Best Resort for 3 couples, 2 kids

[Robbydj13]

We are looking to book a WDW trip for next summer/fall. Typically we are cruise people, but those aren’t the same anymore. We will have myself and my gf, her sister and husband along with their 2 children, and her parents. So 2, 2 and 2+2 kids. I don’t believe there is a room that can accommodate that many people, so the question for those with guidance, is it better to just do 3 rooms and request them to be near each other? Is there a better resort for that? Also, is there a better off property option?

I appreciate everyone’s input

 

[Marthasor]

It really depends on your budget and availability. If you really want to stay in one unit, there are a few DVC villas that would accommodate your group. You could do a 2-bedroom at BLT or Kidani so you have 3 bathrooms, but one family unit will have to utilize the living room area to sleep and, IMHO, it's not as comfortable as a regular resort room. You could also check availability for 3-bedroom villas, Copper Creek cabins or Poly bungalows, but they will be very expensive. If you want to do 3 rooms, I would just choose a resort that looks interesting to everyone and is within your budget. When you book the 3 rooms, I would call in and ask that the reservations are "linked" so the resort knows you are all traveling together. You can request connecting rooms (if that is of interest to you) or rooms that adjoin or are near each other.

 

[unrequited23]

Three rooms. Each household gets their own space to decompress. If looking at just one resort book a resort that is comfortable for the family with the tightest budget. But several resort areas are close to each other if people have different room configuration needs. POR and POFQ are about a 12 minute walk. Pop and AoA are across the bridge from each other. The resorts on the skyliner are easy to commute between.

If you go off property and want to share one large place, I suggest each household gets their own full bathroom.

 

[Lilsia]

Get 3 rooms. Sharing with extended family is not as fun as it seems. There is no "better" resort, go with what is in your budget. You can request rooms close to each other but I have found that it really does not matter. You usually spend all day with each other that by the end of the night, everyone just goes back to their room and gets ready for bed. Going to WDW is not like the cruise, where you are mostly just hanging out. You will be tired and be spending most of the time in the parks anyway.

 

[Robbydj13]

I appreciate the replies, the budget is pretty big, the main factor is always is the price worth it…The villas are nice, but pricy for something we wont be in very much. We were definitely leaning towards 3 separate rooms at a resort, most likely POR as we really like it there, or possibly somewhere else if we come across it. Was mainly curious if there was a hidden gem out there we weren’t aware of LOL

 

[RoseGold]

An option is to rent a 2BR DVC suite, if you are planing out far enough. This would be grandparents and the kids and then you get your own room in that same hotel, cash or DVC studio. This would give everyone a kitchen and laundry. Depending on how long you are going that might be gamechanging.

Renting DVC has risk and downside, and it requires planning waaaay in advance.

Beach Club would be ideal, and the 2BR is not impossible to get. There are others that would work well also, like BLT (Contemporary) and maybe Riviera or Grand Floridian if you want to splurge.

Currently, the deluxe hotels (indcluding all DVC) get the late hours on M/Weds. I planned my last two trips around those hours, they are the absolute best.

I would also price out Marriott Swan/Dolphin. Perfect location. They can be cheap way in advance and get the extra hours too, and there's coin laundry in the Dolphin. Everyone books their own room, you can even cancel if someone needs to. These hotels swing wildly, like 150 to 600. I would set up an alert if you are interested.

 

[Robbydj13]

An option is to rent a 2BR DVC suite, if you are planing out far enough. This would be grandparents and the kids and then you get your own room in that same hotel, cash or DVC studio. This would give everyone a kitchen and laundry. Depending on how long you are going that might be gamechanging.

Renting DVC has risk and downside, and it requires planning waaaay in advance.

Beach Club would be ideal, and the 2BR is not impossible to get. There are others that would work well also, like BLT (Contemporary) and maybe Riviera or Grand Floridian if you want to splurge.

Currently, the deluxe hotels (indcluding all DVC) get the late hours on M/Weds. I planned my last two trips around those hours, they are the absolute best.

I would also price out Marriott Swan/Dolphin. Perfect location. They can be cheap way in advance and get the extra hours too, and there's coin laundry in the Dolphin. Everyone books their own room, you can even cancel if someone needs to. These hotels swing wildly, like 150 to 600. I would set up an alert if you are interested.

I wasn’t for sure how the extra hours were working now so that’s a good point and would certainly come in handy.

I do enjoy Swan and Dolphin, I’m not sure I have every noticed the price changing that much, I will definitely keep an eye out now. Thanks!

 

[RoseGold]

I do enjoy Swan and Dolphin, I’m not sure I have every noticed the price changing that much, I will definitely keep an eye out now. Thanks!

You can set an alert on a travel search website, I use Google. It's currently $202 for my next trip, but it really swings a lot!

 

[hmansionlover]

From what I can tell you have the budget for two suites at Art of Animation. Each has room to sleep 6 so if the kidlings are not into sharing a bed it will work just fine. The resort is perfect for children. Plus you'll have access to Skyliner.

 

[a1tinkfans]

POR is a great resort with good amenities for ur group tho I don’t think I saw the kids ages. It’s very big so IF u choose to book preferred rooms ( the only way we stay/mod there: close to south depot, bar, restaurant, gift shop etc) bldg 14, 18 AB section are great( our favs) . You can Request but of course no guarantee. we’ve stayed there more times than I can count and we’ve been lucky to get either when we book preferred and request them. Have a good visit.

 

[Robbydj13]

POR is a great resort with good amenities for ur group tho I don’t think I saw the kids ages. It’s very big so IF u choose to book preferred rooms ( the only way we stay/mod there: close to south depot, bar, restaurant, gift shop etc) bldg 14, 18 AB section are great( our favs) . You can Request but of course no guarantee. we’ve stayed there more times than I can count and we’ve been lucky to get either when we book preferred and request them. Have a good visit.

POR is our Preferred resort and where we would normally stay by ourselves. The kids are 8 and 4 but wouldn’t be with us which is why I was looking for help or input on what might be best practice. I definitely appreciate everyone’s help!

 

[Carol_]

We like to rent houses at resorts off property, like Regal Palms. Liki Tiki Village was great for us recently, and Mystic Dunes is nice, too. Good luck!
The treehouses and CCV Cabins at wilderness lodge are great but might be too cozy if you’re not all used to being on top of each other. If $ isn’t a barrier, try for a 3BR grand villa at a DVC location. (More sleeping surfaces and space.)

 

[tguz]

I would for sure do 3 rooms. I love my family but I think people like to relax and wind down their day's differently. I would choose Pop for the skyliner and the price.

 

[3gr8boys]

We are looking to book a WDW trip for next summer/fall. Typically we are cruise people, but those aren’t the same anymore. We will have myself and my gf, her sister and husband along with their 2 children, and her parents. So 2, 2 and 2+2 kids. I don’t believe there is a room that can accommodate that many people, so the question for those with guidance, is it better to just do 3 rooms and request them to be near each other? Is there a better resort for that? Also, is there a better off property option?

I appreciate everyone’s input

Our last trip we needed separate accommodations for grown son and his GF. We opted for an ASMu family suite and preferred room combo. We ended up just a few doors away from each other and really appreciated having the "living room" and kitchenette amenities for gathering at the beginning and end of each day. Perhaps the family with kids could stay in a suite and the two couples could each stay in a preferred room. ASMu isn't luxurious, but we had a great stay at a, by Disney standards, budget price for the (recently renovated ) space.

My posts from after our trip....

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...t-information-questions.3042913/post-63922538

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...t-information-questions.3042913/post-63922804