Would you stay in a two-bedroom or two studios?

[emma'smom]

We're taking my parents with us next March and can't decide whether to go for two studios or one two-bedroom. Two studios is about 50 pts cheaper on average. We're hoping for BWV, but that "average" holds true for other resorts too (give or take a few points). My parents are both in their mid-60's and my mother has some mobility issues. She'll use an ECV while she is there (and we think they will be renting a car).

The pros- in a two-bedroom they'll get to spend more time with dd2 and dd4 and we did buy into DVC precisely so we could do things like this (and we all know that aging parents won't be around forever). The cons- When we go as a just our immediate family, we don't spend a lot of time at our resort. If this holds true with my parents on this trip, I would hate to use the extra 50 points as that could be a whole other quick trip at another time for my immediate family (or a chance to treat them to a night at a really great hotel using those points for the Concierege Collection exchange at some other point in the year. My dad really wants to go to the Grand Hotel on Macinac Island).

However, my parents are very practical. There are times when we have all happily stayed together in one hotel room (not at Disney where it isn't allowed) and they really aren't very fancy people- they would be happy with a studio and just think it is fun that the "kids" are finally springing for the vacation (with the dining plan of course).

What would you do?

 

[Caskbill]

I would get a 2-B/R at OKW for several reasons:

1. OKW 2-B/R villas are the largest of all the DVC resorts.

2. Parking outside your villa. You said they'd have a car.

3. Washer/Dryer and full kitchen (full size, not apartment size like the other DVC resorts)

Very little difference in points. March is Magic Season, a Studio at VWL, BCV, BWV runs 14 points weekdays, so two Studios will run you 28 points. A 2-B/R at OKW is only 30 points. BWV standard view Studios would run you 22 points, and SSR studios would run you 26 points.

If you're staying 5-nights (just guessing), the difference between two studios at BCV and a 2-B/R at OKW is only 10 points for the whole trip.

If you're staying on a weekend night the difference is more pronounced.

That's what I would do. Of course you do whatever YOU want to do. For her limited mobility there are some advantages to BWV or BCV and access to the parks. At OKW you would probably want to guarantee a ground floor unit for medical reasons.

 

[carol1231]

Whenever we bring mom and dad, we always get a 2 bdrm and request a lock-off. With the lock-off, they have their own studio. This means they are able to come and go freely thru their own entrance with out worry that they will wake the kids sleeping on the pull out in the 1 bdrm portion. They have their own coffee maker, this is important to them early in the morning as they wake up earlier than we do. And at night time, we just shut the door between us and I am able to get the kids to bed quietly without the worry of disturbing them.

So my recommendation is, get a 2 bdrm. Have a great trip

 

[emma'smom]

Yes, we are planning on five nights (Sunday thru Thursday). I take it that OKW does not have elevators in the buildings. How's the pool at OKW? I would imagine my dad and daughter will enjoy swimming together. It is sort of their "thing" to do on vacations.

I sort of honed in on BWV because of the location. My dad is most interested in MGM and Epcot, so it seemed like the perfect location. They probably wouldn't walk (although my Dad might as mobility isn't as much of an issue for him), but my family could walk to these two parks meaning we would only have to rent the one car for them. I also thought the valet parking at BMV might be a good thing for my mom.

This is helpful. Please keep your thoughts coming!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, we are planning on five nights (Sunday thru Thursday). I take it that OKW does not have elevators in the buildings. How's the pool at OKW? I would imagine my dad and daughter will enjoy swimming together. It is sort of their "thing" to do on vacations.

I sort of honed in on BWV because of the location. My dad is most interested in MGM and Epcot, so it seemed like the perfect location. They probably wouldn't walk (although my Dad might as mobility isn't as much of an issue for him), but my family could walk to these two parks meaning we would only have to rent the one car for them. I also thought the valet parking at BMV might be a good thing for my mom.

This is helpful. Please keep your thoughts coming!

OKW has 3 buildings with elevators and 49 buildings with first floor units, so you can request either a 1st floor unit or elevator building for medical reasons. If you are thinking MGM and Epcot because your Dad likes those two parks, think of this. We are about the age of your parents, and we don't like BWV for exactly that reason. We can get to MGM much faster by bus from OKW than you can by walking or boat from BWV. The extra space in the OKW units is well worth it with the group you will have. Valet parking is not so easy, in my mind. I would much prefer parking right outside my door and not having to get dropped off at the front of the resort and then make way all the way through it to my room.

I would get a 2 bedroom at OKW. You and the kids could use the 2 beds in the second bedroom, and Mom and Dad could have the master with the big easy to get in shower. You will have a much larger common area to use too.

OKW has 4 pools. The main one is easily accessible to all areas by taking ANY bus, since all buses stop at the HH where the main pool is just before leaving the resort.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Another factor that I didn't see anyone mention is if you get two studios, there's no guarantee you'll be near each other.

 

[emma'smom]

Well, yes on the possibility of two studios not being close to each other... that is a big factor which has me leaning toward a two-bedroom.

We haven't really ever driven to the parks, what is handicapped parking like at the parks? Is it close enough that my mom could then ride her ECV to park entrances?

One thing I thought about BWV would be that my mom could just ride her ECV (renting it from a private company so she'll have it the whole time- not just in the parks) right onto the boats and even into Epcot (I think MGM might be too far for this) more easily than riding the buses. While all of the buses are equipped for wheel chairs/ECVs, I think my Mom would be uncomfortable having the whole bus line wait while they help her load (more than a few times).

However, I see what you are saying about parking at OKW. She might be able to just leave the ECV in the trunk at the resort if she could just park right near the room and only worry about it at the parks, etc.

Hmm..this is all very helpful!

 

[eeyore45]

I think it depends on how much time you're planning on spending where -

One post that struck me is your dad wanting to do Epcot and MGM - and the pool - that would suggest that BWV would be worth it(would your kids use the Keister Koaster?) - with your mom using the ecv, you would be less likely to use a car for transportation, using Disney - There seems to me a few posts on the DisAbility thread on the boats at Disney... I dont remember...

I do think a 2 bedroom lock off would be a wonderful time - either resort!!!

 

[Tinkbellfan]

I would have to agree with the 2 bedroom at BWV. The chances are slim that two studios would be near each other. The BWV's are very large and spread out and even if they were on the same floor, you could be far apart.

The easy access to Epcot & MGM are a bonus and the ECV's usually have no issues accessing the boats (it depends on water level). If the points are a deterant and you choose OKW, please let your mom know that she shouldn't worry about "holding up" the bus if she chooses to use Disney Transport. The drivers are very quick to load the ECV's and Wheelchairs. Plus, most people understand that this is part of the deal when using Disney buses.

If they do rent a car, make sure they bring a portable disabled parking permit. If they don't have one you can get one from the DMV with her Dr's signature. Enjoy your trip!

 

[scootert]

I would go for a 2 BR unit at BWV. It is so nice to walk or ride a boat to MGM or Epcot -- for us it's part of the magic -- the parks are right there in your neighborhood. Since your mother will have an ECV it would be easy for her to get around no matter where your room is. A 2 BR would give you lots of room and privacy for all. Hope you have a great trip...

 

[SylviaL]

Another reason for the 2BR is that maybe your parents could watch the girls one night and you could go out. When DH and I share a 2BR with family, after we put DS3 and DS4 to bed, we head to Downtown Disney (or one of the parks for the extra magic hours). I love having the living room area to hang out in after the boys are in bed. Happy Planning!

 

[Simba's Mom]

And remember that a 2 BR has three TVs, not "just" two. Even with 4 of us, we had all three TVs going some evenings. One TV only got "WDW propoganda" (as DH calls it), another only got the BET-Jazz channel, and one got a variety of sports (rumor has it that the channels would change, but I didn't dare try it!).

 

[shellybaxter]

The first thing that came to my mind was the extra room needed for the ECV. Thats why I think a two bedroom would be best. I've rented a ECV in Las Vegas that had to come back to our room with us at night. I was very glad that we had a suite instead of a regular hotel room. ECVs are bigger than you think. In a regular hotel room (kind of like a studio) I wouldn't know where to put it so it would be out of the way.

 

[eeyore45]

And remember that a 2 BR has three TVs, not "just" two. Even with 4 of us, we had all three TVs going some evenings. One TV only got "WDW propoganda" (as DH calls it), another only got the BET-Jazz channel, and one got a variety of sports (rumor has it that the channels would change, but I didn't dare try it!).

Oh now THAT's the kind of information I need to know!!

 

[byoung]

2 bedrm get's my vote, be together. Have a great vacation.

 

[Slakk]

Another factor that I didn't see anyone mention is if you get two studios, there's no guarantee you'll be near each other.

YES!!! Last year we did BWV and my ONLY request was rooms close together. DP were in 2066 and we were in 2006.

We always go in January with the parents and this time we are spending the money for a 2BR. This way we can eat breakfast together and get going much faster (my dad is a procrastinator)

 

[emma'smom]

I think I'm convinced to go for the two bedroom at BWV! Thanks!

 

[patsal]

When we travel with my parents I get the two bedroom. At OKW it is like a house and we love it! Everyone is very comfortable and it is well worth not saving the points. IF I were going with my sister I would chose the 2 studios because we tour differently and not much time is spent in the room.