I'm lost. Family of 10, Grand Villa or military rate?

[alaskanabbott]

I'm trying to determine our lowest cost situation. There are 10 of us, all but 1 is over 18. We want to stay at either Old Key West or Animal Kingdom. Just doing a short precruise stay 1/26/16 checking out 1/30/16. Wondering if it's better to do the 3 bedroom grand villa, the 2 bedroom plus a studio, or 2 one bedrooms. Also, does it end up cheaper doing DVC points rental or military rate (assuming it's renewed) Thoughts?

 

[Sparrow624]

What is the military rate and what hotels does it apply to? Disney site says you must call to find out. My brother in law and father are military as well and are planning a trip for next June (big family trip) along with our family, but they have not called yet either. Have you looked into Shades of Green as well?

 

[rlovew]

You will not be able to get a military rate on a Grand Villa - they are rarely available at all with cash. The room choices will depend on who wants to sleep with whom and how bedding arrangements will be best.

studios have 1 queen bed and 1 double pull out (key west will have 2 queen beds)
1 bedrooms have - 1 king bed and in the living room a queen sleeper sofa and a pull out chair for 1 (except the AK values which have only the sofa)
2 bedrooms are made up of a 1 bedroom and a studio so they will have both sets of sleeping arrangements
3 bedroom grand villas have - 1 master bedroom with a king bed, 2 bedrooms that each contain 2 queen beds, and a living room sleeper sofa

You might be able to find the rooms other than grand villas with military rates but you are more likely to find them at Saratoga Springs than the resorts you listed although they are more available than many others. The biggest issue with renting points may be that you will likely have a no cancellation policy once you book (which you could wait until the 7 month window for the time and resorts you want unless you want a grand villa)

 

[crisi]

.....(which you could wait until the 7 month window for the time and resorts you want unless you want a grand villa)

And with a stay in January of 2016, they are past the seven month window already. OP, you need to move quickly, there is a possibility that this late in the game you don't have a choice for a grand villa at all - Late January there might still be something available, but you need a very specific date and don't have flexibility. However, you'd almost certainly have a choice in a two bedroom plus a studio - which I think is a far better option for family peace, myself. Grand Villas are great, but too much togetherness with that guy my sister married or the little jerk of a nephew I ended up with is enough to drive me over the edge.

 

[spiceycat]

studio go even faster than GV - they are the most popular

 

[Pirate Granny]

GV a will be $13 to $15 rent points if available...times four nights. Shades of green will provide rooms, but not a GV or even a two bedroom if they are fully booked. The SoG pricing depends on the rank of the person, and I believe you can get three rooms. The SoG web site will give you the pricing once you put in the dates and ranks. You need to move FAST as those dates are only six months away.

 

[alaskanabbott]

Thanks everyone. The 6 of the 10 are our kids, plus their significant others, and my dad. We all have lived together, so proximity isn't an issue. It's looking like the GV are amazing and a LOT more points. Now leaning toward either the 2 br plus a studio or 3 studios.

 

[DenLo]

Three studios will provide more privacy for each family. But the 2BR has a living room and a kitchen. How much time will everyone be at the resort? If you plan to go to the parks daily, I would just get the room combination that is cheapest and that might be at OKW.

 

[shortypots]

I personally like having the kitchen and laundry facilities from the 1bds or higher. Helps me pack less clothes, and you can dry your swimsuit before packing.

I guess I am about to find out about that togetherness someone mentioned because we got a grand villa starting 8/15-8/22 for myself, DH, 2 brothers, nephews, 2 friends and their 3 kids... We are still trying to figure out the sleeping arrangements.

 

[alaskanabbott]

We might not even do the parks, Downton Disney for sure. Looking at the 2 br and studio

 

[PartOfYourWDWorld]

If you're not doing the parks, I would make sure at least one of you has a kitchen and living room.