Favorite resort for a large group?

[NYEmomma]

We're looking at renting points for our next trip which will include my family of 5, my parents and my brother and his family (3). So we'd be 10 people total. I've started researching (we still have PLENTY of time but I love the planning stage) what options we'd have so I have a fairly good idea of what's out there... but I'd really love to hear other people's experience and what your favorite place to stay with a large group is. Thanks!

ETA: We've all gone together before but we've each had separate hotel rooms - at the same resort.

 

[BillPA]

With 10 people you will need a GV or a 2 BR plus a 1 or 2 BR. Old Key West has the largest space, a GV will hold 12 and has a large common space between the living room dining room/kitchen. You get 3 BR and 4 Bathrooms.

 

[NYEmomma]

With 10 people you will need a GV or a 2 BR plus a 1 or 2 BR. Old Key West has the largest space, a GV will hold 12 and has a large common space between the living room dining room/kitchen. You get 3 BR and 4 Bathrooms.

Yep, that's what I found in my research. I'm looking at a GV somewhere because of the common room space -- we'll have 4 kids with us in total so the space to spread out for them would be nice.

I'm hoping to hear the experiences of some people who have BTDT and can give some recommendations - what they liked, didn't like, their favorite of the GVs, etc.

 

[DenLo]

OP, you might want to retitle your original post and ask "Which GV to book for 10 guests". You might get more answers. We have never stayed in a GV. We did do a group of 20 with three 2BRs at BLT. It was great especially with so many kids walking to MK pushing strollers was great and quick to get them all to MK for group photos.

 

[Deb & Bill]

All of the OKW GV are two stories with two bedrooms on the upper floor. Most of them start on the second floor. So if you have strollers, baby stuff or people who cannot do stairs, your GVs are limited at OKW. One of the two bedrooms upstairs at OKW only has two double beds instead of two queen beds like most of the GV. It's a smaller room.

 

[Halle]

We have done GV's at OKW, BLT and BWV.
OKW was most spacious, loved the 4 bathrooms. It is a 2 story,when bell services dropped off two cribs that we had rented, he was willing to carry all of our groceries, luggage, strollers etc. up the long two flights of stairs. DH tipped him $40.00, money well spent. When he received the tip he offered to fill our ice bucket. Truly great cast member. We love spending time on the balcony it was a nice size.
BLT two story, my least favorite GV. many more points and small balcony, could only accomodate 4 people.
BWV, we have stayed in a one story and two story GV. Largest balcony can accomodate the 12 people it accomodates. Small kitchen, large laundry room in the one story, we parked a scooter and strollers in there. Two story GV has a stacked washer and dryer on the second floor in a closet at the end of the hall. One of the bedrooms has a french door that over looks the great room and doesn't have curtains on it.
OP I think you may have to be flexible and stay where ever you can get a reservation. Best of luck.

 

[Dean]

We're looking at renting points for our next trip which will include my family of 5, my parents and my brother and his family (3). So we'd be 10 people total. I've started researching (we still have PLENTY of time but I love the planning stage) what options we'd have so I have a fairly good idea of what's out there... but I'd really love to hear other people's experience and what your favorite place to stay with a large group is. Thanks!

ETA: We've all gone together before but we've each had separate hotel rooms - at the same resort.

Personally I'd do a 2 BR plus a studio or 1 BR or even two 2BR over a 3 BR. Assuming no one has mobility issues, I'd likely do OKW first and SSR second. With mobility issues I'd likely do SSR or possibly AKV Kidani or BLT.

 

[cel_disney]

Our family of 9 (Me/DH/DS11/DD7, My mom/dad, my sister/BIL/Neice4) are planning a trip in April 2018.

My family of 4 travels regularly to WDW, but my parents/sister have not been since 2011.

I laid out several options for resorts for us to look thru this weekend. Our first choice (that I plan to book this week) is a 2Bedroom and a Studio at BLT. Our second choice was similar config at AKL.

We all stayed in the 2Bedroom/Studio in OKW in 2011. It was a GREAT trip, but we wanted to be closer to the MK, be able to watch fire works and electric water pageant from our resort, and not worry about stairs (you would have them in a GV).

My parents think they are going to take the studio so they can escape the chaos of the kids (and we can sleep without their snoring!). (But I'm sure they will still bring a load of laundry over one day and I will give them a spare MB to be able to get into our room whenever they want.)

One thing to consider - if you go for the 2Bedroom combo - be cognizant of the ones with 2 bathrooms vs 3 bathrooms...in the he end, this was one of the more significant criteria in our decision!

 

[racinghank]

We're looking at renting points for our next trip which will include my family of 5, my parents and my brother and his family (3). So we'd be 10 people total. I've started researching (we still have PLENTY of time but I love the planning stage) what options we'd have so I have a fairly good idea of what's out there... but I'd really love to hear other people's experience and what your favorite place to stay with a large group is. Thanks!

ETA: We've all gone together before but we've each had separate hotel rooms - at the same resort.

We had a similar group of 10 last year and stayed in a GV at AKV Jambo. It worked out great, plenty of space, the kids loved the pool table and the 3 large balconies were amazing for watching animals. It has almost been a year since we went and everyone is still talking about how great that room was.

 

[aoconnor]

Agree with the above poster that AKV Jambo has some very unique GVs, I would check those out. Since you mentioned you still have plenty of time though, I would definitely consider OKW. While the rooms are the largest, they are in need of a SERIOUS renovation IMO. Which they are finally getting, starting this summer and taking two years to complete. Once OKW has fully renovated rooms I have a feeling it's going to become a lot more popular.

 

[disneynutz]

I would pick your resort based on where you intend to spend your time. Will the parents do the parks every day or would they like to enjoy the resort. Will people need breaks or naps mid day? Being able to walk to a park or monorail will make things easier and more enjoyable IMO.

Bill

 

[NYEmomma]

Agree with the above poster that AKV Jambo has some very unique GVs, I would check those out. Since you mentioned you still have plenty of time though, I would definitely consider OKW. While the rooms are the largest, they are in need of a SERIOUS renovation IMO. Which they are finally getting, starting this summer and taking two years to complete. Once OKW has fully renovated rooms I have a feeling it's going to become a lot more popular.

We're making our first visit to OKW (just DH & I) in November... our first time using DVC too. We're excited to see how everything goes!!

 

[Donna M]

We have stayed in the GV at OKW, SSR, Jambo and the cottages at Vero Beach. At Disney, we liked OKW the best and have stayed in the GV multiple times. You can't beat the size of the living room, especially if you will have young children. And the points are much less than the other places. Space counts when you have a bunch of kids getting under foot.

 

[bigtony777]

We did a trip with extended family with a total of 12. We booked a 2 bedroom and 2 studios. It gave more privacy but still offered laundry and the full kitchen for meals that could be shared. I know the grand villa will give much more space to get together, but we used the balcony and pool area instead. It also saved a ton of points compared to the grand villa.

 

[beccasmom]

The GVs at OKW are awesome. Lots of space and very comfortable. They are two-story. My only complaint is that the smaller bedroom on the 2nd floor can be quite noisy due to the kitchen being right below it, but ear buds helped. You can park right outside the unit, which is very convenient. We are hoping to try a BLT GV sometime as well......looking forward to that too!