DVC with 4 kids?

[Adopted By Disney]

Pretty much.

I am not sure what you expect. I am hard pressed to think of any timeshare that sleeps six in a 1BR.

Not that versed in the timeshare world. I know the suites at AOA fit 6 people. It’s basically a 1BR. Doesn’t seem to make sense where studios hold 5 yet you go to 1 BR and they still only hold 5, then it jumps to 8-9 with a 2BR

 

[Hubalorian]

Trust me- you want a 2 BR with a family of 6.

Family of 5 here with twins. All 3 kids under 6. We do a 2BR now and sometimes wish it was a grand villa.

Is there an exception for occupancy with babies?

Have infant twins, to become a family of 5. So from what guest services have told me, you get one under 3 “freebie” on reservations. After that, any additional human, baby or otherwise, counts

 

[Nabas]

Long ago when our kids were little, we sometimes cheated. Did a one bedroom at Kidani, which has 3 sleeping surfaces and two bathrooms. It was pretty easy to book too, even during the busier months.

Most of the time, we did a two-bedroom.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Kids are 4, 2, and…apparently twins on the way. Quite unexpected to say the least ha

Congrats!
My kids, 22, 20 ... and 12. Unexpected, sure, but a great thing.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Not that versed in the timeshare world. I know the suites at AOA fit 6 people. It’s basically a 1BR. Doesn’t seem to make sense where studios hold 5 yet you go to 1 BR and they still only hold 5, then it jumps to 8-9 with a 2BR

AoA family suite was out gateway drug to buying DVC. Moved there from CBR and LOVED it! That would be my pick. It's 1 BR, 2 BATH, but doesn't have the full kitchen or included convenient laundry you will find in a DVC, otherwise it's a really good fit for larger families. The world is built for families of 4 unfortunately.

 

[intamin]

With the max occupancy for all resorts 1BR being 5 is the only realistic option for a family of 6 to do 2BR or connected studios? Seems a family of six gets kind of screwed when it comes to this.

Just wondering what would the most cost efficient resorts be for a family of six without including SSR, OKW, the 2042 resorts or CFW?

Thanks

Basically yes unless you want to be miserable with a family of 6 all using one bathroom. Just imagine how much of a PITA it'll be when one person wants to shower and someone else needs to go to the bathroom and someone wants to work on their hair.. I'm sure you already know this but this increase in expenses is going to apply to everything else with your family. Flights, tickets, food, college tuition.. but anyways, while the kids are young, I'd consider saving points in a 1BR but once the kids are older than like 5 to 6 it's probably time to bump up to a 2BR. Just remember you don't need to buy this all at once so maybe start off with a smaller point amount at a resort you like and then add on later to get you into 2BR land.

I'd go BLT or CCV based on the remaining options personally.

 

[Amyunder]

My f

Kids are 4, 2, and…apparently twins on the way. Quite unexpected to say the least ha

My friend was in the same boat... DVC just didn't work for her honestly because it isn't for everyone and she stays at AOA. The cabins also fit them well but the double bus situation is tough.

 

[airjay75]

Some other thoughts for your situation. I agree with others - you're eventually going to want a 2 BR if you do DVC. Heck, I've only got 2 kids, and I think I'll eventually want a 2 BR for our family of 4. But, you can probably make some of the larger 1 BRs work for the time being if you want - good news about those is that you don't really need to own at any of those resorts to get the 1 BRs (well, maybe the Poly Island Tower for the time being, but that probably won't last).

So, short of spending money on direct points at Poly or RIV (which, depending on your budget and preferences, could be very good options) you could either (a) buy some cheaper points like SSR to use for the next few years and decide which resort you might like to target to have enough points for a 2 BR, or (b) decide which resort you want to target for future 2 BR stays, buy enough for a 1 BR now, and then look to add-on later - I think the 2 best non-2042 resorts for that are BLT or CCV. CCV 1 BRs won't work for your family, but those points could easily be used to book 1 BRs elsewhere. AKL is a great resort, but the dues are higher, and I don't think you need home resort priority there, even for 2 BRs. Additionally, depending on your budget and/or desired frequency of Disney trips, you can always think about a bank or borrow strategy at any particular resort in order to make every other year or every third year work.

Whatever you decide - good luck!

 

[clbielick]

We have 4 kids. 1-i can't imagine going to Disney with infant twins, a 2yo and 4yo, but all the power to you! I would NOT want them sleeping in the same room, but all of my kids were terrible sleepers (2 still are). 2. I bought DVC Because I realized that we needed 2 bedrooms, and it was the most affordable way to do so. I bought a 2042 (boardwalk), because of the amazing point charts (aug 2 bedrooms are 33 at BW compared to 56 at PIT, for example) and low upfront cost-it has made it more affordable than an AOA suite. My kids are slightly better spaced (they are now 4, 7, 9 & 11)-but there is no chance in hell we could have made a 1 bedroom work for sleeping, even if there was a 6th surface. I went into it not wanting a 2042, but the math, when you factor in the low cost and point charts and need for 2brs, made it much more affordable, even with the knowledge I can't sell it/recoup costs.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've only got 2 kids, and I think I'll eventually want a 2 BR for our family of 4.

I have two kids, and we considered a 2BR pretty much the minimum acceptable size for vacation---at Disney and elsewhere. We also stayed offiste a lot in the early days when money was tight. Wyndham Bonnet Creek was probably my favorite.

 

[Brian Noble]

And OP: Offsite is worth considering! It is not exactly the same as being onsite, but we found the two to be much more similar than they were different. We could usually rent a 2BR condo plus get a rental car and pay for theme park parking for about the cost of a single Disney Moderate room.

In other words, there are three things that a family might want in their WDW lodging:

1. To have a reasonable amount of space.
2. To spend a reasonable amount of money.
3. To be onsite.

For most definitions of "reasonable", most families can only have two of these three. For your family, "reasonable space" is a requirement, not an option. Space was also our biggest priority, because we enjoyed our vacations a lot more when we were not on top of each other and had the creature comforts of "home" in the unit.

So, at that point, you are deciding between #2 and #3. You probably can't have both.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Wyndham Bonnet Creek is probably a steal on the resale market, too!

 

[Adopted By Disney]

We have 4 kids. 1-i can't imagine going to Disney with infant twins, a 2yo and 4yo, but all the power to you! I would NOT want them sleeping in the same room, but all of my kids were terrible sleepers (2 still are). 2. I bought DVC Because I realized that we needed 2 bedrooms, and it was the most affordable way to do so. I bought a 2042 (boardwalk), because of the amazing point charts (aug 2 bedrooms are 33 at BW compared to 56 at PIT, for example) and low upfront cost-it has made it more affordable than an AOA suite. My kids are slightly better spaced (they are now 4, 7, 9 & 11)-but there is no chance in hell we could have made a 1 bedroom work for sleeping, even if there was a 6th surface. I went into it not wanting a 2042, but the math, when you factor in the low cost and point charts and need for 2brs, made it much more affordable, even with the knowledge I can't sell it/recoup costs.

More or less thinking about the future of how it would work out. We have time but this is throwing a curveball in a lot of ways. If anyone has recommendations for SUVs also willing to take advice there! My wife is anti minivan though

 

[clbielick]

And OP: Offsite is worth considering! It is not exactly the same as being onsite, but we found the two to be much more similar than they were different. We could usually rent a 2BR condo plus get a rental car and pay for theme park parking for about the cost of a single Disney Moderate room.

In other words, there are three things that a family might want in their WDW lodging:

1. To have a reasonable amount of space.
2. To spend a reasonable amount of money.
3. To be onsite.

For most definitions of "reasonable", most families can only have two of these three. For your family, "reasonable space" is a requirement, not an option. Space was also our biggest priority, because we enjoyed our vacations a lot more when we were not on top of each other and had the creature comforts of "home" in the unit.

So, at that point, you are deciding between #2 and #3. You probably can't have both.

also, choosing somewhere with bus transportation, when you have at least 2 strollers, one of which is a double, is not amazing (we did a double plus single a couple years ago and it was a nightmare for anywhere that was not walking or monorail). You may actually enjoy the off site, driving in, transportation option more than being in the bubble, but at a resort that requires the bus.

 

[clbielick]

More or less thinking about the future of how it would work out. We have time but this is throwing a curveball in a lot of ways. If anyone has recommendations for SUVs also willing to take advice there! My wife is anti minivan though

I was anti minivan and got a pilot. Needless to say, I was thrilled to buy a minivan finally last year. Its AMAZING to be able to drive to places and still have trunk spaces, get kids in and out of car seats, get kids out of the 3rd row, and heck-not bang into every neighboring car door in parking lots when they throw open the doors! Your wife will eventually cave and get that minivan, but it may be the car after this one. (Pilot was okay. Pain in the butt getting the kid buckled in the 3rd row, and trunk space is so limited if we wanted to take a day trip-not that we traveled much)

 

[Adopted By Disney]

I was anti minivan and got a pilot. Needless to say, I was thrilled to buy a minivan finally last year. Its AMAZING to be able to drive to places and still have trunk spaces, get kids in and out of car seats, get kids out of the 3rd row, and heck-not bang into every neighboring car door in parking lots when they throw open the doors! Your wife will eventually cave and get that minivan, but it may be the car after this one. (Pilot was okay. Pain in the butt getting the kid buckled in the 3rd row, and trunk space is so limited if we wanted to take a day trip-not that we traveled much)

I’d prefer a minivan myself but we’ll have to try something else first. I have a feeling you’re right and one day she will cave ha

 

[Brian Noble]

My wife is anti minivan though

So was I.

That is, until i owned one. I loved that Honda Odyssey. It was definitely a Dadmobile, but it was great for all the reasons @clbielick mentions!

 

[clbielick]

I think it's in a few years, when you start having carpools and playdates with the older one's friends, and you have them climbing through the trunk to get into your car, that it really hits...or in 2 years when you start doing more traveling/day trips again and you realize you need a rooftop carrier, or just a minivan

 

[airjay75]

More or less thinking about the future of how it would work out. We have time but this is throwing a curveball in a lot of ways. If anyone has recommendations for SUVs also willing to take advice there! My wife is anti minivan though

Minivans are AMAZING!!!! There is not a better combination of cargo space, fuel mileage, and price. And sliding doors. Can I tell you how much I love sliding doors? I had to convince my wife too. I had her test drive a Sienna and a Highlander - the Highlander drove more like a pickup truck and she finally relented, realizing the minivan just made way more sense.

 

[airjay75]

Alright, I think you've found the minivan lovers group! Haha!