Big family trip - what would you do?

[Cinderella]

We are planning a family trip to WDW for January. This time there will be seven of us going - my DH and my two children are going and his three children will be coming for the first time.

I'm not sure whether a grand villa will be even possible points wise, or reserving only 8 months out. We did consider a two bedroom and a studio, but we worry that the studio will not be close to the two bedroom, and I don't really feel comfortable about the two teenagers being alone in a studio too far away.

There is no way we could do a two bed with all seven of us, as it felt cramped with four, and it will be a two week trip. I'm seriously considering renting a large villa offsite for the two weeks. Has anyone else tried this, and will we regret it? We love staying in villas, but we haven't stayed in one in Florida aside from DVC.

 

[sue]

We stayed at SSR last October and when I made our Reservations, I made one for a grand villa and also one for a 2 BR villa for my daughter and her friend. I requested that they be as close as possible. We ended up only being 3 doors down from each other. I think you would be ok with doing that, and using it as your reservation request. Mention to them that they are young and you want to be as close as possible. I'm sure they will do what they can . We also had your daughter check in with us before bedtime, so we knew she was in for the night. She also had a cell phone, that she kept on all day and all night, in case we needed to get ahold of her. It made us feel more comfortable.

 

[Traveliz]

We are planning a family trip to WDW for January. This time there will be seven of us going - my DH and my two children are going and his three children will be coming for the first time.

I'm not sure whether a grand villa will be even possible points wise, or reserving only 8 months out. We did consider a two bedroom and a studio, but we worry that the studio will not be close to the two bedroom, and I don't really feel comfortable about the two teenagers being alone in a studio too far away.

There is no way we could do a two bed with all seven of us, as it felt cramped with four, and it will be a two week trip. I'm seriously considering renting a large villa offsite for the two weeks. Has anyone else tried this, and will we regret it? We love staying in villas, but we haven't stayed in one in Florida aside from DVC.

What about a two bedroom at OKW - those are really large and the one bedroom will have two queens, the other a king and then the pullout in the living room. There will be two bathrooms and lots of space.

I don't think you would feel that cramped under those conditions -- there is room to spread out there.

Liz

 

[simzac]

What about a two bedroom at OKW - those are really large and the one bedroom will have two queens, the other a king and then the pullout in the living room. There will be two bathrooms and lots of space.

I don't think you would feel that cramped under those conditions -- there is room to spread out there.

Liz

I totally agree with this post.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was going to say the same thing. A two bedroom at OKW. Beds for four in the second bedroom, you get the king bed and room for two on the sleeper sofa.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have done 7 LARGE adults in an OKW 2 bedroom, and it was fine. One couple in the master, one couple in one queen, one adult offspring in the other queen, and the two guys in the living room....one on the queen pull out, and one smaller one on the loveseat. It would have worked better if two of the adult children could have slept together, but this worked fine anyway.

 

[castleri]

GV or 2BR OKW is the way to go with your group - We have stayed offsite for a couple of days in a 2 BR villa just a mile from DTD and it was fine for the time we were there but I would not do it for the whole two weeks. With teens being right at Disney is great so they can go off on their own just use the transportation system. Offsite you have to plan out things and everyone must be ready to go at the same time etc. Maybe you could do a couple of days offsite to save the points and then do a GV the rest of the time. This would be good if you are planning to do other things in the area besides the Disney parks etc. Good luck with your planning.

 

[mouseclick1]

We are in a similar situation. We'll be traveling next Easter with our 2 teens and 5 of their friends. I'm curently booked at AKV for 3 nights, then BWV for 3 nights. We have a 2 BR and a studio at each place. The older teens will take the studio and I have requested that the rooms be near each other. How old are the teens that would have the studio to themselves? I am going to try to get a GV at SSR at the 7 month mark, but I know my chances are slim. If that doesn't work out, then I'll just keep things the way they are.

I know many people stay off site and love it, but for us it would take away from the experience. Good luck in your planning.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We had a 2 bedroom BW View and a studio preferred view reserved at BWV in mid-April. We requested nonsmoking for the 2 bedroom and smoking for the studio, and for the 2 reservations to be as close as possible. The studio was booked about 4 months after the 2 bedroom.

MS said that it was unlikely for us to be together at studio booking because of the smoking request.

Anyway, DSis didn't get a smoking room and they were pretty far away from us. DSis complained after we got back that we stayed so far away from each other.

At BWV, we were in 2011 and 2013 - over Big River Grille, and DSIS and her family were in 3057 - overlooking courtyard and boardwalk. We used the kitchen facilities a lot, and it caused ill feelings even though DSIS had a BW view, daybed, and extra large balcony.

Taking my adult sisters, BILs, niece, and nephews was a bit more trying that I had hoped.


Good Luck!

 

[jennypenny]

wrong post, need coffee

 

[dianeschlicht]

I believe the teens will have to have at least one over the age of 18 if they are to be in a room by themselves.