Accomodations for Family of 6.

[HatboxHaint]

It depends on your budget. Renting a DVC villa is a nice option, but it is not that cheap. We like the Wyndham Bonnet creek. The condos are very nice and you are on property and closer to the parks than a lot of the values. It is right next to the Caribbean beach resort and some rooms have Epcot firework views. You can be inside Epcot in 15 minutes from when you leave your room. The resort is great and has 5-6 themed pools and a lazy river. WBC is very popular because of the location, so you really need to book early. You will definitely have to rent a car, although there is a shuttle. Renting a car IMO is a necessity when traveling with little ones even if you stay onsite. The buses from any values take too long for my toddler to handle with good behavior (specially at the end of the day when the lines getting into them are long). Staying at the cabins requires a car rental unless you are willing to wait for a while for the buses.

In my experience you still come way ahead staying offsite in terms of price. Just so you have an idea: We are going at the end of April for 10 nights. A 2 bedroom/2 bath condo at WBC that sleeps 8 is 120 a night (including tax), while for the same dates an AoA suite that sleeps 6 is 305 plus tax and a FW cabin is 290 plus tax (with the spring discount). That is about a 1800$ difference for half the space. Car rental plus parking and gas will be ~500 for us, so we are still saving 1300. Not to mention that for us neither AoA or FW have the amenities we like to have on vacation, like a fitness center, nice themed pools and sit down restaurants. My dream choice would be a 2 bedroom DVC villa on the monorail, which is not in our budget right now even renting DVC points. WBC is a really nice and budget friendly option.

Wonderful info! Thankyou!

 

[HatboxHaint]

I am looking at a June trip. We can get a 2 bedroom offsite condo with full kitchen, washer/dryer and balcony at a resort with several pools just a couple of miles from DTD and a rental van for a little less than the price of 2 rooms at Pop. DH really wants to stay on site, though, which would make it easier if we split up.

What offsite complex are you looking at?

 

[Hans Olo]

Would love to see a trip report or PM with how this goes!!!!

For sure!! Hopefully I have nothing but positive things to say We're used to tent camping for extended periods so the RV will definitely be an upgrade!

 

[tina.tina]

What offsite complex are you looking at?

Some people have won a Skyauction 2-bedroom at Sheraton Vistana Resort for $470. I've found some listed as "Buy Now" on the site at that price, too. Here is the Sheraton Vistana Thread with a recent page talking about Skyauction- post 522.

Would love to see a trip report or PM with how this goes!!!!

I think Fort Wildnerness looks so cool and I would love to stay there. I would especially love the boat trip to the MK.
Here are a couple of trip reports about renting RVs at Fort Wildnerness.
RV Trip Report
Another RV Trip Report

 

[HatboxHaint]

You should take a look at the Saratoga Springs treehouses that are in the woods. You may get a good deal on a house. If money is tighter than that then I'd get a suite at AS Music or AoA. I'm going in June, 5 people and we're getting a one bedroom villa at Kidani. Was considering the treehouses but too big for us. (one of the people is a baby)

If the treehouses are budget-friendly to you....then I want your budget!! LOL

 

[HatboxHaint]

It depends on your budget. Renting a DVC villa is a nice option, but it is not that cheap. We like the Wyndham Bonnet creek. The condos are very nice and you are on property and closer to the parks than a lot of the values. It is right next to the Caribbean beach resort and some rooms have Epcot firework views. You can be inside Epcot in 15 minutes from when you leave your room. The resort is great and has 5-6 themed pools and a lazy river. WBC is very popular because of the location, so you really need to book early. You will definitely have to rent a car, although there is a shuttle. Renting a car IMO is a necessity when traveling with little ones even if you stay onsite. The buses from any values take too long for my toddler to handle with good behavior (specially at the end of the day when the lines getting into them are long). Staying at the cabins requires a car rental unless you are willing to wait for a while for the buses.

In my experience you still come way ahead staying offsite in terms of price. Just so you have an idea: We are going at the end of April for 10 nights. A 2 bedroom/2 bath condo at WBC that sleeps 8 is 120 a night (including tax), while for the same dates an AoA suite that sleeps 6 is 305 plus tax and a FW cabin is 290 plus tax (with the spring discount). That is about a 1800$ difference for half the space. Car rental plus parking and gas will be ~500 for us, so we are still saving 1300. Not to mention that for us neither AoA or FW have the amenities we like to have on vacation, like a fitness center, nice themed pools and sit down restaurants. My dream choice would be a 2 bedroom DVC villa on the monorail, which is not in our budget right now even renting DVC points. WBC is a really nice and budget friendly option.

I have stayed at AOA and the theming at the pools is tops. No slides but kids did not care, that nemo splash area is incredible. and the cozy cone motel, like being in the movie.

 

[Lupeix]

I have stayed at AOA and the theming at the pools is tops. No slides but kids did not care, that nemo splash area is incredible. and the cozy cone motel, like being in the movie.

I can see the theme of the AoA being cute for little ones. My son will definitely like it. Not sure if he will like it more than the pirate pool at WBC though, which has a great theme and slide. My husband on the other hand may shoot himself in a pool like that, which is obviously geared towards little kids, he won't eat in a food court and he uses the fitness club while on vacation. AoA doesn't have the amenities we seek, it can be perfectly fine for another family. For us paying more money to get less amenities is just not worth it. In the end it is a personal decision. Since the original poster was asking about budget, I thought knowing other options out there that can accommodate large families and are convenient could be useful, specially because the savings you get are much more than what people may think.

 

[HatboxHaint]

I can see the theme of the AoA being cute for little ones. My son will definitely like it. Not sure if he will like it more than the pirate pool at WBC though, which has a great theme and slide. My husband on the other hand may shoot himself in a pool like that, which is obviously geared towards little kids, he won't eat in a food court and he uses the fitness club while on vacation. AoA doesn't have the amenities we seek, it can be perfectly fine for another family. For us paying more money to get less amenities is just not worth it. In the end it is a personal decision. Since the original poster was asking about budget, I thought knowing other options out there that can accommodate large families and are convenient could be useful, specially because the savings you get are much more than what people may think.

I see your point totally now. Got keep the hubs happy! Where do you look for deals at WBC or do you own a timeshare?

 

[Lupeix]

I see your point totally now. Got keep the hubs happy! Where do you look for deals at WBC or do you own a timeshare?

I rent from Vacation Upgrades. I know there are better deals on ebay or VRBO, but I rather not risk it and rent from someone I know is reputable and have peace knowing the condo will be there for me when I arrive. I also like not having to pay in full until 30 days before. The best way to get a "deal" is to know when the low season is for the timeshare and go then, it is not exactly the same as Disney. WBC is very popular so you do have to rent in advance, specially if you want a presidential suite, which are amazing.

 

[TOOFARFROMFLORIDA]

I will say Bonnet Creek for sure!! We are a large family and stay here and no where else!! We rent from an owner that we have rented from numerous times. She gets us great rates ($100-120/nt) that includes everything. The space that you get is worth more than staying onsite. I have never missed being onsite. The rooms are beautiful and very large. they also have everything you need to cook in the kitchen if you choose. We get a two bedroom and it has two bathrooms and a balcony. It has a living area, washer and dryer, dishwasher.... the works. Did I mention a garden tub in the master?? The biggest things I love are the fact that we can swim in one of the many pools or lazy rivers then later in the day grill on the gas grills that they have in the picnic area at the bottom of your building. We can have breakfast in the room whether we want donuts or a full spread.
Its best to have a rental car if you stay at Bonnet Creek but we kept watching and got a great deal on a minivan for our trip in June for about $300 for 10 days. If I keep checking I probably can get a better deal than that.

A long story short, we LOVE Bonnet Creek and go to Orlando JUST to be able to stay there. Disney is a bonus for us. I don't think there is much that can compare for the price and the space/amenities. I'm so happy we found it because it makes our trips so much more enjoyable. We can relax, swim, cook, sit on the balcony, ect. I fell like we get SOOOO much more out of our vacation not being stuck in two SMALL Disney rooms (that really don't have any amenities that compare to Bonnet Creek).

Oh, and our kids range from 11 months to 21 years old and there are six of them. If we can survive in one of their rooms, you should have a great time.

 

[HatboxHaint]

I will say Bonnet Creek for sure!! We are a large family and stay here and no where else!! We rent from an owner that we have rented from numerous times. She gets us great rates ($100-120/nt) that includes everything. The space that you get is worth more than staying onsite. I have never missed being onsite. The rooms are beautiful and very large. they also have everything you need to cook in the kitchen if you choose. We get a two bedroom and it has two bathrooms and a balcony. It has a living area, washer and dryer, dishwasher.... the works. Did I mention a garden tub in the master?? The biggest things I love are the fact that we can swim in one of the many pools or lazy rivers then later in the day grill on the gas grills that they have in the picnic area at the bottom of your building. We can have breakfast in the room whether we want donuts or a full spread.
Its best to have a rental car if you stay at Bonnet Creek but we kept watching and got a great deal on a minivan for our trip in June for about $300 for 10 days. If I keep checking I probably can get a better deal than that.

A long story short, we LOVE Bonnet Creek and go to Orlando JUST to be able to stay there. Disney is a bonus for us. I don't think there is much that can compare for the price and the space/amenities. I'm so happy we found it because it makes our trips so much more enjoyable. We can relax, swim, cook, sit on the balcony, ect. I fell like we get SOOOO much more out of our vacation not being stuck in two SMALL Disney rooms (that really don't have any amenities that compare to Bonnet Creek).

Oh, and our kids range from 11 months to 21 years old and there are six of them. If we can survive in one of their rooms, you should have a great time.

Great post! Thanks for your thoughts!!

 

[Jennytoon]

Another vote for off-site ... a couple of things no one has mentioned yet: in addition to housing costs, since off-site options have multiple bedrooms and kitchens, they offer these other advantages:

1. You can buy your own snacks to bring to the park and keep them effectively. All rooms have mini-fridges, but they just won't cut it for 4 littles worth of snacks for a week the way that a real refrigerator can. Plus the mini-fridges don't re-freeze the ice packs that you would put in your insulated lunch box carrier (if you choose this option).
2. Since your littles will have a separate space to nap in, no one will have to tip-toe around those napping, and those not napping will not be frustrated by being shushed constantly. Also adults will be able to rest in air conditioning, instead of having to take non-napping littles to the pool to keep them out of the way of napping littles. Maybe this scenario doesn't describe you but if it does ... think about it. Since down-time is more restful, you will actually be able to spend more quality time in the parks (if you choose).
3. Even if all I was saving by staying off-site was the price of the rental car, I would still seriously consider it. Littles don't have the stamina to do long park days every day. Why use up some of that stamina needlessly waiting for buses, riding on buses ... ?

On the flip side, I feel compelled to mention that staying on-site does offer more flexibility if some littles need to go back to the room with one parent while the rest stay in the park with the other parent. You might look into the hotels that are on Disney property but are not Disney hotels (just outside of Downtown Disney). I think there is at least one of these that is all-suite and others that have suites, these are a good option for larger families. Some of them also have add-ons like breakfast, and they usually have some bus transportation as well that would give you the flexibility to split up similar to staying at a Disney-owned hotel.

ETA: I forgot to mention when I was talking about the food -- if you stay with a kitchen you do not have to eat all your meals QS or TS! You can make your own meals (calmer and cheaper), and even eat at restaurants outside of Disney that are generally cheaper. Not all the time of course ... but limiting your Disney meals to one per day can save a lot!

 

[MandiC]

The cabins at Fort Wilderness have a full size refrigerator They also have a separate room for little ones to nap and the option of a boat ride to MK if you'd like (as well as pony rides, archery lessons, nightly campfire with Chip and Dale, nightly movie, ect)

 

[starsweeper]

We are a family of 6 and choosing to stay off-site going forward now that our youngest is 3yo. We are looking at a 3-bed townhome in Windsor Hills for about $105-150 a night depending on season. We drive down and DH will return to the room with our preschools late afternoon. We just plan to use taxis for the older kids and I to return in the evening. Taxis aren't cheap at WDW but it's a lot cheaper than staying on-site for us.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We are a family of 6 and choosing to stay off-site going forward now that our youngest is 3yo. We are looking at a 3-bed townhome in Windsor Hills for about $105-150 a night depending on season. We drive down and DH will return to the room with our preschools late afternoon. We just plan to use taxis for the older kids and I to return in the evening. Taxis aren't cheap at WDW but it's a lot cheaper than staying on-site for us.

Windsor Hills is great. We stayed there two years ago in a nice 3 bdrm/2 bath condo. We were a family of six during that trip, now we have a new little one and are a family of seven. I know how it feels once that youngest one turns "3" and is no longer free at Disney . I don't mean to hijack the thread but I have a tip for you that someone filled me in on regarding staying at Windsor Hills and using a taxi to get back there from the parks if part of your family needs to split up. Windsor Hills is fairly close to the Animal Kingdom Lodge resort, so what you can do is take the resort bus back to Animal Kingdom Lodge then call a taxi to take you to Windsor Hills from there. It will save you some money doing it that way as opposed to getting a cab directly to Windsor Hills from the parks (with the exception of AK). It may take a little longer, but again it's a way to save some $$ if that helps.