Booking tomorrow and the availability just messed up my plans...

[4kidsandadog]

Hey y'all. It's been a while since I've been here, but we are taking a big group to WDW in January to celebrate my granddaughter's 4th birthday, and for a private wedding while there. Our group will include my family of 4 (me, husband, 2 teens), my daughter, her fiancé, her daughter, his parents, a brother, and a friend. Planning on giving the newlyweds their own place, while the rest of us (8 adults and the child) share a 3BR.

I really wanted to stay at Jambo for at least part of the time, but right now, the week we will be there (Sun-Sat stay), availability is super limited (as in nothing first day, then 3 open days, then 2 closed, then 1 open). My husband was only open to a split stay if we only had to move once. So if we stay there, would have to be just the last night.

Kidani's grand villas are available, but I am not sure if that is a good option. Can anyone tell me how big the walk-in shower is in the master bedroom? The door looks tiny to me in the pictures I've seen... and I'm not a small person.

BWV is the other place I've wanted to stay. It is currently available all but the last night.

SSR is available the whole time.

I have stayed at none of these before, so all would be new. I like BWV because of the proximity to Epcot and the Studios, plus the nighttime view of Illuminations. AKV is close to Animal Kingdom, so that is the pro there (besides the savannah view). Not sure what the pros are of SSR, other than it being something new.

What are y'all's thoughts? (And if any of you are holding those rooms at Jambo, why not give them back to me? )

 

[crazywig]

The BWV grand villas are fantastic, we've done it twice. In my opinion the best location on property, there are only 7 grand villas so this would be a good chance to snag one as a non-owner. I'd book that if available, book a 2br for that last unavailable night and waitlist the one night.

 

[4kidsandadog]

Thanks! I am really leaning towards 6 nights at BWV. As far as doing a 2BR, since those of us in the villa are not all family, I feel we need the extra space the grand villa provides. I might get 2 2BR units for the last night. It will probably entail me getting a few one-time points to make this work.

 

[Dean]

We did this. My daughter and SIL stayed BWV BW view 1 BR and we stayed SSR two 2BR villas. We asked to see them for one lunch only but ended up seeing them every day their choice.

 

[4kidsandadog]

Well darn... the folks starting their vacations a day before me took all but one day at Boardwalk, so no GV for us! Back to the drawing board. Looks like we will either have to do a split stay in a Kidani GV (never did find out about those showers) and then a GV at SSR. Or do the whole week at SSR, splitting between preferred and standard views. Any other suggestions?? I have 530 points to use and my husband doesn't want to move more than once. There are going to be 2 couples in our room, 2 adult kids (males), 2 teens (boy/girl) and a 4yo.

 

[4kidsandadog]

The BWV grand villas are fantastic, we've done it twice. In my opinion the best location on property, there are only 7 grand villas so this would be a good chance to snag one as a non-owner. I'd book that if available, book a 2br for that last unavailable night and waitlist the one night.

I was totally going for this... but looks like starting our vacation on Sunday (because of marathon) messed everything up. If we had been able to book today, I would have had it.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I would opt for SSR and go for standard and preferred areas. Least you will all be in the same resort. It is our home resort and we find it really nice. We like the boat or walk via bridge to Disney Springs. It has nice pools and a good QS. It also has a spa if you need.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

SSR is a beautiful resort, close to Disney Springs, and very serene and removed from the loudness of the parks. It's under appreciated.

 

[catherines_mama]

I can say the door to the walk in shower of the 2 bedroom dedicated at Kidani is large. I'd say same width as a sliding pocket door. (if that helps)

 

[tjkraz]

I haven't checked all of the point charts but two 2-bedroom villas are typically cheaper than a single Grand Villas. And there are a lot more 2Bs available, making them easier to reserve.

Grand Villas are definitely nice as prestige accommodations, but the two 2BRs would have more total space. Everyone may appreciate the greater separation.

 

[catherines_mama]

I haven't checked all of the point charts but two 2-bedroom villas are typically cheaper than a single Grand Villas. And there are a lot more 2Bs available, making them easier to reserve.

Grand Villas are definitely nice as prestige accommodations, but the two 2BRs would have more total space. Everyone may appreciate the greater separation.

True, but if you COULD stay in a GV wouldn't you want to also? I know I sure would!! Hoping for the day when my kids are grown (teens now) and have kids and we rent a GV taking our grandkids.

 

[tjkraz]

True, but if you COULD stay in a GV wouldn't you want to also?

Not if some other accommodation was more practical and cheaper.

But that's just my opinion. I'm sure others would favor the more prestigious room.

 

[4kidsandadog]

I haven't checked all of the point charts but two 2-bedroom villas are typically cheaper than a single Grand Villas. And there are a lot more 2Bs available, making them easier to reserve.

Grand Villas are definitely nice as prestige accommodations, but the two 2BRs would have more total space. Everyone may appreciate the greater separation.

We were looking forward to sharing a 3br so that the 2 sets of grandparents could enjoy each other's company and easily share caring for the 4yo while her parents celebrated a honeymoon. If we can get 2 2BRs close to each other, that would be the next best thing. Really leaning towards Kidani, either splitting a GV stay there with a GV at SSR, or possibly doing a 2BR/1BR there for the whole week. The family of my son-in-law-to-be has never stayed at a Disney resort and says they will not feel cramped in a 1br with the 2 young adults coming with them.

True, but if you COULD stay in a GV wouldn't you want to also? I know I sure would!! Hoping for the day when my kids are grown (teens now) and have kids and we rent a GV taking our grandkids.

Right!! We have stayed in 2BRs several times as a family of 5-6, and wanted to have that opportunity for a GV on this trip.

Not if some other accommodation was more practical and cheaper.

But that's just my opinion. I'm sure others would favor the more prestigious room.

I struggle with the practical vs. the dream. I am super practical the other 51 weeks of the year, so on vacation, I tend to let myself live a little. It isn't so much the prestige as it is the feeling of spoiling myself a little. Because I TOTALLY do not the rest of the year. (Heck, I don't even get to WDW once a year, so this is one week out of 104!)

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I would go with the Kidani option. I consider my MIL on the larger side, and she had no complaints about the door to the shower. If it's too small, you could always use the regular tub shower off the main living area.

 

[4kidsandadog]

I would go with the Kidani option. I consider my MIL on the larger side, and she had no complaints about the door to the shower. If it's too small, you could always use the regular tub shower off the main living area.

That is my plan. I am thinking it will work. At least, I am hoping; I am more comfortable in walk-in showers, as sometimes it is difficult to get in and out of tubs. My size, coupled with arthritis, make some typically normal things not so easy.

Assuming nothing changes in the morning, I will probably be booking the Kidani GV and paying for 3 one-time points.

 

[JessLCH]

We travel with family every year and always book two 2 bedrooms. We much prefer to have an extra bedroom and more privacy for fewer points.

 

[Dean]

True, but if you COULD stay in a GV wouldn't you want to also? I know I sure would!! Hoping for the day when my kids are grown (teens now) and have kids and we rent a GV taking our grandkids.

Not me. The 2 BR plus other villas gives us privacy and separation. I don't see the value in the costs comparatively speaking. IMO the DVC points structure is whacked when it comes to the 1 & 3 BR compared to the studio and 2 BR.

 

[4kidsandadog]

Pixie dust worked. 3BR savannah view grand villa at Kidani for 9 of us. Got the first 4 nights of the newlyweds' room booked at VGF. Will try for their last 3 nights in 4 more days.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Pixie dust worked. 3BR savannah view grand villa at Kidani for 9 of us. Got the first 4 nights of the newlyweds' room booked at VGF. Will try for their last 3 nights in 4 more days.

Yeah!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Pixie dust worked. 3BR savannah view grand villa at Kidani for 9 of us. Got the first 4 nights of the newlyweds' room booked at VGF. Will try for their last 3 nights in 4 more days.

Congrats!!!

I'm one who really prefers accommodations that keep our group together. It's generally traveling with family that I get to see very infrequently so I like us to have every opportunity to visit. It's like the old days when I was young and we used to go visit family and stay at their home. Coordinating is simplified, we visit and chat in comfy surroundings and just have a great time. I'd do the GV in a heartbeat over separate rooms unless I knew others in the group were uncomfortable with it and needed the separation.