Where are your favorite DVC studios?

[Mickey'sApprentice]

If you are buying a small contract, I would go with BWV over OKW because standard view studios at BWV are harder to reserve at 7 months than OKW.

However, in years to come...you might not want to put half grown kids on a sleeper sofa.

PS, when the kids are much older...2 studios take fewer points than a 2 bedroom.

 

[ajjollie23]

wow you guys are really worrying me now. We have a trip booked in Oct and are staying at BLT in a studio. It is myself, DH, DS 6 and DS 3. Are we going to be way too cramped?? My kids will share the pull out they did it in AKV Kidani studio last year and it was fine. My DH is 6'7" so most hotel beds are a challenge and he tends to have to sleep with his knees bent or on an angle. As much as we want to stay in a 1 BR we tend to choose a studio so that we can stay longer. So, we choose quantity of days and nights in using our points rather than comfort of the room.
But, all this talk about BLT only being suitable for 2 people is really getting me nervous about this being a mistake

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

wow you guys are really worrying me now. We have a trip booked in Oct and are staying at BLT in a studio. It is myself, DH, DS 6 and DS 3. Are we going to be way too cramped?? My kids will share the pull out they did it in AKV Kidani studio last year and it was fine. My DH is 6'7" so most hotel beds are a challenge and he tends to have to sleep with his knees bent or on an angle. As much as we want to stay in a 1 BR we tend to choose a studio so that we can stay longer. So, we choose quantity of days and nights in using our points rather than comfort of the room.
But, all this talk about BLT only being suitable for 2 people is really getting me nervous about this being a mistake

In case you haven't noticed - DVC can spoil people. A BLT studio may work just fine for you. Either way you'll know if you want to do it again and I'm sure you'll have a great stay.

 

[spiceycat]

wow you guys are really worrying me now. We have a trip booked in Oct and are staying at BLT in a studio. It is myself, DH, DS 6 and DS 3. Are we going to be way too cramped?? My kids will share the pull out they did it in AKV Kidani studio last year and it was fine. My DH is 6'7" so most hotel beds are a challenge and he tends to have to sleep with his knees bent or on an angle. As much as we want to stay in a 1 BR we tend to choose a studio so that we can stay longer. So, we choose quantity of days and nights in using our points rather than comfort of the room.
But, all this talk about BLT only being suitable for 2 people is really getting me nervous about this being a mistake

the bedroom (living area) is definitely smaller - if you stayed in a value AKV studio - then you will be okay at BLT.

the night stand is cut in two - and placed on either side - so when the sofa bed is used - the space between it and the bed is tiny.

the big problem is the bathroom sink and kitchen sink are in the same area.

so if someone is trying to brush their teeth while some one else is fixing breakfast - you have a problem.

also the sinks are almost directly behind each other - not quite - but definitely too close.

that area in between is small - one large person - maybe 2 little ones - is all that will fit.

the bathroom door has no lock.

any I happen to Love BLT studios.

the good things - lots of cabinet space. you have lots of room (with the pantry closet) to store all your food/cans/bread/junk.

the bathroom sink counter space is BIG.

because it is so small - it definitely has more drawer space. plus it has some counter space. there is a counter in the bed area - but it is way to high to be usefully. Of course your husband would not have a problem reaching it. but most of us do.

now I love it. but as say single person who travels solo. my brother and his wife are going in Sept - will see how it likes it. (he only stayed in 2-bedroom OKW before)

 

[sanbornangel]

We have done AKV, Beach Club, Board Walk, SSR, and OKW studios. Pool at Beach Club would be great for the kids and its walking distance to 2 theme parks. The savanah made AKV awesome. They are all a bit tight for 4 people but definately doable. OKW is the biggest but the oldest and probably the least fun for the kids. Heck they are all great...its DISNEY!!!!!!!!!

 

[VWL2001]

As you said your children are young, I wouldn't rule out BLT. We have a 13 yo son, and the 3 of us were not cramped at BLT. The large balconies make it seem more spacious. And the storage space is definitely better than any other studio, and we've stayed at most of them.

Probably my least favorite is BCV, because of the complete lack of storage space.

OKW has many disadvantages that the others forgot to mention... no elevators in most buildings, no ice machines except at bus stops (this is a real deal breaker for those of us in a studio with no icemaker). I also dislike having the bathroom facilities all in one room. The humidity in OKW rooms is also higher, probably due to exterior corridors.

My recommendation would be BLT or VWL if you plan to spend a lot of time at MK. You can walk there from BLT, and VWL has a direct bus to MK that is not shared with any other property. (in addition to the boats)

If you plan to go to Epcot a lot, then BWV is a great choice. Walk to Epcot (or DHS) from BW. Interior set up same as VWL, with slightly less storage in kitchen and bath areas.

Hope this helps!

 

[jbdisneymom13]

I completely understand your situation as my family (2 adults 2 kids) also only could afford to start with a fairly small resale contract. So we are in the same situation with having to make the most of our points and staying in studios only. We bought at OKW and really like the studio rooms there. We have stayed in a BLT studio without the kids. However, my DH and I agreed we wouldn't have a problem trying it for a couple days with the kids. We spend a lot of time in the parks anyway and the location at BLT is fabulous. We don't mind doing split stays either. This summer we'll do a few days each in a studio at AKL and VWL. So far we haven't had a problem booking at 7 months at places other than OKW. But we're glad to have OKW as our home! The next step will be an add on when we can afford it -not because we mind the studio stays but because we found we love DVC and it is as addicting as folks here frequently mention.

 

[DenLo]

I want to thank everyone that has recommended that the OP not stay in a studio at BLT. And please keep it up for other families. Because that means there'll be more availability for the rest of us that don't find the rooms to be too small.

Seriously, if a family with two small young children want to stay at BLT but don't want to spend more points than necessary, a studio would work for them. Value resorts are 260 square feet and BLT's studio is 329. I believe the bedroom area is not as small as the bedroom area at a value and perhaps similar in size to a moderate Disney resort. (I know others will disagree with me though.) You only get one queen bed and a pull out couch that becomes a double bed. But little kids will do fine in a double bed for many years. Also if needed, bed rails that you can get from the resort easily fit on the pull out couch. The couch easily folds up so that during the day you can have more space in the room. There is a lot storage space especially in the room that combines the vanity and kitchenette. The Cove pool has a small slide in addition to the large one that is perfect for young children. There is a great water/splash play area. And BLT is a 10 minute walk from MK, which is the park most families with young children prefer. And if you want to travel by monorail to Epcot or the Poly or GF it's a short walk across the skybridge to the monorail station at CR.

I think many DVC members have gotten so used to larger rooms at the DVC resorts (especially 1BR's) that they forget that when their kids are little location is important. A resort nearby the MK is important so you can return to the resort for quick nap, lunch or a break at the pool at mid day. Then after everyone is rested you can return to the parks that evening for the parade or if staying at BLT, see wishes from your MK view villa or TOTW's viewing balcony or even one of the elevator lobbies.

 

[es45]

To the PP, we felt the space in a BLT studio was fine (except the bathroom sink/kitchen area). Our reasons for not choosing BLT was that it just isn't what we like. The location is fabulous and I would not hesitate to recommend it, but it felt too much like a high-rise apartment and for us, that isn't what a DVC resort should feel like. But oh, that view at the top!

Thanks for all the little details about storage, cabinet space, sink location, extra bed at OKW, etc. Those are the details we need to know in order to narrow down our choices. Of course, with everyone's feedback, we now have too many on the list again. What a great problem to have.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

One primary reason is that SSR studios have a rack w/hooks for jackets/coats at the front door...I had no idea how much I liked that til I didn't have one (none of the other resorts have it)...it's particularly useful when it's rainy and you have a damp poncho or jacket to hang...not good to put a damp garment in the closet; bathroom hanging space is limited (ours tends to fill up w/wet bathing suits!); and there's no good place in the studio itself to hang anything......[/QUO

Most DVC studios have hooks but not all do. At BCV, some of the first floor rooms do not... 131 is one of them. I miss the hooks when we get a room that has none.