Most economical option for VERY LARGE family

[megs1313]

Our best friends have wanted to go to WDW for-ever, but they have modest means. last year, they became foster parents. Currently, there are 7 kids in their care. We have decided to try to help make their Disney dream come true. We're aiming for a trip next january (2018.) All together between their family and ours (though their foster babies may not be with them by then) there would be 12 guests. I've just started looking and I see that there are deluxe resort options that will sleep all of us, but what I want to know is if that's going to be the least expensive option or if multiple rooms at a moderate or value resort would actually be more economical. Does anyone have an idea? Or any other suggestions on getting started trying to work this out. And yes, we've talked about it with them. They'd pay for their transportation to get there and for their park tickets. We'd be covering the room cost. TIA!

 

[nyscene911]

Something with that many people, the best option is probably renting somebody's house off-site. There's a number of them that would fit your party size, and would be much much cheaper than one of the suites that would work.

you can find them on places like VRBO

 

[Nancyg56]

Our best friends have wanted to go to WDW for-ever, but they have modest means. last year, they became foster parents. Currently, there are 7 kids in their care. We have decided to try to help make their Disney dream come true. We're aiming for a trip next january (2018.) All together between their family and ours (though their foster babies may not be with them by then) there would be 12 guests. I've just started looking and I see that there are deluxe resort options that will sleep all of us, but what I want to know is if that's going to be the least expensive option or if multiple rooms at a moderate or value resort would actually be more economical. Does anyone have an idea? Or any other suggestions on getting started trying to work this out. And yes, we've talked about it with them. They'd pay for their transportation to get there and for their park tickets. We'd be covering the room cost. TIA!

I thnk that a lot depends on your dates and the sleeping arrangements needed.

For your crew I woudl also want to know if I was factoring meals into the cost, and if so, the ages of the kids. I am pretty good at gaining the biggest bang for my dining buck, so I tend to look at how I can stretch the plans and which ones I should pay for. For instance, do you plan on character meals for the kids? If so, they are expensive, so depending on the ages of the kids, i woudl look at how I could plan rooms and then start building spreadsheets to compare the cost of meals vc the deluxe DDP on some of the rooms.

If you can give us a little more info we can then begin to look at options for your. Group

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I suspect off-site, with a kitchen, will be the most economical in every respect with a group that size.

On-site, multiple rooms at a Value will generally be cheaper than even renting points for a Grand Villa, which is the only individual unit that would sleep 12. However, there MUST be an adult as lead on every room booked at a Value, and you would likely end up in different parts of a resort across the 3-4 rooms required.

 

[megs1313]

I thnk that a lot depends on your dates and the sleeping arrangements needed.

For your crew I woudl also want to know if I was factoring meals into the cost, and if so, the ages of the kids. I am pretty good at gaining the biggest bang for my dining buck, so I tend to look at how I can stretch the plans and which ones I should pay for. For instance, do you plan on character meals for the kids? If so, they are expensive, so depending on the ages of the kids, i woudl look at how I could plan rooms and then start building spreadsheets to compare the cost of meals vc the deluxe DDP on some of the rooms.

If you can give us a little more info we can then begin to look at options for your. Group

My friend's family is like this:
Mom & Dad, 5 bio kids: 13, 12, 9, 5, 4. 2 foster babies: 3, 2.

My family: Me & DH, 3 kids: 11, 9, 3.

My mom (who is willing to let pay for an entire room herself and let any number of my kids/their kids/other adults sleep in it to help with cost for our friends.)

We won't do any character meals. We will stay on site (as I value this as part of the total experience.) I don't usually do the meal plan because it's too much food for us. We'll be planning to take this trip in january of 2018 during what will hopefully be non-busy times so that there will be some discount room offers. We're going this january with an AP discount to CBR and the rooms are $127/night! We're looking at 4 or 5 nights.

 

[_Sarah_]

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness may be a good option if you want to stay on site - and they fit 6 guests each. They have a small kitchen to cook meals, which would help save money.

We stayed in a cabin last April and loved it.

 

[anna samantha]

Cabins at Fort Wilderness might be worth a look. I haven't stayed yet but it sounds like a really great place.

 

[DemonLlama]

For a party that size, I'm pretty sure your on-site best value is going to be three Value resort rooms. If you get lucky with a discount, that could come in at around $350 a night (guessimating both the discount and the taxes involved) to sleep 12 (4 per room)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

With that mix, you would need 4 Value or Mod rooms, most likely, and at least one of your kids would need to bunk with your mom.

 

[Lvsdisney]

January 2015 I was able to get an ASMu suite for less than $200 / night. They technically sleep 6, but maybe the budget would allow for 3 of them. The extra bathrooms would bonus, as would the kitchenette (saving $$ by preparing your own meals vs buying). Plus the masters have queens vs doubles, which would be more comfortable for you and your DH and your friends. The downside is the kids sleeping on pull outs, but my son didn't mind it.

ETA: I just searched for this month and a discounted price was $191 for a weekday.

 

[bumbershoot]

With the fosters, do they need to pay attention to boy vs girl? I know my foster parent friends have to be very careful with that. Not sure about if it counts on vacation or not, though.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Renting a Grand Villa (sleeps 12) at Old Key West for Sunday-Thursday in January would be $2820. They are super nice, and have laundry, kitchen, large living room etc. If that is something you are interested in I highly recommend contacting Davids Vacation Club Rentals http://www.dvcrequest.com VERY soon to arrange. Owners can book for you 11 months in advance.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

But realize that a DVC rental is a final transaction - once rented, you will pay up front, and will not be able to change or cancel for refund.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would look into 2 family suites at ASMu plus a regular room at the resort for your mom.

Perhaps also consider a 2-bedroom plus a studio at OKW as the villa would give you a washer/dryer and a full kitchen which might work well with such a large group.