traveling together but staying at different resorts?

[Tara922c]

My DH just called to tell me that his brother, and his family are going to join us at DIS in May. I am super excited!! They have 3 kids, and their youngest DD is the same age, and best buds with our DD. Our dd will be almost (within a week) of being 3 when we go, so it will be nice to have other people there so we can ride rides. We are planning on staying at WL, and my DH said his bro is probably going to want to stay at a mod. I told DH I wont mind if we stay at a less expensive resort, but his heart is set on WL. Has anyone ever traveled to DIS with another family but stayed at different places? We are caravaning together, so we will both have vehicles, so that wont be an issue. My DH said it wont because he wants to do our own thing sometimes, and his bro is going to want to do their own thing sometimes. I also don't want to offend my BIL, and say "were staying here, but you can't afford to". It's not that they don't have enough money, but they have to pay for three kids compared to our one! I just want to do what is best!! thoughts??

[Missus Toad]

Our family split into two resorts on the last trip and it was fine! We didn't even have our own cars, and we still managed to do everything we wanted to do together. As long as the other group is punctual and has an idea of what the travel time really is between resorts/parks, it shouldn't be a problem. Also, no one got offended about the difference in resorts. Everyone stayed where they could afford, and that was that. If your BIL's fam is cool with it, then it won't be an issue.

[DizneyNutz]

Originally Posted by Tara922c

My DH just called to tell me that his brother, and his family are going to join us at DIS in May. I am super excited!! They have 3 kids, and their youngest DD is the same age, and best buds with our DD. Our dd will be almost (within a week) of being 3 when we go, so it will be nice to have other people there so we can ride rides. We are planning on staying at WL, and my DH said his bro is probably going to want to stay at a mod. I told DH I wont mind if we stay at a less expensive resort, but his heart is set on WL. Has anyone ever traveled to DIS with another family but stayed at different places? We are caravaning together, so we will both have vehicles, so that wont be an issue. My DH said it wont because he wants to do our own thing sometimes, and his bro is going to want to do their own thing sometimes. I also don't want to offend my BIL, and say "were staying here, but you can't afford to". It's not that they don't have enough money, but they have to pay for three kids compared to our one! I just want to do what is best!! thoughts??

Have you considered renting points from a DVC owner and getting a 2 bedroom Villa at VWL. Usually you can rent for 10.00 a point and it would be 39 points/night Sun-Thurs. Meaning 390.00 a night for both families in one villa. Full kitchen, washer and dryer, Jacuzzi tub in Master. To Stay a full week you would have to include Fri and Sat which are 59/night meaning right at 600.00 a night. Just a thought for you to consider.

[ajpa]

On the bright side, I am thinking that the kids could try out each other's resort pools, right? That would be pretty cool.

[Tara922c]

Originally Posted by DizneyNutz

Have you considered renting points from a DVC owner and getting a 2 bedroom Villa at VWL. Usually you can rent for 10.00 a point and it would be 39 points/night Sun-Thurs. Meaning 390.00 a night for both families in one villa. Full kitchen, washer and dryer, Jacuzzi tub in Master. To Stay a full week you would have to include Fri and Sat which are 59/night meaning right at 600.00 a night. Just a thought for you to consider.

My DH wont go for that because he is afraid we would pay the money, and be SOL. I think that is a great idea though!!

[Nadjalu]

I think staying at seperate resorts is best. It sounds like you want to spend time with them, but the whole time???
I think it is great when familes vacation together, but I prefer to have "my alone" time. This way it is easy, you are at different hotels.
I wouldn't worry about the deluxe vs mod/value thing, to each his own. We could afford deluxe this time around, but I chose to spend less money and still stay value.
Don't sweat the little things, go, enjoy being together and being apart!!!

[daisyduck123]

Originally Posted by ajpa

On the bright side, I am thinking that the kids could try out each other's resort pools, right? That would be pretty cool.

No, sorry, but that's not true. Each pool is for the use only of the guests paying to stay there.

[ajpa]

Originally Posted by daisyduck123

No, sorry, but that's not true. Each pool is for the use only of the guests paying to stay there.

You're probably right. I was thinking that as a hotel guest, you could invite a friend to swim with you. It's usually ok with non-wdw hotels but I've never had occasion to ask about the wdw policy.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by ajpa

On the bright side, I am thinking that the kids could try out each other's resort pools, right? That would be pretty cool.

Might have a problem there. That could be considered pool hopping if they are not guests at that resort. Signs are posted that the pools are for the exclusive use of the guests of that resort.

One problem with your BIL's family staying at WL. The standard room only sleeps four, so they would have to get a deluxe room unless one of the kids is under the age of three. The only moderate that they would fit at would be POR in Alligator Bayou in a room with a trundle bed - if all three of their kids are three or older. They could do a Ft Wilderness Cabin, though, since they sleep six. Or an All Stars Family suite that also sleeps six.

[Tara922c]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

Might have a problem there. That could be considered pool hopping if they are not guests at that resort. Signs are posted that the pools are for the exclusive use of the guests of that resort.

One problem with your BIL's family staying at WL. The standard room only sleeps four, so they would have to get a deluxe room unless one of the kids is under the age of three. The only moderate that they would fit at would be POR in Alligator Bayou in a room with a trundle bed - if all three of their kids are three or older. They could do a Ft Wilderness Cabin, though, since they sleep six. Or an All Stars Family suite that also sleeps six.

I guess I should have mentioned that their kids are 2, 4, and 9, so they can stay wherever. I will make sure it is okay with the hotel, if their family swims with us, before we do it. I wouldn't want to be kicked out of the pool!

[aubriee]

Originally Posted by ajpa

You're probably right. I was thinking that as a hotel guest, you could invite a friend to swim with you. It's usually ok with non-wdw hotels but I've never had occasion to ask about the wdw policy.

I posted this several years ago, but will do so again. I can tell you from personal experience that WL does sometimes check room keys at the pool. They did with us several years ago. I was doing laundry while my son took my grandaughter swimming. They did not have their room keys so came into the laundry room to get mine. I walked out with them and showed the lifeguard my room key. He insisted that he had to see theirs too, saying that just because I was staying there did not mean they were. I had to go all the way upstairs to get their keys. When I got back my grandaughterr told me I had missed all the fireworks and that two different families had been kicked out. Apparently one dad got very upset that his family had been embarrassed and demanded a manager. He tried to say that with as much money as he was paying for his vacation that he could swim wherever he d-mn well pleased. The manager sided with his lifeguards and the family was thrown out.

If you want to invite guests I would clear it with the lifeguards first. They are in charge of the pool. If the pool is not busy they may allow it.

[kaffinito]

We did a vacation like that in August with DSIL, DB and my DN's. They stayed at BCV (paid rack rate but got FD) and we stayed at SSR and BLT.

It worked out really well staying at separate locations. We got together when we wanted to, had meals together, and we all had a much better trip than if we tried to stay at the same place. We had to stay at SSR to use our DP's, but at least I had the chance to check out the BC and she got a chance to check out SSR.