Help choosing resort for family of 6 plus 2 grandparents!

[roller99]

If you are okay staying in a value the All Star Music has family suites with a closed bedroom (queen bed) and bathroom and a second room with 2 queen beds one of which becomes a sofa and the other a table. There is also a small kitchen with full fridge/microwave as well as a second bathroom. It sleeps 6 plus an infant. Something that Music suites have which AOA do not is that in the same buildings as the suites (Calypso and Jazz) there are also regular rooms available so you have a good chance of being close with the grandparents. These suites/rooms are in the preferred section so much closer to the food court/busses and the main pool. There will be a small extra charge for preferred location for the regular room.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest, an AsMu suite with a preferred room in the same building.

 

[my523]

This is exactly what I was going to suggest, an AsMu suite with a preferred room in the same building.

Thanks. This makes total sense. However, we are complicated. We need quick transport back without multiple bus stops. So any All-Stars is out of the question.

 

[roller99]

Thanks. This makes total sense. However, we are complicated. We need quick transport back without multiple bus stops. So any All-Stars is out of the question.

I haven't heard of the All-Stars having multiple stops in a while. That's a bigger worry at CBR, CSR, Saratoga and OKW.

 

[my523]

I haven't heard of the All-Stars having multiple stops in a while. That's a bigger worry at CBR, CSR, Saratoga and OKW.

I’ve been told that a few years ago (maybe 2018?), the All-Stars shared busses. Do they not do this anymore? And, how long would a ride be from, say MK to AsMu?

 

[roller99]

I’ve been told that a few years ago (maybe 2018?), the All-Stars shared busses. Do they not do this anymore? And, how long would a ride be from, say MK to AsMu?

Right now, Sports is still closed. I go in two weeks, but from what I've heard is that Music and Movies have not been sharing. MDE app says that MK to AsMu is 47 minutes, but I feel like that's a bit long.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

One other thing not really mentioned with a 2 bdrm DVC is that you will have several balconies, which would be very nice as you have some younger aged kids. When they go to bed you can have some quiet time with perhaps a cocktail and relax and enjoy a nice evening. In value and Mods. you will have to turn out the lights and be quiet as there is nowhere else to go. The kitchen could also be a huge help with a full size fridge. Water, soda, milk, pitcher for lemonade. Real dished for any meal or snacks you may have. You could do a grocery order for some breakfast items, sandwiches for a pool day and pizza at night. It's fun to go to WDW restaurants but a quiet night in can recharge everyone. HTH

 

[Wood Nymph]

Which ones are all under one roof?

Resorts that are all under one roof would be:
Boardwalk and Boardwalk Villas
Beach Club, Beach Club villas and Yacht Club
Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge
Riviera
Grand Destino Tower would put everyone in the same building but you would deal with multiple bus stops since it is part of Coronado Springs

The safest thing to do, which by safest I mean if the grandparents decide not to come on the trip for whatever reason, is to get a room that fits your family. A 2 br villa works great for a family of 6 and you can make it work by giving the grandparents the master bedroom while they are there, but it might not be what you want if they don't join you. The cancellation policy would scare me away from that choice, though.

 

[RNRMOM]

Resorts that are all under one roof would be:
Boardwalk and Boardwalk Villas
Beach Club, Beach Club villas and Yacht Club
Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas
Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge
Riviera
Grand Destino Tower would put everyone in the same building but you would deal with multiple bus stops since it is part of Coronado Springs

The safest thing to do, which by safest I mean if the grandparents decide not to come on the trip for whatever reason, is to get a room that fits your family. A 2 br villa works great for a family of 6 and you can make it work by giving the grandparents the master bedroom while they are there, but it might not be what you want if they don't join you. The cancellation policy would scare me away from that choice, though.

I agree. We've planned trips with extended family only for those plans to fall through or someone needed to add a day or move things up a week. I would never rent points when extended family or friends are involved. The chances of something going wrong are much higher.

Before I booked directly with Disney for our upcoming trip I toyed with the idea of renting points through one of those DVC stores. I checked multiple sites and found one I thought would be a good fit but then I read Better Business Bureau complaints and the responses from the company were very sharp and borderline snarky. They refused to refund any of the funds for those who had to cancel (even due to COVID). It completely turned me off.

I would rather hold off and save some more and book through Disney than deal with that headache.

I would book a 2-bedroom for your own family through Disney unless you're willing to book two rooms knowing there's a risk they may not be connecting rooms or your parents may cancel at some point.

 

[Anna131517]

Since they want a completely separate room you can really stay anywhere. I would prioritize places that make transportation easier for them. Monorail resorts first, Epcot / Boardwalk area second, moderate resorts third. I say this after my mother in law tripped and broke her wrist while walking back to our hotel late at night two years ago. My in laws definitely had trouble with all the walking that trip too. Alternatively, encourage them to take Uber / Lyft to and from the parks.