Big family - best resort for 2 2bdrm villas near each other?

[mickeymom629]

I am thinking about our next family trip. We have DH and myself, son+wife+4 yr old, son+wife+4 yr old, daughter+husband (they may stay elsewhere), and single son. I would love to book GV, and OKW and SSR are the only ones in my points range that would allow us to stay for a good length of time. We have stayed in the one-level BWV in 2013 - awesome!! That was before grandkids and 2 spouses.

If the SSR living rooms are small, will we be happy there? I really hope to get OKW but I know they tend to book fast.

Would it be better to book 2 2-bedrooms (one for the two families with kids and the other for DH and I and the others)? I will miss staying with the grandkids, but we do see each other all the time at home - we all live very close.

But I would want the villas to be very close, if possible. Anyone had any luck?

How do you do it with a family like ours - all together or a little separate? We are banking and borrowing to get the points we need.

ETA that the last time we went (Fall, 2017), we stayed at Kidani in 2 bedroom (DH, me and son in one room, son/spouse/1 yr old in other) and a 1 bedroom (other son/spouse/1 yr old) on same floor but opposite wings. DD and husband stayed elsewhere for shorter trip. It was okay but wonder if we would have preferred altogether.

 

[Sandisw]

The only thing I can say is that there is no guarantee that you will be close to each other. I booked 3 rooms once and 2 were close but the 3rd was not. We asked if it could be adjusted and they said they could not.

 

[mickeymom629]

The only thing I can say is that there is no guarantee that you will be close to each other. I booked 3 rooms once and 2 were close but the 3rd was not. We asked if it could be adjusted and they said they could not.

What resort was that at?

 

[lehrsj]

I’ve been a DVC member since 93. I’ve had a number of family vacations over the years where we had more than one unit at OKW. I put in the request every time the the 2 or 3 units be near each over. And the units we got have always been very close to each other. This is probably 8 or more times.

 

[AaronEuth]

I would actually think Bay Lake would have potential, if booked with similar less popular requests (south side). And even if you are far apart, that distance would be largely vertical and not horizontal. At Kidani if you were half a resort away, thats a long walk, at Bay Lake its just a different button on the elevator.

 

[mickeymom629]

I’ve been a DVC member since 93. I’ve had a number of family vacations over the years where we had more than one unit at OKW. I put in the request every time the the 2 or 3 units be near each other. And the units we got have always been very close to each other. This is probably 8 or more times.

That is very good to know! Thanks!

 

[drusba]

We have requested rooms close to each other at BWV, AKV Jambo and BLT. If success is measured by at least getting the rooms on the same floor (which at Jambo is a given), then we have had success. Otherwise, the rooms were not close to each other.

The SSR GVs are OK but have downsides the others do not, one of which you note in that they decided to stick a wall between the living room and the dining room/kitchen area doing away with the desirable large, open-room effect. Two other downsides are the lack of balconies (there is only one which is off the dining area), and they put the washer/dryer upstairs.

 

[cvjw]

We requested 2 villas to be close to each other at BLT and were given villas on different floors. We have had fairly good luck at BWV - as in the villas were on the same floor.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

We did a big family trip a few years ago, booked a GV and 2 bedroom at BWV. I requested the rooms be close together, they were not, not even on the same floor. This was very disappointing but nothing could be done about it. All you can do is make the request and hope for the best.

I’ve been a DVC member since 93. I’ve had a number of family vacations over the years where we had more than one unit at OKW. I put in the request every time the the 2 or 3 units be near each over. And the units we got have always been very close to each other. This is probably 8 or more times.

I would say you are very lucky!

 

[Brian Noble]

If you book both in Hospitality House in OKW, you are guaranteed to at least be within a reasonable walking distance, and a halfway decent chance of being in the same cluster of buildings (there are only two).

However, those buildings do not have a door between the LR and the master bath, which may be a problem depending on the sleeping configuration you anticipate.

 

[Roccosmom]

Wilderness lodge might be an option, its a smaller resort so everyone would be close

 

[disneynutz]

IMO it doesn't matter which resort it is. What are the odds of two families checking out on your check in date, both two bedrooms, both close to each other?

Have MS add a "traveling with" notation to both reservations to let the room assigner team know what you want.

Bill

 

[mickeymom629]

We did a big family trip a few years ago, booked a GV and 2 bedroom at BWV. I requested the rooms be close together, they were not, not even on the same floor. This was very disappointing but nothing could be done about it. All you can do is make the request and hope for the best.



I would say you are very lucky!

Maybe it depends on the time of year, too.

 

[mickeymom629]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and opinions! If we did a 2 bedroom, it's possible that one room would be for a longer stay than the other since I want to be there for more than 7 nights but my kids probably won't be able to.

 

[Philsfan77]

Personally, I'd just book the grand villa at OKW if you can get it. Its your most efficient option both in terms of guaranteeing the family is together, and using the fewest points. Hoping it comes through for you!!

 

[Sandisw]

What resort was that at?

BWV and BLT. We did a split stay and it happened both times.