Best Villa for 4 young kids?

The member who books the trip for you (David just acts as a broker for the member) will need to add the dining plan and you will have to pay for the dining plan when you add it. You buy your tickets from wherever you like.

Just an aside. Villas at Wilderness Lodge do not have any Grand Villas (villas that sleep 12), just studios, one bedroom villas and two bedroom villas. With your family of six, you will need a two bedroom villa at VWL since they only sleep up to five total. Some of the two bedroom villas are dedicated, meaning they can only be reserved as a two bedroom with two queen beds in the second bedroom. Or a two bedroom can be a lockoff, meaning a combination of a studio and a one bedroom. So the second bedroom has a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa, plus a kitchenette. The second bedroom in a lockoff will also have a door to the hallway.

However, when you are planning on going in February may be a problem. There doesn't seem to be a lot of availability at VWL right now in February. And I'm a bit confused at how you got 193 points for a stay. During the first 15 days of February, a two bedroom is 44 points per night Sun thru Thur and 49 points Sat and Sun. A week would be 318 points. During the last 13 nights of February, Sun through Thur would be 48 points per night and Fri and Sat 55 points per night or 350 points. So a week would be from $4134 to $4550 at $13 a point.

Our youngest is 1, so we technically are a 5 person family. I haven't had any problems with trying to book via Disney World vacations for the AKV with my kids ages put in there. And the 193...I meant 190. According to DVC, it is 13.00 per point.......

Once you determine the amount of points required, multiply that by the price per point which is currently $13.00, or place your mouse over the result to see the total. My cancellation policy is located here.

Our dates come to 190 points in the one bedroom villa. Does that not make sense? I am confusing myself by all the different options of everything and I haven't even started the dining process. Yikes!
 
We are also a large family and have been traveling to Disney since our kids were very young. This is our experience, the villas are way overpriced, even renting points. We HATED the cabins, they are WAY overpriced for what they are and only have one bathroom. We love the dining plan, so we don't need a kitchen. For the last number of years we have been getting 2 connecting rooms. We have done connecting rooms at the Poly, Port Orleans, Pop and All Star Movies. The all time family fave is All Star Movies. We have also lucked out with free ongoing for the last several years. If you rent points you can't take advantage of the free dining, stay/play/dine or the room only discounts. You will come out thousands ahead by going to Art of Animation with a discount than renting points at one of the villas. We are trying AoA for the first time in November and can not wait

That might be an option but we are thinking the kitchen would be a nice addition since we still have an infant. I will look into it further if the Villas are way out of our price range. One expensive trip but a trip of a lifetime! :)
 
The family suites at Art of Animation have two bathrooms and a mini-kitchen w/ a fridge,coffee maker,and microwave.I think your young children would love the decor and theming.Much less expensive than renting a villa.
 
The family suites at Art of Animation have two bathrooms and a mini-kitchen w/ a fridge,coffee maker,and microwave.I think your young children would love the decor and theming.Much less expensive than renting a villa.

We are really considering this route, but my only hesitation is not having a balcony or patio! :confused:
 


Our youngest is 1, so we technically are a 5 person family. I haven't had any problems with trying to book via Disney World vacations for the AKV with my kids ages put in there. And the 193...I meant 190. According to DVC, it is 13.00 per point.......

Once you determine the amount of points required, multiply that by the price per point which is currently $13.00, or place your mouse over the result to see the total. My cancellation policy is located here.

Our dates come to 190 points in the one bedroom villa. Does that not make sense? I am confusing myself by all the different options of everything and I haven't even started the dining process. Yikes!

I plugged in random dates in February, since I wasn't sure when you would be there. A Monday through Sunday stay at AKV was 172 points (the dates I threw in were the 4th through the 9th). So 190 could very well be right. Whether there is availability is another question. With David's, you pay a $90 deposit and they check the resorts for you. If there's nothing available, you get your deposit back. I know there's another DVC rental company that (I believe) does not charge a deposit.

I rented points through David's for a stay at the end of January 2013. Your family make up is very similar to mine - DH and me, then our four kids, who are 9, 8, 5 and 8 months. We went with a one BR villa at Kidani. We've stayed at AKL a few times and absolutely adore it. We're big on the balcony, and having the second bathroom will be very helpful (as well as a separate sleeping area so the baby can nap). For the dates we chose, it came to $1885. The main downside to renting DVC points is that once you've paid, it's not refundable.

I plan to contact Davids at the beginning of December to add the dining plan. I was told to add it 30 days out (so I'm padding it by a few weeks). I'm hoping to get tickets for one of the YES programs, so that will take care of park tickets for DH and two of our kids (I have two other passes that don't expire which will take care of DS5 and me).

Good luck with your decision!
 
I plugged in random dates in February, since I wasn't sure when you would be there. A Monday through Sunday stay at AKV was 172 points (the dates I threw in were the 4th through the 9th). So 190 could very well be right. Whether there is availability is another question. With David's, you pay a $90 deposit and they check the resorts for you. If there's nothing available, you get your deposit back. I know there's another DVC rental company that (I believe) does not charge a deposit.

I rented points through David's for a stay at the end of January 2013. Your family make up is very similar to mine - DH and me, then our four kids, who are 9, 8, 5 and 8 months. We went with a one BR villa at Kidani. We've stayed at AKL a few times and absolutely adore it. We're big on the balcony, and having the second bathroom will be very helpful (as well as a separate sleeping area so the baby can nap). For the dates we chose, it came to $1885. The main downside to renting DVC points is that once you've paid, it's not refundable.

I plan to contact Davids at the beginning of December to add the dining plan. I was told to add it 30 days out (so I'm padding it by a few weeks). I'm hoping to get tickets for one of the YES programs, so that will take care of park tickets for DH and two of our kids (I have two other passes that don't expire which will take care of DS5 and me).

Good luck with your decision!

That is just the thing... I don't know if I want to skimp on not having a balcony, an upgraded room, etc.. since it is our first trip to Disney World and who knows when we would return. If it is like Mexico.. we may just return every year! I don't want to be disappointed with our decision and I may be the most indecisive person ever which is really making this hard.
I actually already booked a trip through the Disney site for the Beach Club Resort but then realized it was just a stand room. If I cancel that, I can get a full refund, correct? If that is the case, I might just put in at Dave's for the Villas and hopefully get something we like. When do you find out if you get those dates and hotel you requested??
Then if the Free Dining Plan would come out, maybe we could save on that as well! Wishful thinking.. ;)
 
We just rented through The DVC Rental Store and it was a very pleasant experience. Only problem was that they had trouble finding a 2BR villa. We stuck with a 1BR and my mom just got a studio room on her own dime. With five people (three adults, two young kids) we needed that extra room. The villas are great for four people and a crib, but more than that and it will be cramped.

Having a kitchen was fantastic though! We paid $75 for groceries (including delivery fee & tip) and that covered breakfast every morning and dinner two nights. HIGHLY recommend it if you can find a 2BR villa.

I feel your pain - I struggled with this decision too! I'm glad we had a kitchen, and I'm glad that we were able to take the boat to MK (initially I wanted BLT for the monorail, which I prefer). But didn't like the remoteness of WL. You have to take the bus to get everywhere else. Something to consider if that's important to you.
 


We just rented through The DVC Rental Store and it was a very pleasant experience. Only problem was that they had trouble finding a 2BR villa. We stuck with a 1BR and my mom just got a studio room on her own dime. With five people (three adults, two young kids) we needed that extra room. The villas are great for four people and a crib, but more than that and it will be cramped.

Having a kitchen was fantastic though! We paid $75 for groceries (including delivery fee & tip) and that covered breakfast every morning and dinner two nights. HIGHLY recommend it if you can find a 2BR villa.

I feel your pain - I struggled with this decision too! I'm glad we had a kitchen, and I'm glad that we were able to take the boat to MK (initially I wanted BLT for the monorail, which I prefer). But didn't like the remoteness of WL. You have to take the bus to get everywhere else. Something to consider if that's important to you.

Thanks so much for your input! I think I will have to call and cancel my reservation through Disney and go with the DVC. The only concern I have about that.... we were going to do the Plus Dining through Disney and then of course the Park Hopper, and 5 days of park passes. Right now they have the package deal through Disney.. if I book through DVC, will it be quite a bit more than that?
 
Our youngest is 1, so we technically are a 5 person family. I haven't had any problems with trying to book via Disney World vacations for the AKV with my kids ages put in there. And the 193...I meant 190. According to DVC, it is 13.00 per point.......

Once you determine the amount of points required, multiply that by the price per point which is currently $13.00, or place your mouse over the result to see the total. My cancellation policy is located here.

Our dates come to 190 points in the one bedroom villa. Does that not make sense? I am confusing myself by all the different options of everything and I haven't even started the dining process. Yikes!

So you are going with AKV instead of VWL? At VWL you would be a family of five plus one, not permitted. At AKV, you would be a family of five plus one which would be permitted except in the value villas which you would be limited to four plus one. Your infant will always count, but they will be the PLUS ONE in each case.

Don't cancel your Disney reservation until you make sure you get the DVC points stay. The inventory is different so you won't know if anything is available until the member lets you know.
 
Thanks so much for your input! I think I will have to call and cancel my reservation through Disney and go with the DVC. The only concern I have about that.... we were going to do the Plus Dining through Disney and then of course the Park Hopper, and 5 days of park passes. Right now they have the package deal through Disney.. if I book through DVC, will it be quite a bit more than that?

The DVC Dining plan costs for 2013 are 55.59 per night for an adult and 17.16 per night for children 3-9. This is the plan that gives you one table service credit, one counter service credit and one snack credit per night (if you stay 5 nights, you would get 5 of each).

I would go to undercover tourist's website and get costs on park tickets, for whatever options you are looking for. I usually buy through them when we take guests as it will save you a few dollars per ticket and they are a great company.

Add the costs all together and you will see how you compare.
 
The DVC Dining plan costs for 2013 are 55.59 per night for an adult and 17.16 per night for children 3-9. This is the plan that gives you one table service credit, one counter service credit and one snack credit per night (if you stay 5 nights, you would get 5 of each).

I would go to undercover tourist's website and get costs on park tickets, for whatever options you are looking for. I usually buy through them when we take guests as it will save you a few dollars per ticket and they are a great company.

Add the costs all together and you will see how you compare.

THanks Pokey! I will be getting to that shortly!
 
Going through the DVC and some of the other sites, we won't be saving anything really so not even worth it. Bummer!

500.00 difference between the AOA and the Wilderness Lodge-Kidani ... Is it really worth the extra 500? Location wise? Busses? Restaurants?
 
Going through the DVC and some of the other sites, we won't be saving anything really so not even worth it. Bummer!

500.00 difference between the AOA and the Wilderness Lodge-Kidani ... Is it really worth the extra 500? Location wise? Busses? Restaurants?

There is no Wilderness Lodge-Kidani.
There is a deluxe resort called the Wilderness Lodge which has DVC villas on the resort grounds - to stay there in a villa you would need a 2 br. villa. This is a lovely resort a boat ride away from the magic kingdom. It's theme is sort of a national park historic lodge, rustic w/ beams.
There is also an Animal Kingdom Lodge which is also a deluxe resort that has villas associated with it. To stay there you could get by in a 1br villa, which I think is what you have priced out. To complicate matters further, the villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are located in 2 buildings - one is called Jambo house and also has regular deluxe resort rooms. The other is called Kidani and only has villas. It is a lovely resort. It's theme is Africa and it is set amongst savannas w/ live animals. The most expensive rooms and villas have a view of one of the savannas from their balconies.
As you consider your options, keep in mind that if you rent points you will not get daily housekeeping (unless you pay more for it) and you will only have towels provided one time (maybe 2 depending on length of stay) unless you pay for more. The upside is you have more space and you have a washer and dryer in the unit. You will need to work with the DVC member to arrange your dinning plan and if you aren't driving, your DME. You will need to purchase and activate your park tickets on your own.
 
In order to go thru Disney and stay in a 1 bedroom villa you have to go with AKV-Kidani Old Key West, or Bay Lake Tower. Otherwise you will be looking at a 2 BR Villa and that really increases the cost.

I'd stay at All Star Music suite or AoA if you can't swing AKV-Kidani or BLT. AKV will be the cheaper of the 2 villas.

For the $600 difference I'd go with the villa. You will spend that 600 plus some in food without the ability to cook in your room. Plus it would be nice to have a washer/dryer and the extra room.
 
There is no Wilderness Lodge-Kidani.
There is a deluxe resort called the Wilderness Lodge which has DVC villas on the resort grounds - to stay there in a villa you would need a 2 br. villa. This is a lovely resort a boat ride away from the magic kingdom. It's theme is sort of a national park historic lodge, rustic w/ beams.
There is also an Animal Kingdom Lodge which is also a deluxe resort that has villas associated with it. To stay there you could get by in a 1br villa, which I think is what you have priced out. To complicate matters further, the villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are located in 2 buildings - one is called Jambo house and also has regular deluxe resort rooms. The other is called Kidani and only has villas. It is a lovely resort. It's theme is Africa and it is set amongst savannas w/ live animals. The most expensive rooms and villas have a view of one of the savannas from their balconies.
As you consider your options, keep in mind that if you rent points you will not get daily housekeeping (unless you pay more for it) and you will only have towels provided one time (maybe 2 depending on length of stay) unless you pay for more. The upside is you have more space and you have a washer and dryer in the unit. You will need to work with the DVC member to arrange your dinning plan and if you aren't driving, your DME. You will need to purchase and activate your park tickets on your own.

Animal Kingdom Villas is the resort I was thinking of. We have booked there, but in a standard room, not the Savannah. I also am going right through Disney's website vs DVC because there wasn't much of a price difference and I don't know enough about Disney to be comfortable booking elsewhere. Great point on the daily housekeeping! :) That is kind of a must for our family with young kiddos. ;) Thanks for the great advice!! I have fallen in love with this forum.. so much great information on Disney! :yay:
 
Animal Kingdom Villas is the resort I was thinking of. We have booked there, but in a standard room, not the Savannah. I also am going right through Disney's website vs DVC because there wasn't much of a price difference and I don't know enough about Disney to be comfortable booking elsewhere. Great point on the daily housekeeping! :) That is kind of a must for our family with young kiddos. ;) Thanks for the great advice!! I have fallen in love with this forum.. so much great information on Disney! :yay:

The standard room at AKL only sleeps four (plus one under the age of three). Did you book a suite instead of a standard room? I thought you had four kids (one under three), plus the two of you.

Or did you book a standard view one bedroom villa (Jambo House or Kidani Village)?
 
Deb & Bill said:
The standard room at AKL only sleeps four (plus one under the age of three). Did you book a suite instead of a standard room? I thought you had four kids (one under three), plus the two of you.

Or did you book a standard view one bedroom villa (Jambo House or Kidani Village)?

Standard View Villa at the Kidani is what we booked.
 
I stayed in a 1br villa at Jambo 2 years ago - the unit was lovely (I've also been in a regular room in Jambo before there was a Kidani.) I believe the 1brs at Kidani have 2 bathrooms and you will have a balcony. Although the standard views don't usually overlook the savannas, there are lots of places to see animals around the resort. The counter service restaurant (Mara) is in Jambo house but if you don't feel like going over to Jambo the pool bar has cs food, too. You can use both Kidani and Jambo's facilities. The kids splash area at Kidani is supposed to be great as well. I love eating at all 3 restaurants -Boma and Jiko in Jambo and Sanaa in Kidani. I really like the gift shop at Jambo as well.
Here's a site w/ maps and photos.
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas/maps-a-photos
Oh, FYI no balloons at AKL - too risky for the animals.
 
Then if the Free Dining Plan would come out, maybe we could save on that as well! Wishful thinking.. ;)

You have to pay for the dining plan with DVC resorts. If it is "FREE", it maybe free to AoA suites, but may not. You can add dining plan at a DVC resort.

I think the theme at all the resorts is fantastic and you really can't go wrong. We have done All Star Sport, Music and Movies, along with Port Orleans Riverside (family of 5) and Caribbean Beach (2 rooms, since we are now a family of 7). With these resorts we got FREE Dining.
 
If you book directly with Disney, you can add free dining if it comes out and the villas are available. We took advantage of this before we purchased DVC.

We have stayed at Kidani in a standard 1 bdrm villa and loved it. The room was spacious and the resort is beautiful. We have a 2 bdrm standard view booked at Jambo over Thanksgiving and are still crossing our fingers that our waitlist will come through for Kidani for the extra bathroom (booked on DVC points). You will love it.:)
 

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