Help! First trip with our twins.

[Stryker412]

My wife and I took our son in 2013 to Disney World in November. We had a wonderful time and so did he. Now we're going to return in November of 2017, and this time we now have our twin girls (who will be 2.5 when we travel). In addition to our immediate family, some of my wife's family is joining us. We spoke to a Disney travel agent last month who suggested a villa for us since we'll all be together and we'd have a washer/dryer.

This is all very confusing this time since we now have 3 kids and family coming too. Can anyone offer suggestions? We called to book but were told all the villas are reserved for DVC members and won't open until 6 months prior to our arrival date. I don't want to run the risk of NOT getting a villa or waiting too long and having to try and book a room if we don't get a villa. Should we book something now and just change it to a villa if we're lucky 6 months before we arrive?

 

[roseaster]

Mama with a big family here. Maybe I can sort a bit out for you. Since you are 5 you, actually, have more options than just the villa. Now if you really want to do the villa, don't book through WDW, "rent" DVC points. If you goggle "rent DVC points" you will find several websites that you can do it through. We used one called (I think, it's been a while) "DVC rental store) The renting points angle is WAY cheaper than booking through WDW.

Anyway, you don't, necessarily need a villa. If you are trying to keep the budget down you can try a family suite at All Star Music or Art of Animation. Both have 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette and will sleep 6. The rest of your family can book in the same hotel. They can link your reservations and, hopefully, keep you near to one another.

Other options are moderate hotels at Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach, or the cabins at Fort Wilderness.

 

[roseaster]

This was the site we used. We had a very good experience. If you look on the site they have a points calculator so you can figure out cost.

http://**************.com/

ETA. LOL, for some reason that is blocked out. I guess someone doesn't want competition. It is call "The DVC Rental Store."

 

[Stryker412]

Well there will be 5 (me/wife/my kids) PLUS 3 from her side of the family.

 

[roseaster]

Well there will be 5 (me/wife/my kids) PLUS 3 from her side of the family.

I get that there will be 8 total, but what I am saying is as far as housing your immediate family you have options other than a villa. Mind you, the villas are very expensive, much more so than a regular room. You can book any of the room types I mentioned for your family and your wife's family can book a room at the same hotel. You can "link" your reservations so that you are near one another. Just some options if you want to reduce the budget.

If you all want to stay in one "room" then you will need a villa. On site they are very expensive. You may also want to consider off-site.

 

[Stryker412]

Spoke to my wife a little bit more today. She said she'd be fine with a Studio at either Animal Kingdom or Boardwalk. She is looking for:
1) easy (close) access to kid friendly pools
2) close to transportation

Are the studio suites close to regular rooms that we might be able to get somewhat close to the rest of our family?

 

[roseaster]

Spoke to my wife a little bit more today. She said she'd be fine with a Studio at either Animal Kingdom or Boardwalk. She is looking for:
1) easy (close) access to kid friendly pools
2) close to transportation

Are the studio suites close to regular rooms that we might be able to get somewhat close to the rest of our family?

If you are renting DVC it depends on whether the rest of your family is staying in a DVC also. Also be aware that Animal Kingdom is far away in terms of transportation. We have stayed there. It isn't quick and easy access to parks.

If you are looking for quick and easy access to parks you will want to look at monorail resorts. Contemporary, Grand Floridian, or Polynesian. These are easy access to MK and Epcot.

Boardwalk/Beach Club are walking distance to Epcot.