4 Adults + 3 Little Ones

[refnat]

We are looking to go to WDW in early 2013. We are two 15 month olds, one almost 3 year old, husband+wife, and grandparents. Our dilema is where to stay? We want to be close to the magic kingdom since that is where we will probably spend all our time and a kitchen to make at least breakfast are rated high on the list.

The cabins at fort wilderness is what is being pushed for by the grandparents. The older folks (coupled) each get a double bed, 3 year old on a bunk bed, and each baby in a pack n play. Is there even enough room for 2 pack n plays?
The a two bedroom villa at the wilderness lodge would be great but gets expensive.
The one bedroom villa in the bay lake tower at the contemporary would be grandparents in king bed, parents in sleeper sofa, 3 year old on sleeper chair and each baby in a pack n play. Down side is not much to the kitchen.

Anyone traveled with such a group and have advice?

 

[Elise79]

The one bedroom at Bay Lake Tower has a full kitchen

 

[Maria1985]

Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment;not only about survival

 

[cvjw]

I think you have too many people for the BLT 1 bedroom. I think occupancy is 5 plus one under the age of 3. If I am reading your post correctly, you have 7 in total - one person too many for a 1 bedroom. You would have to move to a 2 bedroom at BLT, which will be much more expensive.

 

[Sue M]

Ft Wilderness is very spread out, and from the cabins you'd need a car to get around the resort. Many people rent golf carts.
I'm also not a fan of having to sleep on a pull out in the living room with 3 kids!
So I'd prob pic a 2 bdrm villa. Check out David's Vacation Rentals. Many people have been happy booking from him. The only thing about renting points is that you have to be sure about dates.

Your other option is to book 2 regular rooms. You won't get a kitchen for breakfast, but WL gift shop has many grocery items, so you could buy milk and cereal for breakfast and have it in your room. And pack some instant oatmeal packets, use hot water from coffee machine. I've done this, and just threw in some disposable plastic bowls in my luggage.

 

[Missytara]

I second Sue's idea. I think that is your best option to get two rooms at a resort close to MK; WL would also be my pick and request them to be at least adjoining, if not connecting.

 

[refnat]

I think you have too many people for the BLT 1 bedroom. I think occupancy is 5 plus one under the age of 3.

We are 4 adults and 3 under 3. Technically 7- so will the listed occupancy of 5 exclude us from this room choice (if we booked it and shoewd up will they say "no") or is the occupancy number more of a recomendation?

 

[melissac]

What about going to the rent/trade boards under DVC heading(disboards) and look at renting points. Depending when you go it is more resonable to rent points for a 2 bedroom then paying for 2 rooms.

For example: Most points run $10-$15. If you rent a OKW low season for 1 week sat-sat 2BR is 217 points.

I have never rented points but have sold points and it is a very easy process.

Just a thought.

 

[shaynar]

We are 4 adults and 3 under 3. Technically 7- so will the listed occupancy of 5 exclude us from this room choice (if we booked it and shoewd up will they say "no") or is the occupancy number more of a recomendation?

Yes you are "technically 7, but in terms of rooms you are 6 + 1 under 3. ou can only count one of your 15 months old kids.

A 1 br at BLT will fit 5 plus one under 3, not 2.

 

[kathie859]

OP, I'm the Grandma of our troupe which includes Grandpa, our DD/DSIL and 3 grandkids (9,6,4). We've taken 3 trips with them. Once at a condo at Windsor Hills, once in a 5 bedroom house with a pool at WH and, most recently, in 2 rooms at the Poly CL. I ADORE my grands--but we really appreciate/NEED our separate space. At the very least, you need 2 rooms or a 2 bedroom unit or else you'll all be ready to kill each other by the end of the trip. Whether you stay offsite or on site depends on your priorities and budget. When we stay offsite, one of us buys an AP (saves the parking fee) and gets a TIW card which gives us 20% off food and drinks at several locations. It's also opens you to any AP room discount, btw. You can book an AP discount room (s) without having the AP in hand. You'll just need to show it within a small window at checkin.

 

[cvjw]

I just tried to book a 1 bedroom at BLT for your travel party on the DVC member site, and it would not do it. You have too many people for a 1 bedroom. You will have to book a 2 bedroom at BLT, or 2 studios, or consider other resort options. FYI - the 2 bedrooms at BLT are wonderful - my favorite 2 bedrooms on property.

 

[Missytara]

We are 4 adults and 3 under 3. Technically 7- so will the listed occupancy of 5 exclude us from this room choice (if we booked it and shoewd up will they say "no") or is the occupancy number more of a recomendation?

Room occupancy is based on local, state and national fire codes that were established for people exiting a building in case of a fire. It is based on the number of people who can enter the corridors and get down the stairs to exterior grade without loss of life. Elevators can not be used in case of fire, because they are shafts which could spread the fire floor to floor, so they are shut down.

The reason you can count one child under the age of three is because most likely one parent will be carrying that infant and will not be taking up actual walkway space. However, the second must still be counted towards occupancy because two parents carrying children will be taking up more room trying to exit. In that case, the second infant would be counted.

If you booked a room and checked in over the occupancy for that room, you will be asked to leave and your reservation would be terminated.

Hope that helps! I am an architect and a construction manager, so I work with this all the time.

 

[amym2]

Have you considered a family suite at AoA? They will hold 6 plus a child under 3 and have a kitchen. Personally I couldn't stay that close to the grandparents, I'd prefer some space, but you could manage if you had to. We've survived breakfast with just a mini-fridge... cereal, granola bars, etc. I'm pretty sure most of the resorts have a microwave you can use in the QS dining area (I know WL and POR have them).

I agree- look into renting points and getting a 2 bedroom. We joined DVC last year and wow, does staying in the villas make a difference.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I would want to stay at AoA with that many people. We just stayed there with 4 adults and a 3 year. With luggage, stroller, etc it wasn't tight but it wasn't super roomy.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I would suggest the family suite. Two bathrooms, bedroom for the grandparents, kitchenette.

Sorry you could not get the BLT one bedroom. We did that as a group of 5+baby and could have comfortably set up two pack and plays. Having laundry in the room with little ones is wonderful. The kitchen was perfect in the mornings!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are 4 adults and 3 under 3. Technically 7- so will the listed occupancy of 5 exclude us from this room choice (if we booked it and shoewd up will they say "no") or is the occupancy number more of a recomendation?

No, you are a family of six plus one under the age of three. Only one of the babies will not count towards occupancy. Any additional will count.

 

[refnat]

Sorry you could not get the BLT one bedroom.

I couldn't reply to your message (not enough posts) but that's how I was thinking.

AoA was considered but seems far from Magic Kingdom.

I totally agree that the seperate space (and bathroom) are needed to keep some sanity, but it seems I'm being out-voted.

It looks like we will be in a FW cabin (with a car). Not my first choice but at least it will be a learning experience for future trips. Wish us luck

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

Having a vehicle to travel to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom is great, but for Magic Kingdom it is better to take the boat, but when we were at Fort Wilderness it took us from 20-30 minutes to get from our room to the Magic Kingdom. It can be a LONG walk from your cabin to the launch and the boat is not super speedy. It is almost as fast to just grab a bus from AoA.

Were I in your shoes I would prefer to rent points from a DVC member and get a villa to fit the family, or a family suite or two value rooms with a request for connecting rooms.

The cabins would be my last choice unless I got along a LOT better with my in-laws.

 

[refnat]

Fort Wilderness is where the in-laws want to be. It is a fun spot to be in (even from the little I remember when I was a kid there). From the searching that I did there are no villas open for the time we plan to be there (even tried a week after and before) so the cabin is it. As for the walking in the fort resort, I am looking at a cart rental from what others have posted as well. I can get along with everyone, my spouse and father-in-law can both be a bit stubborn so hopefully they can play nice.

 

[lifesgr8]

Ft Wilderness is very spread out, and from the cabins you'd need a car to get around the resort. Many people rent golf carts.
I'm also not a fan of having to sleep on a pull out in the living room with 3 kids!
So I'd prob pic a 2 bdrm villa. Check out David's Vacation Rentals. Many people have been happy booking from him. The only thing about renting points is that you have to be sure about dates.

Your other option is to book 2 regular rooms. You won't get a kitchen for breakfast, but WL gift shop has many grocery items, so you could buy milk and cereal for breakfast and have it in your room. And pack some instant oatmeal packets, use hot water from coffee machine. I've done this, and just threw in some disposable plastic bowls in my luggage.

About renting points from Davids....Ive been to his website to price things...they seem pretty expensive? am I missing something?