Occupancy Thread

[lisamc1]

If I convince DH to buy in the DVC, does a 2-year-old count as a "person" in the count of persons/room? He doesn't for the moderates and value resorts. He would be in a crib until 3 anyway. Does it work the same for the DVC resorts? In other words, our family of 5 (including the 2-year-old) could stay in studio until he turned 3, right?

Thanks.

Lisa

 

[Chuck S]

Right...and there should be a pack=n=play crib in your DVC unit.

The published occupancy for studios and 1 bedrooms is 4 plus a child under 3.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by lisamc1
In other words, our family of 5 (including the 2-year-old) could stay in studio until he turned 3, right?

As Chuck said, your interpretation is correct. However, since you mentioned a One Bedroom in your header, I want to make sure you understand that the occupancy limit for a 1B is ALSO 4 plus 1 under age 3. Occupancy limits are based upon the sleeping capacity of the unit. A 1B has a king sized bed in the separate bedroom and a sleeper sofa in the living room, and thus can only sleep a maximum of 4 individuals, plus one in the pack-n-play or crib.

To sleep 5 or more in beds, you need to jump up to a DVC Two Bedroom unit, or perhaps get two studios. But note there are no adjoining studios.

For further info, I'd suggest checking the Occupancy thread pinned at the top of the board.

 

[lisamc1]

Thanks for pointing out the situation about the 1 bedroom units. I think that I did know that but wasn't thinking consciously about it when I wrote the message.

Lisa

 

[pplasky]

Just thought some of you might want to know that I did try to make a ressie for 2 adults and 3 children in a studio and was told by MS that it was a violation of the fire code. Fire codes go by square footage, they did let me make the ressie for a 1B. This does shed a different light on most of what you read on this thread.

 

[lenshanem]

pplasky, when did you make this phone call?

 

[pplasky]

Originally posted by lenshanem
pplasky, when did you make this phone call?

Today

 

[kweaver]

Is a studio at a DVC resort smaller than a POR room that sleeps 5 with a trundle?

 

[pplasky]

I do not know the exact square footage of the different types of rooms at the resorts, but I know we used to stay at the CR, and those rooms were definitely bigger than a DVC studio.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

BCV studio are approx 360 Sq Ft (max occ 4)
BWV studio are approx 380 Sq Ft (Max occ 4)

POFQ are 315 Sq Ft (max occ 5)

Poly 409 sqft
CR 436 sqft

POFQ is the smallest officially allowing 5 (not including a baby in a crib)

 

[pplasky]

I think the rooms with trundles are larger than the standard rooms at POFR. In any case, we are going to stay in a 1B. I was trying to conserve points for future trips, but it will be nice having a full kitchen and W/D. For whatever reason, MS gave me hard time about booking a studio. I know I could have lied, and booked the room anyway, but I think things happen for a reason, and I am sure we were meant to stay in the 1B. Just wanted to give others a head up in case MS is changing their booking procedures.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's not just the square footage that sets the fire code occupancy, but the number and width of exits to evacuate the building and the square footage that determine the occupancy. Plus the number of sleeping spaces. So a trundle bed room at POR has five sleeping spaces, but a studio at OKW only has four.

 

[lenshanem]

pplasky, you can thank Dean. Maybe he can lend you a few more points?

(Sorry Dean, all in good fun - I just had to say it!)

 

[DebbieB]

I think it really has more to do with sleeping spaces than fire code. I can't believe fire code would not allow 5 people sleeping in a 360 square foot room. But it would allow it in a 315 square foot room (POR has the trundles, not POFQ). How many non-WDW hotels/motels will rent you a cot in a standard size room so you can have 5? I stayed in a motel once with 5 adults in 2 double beds & a cot (was not comfortable but it was only 1 night). If it was fire code, they couldn't do that. Fire code is just an easy excuse for the reservations people.

 

[pplasky]

Originally posted by lenshanem
pplasky, you can thank Dean. Maybe he can lend you a few more points?

(Sorry Dean, all in good fun - I just had to say it!)

Funny, I first thought of Dean when it first happened too. LOL

 

[VictoriaT]

I have wanted to join DVC for a long time now, but am not sure of my options. There are five of us- DH, myself, DD-7, DS-4 and other DS-2. Can we get a one bedroom at any of the resorts when DS turns 3, or do we HAVE to get a two bedroom? My children are small, they often sleep together in a twin bed! Suggestions would be greatlty appreciated on how to handle this dilemma for how many points we should purchase. Thank You!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, you need a 2 bedroom when your child turns 3, but by then, you will reall appreciate the 2nd bathroom too. In just 3 years, your DD is going to NEED that bathroom.

 

[laceemouse]

I agree with the above poster. People always want to squeeze as many into a smaller unit as they can, and that would be okay when your kids are little, but they grow up fast and believe me you will want the extra space when they are bigger. Also, before too long, your oldest will hit puberty and will no longer want to bath/sleep with the others. We have 4 kids and LOVE the 2 bedrooms! As far as points go, buy what you can afford now, and add-on as needed. That's what we did. True, it is hard to travel when school is out and get a 2 bedroom (takes a LOT of points) but alternately you will outgrow 1 hotel room soon also and getting 2 rooms is mega $$$ too. Good luck in your decision.

 

[zulaya]

Rules are 4 people plus one under the age of 3 in a studio or 1 BR.

I completely agree with the others. Extra bathroom and extra beds. If you are thinking about staying with DVC longterm, you need a 2 BR.

Buy what you can afford and add on as you can. We did it.

By the way, we have 4 in our family, and I am doing what I can to only stay in a 2 BR from now on just for space and sanity purposes.

 

[AZKathy]

Hi Victoria! Welcome to the DIS!

We are a family of five and when we purchased DVC, we were a family of four and purchased for that size family. Well, lo and behold our youngest surprised us tremendously! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_2_129.gif' border=0></a> We could not afford add ons, so we have been creative with our point management.

We used the one bedroom until our youngest was three and then we went to two bedrooms which are really really wonderful! We do things like banking/borrowing, leaving for the weekends to preserve points, going in different times of the years, etc.

Figure out how long you want to vacation a year and buy points for the two bedroom for your vacations. The two bedroom will be fantastic for your family especially when the kiddos get bigger; certainly right now, you don't need the "space", but you will when they get bigger...especially the bathroom space!!!!<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_4_2.gif' border=0></a>

Good luck in your decision and hope to see you around the DIS more!