Getting a 2 Bedroom and Sharing with Non-DVC Friends - Question

[niks81]

Sometimes you never know how things will work out.

It really all depends. We have brought both friends and family and it worked out just fine. It really depends on the parties involved I think. I know for a fact that one of my friends I wouldn't dare share a space with on a vacation....I love her to pieces, but we just cannot lodge in the same space LOL So just think it through. Someone else had a good idea about getting them a studio if it would make you more comfy.

 

[vhoffman]

I'd only share a unit if there are two baths as well as two bathrooms. Many years ago we shared a condo with two of our best friends for a weekend. DF went ahead and booked a 2 bedroom, one bath, before I had a chance to express an opinion. It was horrible! Four people sharing one bathroom, and don't forget how we get set in our ways as we "mature". Actually, I would think two seperate units in the same resort the best--you can hook up without major planning, but you also have your own space (and bathroom!)

 

[southtown]

What I did when my wife and I went on a vacation with friends was take the difference in points between a 1br villa and a 2br villas charge then the going rate per point which was $10 which turned out to $80/night. I felt kinda weird asking for it, but I didnt spend $12,000 so I can take other people on vacation for free. It paid for our airfare and they had no problem paying, and they said it was more then worth it and started talking about buying DVC once we got in the door. How can anyone complain when they are getting Deluxe at All-star prices. If they dont like it let them stay at the All-stars. Just make sure you invite they to your room so they can see what they are missing.

 

[kkmauch]

Here's my two cents worth...
Last May we stayed on property at POR, in two rooms, with another family we spend a lot of time with. This May we are sharing a two bedroom at SSR with them for 4 nights (they fly home at this point), then sharing with extended family in the same room for another 3 nights. While it may sound complicated, and it may not sound like an "ideal" situation, I have to say that I am quite excited about it. The families get along quite well and we have different activities planned out for everyone (guys will be golfing three mornings, gals at the spa, kids at the parks and adults at DTD, etc) so that while we may be together for a majority of the trip, we will get some time alone.
I think that sharing the room would be a geat experience, if your families get along well and have had success trvaveling together in the past. Perhaps we are just lucky, but I think that our family thinks of these friends as an extension of our family unit.
That said, when it comes time to discuss the money, that has to be totally up to you. They could do a number of things to "make up" the cost, like buying dinner or groceries, paying for the airport transfer, etc. Or, if you're really feeling generous, you could just use your points and avoid the awkwardness of discussing the money. It's a completely personal choice and I wish you luck!
In any event, have fun and don't worry so much about the awkwardness of your friends staying with you, it could be quite the adventure!

 

[Melrosgirl]

thanks for the responses everyone! We have never traveled with them before. She is my best friend from our school days, so we go far back, BUT we don't live in the same state, so we don't see eachother except every few years.

I can see it going both ways now, lol. Hmmmm...need to think some more! Thanks!

 

[DSNY FN]

Our favourite resort even though we own DVC is still any of the All Stars I prefer Sports but really like the pools at Music and Movies. We can't wait to check out Pop Century on our next trip. We have stayed in everything from All Stars to DVC now and I love All Stars the best. Coronado is a close second and BWV are 3rd we are a family that loves the commotion and nois and such of places like All Stars and BWV. We are always on the go and rarely spend much time in our room we are either at the parks or out doing something else we spend maybe 3 hours a day at the room besides the time we sleep there.

 

[Sammie]

Something to consider. This was shared by a friend that travels with nonfamily on vacation.

If you stay in seperate rooms or even locations and you really want to do things together you will find a way to make it work. It might not always be convenient, but you will find a way.

However if you room together and things are not working out, you can't really throw them out.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

In my last long ago and far away Disney trip I spent the first half of my week at BCV while my friends were at AKL. It worked out just fine. Cellphones are great for this sort of thing. Basically for EPCOT you just wait in your room until you hear from them that they are relatively close to EPCOT and then arrange to meet them at ICE STATION COOL. MK meet them at the Railway so forth and so on. The key is that the person(s) with the longest commute calls when they are physically leaving the room so the shorter commute person knows to leave 10 minutes (or so) later.

At the same time you haven't seen these folks in a while. You still haven't said what your point plan was before going to a 2 bedroom. You could get two studios at BCV. Or if you do upgrade to a 2 bedroom I would definitely get the lock-off and I'd ask them for the money they would have spent on the All-Star reservation (the most you can ask in my opinion). If they are commando style people odds are you all aren't going to be able to pair off and coordinate together anyway. You might want to coordinate your evenings instead.

 

[Melrosgirl]

still haven't said what your point plan was before going to a 2 bedroom

Looks like cell phones will be a must. Not sure if they even have one, lol.

Normally we would get a studio or one bedroom (we alternate each trip). We never have rented a 2 bedroom before.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are planning the same type thing for a future trip. It will be the two moms and the two dds, than about to turn 13. The other mom and dd will be staying in the 'studio' part of the 2 bdrm unit and my dd and myself will stay in the 'regular' bedroom. The other mom has already asked me what her share is. They usually travel and stay at 'deluxe' hotels so I know the price isn't an issue. So, I'm taking the difference between the 2 and 1 bdrms and that's what she'll pay. It will pay for my airfare and part of my pass cost. That way, they can have privacy and so can we.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
I have invited friends down to DVC a number of times. I don't charge anyone for the room, I did invite them. Now just because I do it that way it does not mean you have to, I also paid for the tickets to the parks which is something you do not have to do also. What I do with my guests is tell them ahead of time that they will get the room free, that is understood with me, and I tell them I will pay for the park tickets, everything else they pay for. I do expect them to treat me to a few meal while down there.

This is pretty much our strategy as well. Friends we take down are lodged and we buy their park tickets. They just need to get there (when we drive(usually), they're offered a ride as well) and have their own spending money. Fortunately, our friends are of a class of people that can graciously accept our hospitality AND would pick up the tab for a dinner, or our food runs, or whatever. So far, my sister is the only person to actually offer us money for the rooms when we took her family to Vb for Christmas, but that's 'cause that's the way we were raised and she knows the cost of a Disney room.

As to the rooming together/seperately, these are all great suggestions. I guess it's just not in my world view to have friends who I couldn't live with for a week.

-Joe

 

[Pluto4Pres]

We have done this several times with family and friends. We always get a 2BR for our family of 5 and then get a studio, usually in the same building, for the guests. We then use our 2BR as the base of operations, using the kitchen for breakfast etc. and plan our day from there. It has always worked out well and provided enough space (physical and emotional) for each family.

We have never asked for money, but the guest families have always offered to treat for a meal at a really nice restaurant, and also chip in for any groceries stored in the 2BR. Park passes and other expenses are theirs.

This is just our experience. I'm sure that whatever you decide to do it will work out just fine. Have a great trip.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We always get a 2 or 3 bedroom and then invite family or friends to go along. They are expected to pay their transportation, park tickets etc, but nothing for accommodations. Some "get it" and will take us out for a nice meal or CDS. Some don't get it at all and even forget to say thanks. Either way, we have had a great time, and I don't worry about them "getting it" or not. It is just so much fun to share with our friends and family!

 

[AZKathy]

This past summer, we did a two week vacation with two other families. The first week, we stayed at an RCI trade timeshare that one family owned in two 2 bedrooms side by side. Worked out good. Did not like the accomodations, but that is another story!

The second week, we checked in OKW in a grand villa. We did great in the accomodations and we were comfortable with being together. Each family got a bedroom. We had some gender/age problems with the children, so we had brought an aerobed which we put up on the landing for the two girls and we were all comfortable. The four bathrooms helped a lot when getting ready for the parks and such. Every family paid for their own tickets, food, etc. We shared the cost the groceries and the rental cars, but the rest was up to the families.

The decision is certainly up to you and either way, you will find a way to have a great vacation with your friends. There should be no problems either way you vacation.

I bet, though, that your friends may take the DVC tour after seeing the resort and accomodations if they love WDW! One of our families did and bought on our trip! The other family already owned DVC, also!