Best Rooms for a family of 5

[Bob1510a]

I have been considering purchasing a DVC membership and have gotten a ton of great information of the forums. The one thing that I am still up in the air about is which home resort to purchase. I understand the advantages of UY and the 11 month booking window, but really need some feedback on what resort and room types would be best for a family of 5.

In my past trips we have stayed at the Beach Club (2010) and just go back from the Yatch Club in August (2012). We stayed in one room, with 2 queen beds and a day bed. While everyone had a spot to sleep it was very tight with 3 girls that are only getting bigger and my wife. Also being out numbered there was not much privacy for me.

So, I have been looking at the room layouts and have come to these assumptions on my options at each resort:

BLT = 1 BR or 2 BR
AKV = 2 BR
BCV = 2 BR
BWV = 2 BR
OKW = 2 BR (Lower points required as nice)
SSR = 2 BR or Treehouse
VWL = 2 BR

Considering the limited options for Family's of 5 at the onsite hotels @ WDW, I would like to understand how well DVC accommodate larger families. Also, if you are a family of 5 what resort do you like to stay at?

Thanks for the feedback.

[TSMMANIAC]

As a family of 5 we always stay in a 2BR. AKL, OKW, and BLT will accomodate 5 in a 1 bedroom but we find that far too crowded. When we bring larger groups we spread out in multiple rooms or book a GV. We love OKW for the space and low points and we love BWV for the locaation.

[JaimeA]

We are a family of 5 also. I really love the Epcot area and decided on BWV, we have stayed at BCV but prefer BWV. So we bought enough points for 2 bedroom every year. We have also stayed in the hotel side with the 5 of us and it was too tight so I understand. DVC will allow 5 in a one bedroom but I do believe a 2 bed is best. Good Luck!

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[kristenrice]

I would think that if your children are all girls (or boys) and you are looking for the best "deal", I would look at AKV first. The 1BR's at Kidani have 2 bathrooms. You and the spouse could have the master bedroom/bathroom and the girls could have the pullout sofa and chair in the living room, along with their own, albeit small, bathroom. Yes, it might be a bit cramped, but it is a cheaper option than a 2BR. With 5 people, I don't think any of the 2BR options would feel "cramped"...not even the value 2BR's at AKV.

BLT also sleeps 5 in a 1BR and has the additional bathroom. OKW sleeps 5, but does not have the additional bathroom...which in your case, would be an issue with 4 ladies.

[wendow]

We are actually a family of 6 but our youngest is 1 so he could sleep in a pack-n-play. We stayed in a 1br at BLT and absolutely loved it. We found it plenty spacious and it had 2 baths which was key for us. No way did I want to spend that long with only 1 bathroom. DVC won't let us stay in that room once our youngest is 3 but I wish they would b/c it'd be fine for us. And we are people who went back to the room daily to rest and also turned in early most nights. So, we spent lots of time in the room and never felt cramped.

[KAT4DISNEY]

AKV Kidani - 1BR will have sleeping for 5 and have 2 bathrooms.
BLT - 1BR will have sleeping for 5 and have 2 bathrooms.
AKV Jambo (except for value category) - 1 BR will have sleeping for 5 but 1 bathroom
OKW - 1BR will have sleeping for 5 but 1 bathroom.

All others are going to be 2 BR's.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by Bob1510a

I have been considering purchasing a DVC membership and have gotten a ton of great information of the forums. The one thing that I am still up in the air about is which home resort to purchase. I understand the advantages of UY and the 11 month booking window, but really need some feedback on what resort and room types would be best for a family of 5.

In my past trips we have stayed at the Beach Club (2010) and just go back from the Yatch Club in August (2012). We stayed in one room, with 2 queen beds and a day bed. While everyone had a spot to sleep it was very tight with 3 girls that are only getting bigger and my wife. Also being out numbered there was not much privacy for me.

So, I have been looking at the room layouts and have come to these assumptions on my options at each resort:

BLT = 1 BR or 2 BR
AKV = 2 BR
BCV = 2 BR
BWV = 2 BR
OKW = 2 BR (Lower points required as nice)
SSR = 2 BR or Treehouse
VWL = 2 BR

Considering the limited options for Family's of 5 at the onsite hotels @ WDW, I would like to understand how well DVC accommodate larger families. Also, if you are a family of 5 what resort do you like to stay at?

Thanks for the feedback.

If the kids are getting older, you'll likely need a 2 BR. Some of the 1 BR units will give you more space than a sleep 5 hotel room but likely at a higher price still than cash for say a moderate. 2 studios will give you more space once they are old enough to be in a separate room. I wouldn't buy to squeeze into a 1 BR consistently but some do.

[jekjones1558]

I agree that the age of your kids could make a 1 bedroom, even at BLT and AKV, a little tight.
AKV value and standard view, BWV standard view and OKW rooms would be the best bargains as far as point requirements. OKW would have the biggest square footage for any of the room sizes but is also the easiest of these options to book, so you would not necessarily need to own there unless you want a GV (which is a real bargain option).

[melk]

If you don't have a very strong leaning towards any one resort I would opt for OKW. It is the cheapest point wise and it is a lovely resort.

We are also a family of 5 and have been comfortable in the one bedrooms at AKV and BLT. The second bathroom makes all the difference. Our home resort is VWL and we now have to go with the two bedroom there. I know the smart thing is to buy where you want to stay, but we have been able to try almost all the DVC resorts with advance planning at 7 months.

[Bob1510a]

Thanks everyone for you feedback. Considering I am looking at a 2 BR at most resorts and the kids are only growing I am leaning toward trying to find a contract at SSR. This resort has a longer contract life than OKW and think it is the best value on the resale market.

I really like the idea of staying close to MK at BLT but cannot justify the cost and higher points for a 2BR verse the value at OKW or SSR.

We also like being able to walk to Epcot and as the kids get older and move out, it would be nice to have the 11 month booking for BCV or BWV.

So many choices with pros and cons to each one.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by Bob1510a

Thanks everyone for you feedback. Considering I am looking at a 2 BR at most resorts and the kids are only growing I am leaning toward trying to find a contract at SSR. This resort has a longer contract life than OKW and think it is the best value on the resale market.

I really like the idea of staying close to MK at BLT but cannot justify the cost and higher points for a 2BR verse the value at OKW or SSR.

We also like being able to walk to Epcot and as the kids get older and move out, it would be nice to have the 11 month booking for BCV or BWV.

So many choices with pros and cons to each one.

Remember, too, that all two bedroom villas at BWV are lockoffs. At BCV, there are only 25 two bedroom villas with two queen beds in the second bedroom. The other dedicated two bedroom villas at BCV have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa instead (some of the rooms are smaller).

And the one and two bedroom villas at BCV and BWV don't have the sleeper chair and probably never will because they are smaller than OKW.