GV, 2BR and Studio vs. 3 2BR units

[HookdonWDW]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a family trip for '05. We'll be dealing with multiple families from both sides. We're tentatively looking at 4 families, plus grandparents from both sides. I'm trying to decide what room configurations make the most sense.

I've thought about:

Plan A:

- 1st 2BR - dh, ds and I with bil, sil and dn... us in MB sil and bil in 2nd BR and kids in LR

- 2nd 2 BR - SIL and BIL and their 4 kids;Grandma and Great Grandma - (1 BR for SIL and BIL and 2 kids, MBR for Grandma and Great Grandma, 2 kids in LR)

- 3rd 2 BR - DB and SIL w/ 2 kids and Grandpa. Grandpa in MB DB and SIL in 2 BR w/ 2 kids - one in Pack 'n Play

Total Points = 330 - 450 (depending on resort)

or

Plan B:

- 1 GV - Put all of our siblings and their kids in the GV ( 6 adults and 6 kids plus 1 under 3)

- 1 2BR Lockout - put my dad in the studio and dh, ds and I in the 1BR side

- 1 Studio for MIL and GMIL


Total Points = 330 @OKW - 580 @ BWV (if I went with this option, I would only use OKW)

As you can see, at OKW, the points work out evenly. I like the idea of a big meeting space with the GV, but I'm thinking Plan A might be more practical. Any thoughts or alternatives?

 

[Disney1fan2002]

My personal opinion would be to go with the OKW GV. It is less points, and I like the idea of giving Gram and G Gram the privacy of a studio. Throw all the siblings with kids together ( I am assuming the family is going on your points?) your family and dad can have some privacy in a 2 br, and the grannies can end the day kid free in their own studio. If it were going to be more points to rent the GV, I would say no, rent the mutiple rooms, but where it is equal and could be LESS points, go for the GV. So far, I have only heard that the GV's are heavenly.

We are staying in an OKW GV in April 04 for 2 nights. I will let you know how it was. I may not want to ever rent anything smaller! LOL

 

[yesdisneyfool]

What is your home resort?, if it is OKW then I'd go with plan B, as Disney1fan2002 said, your family can get away and the grannies will need a break from all.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Thanks for your thoughts. DH and I are providing all of the points for the trip. I like the idea of the GV too. I'd love to hear how you enjoy the GV, but from all of the reports I've read, the GVs are fantastic!

OKW is not our home. We own at BCV and BWV. I thought that I'd try to transfer points or ressies with someone on the Trade Board for the GV at 11 months, and then book the 2 BR and studio at 7 months.

 

[lurontravel]

Definitely go with the 2nd option. You'll have more privacy yourselves (and believe me, this will be much more enjoyable for you), as well as for the older generations, and still provide the luxury of having a great big place to get together for family times. It will keep the group more cohesive, and provide everyone with more flexibility then the first option (since every family wil have their own bedroom, and the kids'll all probably bunk out together in the living room, possibly your own son will want to as well to have time with his cousins). I hear that the GV's are HUGE at OKW, and I think it'll be even more impressive to your family (especially if you want any of them to ever buy DVC). I really do like this option a lot better. It's a bonus that it's cheaper too...
Have a great time. This sounds like a dream come true. I'd love to do this with my family someday...
Laura

 

[adamak]

I also like the 2nd option. GV has more space for the group. That is, if you can get the GV when you want it.

 

[Richyams]

I, and I remind you for the six thousandth time, only stay in the OKW GV...well, mostly. I am going to buck the trend and go with the first option.

I am not sure how, Both options have six bedrooms, but it seems that the first option has less people sharing bedrooms with kids. I always invite people with enough room so that there is no being forced to share with kids. I think your kid will have a better time with a sleepover cousin, and that two bedroom with four adults, even if you get the in law with three kids, the kids camp out in the living room and the adults all have their own bedrooms.

You can pretty much do the same thing in each of the two bedrooms, no couple has to share a room with kids.

The GV will still actually work as you have it, it is three bedrooms and three couples, but that many kids camping in the living room would be tough, it would kind of negate the whole purpose and that large area would be useless.

Each of the two bedroom units at OKW are QUITE large, any one of them would hold all of you.

I think I have to vote for plan A.

 

[Dean]

Cheapest option is a 2 BR plus 4 studios either OKW or BWV standard view, 270 pts at OKW. Best option ignoring home resort banking issues is an OKW GV plus 3 studios, 300 pts. Best option for you may be a BWV GV plus 3 studios, 505 or 550 depending on studio view. Alterntives would include two 2 BR units and 2 studios. It partly depends on how much time you will spend in the room and how much cooking you will do.

If you will have cars, I'd go with OKW. If not, I'd go with BWV. Regardless, make a choice for BWV and make that reservation at the 11 month window then if your first preference is OKW, you can try to change over at the 7 month window. I'm not very optimistic about a direct "trade" of home resorts in your situation.