Curveball from DH: Let's try something new!

[megs1313]

Going with a HUGE group of 16 in January. 2 families broken down like this:

My family: Dh, me, my mom, 3 kids: 3,10,12

my best friend's family: Dh, BF, 8 kids (possibly 7): 13, 12, 9, 6, 6, 5, 2, infant
3 of the kids are foster placements, so it's possible that one or more will not be coming along, but we're planning like they are coming.

As of right now, we're booked in 3 rooms at POR (5 in each with the infant in one.) I love POR and am happy with this, but he's thinking maybe we should try something new in a suite or two. AFAIK, there's nothing that sleeps more than 12....so we'd have to do at least two rooms somewhere.

If you were in my shoes, what would you consider? budget isn't a HUGE factor, but I'm not looking at two bungalows at the poly, you know? TIA!

 

[Elmo888]

I would look at the Family Suites. At ASMusic, the Suites are mixed with the standard rooms, and you could have 2 Family Suites and standard room. At AOA, you could do the same thing but the standard rooms are far from the suites.

Or just go with three Family Suites at AOA or ASMusic. That's a bunch of people! The separate spaces might be nice with the kids far outnumbering adults. And the extra space for pack n plays is nice.

 

[Kaytie]

I'd go with the three Family Suites, and have the reservations linked, and request adjoining (near each other.) There are no connecting Family Suites, not that the OP asked.

Each ASMusic Family Suite holds six people, plus one child under three, for whom a Pack & Play is available. Each has a queen bed in the living room, a double sleep sofa, a sleep chair and asleep ottoman. Kitchenette with microwave, sink, half-size refrigerator. Two bathrooms.

Your family could fit in one, and the other family could split between the other two. If there's an issue or prohibition regarding the foster children sharing beds, they could bring a couple of air mattresses. But the infant and the two-year-old using Pack&Plays, one in each suite, would enable the three older children in each one to have separate beds.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If budget isn't a huge factor, I would consider two 2-bedroom villas at any of the DVC resorts. OKW and SSR will price out the least (and offer boat service to DS). Boulder Ridge, Copper Creek (formerly VWL) and AKV would probably be next in line in terms of cost. You will most likely find BCV, BWV and BLT to be the most expensive (and most convenient in terms of park proximity). I'm not listing VGF as getting two 2-bedrooms there is probably next to impossible.

All two bedroom villas will offer you a full kitchen plus an in-room washer/dryer which could come in super handy with all the kids on the trip! This would certainly be a jump in cost from the 3 POR rooms, but the villas are super comfortable, IMHO. Even with a family of 3, we prefer them over a standard resort room. Plus, with two villas, you'll be able to have each family in their own villa.

 

[Ghostridethedolewhip]

When I first saw the headline I thought, wow this will be interesting, then I remembered this is Disboards, get the mind out of the gutter.

 

[PlainJane]

Some of the DVC resorts sleep 9 (the baby won't count towards occupancy) in a two bedroom villa. VGF, OKW, and AKV Kidani are some of those options on a cash reservation.

Depending on which resort you choose, your family could then stay in a studio, one bedroom, or regular room depending on that resort's occupancy rules.

 

[Shanti]

Going with a HUGE group of 16 in January. 2 families broken down like this:

My family: Dh, me, my mom, 3 kids: 3,10,12

my best friend's family: Dh, BF, 8 kids (possibly 7): 13, 12, 9, 6, 6, 5, 2, infant
3 of the kids are foster placements, so it's possible that one or more will not be coming along, but we're planning like they are coming.

As of right now, we're booked in 3 rooms at POR (5 in each with the infant in one.) I love POR and am happy with this, but he's thinking maybe we should try something new in a suite or two. AFAIK, there's nothing that sleeps more than 12....so we'd have to do at least two rooms somewhere.

If you were in my shoes, what would you consider? budget isn't a HUGE factor, but I'm not looking at two bungalows at the poly, you know? TIA!

How about the Saratoga Springs treehouse villas? They're perfect for a big group. Each sleeps up to 9.

 

[Disneytam]

Going with a HUGE group of 16 in January. 2 families broken down like this:

My family: Dh, me, my mom, 3 kids: 3,10,12

my best friend's family: Dh, BF, 8 kids (possibly 7): 13, 12, 9, 6, 6, 5, 2, infant
3 of the kids are foster placements, so it's possible that one or more will not be coming along, but we're planning like they are coming.

As of right now, we're booked in 3 rooms at POR (5 in each with the infant in one.) I love POR and am happy with this, but he's thinking maybe we should try something new in a suite or two. AFAIK, there's nothing that sleeps more than 12....so we'd have to do at least two rooms somewhere.

If you were in my shoes, what would you consider? budget isn't a HUGE factor, but I'm not looking at two bungalows at the poly, you know? TIA!

Thank you for asking this. I've asked a similar question on these boards and have gotten little response. All the more power to you for doing a group of 16! I am looking at a group of 9 and I am wondering if I might need to have my head examined to attempt it! I'm afraid of trying to book a two bedroom or Grand villa because I have heard that availability is pretty low since I don't have any DVC points. Good luck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you have more than one child under the age of three, only one will not count towards occupancy. So if the infant is in the same room as the two year old, the two year old will count. The three year old will always count. So the OP's family is a family of six people and need lodging that sleeps at least six, unless the grandmother is sleeping in another space. The best friend needs to plan on splitting up unless they can book a SSR Tree House Villa that sleeps nine, plus one under the age of three.

16 people (or 15 plus one under the age of three) will not fit in a Grand Villa. The best friend's family would fit by themselves in a Grand Villa, but getting one on cash can be difficult.