Dreaming, options for 5 adults around Christmas

[SteveH]

My wife and I just got back to WDW after a 10 year absence. We had a blast! We know that Disneyland will be planned for 2019 due to a work conference.

But dreaming about the thought taking a trip around Christmas. This would include my wife and I, our two boys 20/23 and oldest son's GF who is also 23. One room just isn't an option for the 5 of us.

Option 1: Two Value resort rooms, $215/each per night so $430/night + tax
Option 2: Family Suite, $530/night + tax
Option 3: FW Cabin, $566/night + tax

Those three options are getting pretty pricey, so that leads me to start looking at off-site locations...
Option 4: Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas as low as $319/night + tax

So far Option 4 is appealing since we could do breakfast at the room and save a bit more on that.

Wondering if there are other Suits that can be recommended? Ideally I'd rather not have to deal with getting a rental car, but that might be our best most cost effective option.

Thoughts? Advice?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Did you price out the All Star Music family suites? I think they are a little less than AoA.

 

[SteveH]

Thank you! I double checked for some reason that didn't show up last time but you're right came in around $426/night +tax, but did find the Sheraton Vistana with a AAA rate for $278/night +tax.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

What dates are you interested in?

 

[Harambe]

We stay in a two bedroom at OKW. We usually enjoy a Disney Visa discount which brings the price close to others you have listed. Also, you can rent points from a DVC owner for even better pricing. I will admit that I have never done that, but others here have and have had great results. The 2 bedroom has plenty of room for all of you!

 

[SteveH]

What dates are you interested in?

Haven't gotten to specific but looking at flights out of the West Coast probably 12/23-/12/30 give or take a day on either end.

 

[SteveH]

We stay in a two bedroom at OKW. We usually enjoy a Disney Visa discount which brings the price close to others you have listed. Also, you can rent points from a DVC owner for even better pricing. I will admit that I have never done that, but others here have and have had great results. The 2 bedroom has plenty of room for all of you!

Thanks! So far no Visa Discounts are showing up for that time, but I'm hoping. The DVC points is something I'm starting to explore more too.

 

[Harambe]

The Disney Visa discounts for that time of year usually come out around Sept. We have gone in January a few times, right after the first, and that's when the discount comes out. This year we are going in early Dec, as a Christmas trip has always been on my bucket list. Our 20somethings will not be coming with us so DH and I are staying at AKL. I will be watching for that Visa discount starting in late summer, and will call to apply it to our reservations. Fingers crossed that it can work out for us, or we might have to move to a different resort, if nothing is available at the discounted price at AKL.

 

[SteveH]

Thanks @Harambe yeah OKC is showing up at $726/night. I'd rather be onsite, but since we just came back not sure that's going to fit in the budget. Ran into the Visa thing for our trip in January too, almost to late to be really helpful - which is frustrating. But oh well.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For those dates, don't stall if you are considering DVC. But also note that a DVC rental will be non-refundable, a final transaction. Some 2BRs already have holes for those dates.

 

[SteveH]

@_auroraborealis_ thank you for that info.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

While staying in the bubble is our first, second and third choice, we stayed at Sheraton Vistana Resort this December and really enjoyed our stay there. If we were looking to save on a trip that would be where we would choose to stay. It's relatively close and our villa was in really good shape with lots of room. But, that said, for Christmas time we would budget to stay on site for ease of access to the parks and 60 day FP+ scheduling.

 

[HopperFan]

My wife and I just got back to WDW after a 10 year absence. We had a blast! We know that Disneyland will be planned for 2019 due to a work conference.

But dreaming about the thought taking a trip around Christmas. This would include my wife and I, our two boys 20/23 and oldest son's GF who is also 23. One room just isn't an option for the 5 of us.

Option 1: Two Value resort rooms, $215/each per night so $430/night + tax
Option 2: Family Suite, $530/night + tax
Option 3: FW Cabin, $566/night + tax

Those three options are getting pretty pricey, so that leads me to start looking at off-site locations...
Option 4: Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas as low as $319/night + tax

So far Option 4 is appealing since we could do breakfast at the room and save a bit more on that.

Wondering if there are other Suits that can be recommended? Ideally I'd rather not have to deal with getting a rental car, but that might be our best most cost effective option.

Thoughts? Advice?

We are an adult family of 5 and have stayed at all but AoA suite, but we did take a tour of it.

My opinion ...

Option 1, 2 values, your least expensive AND it provides real beds for everyone. If you can get POP the rooms will all be brand new and the beds Queens, much better option than Allstars. Our favorite value.

Option 2, AoA Family Suite, they are nice, Queen bedroom, then the murphy & sofa in living space. BUT all adults, no hot tubs .... do you want to pay that much for that?

Option 3, cabins, NO. That is fine for young kids but no way I'd go back now that kids are full grown. You'd have one in the bunk bed about 18" away from bed in a tiny room. Not even a good bunk for adults. ONE BATHROOM, screams NO NO NO.

Option 4, SVR. We have stayed and loved all the space. Having the two bedrooms (real beds), two bathrooms, living , dining, kitchen, porch ... we don't cook either but breakfast saves plenty and full fridge for some snacks, beer and basics. The location is great (we drive) for getting everywhere. In minutes from a park we are back at our unit, feet up and no one on top of each other. Washer/Dryer means we can pack less. They are tastefully decorated and resort full of amenities if you want. We are mostly park folks but have gone back for a swim/soak in the evening to relax.

 

[mrzrich]

We just got back from a glorious stay in a 2 bedroom Villa at Old Key West. It was beautiful and it boasted a full kitchen that allowed us to save money on a few meals. It features boat transportation to Disney Springs which was awesome for our adult kids. We looked into the AOA suites but this came out to about 50 a night more and featured so much more living space, a full kitchen with dining area, balcony with more seating, more real beds... a King and 2 Queens (Plus one couch and one chair had pull outs), multiple closets, 2 couches and a big chair with ottoman. Just so much more comfortable

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Haven't gotten to specific but looking at flights out of the West Coast probably 12/23-/12/30 give or take a day on either end.

While staying in the bubble is our first, second and third choice, we stayed at Sheraton Vistana Resort this December and really enjoyed our stay there. If we were looking to save on a trip that would be where we would choose to stay. It's relatively close and our villa was in really good shape with lots of room. But, that said, for Christmas time we would budget to stay on site for ease of access to the parks and 60 day FP+ scheduling.

I have to agree with this. Any other time of year, I would probably recommend simply staying at the Sheraton Vistana, but the traffic during the week you are planning on going will be horrendous. I would probably go with two rooms at Pop if they are available.

 

[SteveH]

Thank you all for the feedback, it's very much appreciated. Concern about transportation is very real, as well as added costs of rental, gas and parking begin to negate the savings a bit. Knowing how busy it is that time of year the extra time to book ADRs is a plus for staying on site too

The two value rooms might be the best on-site option for us, but we reality sunk in and we need to see where our oldest is going to be as far as Grad school before we set any plans.

For now I'll keep dreaming and looking for deals.