Who started in Studio-->added on for 1 Bedroom?

[Forever a Princess]

Hello!

We bought in at the low end (for points) for each DVC resort that we own at!!

Now that we have trips under our belt for both resorts we are thinking about adding on points.

We have stayed in studios and now we are thinking about really plunging into DVC for the one bedroom.

It is DH and I. No kids (hopefully someday).

I would like to add on points for the 1 bedroom for the following reason
Washer and dryer in room.
2 separate living spaces for sleeping and eating.
Whirlpool tub
DVD player. We relax in the eveing by watching DVD's.

Who started with enough points for studio stays and then added on later so that you could stay in a 1 bedroom unit? Was it "worth" the add on.

 

[Dizz42]

In my humble opinion, yes! We started with minimum and for six years it was fine. However, we now have 2 grandchildren and we added on so we can get 2-bedroom accommodations. Times that we don't take the kids and grandkids, DH and I usually get a 1-bedroom. As you say, we love the spaciousness, washer/dryer and full kitchen. We find when it's just the 2 of us, we spend more time in the room. We love eating on the balcony, watching Disney movies and generally just reading and relaxing. So we are totally spoiled and love having the extra points!

 

[jbthi]

It's just my DH and myself so when we bought in 1999 we stayed in studios so we could go more often. (we have 250 points).

I have trouble sleeping and last year I decided never again. I wanted lights on and TV on, had close to a panic attack. This year we have 4 trips scheduled, all in 1 BR. We also usually trade in thru II for 2 weeks a year so that still gives us enough points for a 2 BR when we take GC.

June

 

[Pluto 2]

thats me first i just stayed in studio then added on to stay in a 1 bedroom and to do other things

 

[Olaf]

Confession time. I've never in a Studio. Talk about a 1-bedroom snob. It's the only way to go IMHO, unless you're only there for a few days.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When we made our initial purchase, we knew we wanted a 2 bedroom for at least a week, so that is how we determined how many points to buy. We started with 230, but it didn't take more than 1 trip for us to realize that we needed more, so we added on another 150 the next year. Now we seem to have just the right number of points for us. We still have to get creative sometimes by staying in a studio with just the two of us the first Saturday, and then switching to a 2 bedroom with guests and then to a 1 bedroom after guests leave. I am definitely a 1 bedroom or higher snob! Not too fond of those studios at all! I can handle it for a night though.

 

[JimMIA]

Confession time. I've never in a Studio. Talk about a 1-bedroom snob. It's the only way to go IMHO, unless you're only there for a few days.

You're not alone! We're actually trying a studio for a short trip in a couple of weeks, but we've never stayed in one. And yes, we bought with studios in mind and then added on for larger unit availability.

 

[geffric]

yes we started with a studio.. kids were babies then so it was okay for the fist year but.. we have been in a 1 bedroom even since. I need the washer and dryer and the full kitchen. Now my kids are teens so this summer I have booked a 2 bedroom. Maybe that will stop the fighting

 

[Granny]

Well, we sort of fit your thoughts on this.

We started with a 1BR and added points to allow us to stay in a 2BR. That's for the four of us!

More important than the kitchen and washer/dryer was the second bathroom with my DW and 2 DD's along!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Well, we sort of fit your thoughts on this.

We started with a 1BR and added points to allow us to stay in a 2BR. That's for the four of us!

More important than the kitchen and washer/dryer was the second bathroom with my DW and 2 DD's along!

I hear you there! DH would love the second sink in the one bedroom bathroom. Not like I hog the sink/vanity.

Seriously though, thank you for all of your replies. I'm just trying to "justify" the extra point spread for the 1 bedroom for just the two of us.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hello!


We have stayed in studios and now we are thinking about really plunging into DVC for the one bedroom.

It is DH and I. No kids (hopefully someday).

I would like to add on points for the 1 bedroom for the following reason
Washer and dryer in room.
2 separate living spaces for sleeping and eating.
Whirlpool tub
DVD player. We relax in the eveing by watching DVD's.

Who started with enough points for studio stays and then added on later so that you could stay in a 1 bedroom unit? Was it "worth" the add on.

And don't forget the fact that the 1 BRs have 2 TVs. One of them "only gets" sports stuff, while the other seems stuck on the "Disney propoganda channels", as DH calls them. When we first joined, we didn't even consider that 1 BRs would ever be in our plans. We're empty nesters, sure that we'd always use studios. Then one trip we decided to "splurge" (Why, Oh Why?) for a 1 BR and after that we've always gotten a 1 BR. So yes, we had to buy more points, and we're not sorry at all. When we walk into our 1 BR, it's like "Yes, this is vacation!"

 

[cobbler]

1 bdrm snob here too.

We only have 4 in our family but we bought enough points to go for a one bedroom because we wanted the kids away from us for a change.

Did a studio with just mom and me a couple of weeks ago and I don't know how I am going to go back to a standard room (upcoming Contemporary stay) with hubby and the kids.

Hubby and I also decided that when the kids don't want to travel with us, we are STILL going to go for that one bedroom

 

[Granny]

Seriously though, thank you for all of your replies. I'm just trying to "justify" the extra point spread for the 1 bedroom for just the two of us.

I think that's kind of like trying to "justify" DVC in the first place. At some point, you are making a luxury purchase and it's not so much about justification as it is about priorities and satisfaction.

Some people make a luxury car their priority. Some people make other luxury items their priority. We made DVC a priority to not only enable us to visit WDW regularly, but to do so in a vacation accommodation setting that is geared towards us having the best vacations and memories possible. For us, that meant villas larger than a studio.

Maybe someday when the kids are gone we'll get into a point-stretching mode with studios. But for now, it's a luxury we truly enjoy.

 

[jekjones1558]

We (just DH and I) started with 220 points and loved the studios. They were a step up from a moderate room at POR, our old WDW home. I resisted the 1 bedroom because I didn't want to use twice as many points. Then came the fateful day when we decided to splurge for just a couple of nights. We have now done 5 add-ons. A couple of years ago we stayed on the studio side of a 2 bedroom and let our guests have the 1 bedroom side. Boy did we miss the extra room! Now we book 2 - 1 bedrooms when we bring guests. It changes the whole vacation feel for us. If you can afford the points for a 1 bedroom, absolutely go for it!

 

[bcvillastwo]

In our hearts we are 1 bedroom snobs but we also have a practical side so sometimes we stay in a studio, sometimes a 1 bedroom, and still other times in a 2 bedroom depending on the circumstances. That’s one of the things that appealed to us when we bought into DVC.

Our trip in February 2007 illustrates the way we use DVC very well. The first 5 days we will be in a BCV studio, the next 5 in a WLV 1 bedroom, and the weekend at Fort Wilderness in our RV. After Fort Wilderness we go to an OKW 1 bedroom, then back to Fort Wilderness for another weekend, and then back to a BCV 1 bedroom. Then in May we will go back to a BCV 2 bedroom.

Love, love, love the flexibility

 

[RumpleMom]

Oh yes, we stayed in a studio WLV for the 4 of us during Easter week. We were thrilled with the kitchenette.

Next trip wasn't a holiday week, so let's use the points for a one bedroom at OKW. WOW amazing!

Next trip was January, you know those summer points are about the same for a 2 bedroom in January.

Ok, so a 2 bedroom for 4 people is super fantastic, no one is sleeping in the living room.

It certainly is a slippery slope!!! But what a great one to slip on.

 

[Groucho]

I had my waitlist come through last week for a studio for December 31st... we had the whole trip planned in a one-bedroom but I tried to get a studio for that night to save points (19 of 'em - valuable when you only have 150!) - so now we'll get a studio for a single night then into a one-bedroom for next eight nights.

This will at least give us a chance to see how a studio feels compared to a one-bedroom. Maybe we'll never stay in a studio again... we probably will since we'll need to save points, but the hope is to try to stay in a one-bedroom or larger every time.

 

[Tink10]

Count me in as another 1 Bedroom Snob......

I normally travel with my DD & sometimes my DH & we always book a 1 BR. We have stayed in studios, but the more we stayed in 1BR's, the more we loved the space, the washer & dryer & especially the jacuzzi tub.

So now, it's a 1 BR or nothing.......

 

[Scratch42]

Another one here!

I originally bought for Studios. Our first stay was a studio. Then it happened, had the points for stay in a one bedroom! Never Looked Back!

Did two add ons! to make sure!

j

 

[Forever a Princess]

I think that's kind of like trying to "justify" DVC in the first place. At some point, you are making a luxury purchase and it's not so much about justification as it is about priorities and satisfaction.

Some people make a luxury car their priority. Some people make other luxury items their priority. We made DVC a priority to not only enable us to visit WDW regularly, but to do so in a vacation accommodation setting that is geared towards us having the best vacations and memories possible. For us, that meant villas larger than a studio.

Maybe someday when the kids are gone we'll get into a point-stretching mode with studios. But for now, it's a luxury we truly enjoy.

You've hit the nail on the head here Granny. I've been trying to "justify" the dollars/extra points that the 1 bedroom compared to a studio.

I'm now switching to how much would we enjoy the 1 Bedroom
-much more space to come "home" to and "let down" after a day at the parks.
-Soaking in the whirlpool tub.
-Being able to do laundry in the villa and not having to drag so much stuff in our suitcases.
-Relaxing and watching DVD's at night.
-Making pancakes in the morning.
-Having room for both of us to stretch out on the couch (vs loveseat).

Ok, I'm going to go calculate how many points we need to add on for a one bedroom.

Thank you for all your replies. They really helped.

I think we're ready now to do our second add on. When the bug bites....