just bought- any advice

[T.A.]

Just bought into Saratoga and I am asking for advise- I have a wife and 3 children ages 6, 3, and 1. I would like to know if I could be comfortable in a 1 bedroom or studio, or do I need to stay in a 2 bedroom? Also anyone have any positives or negatives regarding Saratoga, like places to stay, types of rooms to get or where to eat. Any feedback would be sooooo appreciated. T.A.

[carolina_yankee]

Welcome to Mouseowners, TA, and welcome home to DVC!! :welcome:

I moved your thread here so it won't get lost in the conversation of the previous threads. If you're new to chatboards, it's generally good etiquette to not change the topic of midway through another poster's thread.

As for SSR, you'll be most comfortable in a 2 bedroom but the will obvioiusly use up the most points. In a one bedroom, you and your spouse would have the master, 2 kids would share the sleeper sofa, adn the 1 y.o would be in crib. I think you can do the same set-up in a studio, but you'll all be in one room, and no kitchen. As your children go, the 2 bedroom will look more and more appealing!

There are different perks to the various areas at SSR. Congree Park overlooks Downtown Disney, but can be a walk to the main building. Springs is closest to the main building and pool, and Paddock is first pick-up on the bus route, I believe. We stayed in the Paddock adn found it to be just fine, though others feel they're a little isolated. We don't have kids and enjoy walking. It may depend on whether or not you have your own car, too. The newest sections will have their own pool, but they're further out, too - so, again, it depends on what you want.

Dirk

[carolina_yankee]

I forgot to add, check out our SSR page here: http://www.mouseowners.com/SSRHome.html. You'll find very good detailed information, floorplans, and maps. You can also review the other DVC resorts, since you're not confined to SSR.

Dirk

[tjkraz]

Just bought into Saratoga and I am asking for advise- I have a wife and 3 children ages 6, 3, and 1. I would like to know if I could be comfortable in a 1 bedroom or studio, or do I need to stay in a 2 bedroom?

According to the paperwork you signed, the occupancy limits for both a Studio and One Bedroom villa is FOUR occupants.

However, DVC will informally permit 4 individuals plus one under the age of 3 in a Studio, and 5 individuals of any age in a One Bedroom. Personally I think you will be fine in a One Bedroom for several years to come.

Note that DVC resorts will NOT provide any sort of rollaway bed or cot to accommodate additional guests. As noted, you'll have a king sized bed plus a sofabed in the One Bedroom. For the next couple of years, you should be fine putting the two older kids on the sofabed and having the 1yo sleep in the pack-n-play that's included in the room. After that you may want to invest in an airbed so that you don't have 3 kiddies trying to share the sofa (that's assuming you keep the King for you and your spouse.)

By the time the oldest hits the teenage years you'll probably want to make sure you have enough points for a Two Bedroom. As they get older the kids will need more comfortable beds and you'll appreciate having a second bathroom.

BTW, congrats on your purchase!!!
Tim

[aamove]

Cngratulations on your purchase and :welcome: :welcome:

[Blue&Gold]

Can't underestimate the impact of having a bed for each of the kids... We made 2 1 BR trips to BWV with our two boys (4 & 7) and it seemed every night one or the other was doing something to the brother to prevent good sleep. They were all wound up to begin with, and putting them in a pull-out with a pillow stuck between them didn't seem to work. We splurged for a 2 BR during our last stay (at BCV) and will never go back. The kids slept better, Mom and I were able to use the "living room" to relax ourselves and to prep for the next day in the parks.

We also found that with the extra room, whichever boy woke up first could just go to the "living room" and pop on the Disney Channel and let the rest of us sleep!

We'll have a new addition by the time our next trip comes around, and expect to use the pack-n-play in the living room for the baby.

There is no doubt that the migration to the 2 BR changes your points calculus, but we are of the opinion that even Disney vacations should involve some actual sleep and relaxation! We also tend to travel to WDW in 8-9 day chunks, so simply having the extra square footage is good for domestic tranquility.

[spiceycat]

I happen to live studio - but 5 people even if one is only 1 would even cramp me.

I would with at least a 1-bedroom.

secondly this will help with bath time - you and your wife can use the shower stall - and just put the kids in the whirlpool tub - then everyone will be ready sooner.

the studio just has the combination tub & shower.

[mushu]

Congrats and Welcome Home!

[mssparrrow]

Congrats & Welcome home!!

[jdvm]

It depends on how much privacy you want and how many points you have. We like our own room without kids in it. It's bad enough that we have to threaten them with a day not going to the parks if they bang on a locked door! A two bedroom is great because everyone has their own space and you have a great common area....does take a lot of points, however. Everyone is different so give each scenario a try and see what is right for you.
John

[Leftcoaster]

I think for now, you would be fine with a 1 bedroom for your family. Maybe buy enough points for the one bedroom and then you can add on in a few years when it becomes more necessary for the 2 br.

[jarestel]

A 2BR, under ideal circumstances would be wonderful. Of course, under ideal circumstances we would all live in mansions on hills, but a silly thing called dollars puts everything into its correct perspective. If you can manage a 2BR, by all means go for it! It's a magnificent accomodation. But if point costs are a consideration, there's nothing wrong with a 1BR. Most of us dealt just fine with ordinary hotel rooms before we joined DVC and a 1BR is light years ahead of an ordinary hotel room.

Good luck and have a great trip!