2 rooms vs a suite?

[Pig Pen]

Family friends are planning a WDW trip in July, staying for 7 nights. They will have a car and want to visit Universal too.

They are a family of 5: two adults, a teen girl, a teen boy, and a grandmother. They have been to WDW before, but always stayed off-site in 2 adjoining rooms, in budget (read fleabag) motels.

We have convinced them to try staying on-site and want to give them good advice. They think the All-Stars is about all that will fit their budget. I was thinking that maybe a suite at a moderate or at the Dolphin/Swan would work for them. The father is a government employee, so he would qualify for the discount at D/S. They are also willing to buy an annual pass to get a cheaper rate, but I was not able to get good information on suites and/or rates in the summer.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[stacy6552]

AAA offers 25% off the Ft Wilderness cabins, so were talking only about $200/night. One cabin sleeps 6, seast 6 at the dinning table, has a full kitchen and 2 tvs.

Grandma can sleep in the family room for a little extra privacy. The kitchen would allow them to offset the cost by eating in.

 

[Pig Pen]

I will keep that one in mind. I wonder what the AP rate would be? I will check mousesavers and wdwig.

Thanks.

 

[DeeP]

Even with a discount, a suite at any of the WDW resorts or S/D will be more money than 2 rooms at a value resort with a discount. What might be an option for them is a cabin at FW with a discount. I have seen the cabins as low as $139.00 with an AP discount, that is cheap for what you get! A full kitchen, lr, dining area, murphy bed that sleeps 2 in lr, separate br with double and bunkbeds, full bath, large wood deck, barbeque grill, private parking and very conviently located to MK and the TTC which provides easy access to Epcot. Plus FW is a beautiful, relaxing resort that is home to the HDD revue which is great dinner show, you can view the electrical water parade from the beach, there is horseback riding, boat rentals with the BEST waterway in WDW to have fun with water mice, etc.

 

[CRCrazy]

I think one of the deluxe rooms on the monorail would also work for them, at not much more than the cost of two All-Stars Rooms. There were summer codes available this year, as well as AP discount codes. The rooms are huge - if the teen girl doesn't mind sharing a bed with Grandma - they are queen size beds. The day bed is plenty big enough for an adult size person - it's the size of a regular twin bed.

 

[DeeP]

Stacy, great minds think alike, LOL. We must have been posting at the same time. I have seent the cabins much lower than $200 with a code during certain times. They are a great value for a larger group.

 

[Richyams]

I like the idea of the cabin. The privacy offered by the second room is great. With that many, I would personally prefer the cabin to all in one room at a monorail hotel.

The area is great, parking right outside you unit....you can do that, right? You have to catch a hoop dee doo, make your reservations early.

If you like, you could let us plan your vacation and take the whole worry off your hands.

 

[jwwi]

I think two rooms at All Star is a good idea. Two bathrooms is a big plus with teens. Plus 4 beds. Maybe if the codes are good they could get a room at a moderate for around $100($200- for both.) Much more room/more privacy. Love the lush grounds, and quiet pools, CBR or POR!

 

[Pig Pen]

I'm sure they would love someone else planning their vacation (they asked me didn't they?)!

I think the cabin is a great idea and I will mention it.

Thanks again.

 

[Gillian]

Just my 2 (or 3) cents on the cabins

We stayed there briefly this Fall, to check it out. I loved Ft Wilderness & will stay there again, probably in the cabins. BUT, I wouldn't stay there with 5 adults!

I really think that the cabins are best for families with smaller kids. There is only 1 bathroom, and there is no outside sink. The bathroom layout doesn't give any privacy. There is a very small countertop in the bedroom with a mirror & hairdryer, but no sink. The bedroom is small and crowded with the double bed & bunks. There isn't a lot of storage space or closet space. Also, when the bed in the living room is down, you can't easily move around out there. And that's where the single TV is.

Also, if they're going to Universal as well as the Disney parks, they won't have a lot of time to enjoy the ammenities at FW.

The advantages to 2 rooms - 4 beds, 2 bathrooms, 2 tvs (vs 1 in the cabin) - are things that really help keep the peace in a big family. The kitchen is great, but I really think they will be cramped there & it won't be worth the trade off.