Big group; same resort?

[MagicallyMom]

Hi! We're going to book soon for a group off 11, I was wondering for those who've stayed on property, if you all started in the same or different resorts, how did it affect your vacation? I was thinking AoA would be good for all of us, but my SIL has a family of 5, they definitely need a suite, we're a family of 4, a suite is fine but we don't know if our 4th is a boy or a girl yet (still 1st trimester) and, if a girl, we may save some dough going for a Little Mermaid room. Then there's grandma & Poppy.

We could all be suite neighbors, or we could all just meet at the bus station/Landscape of Flavors. I'd love others' input and experiences, please.

 

[dansdad]

Hi! We're going to book soon for a group off 11, I was wondering for those who've stayed on property, if you all started in the same or different resorts, how did it affect your vacation? I was thinking AoA would be good for all of us, but my SIL has a family of 5, they definitely need a suite, we're a family of 4, a suite is fine but we don't know if our 4th is a boy or a girl yet (still 1st trimester) and, if a girl, we may save some dough going for a Little Mermaid room. Then there's grandma & Poppy.

We could all be suite neighbors, or we could all just meet at the bus station/Landscape of Flavors. I'd love others' input and experiences, please.

We've had multiple large group trips and always enjoyed them more when we were all not at the same resort.

 

[rwdavis2]

With that many people it would be very difficult to do everything together even if you all agreed to.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've gone with extended family before and if we did it again, I would still opt for the same resort, but probably not connecting rooms. It was a little too close for comfort. If you like AoA, none of the suites connect, so meeting at Landscape of Flavors or the bus stop, pool, etc. allows you to be close but not TOO close! If you are in the Little Mermaid section and your SIL's family are in the suites, you will also be in separate buildings.

As an FYI, with a family of 5, your SIL's family would also fit in some of the mod rooms (CBR and POR, which I would recommend over CBR). POR is lovely and would be a cost savings over a suite at AoA. They also have "royal rooms" which are adorable. If SIL's family were to book a room at POR, they would be put in the Alligator Bayou section. If you were to book standard or a royal room, you would be in the Magnolia section, so, again, same resort, but separate areas.

If you do plan on having pool time together, I would recommend staying at the same resort as you can't pool hop at WDW.

 

[MagicallyMom]

We've had multiple large group trips and always enjoyed them more when we were all not at the same resort.

Did you all stay I different levels? Value/Moderate/Deluxe, etc? If so, did it cause any churn?

 

[MagicallyMom]

I've gone with extended family before and if we did it again, I would still opt for the same resort, but probably not connecting rooms. It was a little too close for comfort. If you like AoA, none of the suites connect, so meeting at Landscape of Flavors or the bus stop, pool, etc. allows you to be close but not TOO close! If you are in the Little Mermaid section and your SIL's family are in the suites, you will also be in separate buildings.

As an FYI, with a family of 5, your SIL's family would also fit in some of the mod rooms (CBR and POR, which I would recommend over CBR). POR is lovely and would be a cost savings over a suite at AoA. They also have "royal rooms" which are adorable. If SIL's family were to book a room at POR, they would be put in the Alligator Bayou section. If you were to book standard or a royal room, you would be in the Magnolia section, so, again, same resort, but separate areas.

If you do plan on having pool time together, I would recommend staying at the same resort as you can't pool hop at WDW.

The trick is that my SIL wants to conceive again, and we're booking more than a year out, so it *might* be a family of 6 by then.

Otherwise, POR would be great!

 

[MagicallyMom]

With that many people it would be very difficult to do everything together even if you all agreed to.

Oh, I'm booking the resorts, a few character meals, and a couple sit down shows together. (The men are excused from the Frozen sing along to catch the Indiana Jones stunt spectacular). But mostly, roaming and exploring is not a whole-group plan.

 

[Nancyg56]

We like to stay at the same resort. We do take into account finances and make sure everyone can afford whatever we choose.

 

[HopperFan]

We've had multiple large group trips and always enjoyed them more when we were all not at the same resort.

This. Our best group trips have been when we are at different resorts, meet mid-morning where ever we are going and then retreat to our home resort with just our immediate family. We have stayed at different and same levels.

Our most difficult group trips have been when we were at the same resort together. Too much pressure to be at bus at same time, retreat at same time, kids wanting to be together when parents have other ideas, no private family time on our vacation.

My opinion is Disney is expensive and everyone should stay at the resort they are interested in and have a budget for. If it ends up you all want the same hotel then go for it.

The trick is that my SIL wants to conceive again, and we're booking more than a year out, so it *might* be a family of 6 by then.

Otherwise, POR would be great!

They can still stay at POR or CBR in a room for 5 because they are allowed an infant as well, but for some that is snug.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

We have a group of 12 - we always stay at the same hotel and request 2 connecting rooms and one adjoining room --works for us and it makes meeting up for travel to the parks, dinner, the pool or even naptime for the kids easier...having to coordinate with everyone if they are at different hotels would be more difficult for our family. It also allows for spontaneous time together even if it is just running to the food court for a drink or sitting a rocking chair in front of the fireplace.

 

[MagicallyMom]

Huh. I hadn't figured that there'd be pressure that way, but I understand it.

Thanks, I'll think on it and run it by the others. Or...maybe I'll just book whatever and let it all work itself out!

 

[Elleshoodat]

We had a group of eight last year and stayed at Port Orleans Riverside - in connecting rooms, in fact. It worked well for us because we didn't feel obligated to stick together throughout the day, yet we could meet up in our room(s) and it gave our boys a little more room to "play." We also don't all live near one another, so we didn't mind being in close proximity for a week.

 

[Mousemommy1]

In 2015, my family of 5 did a joint trip with DH's cousin's family of 5, so there were 10 of us. We all stayed at the CR. My immediate family was in the tower and they stayed in the garden wing. It worked just fine, but we also made sure to just plan certain times when we would do stuff together. We weren't all together 24/7 which was nice.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I wouldn't mind staying in the same resort especially if there are small kids involved. That way at pool time the kids are occupied and I can lay on a lawn chair and have a drink in peace. I would not want connecting or adjoining rooms. I would specifically want them spread throughout the resort. We can meet at the parks in the morning or the bus stop if we happen to arrive on time. I would let everyone know that I won't be waiting around at bus stops for people. If we aren't there at the same time just go and we can meet at the park.

My kids would do better getting ready and moving in the morning if there weren't several other children in the mix. They need to focus.

I would also let each family unit book their own FP and ADR. Maybe plan a few meals together but not all.

 

[greentea]

I would say stay at the same resort so the kids can spend time together at the pool or just at the resort during downtime if you want, but I don't think it's necessary to worry about whether the rooms are right next to each other. AoA seems like a good option if the larger family needs a suite. Have you asked if they would prefer more space and the second bathroom or POR? Is budget a concern for them?

and, if a girl, we may save some dough going for a Little Mermaid room.

Just curious why the baby being a boy or girl would change your room plans? Where else are you considering?

 

[MagicallyMom]

I would say stay at the same resort so the kids can spend time together at the pool or just at the resort during downtime if you want, but I don't think it's necessary to worry about whether the rooms are right next to each other. AoA seems like a good option if the larger family needs a suite. Have you asked if they would prefer more space and the second bathroom or POR? Is budget a concern for them?


Just curious why the baby being a boy or girl would change your room plans? Where else are you considering?

Well a baby boy probably wouldn't mind Ariel. When he's a little older he might, though.

Look, someday I really want to try the Contemporary. I don't think this trip is that one, though!

 

[greentea]

Well a baby boy probably wouldn't mind Ariel. When he's a little older he might, though.

Look, someday I really want to try the Contemporary. I don't think this trip is that one, though!

Ah well that's perfect then, stay in LM now when the baby is too little to care either way and then plan for that someday-in-the-future Contemporary stay

I've been tempted by the LM rooms since AoA is so neat looking but I'm always pushed away by that long walk and lack of discounts.

 

[MagicallyMom]

Ah well that's perfect then, stay in LM now when the baby is too little to care either way and then plan for that someday-in-the-future Contemporary stay

I've been tempted by the LM rooms since AoA is so neat looking but I'm always pushed away by that long walk and lack of discounts.

Yeah...see...and I'm a disabled vet, I don't get discounts on the Little Mermaid rooms but I do on the suites. And a lot of walking...not the best for MIL.

Maybe we'll splurge and monorail it.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi! We're going to book soon for a group off 11, I was wondering for those who've stayed on property, if you all started in the same or different resorts, how did it affect your vacation? I was thinking AoA would be good for all of us, but my SIL has a family of 5, they definitely need a suite, we're a family of 4, a suite is fine but we don't know if our 4th is a boy or a girl yet (still 1st trimester) and, if a girl, we may save some dough going for a Little Mermaid room. Then there's grandma & Poppy.

We could all be suite neighbors, or we could all just meet at the bus station/Landscape of Flavors. I'd love others' input and experiences, please.

Even if you all book suites and request being together, there's no guarantee that your rooms will all be in the same building.

If I were going with a similar group to yours, I'd probably prefer to be at a different resort so that my family had
'our' family time some of the time and time with the whole group some of the time.

 

[Hockeyfan17]

We have done all of our trips with another family, and are doing this one with two other families. We have always stayed at the same resort and really enjoyed it. The kids all get along which really helps. They will spend time together in the pools and at meals. This gives the adults some adult time as the kids seem to occupy themselves. We even eat many meals together for this reason too. It also allows my wife and I to get away for a couple of hours while our friends watch the kids and vice versa. The ladies usually plan a shopping trip together, while the men will plan a pub crawl. Makes for a very fun vacation.