Family Reunion For Christmas 2019

[LINDATHEPOOH]

Im going to need suggestions because this is a HUGE undertaking and I’ve never done this before. It will be 12/7-12/12. There are 10 adults and 3 kids. There are 2 married couples, 2 unmarried couples, and a father and his teenage son so I have to be sensitive to the sleeping arrangements. I was thinking maybe 2 of the 2 bedroom villas and a studio at OKW. We could at least cook breakfast and maybe a few dinners at the resort, plus laundry. Would that be cheaper than 4 or 5 hotel rooms and eating out for all meals? Also, will it be hard to get a res at Chef Mickey or Cape May Cafe for this many people? Thanks in advance for any ideas!!

 

[Lesley Wake]

I think your room type suggestion (2x2-bedroom and Studio) will be good. It gives a different bedroom for each “couple” and I suppose the kids can fit in where needed! The living rooms will give a gathering spot. Of course you can’t guarantee you’ll be next to each other, but you can ask!

For dining, you should be able to get those no problem. I’m doing a large group trip (about 30 of us) and we didn’t have issues getting most of the exact ADRs we wanted (best to call in for a large group), just had to sometimes break up into 2 smaller groups. (So you guys may end up at 2 adjacent tables, rather than 1 table). Ohana is good for groups. You can also do Splitsville-they have lanes separated out specifically for group reservations. I would also recommend getting ADRs at off hours, or right when places open, because it will be easier to get your choice of tables.

 

[Nancyg56]

I do not think you will save any money trying to book villas at OKW. My family just returned from a 9 day stay in a two bdrm villa, and while it was lovely, it was expensive. Our base was around $9,000 or so if you remove the park tickets cost. We had FD so that was a bonus.

You want to book 2 and a studio, bringing the cost to over $20000 just for lodging. I woudl look at values for your configuration if the budget will not absorb that amount of money. I will say I tried to price a villa for your dates adn was not able to find availability, but that might have been my search that was off.

OKW is gorgeous and restful, and would offer a wonderful way to gather as a family, but I am not at all sure it will save money.


ETA: I just checked a RO rate for POP for your dates with no tix or meals plan. It was about $819 for two adults, so if you look at that cost and book 5 rooms you are still under $10,000 for lodging. You can buy a lot of meals and tickets for that savings, IMO.

I am not trying to discourage you from booking a DVC unit for your family, but I cannot see it being any kind of savings for your dynamic when you are not willing to share space. My family travels as extended family and we often share space in order to increase our resort level, but we are used to this. If your family needs separate space and you are trying to maximize your budget you really should consider separate rooms altogether.

 

[LINDATHEPOOH]

Thank you both for your input. I should mention we get the military discount on the resort, so we save up to 40% on the room. So if the sleeping arrangements would work, I guess OKW would be the best choice.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you both for your input. I should mention we get the military discount on the resort, so we save up to 40% on the room. So if the sleeping arrangements would work, I guess OKW would be the best choice.

I think your dates are the issue. You can only get a discount on what is available so if you really want okw I would not wait too long because you cannot book what is not available. December is booking fast because of the anticipated opening of swge.

I don’t know when Disney opens dvc units to the general public but others her will know. Once you have that date I would pounce on booking your resort. Okw is lovely!

 

[LINDATHEPOOH]

My understanding is the DVC properties become available for booking 11 months out, which for me will be next week.

 

[KerryCM]

Just to let you know, the military rates for 2019 are very scarce. They are also no where near the 40% like they used to be for deluxe and villas. We are staying at the Boardwalk in February and only got about35%. There was nothing available for the Boardwalk Inn or any of the Epcot resorts, for December of 2019. I was looking just for regular rooms.

 

[Specter]

Thank you both for your input. I should mention we get the military discount on the resort, so we save up to 40% on the room. So if the sleeping arrangements would work, I guess OKW would be the best choice.

Depending on how many current service members and/or veterans are in your group, you may look into Shades of Green. It is right across the street from the Polynesian and their rates are often cheaper than even the value resorts. The catch is that while it is on property it is not considered a Disney resort so you have to buy tickets separately and you do not have the option of the dining plan if you want it, or magical express transportation to and from the airport if you're flying.

When my DW and I go we usually stay at one of the moderates but when it is an extended family trip we almost always stay at Shades of Green because my father and grandfather are both veterans. If you're trying to save money I would definitely look into it, though I will say that there is very little theme to the resort if that sort of thing matters. But the rooms are some of the biggest on property for a standard room.