I need ideas for larger family and where to stay

[Bete]

Here's the deal. Parents are tall people. Mom is over 6' and dad is 6'5". Their kids are taller, too. Oldest son who is 14 is already 6'. There are two other boys that are 11 and 9. Finally, there is a younger girl who is 5. In total we have 6 to this family. This is a girlfriend.

They are hoping to go to Disney for Christmas time. Money for resorts are an issue to a degree. I've been thinking two, All-Star resort rooms would be the best idea. This would separate the family however and I'm not sure this is good. I need some ideas and I know all of you have the answer. I'm giving some thought to camping out by tent but I think this is a bad time of year to do it that way.

I've been thinking condo off-site, too. The parents have been to Disney before as children. This is the first time for the kids. I believe it would be better to stay on-site but condos offsite are very roomy and reasonable.

What should they do?

 

[ducklite]

Book connecting rooms at the All Stars. Remember at Christmastime parks can and do close to non-WDW resort guests. Additionally traffic is horrendous and who wants to spend hours every day going back and forth.

Anne

 

[simonmunro]

I have a feeling that the All Star beds might be to little for such large people???

 

[slimplaw]

All Stars and moderate resorts have double beds. You can get a moderate room with 1 king bed. Deluxe resorts have queen beds. If you can swing it financially, a DVC resort would be best. 2 bedroom units sleep 8 people. There is a king bed in the master bedroom, queens in the 2nd bedroom, and a pull out sofa in the living room. Some 2nd bedrooms have 1 queen and a pull out sofa. You would also have a kitchen, washer, dryer, and 2 full baths. I do not remember the price of these units at Christmas time. Probably in $360-$420 a night range. Everything is more expensive then. It would probably double your cost of lodging. DVC resorts are Old Key West, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk Villas and by Dec. Beach Club Villas.

 

[Momto8]

Since you said money is an issue, I would go with the AS. A DVC resort would be very expensive during this time. I know AS only have double beds, but I don't think queen beds are any longer than double, only wider. Correct me if I'm wrong. They also have to guarantee connecting rooms when there are children involved, so they would not be separated from their parents. I've stayed there at least 3 times when they did this for us.

I would not advise them to stay off site at Christmas time, because that is when it is the most crowded and they close the parks to outside guests when the parking lots fill up. I have stayed there twice at this time, and they did close some of the parks at different times during our stay, but we were always able to get in because we stayed on site.

It also can get very cold at Christmas, so you are taking your chances with camping in December. We stayed there Christmas 2000 and it was very cold during the day and below freezing at night.

 

[MulanMom]

DH is 6'4". The beds at OKW are generally comfortable for him. If I recall correctly, I believe the beds at POR may be a bit longer than AS. If money is an issue, then perhaps they should look at checking in around the last day of value season and staying through Christmas, as they will get the value season rate for the duration of their stay.

Sharon

 

[fkj2]

Check you PM.

 

[mama03]

Have you considered going on the rent/trade board to look into a 2 bedroom at one of the DVC resorts. I am a DVC member and have a family of five, but always invite other family to stay with us. We love the one bedroom and especially the 2bedroom suites. They are very big and have washer/dryer and a full kitchen. Yes, the rooms may cost more than the all-stars but you cut the cost of eating out everyday for 3 meals plus snacks. We usually eat breakfast and lunch in our room, then go out for dinner. This can save you alot of money especially for a large group. So this maybe something to factor into your plans. Hope everything works out.

 

[kozmo]

How about wilderness cabins??They are roomy and on-site.