grand Floridian - 400
Polynesian - 409
Contemporary - 422

DVC Studios (same source)

Animal Kingdom Villas Jambo House Studio - 316-365
Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village Studio - 366
Beach Club Villas Studio - 356
Boardwalk Villas Studio - 359
Grand Floridian Villas Studio - 374
Old Key West Resort Deluxe Studio - 376
Saratoga Springs Studio - 355
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio - 356

Smallest Deluxe room is at the WL at 340 - AKL and WL were built as "moderate" Deluxes - they were built with a smaller room footprint than the other Deluxes - biggest Deluxe room 422 at the Contemporary.

Smallest studio - 316 for an VAKL value room (no BLT in this data), but rooms tend to be around 355 to 375 - with the biggest studios at GVF and OKW - and most rooms being around 355 - that is small if you've been staying in a 400 sq ft Poly room.

 

[stacy~**]

Deluxe resorts (via All Ears)

Deluxe Resorts:

Wilderness Lodge - 340
Animal Kingdom Lodge - 344
Beach Club - 380
Yacht Club - 380
Boardwalk Inn - 380
Grand Floridian - 400
Polynesian - 409
Contemporary - 422

DVC Studios (same source)

Animal Kingdom Villas Jambo House Studio - 316-365
Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village Studio - 366
Beach Club Villas Studio - 356
Boardwalk Villas Studio - 359
Grand Floridian Villas Studio - 374
Old Key West Resort Deluxe Studio - 376
Saratoga Springs Studio - 355
Wilderness Lodge Villas Studio - 356

Smallest Deluxe room is at the WL at 340 - AKL and WL were built as "moderate" Deluxes - they were built with a smaller room footprint than the other Deluxes - biggest Deluxe room 422 at the Contemporary.

Smallest studio - 316 for an VAKL value room (no BLT in this data), but rooms tend to be around 355 to 375 - with the biggest studios at GVF and OKW - and most rooms being around 355 - that is small if you've been staying in a 400 sq ft Poly room.

Thank you for this! I even looked on AllEars but must not have looked in the right places. Overall I guess it is safe to assume they are "similar" in size...a deluxe hotel room vs. DVC studio but it is the configuration that is different (two queen beds/double bathroom sinks vs. one queen bed w/sleep pull out/single bathroom sink but kitchenette area) except at OKW. Unfortunately for us I think the deluxe hotel room fits our needs better. I am thinking I either need to crunch the numbers to get enough points for a 1BR or walk away from the idea of DVC and continue as a hotel guest....at least for now.

 

[Minniesgal]

We are currently deciding on a resale purchase and I have a question about room types. We just returned last night after a rental stay at SSR. This was our second SSR stay this year. Our first stay in March was just DH and I and the studio room was perfect. This trip we had both girls (ages 19 and 10) and I have to say it was pretty tight. Not unmanageable but tighter than we are used to (since we usually stay deluxe). During this trip we were also able to see a 1BR at AKV and I was blown away by the space. BUT we really don't have the funds to purchase enough points for a 1BR at this time. I am not really interested in regularly using the bank/borrow option to save points for the 1BR since we would like yearly trips. (PLUS the kitchen option space would be lost on me since I don't plan to cook on vacation...so that is a wasted amenity.) Is it unreasonable to think we will be happy in studio rooms? Do families of 4 stay in them often? (an added element for us is since our oldest is 19 her traveling days with us might be less in the coming years....). We don't stay in the room to do much more than sleep/get ready. I know OKW has 2 beds in the studio rooms, are there any other resorts than have a larger studio (particularly 2 sinks)? Thoughts?

What about considering two studios. You could buy enough points for 1 now and borrow. Then add on enough for the second studio next year or after. I wouldn't do a studio for a family of 4 in fact we prefer to do a 2 bedroom for 4 but will occasionally so a 1 bedroom.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

What about considering two studios. You could buy enough points for 1 now and borrow. Then add on enough for the second studio next year or after. I wouldn't do a studio for a family of 4 in fact we prefer to do a 2 bedroom for 4 but will occasionally so a 1 bedroom.

We are a family of 4 as well. We also prefer the 2 BRs but now that our kids are 18 and 16 we are going the route of 2 studios starting next year. That way if they can't go with us we can cancel the other studio. Plus we have additional privacy with the two separate rooms. We also don't care about having the kitchen space. Two studios are much more economical than a 1 BR. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Mflaherty]

Definitely doable! Most families in the world stay in a hotel room(which is the same size as a studio). I know a regular hotel room feels larger but it's the same size most of the time as a studio with some exception(ex bay lake tower studio is small and the contemporary hotel rooms are big) but at boardwalk and beach club the hotel room and studio are the same size. Old key west is a great option for your family. I say do it and enjoy. Buy what you can now and and you can always add on. I find I need the one bedroom because my kids are little and go to bed early.. Gives me somewhere to hang out when they go to sleep. Otherwise how much are you in the room. Like I said most families of four stay in a hotel room. Do it and enjoy your vacations! It's Disney you will always be happy

 

[Chuck S]

Since OKW has less expensive (point wise) rooms, I wonder if the OP may have enough points for a one bedroom unit at OKW? If not, then the studios at OKW with 2 real beds are a good option, IMO.

 

[boxer]

We bought into the VGF last year, with FULL intentions on just using the Studio's for our family (myself, wife, son 13, and son 7). We have traveled to Disney many, many times--so we do spend a lot of time at the resort. With this being said, we do NOT hang out in the room---as we are swimming, looking around the hotel, walking around, using the fitness gym, etc.

I do not understand the thought process of wanting to hang out in the room on vacation? I just can't see the need to use all those extra points for a 1bed for what amounts to maybe a 'little' more room when we all go to sleep each night?!? In reality, that is the only time the extra room is needed---as if you are at Disney and hanging out in the room all day, then you are wasting a lot of money, lol.