Decisions, decisions... help and guidance req'd!

[ManCityMickey]

We have finally decided that we are going back to the Magic for 5 nights from June 3rd!!

There will be 5 of us this time (DD2 wasn't born last time we went!). We want to stay onsite and we want EMH. As far as I can see, our options are Santa Fe and DLH. The Pink Palace will be way over our budget, so what do you think is the best way to book a family room at Santa Fe?

There will be 3 adults and 2 kids, 11 and 3.

I am getting myself confused with the options... booking direct with Disney, trying to book room only and buying dream AP's, Booking 1 adult and DD2 with Disney, then adding room only on arrival.

My head is spinning!!!!

What would you guys do?

 

[jothp]

They also have some family rooms in the Newport Bay but you have to phone to get a price for those. Another option is to book two rooms in any of the disney hotels. They say that interconnecting rooms are not guaranteed but from what I have read on here most people seem to get them.

Normally disney don't offer any discounts on their family rooms so it can often be cheaper to get two rooms on special offer. Last June we were lucky and managed to get 30% off a family room in the NPB which made it around about the same price as two rooms in the Sequoia so we had the family room (the CM who took my phonecall seemed shocked to find the room discounted and whenever I have phoned for a price since they have not been discounted).

When we went back last August even two rooms in the Santa Fe worked out more expensive than buying dream passes and staying offsite. Now we have AP we will stay offsite again this June.

 

[Ms Poppins]

We've done both: family room at DLH which was included in a 40% discount. And connecting rooms at HNY.

Overall I'd say it's best to go for 2 rooms. This often works out cheaper than the family room option. I think I priced Santa Fe when we were looking last time and it was a good bit cheaper to go for 2 rooms.

Also the convenience of having 2 bathrooms/showers, everyone having their own beds and more space makes such a difference to the whole holiday.

Interconnecting is not guaranteed but have it noted on your booking. Then call the hotel about 5 days before you go to request again. This is when your booking will go on the hotel's system and they will take another note. We've never had a problem.

Have a look at my trip reports on my signature - DLH we had a family room, which isn't that much bigger than a standard room, and HNY we had 2 rooms. The kids definitely prefer having 2 rooms

 

[DLPdaft]

I would phone DLP and ask them about availability and prices for your trip in all their onsite family room options. then take it from there.