Which DVC has the best Studios?

[cathyz]

Of course, in your opinion...

We're thinking about a summer trip and to save $ we may try a studio (Mom, me & DS8 & DS11). I'm a 1BR snob having just returned from a 1BR at BWV with DH & the boys.

Also, do all resorts have the option of 2 Queen Beds rather than 1 bed + a sofa? I think the 2 bed option would work better for us.

We really have no problem staying at any of the DVC resorts; each one has great benefits. Just curious if any of the studio rooms are better?

Thanks!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by cathyz
Also, do all resorts have the option of 2 Queen Beds rather than 1 bed + a sofa? I think the 2 bed option would work better for us.

That's the major difference in a nutshell. AtWDW, ONLY OKW studios have 2 queen beds in the studios. All the other studios are the bed/sleeper sofa combo. This is very nice for couples traveling but some folks appreciate the real bed at night. OKW studios are also ever so slightly larger. Other than the bedding, it's just your regular resort preferences that are the deciding factor.

Some BWV studios are called "studio plus" and have a bench/daybed. Unfortunately, they can't be guaranteed when you reserve. I think your son would be too big for it anyway. Here's a nice picture of it that a fellow DVC'er Melody (CRSNDSNY) posted.

BWV Daybed

 

[pentex]

I am cracking up! Is that the daybed????

I requested a daybed on our most recent trip and at check-in was told that the request was granted.

When we got to the room, I thought they had forgot to deliver it. I called Housekeeping and the woman came to the door and told me that there were no daybeds in the villas, only in the inn side.

I thought about complaining but we made due and were so happy with the view of the room, just let it go.

At one point, my 7 year old lay on that bench thing and said, "Hey Mom, maybe this is the daybed!!" She was joking around (as always, the little clown) and made us all laugh. Wait until I tell her it is TRUE!

My gosh! Once again, Pam, you've enlightened me!!!!!!!

 

[lizziepooh]

One other thing that is different in the studios is the bathroom setup. At Old Key West, the tub, sink and toilet are all together. At the Beach club, the sink is separate, so it gives a little more flexibility with four people trying to get ready in the morning.

 

[sgtdisney]

Pam, thanks for the picture of the daybed. I had heard about them, but never realized that they were that petite.

 

[JimC]

I would say OKW for studios. They are a bit larger (390 square feet vs about 360 +/- for the other WDW studios) and use less points.

I believe the largest studios are HH (450 +/- ???) with VB in between OKW and the other WDW DVC resorts.

I am also partial to the layout, setting and atmosphere of OKW.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

LOL! I guess that's why they call it a DAY bed. No body could actually sleep on that thing!

MG

 

[crazywig]

actually i'm now thinking with a bed rail that little daybed would be perfect for ds who will be 2 on our trip....hmmm...that way we wouldn't have to unfold/fold the pullout!

 

[MiaSRN62]

We vacation with kids & prefer the layout & size of OKW . We like the extra bed and find them more comfortable than the sofa beds, though this may be changing with the addition of the new Memory mattresses I heard they're installing ? The kids weren't thrilled with the comfort level of either the OKW or BWV sofa beds during our past 2 recent visits. We also prefer the larger bathroom of OKW---it's terrific. But I could see how the other studio layouts might be more appealing once the kids are grown & it's just my husband and I.

 

[pentex]

Crazywig, if the bedrail fits in there safely, it might be a good idea for you. The only problem I'd see is the width of the daybed. If your child is a "toss & turner", there wouldn't be much room for it.

 

[riggins]

Crazywig- We just got back from a BWV stay with our 2 year old and she slept in the daybed. We pushed it up against the bottom of the queen bed so she couldn't roll out. So she was kind of sleeping cross-ways below our feet. It worked wonderfully!! It was a little tight to walk around it in front of the dresser, but it was just fine. We thought we'd slide it back each morning, but never bothered. Like you said, it was great not to have to open the couch every night.

Enjoy your trip!
Leslie

 

[Lexxiefern]

I have stayed in 4 DVC studios (OKW, VWL, BWV & BCV). Here is my order of preference:

1) BWV
2) BCV
3) VWL
4) OKW

I did not care for the OKW studio at all. I don't see where that extra footage is - sorry. It felt very small to us, I think it was the layout of the shape of the room. I also prefer the sink to be outside the actual bathroom.

The BWV studio felt the largest to us (and yes we had a daybed). Of course this is just our perception and my personal opinion

 

[msdis]

Based on my experience it's the one you get when you call at 2 weeks out.

 

[PamOKW]

I think most of us don't realize that's the daybed. I know I didn't. I thought it was a luggage rack. I was so happy when Melody posted such a great picture of it so that others here could see what the "daybed" was before they counted on having a 6 foot 13 year old sleep on it!

 

[cathyz]

I thought I had read somewhere that you could request 2 beds at BWV too. But from what you say, Pam, I guess this isn't the case?!? I just don't see us being comfortable for 5 nights with 1 bed and 1 pullout couch. Thanks you guys!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by cathyz
I thought I had read somewhere that you could request 2 beds at BWV too. But from what you say, Pam, I guess this isn't the case?!? I just don't see us being comfortable for 5 nights with 1 bed and 1 pullout couch. Thanks you guys!

Nope, sorry as stated the only studios with 2 beds are at Old Key West.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by cathyz
I thought I had read somewhere that you could request 2 beds at BWV too.

I don't pretend to be an expert so I'm not 100% sure -- I haven't heard of a studio with 2 beds there. At BCV, they made a mistake with the furniture in the 2 bedrooms. All lock-offs (i.e., studios) have the bed/sofa combo. The 2 bedrooms that are "dedicated" have an option of either 2 beds (as it was sold) or 1 bed and 1 double sofa in the 2nd bedroom.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
... But I could see how the other studio layouts might be more appealing once the kids are grown & it's just my husband and I.

Our family of five (dd's 5,5 and 2 at the time) did an OKW studio and I just about went nuts. It was not relaxing at all. We thought the kids were still little enough but with all their stuff everywhere I could not get any peace. We have only stayed in 2 BR's since! The extra room, the washer dryer, the ability to get away a little bit makes a huge difference to us. When we retire, we may well feel differently and want to stretch the points as much as possible...like CaskBill!

 

[BWVDee]

I think calling the OKW studio, a studio is really a stretch. They are much more like a regular hotel room with a kitchenette in the hallway leading to the bathroom. A studio typically has a BR/LR combo area with a small kitchenette and bath. Precisely how the studio is set up at BWV, BCV, WLV.
Personally any studio would be too small for my vacation tastes with 2 adults and 2 children. My advice to the OP would be to go with a room at either the Poly or Contemporary. They are bigger rooms than the studio and have 2 queens and a twin size daybed so that both kids could get their own bed. They are also located in a much more superior location for easy park access and varied dining options than what they will get with a OKW studio.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although for a 1 BR and up, I love OKW, if I'm in a studio, I'd rather stay anywhere except OKW. Why? The lack of a couch. Having to sit on the bed or in one of the hard chairs to watch TV reminds me too much of a regular hotel room. I love being able to sit on the couch, put my feet up on the coffee table (soon, I hear they'll even get coffee tables in BWV studios), coffee cup in hand, watching "zip-a-dee-doo-dah tip for the day", even in Spanish!