Many children brings many challenges!

[mom25kiddos]

We are planning a very important extended family trip just before Christmas. We will have three rooms at GF for one week, six adults (myself, DH, my parents, sister and brother in law) and six children total. no problem, two adults and two kids to a room (youngest is a toddler still). However, we are arriving two days prior to my parents/sister-we have five kids (my sister has one) and thus, for us to stay at GF on our own we would need two rooms (or a very expensive suite of some sort). I have been looking at options for how we can book with our large family for two nights prior to the rest of the crew arriving-my best idea, I think, is to stay the first two nights in a AofA family suite, then move to the GF when the rest of the crew arrives. Any other ideas on what we should do to keep the disruption to a minimum, and the potentially obscene cost with having five kiddos? What would you do?

Thanks!

 

[nherbert]

My only word of warning is that the kids are likely to love the AoA suite and consider moving to the GF a downgrade

 

[happymommy]

I have to agree. The GF is not cheap. Extended family vacations are hectic (trust me, I've done them and won't ever again). You really won't spend that much time in the room really.

I would say look into AOA & if it looks fun, stay there the whole time! Let the others stay where they want.

We did one with my sister, her husband and 4 kids, and my folks. She wanted AKL (and she booked a 2 bedroom club level suite, no discount). I got an AP discounted room, and one for my folks. I had wanted to stay at an Epcot resort. In retrospect, I wish I had stayed where I wanted & just met up for certain park hours & meals.

 

[mbgrace]

As a mom of 4, I would either get two rooms at Pop Century or 2 rooms at a moderate resort (depending on how much time you will be in your room/at the resort). The two rooms will get you four beds, as opposed to the three you have at Art of Animation.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Aren't the family suites for six...? If you have five children and two adults, that won't work.

I'd get two rooms at any value and request connecting, or look into renting points for a villa.

 

[quandrea]

Aren't the family suites for six...? If you have five children and two adults, that won't work.

I'd get two rooms at any value and request connecting, or look into renting points for a villa.

The villa rental is your best bet. You will get value pricing for a deluxe hotel. You get a kitchen, washer dryer and tons of space, multiple bathrooms. I'd stay in a villa the whole time.

I agree with pp who said stay where it suits you. I'm planning a trip with a friend. We are booked at Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani (which I highly recommend for villa rental), she is waffling and may change to old key west. Just please yourself and meet up for meals and park time.

 

[luvpooh]

If the 5th child is under 3, the family suite will accommodate them.

 

[MamaCrystal]

We have 4 children and have rented points in the past (are currently in the process of becoming DVC members). It's a great way for a large family to stay comfortably. You could even rent a 2 bedroom at GF

 

[mom25kiddos]

Thanks for all of the great advice, I should clarify, the majority of the time will be at the GF, I don't have a say in that which is totally fine. We won't have all of our children in our room for that week, they will be spread among the two other rooms. The reason for staying at GF is that it is on the monorail, which for my parents is a must. They have gifted us this trip, so I do not want to suggest my family stay elsewhere, it is just for the two nights before they arrive (where we can't spread our kids among other rooms) we need a spot that accommodates all seven of us (one is under 3, so six plus a baby). I would not chose GF for our family trip, but am hardly going to say no to that It is about access for my parents, and the monorail offers them the ability to get back to the room easily and still be able to take part in the fun (they are in their 70s). Thanks again for all the great advice-so, what would you do for two nights, prior to the week beginning at GF?

 

[quandrea]

I'd still rent a villa some where. Then you could do laundry before packing up and moving. I hate laundry when I get home from holiday.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Have you considered staying offsite for the two nights? You could either get 2 rooms on International Drive for less $$ than 1 room at a value on property. Kind of like a vacation before a vacation. Find a place that has a nice pool and near SeaWorld and then join your family at the GF when they arrive. I believe there are lots of condos you could rent as well off property that could accommodate all of you in one unit. As I said, you could have a fun, non-theme park, vacation to get ready for the Disney vacation. WDW can be pretty overwhelming and tiring, especially for little ones. As the added bonus, you wouldn't have the cost of park passes for 4 kids, 2 adults for 2 days as well!

Tom

 

[mom25kiddos]

another good suggestion, thanks. We have stayed off site many times-it is our usual, to rent a big house and rent a van and drive. Since we won't be renting a car, I figured something onsite would be easier-then we could use magical express (not bring a million car seats). but we likely will do a resort day the one day we are on our own. We arrive on the 14th, but it is a long travel day, so will be eating and hitting the pool, going to bed. the 15th we are on our own for the day, do a resort day and maybe DTD. Then the next day my parents arrive. Just not sure off site would be worth the vehicle rental and such? We have never done on site so was trying to immerse in that to make this trip different than others-we have commonly stayed at Windsor hills.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Book POR pool view so the kids can hit the pool right outside their door. Cheaper and more special for the kids. I also second the aoa comment.

 

[J_RabbitTN]

Hello.

#1: You will love the GF especially with all the kids. It is so easy to take the monorail to MK or Epcot. The pool area is great and we love the resort.

#2: As far as the 2 days beforehand... Have you considered a cabin at Ft. Wilderness? You can swim at the pool during the day and explore the Bay Lake resorts via boat and then monorail. You can do the campfire/smores and movie at night. You will be able to see the MK fireworks and you have front row seats to the water parade.

Let us know what you decide.

: )

 

[J_RabbitTN]

Oooooooo!!! I just saw that yall have never stayed onsite before! Definatley stay onsite if you can swing it. I have done the extended family vacations and while amazing it is also stressful trying to keep such a large group happy. I would stay onsite the two days beforehand and just relax. Believe me, there is plenty of Disney Magic to be had outside of the parks. What we love about Ft. wilderness is there is room for the kids to run around. We have never stayed there but have visited often. We typically stay on the monorail line. You can look up ideas on Pinterest but you can do a scavenger hunt at the resorts. From Ft. Wilderness you can take the boat loop. It goes from the campgrounds to the Contempoary to the Wilderness Lodge and back to the campground. From The Contempoary you can take the monorail to the Poly and the GF.

I love when people stay onsite for the 1st time. : ) I am looking forward to hearing what yall decide.

 

[mom25kiddos]

I hadn't really considered the cabins as I hear it is far, but since we aren't doing parks maybe that would be cool, I will look! So two nights of cabin or AoA family suite? kids ages are 11, 10, 5, 4, and 2 (and yes we know what causes it, yes we are done )

 

[sharadoc]

I hadn't really considered the cabins as I hear it is far, but since we aren't doing parks maybe that would be cool, I will look! So two nights of cabin or AoA family suite? kids ages are 11, 10, 5, 4, and 2 (and yes we know what causes it, yes we are done )

The cabins have so much to do and see, you won't even miss going to the parks those 2 days. Great activities, nightly movies with Chip and Dale singalong, petting zoo, fireworks from the beach and the electrical water pageant. Playgrounds, tetherball, volleyball, archery, shuffleboard, canoe rentals, cane pole fishing, wagon rides, horseback riding -whew! That's all I feel like typing right now. It's wonderful, peaceful, and just plain fun!!

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I agree that the cabins are terrific...but they can also be very expensive! Personally, I would stay at Pop for the 2 nights - if you want to explore you could always take ME to Ft. Wilderness. I think it really depends on your budget.