Help for those who travel with a large group

[kdibattista]

My family is looking to take a trip to Disney next December. My family consists of 8 people (me, DH, sister, her DH, mom, dad, 17 yo brother, 15 yo sister). DH and I have pretty much always gone solo so this is quite a change. We really, really enjoyed AKL and want to stay there again. Do you find it better to stay in a bunch of different rooms at one hotel or, say, stay at a 2/3 bedroom place? We really want to stay onsite so a vacation house is out of the question.

Also, if everyone decides to take separate rooms at AKL, can we guarantee a room a bunkbeds? How much larger are the deluxe rooms?

Thanks!!

 

[gepetto]

The deluxe rooms at AKL are not that much bigger and no, you can't guarantee bunkbeds.

 

[Bev J]

We have gone to WDW with larger groups, some friends, some relatives. I would stick with a seperate room for each couple or family. Even the best of friends or family need a break from each other by the end of a long day of wdw touring. You may want to also consider splitting up sometimes in the parks otherwise you will spend alot of time waiting for someone in the bathroom, in a store or an attraction you don't want to go on. We usesd the family radios when we split up, then meet up for a meal or sometime later.
You will not be able to please everyone all the time, just roll with it and enjoy your trip.

 

[Richyams]

I just got back from AKL, they were able to guarantee a bunk room. The bunk room is the only room, short of a suite, that will sleep five. I was inder the impression that there were rooms with two queens and a day bed or two doubles and a daybed, I was told that wasn't true. The only room that sleeps five is the bunk bed room.

Maybe if you don't have five or aren't staying concierge, but when I made a reservation for the sunrise safari for five and only had three in my party, the concierge pre planning folk said, huh? I told them that we had a lot of family, 16 people, at WDW during that time and were going to have two twelve year old cousins sleeping over the Friday before the SS. They told me about the room setups. I told them that they were mistaken and showed them where on Disney.com is said that all deluxe rooms at AKL sleep five, she said "ooops, they goofed again", the site is wrong, the only room we have that sleeps five is the bunk room with the daybed, she said that she would have to make sure that I got a bunk room.

I did, it was wonderful, just a few steps from the lounge with a great view of the Sunset Savannah.

 

[princess angel]

I would say that it depends on the closeness of your family. If you woul dhave a great time in a 2 bedroom villa or grand villa, all together, then do that. It might be a lot of fun.

If you want your privacy, and a place for time for yourselves, then definately get separate rooms!

The AKL will not guarantee bunkbeds, only request.

I hope this is an exciting venture for you!!!

Laura

 

[Richyams]

The AKL DID guarantee and does guarantee bunk rooms. They are the only room that will sleep five. If you make your reservation for five, you will get a bunk room, it will be guaranteed.

 

[wdwnutze]

Haven't stayed at AKL but did travel to WDW with a party of 12(all family). I would say definately get seperate rooms. Just request rooms on the same floor. You will appreciate the privacy and the break at the end of the day. At the end of each day we would make plans for the next day. We almost always split up at some point of the day. Some of us are early risers and some of us aren't. We would have dinner together and usually spent the evening together at the same park. Just keep in mind that everyone is different and will have different ideas on what is important for them to see and do. On our trip, some of the people were 1st timers(and won't get a chance to go back) so they wanted to see things that didn't matter to those of us that are regular visitors to the world. You'll have a great time-afterall, you'll be in WDW!

 

[Gillian]

Isn't it just the deluxe rooms with bunks that sleep 5? They have the queen-bunks-daybed configuration. Standard rooms with bunks still only sleep 4, because they just have queen-bunks, no daybed.