Yikes! How does anyone stay in a studio long term?

[DougEMG]

I'm not a fan of letting 5 people in a studio, too much wear and tear on the room and can the resort facilities really handle the increased crowds. It would have made much more sense to leave the studios at 4 max and have the 1 bedrooms 5 max.

 

[Anal Annie]

Just got to Saratoga Springs last night. Resort is lovely. We are in the springs section and I love the location. But with a teen it feels so small for the 3 of us! With the sofa bed pulled out there is just no room or privacy. I can't imagine stuffing 5 in here! We are only here two nights and then it is off to the Grand Floridian in a one bedroom so it is all good. But hats off to any one who can stay a week with their family in a studio!

Well. Hate to break it to ya but SOME of us are rather "points challenged" and would rather have 2-3 trips a year than ONE week so we "make due" and we "survive". We are a family of 3 (DS is almost 19) and we get along just fine in studios. We had a 1 bedroom ONCE only because we had to make last minute changes a week out and that's all that was available. Sure, of course we enjoyed the 1-bedroom but our DS was still sleeping on a pullout sofabed. The only way around that is a 2-bedroom. We do not own enough points for THAT. While having the w/d in the unit was nice and the king size bed was a plus we don't have a king at home so not a huge loss for us and I'd prefer to NOT cook or do laundry on vacation so those ammenities aren't make or break. We bought DVC to use the kitchenette for breakfasts and mostly to not have our accommodations increase in price for the rest of our lives. We honestly only sleep & shower in the room. It's not that bad, REALLLLLY.

 

[ajasmom]

We are a family of 4 all adults and we don't have a problem in SSR Studios. Biter are out of the room all day and utilize the room for showers and sleeping ( we even use a twin air mattress

I would rather have longer trips in a studio than short trips in 1 br. Maybe we should add some more points lol

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Depends for us what our plans are. If we know it's going to be Disney Death March every day - chances are we won't actually BE in our room very much. It's a place to lie down and a shower as well as clothes storage - doesn't need much more as we will be out of the room from 7am until midnight every day. Who cares how small it is?

If however it's going to be one of those "relaxing" trips we want the space and a 1 BR is perfect for 2-3 adults (especially if one is a couple).

So it all depends. I will say this - we stayed at Caribbean with cash a few months ago and hadn't realized how spoiled we were by the spacious DVC rooms until we spend a night in that cramped room. That reminded us what our days at POP with 4 people were like. DVC rooms are much nicer!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Us Europeans are use to smaller spaces. Our houses have a much smaller footprint compated to yours with expections in your cities. We can cope with living in smaller quarters in fact your hotel rooms are generous compared to ours! There is only 2 of us but I am a wheelchair user and I habe never felt cramped. We use things like shoe organisers for bathroom items, we hold an owners locker , use packing cubes. It's kind of cosy! I like you can open the balcony door.

 

[kamik86]

Honestly the only reason I did a 1 bedroom was because the group going included my mom and I knew my mom and husband wouldn't feel great about sharing one room.

When its just DH and I a studio is plenty big enough. Then again we also like cruising in inside cabins

 

[mom2rb]

We bought DVC for the one and two bedrooms. The one time I switched us to a studio for the weekend to save points, DH decided to keep driving his old car a few years longer so that we could buy more. My boys are 17, now we only stay in one bedrooms if they have the second bathroom. Other than that, it is two bedrooms for us.

 

[ScubaCat]

We bought DVC for the one and two bedrooms. The one time I switched us to a studio for the weekend to save points, DH decided to keep driving his old car a few years longer so that we could buy more. My boys are 17, now we only stay in one bedrooms if they have the second bathroom. Other than that, it is two bedrooms for us.

Too bad you don't live closer or I'd teach him how to keep that car running even longer. We spent nearly 50K on our points, yet both of our vehicles are 14+ years old! It's all about priorities. We prefer our older vehicles with 1 and 2 BR villas!

(Footnote: If you have a Ford minivan, you can find me on various repair forums under the same name if you have any questions )

 

[Savagekids]

We bought DVC for the one and two bedrooms. The one time I switched us to a studio for the weekend to save points, DH decided to keep driving his old car a few years longer so that we could buy more. My boys are 17, now we only stay in one bedrooms if they have the second bathroom. Other than that, it is two bedrooms for us.

I booked us one night at BLT in a studio - me DH DD8 DS5 DS5mo. I hope my DH comes to the same conclusion as yours. ;-)

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Too bad you don't live closer or I'd teach him how to keep that car running even longer. We spent nearly 50K on our points, yet both of our vehicles are 14+ years old! It's all about priorities. We prefer our older vehicles with 1 and 2 BR villas!

(Footnote: If you have a Ford minivan, you can find me on various repair forums under the same name if you have any questions )

Hey ScubaCat,
I have a 2000 Venture van, and would appreciate your help with extending its life.

(don't mean to hijack, but couldn't pass up the offer.)

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Depends for us what our plans are. If we know it's going to be Disney Death March every day -

Never heard that expression before, but I knew immediately what your were talking about.
It is so appropriate at times.

 

[ScubaCat]

Hey ScubaCat,
I have a 2000 Venture van, and would appreciate your help with extending its life.

(don't mean to hijack, but couldn't pass up the offer.)

I can try, but that's a Chevy. PM me your question.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've only stayed at OKW once, in a studio, and strongly disliked the format. Firstly, the triangular layout is awkward; the 2nd bed took up too much floor space and having the kitchenette in the passthrough to the bathroom felt "dirty." Basically, we endured the stay, gritting our teeth the entire time and said, "Let's not repeat this!"

But most of the studio kitchenettes are opposite from the bathroom sink. At BLT, before they changed it, the bathroom sink was in the kitchenette. At least at OKW, the bathroom sink is in the bathroom, not opposite the kitchenette. We prefer the two queen beds (we each get one and sleep more comfortably).

 

[Deb & Bill]

My husband and I will be staying in an OKW Deluxe Studio this July. We are using a friends DVC points. We have already stayed in one bedroom villas at AKL, and at WL. It's only two of us, and we are there for 6 nights. It will be interesting to see how we will feel about it. We are supposed to be in Bldg. 62, with a water view, so it's close to the main pool. Since we are only in our rooms later in the evening and when we get up, we wanted to not use alot of her points this time and try to see if the smaller space works for us.

You really have no idea what building you will be in for a July stay. You won't know until you check in. The OKW studio is more roomy than the Polynesian studio because there is more living space. The bathroom is smaller, but bigger than most of the second generation studios.

 

[bwvBound]

But most of the studio kitchenettes are opposite from the bathroom sink.

Yes, in most layouts they've maintained sufficient distinction to be an entirely different space.

At BLT, before they changed it, the bathroom sink was in the kitchenette.

Right -- and I fought this from the first moment I toured the model (long before BLT opened). I was among those vocally against this design both in social media and to any/all ears who might hear at the preview center.

 

[mdinme]

Great thread, I especially like the Disney death march comment and know the feeling...anyhow, for us, I suspect it's like a lot of owners. First dvc trip the kids were 11/8 now they're 17/14. We haven't been as a family since Aug 2014 and the bcc studio was fine, but now I suspect a 1bd would be the way to go.

Maybe two studios too. Send the kids to a SSR and we can do bwv or bcc for Food n Wine (again).

Mwahahahaha!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Great thread, I especially like the Disney death march comment and know the feeling...anyhow, for us, I suspect it's like a lot of owners. First dvc trip the kids were 11/8 now they're 17/14. We haven't been as a family since Aug 2014 and the bcc studio was fine, but now I suspect a 1bd would be the way to go.

Maybe two studios too. Send the kids to a SSR and we can do bwv or bcc for Food n Wine (again).

Mwahahahaha!

You'll need to wait one more year to get the kids their own studio. At least one must be 18.

 

[cedricandsophie]

My husband stayed alone in a bay lake studio for two nights. It was too cramped even for him. We never get less than a one bedroom. I have three friends that I travel with once or twice a year. We always get a four bedroom house. Gotta have our own space!

 

[ScubaCat]

When I travel solo, it's no less than a GRAND VILLA for me. I need my space!! (#TOGA!)

 

[mdinme]

You'll need to wait one more year to get the kids their own studio. At least one must be 18.

He is 18 in July