Large family trip. Accomodations dilemma.

[ChefBilly]

This will be the first time we've gone with a large group, so I've never had to look beyond the simple value/mid/deluxe question.

It's going to be my entire family, and my first choice would be to stay on-site. I hate to admit it, but I'm considered the family Disney fanatic, and I almost don't know where to begin.

It's going to be:
*DW and I and one child
*Brother and wife with five kids
*Sister and husband and two children
*Other sister and husband and one child
*My parents
*My bro's mother in law

Wow. That's 20 people.
I had friends who stayed at the Disney Institute one time in a condo type of set-up. Those are no longer there, right?
That kind of situation would be great.

What are the largest accomodations available?

I'm starting to think we might just be better off renting individual rooms at the same resort. But if we could get a large villa or two, that'd be preferable.

Have you traveled like this before?
What would you suggest?

Sorry if this has been discussed. I did a search, but it's been disabled.

Thanks for any help!

 

[vbfamily]

You could get a lot of rooms at a resort. That is one option.

For the number of people going, I would definately check out a villa-Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Old Key West, etc. It just seems like this would work out better for 20 people because you get laundry facilities and a kitchen in a 1br or a 2br or a grand villa. If there are certain members of your party who don't want that, there are studios as well.

You have many combinations to chose from-you could do a few 2br villas-more 1br villas-all depends on who wants to stay with whom. You can find out more info on the DW website under Home Away from Home resorts. Check out the Disney Vacation Club section of these boards for more info. The members are usually pretty great about answering questions.

I would definately stay on site. Is there a certain park that you want to be close to or a certain theme that you like?

I have seen codes come out for discounts on villas or you could rent points from a DVC member-this allows you to get the villas for a pretty good price. You can also just each make seperate reservations.

Feel free to ask any more questions. Going to WDW with a group of 20 isn't as difficult as it seems. You should be able to get exactly what you want and stay as close together or as far apart as you want to.

 

[vbfamily]

I forgot to ask, what is your budget? Are you thinking Value, Moderate, Deluxe...........

The villas can be kind or pricey-the cost comes down quite a bit when you rent pts.

Does everyone want to stay at the same place?

Good luck planning, it sounds like a fun trip.

 

[VickiVM]

You could do 2 2-Bedroom villas and one studio. Your sister's family with her mother in law could take a 2 BR villa which sleeps 8, two other families in the other 2 bedroom and the last family in a studio or one bedroom. We did a 2 bedroom at BCV for $249/night renting points. That's a little on the low side because we were able to rent someone's points who had a few months left on his banked points and we only rented for weekdays which is less expensive than weekends. I suggest visiting the DVC Info and Rent/Trade boards to get more info.

 

[suevee]

If you all want to stay together, then the best situation for the money is to check off-site. If you really want to stay on site, I would suggest individual rooms so everyone has a private place to go for some individual space. The hardest group to place will be your brother's family. They would need two rooms by themselves. I think that the villas will only hold a maximum of 8 people. I may be facing this same dilemna in a few years so I will be interested on your final solution. Is anyone in your family in the military, reserves, or DoD? Does anyone have an AP? If so maybe Shades of Green or other discounts with the AP could help.
VickiVM seems to have the best solution for onsite.

 

[susy]

I would get room 5 rooms at the AS. In value season you can get them for around 49 a night. That would be about 245 a night for everybody. I doubt you could do better, considering the five bathrooms. If spoke with the room controller at the resort, I'm sure they could try to get all the rooms together.

That's just me. I like it simple. I've traveled with adults before and when you get into sharing a condo, it becomes a big thing about who's going to pay more because they got the master bedroom and I should pay less becasue I got the pull -out sofa , blah, blah, blah...

the AS has great transportation and a good food court. I would definitely stay onsite for the transportation. Can you imagine all the fuss trying to get 20 people ready in the morning and in the cars and to the parks... makes my head swim thinking about all the arguing! Onsite, everyone could go to the parks they want and come and go as they please.

If you can afford more (since so many adults are going), I would go with CBR (for more spacious rooms), or AKL for more amenities and excellent transportation! Only if you get good discounts, though.

 

[Hayley]

At Fort Wildersness the cabins sleep 6 and have the kitchens- I've always wanted to do that but never have so I can't tell you if they are nice are not. Anybody out there have any first hand opinions?

If you could get a good rate it might be fun to try. If just one of you bought an annual pass, you might save a ton for the rooms. Otherwise, keep an eye on mousesavers for discounts. (Sob, I already miss the Disney Club!!! )

 

[justbeachy]

We enjoyed a Disney trip with 17 family members last February. In the planning stages, it was "every man for himself," but that defeated the idea of a "family trip." One sister-in-law wanted to stay at BC, one wanted to stay at All Star Sports, my in-laws didn't care where they stayed, my family wanted to stay with the entire group at an on-site hotel (we had always stayed at the CR, but were wanted to stay with the group this trip). Solution? The Dolphin. This discussion board pointed me in that direction (thanks "glo!"), and when I suggested this as a great compromise for all, we agreed that it was! I made the plans, we enjoyed great rates (some of our group were nurses & gov't employees) and a great location. Maybe it will work for your group too. Good luck!

 

[jwfla422]

Hayley
We're going to be staying at FW cabins in just a few weeks and we're meeting family there and friends of ours will also be there. I booked 2 cabins so I'm hoping to get those as close as possible (for my family) and will request that our friends be in the same loop. We'll see how accomodating they'll be because I'm sure that can be tough for a large group. But, it would be that way even in a resort hotel, the more rooms, the more likely some would be scattered.

I'll be more than happy to post first hand info about the cabins. Our friends that are also going stayed there last August when I stayed at the WL with dd. I was VERY impressed and that's why I suggested the cabins to my db and ds-in law, plus I'm able to book at Fl resident rate.

 

[Hayley]

Thanks - I can't wait to hear about your trip!

I just love it out there at FW - I think it would be really fun. I think it would be fun to walk over to WL for dinner.

 

[DOPEY44]

It's hard getting that many people to agree on one resort.
Plan to meet with them and get their imputs, half the fun is planning.
I stayed at the All Star Music with fourteen family members in June 2000. We planned everything six month before.
The front desk gave us five rooms together. Much better than having everybody in one villa.

 

[VickiVM]

Just wanted to add that the villas do have a full kitchen with a regular sized refrigerator, a dishwasher, stove/oven, microwave, pantry, dishes, etc. Only the studio does not have all of the above amenites, but they have a small fridge and micro and sink, I believe. The kitchen is quite convenient for large families because it offers a private space to enjoy each other during a meal rather than paying big $$ for every meal in the parks or eating in the food court. There is also a stackable washer/dryer that really comes in handy. There were 5 of us plus my mom in a two-bedroom last fall and we felt like we had the space of a home. Space is one of those intangible amenities that can really make a difference in how one enjoys their vacation experience and if price is not the biggest factor in deciding your resort, the DVC properties are worth investigating. (Gee, I should sell them!)
BTW. the master bathroom has a large jacuzzi tub that is separate from the large walk-in shower (and the 2nd bathroom has a full-size shower/tub combo). When we were showering and bathing, that was like having a third bathroom for us.