Will we survive 4 in a AKV value studio?

[WDWorld2003]

We finally booked our plane reservations and are leaving a day earlier for our January trip than originally planned. I am trying to get a studio on points for the night of January 2nd and possibly January 3rd but nothing is available.

I was able to get a value studio at AKV for 2 nights on cash (for some reason I can only book 2 nights - not 1 which I don't understand). I would then drop my 2 bedroom Boardwalk for Saturday night but keep it for the remaining 5 nights. (Can I just drop the Saturday night of my BWV reservation?)

We have a March use year so anything I do with points needs to be done in the next 10 days if I want to do any banking. Any thoughts on if I will be able to get a studio on points for January 2nd at BWV or BC? I'd rather use points than pay cash.

Hope the above makes sense and any advice would be appreciated..... Would love to try AKV but just not sure about 4 of us in a value studio (2 college kids and 2 adults)

 

[backyardponder]

How do you survive non-Disney vacations when you are in a 2 bed Holiday Inn type room?

The advantage of having teens, they'll probably only be in the room to sleep anyway.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The bedding is the same as other studios, a queen and a double pull out. I would not do it. When I was with my DCuz and DSis, I booked a value 1 bedroom for the three of us. I've had 3 adults in a studio but only for 1 night.

Yes, I have dropped a night from a reservation.

Best wishes as you decide.

Bobbi

 

[BelleOfAlaska]

I am glad you asked that as I was curious also.

 

[jel0511]

Personally we couldn't do it. I think a 1 br is too small for 4. Since my kids are boy/girl we need three beds or 2 queens to make it work and mom or dad won't do pull outs!!!!! Now it's up to you and your family if it's dooable.

 

[WDWorld2003]

We have two girls so they could survive sleeping together a night or two. My main concern is the studio is smaller and a few square feet could make a big difference. Has anyone stayed in one of the value studios?

 

[DeeCee735]

We've done a studio at the BWV when our kids were 11 and it was fine. We were there for 3 nights, I don't think I'd do more than that. However, since they are older now, I'll only do a studio if it's just me and DH or me and a friend. If the kids are with us, we get a one bedroom or larger. Actually, this will be the second time in a 2 bedroom going down with the kids and a friend (they are all 19), so I think if we went back to a one bedroom, we'd really miss the extra bathroom (BWV only has one bathroom in the one bedrooms)!

Also, I thought if you were going to drop a night from a reservation, you had to cancel the whole thing and re-book?? Am I incorrect on that?

 

[disneygal55]

This June four of us (DH, 2 teenage DS's and I) stayed in an AKV studio for seven nights. I don't know what the difference is in regards to square feet but we were in the savannah view. The only thing that I didn't care for was the storage situation for hanging clothes...there is NO CLOSET...just a wardrobe chest. We were fine...cozy. We have stayed in 1 BR and 2 BR and do LOVE the bigger areas and appreciate the washer/dryer but do stay in studios to save points...especially on weekends.

 

[nhdisnut]

A studio can be done.

What we do is bring twin sheets and use the cushion from the pull-out couch on the floor. The kids (16 and 13) rotate each night.

It's not perfect, but it does work for my family!

 

[Let'sGoAgain!]

Well, the good news is is that it's a bonus day at WDW and it's at the beginning of the vacation; the bad news is that if you're even questioning it, you have a good chance of not being comfortable.

Since you're paying cash, have to move anyhow, and really only need one night, why not book two rooms somewhere else -- either on property or off -- for that first night, then keep your original reservation for the rest of your trip? You are sure to come out ahead financially and won't have to worry about being too close for comfort.

Try AKV another trip.

 

[eva]

Well, the good news is is that it's a bonus day at WDW and it's at the beginning of the vacation; the bad news is that if you're even questioning it, you have a good chance of not being comfortable.

Since you're paying cash, have to move anyhow, and really only need one night, why not book two rooms somewhere else -- either on property or off -- for that first night, then keep your original reservation for the rest of your trip? You are sure to come out ahead financially and won't have to worry about being too close for comfort.

Try AKV another trip.

I agree. Look at some place like Vistana. The one on International Drive is great. We stayed in a 2-bedroom there a couple years ago for about $125 a night. We used to do that a lot in the past to avoid weekend points. The reason we bought DVC 11 years ago was to avoid our two DD's sharing a bed. The fighting at night drove us insane. And sharing a bathroom with two teenagers was awful. When we saw the 2-bedrooms at OKW, we bought right away. I've always said, "Why do I want to go on vacation to stay in accomodations that are worse than what I have at home?" I know a lot of people will disagree with me. But that's my opinion.

 

[spiceycat]

can understand - since you are flying -wanting to stay on Disney property (DME)

that say - Pop century is on disney property - for less than you are paying you can have 2 rooms at pop or any of the values.

would go with that one first - especially for 4 people.

although AKV is lovely!!!

now I like the value studio - but they are definitely smaller than the standard view. since DVC used the same furniture- there is not alot of room for people.

3 could do it, 2 definitely, but 4 might be pushing it.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

My friend just stayed in a value, by herself....personally, it is a great room, she had a great location, pool view...

My thoughts were a value studio is suited for a couple...or a couple with one small child....2 small kids pushing it...IF both kids were under 5....my opinion of course

 

[Coach81]

We stayed at AKV value studio.. we had my DW, and two Sons- 11 & 6 yr old. We had no problems at all. Enjoyed the savanna view very much! Wife and I had the bed, and the boys took the pull out.. no complaints. We had a great trip.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

We stayed at AKV value studio.. we had my DW, and two Sons- 11 & 6 yr old. We had no problems at all. Enjoyed the savanna view very much! Wife and I had the bed, and the boys took the pull out.. no complaints. We had a great trip.

Good luck with your decision.

That's great to hear!!

 

[lenshanem]

We're a family of four and stay in the studios every trip. The only time we spend the points for a two bedroom is if our parents go with us. We have survived each trip.

 

[starbox]

I'm going to be the lone voice of doubt.

We are a family of four (kids 10 and 12) and we always stay in studios. We've stayed at AKV in a savanna view studio twice. We've got no problem staying in a studio - love the studios.

BUT - I stayed in the value studio at AKV last April with just the kids and as soon as I got back I changed my AKV value reservation for the whole family in June to OKW. It was very tight and I knew I'd be frustrated with a second adult in the room. It's extremely cluttered when the sofa is unfolded, and there's no storage space. We had luggage under the sink, under the bed, sofa cushions on top of the wardrobe - it was just very, very, very cramped.

I'm doing a value studio again with just the kids - but I'll never do it with 4.

 

[katmittens]

We usually stay at Pop Century for the weekend before our stay at OKW. This January there are 5 adults, so we got two rooms for Jan 1,2, and 3, and on the 4th. we check into a 2 bedroom at OKW. We usually do one or two day before, but we recently added Jan 1. It seems we always add a day or two anymore I did get the rooms for 62.00 a nite before tax, so I'm happy with that amount. We usually do the parks alot on those days and then relax at OKW. Have fun whatever you decide

 

[WDWorld2003]

Thanks everyone.... even though I'd love to stay at AKV we may change our mind on the value studio after Starbox's report. We have stayed in a studio for a night or two but I believe it was larger than the value one at AKV and it was tight. A value resort may be a better idea. Katmittens - how did you get Pop for $62.00? We've been quoted $109.00 for the night of January 2nd.

 

[laughinplace199]

We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 2 kids, & 1 baby). Last April, we stayed in a value studio at AKV for 1 night. It was fine for 1 night, but we were tripping over each other. Of course, we had a Pack N Play for the baby, so that took up what little extra space there was. We won't do a value studio again unless we absolutely have to. Of course, I would do a value studio if it was our only option. A crowded night in WDW is better than an uncrowded night at home.