Need help with resort choice for a large party

[momlificient]

Bumping this up cause May is coming up fast!!! I added some more info....



We are tentatively planning a trip for May of 2009. The total number adults is 5 (2 couples, 1 single) and 4 children ages 2 - 6.

Where would you stay if this were your group?

We would group in the room as follows: 2 adults/2 kids 1 room, 3 adults/2 kids another room or suite
OR
2 adults/2 kids 1 room, 2 adults another room, 1 adult/2 kids final room

Money is a factor, but we do not want to stay in a value. We also do not want to stay offsite.

I was originally thinking about 2 adjoining rooms at POFQ because we know and LOVE that resort. But I am also thinking this might be our last Disney trip for a while, so it could be good to mix it up. I am REALLY inclined to stay at AKL.

I have been looking into the villas at AKL and would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with them. Does anyone know if they have a dishwasher? The advantage of a kitchen becomes moot if I have to clean a lot. What are the advantages of booking a villa through a travel agent vs. getting a cheaper same-villa through a DVC member? Can I get the DDP if I book through a DVC member?

If we get the DDP I wonder what is the point of having the kitchen at all. I am also concerned about AKL being so "remote". I never felt like that traveling from Pop or POFQ to AK, but maybe I wasn't paying attention? Do they have a direct bus to DTD? I do love the idea of the kids center onsite at AKL, one thing we missed out on last time was having some babysitting/kids center at POFQ so DH and I could have some couple time.

 

[kate2961]

Greetings!

I wasn't sure from your question how you wanted to arrange the sleeping. Since there are two couples and a single, I thought the following options may work well for one family sharing space with the single person taking the sleeper sofa. Of course with all of these options you would also have to have another room for the second family.

Have you considered staying at the Wilderness Lodge? They have deluxe suites with 2 rooms, a living room and a large bedroom. The suites can sleep 6 plus room for a child under 3 in a crib. The bedroom has 2 queen size beds or one king-sized bed. The sofa in the living room is a sleeper sofa. The suites are also concierge level, have a wet bar, a small fridge, and a table with 2 chairs. They are approximately 500 SF.

Another option may be the suites at All Star Music. These rooms also sleep six plus a child under 3 in a crib.

Another good option would be Coranado Springs. They have a junior suite that will sleep 6 plus a child under 3 in a crib.

You could also consider the cabins at Fort Wilderness. They also sleep 6 with room for a child under 3 in a crib. In this case you would also get the benefit of a kitchen.

There is a children's center at Wilderness Lodge and direct boat service to the Magic Kingdom. Wilderness Lodge also has villas if you would like that.

We have stayed at AKL and we did not feel that it was too far away from the parks. If you have a car the times will probably be similar to the other resorts. If you use the buses the times will probably be similar except for MK. That may be longer than the other resorts. They do have bus to DTD. They have excellent children's programs at the resort during the day and two great restaurants -- Jiko and Boma.

The Villas (except for the studios) do have dishwashers, plus washer/dryers.

Best of luck and have fun with your planning.

Kate

 

[stacy6552]

AKV is very nice. You can also get villas at the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. Depending on when you plan to go, renting from a DVC member could save you alot of money. Though it does pay to look into Disney's deals, like free dining. Having a kitchen is nice, but I find I use the fridge and the washer and dryer most.

Another great option would be 2 cabins at FW. AAA offers a 25% discount, which prices them pretty close to a moderate resort, but you get a full kitchen and that all important bedroom door.

 

[Mrs D]

You may want to investigate renting points for a villa from a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) member. It is a less expensive way to get a family friendly, homey room. You can check out the DVC Rent/Trade board for FAQ's and more info.

 

[parmtoo]

AKV is very nice. You can also get villas at the Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. Depending on when you plan to go, renting from a DVC member could save you alot of money. Though it does pay to look into Disney's deals, like free dining. Having a kitchen is nice, but I find I use the fridge and the washer and dryer most.

Another great option would be 2 cabins at FW. AAA offers a 25% discount, which prices them pretty close to a moderate resort, but you get a full kitchen and that all important bedroom door.

Our party of 10, (6 adultss, 1 junior, and 3 under age 3), would love to stay in the cabins for our Feb. 09 trip. I've been hoping to see a good discount, and I'd love 25%! Has anyone gotten that deal?
TIA

 

[momlificient]

parmtoo in post #3 a poster says they got a 25% discount on 2 cabins, don't know if the discount just applies to 1 cabin.

regarding the cabins how "rustic" are they? we are staying with my inlaws who loathe the idea of camping so i wonder about that. also isn't there a big walking distance b/t the cabins and the buses/boats (do they have boats at the cabin or just the lodge?). they are older so long walking distances need to be considered also.

 

[parmtoo]

parmtoo in post #3 a poster says they got a 25% discount on 2 cabins, don't know if the discount just applies to 1 cabin.

regarding the cabins how "rustic" are they? we are staying with my inlaws who loathe the idea of camping so i wonder about that. also isn't there a big walking distance b/t the cabins and the buses/boats (do they have boats at the cabin or just the lodge?). they are older so long walking distances need to be considered also.

I'll take the 25% either way!

About the cabins, I've only seen them from the outside but I know they have full kitchens and I've read on the boards that they are very cozy. I wouldn't think it would be considered like camping.
There can be alot of walking when staying at FW, but you can rent a golf cart or request a cabin near the bus stop.
We've camped at FW many times and it is our fav. DW resort, but never tried the cabins yet.

 

[momlificient]

bumping as I need to start seriously hashing this out! hellllppp!

 

[momlificient]

wah no thoughts?

also contemplating wilderness lodge.

 

[twojo21]

take a look at disneys magical gatherings

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...s/ggLandingPage?id=GrandGatheringsLandingPage

 

[Mrs D]

Didn't realize you have edited the post to add your additional questions here. I will answer in your text. A quick aside, I just returned from Villas of Wilderness Lodge in a 1bdrm with DH, DS3, DD1 and DMom. We loved VWL's convenience to MK and enjoyed taking the boats there. Other good villas options would be Boardwalk Villas or Beach Club Villas as they are walking distance to both Epcot and HS. Many people love Old Key West due to the fact that the villas are larger in square footage.

Bumping this up cause May is coming up fast!!! I added some more info....



We are tentatively planning a trip for May of 2009. The total number adults is 5 (2 couples, 1 single) and 4 children ages 2 - 6.

Where would you stay if this were your group?

We would group in the room as follows: 2 adults/2 kids 1 room, 3 adults/2 kids another room or suite
OR
2 adults/2 kids 1 room, 2 adults another room, 1 adult/2 kids final room

Money is a factor, but we do not want to stay in a value. We also do not want to stay offsite.

I was originally thinking about 2 adjoining rooms at POFQ because we know and LOVE that resort. But I am also thinking this might be our last Disney trip for a while, so it could be good to mix it up. I am REALLY inclined to stay at AKL.

I have been looking into the villas at AKL and would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with them. Does anyone know if they have a dishwasher? 1bdrms and larger have dishwashers, studios do not.

The advantage of a kitchen becomes moot if I have to clean a lot. What are the advantages of booking a villa through a travel agent vs. getting a cheaper same-villa through a DVC member? Renting a DVC through a member or DVC rental service will save you a significant amount. When you book a Villa through a member you only get Mousekeeping (maid service) on the 4th and 7th day of your stay. There are trash rooms on each floor and you take your trash there. No one makes your bed everyday.
When you book a Villa through Disney, you are treated like any other hotel guest. You get mousekeeping everyday.

Can I get the DDP if I book through a DVC member? Yes, you add that when you check in.

If we get the DDP I wonder what is the point of having the kitchen at all. Typically with a DDP you will need to provide your own breakfast. It's nice to have a fridge, toaster, microwave for this. With small children such as those you will be traveling with I found having a kitchen, tables, chairs & HIGHCHAIR priceless! Without the highchair and table & chairs, I would have been holding my 1yr old each time she ate.

I am also concerned about AKL being so "remote". I never felt like that traveling from Pop or POFQ to AK, but maybe I wasn't paying attention? Do they have a direct bus to DTD? I do love the idea of the kids center onsite at AKL, one thing we missed out on last time was having some babysitting/kids center at POFQ so DH and I could have some couple time.

Our trip to VWL was the first to WDW with kids, but I am spoiled by the villas now and may find it hard to do otherwise. We really loved that kids could nap in the bedroom and we could watch TV, fix a snack, drink a beer (thanks fridge and garden grocer) without disturbing them.
My neighbors rented a 2bdrm at OKW this past May for their group of 5 adults and 3 kids. They raved about OKW resort and grounds, thought the transportation was very efficient, and felt the configuration of the rooms worked well for them. The kids really liked the pool. They rented DVC points through a rental service and where very satisfied.

HTH!

 

[spiceycat]

if you are use to POFQ and really loved it - then you might consider OKW.

It is the closest of the DVC resort to POFQ and also the biggest room size of all the DVC.

that say would go for a 2-bedroom and a studio.

the 2-bedroom will sleep 8 - so all the couples with kids can sleep together.

the studio is for the couple without kids.

the difference between renting from a travel agent or DVC member is trust. some people feel better renting from a person that they trust. others will go for the cash savings.

yes you can add DDP if you rent from a member - it will NOT show up on the reservation - but when you check in to the front desk you will be charged for it.