Blackunicorn said:
My family is trying to decide if we can afford to cover the cost of another family coming to Disneyworld with us this fall. We're members at Saratoga Springs, and will be coming home for the first time, so we'd like to stay there. However, in order to make the most of our points, we're considering Old Key West--I did some research and found out that the rooms there are much bigger for the 2 bedroom villa than at Saratoga Springs.
We stayed at OKW for our first trip as
DVC members...it was a studio since it was just the 3 of us, but it was really nice! A couple of our friends own at OKW and have used the larger rooms and loved it! I'd say go with OKW for a few reasons...
-save some points so you can take the friends (my favorite one)
-the main pool is great at both, but OKW just might be more fun for the kids
-OKW does have a sit down restaurant, Olivia's, that is usually easy to get into without ADRs
-WDW bus transportation is good at OKW and there is a boat that takes you to DTD
*note OKW buildings don't have elevators, so you might request a 1st or 2nd floor if it'd be a hassle getting the kids up to the 3rd floor after a day in the parks
You can see the room layouts on the DVC member site...I'm pretty sure...so that might give you some insight.
My family consists of 2 parents and 2 children, and the other family consists of 2 parents and 3 children. We're considering 2 1br villas or 1 studio and 1 1br villa. I'm looking for opinions--what would you do, given my situation?
I would go with the set up that uses the least amount of points...which I'm thinking would be the 2BDR villa...as for privacy issues...each of the bedrooms would have doors (and with locks I believe), the bathrooms will have doors and locks, so that shouldn't be an issue. The main living area will be the only area that isn't locked off for complete privacy, but if ya'll get along fine that should be okay...as for those early morning risers...I've found that I can make coffee and have some breakfast before either DH or DS wake up and enjoy the quiet in both the studio at OKW and the 1BDR villa at SSR and DS slept on the sofa sleeper at SSR. I'd say in the 2BDR, give the family with the 3 kids the second room (2 Queen beds), you and spouse take the master bdr, give your kids the sofa sleeper. IF the other family needs an extra bed...well, if the child is young enough there will be a portacrib thing in the room or if needed you could bring one of the instabeds...I've heard of many people doing that if children are older, boy/girl and don't want to share a bed.
Also, I'm hearing bad things about bus service. 3 of the 5 children are under 8 years. Would it really be worth it for us to drive? It's a minimum two-day drive for us.
Okay...if you mean the ME service from MCO to WDW...can't say there since I've never used it...but if it meant using the free, but maybe slower bus service (ME) or driving to WDW in a car with kids if the drive was more than 4 hours....I'd take the free bus anyday!! We drove on our first trip when DS was 7 and the only kid in the car from southern Illinois...never again! But, that is just us!
If you mean the WDW bus transportation to the parks...it's fine! I think we did experience a bit longer wait while staying at SSR, but during that trip we popped over to OKW for a meal at Olivia's, and used the bus to get back...it was just as slow getting there as any other bus we used during our entire trip. So, I'd say it just depends on your level of patience and how the system is flowing while you're there. Again, if it meant driving our family from the resort to the parks...dealing with the traffic around WDW and the parking lots..nope! We wouldn't do it...we like getting to shut our eyes for a few minutes on the bus if we need to and again it doesn't cost me a dime extra to use the WDW busses...if I drive my car to the park..that costs. (Okay, I'm not a cheapskate...I just am frugal...that $7 or so can buy me a couple of Dole Whips or 3 Mickey bars or 1 turkey leg for DS...that is much better in our minds...lol
Tickets--how on earth do I find out about tickets? Annual pass or park hoppers? What are length of stay tickets, really? (I know it sounds self-explanatory, but do they have to be the whole stay? How about when they end--the day you check out, or the day before?)
Thanks in advance!
As DVC member you can save $100 or so on your annual passes, which if you plan to return within the year might be the best deal...we decided to do this when we went in June 2005 (6 days) and knew we'd be back at Christmas (8 days). As for the friends, the only option would be the Magic Your Way tickets...you can get those at a discount thru some ticket brokers...just ask around on the theme park strategies board...you'll get great answers there.
In either case, I would determine what you want to do...how many parks you'll visit, will you park hop or not...you know the things to consider...then decide which ticket is best for you.
Another perk as DVC related to this question is the dining options...
DVC members can now use the dining plan...the one that cost about $38/day for an adult and gets you 1 counter service meal, 1 table service meal, and 1 snack each day. OR if you are an annual passholder you are eligible to buy the Disney Dining Experience, which gets you 20% off most all meals, including alcoholic beverages. It did just increase in price, but we've used it on the last 2 trips and saved greatly. Next trip we are considering the dining plan since we never eat at counter service and think it's about time we tried...lol
Both of the dining options and the ticket info for DVC member can be found at the DVC member site.
Well, hope that helps! I kinda relate to your situation...our DS is 13 and this last trip he started asking if he could bring a friend next time..
That is a hard one...the cost? For us or for the friend's parents? Or both? Who? Do we want the extra responsiblity of another kid? We're thinking...
