Best Accomodations help for family of 12

[#4'smom]

Husband and I are taking our children and grandkids in January and need help with resort options. Our group consists of 2 couples and 2 families of 4 (GK's are 9, 3, 3 & 1) for a total of 12. My first thought was to book 4 rooms at All-Star Movies @ $140.00 each but then got thinking their might be something better suited, possibly a resort with family rooms or some kind of villa.... Both couples are open to sharing a large room with a family of 4. We want to stay on property as we won't have a vehicle & would like Early Entry. If anyone could help with suggestions of resorts or even a website that gives a breakdown of resort room options, so I don't have to look up over 40+ individually.

 

[Best Aunt]

I'll start:

a) Togetherness sounds good until you're actually together. With some families, it helps for people to be able to go to their own room, close the door, and get away from the others. So that would be a reason to go with 4 separate rooms.

b) When comparing a villa or suite versus a bunch of regular rooms, always pay attention to the number of bathrooms and the sleeping surfaces. Villas and suites might say they sleep a certain number of people, but that includes people sleeping on sofa beds, pull down beds, etc.

c) People are going to say, "rent a DVC villa!" But keep in mind that renting often means no changes and no cancellations. Your group is big enough that somebody might have to back out. You don't want to be stuck paying for more space than you need. And if you're talking about January 2023, that's pretty late for DVC booking.

 

[CarolynFH]

I've read good things about the family suites at AoA and at one of the All Stars, maybe Music, so I'd look into them. You may still want to get one or more regular rooms, which might not be in the same building, but in the interest of family privacy, as @Best Aunt says above, that might be worthwhile.

 

[HopperFan]

Husband and I are taking our children and grandkids in January and need help with resort options. Our group consists of 2 couples and 2 families of 4 (GK's are 9, 3, 3 & 1) for a total of 12. My first thought was to book 4 rooms at All-Star Movies @ $140.00 each but then got thinking their might be something better suited, possibly a resort with family rooms or some kind of villa.... Both couples are open to sharing a large room with a family of 4. We want to stay on property as we won't have a vehicle & would like Early Entry. If anyone could help with suggestions of resorts or even a website that gives a breakdown of resort room options, so I don't have to look up over 40+ individually.

Honestly I don't think you can beat $560 a night. You won't find anything large enough for all close to that price and not even anything that can handle 6 for $280 a night.

And I agree with @Best Aunt having the privacy of a room to go back to rest/sleep is a great way to keep a vacation running smooth. I've traveled with large groups and when young kids are involved it is much less stressful for all, especially the parents, to have that space. Being close together at one resort works out great.

If you want to bump the price up a bit you could do two suites at All Star Music. Newly renovated and well done. Put couples in bedrooms with their own bath, put families in living room with two real queen beds that fold down, and their own bath. Kitchenette is big with big fridge. When beds not folded you have a living room with sofa and table/chairs.

 

[KantLose]

I normally book everything myself, but this sounds like the perfect situation to use a good travel agent. They will be able to see options that you might not have thought of and some might even have some perks to add for a group this size.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We have a similar situation and we are getting AOA suites for the families and regular rooms at POP (just across the bridge) for the parties of 2. I have stayed at both resorts - the family suites at AOA are fantastic for young kids and having two bathrooms is a game changer. POP is a little more "adult" themed and (in my opinion) better than the Little Mermaid rooms at AOA. Have a great vacation!

 

[_19disnA]

Wasn't sure from your post if you are paying for everyone's hotel or each family paying for their own. While it sounds like a "Hallmark moment" to all go together on vacation, that many people/families could also present some challenges. Will everyone want to all walk around the park together doing the same rides? Some may want to do rides, while others go to shows or shop. Some with small children may need to nap mid-day while some others may prefer to spend the whole day at the park. What time does everyone get up/go to bed? Are you planning to eat every meal together and does everyone like the same type of food? Does everyone have the same budget to work with?

If everyone is paying their own way, they each may have different budgets to work with and prefer their own personal 'space'. Those are the things I would want to consider when planning to vacation with that many families and such a large group.

 

[branfam]

We took our whole family last summer. We had 3 rooms at ASM, and while it guaranteed we were right next to each other. We had one room at Coronado springs as well. We had an amazing time. We let people split and do their own things at times. We were very happy with our rooms. It was nice for each couple/family to have their own space.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

There's also the option to reserve at Ft. Wilderness and rent an RV or two. Or 1 cabin and 1 RV rental. RV sites accommodate up to 10 people and there are rental agencies that deliver the RV and set it up there.

 

[RoseGold]

I'd look into the AoA suites. They are very cute, and the Skyliner access is awesome.

It's too late to book DVC, except for confirmed reservations, which will be unlikely in this size.

Another option is Airbnb. There are some real stunners out there.

I agree it's time for a travel agent. They got this.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I may be in the minority here but I really like having communal space - and not sitting on beds. We do family vacations at a place that only has only hotel rooms, and it always feels weird to just “hang out” like that. I’d rather give people some privacy in their bedrooms as well as a place where people can eat and talk. It also helps when people wake up at different times.

 

[stinkpickle]

If I were in your situation, I would use your original plan...four separate value rooms.

 

[Eastern]

Each person knows their own family dynamics, but I think that in the case of extended-family travel, being very close together can get old fast. I like the idea of 4 rooms. Just knowing you can close the door if you need to can be a morale booster during chaotic times!

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Sounds like the perfect time for a couple, or 3, of cabins at fort wilderness

 

[daisylovesdisney]

I'd stick to your original plan. The suites are not that comfortable for two couples plus two kids.

 

[DL1WDW2]

My first thought : The problem will be with the age of children and worrying about height of beds…
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness or basically a mobile home disquised to look like a rustic cabin. I think they have bunk beds but not certain.
The re-design at some of the Values ,etc , includes a wall pull down Murphy bed and they are slightly higher than the height of the other normal bed (at PoP for example) I am 5’3 and noticed this recently.
I also thought the Art of Animation Family Suites defeat the purpose because you enter the room and the bathroom was to the left and a small kitchenette and a small dining table that pulls down Murphy bed style and then the sofa couch that is a bed and a separate bedroom with a door and another bathroom. So the parents are in the bedroom and the children in the main living room area How are they going to take naps, etc , if the beds are out in the living area?
I guess it is great for having lots of sleeping space but… not really functional with that age of children .
But I do like the idea of a AoA family suite and basic rooms at POP because of the easy walk across bridge to be near or to meet up in morning to take SkyLiner .
the Poly might work because the cash resort basic room has a Queen with the pull out couch and a small pull down sleeping area under the TV. They are $$$ .
The floor plan of the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs are plentiful but I think the DVC resort guests book these and they are kinda too remote which I would hate with young children .
Old Key West are also DVC and are supposed to have a generous amount of space but I am not familiar with these.
Unfortunately the nightly fees staying on property are $$$ .
Would you consider staying just slightly off property and utilize the non-Disney Resort shuttles?
Many hotel franchise suite style hotels have opened just off the Western Way exit on the Animal Kingdom side of the World such as Homewood Suites , Residence Inn, Springhill .
These are Hilton and Marriott owned and possibly offer AAA discount s.
I notice one child is 9 so you might have to work with school calendar which increases the costs.
Keep us posted with your searching And much more helpful advice is always available .

 

[#4'smom]

We are leaning towards renting a home in Encore @ Reunion. Just trying to figure out transporatation to the parks each day.... If anyone has experience with Encore, please share. Thanks

 

[CarolynFH]

We are leaning towards renting a home in Encore @ Reunion. Just trying to figure out transporatation to the parks each day.... If anyone has experience with Encore, please share. Thanks

Ask about Reunion on the Orlando Hotels & Attractions forum - https://www.disboards.com/forums/orlando-hotels-and-attractions.15/ - for lots of experience.