Largish group...resort recommendations

[Myothername]

This trip is a few years off but the OP in me is already checking on things The group will be my son and his wife and 4 children that will be 4,4,5 and 10. Her parents and 20 something brother who has Downs will be going and me. I looked at pictures of the family suite at AllStars but it just looked so crowded. I'm thinking we will need 3 rooms. One for her parents and brother, one for them and some of their kids and one for me and some of the kids. I'm curious how do you figure out the price or rather what they would pay and what I would pay. I don't have unlimited funds so I can't pay for some of their kids. Or would a moderate resort allow the 2 adults and 6 kids in a room on paper but in actuality 2 would be in my room.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Marthasor]

No moderate room holds 6 guests unless you have a child under the age of 3 in a room that holds 5. I would look at 3 rooms at a value or moderate. You can put your son, wife and 2 kids in one room, you and 2 kids in another and the parents and 20-year old in another. Putting two kids in your room does not affect the price of your room, so you wouldn't be paying extra for the kids. The only thing that will cost extra is if you book as a package (room with tickets and/or dining plan if it comes back). In that case, if you have two kids in your room, simply ask your son and wife to reimburse you the cost of the kids' tickets and dining. Alternatively, you could book an ASMu or AoA family suite for your son/wife and 4 kids and two regular rooms for you and the other family - the AoA regular rooms would be in a different building than the suite, but you may be in the same building at ASMu.

 

[Wiltony]

Your per-night cost for 3 rooms puts you in striking distance of renting a DVC grand villa at OKW that will hold all of you. You might research that if you're interested in that as an alternative.

 

[Wedgeout]

Nice planning ahead, researching resorts, the occupancy numbers, and even prices of packages. The DISboards here is a great source of information. Another area to look into and research is renting points or reservations from a Disney Vacation Club owner. Might be able to obtain a Grand Villa reservation to accommodate everyone. Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resorts have very nice and spacious villas for a family size up to 12.

 

[eandt]

This trip is a few years off but the OP in me is already checking on things The group will be my son and his wife and 4 children that will be 4,4,5 and 10. Her parents and 20 something brother who has Downs will be going and me. I looked at pictures of the family suite at AllStars but it just looked so crowded. I'm thinking we will need 3 rooms. One for her parents and brother, one for them and some of their kids and one for me and some of the kids. I'm curious how do you figure out the price or rather what they would pay and what I would pay. I don't have unlimited funds so I can't pay for some of their kids. Or would a moderate resort allow the 2 adults and 6 kids in a room on paper but in actuality 2 would be in my room.

Thanks for any advice.

If you are pretty concete on your dates I would look into DVC renting points. We went through a private owner and had wonderful experiences and have since become owners ourselves.

 

[CarolynFH]

Your per-night cost for 3 rooms puts you in striking distance of renting a DVC grand villa at OKW that will hold all of you. You might research that if you're interested in that as an alternative.

Nice planning ahead, researching resorts, the occupancy numbers, and even prices of packages. The DISboards here is a great source of information. Another area to look into and research is renting points or reservations from a Disney Vacation Club owner. Might be able to obtain a Grand Villa reservation to accommodate everyone. Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resorts have very nice and spacious villas for a family size up to 12.

@Myothername, if you do consider a Grand Villa, be sure to research the sleeping surfaces in each one. They do sleep 12 but that's on various combinations of bed sizes and foldout couches vs. Murphy beds in bedrooms and living rooms. Can sound good on paper, but when you get to looking at who will sleep where, especially when there will be young kids who maybe need to nap or go to bed early while the adults want to stay up a bit longer, it may not be ideal.

 

[Wiltony]

@Myothername, if you do consider a Grand Villa, be sure to research the sleeping surfaces in each one. They do sleep 12 but that's on various combinations of bed sizes and foldout couches vs. Murphy beds in bedrooms and living rooms. Can sound good on paper, but when you get to looking at who will sleep where, especially when there will be young kids who maybe need to nap or go to bed early while the adults want to stay up a bit longer, it may not be ideal.

Yes the grand villas typically have 10 spots for people to sleep on a bed (one king bed in the master, and 2 queen beds in each of two other bedrooms). The remaining spaces are usually fold-out couches.

 

[CarolynFH]

The remaining spaces are usually fold-out couches.

SSR's recent renovation replaced the foldout couches with queen size Murphy beds that cover up the couch when they come down from the wall. Much more comfortable to sleep on, enough so that adults can actually sleep there now.

 

[Wiltony]

SSR's recent renovation replaced the foldout couches with queen size Murphy beds that cover up the couch when they come down from the wall. Much more comfortable to sleep on, enough so that adults can actually sleep there now.

That's right! I had forgotten that. The fold outs there are much more comfortable than the old ones.

 

[starry_solo]

Do you all want to stay in the same resort?
Do you all want to stay on property?

You should ask each family (so son, wife + 4 kids) and in-laws + son whether they want to stay on property/off and discuss costs with them.
What are your plans for transportation?
What can each family afford?

Grand Villas, while nice at OKW and SSR, are far away from the parks....

 

[rdaky]

Are you open to staying off property? For that number of people, you can rent an entire house off property with real beds (not sofas) separate rooms for sleeping, and either a private or resort pool. It can be much more economical to split the cost of a house.

Otherwise, if each family is paying separately, I'd discuss with them how much they're wanting to spend. The most annoying vacation ever that I went on with a large family gathering was when not only was a place chosen for us that was $$$, we were expected to pay our share and share a bedroom with another married couple. Not suggesting you're doing that part... LOL... but just having someone else pick something out without discussing our budget made the entire event stressful.

 

[Myothername]

Are you open to staying off property? For that number of people, you can rent an entire house off property with real beds (not sofas) separate rooms for sleeping, and either a private or resort pool. It can be much more economical to split the cost of a house.

Otherwise, if each family is paying separately, I'd discuss with them how much they're wanting to spend. The most annoying vacation ever that I went on with a large family gathering was when not only was a place chosen for us that was $$$, we were expected to pay our share and share a bedroom with another married couple. Not suggesting you're doing that part... LOL... but just having someone else pick something out without discussing our budget made the entire event stressful.

Definitely staying on property. They all went a few years ago and that trip DIL says was all adults, one small child. She said they liked the house but travel was a pain. I have always pushed to stay onsite as that is all I have done since they had the resorts. Plus DIL's father has some health issues and her brother with Downs might want to cut their day shorter than the rest of us. So easy for them to hop on a bus and head back to the room.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We did kidani as a large group, villa. Was wonderful !