Large Family Resort Options

[littlebittyhouse]

Hello! We are doing a big family vacation and I am curious as to how others book their stay! We are looking to stay deluxe and not interested in renting DVC points. I am not sure where that leaves is! A villa? 3 separate rooms? 4 rooms so that there is a buffer?

6 adults, (2) three year olds, a 6.5 year old and an infant.

The configuration of the families is as follows:

2 adults'
2 adults with a 3yo and an infant (most likely a cot and also a pack n play)
2 adults with a 3.5yo and a 6.5yo (these two would be fine sharing a bed or bunkbed)

Would love to hear your input!

 

[megs1313]

First, are you wanting the 3 sets of adults in separate bedrooms? That will limit you a little bit.

Off the top of my head, because you have one infant, I think you can choose a 2br at OKW, SSR, AKL, etc. They sleep 9 adults, but you can have the infant in a pNp, i'm pretty sure.

You can also have 2 rooms at a deluxe like BWI that sleep 5 each, but that puts your adults sharing a room and you aren't guaranteed adjoining.

You could also do a treehouse, but that would put two of your adults either on bunk beds or a sofa bed.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think it really depends on how close you want to be to each other and whether or not you would like a kitchen and washer/dryer in your room.

You could do 3 separate rooms in any deluxe resort. I wouldn't do 4 as connecting is never a guarantee and you may end up with an adult listed on a room that isn't close to any of the other rooms you've booked.

If you want to go the villa route, you could do a two-bedroom at a few of the deluxe villa resorts, but I wouldn't recommend it given the make-up of your families as you will end up with one family sleeping on pull-outs in the living room of the unit. I would either look for a grand villa, the treehouse at SSR (perhaps put the children on the pullouts and 2 adults in the bunkbeds?) or a two-bedroom villa plus a studio. Personally, I would go with the two-bedroom villa plus the studio - put the two adults in the king room, one of the families in the second room in the 2-bedroom and then the other family in the studio. All of the adults would have real beds, plus the two bedroom will have a living room where you can all gather, plus a kitchen and washer/dryer which comes in handy with little kids!

 

[littlebittyhouse]

I think it really depends on how close you want to be to each other and whether or not you would like a kitchen and washer/dryer in your room.

You could do 3 separate rooms in any deluxe resort. I wouldn't do 4 as connecting is never a guarantee and you may end up with an adult listed on a room that isn't close to any of the other rooms you've booked.

If you want to go the villa route, you could do a two-bedroom at a few of the deluxe villa resorts, but I wouldn't recommend it given the make-up of your families as you will end up with one family sleeping on pull-outs in the living room of the unit. I would either look for a grand villa, the treehouse at SSR (perhaps put the children on the pullouts and 2 adults in the bunkbeds?) or a two-bedroom villa plus a studio. Personally, I would go with the two-bedroom villa plus the studio - put the two adults in the king room, one of the families in the second room in the 2-bedroom and then the other family in the studio. All of the adults would have real beds, plus the two bedroom will have a living room where you can all gather, plus a kitchen and washer/dryer which comes in handy with little kids!

OK, so this is genius!

It is really hard with so many people/family dynamic!

 

[littlebittyhouse]

First, are you wanting the 3 sets of adults in separate bedrooms? That will limit you a little bit.

Off the top of my head, because you have one infant, I think you can choose a 2br at OKW, SSR, AKL, etc. They sleep 9 adults, but you can have the infant in a pNp, i'm pretty sure.

You can also have 2 rooms at a deluxe like BWI that sleep 5 each, but that puts your adults sharing a room and you aren't guaranteed adjoining.

You could also do a treehouse, but that would put two of your adults either on bunk beds or a sofa bed.

Yep, the issue is that it really is three separate families. We have the older kids, my brother/sister in law will have a preschooler and a baby and then my in laws.

There is a decent chance that my 3yo nephew would want to stay with us but not a guarantee. Booking 18mo in advance is hard!

 

[SharonZ]

Have you set any kind of budget for lodging?

 

[littlebittyhouse]

Have you set any kind of budget for lodging?

$10-$15K which is insanity ha ha ha but this is a big retirement trip for my father inlaw.

 

[Runnergal]

We've done two trips with my parents, my sister and her daughter, and Dh and I and our dc (when we only had 2). We had three rooms at the Poly CL and it was perfect. It was great having the lounge to hang out together.

 

[Sue M]

I'd do 3 rooms, so each family has some privacy. Have the reservations linked as traveling together.

 

[bwbuddy5]

We're doing the same thing but I'm the one retiring! Extended family of 9 including my 4yo granddaughter. We're staying in two 2BR villas at AKL, probably Kidani, I'm saving several thousand by renting DVC points. Why do you not want to rent?

 

[mtemm]

I would do 3 CL level rooms. Each family would have their own room for privacy, but also have the lounge to hang together in.

 

[baler31]

Would agree with the PP's. 3 club rooms would give you large lounge areas and easy access to food and beverage that is handy for everyone but especially those with small children.

 

[DisMommyTX]

I agree with 3 separate rooms, and club level would be great for your family gatherings.

 

[twoolle]

I also agree with the 3 separate rooms. We had 4 rooms at GF one year, all in a row and 2 sets connecting. It was really nice for my parents to have their own room for naps, along with the little kids. We planned a few meals together and it worked out great.

 

[littlebittyhouse]

We're doing the same thing but I'm the one retiring! Extended family of 9 including my 4yo granddaughter. We're staying in two 2BR villas at AKL, probably Kidani, I'm saving several thousand by renting DVC points. Why do you not want to rent?

That is so fun! I think the 2BR are going to be our best bet to be honest. I am just nervous about renting points! I would do it just for my family but don't want to risk it with a large group.

 

[littlebittyhouse]

Would agree with the PP's. 3 club rooms would give you large lounge areas and easy access to food and beverage that is handy for everyone but especially those with small children.

I also agree with the 3 separate rooms. We had 4 rooms at GF one year, all in a row and 2 sets connecting. It was really nice for my parents to have their own room for naps, along with the little kids. We planned a few meals together and it worked out great.

I agree with 3 separate rooms, and club level would be great for your family gatherings.

3 rooms was the original plan but we are feeling like we need some 'common place' to hang out when the kids go to bed. I think we are going to end up with a decent amount of down time and are planning on doing some meals in room so we think that having the full kitchen would be helpful.

There are just so many options it is a little overwhelming ha ha ha

 

[bwbuddy5]

That is so fun! I think the 2BR are going to be our best bet to be honest. I am just nervous about renting points! I would do it just for my family but don't want to risk it with a large group.

I was the same way, but another website allows you to state your point need, and then renters can respond (renters are limited to so many responses per year). My renter sent me references, a contract, only required 10% down payment, 40% at booking, 50% at one month out. Great ongoing communication, and I actually used my computer savvy to research the renter, and found it was a preacher!

I saved $3 per point vs the popular rental sites.

 

[Amanda999]

I'm piling on with PPs who say 3 CL rooms. And I vote Poly - fantastic common lounge (fireworks viewing - huge windows) among many other reasons. Although BC has the huge benefit of being able to walk to 2 parks, and Stormalong bay (and many hot tubs).

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I too think that you should get 3 CL rooms - this way you have the lounge to hang out in. We are doing that this summer at the Poly and can't wait. You have your own rooms but have the lounge to be together. The BWI CL is more reasonable and has great CL food. Although we love the Poly and CR but they are more money. Enjoy!

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Each of those families would individually fit in any standard room, so I think it really depends on how close you want to be (does everyone want there own space/time so to speak), if you need a gathering place, and what you plan to do for meals.

With the kiddos, I'd say do monorail loop and request rooms close to each other. Then either splurge for Concierge or Just use the lobby/food court as a meeting place.