Another idea for my big family 2021 trip

[daisyx3]

I was looking at getting a 2BR and a studio for my 2021 trip. We will have DH and I, my oldest with her husband and 2 kids (who will be 5 and 2), my middle with her BF and my youngest with his GF, if nothing changes between now and then. I was looking at 6 nights in a studio and a 2BR at OKW/SSR (SSR is our home resort, but I would try to get OKW with the bigger rooms.
I looked at the points I will have available and figured out I could get 3 studios instead. DH and I would have one, my oldest daughter's family would have one, and the two couples would have to share. But we could then get a whole week at OKW or SSR , or 6 nights BWV, or 5 nights at the Polynesian.
If I book 3 studios, I will of course request they be close by each other. What are the odds that would be possible? Or even two close to each other so I can be close to the grandkids.
I know we would lose the in-room laundry but I can always go to the laundry room if need be.
Thoughts? Love the opinions I get here.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If I book 3 studios, I will of course request they be close by each other. What are the odds that would be possible?

Best chances are at Poly. You could even request two that connect.

Chances are not as good at BWV or OKW/SSR. Also, no connecting studios at any of these three.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

We are looking to do a similar trip in 2022. My hubby, myself and our two kids (6 and 2 at time of travel), my sister and her hubby and my mom and dad. We have decided to try for a grand villa and will fall back on a two bed and a studio if we can't get the grand villa. My sister and her hubby have shared a studio (I think - it may have been a one bedroom @Disney_Alli ?) with my mom and dad but that's a tight space for two couples who may or may not know each other that well. Obviously your kids know each other but how well do their spouses/significant others know each other? I don't think my hubby and I could have shared a studio with my sister and her hubby.

 

[Disney_Bliss]

You lose the full kitchen as well dropping down to studios. But if you do not plan any full meals that require a kitchen or groceries (beyond small, basic stuff), studios at OKW have two (2) beds as opposed to bed + pull out couch. Yeah, you may lose the connected rooms, or even the same building, but you might get Disney to give you a magical moment and make all that work out.

 

[daisyx3]

We are looking to do a similar trip in 2022. My hubby, myself and our two kids (6 and 2 at time of travel), my sister and her hubby and my mom and dad. We have decided to try for a grand villa and will fall back on a two bed and a studio if we can't get the grand villa. My sister and her hubby have shared a studio (I think - it may have been a one bedroom @Disney_Alli ?) with my mom and dad but that's a tight space for two couples who may or may not know each other that well. Obviously your kids know each other but how well do their spouses/significant others know each other? I don't think my hubby and I could have shared a studio with my sister and her hubby.

If we do the 2 BR/studio combo we thought one of two things. Either my older daughter's family could have the studio, one couple the pullout and one couple the extra BR while we are in the master (but which couple gets the bedroom)? Or the family gets the extra bedroom, one couple on the pullout and one couple in the separate studio.
I do have enough for a whole week in a GV if we do SSR (which we would probably have to do if we do a GV because they go fast, right?). BUT we'd have to do it before June 10 when points go up. The plan was around June 21 (our anniversary).
The 3 studios would give us more flexibility.
I'm talking to my girls now about it, but still wondering how hard it is to get 3 studios in a fairly close area.

 

[Marionnette]

If we do the 2 BR/studio combo we thought one of two things. Either my older daughter's family could have the studio, one couple the pullout and one couple the extra BR while we are in the master (but which couple gets the bedroom)? Or the family gets the extra bedroom, one couple on the pullout and one couple in the separate studio.
I do have enough for a whole week in a GV if we do SSR (which we would probably have to do if we do a GV because they go fast, right?). BUT we'd have to do it before June 10 when points go up. The plan was around June 21 (our anniversary).
The 3 studios would give us more flexibility.
I'm talking to my girls now about it, but still wondering how hard it is to get 3 studios in a fairly close area.

I would opt for the GV over 3 studios in a heartbeat, even if it means shifting the vacation dates. 3 bedrooms. 3 baths. A full kitchen. W/D. And most importantly, a private space for the whole family to gather. The studios won’t give you that space and it is sooooo nice.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If we do the 2 BR/studio combo we thought one of two things. Either my older daughter's family could have the studio, one couple the pullout and one couple the extra BR while we are in the master (but which couple gets the bedroom)? Or the family gets the extra bedroom, one couple on the pullout and one couple in the separate studio.
I do have enough for a whole week in a GV if we do SSR (which we would probably have to do if we do a GV because they go fast, right?). BUT we'd have to do it before June 10 when points go up. The plan was around June 21 (our anniversary).
The 3 studios would give us more flexibility.
I'm talking to my girls now about it, but still wondering how hard it is to get 3 studios in a fairly close area.

3 studios close together will always just be a request. It should be doable but it's not guaranteed and you could end up all over the resorts.

I'd also do the GV at the earlier time if that's the option. And unless you absolutely need to get vacation time set up or air fare see if you could manage to switch to an OKW GV at 7 months for your preferred time around June 21st.

Also, unless I'm looking at the numbers wrong you could go at your preferred time and at SSR standard view get a 2BR and 2 studios so everyone has their own space. Or AKV standard view for a 2BR and 2 studios and so on. You're even very close to two 2BR's during late June at a few places. I'm basing it on 554 points for an SSR standard view GV in early June for 1 week which you said you had the points for.

 

[daisyx3]

Bad news...I was looking at TREEHOUSE villa points! I can only afford 4 nights at in SSR grand villa, not a week (unless we buy more points between now and then LOL).
Anyhow, what is the best standard view area of SSR if we still go that route? I have only stayed in Congress Park. I'm guessing Grandstand for first bus stop?
OR I could get 6 nights in a GV at OKW (if I buy 7 points). Is that usually available at 7 months?
Or back to a 2BR and a studio, or 3 studios.

 

[MICKIMINI]

The GV at OKW is absolutely amazing. You will have a trip that will be enjoyed and then remembered FOREVER. No comparison to three studios spread out all over the resort with no space to just hang out. If you can do it, I promise you it's ten times better than you can ever imagine!

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I vote OKV GV if we're spending your points for you

 

[Minniemoo15]

We always get 3 studios and request close together. We’ve done it at BCVx2 and AKV. At BCV we’ve been on the same floor, but not next door. At AKV we were next door. They are very accommodating and do their best.

We are staying at Poly this year and excited to have connecting rooms!

 

[Disney_Alli]

We are looking to do a similar trip in 2022. My hubby, myself and our two kids (6 and 2 at time of travel), my sister and her hubby and my mom and dad. We have decided to try for a grand villa and will fall back on a two bed and a studio if we can't get the grand villa. My sister and her hubby have shared a studio (I think - it may have been a one bedroom @Disney_Alli ?) with my mom and dad but that's a tight space for two couples who may or may not know each other that well. Obviously your kids know each other but how well do their spouses/significant others know each other? I don't think my hubby and I could have shared a studio with my sister and her hubby.

We shared a one bedroom at Aulani with my parents and as it only has one bathroom it would have gotten annoying quickly (we were only there for 2 nights) a one bedroom with the 1 1/2 bath or similar is much more manageable though (we shared a one bedroom at GC with two friends and that worked great for a week)

 

[Deb & Bill]

At OKW, most of the studios are at the ends of the building. A two story building might only have four of them. With three studios, the odds of getting three of the four might not be so good. There are four buildings that are three story buildings with four studios on each floor (so twelve in that building). BUT, they are in the inner corners (buildings are square with three sides) and they don't have a window to the room other than the patio door. Two are right next to each other, with four on each floor, but they are dark.

 

[chaoskids]

If you have the points, a GV at OKW is incredible! We have a big family trip June/July 2020 for our youngest son’s graduation, we are doing a GV and one bedroom. Having the space to spread, is great.

 

[Disneykate605]

OR I could get 6 nights in a GV at OKW (if I buy 7 points). Is that usually available at 7 months?
Or back to a 2BR and a studio, or 3 studios.

I'm also curious about the availability of OKW grand villas at the 7 month mark? I'm interested in one for the last week of May or the 1st week of June 2020.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm also curious about the availability of OKW grand villas at the 7 month mark? I'm interested in one for the last week of May or the 1st week of June 2020.

You can look ahead at any availability within the 11 month booking window to see how it's booking up. It's one of those things that you can never say for certain until the actual 7 month window but there are times that the OKW GV's are available at 7 months. Spring and summer is when it is most likely to happen.

 

[Disneykate605]

We were thinking a different route first (and still might decide to go that way) and I just thought of this idea in the last couple of days...I wish I had come up with this idea 7 or 8 months ago...so I could have at least scoped out this last June as a reference! Oh well...I guess we will find out soon enough!
Thanks!

 

[daisyx3]

As of Friday, the GV by Hospitality House was only available for part of the time we are looking for in 2021 (roughly the last week before the point cost goes up). The other GV category was available for the week. However, this is only 9 1/2 months out. OKW owners have another 2 1/2 months to book it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

As of Friday, the GV by Hospitality House was only available for part of the time we are looking for in 2021 (roughly the last week before the point cost goes up). The other GV category was available for the week. However, this is only 9 1/2 months out. OKW owners have another 2 1/2 months to book it.

There are a total of 27 GV's at OKW and only 2 of them are in the HH section. I'd take it as a good sign that there are even some nights in the HH category for there to be availability at 7 months in the remaining.