Family of 8! Help!

[weesignlanguage]

I have a friend who needs advice on the most inexpensive way to stay at disney for a family of 8- two parents plus six kids. The youngest child is 6 and I'm not sure of the other 5 children's ages but they are mostly teenagers I think.

What would be the best room situation for them? I am sure free dining will be a hit b/c of the amount of foods that family most likely devours! HA! Just curious if there is a best set up for rooms. I am a family of 3 so I have never planned this kind of trip! Help! Thanks!!

 

[cjsm&d]

The least expensive way to stay on WDW would probably be 2 rooms at a value (1 of the All-Stars or POP), with free dining (it would be QS). With 8 kids that's probably for the best.

They should request connecting rooms, with a parent assigned to each room when booking. Of course if the teenagers are older they can make whatever sleeping arrangements suit them after.

 

[MMS1125]

2 value rooms 4 beds and 2 bathrooms. Make sure she requests CONNECTING rooms

Connecting rooms aren't guaranteed but honestly I've never had a problem except once (Christmas week) with having connecting rooms. Usually when the kids outnumber the adults they do their best to make the rooms connect

 

[DebbieB]

If they can afford it, I would get a DVC 2 bedroom. AKV Kidani or BLT would be best because they have an extra bathroom.

 

[FLmomof6]

We have 6 children also. We have stayed at value, moderates and deluxe....... any of those choices can accommodate a large family. I have booked many Disney hotels over the years and ALWAYS get connecting rooms. I was told by a CM that when the children out number the adults by a certain ratio (don't remember what it was) that connecting rooms ARE guaranteed. Value with free dining is definitely the best deal. We typically spend $60/$70 for each quick service meals without desserts. I usually budget $225 a day for quick service meals, drinks and snacks. Most TS meals cost $200+ for a family of 8. If they intend to eat at TS, upgrading the dining plan would probably be worth the extra cost.

 

[Kimberle]

If they go during free dining, they should also price 2 rooms at a moderate. You get the regular dining plan at the mod's, while the quick service at the value. Though the room price would be a little higher, the value of the extra food (sit down restaurants) might cancel out that cost. Plus, with little ones, they may enjoy a few character meals.

 

[maxiesmom]

We have 6 children also. We have stayed at value, moderates and deluxe....... any of those choices can accommodate a large family. I have booked many Disney hotels over the years and ALWAYS get connecting rooms. I was told by a CM that when the children out number the adults by a certain ratio (don't remember what it was) that connecting rooms ARE guaranteed. Value with free dining is definitely the best deal. We typically spend $60/$70 for each quick service meals without desserts. I usually budget $225 a day for quick service meals, drinks and snacks. Most TS meals cost $200+ for a family of 8. If they intend to eat at TS, upgrading the dining plan would probably be worth the extra cost.

We have been unfortunate enough to not get connecting rooms when we have requested them. So it is a possibility, though a remote one.

I've also had my Dreams Unlimited TA tell me to stay away from the Contemporary (which is where we were when we didn't get them) and the Music resorts if we want connecting rooms. The Contemporary just doesn't have that many to give, and due to using may of them to make the Family Suites, neither does the Music resort.