Long term room planning for family harmony

[peabody58]

DW wants to have another family vacation with our 2 DD's and SILs. How quickly she forgets the dynamics of our last family vacation! Well the time frame would be once SWL is open, so I have some time to save points and plan a bit. I'm starting to feel guilty about having one set of our kids (30+ yo now) continue to use the pull out sofa bed, so I started to look into Grand Villas . However, I hate to use 3 years of points for only 5 days of vacation and only 6 people (maybe 7 if we ever become grand parents by then). One thing is certain, we will need that extra bathroom - makes all the difference in the world.

So I'm down to only BLT or AKL, unless ..... then I saw a potential win-win scenario that opens up a lot of possibilities and provides that family separation we all crave for after 36 hours of togetherness. I could get a 2 BR at any resort and also book a separate studio for one of our kids. I'd put the dead beat SIL and eldest DD, both of which like to nap a lot, be anti-social and do their own thing in the studio (maybe on the other end of WDW https://*******.com/forum/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/woohoodance.gif). Then we could use the 2 BR as a joint meeting location / breakfasts / etc., and still have our own space with real beds and no shared bathrooms. The extra points to accomplish this would be much more doable than a Grand Villa and the benefits to our mental health would be priceless.

I'm interested in any insights and experiences others have had with multi-room bookings for family vacations. Thanks in advance.

 

[CarolMN]

I think you are wise to plan some "private" space for each family. Even when family members are the best of friends, it's nice to have some space to get away by yourself every now and then. Your idea of a separate bedroom (and bath) for each family is a good one.

I am one who believes the living room/kitchen area needs to be free for those who like to get up early or stay up late - can't do that if it's someone's bedroom. A 2 bedroom plus a studio keeps that area free.

Another advantage is if one of your DDs has to back out. It will be easier to cancel the separate studio (to not lose points) than to try to get something suitable for 4 at the last minute (because invitees backing out always seem to happen at the last minute, LOL)

 

[disneymomto5]

We have had a large family gathering and we gave each family a studio for themselves. In the end, it was cheaper than a grand villa and everyone got private time.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm planning a group trip for 11 people for 2019. I'm looking at 2 - two bedroom units and a one bedroom at OKW (my home resort). I think it will be much better for everyone than trying to squeeze into a GV, especially given the dynamics of the people traveling. It worked out well for us on a trip a few years ago.

It is a complicated group.

 

[DenLo]

I got 3 separate 2 BRs for my extended family - 22 people, 6 families. It gave the larger families more privacy. And we shared a 2BR with the quieter family. It worked well.

I like the idea of reserving studios or 1BRs too, but point wise the 1BRs are not that practical. Getting three 2BRs was less than a GV for the same dates and we still could have booked another 2 studios with the points we saved by not getting a Grand Villa.

 

[crisi]

I'm a huge fan of not sticking everyone in the same unit when you start getting into anything other than "we all get along great" Son in laws (or mother in laws, or brother in laws) that drive you nuts is probably near the top of the list of my "I think everyone would enjoy their own space" booking strategy. (Mine is a brother in law - who is a great guy - but who whines - and has taught my nephews to whine - and I don't need to be burdened with someone else's complaining on vacation).

We've done a GV traveling with friends - but you pick your friends, you don't pick your family.

 

[Kim Gillihan]

I am too planning a family trip 2019 for 10-12 and planning 2-2 bedrooms probably at AK my home resort. In 2016 before I bought DVC we did this trip and stayed in a 4 bedroom villa at Wyndham bonnet creek and it was awesome! No complaints! We had 10 people, We had 4 bathrooms.. everyone had enough alone time and space. I would do that again in a minute, but GV are too many points for one thing and there are pros to having space etc. So for dvc accomodations, I think what you are planning is a great plan.

 

[cruisin5]

I try to avoid using the living room as a bedroom whenever my points allow it.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Will putting the SIL in his own space really change anything? I refused last October to let my brother come on a trip with my parents and my family. I can travel with him, but if my mom is around he’s a complete bear. We just spent two nights at Great Wolf Lodge together (my family, my parents, and brother) and I was immediately reminded why he will never be joining us on a trip that includes my mom. He’s been talking about next next summer, but there’s no way. Even in separate rooms at great wolf he still managed to suck the fun out of the place.

I’m worried even in their own room across the resort having them there will still lessen the fun.

 

[Ghostridethedolewhip]

Wow, after reading some of these I feel relieved we aren't the only ones that go through this process in planning. My inlaws have been members for the last couple years and we just joined. We decided on Poly as our home resort since the Murphy bed gives us 5, and instead of a 1 bed room that sleeps 4 at CCV, we could get two studios at Poly and have separate room with separate spaces that sleep 10. We can still do breakfast with the microwave, make lunches, and even cook a meal in the crockpot.

It is great though to have a big living room for everyone to spend time together. We really do want to have a big family gathering but it is nice to think of the different options and combinations other than a grand Villa. The BLT grand villa looks awesome and when we have a family event in 10 years we can all be together and also throw a party for guests celebrate with us.

Has anyone stayed at the grand villa at BLT?

 

[Dean]

DW wants to have another family vacation with our 2 DD's and SILs. How quickly she forgets the dynamics of our last family vacation! Well the time frame would be once SWL is open, so I have some time to save points and plan a bit. I'm starting to feel guilty about having one set of our kids (30+ yo now) continue to use the pull out sofa bed, so I started to look into Grand Villas . View attachment 290827 However, I hate to use 3 years of points for only 5 days of vacation and only 6 people (maybe 7 if we ever become grand parents by then). One thing is certain, we will need that extra bathroom - makes all the difference in the world.

So I'm down to only BLT or AKL, unless ..... then I saw a potential win-win scenario that opens up a lot of possibilities and provides that family separation we all crave for after 36 hours of togetherness. I could get a 2 BR at any resort and also book a separate studio for one of our kids. I'd put the dead beat SIL and eldest DD, both of which like to nap a lot, be anti-social and do their own thing in the studio (maybe on the other end of WDW

). Then we could use the 2 BR as a joint meeting location / breakfasts / etc., and still have our own space with real beds and no shared bathrooms. The extra points to accomplish this would be much more doable than a Grand Villa and the benefits to our mental health would be priceless.

I'm interested in any insights and experiences others have had with multi-room bookings for family vacations. Thanks in advance.

Crazy is crazy on steroids where Disney and timeshares are concerned. We plan a family vacation most years, most recently with 51 people this past summer and routinely 34-43. I decide when we're going and who to invite based on available info. Usually that's week 26 or 27 when most are out of school (kids & teachers). I get accommodations and start inviting. This past summer we had 7 two BR on the beach at HHI. My rules for villas are one couple per bedroom, no couples or older than young adult on pullouts. Since a 2 BR plus studio is cheaper and gives more separation, I'd do the 2 BR plus studio and that option opens you up to all resort possibilities and various 2 BR options including lockoff's.

 

[cvjw]

We get a 2 bedroom and a studio for my family of 4 and my mother, sister and niece. 7 people total. Works perfectly. No one sleeping in the living area. Plenty of beds and bathrooms for everyone. Everyone has some private space to relax in and can use the 2 bedroom for breakfasts, laundry, etc.

It is the prefect configuration for us without using so many points for a grand villa

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I am interested in all the comments here. We are not to this point yet as our two DSs are not married yet. But I have already decided that we will not get a GV at WDW. We will either do a 2-BR plus a studio or we will do three separate studios. The advantage of the three studios is we could stay an extra night. Now, we will probably do a GV at HHI since we will probably only use our points there every three years, and we have enough points for one. We also hang out in the room more at HHI, so a GV would be nice.

 

[kmorlock]

Just came back from family trip for 7. DH and I agreed it is the last family trip. We usually do 10 days and this was only a week. They were all new to WDW. After 2 years of planning and trying to get input, I made FP, and Dining reservations based on what little response I got. Then the complaining ensued. Never again! Vacations are precious and I’m not willing to miss out on so much again for family who don’t care to be there anyway. The only way I’d share is if everyone got there own accommodations and made their own plans. Then we meet up occasionally throughout the trip.

 

[linzjane88]

We have had a large family gathering and we gave each family a studio for themselves. In the end, it was cheaper than a grand villa and everyone got private time.

What's funny is I would be much more reluctant to use my points to book several rooms for people but a 2/3 bedroom so that we could all be together? Sure!

 

[gracelrm]

We've taken three extended family trips. Our last included my family of five, my DH's brother & SIL and their three daughters' families. We got a 2BR for my family and BIL/SIL and then we got a studio for the three niece's families. We stayed at Kidani and used our 2BR as the hub. We fixed breakfast and had a few meals together (eating in shifts as people got ready). I felt like it was best for most everyone to have a room to retreat to. The only thing that I wish could have been different was to not use the 2BR living room as a place for my kids to sleep (teens and early 20s). Having the extra bathroom made it doable, but like others have said, I hate for their sleeping area to actually be a common area. Our nieces all have kids and as much as they love each other - everyone needs some time on their own. I think my nieces husbands were all glad to have their own room to retreat to also. I think this was our best extended family trip yet.

 

[crisi]

Just came back from family trip for 7. DH and I agreed it is the last family trip. We usually do 10 days and this was only a week. They were all new to WDW. After 2 years of planning and trying to get input, I made FP, and Dining reservations based on what little response I got. Then the complaining ensued. Never again! Vacations are precious and I’m not willing to miss out on so much again for family who don’t care to be there anyway. The only way I’d share is if everyone got there own accommodations and made their own plans. Then we meet up occasionally throughout the trip.

Uck. I'm so sorry. You try to make something special. It is a lot of work to pull together a Disney vacation for someone else (its pretty easy if its just my family, we have our patterns) and then to not get a shred of gratitude is horrible.

 

[ktate82]

We have also done several trips with family. This last time was with DH, our two kids (12 & 11), myself, DMIL, and DSIL. I told DH never again would we stay together. After traveling with my family before, I know they have to have their own room at their own resort. DMIL and DSIL will now also have the same rules. We spent a week off site at a timeshare we trade into in a 3 bedroom/3 bath and it wasn't big enough lol. We have done two bedrooms in DVC with them and they will get their own room next time if there is a next time. OP your idea of spread out is great!

 

[Halle]

Wow, after reading some of these I feel relieved we aren't the only ones that go through this process in planning. My inlaws have been members for the last couple years and we just joined. We decided on Poly as our home resort since the Murphy bed gives us 5, and instead of a 1 bed room that sleeps 4 at CCV, we could get two studios at Poly and have separate room with separate spaces that sleep 10. We can still do breakfast with the microwave, make lunches, and even cook a meal in the crockpot.

It is great though to have a big living room for everyone to spend time together. We really do want to have a big family gathering but it is nice to think of the different options and combinations other than a grand Villa. The BLT grand villa looks awesome and when we have a family event in 10 years we can all be together and also throw a party for guests celebrate with us.

Has anyone stayed at the grand villa at BLT?

Our family has stayed in a Grand Villa @blt. We had a lake view, there were 9 of us. Our DD and DS and their families. There was a sleeper sofa in the living room and another one in the loft upstairs between the 2 bedrooms. OKW definitely has the most space in their GV because there is an extra bathroom with shower on the first floor. All GV's are wonderful. Have fun planning.

 

[Deb & Bill]

One of the two bedrooms upstairs at OKW only has two double beds, not queen beds, because the room is smaller than the other. The bathroom in that room is kind of small as well. There is a sleeper chair in the living room, so you have beds for 13, but you are limited to 12. Most of the OKW GV start on the second floor with the second floor of the GV located on the third floor of the building.