Need help planning multi-family stay

[ProudSoccerMom]

So, my brother and his family have decided to take the plunge and embark on their first Disney trip. Because my sister-in-law is a non-planning, wing it, pay whatever, type, we offered for them to travel with us. I know my brother will never return if he has a bad experience and I know I can make it positive and happy for them. So, I’m gladly taking on all the planning for the trip.

I know what to do when it’s the three of us. Can do it in my sleep. Not sure what to do for two families with a total of seven people. Basically, my question comes down to this...should I try to book DVC and get a larger room type (would need two bathrooms) we all can share? Or, is it better/maybe more economical to book two separate rooms? Right now, we’re looking at either the Wilderness Lodge or the Beach Club in August. Probably second week, but not 100% sure yet. I have the name of an agency that I am going to contact, but thought I’d start here. The planning is part of the fun for me. Anyway, I appreciate any help. Thank you!

 

[HopperFan]

I will always vote book a separate space for each family.
- You already say you are two travel types
- Best trips for us are when folks have their own private space
- If wake up or bed times vary or begin to vary, not sharing is huge
- Sometimes too much together puts too much pressure on everything

Always remember this is your vacation too, an expensive one. I just think that space to retreat and re-energize for you both is important to a successful trip.

 

[3gr8boys]

We made a joint family trip Feb 2014....My DH and three sons (15, 11,7) plus my sister and her DD (8) and DS (10). We stayed in 2 POR Alligator Bayou rooms. We were a couple doors away from each other- close enough For the kids to visit back and forth but far enough to allow separation. (I too did all of the reserving and planning, but put one of the rooms in my sister's name.) It worked well for us.

 

[TwinkleKS]

Two rooms ... that way you can talk about each other when you aren't together

In all seriousness, it is usually nice to have some separate space at night / in the morning. We travel with my parents a lot. I've seen my dad in his underwear before ... I grew up with him ... DH doesn't really want to see that. Or more related to your case, I was there when my brother's diapers were changed, so seeing him first thing in the morning is nothing new for me, but I really don't want to have to get completely dressed before I get a drink out of the common fridge lest I run into my SIL.

 

[sponica]

So, my brother and his family have decided to take the plunge and embark on their first Disney trip. Because my sister-in-law is a non-planning, wing it, pay whatever, type, we offered for them to travel with us. I know my brother will never return if he has a bad experience and I know I can make it positive and happy for them. So, I’m gladly taking on all the planning for the trip.

I know what to do when it’s the three of us. Can do it in my sleep. Not sure what to do for two families with a total of seven people. Basically, my question comes down to this...should I try to book DVC and get a larger room type (would need two bathrooms) we all can share? Or, is it better/maybe more economical to book two separate rooms? Right now, we’re looking at either the Wilderness Lodge or the Beach Club in August. Probably second week, but not 100% sure yet. I have the name of an agency that I am going to contact, but thought I’d start here. The planning is part of the fun for me. Anyway, I appreciate any help. Thank you!

Two separate rooms would be my vote, so that both families can decompress at the end of a day (especially if it's a trip longer than 3 or 4 days). I'm not you, but I'm willing to spend more if it means preserving my sanity.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would travel using two separate rooms. We generally travel as a larger group and we tend to share space in a few rooms, but we are used to traveling together. I would not experiment on sharing a space on a trip that is going to be a make or break experience for someone.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Two separate rooms, no connecting door. That's what I wished we had booked when we traveled with my in-laws . . .

In all seriousness, you will be spending so much time together when you tour the parks, have meals, etc. No need to be in each other's space at the resort.

 

[Ladcassidy]

My extended family stayed in three rooms at the Wilderness Lodge on our big family trip last summer. My family had a 1BR Villa, my sister and her family stayed in a Deluxe Room (club level), and my parents had a standard room. I made all of the room reservations at once, but put them in each family's individual name. I called intending to use a Disney Visa discount, but it turned out that my sister had a pin code attached to her name, so we all used that, instead. I also made all of the ADRs and FP+ for the group of 12.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Separate rooms for each family. You can always add "traveling with" to each reservation if you want to be close to each other.

 

[SharonZ]

I also agree on two separate rooms.

 

[gillep]

Separate rooms, no question.

 

[rosiebean]

We do extended family trips almost every year. Separate rooms are a must! And WDW will (most times) listen to your requests. Last trip, for example, I went with my parents and sister's family...I made reservations for my family and for my parents. My sister made her own room reservation at the same resort. Both my sister and I called to make a note on our res's that we were traveling with each other, but did not require connecting rooms. We specifically said that we did not want connecting rooms with my parents because they needed their own space (as we did ours). I noted on my res that it was ok to connect with my sister...but to just put my parents close to us.

My sister and I had connecting rooms, our parents were down the hall from us. It worked out great!

Regarding other issues when traveling with a group, we try to coordinate fast passes as individual families, but don't sweat if we don't get the same rides at the same time. We just agree to a schedule (what parks on which days) ahead of time so that we're in the same parks on the same days. We are still able to spend a lot of time together, even if we're 30 minutes behind the other riding Soarin', for example.

We try to make ADRs for everyone in our larger party, but if we can't snag a res for the group, we've found that making two ADRs for smaller groups at times close to the other works really well...we check in at the same time and let the restaurant staff know we'd like to sit close to the other. Most times, they can accommodate us at one table. But we stress when checking in that it's not a big deal if that's not possible. In only a handful of ADRs has our extended family party been separated.

If you plan carefully and set expectations (and boundaries) ahead of time, extended family trips work great and can be very fun. Good luck with yours!

 

[siestakeys04]

I would also vote two separate rooms. It’s good to have some alone time. Have fun planning.

 

[SL6827]

It's sounds as if you just need to make two reservations. Since you know how to do with one reservation, just make two. But your on spot already with that travel agency.

 

[toots82]

I'd agree and say separate rooms, not sure on the age of the kids involved but what if someone needs a nap or just some time out and can't really get it as there are so many in the room/apartment. Could make things tricky sometimes, as could different bedtimes (I don't have set bed times for my kids on holiday but I know when they need to get some sleep). I really think it'd be much more enjoyable to have your own space. That way, if so much time together is getting a bit annoying, you can say you're going to relax in the room for an hour and be guaranteed some peace.