Do you larger families .......

[goinback]

Just wondering if other families of 5 or more ever wish there was a way to stay at WL or AKL affordably. Suites are VERY expensive. Getting two rooms is also really expensive. I kinda feel like they are just not a possibility. What are your thoughts? Am I missing out on a way for my family to enjoy these 2 resorts?

 

[miler1600]

Just wondering if other families of 5 or more ever wish there was a way to stay at WL or AKL affordably. Suites are VERY expensive. Getting two rooms is also really expensive. I kinda feel like they are just not a possibility. What are your thoughts? Am I missing out on a way for my family to enjoy these 2 resorts?

I have wondered the same thing. Our family just graduated to not be able to fit into those rooms. It irritates me a little because right now we would be fine in those rooms.

Hey I guess a bonus is if you keep having kids you will be able to go to the grand gatherings. lol

 

[goofyshell]

I feel your pain. I would love to try these resorts too! If I'm missing any good deals on rooms for five, please let me know!!

 

[pilferk]

Just wondering if other families of 5 or more ever wish there was a way to stay at WL or AKL affordably. Suites are VERY expensive. Getting two rooms is also really expensive. I kinda feel like they are just not a possibility. What are your thoughts? Am I missing out on a way for my family to enjoy these 2 resorts?

The issue you bring up is pretty much PRECISELY why we bought the new AKV DVC offering. It was pretty much that, book connecting rooms (or a suite!), or abandon one of our favorite hotels.

As a suggestion: For a more affordable way to stay at AKL, you could rent some points from a DVC member and have them book you a 1BR DVC room. It'll sleep 5 (in the interests of full disclosure, though I am a DVC member, I've never rented my points...and have no plans to, so I'm not making the suggestion out of self interest.).

 

[Mike©]

Just wondering if other families of 5 or more ever wish there was a way to stay at WL or AKL affordably. Suites are VERY expensive. Getting two rooms is also really expensive. I kinda feel like they are just not a possibility. What are your thoughts? Am I missing out on a way for my family to enjoy these 2 resorts?

DVC ?

 

[Destination Disney]

I'd looking into DVC

Those members that are not going to be using their points may want to rent them out. Check out the Rent/ Trade board forum. They will make a reservation for you as you willbe renting thier points.

Before we became DVC memebers we rented out point 3x. It was less expensive and gave us the opportunity to enjoy and experience those resorts that were way out of budget. Especially when we had a larger group.

 

[time4Mickey]

We are a family of 6 with 1 still being an infant. We booked the AKL 1 bedroom suite for just 2 days for our next vacation as a special treat. The cm told me there is a possibility they may have villas that I could get cheaper closer to the time we plan to go. This will likely be the only time we stay there. We are traveling during value season.
Last summer we stayed at WL when my daughter got married. We had 2 rooms not together but were able to get them for $170 a night with AAA and maybe another discount. They were stand view but both of us were upgraded. We had a wonderful view of the quiet pool at the villas. We are totally in love with the WL!

 

[ldo]

DVC AKL has 1 BR the will sleep 5. Even with DVC, realize that ALL the other DVC villas require a 2 BR for 5 people--quite a lot of points. AKL is definitely a better deal (to rent, pay cash, or buy) b/c of allowing the 5th person in "legally."
We have found that the most affordable option is to book POR with the trundle bed. I am actually really happy that Disney at least has that option for us and it is no more than the other moderates. We also would love WL or AKL regular rooms, but will have to make due with POR for now.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

You could always do what my DSis that has 4 boys does...she plans her trips with me and I put two of the boys on my reservation.

 

[goinback]

Thanks for all the replies. I never thought about DVC rental, I'll have to check out the cost sometime. It would be nice, though, if WL and AKL could add a few trundles like POR! I guess that is not possible either because of fire codes. *sigh*

 

[jakenjess]

DVC ?

Disney Vacation Club

 

[SnowWitch]

We purchased DVC in 2000 when we were a family of 4, we had no plan of becoming a larger family. Fast forward 7 years and we are a family of 6. Our family consist of myself, DH, DS 17, DS 15, DD 2, and DD 9 months. We stayed at the Poly this summer on cash before chekcing into our DVC resort. I was amazed that the Poly room was comfy for our party size. Last summer we stayed @ the BC on the concierge floor and that room felt like a closet. When our last DD reaches 3 this will no longer be an option unless our son or sons are unable to get away for college.

DVC is such a great option. Nice size units, jacuzzi tub, washer/dryer. Love it.

 

[grimley1968]

No need to jump into DVC (a MAJOR lifestyle choice) just to find a place to accommodate 5. If you want to be close to WL, you could stay in a Fort Wilderness cabin that sleeps 5. You can walk, bike, boat over to WL and enjoy the lobby, the restaurants, the gift shop. The cabins cost similar to what a room inside WL would cost.

Some other resorts also offer rooms that sleep 5 as well.

 

[mitchwebb]

We rented DVC point and it was cheaper to stay in a one-bedroom at the BWV then the Poly.

Loved them both but with three girls we need the extra room

 

[Iri920]

For some reason I thought that at least AKL had some deluxe rooms that would sleep five. I could be totally wrong, but I think I've read that somewhere. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Junebugwv]

When all 7 of us used to travel together, we always stayed at offsite condos. College and marriage have a way of claiming kids who have outgrown us. Now we just have 2 at home and we've stayed in everything from value (once) to deluxe.

Large families are no different than a family who wants to take relatives or friends along. More people pay more.

 

[dsnydrmn]

You can also book the DVC resorts without renting points. Just go to the WDW website and choose one of the DVC resorts and you can see availablity and prices. My sister is DVC and we've stayed with them at OKW and are headed back in Nov. We had planned to come down two days prior to everyone else and had WL booked, but changed that today to an OKW Studio as I found a really good deal on the DW website. There are Studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units at these resorts. For a family of 5, the one-bedroom would work. Worth looking into IMHO

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can also book the DVC resorts without renting points. Just go to the WDW website and choose one of the DVC resorts and you can see availablity and prices. My sister is DVC and we've stayed with them at OKW and are headed back in Nov. We had planned to come down two days prior to everyone else and had WL booked, but changed that today to an OKW Studio as I found a really good deal on the DW website. There are Studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units at these resorts. For a family of 5, the one-bedroom would work. Worth looking into IMHO

Only DVC Member Services will currently allow 5 in a one bedroom (that could change with the addtion of AKV which has one bedrooms that actually have beds for 5). But CRO will not let you put 5 in a one bedroom. You can't get a rollaway bed for the fifth person and you won't even get a bathtowel for the fifth person in the ones that only sleep four. You'll get one king bed and one queen sized sleeper sofa. Four bath towels, two hand towels and four face cloths. If you want more, you'll have to pay for them.

Also DVC members do no get daily cleaning. If you stay 7 nights or less, you will get your towels replaced and trash removed on day 4. If you stay 8 nights or more, you will get a full cleaning on day 4 and trash removed and towels replaced on day 8. But if you reserve through CRO, you will get daily full cleaning.

Ft Wilderness Cabins will sleep 6 as will the All Stars Family Suites. Coronado Springs also has rooms that sleep 6.

 

[Destination Disney]

I know this is not one of your options, but I thought the YC had rooms that slept 5.
Then you get Storm Along Bay!!!!