1st time to Disney in over 10 years need resort help

[sarah815]

Planning a family trip to Disney for the first time in over 10 years. We normally do universal but now have 3 grandchildren at ages 4 and under so we want to do a family trip. Which resorts offer suites they can handle 6 adults and 3 children. We could go with separate rooms but would prefer a suite. Any suggestions?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Start with your budget. Are you looking value, mod or deluxe? A 2-3 bedroom villa will get that done but the cost is gonna be $$$$$ and availability on the high end at Disney can be tough. If you’re traveling in 2026 rooms are already released so you could just plug your party and dates in for costs.

 

[bdrex28]

Look and see if any of the dvc rental sites have grand villas open for your dates.

It'll probably be old key west or Saratoga Springs.

I'd start there. Plus it'll be much lower cost than booking through Disney website.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Planning a family trip to Disney for the first time in over 10 years. We normally do universal but now have 3 grandchildren at ages 4 and under so we want to do a family trip. Which resorts offer suites they can handle 6 adults and 3 children. We could go with separate rooms but would prefer a suite. Any suggestions?

You may want to look into the villas if your situation allows. Disney’s Saratoga Springs or Old Key West resorts come to mind. They are designed with larger family groups in mind, with multi bedroom floorplans.

 

[msmayor]

In 2024 we did a big family trip with 5 adults and our one granddaughter - we booked at BLT, had a two-bedroom and a studio. Our single son stayed in the studio, and husband/me stayed in the 2 BR with our daughter, her husband and our granddaughter. It worked out perfectly, especially because we knew our granddaughter (just 2.5 yrs at the time) would need to rest in the afternoon, and get to bed for the night earlier than the adults.

The 2 BR had one king bed room and one 2-queen room; each bedroom had a full bathroom and their was a third full bathroom (presumably for anyone who slept on the sofa-bed in the living room). Full kitchen, and we splurged more for a theme park view. It was WONDERFUL watching the MK fireworks at night from our room, with the music playing in the background on the resort TV channel.

Yes - it was pricey...but worth it for this special trip.

 

[DizDaD7]

Planning a family trip to Disney for the first time in over 10 years. We normally do universal but now have 3 grandchildren at ages 4 and under so we want to do a family trip. Which resorts offer suites they can handle 6 adults and 3 children. We could go with separate rooms but would prefer a suite. Any suggestions?

All of the suggestions above I agree on as well. One that I would add, would be either AoA or the cabins at FortWilderness...It's a unique experience at the campgrounds....You'll love it. And the Art of Animation location is awesome as well. first off, on the Skyliner.Nuff said. A great themed property, and pools, and also the food court is one of the best....Either one you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[bdrex28]

Planning a family trip to Disney for the first time in over 10 years. We normally do universal but now have 3 grandchildren at ages 4 and under so we want to do a family trip. Which resorts offer suites they can handle 6 adults and 3 children. We could go with separate rooms but would prefer a suite. Any suggestions?

OP hasn't posted in a while, but I'm curious the dates or at least the rough timing they are trying to plan for.

If it's enough in advance, should be able to get some stuff.

 

[Conno]

OP posted this on another forum, and I gave a lot of similar advice. I believe she's looking to travel December '26, so I advised she check 2BR/GV at Saratoga Springs/OKW in late January for availability. She mentioned that seemed like a hassle and will try a travel agent.

 

[bdrex28]

OP posted this on another forum, and I gave a lot of similar advice. I believe she's looking to travel December '26, so I advised she check Saratoga Springs/OKW in late January for availability. She mentioned that seemed like a hassle and will try a travel agent.

Hmmm, you did give great advice, 100% agree.

Half of the fun of Disney is the planning in my opinion.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

Look into a Treehouse villa at Saratoga. Like others have said, consider renting to save a lot of money. Use a reputable broker.

 

[sarah815]

Thanks for all the advice. I think at this point we will hopefully start checking for rooms in January. We would like to go the first week of December but are flexible. Still haven’t decided to do everything ourselves or go the agent route.

 

[Conno]

Agent route will cost the same and be much easier on you as you're planning for so many people.

 

[lanejudy]

Agent route will cost the same and be much easier on you as you're planning for so many people.

A travel agent may not agree to help with renting DVC, thus costing more to pay WDW rack rates for a villa. If they opt to go that route.

 

[sponica]

I would determine how many sleeping surfaces you need. I've done a 2 BR with 4 adults and 2 kids, I'm not sure I'd want many more adults in the layout depending on the group. My inlaws took the king bedroom, my husband, my kids an I were in the second bedroom. Any other adults would have had to sleep in the living room? and that just gets awkward after a number of nights. The 2 BR was a nice splurge, but we would have been fine in regular resort rooms that connected.