Welcome to Disboards, Beazer.
Besides cruising Disboards, I suggest that you go to disneyworld.com. Plug in your dates for Nov 2014 for all resorts. Scroll down the list & check out the ones with prices you like. On the list will be the timeshare resorts for rent where you can get full size kitchens, multiple bedrooms, & with a living room.
If you don't like the prices, then you can try some hotels or resorts with kitchens off Disney properties. For that, go to the forum for "Orlando Hotels & Attractions".
The park ticket prices are also listed on the Disney site. Those can be added to your Disney lodging, paid with the hotel bill, & picked up when you checkin. The cheapest are those that expire 14 days from the first date of use, & can't hop from park to park on the same day.
Disney also has Dining Plans of various prices. However if you plan to fix some meals in the room, or eat at non-Disney places, the dining plans would not pay off for you.
During this coming November & past Novembers, Disney has offered room discounts or
free dining plans (not at the Swan or Dolphin). So if you decide to go to Disney World in Nov 2014, be sure, about August 2014, to watch for a discount announcement. However, if you plan to go, book the rooms as far in advance as possible so you don't lose out. The deposit for each room is about $200 & it is refundable until about 45 days before the reservation starts. You can make the reservations on WDW site, or call.
WDW parks are open on Thanksgiving, but the prices are much higher & the crowds are much larger.
Regarding whether to get 3 rooms or rent a timeshare villa, not only price is an issue. All of you need to consider whether all of you will enjoy being in such close quarters for 5-6 days.
Just some extra info; don't know if you need any of this -
1. This year we are going to WDW from 12/1 to 12/7 (6 nites). Our midsize car from Dollar is a total of $147 - no codes or discounts. We've found that non-holiday weeks in Nov/Dec have cheaper prices than other times of the year. Dollar cars are located on the airport property - no shuttle required; just walk to the cars.
2. Re:
travel insurance - Most require that you buy it (non-refundable) within 10 to 14 days from the first date you make any payment on the trip, or pre-existing conditions will not be covered (of course if you already have U.S. medical insurance that covers you out of state, medical travel insurance would not be needed). Most require that you purchase as much $ coverage as the total cost of the trip. If you cancel your Disney ressies, or leave early from WDW, Disney will only charge $200, not the total cost of the ressie. Most airlines will allow a credit of the airfare cost to be used within 1 year from the date of purchase. However, a fee may be charged. Disney sells travel insurance to cover the cost of your trip, but I'm not sure if the air travel has to be booked thru Disney in order to be covered.
Hope this helps. Have fun planning your trip.
