I need a lot of advice

[wanna-b-Tink]

One more option: Have you looked into renting DVC points? For example, a 2 bedroom Old Key West in June would rent for about $270 per night, tax included (and theme park parking included as well). You'd have 2 bedrooms, 3 big beds, plus a fold out couch, 2 large bathrooms including one with a separate whirlpool tub, full kitchen and laundry room, balcony, 3 TV sets. One thing I like about being on-site with older children is that they can hop the bus to a park, and meet up with us later. Very convenient.

I would second this recommendation. You can see floor layouts of all of the DVC properties at www.disneyvacationclub.com. We always get a two bedroom at Old Key West. Extremely roomy, Disney transportation, and all of the amenities of home!

The DIS has a rent board. You might want to check out posts on there. Those people will be happy to help you better understand this process.

One final thought. If you are going "early May", you might want to get those reservations hopping! With the 50 year celebration starting May 5, its bound to start getting harder to find the room you want.

 

[Sheaboys]

Keep in mind, if you are going during the busy time of the year, if the park is packed Disney will not let you in. If you stay on the property, you are guaranteed to get in the parks. We are also a family of 5, staying at POR in Sept. Course my guys are younger at 2, 5 and 7.

 

[dcmbshafe]

We have stayed both on and off site. To me, part of the vacation is having my own room and enough space to spread out a little when we are back at the house. Also, we save A TON of money on dining by cooking some of the meals (especially breakfast) at the house. We stay at a place with plenty of pools and activities and we still feel like we are getting the "total vacation" experience!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If you watch the boards and codes become available I don't think there will be a $1300 difference. In value season I've seen value resorts for as low as $59 per night. Even with two resorts that's only about $120 per night.

 

[DreadpiratK]

You might look into renting a timeshare, we did that last trip, and were only 5 minutes from Disney, it was big and beautifull, and incredibly cheap. We found ours on Ebay, but there's lots of sights. All the time share resorts have pools, sometimes very elaborate ones, and while staying off-site you get les 'disney' there's actually quite a lot to do in Orlando outside the world, and personally, while I love Disney, enough is enough and I need a break from it once in a while. You can also save major money with the kitchen, as well as off-site restaurants.

In fact we loved the timeshare so much that we bought one ourselves the next year(also on Ebay!) and are planning a two week trip to it this year.

Our kids are 14, 12, 11 and 6 months, and no way are we going to cram into one or two rooms, not my idea of a vacation! Mom and dad get thier own room, or we don't go!