Which DVC Resort has the best 1-bedroom

[sethschroeder]

2br when we need to jam in a bunch of adult-sized folks.

Got me thinking of 2BRs for less than 1BR, I didn't see time of year so did a spring break/easter trip March 27-April 4 (7 nights) as a possible time with kids.

Cheap 2BRs
AKV Std 382
BWV Std 410
OKW 387
SSR Std 390

Expensive 1BRs
BLT Lake 375
BLT Theme 454
VGF Std 449
VGF Lake 535
RIV Std 412
RIV Pref 484

best 1-bedroom room type

I think this shows that you can't really compare 1BRs when some of these resorts have 2BRs for less points. On top of this 1BRs are the easiest to grab at 7 months so something like 1BR at AKV is available most of the time.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-bd-charts-september-2019-2-bd-added.3689931/

 

[Brian Noble]

However, for this thread, we wanted to get other members opinion on which resort has the best 1-bedroom room type.

We have a family of 4, likely 5 in the coming years and believe a 1-bedroom will get us by for the next few years. Then, as the kids get older, we can always add a deluxe studio at the same resort for our trips.

For starters, we really prefer a 2BR for our family of four.

That said, I've stayed in 1BR or 2BR units at BLT, BCV, BWV, BRV, pre-reonvation SSR, and OKW.

Of those, my favorite is OKW. Tons of space. The patio/balcony is big enough to really spend time there, and the ceiling fan out there makes it comfortable even when it's warm. The sleeper chair gives an added sleep surface, so it officially sleeps five. Caveat: about half the buildings do not have a door from the living room into the bathroom, which IMO is a deal-breaker if people are sleeping in the living room. The good news is that the units that do have the door are less popular and so easy to request. If you manage a canal view (buildings 45 and 46, maybe 55) it is *very* nice.

Second place is BLT. The second bath is a big help, so even though the unit isn't quite as big, and the balcony isn't quite as nice, it's very livable.

The others all come in as a distant third. These are the "2nd generation" DVC resorts, and all more or less have the same layout---and, IMO, the living rooms in all of these are too small and not well thought out. Maybe the refurbishment nudges SSR above the others? I'll be interested in finding out.

Edited to add: @sethschroeder makes a good point about 2BRs. As a family of four, we did a 1BR once. After that, we held out for 2BRs. Having a space where night owls/early birds can be without bothering anyone else is a big win for us. The OKW balcony works for this, too but without access to the kitchen.

 

[Lorana]

Oh yeah that reminds me, shout out to renovated rooms at Saratoga Springs for the real 2nd (murphy style) bed. When my kids are teenagers/young adults I expect we will stay at SSR with some frequency for that reason if they don't roll those out to other resorts in the interim.

I am holding out hope that the upcoming BRV rennovation will include the murphy bed in 1 BRs, especially as they allow capacity for 5 presently but unlike the Studios, don't have the extra bed in the living room for the 5th!

 

[Aussie RJ]

I am holding out hope that the upcoming BRV rennovation will include the murphy bed in 1 BRs, especially as they allow capacity for 5 presently but unlike the Studios, don't have the extra bed in the living room for the 5th!

BRV has so much value right now at anything less than $95 per point. Beautiful resort and the pending refurbishment will be a knockout. I thought read somewhere a confirmation that all refurbished rooms will have the Murphy pull down? I hope they add a 5th in the 1 Bed, that will change the landscape. Although, obviously this can't/won't happen with the config existing in the studio.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

VGC theme park view are the best one bedrooms bar none. Nice size, two full baths, robes, large kitchen , large balcony, and primo location.

 

[deedubb]

BLT. 2 bathrooms, short walk to MK, and quick monorail to EPCOT. Watch HEA every night in the park and walk home without having to battle the crowds, or watch from your room or Top of the World balcony.

 

[Aussie RJ]

VGC theme park view are the best one bedrooms bar none. Nice size, two full baths, robes, large kitchen , large balcony, and primo location.

I thought we were talking just WDW? If not hard to disagree, however I may then throw in AUL (Ocean View). I've always thought if they had AUL near a park it wins.. Game Over.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I thought we were talking just WDW? If not hard to disagree, however I may then throw in AUL (Ocean View). I've always thought if they had AUL near a park it wins.. Game Over.

Title said DVC resort which VGC is. Have not been to AUL, but I am sure it is a lovely property and ocean view would be a huge plus in its favor, but I would miss a park. It will be interesting to see what happens with that property long term.

 

[holden]

We bought BLT for the extra bathroom in the 1 and 2 bedroom units. Add to that the walk to/from MK....and BLT is the winner!

 

[Fantasia79]

We’ve all hit the point in our lives (or family) where a second bathroom outweighs almost anything.

I’ll throw a recommendation for Kidani Savannah view. Resort is amazing, views even better.

 

[Lorana]

I thought we were talking just WDW? If not hard to disagree, however I may then throw in AUL (Ocean View). I've always thought if they had AUL near a park it wins.. Game Over.

My only complaint with Aulani Ocean View is that not all OVs have a *direct* view of the ocean -- in almost any other hotel, they would be called "Partial Ocean Views." When we went to Aulani last year, I paid the extra points for the OV, and was very disappointed that my room didn't look out to the ocean. I had to go out onto the balcony and look to the left to actually see any ocean. When I went to the front desk to ask about getting a room that actually looked direct to the ocean, I was told essentially "sorry, but that's what an ocean view is here: if you can see the ocean at all, it's OV."

(Don't get me wrong -- I loved loved loved Aulani and will definitely go back. But it does make me question the worth of paying for an OV room.)

 

[Deb & Bill]

BRV has so much value right now at anything less than $95 per point. Beautiful resort and the pending refurbishment will be a knockout. I thought read somewhere a confirmation that all refurbished rooms will have the Murphy pull down? I hope they add a 5th in the 1 Bed, that will change the landscape. Although, obviously this can't/won't happen with the config existing in the studio.

I hope they don't put them in at OKW. I prefer two queen beds in the studio. In the living room for larger villas, there isn't a solid wall where they can install that huge "bookcase" murphy bed. The two unencumbered walls both have windows that would need to be blocked. I'd be really unhappy with this murphy bed at OKW.

 

[Aussie RJ]

I hope they don't put them in at OKW. I prefer two queen beds in the studio. In the living room for larger villas, there isn't a solid wall where they can install that huge "bookcase" murphy bed. The two unencumbered walls both have windows that would need to be blocked. I'd be really unhappy with this murphy bed at OKW.

I think you’re safe there. This round of full refurbs was just finished right?

 

[Aussie RJ]

My only complaint with Aulani Ocean View is that not all OVs have a *direct* view of the ocean -- in almost any other hotel, they would be called "Partial Ocean Views." When we went to Aulani last year, I paid the extra points for the OV, and was very disappointed that my room didn't look out to the ocean. I had to go out onto the balcony and look to the left to actually see any ocean. When I went to the front desk to ask about getting a room that actually looked direct to the ocean, I was told essentially "sorry, but that's what an ocean view is here: if you can see the ocean at all, it's OV."

(Don't get me wrong -- I loved loved loved Aulani and will definitely go back. But it does make me question the worth of paying for an OV room.)

To be fair I never book OV at Aulani.. way too many points. We book island garden and request a luau view.

 

[bobbiwoz]

A big negative at OKW for me is the lack of elevators. If they can’t/won’t guarantee first floor or elevator building without booking HA, it’s not for me! I have to book HA in HHI because of the stairs.

I like AK Kidani and BLT because of the second full bathroo!

 

[CarolynFH]

To be fair I never book OV at Aulani.. way too many points. We book island garden and request a luau view.

Where is the luau (or, what does your room face with a luau view)?

 

[Lorana]

Where is the luau (or, what does your room face with a luau view)?

I *did* overlook the Luau area, so that was pretty cool. And my room was an OV.

 

[Aussie RJ]

Where is the luau (or, what does your room face with a luau view)?

Anywhere opposite Aunty's Beach House mid level. Island Garden views are generally available at 7 months also.

 

[Aussie RJ]

Not one of us "one Bedroom lovers" have mentioned the kitchen

 

[CarolynFH]

Anywhere opposite Aunty's Beach House mid level. Island Garden views are generally available at 7 months also.

View attachment 512482

Thanks! I’m hoping to stay at Aulani one day and appreciate this idea for a room request!