How many people in a one bedroom?

[Michael P.]

Hello everyone!

We're thinking of purchasing a DVC and had a great time visiting Saratoga Springs when we were at Disney last month. :doublejum

We have 3 children and the Disney guide showing us round suggested that we could all fit into a one bedroom, but we might need to bring sheets/air mattress for child number 3 when he can no longer fit into a baby cot.

But the book the Disney Rep gave to us suggests that the 1 beds sleep 4. So does anyone know whether we need to factor in the additional points for renting a 2 bedroom when we decide how many points to buy?

Many thanks in advance,

Michael

:D :

[pouncingpluto]

If I were you, I would not count on always being allowed to fit five into a one-bedroom. They seem to look the other way about the air mattress, but the official policy is that the room capacity is four, plus an infant.

I would look at the cost of enough points for a two bedroom. If it's too expensive, maybe you can do five night vacations instead of seven night ones.

[Stimpy]

Don't forget, you can also purchase enough points for a 1 bedroom now and then down the line when you need the extra space of a 2 BR, you can always add-on later. Of course, you would also have to factor in costs of buying now vs later and price increases over the years.

[Deep-Thots]

Hi, Michael --

Welcome to the boards!

While DVC does seem to allow five folks to stay in a 1BR, I think you'd be wise to consider things over the long-term. After all, DVC is a significant investment, and if you're planning on spending many years using the system and visiting the World, you'll want those visits and years to be as magical as possible. Having said that, you might want to consider the following practicalities:

1. The gender(s) of your children. Kids are less likely to want to share a bed with siblings of a different gender as they get older -- especially during those teen years!

2. The bathroom situation. As your kids get older, they're more likely to spend more time in the bathroom primping themselves. With a 1BR, you only get one bathroom; with a 2BR, you get two.

Good luck with your decision!

[Mike]

The official written policy is 4 in a 1 BR HOWEVER, MS does currently allow 5 in a 1BR. I also have 3 kids (11,9,4) and we still stay in a 1BR. All 5 names are added to the reservation with no problem. As the kids get older we will bring along an aerobed and bedding. Eventually we may consider moving into a 2BR, but then again I think a 1BR at OKW has enough room for us to be comfortable. The second bathroom is a consideration though.

I personally don't think MS will change this policy. I think Disney is realizing that there is a need to accomodate families of all sizes and 5 in a 1BR is not as inconceivable as some would like you to think on some boards. For what it is worth, we also stay in a 1BR at BCV for a week and, although not as spacious and comfortable as OKW, it is still acceptable. If money is no object, get a 2BR. If you would like to use your points efficiently, stick to a 1BR. Good luck!

[Michael P.]

Many thanks to everyone for all of the advice - it's been really helpful. In particular, it's great to know that at present MS are allowing 5 people to stay in a 1BR because it gives us that option, particularly when the children are young.

The upshot of all of this is that we've decided to go for it and have agreed to purchase a DVC by re-sale! :bouncingp Once the Sellers have signed the contract we've got to get through Disney's ROFR, so keep your fingers crossed for us!

Thanks once again

Michael

:bluebloun

[mushu]

I agree you can get buy in a one bedroom, as the kids get older you will have to change to a 2 bedroom.

[Mike]

The upshot of all of this is that we've decided to go for it and have agreed to purchase a DVC by re-sale! :bouncingp Once the Sellers have signed the contract we've got to get through Disney's ROFR, so keep your fingers crossed for us!


Good luck Michael. Keep us posted.

[PoohsPal]

:dust: for ROFR!!!!

[KNWVIKING]

Something else to consider is the length of your contract. SSR owners have what ? 49 years left ? For at least the next 2-3 years, 5 in the room won't be an issue.Over the next 10-12 yrs, as the oldest moves on to college or elsewhere, 4 in the room is very doable. Few years later you're empty nesters and the last 25-30 years of your contract the 1 bdrm is the perfect accomodation.

My advise is to have the kids draw straws each year to determine which one stays home with Aunt Bertha.

Or rent additional points for the years you really need a 2 bdrm.

[gopherit]

Something else to consider is the length of your contract. SSR owners have what ? 49 years left ? For at least the next 2-3 years, 5 in the room won't be an issue.Over the next 10-12 yrs, as the oldest moves on to college or elsewhere, 4 in the room is very doable. Few years later you're empty nesters and the last 25-30 years of your contract the 1 bdrm is the perfect accomodation.

My advise is to have the kids draw straws each year to determine which one stays home with Aunt Bertha.

Or rent additional points for the years you really need a 2 bdrm.

While Aunt Bertha is an amusing option, renting pts or simply paying caash for the wkend nights on the DVC discount rate or perhaps staying in a moderate for those nights, whatever - are all viable options. We are a fam of 5, and we have pretty much decided the 1Br is just too small now for more than a few nights. We also decided we like loooong trips, so we do WDW every other year, for about 2 weeks. But our kids recently learned there was this "other" place in Orlando that we somehow had skipped over - aka Universal - but in order to get FOTL privies over there, it behooves youto stay in one of their 3 on-site hotels. SO this trip, we're doing 3 nts at RPRH in a club room, then moving to a 2BR at OKW for a wekk after that. I am getting the Sat. night on cash. THis should leave us enough pts to do 5 nts at Vero next summer. So we're streeeeetching those points out as best we can!

And perhaps for no good reason, because guesswhat - as your kids get older, you will also find it's harder to get away! This will probably be the last year we can take a really long trip - between the various summer activities the kids are in with sports and scouts, then the rigors of the school year, doing the world tour for peace visiting family members, and the issue of some elderly pets at home, we will do well over the next 10 yrs to locate a free week, much less 2. So we might not be needed so many pts at once in the future, and iwth the ability to rent / transfer a few from a member with surplus, or to simply pay cash, we can eek by. An add-on would be nice - but I'd rather be in a state of borrowing pts than worried about losing any or having to find a renter, so this plan works for us.

(There is also one aspect KNW left out, though, in his 50 yr plan - grandkids! Or is he leaving them with Auntie Bertha too?)

Good luck with your ROFR - fingers crossed and PD to ya!

[Stimpy]

Just wanted to send some pixiedust and good wishes that you get through ROFR quickly and successfully!! :goodvibes :dust

Can't wait to Welcome you Home :)

[KNWVIKING]

(There is also one aspect KNW left out, though, in his 50 yr plan - grandkids! Or is he leaving them with Auntie Bertha too?)

Good luck with your ROFR - fingers crossed and PD to ya!

Didn't forget about grandkids..... ever hear of AS or Pop ?

Actually, a couple GK's fit in nicely with a 1 bdrm. and the odds of this Viking EVER taking more then two GK's at one time is like a bazillion to one.

[Plutofan2]

The unoffical policy that can change anytime is that 5 are allowed. The fifth person will not get linens or towels.

[tjkraz]

Just make your best guess as to what you will need to use MOST YEARS and buy that many points. We're a family of 4, but we've stayed in Studios, 1Bs and 2Bs. Sure I'd love to have more points, but we've gotten by thus far. After all, that's what borrowing is for. :)

Every day at Disney means more $$$ spent on food, souvenirs, recreation (golf, water parks, etc.) and perhaps even the theme parks. I'd rather be in a position of paying cash for a few days here and there or renting others' points as opposed to taking more trips than we really can afford due to an overabundance of points.

gopherit's post reflected a lot of our feelings as well. For now a 1B is more than adequate when it's just our family of 4. As the kids get older and we may need a 2B just for the 4 of us, I suspect we'll be taking fewer trips due to the kids schooling and activities.

Then as they start their own families, it may well be just DW and myself sharing a studio. (OK, this is probably a pipe dream as I'm sure we'll still have other tag-alongs for many of our trips.)

Still, I'm more comfortable being occasionally short than consistently having too many points.

[lenshanem]

I think you've gotten really good advice and friendly, too! Go to that other board and you'd get attacked for asking such a thing. :scary:
Why, I don't know. :idontgeti

I'm a family of four and we've only stayed in studios thus far. AND we survived. :tongue:
Course, I grew up with a dad that worked for Holiday Inn and we'd always get a free or discounted room somewhere so I guess I'm not expecting a roomy and grand accommodation. I'm just excited we're staying at all these places with cool pools!

Will you spend alot of time in your room? We don't. We're either at the parks or out swimming. My hubby gets bored easy and sitting in the room all day would drive him crazy. AND we'd rather stretch our points and get two trips instead of one.

Personally I'd bet a one bedroom for your family would work out just fine.

Good luck on your resale!

[gopherit]

Just wanted to add that we did the 1BR thing when dd was only 4, and said that would be the last. Sure, we COULD do a 1BR, and I suppose it's nice to know that's an option in a bind, but I'd would say not more than for a night or two at best.... We have faced reality, we have become 2BR folks, despite the points.

Why a 2BR? What's in it for us? Simple.

Lots of space: nice
Extra balcony: lovely
2nd bathroom: appreciated
Having a REAL BED for EVERY BODY: PRICELESS!!!!!!!

After spending nearly every day of vacation with family (under conditions that closely resemble those Priceline ads where the married couple sleeps on bunkbeds, LOL), with our family crammed in a room, kids on the floor, no where to put your stuff - we find that a week to 2 weeks in a 2br where everyone has at least half of a queen size bed or a whole full to themselves - THAT my friends is a VACATION! No matter how ya slice it, a studio or 1BR offers 2 beds. When you have 5 folks, something's gonna give. When the 5th kid is still pack-n-play sized, you're ok, but beyond that..... And I've tried the air mat route with various quality air beds, but I have yet to find one that didn't make me feel like I was sleeping on a moon bouncer. (BTW - that doesn't do much for me.) My kids tend to roll off of them anyway, LOL. Granted, we don't sit in the room much either, but we do have to sleep there, and sans a good nights rest, we are one surly pack of gophers. (Yes, I know - I typically only sleep 4 hours per night - but I NEEEEED those 4 hours, and they gotta be good!) Trust me - a gopher pack without proper rest is ugly, and quite dangerous... we can't be held liable for our actions when sleep-deprived, and frankly, I'm not so certain our rabies shots are even up to date... :holymoly:

So for the sake of our fellow travelers, we sacrifice our points and get the 2BR.

We do this for you, good citizens. What can I say, we're givers. :angel:


(Notice - Contributions to the "Protect the Parks From Rabid Rodents" fund can be made in the form of DVC point tranfers made directly to Gopherit's account. Thank you.)

[Deep-Thots]

LOL @ gopherit: Know how much we appreciate your sacrifice for the common good!! :doublekis

Since we're DINKs (and will remain that way) who always stay in a 1BR (though we often invite family and friends -- and then we stay in a 2BR), we obviously like plenty of extra space.

Regardless, however, I'm betting that after you make your initial purchase, Michael, you'll quickly contract "addonitis." Then this discussion will be moot!! ;)

[Michael P.]

Dear Everyone

I just want to say thank you for all of the kind and helpful comments - I've been staggered at the amount of useful and friendly information that people have given. I think we'll try it out with a 1BR first whilst child no.3 is small and see how we go! However, I must admit I've already got addonitis and we're not even through ROFR!:bouncingg

The only person who disagrees with the suggestions is Aunt Bertha, who is campaigning for a Grand Villa so that she can come along too. If she's not careful though, we'll go for a studio and leave all 3 little darlings with her for the vacation.....:clappingh

Thanks once again for making us feel so welcome and for all of the helpful tips - will let you know how we get on with ROFR!



Michael

[PoohsPal]

The only person who disagrees with the suggestions is Aunt Bertha, who is campaigning for a Grand Villa so that she can come along too. If she's not careful though, we'll go for a studio and leave all 3 little darlings with her for the vacation.....:clappingh
:lmbo: I think you'll do just fien here!! :slyasafox

[Rozzie]

Since we're DINKs (and will remain that way) who always stay in a 1BR (though we often invite family and friends -- and then we stay in a 2BR), we obviously like plenty of extra space.



Oh Kim, right there with ya'! We would only do a studio if it was a quick commando 3 nighter or less. Then it would still be hard. DH and I have made a vow to never studio again for any extended length of time. The week in feb at BCV studio, we about went out of our mind!!!! I love the extra room, and really enjoying the villa. Plus DH has a bad habit of sawing logs at night, and Rozzie got to get her beauty rest!

The best advice I give any thinking about buying in person is to NEVER stay in a 1BR (especially OKW!) if you don't always have points for it. That is the whole reason we added on. Different strokes for different folks, though. We all have our favorites!

Michael--too funny! I am bringing our mothers in Jan, and each has been threatened to be sent to POP if one negative thing comes out of their mouth. :thumbsup: Xanax will be on back order that week........

[Deep-Thots]

Oh Kim, right there with ya'! We would only do a studio if it was a quick commando 3 nighter or less. Then it would still be hard. DH and I have made a vow to never studio again for any extended length of time. The week in feb at BCV studio, we about went out of our mind!!!! I love the extra room, and really enjoying the villa. Plus DH has a bad habit of sawing logs at night, and Rozzie got to get her beauty rest!

Word, Sister!!

We like the space. Plus, there is the necessity of having a separate room to which Eric can "retire" to read a book or watch TV bright and early in the AM, while I lazily sleep in. Without that, it would get ugly pretty darned quickly. A tired Kim makes for a grumpy Kim (and an unhappy Eric).

[PoohsPal]

A tired Kim makes for a grumpy Kim (and an unhappy Eric).

Are Kim's related to gophers? ;) I think tehy must be related to me, although at WDW I tend to be too excited to sleep! Isn't DVC supposed to fix that?

[Michael P.]

Just to let everyone know, we passed ROFR today!!! BCV for $90/point - I'll fill out the form for the ROFR database.

Many thanks again to everyone for the great advice!

:bouncingp

[lllovell]

Then WELCOME HOME!!!!!

Congrats Michael and family. Glad you found us and glad you passed ROFR!!!!

Now lets get started planning your first DVC trip as OWNERS. Nothing like it :)

Laura

[Colorado Belle]

WELCOME HOME!

I'm sure you already know, but the 1 bd at OKW is huge compared to the other DVC units. If you start feeling the 'cruch' at BCV in the future in the 1 bd, you might give an OKW 1 bd a try before upgrading to a 2 bd.

I'm sure you will enjoy your ownership whereever you stay!

[Ginger]

Welcome Home!

[Mike]

Congratulations!!! Thanks for keeping us posted.

[Stimpy]

:welcome: Great News!! Welcome Home!!!! :welcome:

[RweTHEREyet]

WELCOME HOME!

I'm sure you already know, but the 1 bd at OKW is huge compared to the other DVC units. If you start feeling the 'cruch' at BCV in the future in the 1 bd, you might give an OKW 1 bd a try before upgrading to a 2 bd.

I'm sure you will enjoy your ownership whereever you stay!

It's one thing to be friendly and helpful and invite them for a drink (hoping they decline) but to tell new people ALL the secrets is just not right. :tsktsk:

We OKW folks know that OKW is a remote Disney location and a retirement village and all the other DVC resorts are much, much better, so don't go steering folks wrong now. :lmbo:

[Tricia1972]

Welcome Home Michael!

[lakeariel]

Didn't forget about grandkids..... ever hear of AS or Pop ?

Actually, a couple GK's fit in nicely with a 1 bdrm. and the odds of this Viking EVER taking more then two GK's at one time is like a bazillion to one.


:laughing:

[Blue&Gold]

Welcome Home!

We're a family of 4, with #5 on the way, and we're now commited to a 2BR. Our kids (2 boys ages 6 & 4 currently) are way too "rammy" for long vacations in a 1 BR. They were always waking each other up, fighting etc., etc., etc., in the pull-out bed. With the second BR, we found the entire vacation went much smoother because the kids slept better, DW and I spent less time refereeing, and the kids could watch different TVs! And yes, it is a pretty notable increase in point costs.

Ultrasound predicts we're having a Minnie vs a Mickey this time, so we'll also eventually be dealing with different sex child issues. Better to have more space!

Best of luck and welcome to the club!

[spiceycat]

WELCOME HOME!!!:dancingba :welcome: :woohoodan

You smart to buy BCV - I really think it price will kept going up.... SALB is a big attraction - plus I just love Cape May Cafe not to mention Beaches and Cream....

you might not get an add on there.... :birhdaypa

hey the other site has welcome home DVC....

OKW as well as having the biggest villa also has the least amount of points needed... so if you decide you need that 2-bedroom just trade points with an OKW member - believe me, you will have lots of opportunity. BCV is that popular...

during the summer or spring break you can get a 2-bedroom at OKW for 30 points, guess what a 1-bedroom at BCV is 30 points....:solikeiwa

[granny]

Congratulations and WELCOME HOME!!!:bouncingg :kickingco :clappingh :dancingba

Enjoy your DVC and many years of magical vacations! :)