3 adults and four kids... Where would you stay?

[Tara D]

I'm pulling some quotes up for a client with four kids and a high school age foreign exchange student. Help me with ideas please as I've never stayed in a villa or suite!

Two parents, sixteen year old exchange student, kids are nine, six, three and one. They would like several bedrooms if possible.

[Tara D]

I've pulled quotes for SSR and OKW villas. Also suite at AOA. I've also thought of connecting rooms at a mod or deluxe but she said they preferred the feel of a condo over a regular hotel room. Thanks!

[plutolovr]

Have you looked into a Treehouse Villa or a Cabin at Ft. Wilderness?

[Tara D]

The cabins were my first thought but I'm afraid they would feel like it was too rustic. Looking into treehouse, thanks!

[BLTtinkerbell]

A 2 bedroom at BLT will give them 3 bathrooms.

[Marthasor]

Your group could fit into any 2-bedroom villa - I would recommend the villas at WL, BC, BWI, BLT (for location, theming and amenities) or AKL (for theming and amenities) over SSR or OKW any day! They would also fit into a Deluxe Room at WL or BWI or a Junior Suite at Coronado Springs.

[Singinglizzie]

If they are looking for more of a condo feel, then I would recommend a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake Towers. They will have access to the monorail, and well, you can't beat monorail access. The Treehouse is also a great suggestion. If however, they prefer to rent a car, and want to save a little $ (very littel) then I would recommend a 2 bedroom at Animal Kingdom Lodge, where they would get 3 bathrooms.

[MulanMom]

With the DVC 2 bedroom units, assuming that the parents will be in the master bedroom, exchange student on sleeper sofa, and four kids in the 2 beds in the second bedroom, I'd suggest trying to get what's called a dedicated 2bdr unit. A lot of the DVC 2 bedrooms are a combination of a 1bdr lockoff and a studio, so there are two doors to enter from the outside. With the dedicated two bedroom, there is only one entry door to the villa, the one leading into the main living area. As a parent, I always liked that additional level of safety.

[amym2]

We stayed at the Treehouse Villas last month and while we loved it, I definitely would not recommend them if they plan to use Disney transportation. They'd have to take a bus from the THV to SSR then switch to park buses. We had a car and didn't visit Disney parks other than Typhoon Lagoon. If they have a car that would be fine.

I'm assuming you're only looking onsite? A condo offsite would be ideal in terms of space and a whole lot cheaper. But a 2 bdrm villa would work. We also stayed at OKW and loved it. The 2 bdrm would give them lots of space since OKW rooms are the most spacious of all DVC. While you do have to use buses to get to the parks, OKW is conveniently located and we loved the pool and Olivia's restaurant. We'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

[butsy113]

Originally Posted by Singinglizzie

If they are looking for more of a condo feel, then I would recommend a 2 bedroom at Bay Lake Towers. They will have access to the monorail, and well, you can't beat monorail access. The Treehouse is also a great suggestion. If however, they prefer to rent a car, and want to save a little $ (very littel) then I would recommend a 2 bedroom at Animal Kingdom Lodge, where they would get 3 bathrooms.

I always hear people saying to rent a car if they are staying at AKV. We must be really lucky people, as we have never had an issue with buses there The pool at Kidani would be excellent for children that age, plus the animal viewing areas would be fantastic. The resort is a little further out, but depending on the family, some like the peace and quiet at AKV. My children are in that age group and they absolutely love it. So much so we bought DVC at AKV!

[Tara D]

Thank you all for your replies. She is looking over the quotes I give her but I think we are leaning away from SSR because they will be there during the holidays and with an already crazy time I don't want to add transportation drama.

[FantasiaMagic]

I think a Villa is the way to go. A 2br villa would be great for the size of your family. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the villas. It really just depends on what you like as of theming and location. I think resorts that are in the park areas are the way to go.

such as -

BWI - EPCOT/HS
BC - EPOT/HS
WL - MK
BLT - MK/EPCOT (going to TTC)

As for the other villas -

AKL - does not go to any resorts but has the great perk of the animals which was an amazing experience.

SSR/OKW - I have stayed at each twice and love them both. They have calming themes and also have a boat that goes to DTD - which is great!

Have fun deciding and do some research on what you think you might like!

-FantasiaMagic

[rwdavis2]

Depends on what you want to spend. If you can stay off site then I would recomment All Star Vacation Homes. Many of them are 10 minutes from WDW entrance and you get a lot of space for the price.

[scm200]

we stayed at the tree houses last winter with 4 19-22 year olds and 3 adults and it was very cramped...the bed configurations are two bedrooms one with a queen bed, the second with either a queen or a double (can't remember) a room with a set of bunks and a pullout in the living area

the units are pretty, but they are not close to transporation, or the food court, we love OKW, its the one that has the largest units and with a 2 bedroom unit they are alot bigger than the tree houses or BLT, which are pretty small compared...

[VAfamily1998]

Originally Posted by Marthasor

Your group could fit into any 2-bedroom villa - I would recommend the villas at WL, BC, BWI, BLT (for location, theming and amenities) or AKL (for theming and amenities) over SSR or OKW any day! They would also fit into a Deluxe Room at WL or BWI or a Junior Suite at Coronado Springs.

Would those options require that the exchange student share a bed with one of the other kids? Most exchange student agencies have a policy that the student MUST have their own bed.