Which DVC Room Type Is Right for You

Once you’ve decided on your Disney Vacation Club resort, you still have one choice to make. Which Room Type is right for you? That answer depends on a handful of factors. So, let’s talk through the choices.

How Large Is Your Traveling Party?

Let’s start with the basics. Most Disney Vacation Club Studios sleep four or five guests. The newer Tower/Duo Studios only sleep two, though. Meanwhile, most of the Grand Villas sleep up to 12 guests, with some even accommodating 13.

Therefore, the composition of your party greatly affects your decision-making. If you’re traveling solo or with one other person, a Tower/Duo Studio may suit your purposes. Then again, you may prefer more space. If so, a Studio should more than satisfy your needs.

However, you don’t necessarily need to stop there. My wife and I booked a Treehouse Villa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa for a holiday vacation. We certainly didn’t choose this room based on need. It was the only thing available, and we had the points to spare. 

That’s another vital factor here. Availability will partially determine your options. The Studios comprise most of the inventory in the DVC program. 

Still, Disney can easily accommodate you when you’re traveling with a large group. The One-Bedroom Villas typically only sleep four or five, but the Two-Bedroom Villas can sleep at least eight and sometimes as many as ten guests. So, always make sure to know your headcount before you begin booking. 

How Much Room Do You Need?

When I discussed the Tower/Duo Studios earlier, I hinted at this issue. Some people like tighter spaces, while others need their room. This is true even when you’re traveling as a couple. 

I was once in a relationship where we could happily sleep on a daybed. Now that I’m older, we’ve got a California King. Everyone is different, and there’s no right or wrong answer. 

As I’ve previously mentioned, a friend of mine travels with his wife. They book a One-Bedroom Villa at Disney’s Old Key West Resort literally every trip even though they have enough DVC Points to do something else. He prefers these rooms due to their spaciousness. They’re 942 square feet, which is the size of a decent apartment. 

Some people really like to spread out, while others just want a bed and a place to store luggage. You should determine your traveling party’s preferences. It’ll make your life a lot easier.

Is One Bathroom Enough for Your Party?

This is an extremely specific question, as it applies to only one resort… or three, if a split bathroom setup is good enough for you. Three DVC resorts split the shower and the toilet. One guest can use the shower or sink, while the other goes to the bathroom (so to speak). 

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers some rooms with this setup. You must book a Deluxe Studio to gain a split bathroom here. It’s worth the effort for many guests, as some Grand Floridian owners are devoted to this particular setup. Disney’s Riviera Resort mirrors this split bathroom option. 

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows takes a different approach. When you book a standard Deluxe Studio here, your room includes two bathrooms. One features a rainfall shower and sink, while the other includes another shower and sink, along with the toilet. 

Note that the Tower Deluxe Studios don’t have this feature. So, you’re aiming for a room in the classic longhouses rather than the Island Tower.

Booking the right room at one of these three resorts can reduce some of your vacation aggravation. Anyone who has shared a bathroom with a roommate knows the deal. I’ll leave it at that.

Will You Cook or Do Laundry?

You may have noticed over the years that I target my advice toward Studios. The reality is that these are the rooms you’re most likely to book, even if you have the DVC Points to choose a suite instead.

Before you do that, you should consider a couple of other factors, though. When you book a One-Bedroom Villa or anything above that, you gain additional amenities. 

These suites feature full-sized kitchens and washer/dryer units. So, you can cook full meals in your room while you’re doing laundry. Now, the thought of these activities may not scream “dream vacation.” 

However, I swear by the washer/dryer option. Disney theme park visits can get messy; things happen. As a DVC member, you can ask for detergent at the front desk and then clean your clothes in a shared laundry room. When you book a Villa, you don’t need to worry about your laundry, though. You can clean it in your room.

Similarly, some members quite like the thought of cooking and eating in their hotel room. I’m personally too lazy for that, but I barely cook at home. Presuming you’re a more gifted cook than me – and if you have a pulse, you are – you may enjoy the full kitchen. 

Disney includes plates, utensils, and appliances, giving you everything you need for a great meal. Even better, we all know that anything you make will be far cheaper than the food you buy at Disney restaurants. 

Boardwalk 1 Bedroom – Living Room & Kitchen Space

Do You Care about the View?

Finally, we have the decision that can cost or save you plenty of points. It will also tangibly impact your enjoyment when you’re in your room. 

DVC offers many unique Room Types that include views of the surrounding area. A few examples are BoardWalk View, Lake View, Savannah View, and Theme Park View. 

When you book Lake View, you’ll gaze across the water throughout your stay, while Theme Park View provides glimpses of the park. The latter rooms typically cost the most of the various rooms with views. They’re worth the extra points if you like feeling close to the parks, though. And they’re even better at night, as you can watch the nighttime fireworks presentations from your room.

BoardWalk View is self-explanatory and a viable option at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas. Meanwhile, Savannah View allows guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to watch the hotel’s animal habitats from inside the hotel room. 

Disney also books some rooms with a Preferred designation, which typically means you’re getting a better location. It’s not the same as the view conversation, but it may be important to you as well. So, please decide whether having any of these room advantages is worth a few more DVC Points per night.

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