Large number of people going...need help!

[karenTX]

My family and I are talking about all of us taking a trip in 2007. There would be 6-8 adults, 3 kids ages 9 and 2. We'd love to stay onsite with a kitchen to have some meals in and save a few bucks. I am needing recommendations!! I'm used to only going with my husband so this will be far different!!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Minerva]

I'd start checking out the DVC resorts. Find the one that meets your needs best and see if you can rent enough points for a couple of villas.

 

[GlennI]

Check out the Vacation Club Resorts... a bit more money, but it would fit your needs.. You can get three bedroom villas... with a Kitchen. Saratoga Springs is a new resort in the DVC, VERY NICE.!!!!

 

[disney-super-mom]

I agree with Minerva. You should rent points for a DVC Grand villa or a couple of two-bedrooms from someone here on the boards. You'll save some money by renting from a member rather than booking one through Disney. The least expensive DVC resort that has grand villas is Old Key West, so that would be your best bet to keep costs down. Also, the main pool at Old Key West has a new water slide inside a giant sandcastle. It looks like fun! The other DVC resorts with grand villas are Boardwalk Villas and Saratoga Springs Resort.

Points can rent for anywhere between $9 - $12 per point depending on when you want to go, the demand, etc, but usually they rent for $10 per point.

By renting points from a DVC member (at $10 per point) a grand villa at Old Key West for a week (7 nights) would cost anywhere from $3,560 - $5,010, depending on the time of year you go. If you want to go during Christmas/Newyears week, it would cost quite a bit more. Almost all rooms here have a pleasant view of water and/or golf course, and it's quiet, so if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the parks for a little peace and quiet while you sit on an extra LARGE patio, enjoying a nice glass of wine, this is the place to be.

At the Boardwalk Villas (at $10 per point), a weekly stay (7 nights) in a grand villa would cost between $5580 - $8000. Christmas week would be more. Of course here, you'd be close to the boardwalk with lots of restaurants, bars, and entertainment. It's walking distance to Epcot and MGM. You'd most likely have a nice view of the boardwalk area and the Illuminations fireworks, or a nice pool view, if staying in a grand villa Also, this is where you have the fun clown slide.

At Saratoga Springs Resort, a weekly stay in a grand villa would cost between $5050 - $7190. Christmas week would be more. You could have a great view of Downtown Disney, it has a terrific spa, they're starting to offer horse-drawn carriage rides soon, and it's withing walking distance to Downtown Disney for great restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

The other DVC resorts, Wilderness Lodge Villas and Beach Club Villas, could easily accomodate your party as well, but you'd need to rent either a couple of two bedrooms, or a two bedroom and a one bedroom. Both of these resorts are also spectacular, as are all the DVC resorts. Wilderness Lodge has a quieter ambiance for relaxing, with it's spectacular lobby and themeing. Beach Club Villas has lovely beach decor throughout, and of course the most spectacular pool you ever see at any resort anywhere.

Hope this helps you, and have a great trip!

 

[MareSINY]

I had considered doing Fort Wilderness for a large family gathering. I figured we could get a couple of cabins and have a place to go to get away from each other, and be close enough to each other when we wanted to be together.

You might also want to consider renting a villa in the Disney area. Last year in September and again this year in March we rented villas to have our family gatherings. We had 11 people (4 of those being kids) and rented a 5 bedroom our first trip and a 7 bedroom the second trip. It comes out to be much cheaper than staying onsite and you get your own private pool and hot tub. I know it's nice to stay onsite, but when you're talking about a large gathering it's sometimes better to consider staying off site.

Good luck and have a great time!

Mary Ellen

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just remember. The DVC member has full control over the reservation until you check in. Also cancellation procedures are nothing like with CRO. You are working with an individual and Disney has nothing to do with these reservations. The member may require large portion of the total payment just to make the reservation, especially for a Grand Villa since they are so limited and require a lot of points.

If you are in charge of setting up the lodging for your group, make sure everyone is committed to going. Or you could wind up with lots of space and not many people.

 

[lyncruiser]

Deb & Bill have a good point. When renting points, you must commit the money very early with little chance to change plans. Seems especially risky with a group. You can always book villas through CRO. That's what we do. Then you can cancel up to 5 days before you arrive without any penalty. Also, we find that if you stay weekends, renting points isn't all that great of a value. On weekends it costs considerably more to rent points than to just book through CRO. Weekdays, it's cheaper to rent points. But, if you stay two weekends, we think it tends to even out money-wise.