What would you recommend?

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Hi! Trying to decide how we should use our points most efficiently for the first few years of membership.

About us- family of four. Kids are 8 and 5. Have been to WDW three times and have stayed in value, moderate, and a 2bedroom villa (loved). We were happy in all room accommodations (spend most of time in parks or at pool) and kids don't mind sharing a bed but obviously would enjoy their own.

Originally we were thinking we should use our new points for three 7 day trips in one year span and split the stays between studios and one bedrooms. (Points used- banked 2013,2014,2015,borrow some 2016 then skip year of visit)

Then I realized if we just stick to studios only for those three trips we would have enough points left over to use for a week in summer at HHI.

So now I'm torn. Do we just go with the original plan and enjoy some time in a one bedroom or do we just go with studios since the kids are young and be able to use points at hilton head for week?

 

[DizBub]

Hi! Trying to decide how we should use our points most efficiently for the first few years of membership.

About us- family of four. Kids are 8 and 5. Have been to WDW three times and have stayed in value, moderate, and a 2bedroom villa (loved). We were happy in all room accommodations (spend most of time in parks or at pool) and kids don't mind sharing a bed but obviously would enjoy their own.

Originally we were thinking we should use our new points for three 7 day trips in one year span and split the stays between studios and one bedrooms. (Points used- banked 2013,2014,2015,borrow some 2016 then skip year of visit)

Then I realized if we just stick to studios only for those three trips we would have enough points left over to use for a week in summer at HHI.

So now I'm torn. Do we just go with the original plan and enjoy some time in a one bedroom or do we just go with studios since the kids are young and be able to use points at hilton head for week?

This is the dilemma we have. We bought DVC to stay in 1 and 2 bedrooms and end up in studios the majority of the time so we can go more often and/or stay longer.

Your plan sounds like you have given it lots of though but my advice to you is to pace yourself and spread it out a bit....

Oh, and forget that part about skipping a year You'll be hooked.

Have fun with your new points!

 

[treehugnmama]

We like our 1 bedroom however we will stay In a studio to save points. When we go to vero beach we must have a one bedroom. I would stay in a studio at wdw to save points to go to vero in a one bed for sure! In your case hh. I just find you spend more time in your room when off site like vb I've never been to hh

We bought to stay in studios but one stay Ina one bedroom Ruined that and we had to add on a small resale contract

 

[bobbiwoz]

Without owning at HHI your plans to stay at HHI during the summer, especially if you are not planning to get a 2 bedroom, is the weak link in your plans. You could be luckier at VB with an inn room. I am not saying you can't get a studio at HHI during the summer at 7 months, but it is difficult.

Bobbi

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Without owning at HHI your plans to stay at HHI during the summer, especially if you are not planning to get a 2 bedroom, is the weak link in your plans. You could be luckier at VB with an inn room. I am not saying you can't get a studio at HHI during the summer at 7 months, but it is difficult. Bobbi

Helpful! Thank you all! Much to think about!??

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I would go for the all studios, more trips option. Like you said, your kids are young now, and DVC is new, so it is all so wonderful and you are not too spoiled yet. Enjoy the studio trips and trying the different resorts. When the kids are older and bigger and you have to go to a bigger unit, you will. Many have posted once they went to a 1 bedroom, there was no going back. And as another poster stated, forget about skipping a year.
Buy your DVC discounted annual passes, and enjoy every minute with your young family.
The kids grow too fast.

 

[mom2rb]

I booked us in a studio once, after our first two DVC trips were in a one bedroom. On the second day DH told me to buy more points, we have never stayed in a studio since then.

 

[Andrew015]

I am one of the bigger advocates of staying in studios to make your points go further. Sure, having bigger accommodations is nice, but for many, the studios are more than adequate. Naturally, this all depends on group size and your agenda (i.e. do you like to relax around the resort, or do you find yourself exploring the parks and only using the room for sleeping / showering?). Based on what you are telling us - not spending much time in the room and with a group of four, two of which are young children - there is nothing wrong with a studio.

For the most part, a studio is a studio regardless of the resort, but there are a few minor differences that are worth noting. For instance, the studios at OKW are larger than those found at any other DVC resort. Studios at VWL and VGF have "murphy beds", which allow for total occupancy of 5 people. While probably not comfortable for full-size adults, it's nice to know you have the option, and these resorts would give your children the option of sleeping in separate beds.

I may be biased, as my childhood Disney vacations all revolved around the family cramming into one standard hotel room. Not only did we survive, but I recall every trip being a fantastic memory. While your kids are young, I would take full advantage of the studio lifestyle. Maybe when they're older, it will make sense to budget for larger accommodations.

 

[Gadget10a]

Over the years we have booked every single size of unit. In general, we have tended to book studios, especially when the kids were young. The gauge we've come to apply is "how much time do we want to spend in the resort?" The more time in the parks, the smaller the room. Having said that, back when we only had our original 230 points (we've added on a few times since) we banked/borrowed a couple of times to book a Grand Villa at OKW during Xmas week with extended family. Those trips still stand out!
So, in short, I agree that a Studio will probably be best early on. It will allow you more nights and you'll find you will tend to take more breaks and let it be a vacation and not a marathon each day in the parks.

 

[thepops]

I'd go for the studios and more trips. Look for those that have the Murphy bed or the chair that folds out and your 2 kids will each have their own spot.

 

[Disneychix]

What do you use the room for? Would you ever consider cooking anything? Your kids would probably end up sharing the bed reguardless of if you are in a studio or 1 bdrm (unless sleeper chair) so that's probably a moot point.

I suggest you ask your family as well, if I asked my DH he would very much vote to get the bigger room and take one less week. If I asked the kids they wouldn't mind the smaller space at all.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Great points- I forgot that even in a one bedroom they'd probably both share the pull out.

As for now- we don't plan on using the kitchen for anything more than coffee, bagels, cereal, cold drinks- even when we had the full kitchen in the two bedroom the last two trips we didn't cook a full breakfast and dinner. I think as the kids get older and WDW becomes more of a second home we would take advantage of this.

Really thinking about how we want to use the points the first couple of years helps make the time pass quickly (waiting on final close)

Oh and I COMPLETELY want to go every year- but its more cost effective for us to buy APs and use points to squeeze in as many trips as possible in that time frame then take a bit of time off and repeat.