What to Expect:DVC Studios and One Bedrooms That Sleep 5

If you’ve got a family of 5 and you’re looking at renting DVC points, you’ve probably already learned that most rooms only sleep 4. The good news is that more DVC rooms sleep 5 than people realize. The term “sleeps 5” can mean very different things depending on the resort and room type. Here’s what each option actually looks like, so you can make sure you get the option that is best for your group.

Which DVC rooms sleep 5

Studios that sleep 5: Boulder Ridge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Polynesian, Grand Floridian (both Resort Studio and Deluxe Studio), and Riviera. We covered these in detail in our DVC Studios that Sleep 5 post.

One bedrooms that sleep 5: Most DVC one bedrooms sleep 5. The exceptions are Boardwalk, Old Key West, Copper Creek, Disneyland Villas, Boulder Ridge, and Beach Club. So if you want a one bedroom for a family of 5, you’ve got plenty of resorts to pick from.

One important note before we go any further: at Old Key West resort, the “5th sleeper” is a chair bed that’s really only suitable for a toddler.

What a DVC studio that sleeps 5 looks like

Studios that sleep 5 are smaller than a one bedroom, but they are great for a family of 5 on a budget. Here’s the typical setup at the newly renovated studios:

• One queen bed (the main bed)
• One queen murphy bed that pulls down from the wall in the living area
• One twin pull-down bed, usually tucked under the TV or in a cabinet

Square footage is typically 350-400 sq feet. So you’re working with about the size of a slightly larger standard hotel room.

The kitchenette has a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and sink. It’s enough to keep snacks cold, heat up leftovers, and make breakfast. It is not a full kitchen. No stove, no dishwasher, no real counter space for prepping a meal. Great to keep your Coke cold or popping popcorn at night.

Most studios have one bathroom. The exceptions are Polynesian, the Grand Floridian Deluxe Studio (note: not the Resort Studio, which only has one bathroom), and Riviera. These have what’s called a split bath, where they have two bathroom areas with a shower and a shower/tub combo in two separate areas.. It sounds like a small thing, but for a family of 5 trying to get out the door for early park entry, having two people showering is a real time-saver.

Studios sleep 5 work best for families who go hard at the parks all day and just need beds and a shower at night.

What a DVC One bedroom that sleeps 5 looks like

This is where things get a lot more comfortable. One bedrooms are roughly twice the square footage of a studio, typically, and the layout is built for actually living in the room, not just sleeping in it.

Bed configurations vary by resort, but here’s what you generally get at one bedrooms that sleep 5:

• One king bed in the primary bedroom
• One queen sleeper sofa (less often) or queen murphy bed in the living room
• A 5th sleeper option, which is where the resorts differ but mostly twin cabinet trundle

Here’s the part most renters don’t know: at some resorts, the 5th sleeper is a real twin-sized pull-down bed or trundle. At others, it’s a chair that converts into a small bed that’s really only sized for a toddler. The chair beds are short. A regular-sized 8-year-old isn’t going to fit. So if your “5th” is older than about 4 or 5, you’ll want to ask specifically about the bed setup before booking.

Resorts where the 5th sleeper is a more standard bed include Saratoga Springs, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Riviera, Animal Kingdom, and Bay Lake Tower. Reach out to us if you want to confirm the setup at a specific resort for your dates.

A one bedroom comes with a full kitchen. Full-size fridge with freezer, dishwasher, stove, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and basic cookware (pots, pans, utensils, plates, silverware). This is a game-changer for families. Grocery delivery to the resort plus a real kitchen means you can make breakfast every morning, pack snacks for the parks, and do an easy in-room dinner a couple of nights instead of paying $80+ for a quick service meal for 5.

Most one bedrooms have two bathrooms. One is the master bath, accessed through the bedroom. The other is off the living area, near the kitchen. For a family of 5 with an early park day, two bathrooms is the difference between leaving on time and showing up two attractions late.

The other big perk: laundry in the room. A washer and dryer are tucked into a closet or hallway. Pack lighter, do a load mid-trip, and skip the suitcase full of dirty clothes on the way home. Rainy days are not an issue when you can wash and dry clothes easily.

One big note: one bedrooms cost more points than studios. Sometimes a lot more, especially in higher-demand seasons. One the up side, one bedrooms are usually easier to find that studios last minute.

Studio or one bedroom for a family of 5?

Quick decision framework based on what we’ve seen with the families we help rent points:

• Kids’ ages matter. If you’ve got little ones who go down at 7pm, a one bedroom lets parents close the bedroom door and keep watching TV in the living room. In a studio, when the kids go to bed, everyone goes to bed.
• Cooking matters. If you want to make even a couple of meals to save money, you need the full kitchen. Studios won’t cut it.
• Budget matters. Studios are cheaper in both points and rental cost. If you’re trying to do Disney on the lower end, a studio is the move.

Renting tips for families of 5

A few things worth knowing if you’re shopping for points:

• Book early. Studios that sleep 5 are limited. They are mostly in prime areas like the monorail and Epcot area. They go fast at popular resorts like Polynesian, Beach Club, and Riviera. The further out you book, the better your odds.
• Be specific about the 5th sleeper. When you reach out to us at Pixie Point Gals, tell us how old your 5th sleeper is. We can match you to a resort and room type where the bed actually fits the kid. A toddler’s sleeping needs are very different from a 6 foot tall teen.
• Be flexible. Sometimes a one bedroom at a DVC budget friendly resort will be about the same as a studio on the monorail.

The bottom line

Both studios and one bedrooms can sleep 5, but they’re really different experiences. Studios are built for sleeping. One bedrooms are spacious, with a full kitchen and two bathrooms, and built for actually enjoying time in the room. The right pick depends on your type of trip, your kids’ ages, and your budget.