Best Villa for 4 young kids?

[Sue M]

If you def. want a Villa, looking into renting points from David's is a good idea and safe.

Other options which are cheaper are booking 2 rooms at a moderate or value resort. True, they don't have kitchens, but I don't cook at Disney
I only stock my room fridge with breakfast stuff.

[HawkeyeFan]

I am really confused on the whole renting the points?? When I went to Davids and put in our dates, figured out that I would need 525 points to stay at the Wilderness Lodge Villas for 5 nights 6 days.. it came out to 6800.00! What the heck am I doing wrong?? Help!

Thanks everyone!

[HawkeyeFan]

So I accidentally added the points for the Villa that holds up to 12 people. Oops! :roll eyes: I figured out that it would be 2509 for our dates but then do I book our Park hopper, dining plans, etc through disney?

[TheDisney411]

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

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeFan

So I accidentally added the points for the Villa that holds up to 12 people. Oops! :roll eyes: I figured out that it would be 2509 for our dates but then do I book our Park hopper, dining plans, etc through disney?

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.

[HawkeyeFan]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

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!

[HawkeyeFan]

Originally Posted by TheDisney411

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!

[Bribrittmom]

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.

[HawkeyeFan]

Originally Posted by Bribrittmom

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!

[tarak]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeFan

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!

[HawkeyeFan]

Originally Posted by tarak

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..

[heather13]

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.

[HawkeyeFan]

Originally Posted by heather13

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?

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeFan

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.

[Pakey]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeFan

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.