Need outside opinions-family can't agree...

[Mineu]

We are a family of six (2 A, DS19,18,16, and DD14) planning a trip 12/30-1/3.
I had us booked at AoA. Husband and sons do not think this will work as some of the boys are over 6 feet tall and they do not want to share small beds. They voted for Sarasota Springs 2 bedrooms. I like that idea-but then we can't have the dining plan-and keep in mind large boys like to eat a lot! I then suggested the cabins-more beds and a couch! DD does not like this idea as she wants to be close to a main building with a store and quick service area. I then suggested two rooms at POR-no one likes that idea either-DD does not like the outside door and DH wants a living room area for them to watch tv at night together. So, what do I do-make them happy and keep Sarasota and cancel some of our dining-or just book one of the other options and if so-which one will they like the best?

 

[Aliceacc]

How about 2 connecting rooms at a value??

 

[MMrules]

The 2 BR at Saratoga has a full sized kitchen. With boys who like to eat this may be a great option! You can order food from www.gardengrocer.com and they will deliver the food to your room on the day you arrive. Then you save some money by cooking some meals in your room and not having to worry about the dining plan. The extra room is wonderful especially with those large teenage boys

 

[Pakey]

If you want to do a 2 bedroom, I urge you to book OKW instead of SSR. With 6 adults a SSR 2 bedroom will be a tight squeeze. The OKW units will be larger and will have room to seat everyone if you want to have meals in the villa.

It does have outdoor entrances but since DD isn't paying for vacation, I'd tell her compromises have to be made.

 

[weezyree]

I would say SSR would be great. We fit 6 adults and three tweens in a two bedroom villa there last year comfortably. The kitchen is plenty big enough for lots of food for those growing boys and kitchen equipment.

The beds are all queen size and sometimes on vacation we have to bunk in with someone we might not otherwise do.

I'm not sure why you can't have the dining plan if you stay at SSR??? If you book with DVC, you can purchase the dining plan through them no matter where you stay.

I like the conveniece of the pool, quick service and shopping. The Springs and Congress Park are closest with Congress Park having a less congested pool area.

Have fun either way and remind everyone the same. Enjoy your stay!!

 

[goofyintoronto]

If you want to do a 2 bedroom, I urge you to book OKW instead of SSR. With 6 adults a SSR 2 bedroom will be a tight squeeze. The OKW units will be larger and will have room to seat everyone if you want to have meals in the villa.

It does have outdoor entrances but since DD isn't paying for vacation, I'd tell her compromises have to be made.

I agree with this. DD isnt paying. Book what you think is best. It seems to me that AoA is really the best solution for your family. It has a seating area which is what they want. Are the beds really that much smaller at AoA?

 

[DisGirl819]

I'd go with SSR or OKW as well. You should be able to get the DDP while staying there even if staying on DVC points. We stayed at BCV last year and used the DDP Good luck choosing!

 

[goofy4tink]

As soon as the kids are ponying up some money for the trip, they can decide where to stay!!! Yes. I take my dds opinion into account. BUT...she doesn't get to make the final call.
Understand that if you choose either SSR or OKW, you may be a hike from the central most areas. Either one would be a good choice for your family size.
This is how I would split up the bedding....parents in the master, dd on the living room sleep sofa, the three boys in the second bedroom. If two don't want to share the queen bed, you can get an aero bed (twin size is about $100) and use that. Then just lean it up against the wall during the day.

Since you'll have a full sized kitchen, you can make a lot of breakfasts and lunches there...saving you a ton of money. Eat dinners out. But if you stock lots of snacks and sandwich makings, the boys should be fine.
You can still buy ddp at a villa. Not sure I would since I could do so much eating in the villa, but that's your decision.

 

[RMAMom]

We have the same age groups and I would go with 2 connecting rooms. My husband and I took our 2 DDs who were 24 and 16 and they each brought a friend and we stayed in connecting rooms at ASMu. The connecting door gives me easy access to their room in the morning to "encourage" the 16 yr old to get out of bed or pick up or whatever was going on and then we would head for the parks together and spend the morning together. We cut them loose and went our separate ways for the afternoon and if we didn't meet for dinner we all caught up in the evening at the pool. DH and I were always in bed an hour or two (or 3) before the kids so having our own space was great.

We have gone back several times with just the girls and I always get two rooms. It makes it a much more relaxing vacation for all of us. I request a king room with connecting and for the last 5 years we have always gotten it although they say they can't guarantee it.

 

[Lynne M]

I'd definitely go with OKW as well. It's the most spacious of the DVC two-bedrooms, and you'll be assured of having two queen beds in the second bedroom, plus you've got the sofabed and sleeper chair in the living room. SSR doesn't have the sleeper chair. At OKW, none of the kids would have to share a bed.

It's true that OKW has outside entrances, but they're not at all like the moderates. OKW's buildings are more like condo buildings, and the entrances are fairly private. At most, it'd be just one other room with a door near yours. It's very home-like.

You can get the DDP at any of the deluxe villa resorts, but if the cost is a concern, I'd definitely suggest what one of the PPs did - order in some groceries and have a few meals in the room.

 

[stepdisney]

You can get dining at SSR so no need to cancel your dining. Also, having a full kitchen should make keeping snacks and drinks and breakfast foods easier. I agree with PP that suggested OKW. The two bedroom at OKW is larger than the one at SSR.

 

[MMS1125]

I too would do 2 connecting rooms. If you are going to be in your room for more than just sleeping at night or a pool trip during the day then I'd consider a 2BR but we are park goers and really only use the room to sleep or relax a tad midday before dinner and more park!

I'd consider how much time you plan on being in the rooms before choosing really but I like the idea of 2 rooms and DDP Makes it easy on ev1!

 

[zoom8942]

I dont know if staying offsite is an option, but when we take the whole family, we find we get more for our buck off site. dont get me wrong I love staying onsite, but financially you can get a nice 2 bedroom condo style hotel for about $100 a night. We still have a great time! and we have plenty of room so we dont bump into one another.

 

[ccgirl]

As soon as the kids are ponying up some money for the trip, they can decide where to stay!!! Yes. I take my dds opinion into account. BUT...she doesn't get to make the final call.
Understand that if you choose either SSR or OKW, you may be a hike from the central most areas. Either one would be a good choice for your family size.
This is how I would split up the bedding....parents in the master, dd on the living room sleep sofa, the three boys in the second bedroom. If two don't want to share the queen bed, you can get an aero bed (twin size is about $100) and use that. Then just lean it up against the wall during the day.

Since you'll have a full sized kitchen, you can make a lot of breakfasts and lunches there...saving you a ton of money. Eat dinners out. But if you stock lots of snacks and sandwich makings, the boys should be fine.
You can still buy ddp at a villa. Not sure I would since I could do so much eating in the villa, but that's your decision.

Bolded mine. That is how I feel as well. However, I can undestand boys at that age would not be comfortable sharing small beds. I'm not a big fan of the dining plan anyway (unless it's free). I can always eat cheaper OOP anyway. Especially, staying in DVC and having breakfast before we leave. I would vote for a 2BR anywhere. You could always get grocery delivery and can bring your own waters and snacks into the parks.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[ttintagel]

Here's one more option to throw on the pile. For the cost of a two-bedroom villa at SSR or OKW, you could get three regular rooms at a value resort. You wouldn't have the kitchen feature, though.

 

[Mineu]

Thanks for all of the great replies. We are already planning on breakfast in the room-but we usually stay all day in the parks and have several expensive ADR's planned-so, the dining plan would really help! We have never tried the cabins-any good selling points for these that I can pass on the family?

 

[herb102211]

I would try for a 2 bedroom at OKW. We stayed there this past May and really enjoyed it. If you can request a room near the hospitality house, you will be very close to the gift shop, restaurants as well as the DTD boat.

If you have a car with you, you can park it right outside your building, which is very convenient.

Good luck!

 

[sharadoc]

Thanks for all of the great replies. We are already planning on breakfast in the room-but we usually stay all day in the parks and have several expensive ADR's planned-so, the dining plan would really help! We have never tried the cabins-any good selling points for these that I can pass on the family?

Christmas at Fort Wilderness is really fun, the campers decorate their sites and it feels very festive and Christmas-y everywhere you go. The cabins are very quiet and secluded and you don't have to deal with people running around outside your room or over your head. You won't hear toilets flushing.

BUT - the bedroom is a double bed and bunkbeds. I don't know how your family would split up. Would 2 boys share a double, then you DD and another DS in the bunks?

I think the 2BR at Saratoga or OKW is a good option. I like the SSR choice because the studio room has a sofabed and a bed, so you can have 2 hangout areas.

BUT - final suggestion, for the same cost as a SSR 2BR, how about going to ASMu and get a family suite plus a regular room next door? You'll get the hangout room, lots of beds and close proximity to main building with shopping and food court. I don't think you can get connecting rooms, but certainly the kids are old enough to stay in their own room. Or give them the suite and you and DH take the room, maybe get a king room. This option wouldn't be available at AofA since the regular rooms are only in Little Mermaid whereas at ASMu they are mixed together in Jazz and Calypso buildings.

 

[Tink-aholic]

A 2BR at AKV (Value) rooms are cheaper than SSR and OKW and have interior hallways; as an added bonus, 40% of the Value rooms are Savannah view.

The 2BR at Kidani Village have 3 bathrooms for about the same price as SSR or OKW.

 

[minnie mum]

OP, you've gotten lots of different choices from everyone else. Here's my 2 cents. Keep in mind (given the fact that you will have 4 grown men in your group for all intents and purposes) that any value- whether it is a room or family suite, will only have double beds. I don't blame your guys for not wanting to share these- they're small. They'll be hanging out the end of the beds! So if you opt for 2 adjoining rooms instead of a villa, go with the mods that have queen beds.