Advice for extended family trip?

[Lynndzr]

We are planning on going to Disney for 6 or 7 nights between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will have my parents, my brother/SIL and my hubby, daughter (who will be 5 then) and myself.

I'm looking for advice on where to stay. We get along well so we could do something like a villa, if we all had our own space to sleep in (so 3 bedroom). Or, is it more affordable/wiser to get 3 rooms at a resort?

Thanks!

 

[candielips]

Are you looking to stay on property or off?
If you chose to do separate rooms, would you be looking at a value? 3 rooms at a value are def cheaper than a villa on property.
Have you thought about looking into renting DVC pts?

 

[a1tinkfans]

My suggestion...PLAN PLAN and PLAN some more.....you'll really need to research if cost is any factor. Good Luck, we've done GG and they were such fun with a large group!

 

[AirGoofy]

A grand villa will be pricey and perhaps not available. You are getting close to the time many DVCers have there reservations made from 11 months ago. December is a popular time at WDW. Also, consider what your plans are. If you plan to go to the theme parks everyday, then 3 rooms at a value resort may be cheaper. However, they may not be able to guarentee 3 adjacent rooms.

 

[starsweeper]

It's great that you all get along, it will make the trip much easier, but I would go for 3 separate rooms. Even if you really love your family, it's nice to be able to get away for a little bit each day. My mom and I had planned on staying at BWV in a 1 bedroom for our trip with my 2 kids in May, but decided we'd rather have two connecting rooms off-property (free with points as well) where we can have some breathing room each evening--no compromising on bedtime, what to watch on TV that evening, if someone wants TV on at night to sleep, when we wake, fighting for the bathroom, etc.

 

[Lynndzr]

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it! While cost is a consideration, it's not the break point. We don't plan to do Disney yearly or anything so we want this to be special.

 

[Mrs D]

Play around on the Disney site getting prices for various resort levels (there is Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa). You can only price out 1 room at a time, so price your room, then parents then Bro/SIL. I also like to price it out as room only instead of lumping in tickets and dining while in my early planning stages. If helps for choosing best resort level for you. As you get around these boards more you will learn about discounts that may become available later in the year which *could* bring room prices down a bit.
Unless you are planning on cooking while on vacation I'd say 3 rooms would be the better and less expensive option over a Deluxe Villa. If you do decide to go with a villa I think doing a 2 bdrm and a studio is cheaper than a 3 bdrm Grand villa. You could request that they are adjoining (in a row together).

 

[Goofy4]

Take a look at my extended family (grand gathering) trip report. You might get some ideas there.

 

[deerhart]

I'd also talk to the other parties involved. You may find that each of them wants something different in their resort.

While its not all together, with the transportation have each party at a different resort really isn't that big of a deal.

Your parents may want some place closer, the Sis and spouse may want more of a couples retreat, and you may want something that appeals to your daughter

 

[*pixie*dust*]

My advice for an extended family trip? Prayer and/or heavy drinking.

Seriously though, it can be very tough to seperate how you hope the trip will go and the reality of traveling with multiple families. Have many conversations about expectations. But even with those conversations keep and mind that plans can and will change. Plan a few things together but also plan time apart and have some time with no plans what so ever. It will save you stress in the long run. good luck!