DVC planning with extended family question (10 ppl including babies)

[kboo]

Hi everyone - this is new territory for us. We are looking into planning a family reunion with my sister's family next year, and trying to figure out what might be the best room arrangement. We did a trip with my dad (active 80yo, widower) last year in a 1br with murphys in the living room, which is doable because he's a good sport, but still.

Here is the situation with my family:
Us: 2 adults, 2 kids 7, 11 who get along great and can share a bed and room with almost anyone.
Dad: 80, pretty agile and active
Sister's family: 2 adults, 1 7yo (loves her cousins), 2 toddlers (twins who will be around 18 mo)

While it is *possible* to cram us into a 2br I am not sure this would be the best idea, since it puts my dad and my kids in the living room (unless I'm missing something here)

Are there other, better sleeping arrangements if we use a 2br (am I missing something)? Alternatively, are there other better arrangements at other resorts that don't cost a ton more points? We own at BLT, VGF and RIV so we are used to some pretty points-hungry prices, and would be fine to switch at 7mo.

 

[Pens Fan]

Honestly, that sounds miserable to me. I wouldn't cram everyone into a 2 BR. Have you considered a grand villa at Old Key West? It's not that much more points than (or even less than!) a 2 BR at the resorts you own - depending on the view you were considering for the 2BR. I have no idea how hard that is to book at 7 months, but I'd at least consider it.

Good luck!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

No way would I try to put everyone is a 2BD. I think Grandpa deserves privacy, and I don’t know about you but I’m too old to not have a real bed.

Depending on how willing you are to spend points, I would either do:
3BD somewhere if you all get along. CCV’s is seriously spectacular, but not the easiest for park access.
AKL has a really nice one and there’s lots to do around there without going into the parks.
We haven’t stayed at the BLT 3 but it would certainly be convenient for you to get to MK. Same goes with the BWV 3BD and Epcot/HS.

If location is a priority for you would you consider 3 studios instead? That way everyone can have their own space and you can still spend a lot of time together. Or have Grandpa “host” in a 1BD do everyone can gather there, but still have your own studios for family/sleeping time. If so you can look at BLT, VGF, or BC/BWV.

For me with all those littles I would probably try to stay somewhere that is super easy to get into the parks that I want to visit most often - so probably MK.

Good luck!

 

[DeeBee3]

No way with the 2 bedroom, especially as it is meshing families with babies in tow.

Either Grand Villa as was suggested above or multiple studios. You'd have to do the points math for the time of year, etc.

I did a 2-bedroom with my family (2 adults, 2 kids) and 2 grandmas. That was still tight for us!

 

[cvjw]

That sounds like torture. Get 3 studios and everyone can have their own space. Or a 2 bedroom and a studio. I am too old to stay in the same 2 bedroom with 2 babies. I would make sure they had their own villa.

 

[cellomom]

Agree with PPs- do not cram everyone into a 2BR. 3 BR grand villa is definitely an option. Multiple rooms will work too but IMHO don’t pick 3 studios. At least one room should be 1BR or 2 BR so that the family has use of a kitchen w/refrigerator and easy access to a washer and dryer. (Note: some 3BR Grand Villas have stairs others do not and if you choose multiple rooms, have MS make a note on reservations “traveling together“)

 

[kboo]

That sounds like torture. Get 3 studios and everyone can have their own space. Or a 2 bedroom and a studio. I am too old to stay in the same 2 bedroom with 2 babies. I would make sure they had their own villa.

This summer I am getting my sister's family a room at the Dolphin on my Marriott points - no studios at DVC by the time they decided to join.

Edited: but now you have me thinking about waitlisting a studio this summer (low points cost, nothing lost if it doesn't come through) and then using the Marriott points next year, which gives us flexibility if we can't get a GV or they are late to commit again.

 

[RoseGold]

A agree with a 2BR and a studio, a 1BR and two studios, or three studios. After I got burned with a last-minute flake cancelation, I would be hesitant on the GV, and you can get better bang for the points.

The configuration I would take is 2BR and a studio, and I would put my family in the studio. Easy to pull off at plenty of resorts. The AKL 2BR might be nice if you think Grandpa might enjoy staying back and watching the animals.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

A agree with a 2BR and a studio, a 1BR and two studios, or three studios. After I got burned with a last-minute flake cancelation, I would be hesitant on the GV, and you can get better bang for the points.

The configuration I would take is 2BR and a studio, and I would put my family in the studio. Easy to pull off at plenty of resorts. The AKL 2BR might be nice if you think Grandpa might enjoy staying back and watching the animals.

I like the 2BD and stufio idea as well, though I’m selfish and would probably put myself in the master and my kids in the living room, with Grandpa alone in the studio part. If the toddlers are over and need a nap they can sleep in Grandpa’s side.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I like the 2BD and stufio idea as well, though I’m selfish and would probably put myself in the master and my kids in the living room, with Grandpa alone in the studio part. If the toddlers are over and need a nap they can sleep in Grandpa’s side.

Other family would be in the stand alone studio.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree with the not-a-2-BR-for-everyone folks, for all the reasons above, and I like the 2 BR plus studio option. I will say that for our first BLT stay, in a 1 BR, shortly before our visit we invited my recently-widowed dad to come with us. He slept on the foldout twin bed chair in the living room and said he was very comfortable.

But I agree that your Grandpa deserves a private room - just mentioning the sleeper chair in case you wanted to put your two kids and their 7 year old cousin in a BLT (or AKL) living room. That would put the cousin's parents in a studio with their toddlers and Grandpa in another studio - whether he got the 2 BR's studio or the detached studio would be up to you.

 

[DVC Dom]

How much TIME do you plan to spend in the rooms versus in the resort and/or parks?

Do you plan to host meals as a family together, or eat out all the time?

That should play into your decision, because it'll dictate whether you enjoy your time in 3 studios, or a 2BR with a studio, or even the 3BR (It's more expensive, but you do get a lot of "living and eating space" to enjoy as a family)

I'd only recommend 3 studio if you all plan to wake up and spend the entire day out in the public areas of the resort and parks. If the rooms are JUST for sleeping, than spend your money elsewhere.

BUT....if you plan to spend family time in the rooms (or if certain members of the family plan to relax more in the rooms, than a 1BR and 2BR provide A MUCH BETTER experience in the room and balconies, etc. Esp. with the new Murphy beds in many of the newer 1/2BRs...the living room is truly that ....livable!

Finally, not to discount the 3BRs....while much more expensive....if you plan to make this a memorable event, and large family meals is important to you....only the 3BRs have large enough tables to fit all those happy campers for a meal to enjoy together....without feeling cramped (and forced).

Just some thoughts!

 

[Boopuff]

Originally, we were going to book at 2bed at OKW. We re-thought our plans, and thanks to my DH we got a 3bed GV - much better space to hang out, the large patio/balcony. Enough rooms for privacy seeking people.