Two studios vs 2-bedroom villa: pros and cons ?

[peacefrogdog]

Planning a trip for 5 people - me & my wife, with our three adult kids (age 22, 20 and 20). Debating between getting two studios vs a 2-Bedroom (it looks like both should be equally available for early may 2024). Trying to get a sense of the pros and cons of each, and looking for feedback

2 studios - pros:
less points

2 studios - cons:
may not be close together (not a big deal, can request to be somewhat close)
? will there be difficulties linking reservations for ticketed events?

2-bedroom - pros:
in-villa washer/dryer
full kitchen & dining area

2-bedroom - cons:
more points

Anything else to consider?

 

[jo-jo]

Do you plan to spend any time in resort? Of course, 2 bedroom gives more space to meet as a group.

The bigger fridge and washer/dryer is really big to me, unless this is a very short trip.

 

[Skywalker3]

We prefer the 2 bedroom. We make great use of the full sized fridge, washer and dryer, and communal space to gather. There should be 2 bathrooms also , and if BLT or AKL Kidani, would be 3. Lock off resorts would have 2 entrances.
But 2 studios could afford more privacy. Separate entrances. If y’all would prefer more time apart. And less points.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Less likely to spend time in the resort, and if so, may do so in other parts of the resort.

The laundry is the one factor I'm debating. The stay would be only 5 nights, but nice to be able to have the option of doing a load of t-shirts, underwear etc. Whether the higher points of a 2-bedroom is worth the maybe 1 or 2 loads we might do - it's debatable. I see older posts mentioning the LaundryView website to be able to see availability of machines at each site. However when trying it, it seems to show an unknown status for every machine, regardless of resort. I wonder whether that site is even working.

 

[miksicnarf]

A 2 BR also has 2 bathrooms, so that’s a wash leaving only 1 “pro” for the studios.

 

[Disdreaming479]

If you book a 2 bdrm at a refurbished resort like SSR, that living room bed comes in clutch. All kids get their own bed.

 

[peacefrogdog]

I should have mentioned the resorts we are looking at are:

BLT (lake view)
polynesian (studios only)
Riviera (suspect preferred will be only ones available)

 

[smrice95]

I read you would not be in the room much, but if that changes it is nice being all together in the kitchen/living room of a 2 bedroom. There is typically a lot of space and very cozy without sitting on a bed.

 

[Magic•Happens]

2 beds at BLT. Has the third bathroom and has enough beds for everyone.

 

[Genie+]

Trip length

Park touring style

Resort preferences and their availability

^ Those would play into my choice

 

[DeeBee3]

As you are all adults, I would recommend Poly or Riviera from your list. Poly gives you access to Epcot and MK (if monorail being nice ha ha). Riviera gives you Skyliner to Epcot and HS plus easy access to Boardwalk area hotels and restaurants.

BLT really needs an update and refurb. I know it has the extra bathrooms, but I'd rather have a nice room with the murphy beds and nicer pools, etc.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

One consideration that may be a pro for the two studios - how likely is it that someone (or multiple someones) backs out of the trip? It’s easy to drop one of the two studios if you no longer need it. It may not be as easy to find a studio in a short time frame if you no longer want/need a 2BR.

 

[tjkraz]

Personally I would eliminate any option that involves sharing a studio with my kids for a week. If your plan is to put all 3 kids in the separate room, then it's still an option. But my wife and I sharing a room with a 20-year old is a non-starter. I mean, we've certainly shared plain Jane hotel rooms over they years when it's "just a place to sleep." But that's not how I view my Disney stays. It's more of a destination, with my own comfort and relaxation playing a big role in resort decisions.

Few people operate under an unlimited budget--either points or cash. You'll have to decide where to draw the line. If trying to economize, personally I'd choose a 2BR at Old Key West or Saratoga over two studios at Bay Lake Tower. (And I've made this choice many times. The location of my Disney hotel room is less important than the facilities which will surround me for 12+ hours per day throughout the trip.)

 

[drusba]

Having w/d and kitchen and much larger room renders the 2BR preferable; biggest other difference is points needed as 2BRs are more than two studios. As to resorts you mention, adding to above comments:

BLT: the studios are actually smaller than studios in most other resorts and sticking three persons in one is not ideal, including because the studios do not have the pull-out-from-a-cabinet extra Murphy bed. The 2BRs have three bathrooms and also have, in the living room, the pull-out from a chair almost twin size Murphy bed, and almost wall-to-wall-floor-to-ceiling windows providing very good views. If you want to stay cheaper than a 2BR and do not mind two of the kids in the same bed like a studio, you could actually consider the 1BR at BLT, which has that pull-out chair and the same type of windows in the living rooms as the 2BR, and has two bathrooms. Just note for BLT that it will be undergoing refurb next year.

Poly: excellent resort but only studios (unless you have the extremely high points for a bungalow, which I assume you are not considering). The studios are large and have the extra Murphy bed so each kid will have a separate bed. Also, you can request connecting rooms, a request that has a high probability of being granted because every studio at Poly, except two, connects to another studio.

Riviera: nice large rooms, and the studio (and second bedroom in a 2BR) has the extra pull-out Murphy like Poly. Provides easy access to Studios and Epcot via the Skyliner (which is a scenic ride).

 

[PalmettoPath]

For most of the reasons you outlined and most other comments, I would also got 2Br in this scenario. Once we had to book two studios because a 2Br was not available, but then it came through on the waitlist so we were lucky in the end.

 

[paults]

I am also on the side of a 2 bedroom. More room to get together.

 

[Sandisw]

2 bedroom would be my goal.

 

[cedricandsophie]

2 bedroom for sure. Laundry and big kitchen are just two things. With three kids, one can sleep on the couch in liv8ng room and two can sleep in the second bedrooom which should have two queen size beds. So no one has to share a bed Which would never work with my family. Plus when couch is put back you have a large area for eating breakfast, hanging out, etc. And there are three tvs so every room gets a remote. If one of the kids is a late nighter and another an early riser, having separate sleeping arrangements makes that easier.

 

[starry_solo]

2 bedroom (dedicated) pros:
- 3-4 real sleeping surfaces (2 queen beds, 1 king bed, 1 sleeper sofa or Murphy pull-down bed)
- kitchen
- a place to sit that is not a bed
- washer/dryer
- possibility of 3 bathrooms (BLT and AKV)

 

[Tigger's ally]

If you book a 2 bdrm at a refurbished resort like SSR, that living room bed comes in clutch. All kids get their own bed.

This helps immensely if the three kids are not all boys or all girls.