Bringing the inlaws to OKW

[cush1]

My wife and I are new owners at OKW. We haven't stayed there, yet. One of the first things we want to do is take our parents for a week. They get along great and we all go to church together. There will be three couples (my parents, her parents, and us) and our baby.

Question: Should I get a two BR or Grand Villa?

We have 320 points (160 free banked points incentive when we bought last month). Grand Villa will be 352 points for the week; the two BR will be 218.

Also, if we stay in the two BR, how do we decide who stays sleeps on the pull-out? Since we are "taking them as a present" (both of our mom's have big birthday's this year), should we give them the bedrooms?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[calypso726]

My suggestion would be either the GV or a 2 bedroom plus a studio. DH and I did a similar trip with my parents, grandmother and her SO. Everyone gets along but I didn't feel right about asking either couple to sleep on a pull out, so getting an extra studio which was a couple of doors away was perfect. The following year DH and I took his two DBs, his DSis and her DH and DS (6 months old). We did the same thing and got the 2 bedroom for ourselves and the 2 DBs and the studio for my DSIL, DBIL and the baby. This worked out best for us. They were able to have some privacy and put the baby down for naps without worrying about waking him up or anything.

 

[robert@dvcstore]

I agree with the previous post. The 2 bedroom, even though it is a large room, will still seem crowded since one couple will have to sleep on the pull out in the living room.

If not the Grand Villa, then the 2 bedroom with a studio is a much better option. A 2 bedroom will still be big enough for all of you to gather together for meals and family time.

Have a great time!

Robert

 

[E&K's Dad]

Have you considered attempting to get a Tree House Villa? They are three bedroom and use less points than a GV. I believe they would cost you around 320 points. They have limited availability but might be a good option for you.

I am personally doing the same thing as you this coming September and we went with a 2BR because my DW wanted to be at our home resort and be on the monorail and we couldn't swing the GV. We spoke to my parents and they will be staying in the living room. Fortunately for us not only do our parents get along but they are also appreciate just being able to go and spend time with their Grand kids in WDW and see the room as just a place to sleep.

Have fun planning your trip, I' sure it will work out for you!

 

[Tara]

I'd go for the GV or the 2BR/studio option. If you just get a 2BR, you'll have 6 adults using 2 bathrooms - a little tight IMO.

 

[ToddyLu]

three studios would also be an option. I realize you would not have a full kitchen or laundry but everyone would have a nice place. Last year and this year MIL has used a SV studio when she travels with us. Dh and I use a studio too since we do not have children. She likes her private space and ability to come and go. She feels safe at Disney to do things in the parks on her own. My parents get their turn next year in their own studio. Plus studios are half the points for a 1br at AKV anyway.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was thinking of two studios and a one bedroom for the owner. So each set of parents get identical lodging and no one thinks they got something less than the other. And everyone can get together for meals or whatever in the one bedroom living room.

I wouldn't get the THV. Two bedrooms have a single queen bed. The other bedroom has a set of bunk beds.

 

[DebbieB]

When do you want to go? Grand Villas are sometimes hard to get.

 

[DenLo]

Three studios. Everyone gets their own rooms for privacy. And everyone is treated equal. Three studios are much cheaper than a GV. If you want you could get a 1 BR and two studios. You take the 1 BR and the parents each get a studio. That way you have the LR in your villa to gather with the parents.

If you get a 2 BR and studio only one set of parents gets the second BR and then one is left with the studio. And if you ask both to stay in the same 2BR with you which parent gets the pull out couch? Or if you take the pull out couch which get parent gets the MBR? Too much of chance of hurting feelings. That's why I recommend 3 studios.

 

[Chuck S]

A two bedroom lock-off and a studio would be the same as a one bedroom and a studio. Less points. Although the room charge option, currently, would be linked in the two bedroom to both the one bedroom and connecting studio. The difference is one of the studios, of course, would have a connecting door to the one bedroom. Since everyone get along, have the two set of parents decide who get the attached studio, and who gets the separate studio. Or, since they get along, have them draw straws, flip a coin, roll dice or cut cards.

 

[cush1]

When do you want to go? Grand Villas are sometimes hard to get.

Hi Debbie, we want to go in September.

 

[cush1]

Thanks everyone... We are leaning towards Grand Villa or 2 BR & Studio. The GV would be "going all out" and borrowing 36 points from 2011. We can still stay at a studio at any of the resorts in 2011 without those points.

The only other negative of the GV is that our parents will think that is the kind of place we vacation all the time and they will continually want to go with us. LOL

 

[Eventer98]

I agree with the PP re: 3 studios. I know that was cheaper for us (taking SIL and her family plus DH's parents in Oct) then getting a G.Villa. You may think you want to bunk together now but I bet you would be happy for your own space at the end of the day!! Plus, you can always request to have the rooms next to each other. Just a thought!!

 

[DebbieB]

Hi Debbie, we want to go in September.

September is a slower month but I would call and check on availability. You are only 5 months out, there may not be GV's available. That might resolve some of your questions.

 

[Nanajo1]

I think a 2BR lock off and a studio is a good idea. You'll have the benefits of a nice living room for you all to relax as well as the full kitchen and washer and dryer. Parents will have equal accommodations.

 

[Coach81]

We brought my Mom and Stepdad a year or two ago to SSR with us.. I got them a seperate studio.. we all need our time alone..

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

I like either the GV or the 2bed with studio.

Although the three studio solution sounds like the most fair and private, here are my thoughts on it
- although I love OKW, I don't like their studios in comparison with the 2beds, they have the two queens (which neither couple will need)
- it is definitely a plus to have the full kitchen and the spaciousness of the OKW 2 beds
- three studios don't provide for a hang out and relax as a group place


Last time we took a group of family, we did the twobed/studio arrangement at VWL and the GV at SSR. When at VWL we put all the teenagers in the studio across the hall and didn't have to view their mess the entire time!! Enjoyed it immensely, then moved to the GV and loved that even more. Lots of space for everyone to have privacy as well as to hang out as a big group!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The only problem I can see with a two bedroom and a studio is who gets the separate studio? Who misses out on seeing the kids in the morning right when they wake up? Who doesn't get the kiddo waking them up in the morning? The second bedroom and the studio would be the same size, but they could be far apart. Who would feel like the favorite grandparent and who would feel like the second choice?

 

[Donna M]

We have stayed in a GV at OKW and if you want to stay there and have the points I would say go for it. There is great space to sit around and chat plus you will all be able to sit at the dinning room table together. Both sets of grandparents get to spend the same amount of time with their grandchild. You will still get the master with your parents having similar accommodations to each other.

Staying in a GV feels special-- try it, you'll like it!

If you feel you need to save points then I would go for the 2bd lock-off and studio.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks everyone... We are leaning towards Grand Villa or 2 BR & Studio. The GV would be "going all out" and borrowing 36 points from 2011. We can still stay at a studio at any of the resorts in 2011 without those points.

The only other negative of the GV is that our parents will think that is the kind of place we vacation all the time and they will continually want to go with us. LOL

If you are talking about THIS September, you had better call ASAP to see if one is available.