So many options... So overwhelmed...

[AndreaO1983]

I am planning my first trip to Disney for my family. This is also going to be the first big trip that I'm taking with my husband. When we go, there will be 6 of us, two boys (5 & 7), a girl (11) and our babysitter (16). We would like a resort that offers at least 2 separate bedrooms. I like the looks of Bay Lake resort, but I've heard that it's on the smaller side. What would you suggest is the best resort to stay?

 

[NicoleLarson]

Bay lake (BLT). Is very nice and large. You are an easy walk to MK which is great. Keep in mind all of the Disney vacation club resorts (dvc) offer 2 bedrooms. These are at all the deluxe resorts except yacht club and poly (currently building)... you will get a much better deal renting points then going direct through Disney. You can do this by either renting points from a member or company (some are advertised here). You should also look at the treehouse villas at Saratoga springs resort. Picking a resort is overwhelming and they are all great so I say pick the one that most appeals to your personal taste.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I am planning my first trip to Disney for my family. This is also going to be the first big trip that I'm taking with my husband. When we go, there will be 6 of us, two boys (5 & 7), a girl (11) and our babysitter (16). We would like a resort that offers at least 2 separate bedrooms. I like the looks of Bay Lake resort, but I've heard that it's on the smaller side. What would you suggest is the best resort to stay?

The 2 br villas at BLT are really nice and really spacious. I think people say that the studios there are on the small side.

 

[jmasgat]

All the DVC resorts have 2 BR units. It's just a matter of preferred location. That said, the 2BR units at Old Key West are the largest. If you think you'll spend more time at the MK, then Bay Lake would be really convenient. Beach Club Villas are close to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios and is also a great location.

I would definitely explore renting points to try and lower the cost. These days, the direct-from-owner route runs anywhere from $11-14/pt. The third party providers, e.g. David's or DVC rental are $13-14/pt. Here's a link to the point charts so you can get a feel for how much it would cost to rent points. You can compare to Disney rates.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

 

[sgauta]

Yes, 2-bedroom villas available at most deluxe resorts, renting points the best way to go for savings. Old Key West will definitely provide the most space. Our party of 6 was just there two weekends ago and stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort in adjoining rooms...that worked nicely for us too. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[rosiebean]

If you think your kids will be interested in swimming, the villas at the Beach Club have access to Storm Along Bay (SAB), which is an amazing water experience for kids of all ages. We were recently at Dis, and my kids (ages 6 and 8) spend several afternoons there. We'd go to a park in the morning, have lunch, rest in the room after, hit SAB for a few hours and then go to a park at night for a few rides/dinner/shopping when the temp went down...and it was a wonderful resource to have with energetic kids who didn't necessarily want to spend the entire day walking in a park.

Also, if you have your babysitter there, the Beach Club area is incredibly close to both the Boardwalk and Epcot's international gateway if you and your husband want to have a date night/dinner.

Don't know what time of year you'll be there, but during our Oct. trip, buses to MK and AK were quick, with few waits (only had to wait for 15 minutes leaving MK one day, every other time, the bus was either at the stop when we went to go to a park/leave a park, or pulled up within 5 minutes).

That said...if you think you and your kids will be more interested in MK, then Bay Lake Towers or the new villas at the Grand Floridian will probably be your best bet.

We stayed at an Epcot area resort to be near family staying at the Swan/Dolphin (another option you can check out for adjoining rooms at much less cost per night than Disney's Epcot resorts or monorail resorts)...I thought my kids would want to go to the MK every day. But they surprised me and loved loved loved SAB, and Epcot, and even AK more than MK.

 

[Sue M]

Another option is to book 2 connecting rooms at any resort. I don't know your budget, but 2 rooms may be cheaper, def at a moderate, and maybe at some deluxe resorts too.

 

[VAfamily1998]

If you think your kids will be interested in swimming, the villas at the Beach Club have access to Storm Along Bay (SAB), which is an amazing water experience for kids of all ages. We were recently at Dis, and my kids (ages 6 and 8) spend several afternoons there. We'd go to a park in the morning, have lunch, rest in the room after, hit SAB for a few hours and then go to a park at night for a few rides/dinner/shopping when the temp went down...and it was a wonderful resource to have with energetic kids who didn't necessarily want to spend the entire day walking in a park.

Also, if you have your babysitter there, the Beach Club area is incredibly close to both the Boardwalk and Epcot's international gateway if you and your husband want to have a date night/dinner.

Don't know what time of year you'll be there, but during our Oct. trip, buses to MK and AK were quick, with few waits (only had to wait for 15 minutes leaving MK one day, every other time, the bus was either at the stop when we went to go to a park/leave a park, or pulled up within 5 minutes).

That said...if you think you and your kids will be more interested in MK, then Bay Lake Towers or the new villas at the Grand Floridian will probably be your best bet.

We stayed at an Epcot area resort to be near family staying at the Swan/Dolphin (another option you can check out for adjoining rooms at much less cost per night than Disney's Epcot resorts or monorail resorts)...I thought my kids would want to go to the MK every day. But they surprised me and loved loved loved SAB, and Epcot, and even AK more than MK.

Yes, I agree with Rosiebean here. If you are bringing the babysitter so you and your Dh can have a date night, there will be so many options in the Epcot/Boardwalk area, so that you are still very close by.
Beach Club and Boardwalk have 2 Bedroom Villas, and both of those plus Yacht club offer 2 bedroom suites in the club level (but those are pretty expensive).