Need Resort Help! 4 adults + 4 children

[TygrGyrl]

Although I have been to Disney World about a dozen times, I have only had to plan for my family. I am going to need a room/rooms for 4 adults and 4 children (9, 9, 8 & 5). What is the best budget friendly option? There will be me, my fiance, his 9 yo DD, My 30 yo DD and grandsons 9, 8, 5 and my 28 yo DD. Can we all fit in 1 room/suite anywhere? If not we can do 2 rooms, I'm just not sure what the best option is.

Also, I have always gone in the fall, but we need to go in the Spring of 2017, NOT Spring Break time, when is the best time to go?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Although I have been to Disney World about a dozen times, I have only had to plan for my family. I am going to need a room/rooms for 4 adults and 4 children (9, 9, 8 & 5). What is the best budget friendly option? There will be me, my fiance, his 9 yo DD, My 30 yo DD and grandsons 9, 8, 5 and my 28 yo DD. Can we all fit in 1 room/suite anywhere? If not we can do 2 rooms, I'm just not sure what the best option is.

Also, I have always gone in the fall, but we need to go in the Spring of 2017, NOT Spring Break time, when is the best time to go?

No, you cannot fit in one room. The best you can do onsite is a two bedroom DVC villa or DVC Treehouse Villa. Most of them will sleep eight or nine. But you are going to have people sleeping in the living room. Otherwise, you'll need two hotel rooms at a minimum. The value resorts will have hotel rooms that have two double beds (not queen beds) and sleep four people. You'll have to figure out how to fit everyone into the two rooms.

Offsite, you'll be able to find lots of villas that have multiple bedrooms for a lot less than DVC villas, either by renting a DVC reservation or by reserving directly through Disney.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

If you want to be on property, I'd suggest two moderate rooms. I would go with CBR it POR which can sleep five...that way you have more options.

If being onsite is not important, rent a condo/house close to WDW.

Early May is probably a good time spring travel time, or the first week of June before schools let out.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Your most budget friendly option is 2 value rooms, though I don't know how comfortable you would be as those rooms only have double beds. 2 mod rooms would give you queen beds and some mod rooms offer an additional murphy bed, though there is no guarantee you will be given one of those rooms. 2 deluxe rooms would give you more space (and would obviously cost more), but many of those resort rooms do have a day bed, so you would get an extra sleeping spot. I would recommend looking at the treehouse villas at Saratoga Springs as they would hold your entire party.

 

[Marionnette]

Although I have been to Disney World about a dozen times, I have only had to plan for my family. I am going to need a room/rooms for 4 adults and 4 children (9, 9, 8 & 5). What is the best budget friendly option? There will be me, my fiance, his 9 yo DD, My 30 yo DD and grandsons 9, 8, 5 and my 28 yo DD. Can we all fit in 1 room/suite anywhere? If not we can do 2 rooms, I'm just not sure what the best option is.

Also, I have always gone in the fall, but we need to go in the Spring of 2017, NOT Spring Break time, when is the best time to go?

While agree that 2 resort rooms would be the most affordable choice (Value Resort for the cheapest, Moderate for more comfort), I think that you would need to factor in the sleeping arrangements. You have 8 people and 4 beds when it comes to the Value Resorts, which could be a problem given the make up of your group. If you upgrade to a Moderate Resort and stay in one of the resorts that have rooms that accommodate 5 people, you will have a bit more flexibility when it comes to who ends up sleeping where. You could share a room with your fiance and his daughter while your DDs and the grandsons could be booked in a room for 5 people (if you book 5 in the room, you are guaranteed one with a Murphy bed).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

if you book 5 in the room, you are guaranteed one with a Murphy bed

But the other room might be on the other side of the resort, so do factor that in.

I think you need to balance group issues with cost. I'd be looking for a Treehouse Villa (put kids in the bunk beds), or a 2BR DVC rental at Old Key West or Saratoga (cheapest).

 

[rwdavis2]

As was mentioned look into staying offsite. A vacation rental in Windsor Hills is close by and very affordable. We've used All Start Vacation homes. Laundry, kitchen, lots of bedrooms/bath rooms.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Given the family dynamic, basically 3 families traveling together, I would do a vacation home or Bonnet Creek (3 or 4 bedroom). If I absolutely had to stay onsite I would 3 rooms at the minimum or a Treehouse villa.

If it's two rooms who would sleep where? Would your fiancé's kid have to sleep with one of your grandkids? How well does she know them? Would your 28 year old share a room with you and your fiancé and his DD?

Just sounds like an overcrowding nightmare to me.

 

[happymommy]

I agree that two rooms is still way too tight!

Since you have three families basically, I would look at three rooms.

The value resorts would be the most economical. Spring discounts aren't out yet, but likely something will be offered!

Spring break varies widely, so any time you're there during the spring, it may be someone's spring break.

Not sure if you are flying or will have a car, but also the Disney Springs hotels can offer more affordable rates. The don't offer Magical Express though, so if you're flying in you would need to arrange transportation from the airport and factor that into your budget! Your daughters may like the look of the Doubletree Guest Suites, and may decide it would be okay to share one suite, though. Each has a bedroom with two queen beds plus a sofa sleeper in the separate living room. I've stayed there many years ago with my parents (I was an adult), and I took the sofa sleeper. I've also stayed there for one night with my kids and husband. It's not quite a "resort" but a fine hotel for sleeping. The Holiday Inn gets good reviews too. The bus service is adequate, definitely not quite as frequent at the Disney resorts, but not bad at all, and MUCH better than most offsite resorts.

If you did an offsite house rental, you would need two rental cars or an 8 passenger van, but that would be challenging as you'd all have to keep together. I would rather have Disney do the driving, so wouldn't go that route.

I am already booked (did it a couple months ago) for next spring break. Without discounts, our room at Pop Century is running $195/night weekend nights and $160/night during the weekdays. I'm hoping for a discount or deal through an agency at a deluxe resort, but at least have that booked for now.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Also to add, personally I would prefer to stay onsite so I would do 3 rooms at a moderate.

 

[sharadoc]

I think with the size and makeup of your group, staying onsite provides good options for transportation and activities. If you stay offsite, you'll have to travel as a big group, onsite there are constant bus, etc. options if some want to go back to the room and others want to stay in a park.

If you could give a better idea of what you need we could probably make a few good suggestions. Looks like your DD and 3 sons would be together, would your other DD stay with you or with them? Does your fiancé's DD need a separate sleeping area or could she be in the same room with you?

If my assumptions above are correct, your best, least expensive option would be 2 rooms at POR, with your DDs and grands in a room with a trundle. The OKW 2br DVC villas would sleep 9 - 3 in the living room on the sofabed and chair, 2 in the king bed in the main bedroom, and up to 4 in the second bedroom on 2 queens. You'd have a full kitchen and full size washer and dryer and 2 bathrooms. Lots of fun activities at OKW - the pool area is great, there's a basketball court, shuffleboard, a small arcade and multiple quiet pools. There are laundry rooms at the quiet pools too so you could do multiple loads while taking some time to swim. There should be a 25%, or 30% discount available for spring. Other DVC properties would also sleep 8, SSR is a nice option for some fun pool areas and access to Disney Springs.

You could also do family suite and single room at All-Star Music. That would give a kitchenette, a living room and 3 bathrooms all together.

Early May is a beautiful time to go, most schools are still in session and the weather is lovely.

 

[maxiesmom]

You could also do family suite and single room at All-Star Music. That would give a kitchenette, a living room and 3 bathrooms all together.

This is the idea I like. You would get plenty of space, and even a living room to hang out in. Plus with a kitchenette you could do breakfast in the room and save some money that way. Cereal/doughnuts/microwave bacon in the room is lots cheaper than resort quick service.

 

[KrazeeK120]

In this particular situation, I think you're going to need at least 5 sleeping surfaces. I am going to make a guess that your fiance's daughter isn't going to be comfortable sharing a bed with anyone else in the party.

I'd get 2 rooms at either POR or CBR. You, your fiance, and his DD in one room, and the rest in another room. This assumes that your 2 DDs can share a bed, 2 of the boys can share a bed, and the third can sleep on the pull-down murphy bed.

Your other option would be to go ahead with a family suite, but bring along an air mattress for fiance's DD.

If your fiance's DD is comfortable sharing a bed with her dad, you could, in theory, have her and dad in one bed and you and one of your daughters (the one who is not the mother of the boys) in the other bed in the same room, and then your other DD and her boys in another room (and that DD would have to share a bed with one of her sons). But, this arrangement would allow you to get 2 rooms at any resort.

This, of course, assumes you want to stay on property. If you want to stay off property, there are a variety of condos/hotels which can meet your needs.

 

[BabyFu18]

Personally I'd want 3 rooms, but it really depends on what the other people in your traveling party want to do. It's a huge personal preference if people want to share rooms, share beds, etc. or if they want personal space. I'd do each family in their own room for sure, then allow your single older daughter to pick if she'd like to share with someone and split the cost or if she'd rather have her own room and some private space.

 

[Deb & Bill]

A family suite at the All Stars will cost more than two single rooms. So the cheapest option would be three rooms at a value resort.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your other option would be to go ahead with a family suite, but bring along an air mattress for fiance's DD.

This won't work. Maximum occupancy for the Family Suites is six.

Now, they could get a two bedroom Villa and bring an air mattress or two.

 

[MikiZen]

The Art of Animation Resort might work for you because they have family suites that are not too overpriced. You would, however, have to book an additional standard room (they are The Little Mermaid themed). I beleive doing this would be cheaper than staying in a delux resort that can accommodate the entire party. The family suits are also themed witch is a plus and the resort hosts the largest pool on disney property (I believe it is The Little Mermaid themed).

Amenities for standard rooms

• Hair dryer
• Internet - Free WiFi Service
• In room safe
• Telephone with voice mail
• Mini-refrigerator
• Alarm clock with radio
• Iron & ironing board

The Little Mermaid Standard Room

Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area
2 Double Beds or 1 King Bed

Sleeps up to 4 Adults

Standard Room Rate

Standard Room Rate $169.67USD
Avg/Night Excl Tax



Amenities for suites

• 
  
  • Microwave
  • Internet - Free WiFi Service
  • Hair dryer
  • Telephone with voice mail
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Alarm clock with radio
  • Kitchenette
  • Iron & ironing board
  • In room safe
  • Coffee Maker

The Lion King Family Suites

Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area
1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Table Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa (if needed you could bring an air mattress or have it sent to the hotel before your arrival)

Sleeps up to 6 Adults

Standard Room Rate

Standard Room Rate $384.33 USD
Avg/Night Excl Tax

Cars Family Suites

Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area
1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Table Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa (if needed you could bring an air mattress or have it sent to the hotel before your arrival)

Sleeps up to 6 Adults

Standard Room Rate

Standard Room Rate $384.33USD
Avg/Night Excl Tax

Finding Nemo Family Suites

Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area
1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Table Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa

Sleeps up to 6 Adults

Standard Room Rate

Standard Room Rate $401.00USD
Avg/Night Excl Tax


To view pictures of the rooms I suggest visiting tripadvisor or the disney website.

I hope this has been helpful .

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The capacity in the family suites is 6 persons - not 6 adults.

They're a party of 8, they can't book one family suite.

 

[happymommy]

The above poster was stating they'd need a Little Mermaid room as well.

It would still be less usually to book 3 value rooms.

No news from OP?

 

[maxiesmom]

A family suite at the All Stars will cost more than two single rooms. So the cheapest option would be three rooms at a value resort.

It would. But they could make use of the kitchenette and end up saving money over 3 standard rooms.