Cabin or Rent Points/ What to do?

[MotherOf2Princesses]

I currently have a ressie for 6 nights in a FW cabin. However I am strongly considering renting points to get a villa. If I rent points it would be for 5 nights (I will pay for the 6th night) in a 1br. Room cost will be about the same either way.
But if I rent points I am not able to get the dining plan.
Which would you recommend. What has been your experience with renting points. And is having the dining plan that great? Did you like FW?
The travel party will be me, husband, my mom, and two girls 5 and 2. My mom and dad did Disney a few years back and it was on such a tight budget that she was never able to really enjoy herself. (Alot of counter service meals and snacks and only three nights at AS.) So I want this vacation to be for her just as much as it is for my kids. She's so excited.
I want a kitchen, and possibly a w/d. I was thinking about VWL or OKW.
I cannot make up my mind so I thought I would ask the experts. So FW cabin with dining plan or rent points and have a villa.

 

[John VN]

My personal feeling from experience is that a 1 bedroom is far more enjoyable than a cabin.

I will PM you.

John

 

[newtowdw1]

Our family of 4 was happier in the cabin than we would have been in a villa. We toured Saratoga Springs and realized that we need more BEDS.
DS and DD can NOT sleep in the same bed without one of them being killed by one of us. In which case our vacation would be ruined.

The cabins have double and twin bunk beds in the bedroom. The living room has a double murphy bed that pulls down. The cabin is self-standing and has a porch, picnic table, grill and teenytiny yard. It is very private due to the brush between the cabins. The bathroom was an adequate size. Not as large as my master bath, but larger than the one the kids share with guests.

Saratoga Springs told us that they did not have rollaway beds available. My kids could sleep on the floor, but for the prices, I'd like everyone to have a bed!

The bedroom had a TV. This made DD and DS ecstatic. The thought a TV of their own just about made the trip worth it. Even Mickey might not have been so exciting.

We spent a lot of time in the campground, just moseying around. We're like that...moseyers. We had cabin 2501. We were maybe 100 steps from the pool and 75 from the laundry. I liked that a LOT! I did laundry early one morning, and DH did laundry late one night. You have mousekeeping everyday, which is wonderful. Isabel is a treasure! We got more towel animals than you could shake a shower curtain at!

We had AP pass rates. We paid $179/night. Would we stay there again? I don't know. We always have a car, so will probably stay off-site. I wouldn't stay anywhere else on site though. My kids are loud and we're messy and like to spread out.

If you have a car I'd definitely do the cabins. If you plan to go to MK mostly, but don't have a car, I'd definitely do the cabins. We found internal bus transportation to be frustrated and we're a pretty laid back bunch (we mosey, remember )

Have fun planning. I'm almost done with my trip, and have MONTHS to go yet!

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

If we stay at the cabins we plan to rent a golf cart. How is the transportation once you get to the main bus stop at FW. I'm familiar with the boat ride to MK, I've stayed at WL. How is the bus ride to the other parks.

 

[camouseketeer]

Just recently I asked a very similar question on the resort boards. I am trying to decide between VWL and a FW cabin. My responses were split. Some felt we (DH, DD5, DD3) would be too crowded in a cabin, and others felt that the space and quietness of the cabins couldn't be beat. We've never been to WDW, so we have no experience with either.

As far as a 1BR for you goes, would you get a rollaway bed for your fifth person?

I think we'll end up going with the cabin. My DH loves the idea of zipping around on a gold cart, having tons for the kids to do that are not park related, and being able to park our car right at our cabin door.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[CharlesTD]

Our family of 5 loves the 1bdrms. If parking is a concern then get a room at OKW or SSR then you can virtually park in front of your building unlike BWV and BCV and VWL. We take an airbed for one of the kids to sleep on the actually all take turns it is like a novelty item or something for them while we are on holidays. We are trying a cabin our next trip after our 06 trip and cruise.

 

[Gillian]

camouseketeer, why did they think your family of 4 would be crowded in the cabins? I think they are perfect for 2 parents and 2 young children! They are not as big as a 1 BR but the layout is nice. I guess it would depend on the price.

I like that the kids can go in the back bedroom, you can close the door and still have access to the kitchen, living room and deck without disturbing them. Then the adults can sleep in the living room.

 

[camouseketeer]

I'm not sure why someone thought we would be too crowded. The set up seems perfect for my family of four. Others responders felt we would have plenty of room. DH and I really want separate beds for the girls, which is why we want the cabin with the bunk beds. Your point about still having access to the kitchen and living is a good one.

I think it comes down to environment. Some feel that the deluxe resort feel of the villas is better than the outdoorsy feel to the cabins. There are pluses to both. My DH really wants the cabin. He's not a huge Disney fan so I figure we can stay where he wants. As long as I'm on property, I'm happy.

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

My husband who has been no help with the plans has decided that we should try the cabins. He thinks that our girls will like the extra activities. I think I will upgrade our tickets and add the water parks. I also think my mom will like having her own bed and she will enjoy the dining plan.

 

[dgaston]

The dining plan is amazing. We just got back from a 3 day weekend, and even in a short stay we had too much food. We used 2 table service credits to eat at California Grill. We used up our extra counter service credits eating at Earl of Sandwich in DTD and getting food for the flight home. I think the dining plan tips the scale in favor the cabin.

Now here's the other side. One bedrooms at Old Key West are huge! You would have to bring bedding for the fifth person, but washer and dryer are right in the villa. The feature pool has a nice slide for the 5 yo, probably not the 2 yo. Quiet pools are very nice, but no slides.

Yes I know I haven't helped at all. I love both the cabins and staying in 1 bedrooms.