The Quick Answer
Six DVC resorts have deluxe studios that sleep 5: Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Boulder Ridge Villas (Wilderness Lodge), Disney's Riviera Resort, Polynesian Villas, and Grand Floridian Villas. Each uses the same trick — one queen bed, a queen-size sleeper sofa, and a single pull-down bed (usually under the TV). For a renter, the best value of the six is Boulder Ridge, which sits lower on the points chart than the Epcot-area and monorail resorts. The catch: that single pull-down bed is genuinely kid-sized — great for a child, tight for a fifth adult. Every other DVC studio sleeps a maximum of four.
For years I assumed a family of five meant renting a one-bedroom, full stop. More room, more points, more money — that was just the tax for having three kids. Then I found out a handful of DVC studios sleep five, and our cost for a week dropped by a third overnight.
If you've got two adults and three kids (or any combination of five bodies), this is the post I wish someone had handed me. Only six DVC resorts have studios that officially sleep five, and they are not all created equal for renters. Here's the full list, ranked the way a renter actually cares about — value for points — plus the honest take on whether that fifth sleeping spot is something a human can actually use.
How a DVC Studio Sleeps 5 (and Why Most Don't)
A standard DVC deluxe studio sleeps four: one queen bed and a queen-size sleeper sofa. The six "sleeps 5" resorts add one more spot — a single pull-down bed, usually tucked under the television or in a nook. Newer and recently refurbished resorts added these to compete for the family-of-five crowd; older studios simply don't have the room or the renovation.
That fifth spot changes the math completely. Instead of jumping to a one-bedroom (which can run 60–90% more points), a family of five can stay in a studio and pocket the difference. The trade-off is space and a smaller fifth bed — which is exactly why which resort you pick matters.
Dad Tip: "Sleeps 5" assumes the fifth person is comfortable on a twin-sized pull-down. For three kids that's a non-issue. For three adults, do a gut check on the square footage before you book — a studio is cozy with five bodies and their stuff.
The 6 DVC Studios That Sleep 5, Ranked by Value to Rent
- Boulder Ridge Villas (Wilderness Lodge) — best value; lowest points of the six
- Riviera Resort — newest rooms, Skyliner to two parks, mid-tier points
- BoardWalk Villas — walk to Epcot, lively location, refurbished
- Beach Club Villas — Stormalong Bay pool, walk to Epcot, premium points
- Polynesian Villas — monorail to Magic Kingdom, premium points
- Grand Floridian Villas — most luxurious, highest points of the six
Quick note on the ranking: this is ordered by value to rent, not by which resort is "best." All six are excellent. But since renters pay per point, the lower-chart resorts get you the sleeps-5 benefit for the least money — so that's how I've sorted them.
The Honest Take on Each One
1. Boulder Ridge Villas — Best Value for a Family of Five
The quiet winner for renters. Tucked into Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge sits noticeably lower on the points chart than the Epcot and monorail resorts, so your family of five gets the sleeps-5 studio for the fewest points. The theme is cozy national-park lodge — fireplaces, woods, boat to Magic Kingdom. The studios are comfortable and the vibe is calm, which with three kids is its own kind of luxury.
Rent this if value is your priority.
2. Riviera Resort — Newest Rooms, Best Transportation Value
Riviera's studios are the newest of the six and it shows — modern finishes, and the Skyliner connects you directly to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (no bus, no driving). Points land in the mid-tier: more than Boulder Ridge, less than the monorail resorts. One thing to know — Riviera's standard studio is a true studio, but its "tower studio" sleeps only two, so book the deluxe studio specifically. I reviewed Riviera in depth if you want the full breakdown: see my Riviera resort review.
Rent this if you want new rooms and easy park access.
3. BoardWalk Villas — Walk to Epcot, Lively Energy
You can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios from BoardWalk — that alone sells it for a lot of families. The boardwalk itself is a nightly carnival of entertainment, restaurants, and people-watching the kids love. Points are premium (Epcot-area), and the location energy is either a feature or a bug depending on your crew.
Rent this if walkability to Epcot is the dream.
4. Beach Club Villas — Stormalong Bay Changes the Game
Beach Club's Stormalong Bay is the best pool on Disney property, full stop — a sand-bottom water playground that is, for many families, the actual vacation. You also walk to Epcot. Studios sleep five, points are premium, and demand is high (book early).
Rent this if the pool is the priority and you'll book 8–11 months out.
5. Polynesian Villas — Monorail Magic, Premium Price
The Polynesian puts you on the monorail loop to Magic Kingdom and steps from the best Disney sunset views. The studios are large for studios and the South Seas theme is gorgeous. Points are premium and it books up fast.
Rent this if monorail access to Magic Kingdom matters most.
6. Grand Floridian Villas — The Splurge
The most luxurious of the six — Victorian elegance, monorail to Magic Kingdom, top-tier everything. It's also the highest points cost of the sleeps-5 studios, so it's the least "value" play. Worth it for a milestone trip; hard to justify on points alone.
Rent this if you're celebrating something and the budget allows.
Side-by-Side: The 6 Sleeps-5 DVC Studios
| Resort | Bed Setup | Points to Rent | Best Feature | Transportation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder Ridge Villas | Queen + queen sofa + single pull-down | Lowest of the six | Cozy lodge, calm vibe | Boat/bus to MK |
| Riviera Resort | Queen + queen sofa + single pull-down | Mid-tier | Newest rooms | Skyliner to Epcot & HS |
| BoardWalk Villas | Queen + queen sofa + single pull-down | Premium | Walk to Epcot | Walk/boat to Epcot & HS |
| Beach Club Villas | Queen + queen sofa + single pull-down | Premium | Stormalong Bay pool | Walk/boat to Epcot & HS |
| Polynesian Villas | Queen + queen sofa + single pull-down | Premium | Monorail to MK | Monorail/boat to MK |
| Grand Floridian Villas | Queen + queen sofa + single pull-down | Highest | Luxury + monorail | Monorail/boat to MK |
Studio or one-bedroom? Run both through the calculator for your dates.
Open the free DVC savings calculator →Important: These DVC Studios Do NOT Sleep 5
Don't book a studio at these resorts expecting room for five — they top out at four (one queen + queen sofa):
- Saratoga Springs and Old Key West (the value resorts — studios sleep 4)
- Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo & Kidani studios sleep 4)
- Bay Lake Tower (studios sleep 4)
- Aulani and the original Polynesian bungalows are a different category entirely
- Riviera "tower studios" sleep only two — book the standard/deluxe studio, not the tower studio
If you're a family of five and you book one of these studios, you'll be one bed short. For these resorts, you'd need a one-bedroom — which is a real cost jump and a key part of the DVC studio vs 1-bedroom decision.
Should a Family of Five Book a Studio or a One-Bedroom?
A sleeps-5 studio is right if...
- Your fifth person is a kid comfortable on a twin pull-down
- You're out at the parks most of the day and just need a place to sleep
- Saving points/money is a real priority
- You don't need a kitchen or in-room laundry
- A cozy footprint doesn't stress you out
Step up to a one-bedroom if...
- You've got five adults or older teens who need real beds
- You want a full kitchen and a washer/dryer (huge with little kids)
- You're doing a slower, resort-heavy week and will be in the room a lot
- You value separation — a door between the kids and the adults
- The extra points are worth the comfort to you
Dad Tip: My rule: little kids → sleeps-5 studio and bank the savings. Bigger kids/teens or a relaxed week → spring for the one-bedroom. The kitchen and laundry alone can be worth the upgrade once your crew eats like teenagers.
FAQ: DVC Studios That Sleep 5
The Bottom Line
If you're a family of five, you have six DVC studios to choose from — and you don't automatically need a one-bedroom. For the best value, rent Boulder Ridge. For the newest rooms and easiest transportation, Riviera. For walking to Epcot, BoardWalk or Beach Club. For monorail access, Polynesian or Grand Floridian (in that order of value).
Just remember the fifth bed is kid-sized, and double-check you're not booking a studio at a resort that only sleeps four. Get it right and you'll fit your whole crew into a studio for a third less than the one-bedroom you thought you had to rent.
Ready to Find a Studio for Five?
(Affiliate link — I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)
Not sure a studio's enough room? Read my DVC studio vs 1-bedroom breakdown. Newer to renting? Start with the free DVC Savings Guide — how rental pricing works and how to book without getting burned. Traveling with little ones? See the best DVC resorts for toddlers.
— Tom, Dad at Disney
P.S. We've squeezed our family of five into a Boulder Ridge studio more than once. Is it cozy? Yes. Did the savings pay for two extra table-service dinners and a round of Dole Whips? Also yes. Cozy is survivable. Pricey is forever.
About the author
Tom is a dad of three who's been renting DVC points since 2019. Dad at Disney is his journal of what works, what doesn't, and how to stay at Disney Deluxe resorts for less.
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