The Couch Question

[PamOKW]

Inspired by KNWVIKING's thread, let's take a level of interest poll among DIS/DVC'ers on the OKW studio question. I'm going to include non-OKW owners' opinions as well.

Per Rich's comment below -- Also keep in mind that this change will result in a change to the bedroom in the lock-off two-bedroom units.

 

[Beth]

I have mixed emotions on this one...

It's only my DH and me - so really the combination would be better for us - but, like others have said, many purchased with that configuration in place, and it may be a problem for them if it were changed.

And the idea of just changing "some" of the studios wouldn't really work, either - as we all know ... "requests can be accepted, but never guaranteed..."

 

[vernon]

I don't think it's workable to expect each resort to offer a full range of different layouts, but I do think , maybe, it could be done within the DVC as a whole.
If thought goes into each resort, I think different resorts lend themselves to different ideas.

OKW I'd leave as two queens, the room's extra size don't put space at a premium. IMHO this is basically a family resort and as such the sleeping arangements should reflect this.

BW+BCV I would offer a mix of 2 queens and 1 queen and a sofabed. Being "in the middle of the action" I think these resorts are more likely to attract more couples without kids, the proximity of Epcot and BW's restaurants and clubs being the factor here. But I feel WDW is above all a family destination and ONLY having 1 bed and the sofabed is not ideal for most families.

VWL a mix of 2 queens and 1 queen and single bunkbeds. Again VWL is IMHO more a family resort, offering the bunk beds is an option that is in keeping with the resorts theme, and it gives a useful option to families who have kids that DO NO WANT TO SHARE A BED with each other or those with just one child that would prefer a little more floor space.

I do think a little more could be done than is at present with the layouts. If given a 50% chance of getting something I do want is better than 100% certainty of not getting what I want, I'll take the 50%.

 

[Granny]

vernon....very thoughtful response! I am of the same opinion that each resort should have its own layout and not as much variety within each resort. Variety just means that much more opportunity to not get what is requested, as Beth summed up nicely.

The bunk beds would have been a really neat option for VWL. I know when we stayed at WL, my DD's really loved the bunk beds. However, I can't see having all the studios with a queen and bunk beds. And if you start offering a mix you end up with the problems cited in the first paragraph.

I like having a pretty good idea of what I'm getting into. Since views, room locations, etc are pretty iffy, I'd hate to add room layouts to my uncertainty.

I voted keep OKW studios the way they are. I've looked at the layouts and they seem pretty neat.

 

[PamOKW]

Bumping for more opinions.

 

[Richyams]

Isn't the question wrong?

There are no studios at OKW.

There are second bedrooms that can be locked off and used as studios. The question is really, "Do you want the possibility of having a bed and a sofa in the second bedroom of your two bedroom unit?"

I think this would be a resounding 'no'.

 

[Sims]

There are no dedicated studios in any of the resorts - are there?
I thought every studio in every resort could be a part of a two bedroom or could be locked off as a studio.
In our case, we just bought into BCV partly because we like the studio set up there. When DH and I are at the World, we can stay in a BCV studio. When we are there with family, we can stay at our OKW resort.

 

[DVC-Don]

Keep the present layout at OKW. We are looking for a resale at OKW due to the larger rooms and the second bedroom setup.

 

[PamOKW]

Sims -- You are correct. All the other DVC's already have this set-up in the second bedroom (except for the dedicated two bedrooms.) Rich is also right. This is a consideration when making the change to sofa/bed at OKW.

 

[DebbieB]

There are no dedicated studios in any of the resorts - are there?

Boardwalk has dedicated studios (also known as "studio plus" with a small daybed where the connecting door would be) and also dedicated 1 bedrooms. We had a dedicated 1 bedroom there the past 2 years.

 

[DebbieB]

There are no dedicated studios in any of the resorts - are there?

Boardwalk has dedicated studios (also known as "studio plus" with a small daybed where the connecting door would be) and also dedicated 1 bedrooms. We had a dedicated 1 bedroom there the past 2 years. Unlike the other resorts, Boardwalk has no dedicated 2 bedrooms.

 

[SueM in MN]

I thought that OKW was the only DVC that DID have some dedicated studios? (I don't know about the DVCs outside of WDW)

Anyway, I was curious about where it says that OKW had to have 2 queen size beds. I wondered if it was in writing, so I skimmed thru the Public Offering (I admit to being a little compulsive). On page 208, exhibit 7 of the Public Offering, on page 2 of the Purchase Agreement, it says:
"The Condominium units will have furniture, appliances, equipment and accent furnishings substantially similar to or of equal quality to those shown in the model and on the plans and specifications. Since the models and materials are for display purposes only, the DVD reserves the right to make substitutions of equal or better quality."
The models and floor plans used for selling OKW showed 2 queen beds, so to substitute a hide-a-bed would not be substituting something "substantially similar", especially if it was only full size.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Well, since I'm being blamed for this post I might as well chime in.

First, I'm confused, is Rich saying there are no dedicated studios ? I can't picture a lock-off door in the last studio we stayed in- maybe it was there and I forgot about it.

Second, I would never be in favor of changing all the studios to a bed/sofa combo, but I believe there are enough members like my DW and I who only need one bed and would rather watch the DVC channel on a couch.

Members on this board love to brag about the flexibility of our DVC members, this would just be an additional flex. And what's the worst that could happen ? It doesn't work out & they switch back to original configuration.

If Rich is right and there are no dedicated studios,then I'll be the first to admit that the bed/sofa combo won't work. It doesn't mean I don't prefer a room with a sofa but I'll acknowledge a rational reason against it. I never excepted the posts about our almighty contract & timeshare law preventing a handfull of rooms from having a sofa and never will. WE own OKW. We can make changes.

And lastly to those who's argument revolves around "you got what you bought so leave it alone": I hope you NEVER say anything negative about OKW.

PS: I also put my money where my mouth is: I bought sofas at VWL and BCV :-}

 

[SueM in MN]

I never excepted the posts about our almighty contract & timeshare law preventing a handfull of rooms from having a sofa and never will. WE own OKW. We can make changes.

I think the contract DOES say they can't substitute a sofa. I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know the exact way this all works, but I Do think the contract would prevent Disney from just changing to sofas in, say 10% of rooms. I don't really have an opinion one way or another on the sofa question, so I didn't search the contract hoping to find justification for saying there can never be sofas. I can see merits in having some for people who want that configuration in the room. I'm not saying it never could change, but I think it would have to be voted on and passed by a majority of members. If the majority of members don't agree, it couldn't happen.

 

[KNWVIKING]

"and accent furnishings substantially similar to or of equal quality to those shown in the model"

SueM, the key word in that phrase is QUALITY. If DVC equiped the model with high QUALITY products, they can't fill the rooms with bargain basement junk.

" the DVD reserves the right to make substitutions of equal or better quality."

Again,QUALITY. Replacing a high quality queen bed with a high quality sofa bed shouldn't be a problem.

"I'm not saying it never could change, but I think it would have to be voted on and passed by a majority of members. If the majority of members don't agree, it couldn't happen."

Absolutely agree. We the members can make changes. Our contract is our protection for quality,prevents DVD from not maintaining the product we purchased.

I know there is a better way to use quotes,just never learned how.

 

[KarenB]

I'll let you know after we stay there next Saturday!!!

 

[PamOKW]

If Rich is right and there are no dedicated studios

There is a possibility that there might be a very, very few dedicated studios but 99% (or more) are lock-offs. I may have had one studio that didn't have the door, but I'm not 100% positive.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Although I would like to see a bed/sofa combo offered,I will say this:

MS will not guarantee room requests. If I requested a combo room but got a double queen room- no big deal to me.
But if someone requested & needed a double queen but got a combo room I could understand their irratation.If DVD were to offer combos,I would rather be too few combos for guest like myself then not enough double queen rooms.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I like it just the way it is!

 

[KNWVIKING]

CarolAnnK,

Try not to be sooo long winded with your posts