Disney Resorts

[brandyc]

Whats the best resort for a family of 7. Which includes 2 5 year olds?

 

[Karabee]

Could you give an idea of your budget? There is so much variety!

 

[brandyc]

Budget for plane, park tickets, resort, and meals. $9000.00
I am new to this site, so I am trying to find my way around it. I am also wanting to find someone to DISign some t-shirts for our trip.

 

[jenlov]

When will you be going? If it's in the fall during the free dining promotion, you should be able to get a good deal. There's several threads around here that talk about the dates and talk of the offer opening up in early August. You could even book now for those dates and then call and change to the FD package once it is open. But, from what I understand, the rooms are limited, so be prepared that you may not get that deal and make a plan B just in case. How many adults/children? We have 9 (2 adults, 6 kids, 1 infant) and are getting 2 rooms at Little Mermaid. Just an example, but our 10 night, 10 day trip is costing us about $5,000 for room, tickets, and meals (which are free w/ our offer). It would cost you a little less/more depending on how many adults/kids you have. That would leave around $4k left for airfare and other expenses. if you do a shorter trip, you could probably get a moderate resort or 2 family suites depending on your stay. Here's what I would do: go to wdw.com and price out a package. If you do a single room like at Little Mermaid that only holds 4 people (will hold 4 people plus 1 child under 3), make sure you split your party into 2 sets. For ours, I put my husband and 3 kids, then me and the other 4 to get the prices. play around with pricing different resorts to get an idea what you can get for the money, save a couple of packages to look back to later on. This will give you a ball park figure for rooms at least. I would not add dining to your package just yet. Then just keep your eye out for specials. They are usually % off a room rate or free dining. For us (and probably you also), the free dining is a MUCH better deal. Just do MYW tickets w/out hopper and water park if you want to keep your cost down.

 

[brandyc]

Jan 28 - Feb 4

 

[Goofy4]

Take a look at http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwfaq.html#bigfamily and http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwresortfacts.html as well as the rest of the site. I think you'll find a lot of answers there.

 

[brandyc]

thanks! =)

 

[tink20]

If you want to stay onsite, I would maybe get two rooms at a value. I would go to the Disney site and plug in your dates. I played around and came up with about $4,600 for a week at POP (2 rooms) for 2 adults and 5 children, 7 days of tickets and quick service meal plan. You can ask for connecting rooms. (they are not guaranteed, but very possible) This did not include airfare. This is with no discounts, you could possibly get a discount for that time.

 

[jenlov]

There's also some threads going around for 2013 codes, so check those out to find out what they might include (discounts aren't out yet, but they're tend to be similar year to year). I think they're in the discount code main thread, I think?

 

[blast822]

We are a family of five and are staying at POP in August in two rooms. I was told by my TA (and some DIS people) that if you have more kids than adults, you are guaranteed connecting rooms. With two teenagers, I am looking forward to the two bathrooms in the morning!

 

[brandyc]

We are going to be having 5 adults and 2 kids. 3 of the adults know each other, but not well. Plus the 4 other people are one family so we are staying together. Was thinking I needed to rent a 2 bedroom villa. Maybe rent someones DVC points?

 

[Missyrose]

We are going to be having 5 adults and 2 kids. 3 of the adults know each other, but not well. Plus the 4 other people are one family so we are staying together. Was thinking I needed to rent a 2 bedroom villa. Maybe rent someones DVC points?

You will need a two bedroom villa through DVC. That will give you a king-size bed in the master bedroom, two queens in the second bedroom and a pullout couch in the living room -- this is the setup for a dedicated two bedroom. If it's a lockoff, it will have a queen and a pullout couch in the second bedroom.

And if you rent at AKV, BLT or OKW, you'll have a sleeper chair in the living room, as well.

I would act fairly quickly if you wanted to rent points because DVC accommodations book up much quicker than the regular Disney resorts.

 

[maxiesmom]

We are a family of five and are staying at POP in August in two rooms. I was told by my TA (and some DIS people) that if you have more kids than adults, you are guaranteed connecting rooms. With two teenagers, I am looking forward to the two bathrooms in the morning!

Unfortunately, that is not true. Disney states on their own web site that connecting rooms are a request only, and not guaranteed. They will do their best to meet that request, but sometimes they simply run out of connecting rooms. We have been denied them once, so it does happen.

The only way to 100% guarantee your family will all be in the same space is to rent a villa or suite large enough to hold everyone. Otherwise there is a small chance you may be split up into 2 non-connecting rooms, with the adults having to each sleep in one of those rooms.

 

[chalee94]

And if you rent at AKV, BLT or OKW, you'll have a sleeper chair in the living room, as well.

and 2BRs at AKV-kidani and BLT have 3 bathrooms...

 

[I Run Long]

We are going to be having 5 adults and 2 kids. 3 of the adults know each other, but not well. Plus the 4 other people are one family so we are staying together. Was thinking I needed to rent a 2 bedroom villa. Maybe rent someones DVC points?

This is what we always do. We're renting for the 2nd time this year. It may be worth checking into for your family. But as another poster said, I would do it soon. Also look into the risks associated with renting points - I've never had a problem but it can happen as the owner controls your reservation - you don't. If that makes you feel uncomfortable - check out David's Disney Vacation Club Points Rental website. I believe he is a sponsor of one of the boards and although he rents at a little higher per point than going directly with an owner that you may find on the DIS (he rents at $13/pt), it is a safer way to go. We've got a great owner that we rent directly from - I've never used David, but anyone I know who has says he is great to deal with.

 

[jenlov]

I guess I'm in the minority here. I priced DVC for our family, and it would be way more expensive that way. We're getting 2 value rooms w/ free meals for WAY less. The DVC would cost us way more than our package and that's just for room and tickets.

I did a quick price check for your family for DVC and this is how it breaks down for JUST room and tickets (just the DVC rental mentioned above).

$2600 Animal Kingdom Villa 7 nights (sleeps 9 and is the cheapest 2 bedroom available)
$2673 MYW 7 day tickets (no hopper or water park)

That puts you at $5273 and you don't even have food or airfare yet. You'd have to get a really good deal on airfare and eat cheap.

BUT going DVC for Animal Kingdom is definitely WAY cheaper than booking Animal Kingdom through Disney. like more than half the price! so, if that's what you really want to do, that would be a good way to go.

 

[brandyc]

Thanks for the suggestions and help everyone! =)