Need Resort Recommendations for a Girls' Trip (7 of us!)

[8lovesmickey]

We're planning a girls' birthday trip for early October and are thinking about resorts. There will be 7 non-related adults, and we definitely want to stay on site but are looking for recommendations. Would it be best to get 2 adjoining rooms at a moderate? Or rent a DVC? Do the cabins at Ft. Wilderness hold 7? Other thoughts? We will be using Disney transportation & will have parkhoppers, but will probably spend more time at Epcot than anywhere else. I am a frequent visitor but two of the friends have never been to WDW and the others have only been a couple of times. Everyone has a different budget so we will want to be cost-effective without sacrificing too much. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[clayfolks]

I would normally suggest renting points for a two bedroom villa, but you are really pushing it for an early October trip. You are just hitting the 7 month window, so would have to hop on it really quickly. From F&W until Christmas is the busiest time for DVC. There is probably very limited availability (if any) at the Epcot resorts. You might get lucky at SSR.

 

[Sue M]

FW cabins have 1 queen and bunk beds in bedroom, and 1 pullout sofa in living room. So sleeps 6. I think you’d be pretty cramped. And I’m not sure if the bunk beds are full size or child size.
It sounds like a moderate fits everyone’s budget. I’d pick Port Orleans and get 2 rooms in the mansion section. It’s a quick bus ride to Epcot. POR is very centrally located so it’s not far from any park. It has the added benefit of a boat to Disney Springs, and a fun evening entertainer in the lounge. PoFQ is my second fav.
Have both reservations connected as traveling together and request connecting rooms.

 

[happymommy]

If it were me, I'd suggest a value resort and at most 2 to a room. I personally won't share a room with another adult, unless it's immediate family (and no more than one). We stopped sharing a room with our kids years ago. I'd also not want to share a bathroom with more than one other person.

Since you have differing budgets, that's tricky. You get so much more for your money off site, but then transportation is the issue with so many in your party. The Disney Springs hotels have a bus system that isn't too bad.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You could certainly see if a 2-bedroom is available, but chances are slim. If you will be visiting EP frequently, BWV and BCV would be ideal. Otherwise, I would consider two rooms at POR or POFQ. Both are lovely, are sister resorts so share amenities and have a boat to DS. Though not guaranteed, you can request connecting rooms.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We're planning a girls' birthday trip for early October and are thinking about resorts. There will be 7 non-related adults, and we definitely want to stay on site but are looking for recommendations. Would it be best to get 2 adjoining rooms at a moderate? Or rent a DVC? Do the cabins at Ft. Wilderness hold 7? Other thoughts? We will be using Disney transportation & will have parkhoppers, but will probably spend more time at Epcot than anywhere else. I am a frequent visitor but two of the friends have never been to WDW and the others have only been a couple of times. Everyone has a different budget so we will want to be cost-effective without sacrificing too much. Thoughts? Thanks!

“Other thoughts?”: Everyone needs their own bed. So that’s going to be three rooms with someone either on an air mattress or a Murphy bed like some rooms at POR have, which would be ok for a petite member of your group.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Too late for early October for DVC, and the reservation won't be changeable if anyone changes plans, which is an issue for groups of 7.

I would recommend two value rooms if people can share beds, 3 if at least 2 will share but everyone else demands their own.

 

[Cotillard]

With 7 women, you'd need more like 3 cabins to be anywhere near comfortable, in my opinion.
If you're on a strict budget, I'd book a few Value rooms. Check out the 7 in 7 videos currently on the Dis podcast channel http://www.disunplugged.com/category/orlando-podcast-episodes/

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We have a group of ladies that travel together every September. Typically we do a a couple days at WDW then a cruise. It’s been an excellent opportunity to stay in rooms/villas we normally would NEVER do because it’s a split cost. Depending on our numbers each year, of course. I’ve stayed at GF, Poly bungalow, a Grand villa at BLT, and this year will be a Copper Creek Cabin. It’s so fun! I say study your options and make it memorable. Take advantage of the split costs!

 

[8lovesmickey]

All good ideas - I'm guessing that 3 of us will want our own beds and the other 4 will be willing to share to save $. You're right in that we will probably want two or three bathrooms; otherwise getting out of the hotel in the morning would be insane! We will mostly likely spend very little time at the hotel or the pool. I have been declared the unofficial travel agent, so I appreciate the input!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

All good ideas - I'm guessing that 3 of us will want our own beds and the other 4 will be willing to share to save $. You're right in that we will probably want two or three bathrooms; otherwise getting out of the hotel in the morning would be insane! We will mostly likely spend very little time at the hotel or the pool. I have been declared the unofficial travel agent, so I appreciate the input!

If that's the case, you may want to consider 3 rooms at Pop. You'll have three bathrooms and 6 beds. Pop was recently refurbished and the rooms are awesome!

 

[sponica]

All good ideas - I'm guessing that 3 of us will want our own beds and the other 4 will be willing to share to save $. You're right in that we will probably want two or three bathrooms; otherwise getting out of the hotel in the morning would be insane! We will mostly likely spend very little time at the hotel or the pool. I have been declared the unofficial travel agent, so I appreciate the input!

There were 7 of us on a trip to Pop one year. We lucked out and had 2 non connecting rooms that were next to each other. (granted we were in college so we didn't care about the bed sharing and it was back when Pop had full beds). The thing to check is when does everyone shower? If you're all showering in the morning, you'd probably want at least 3 bathrooms. If you're a mixed bunch you can get away with 2.

If you're the unofficial travel agent, do you have the budget from your party? I'd start with that, what's the MOST that everyone is willing to pay and then cater to the smallest number that is given.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

i would do 3-4 rooms at a value since you plan on spending virtually no time at the resort or pool.

I would usually recommend a grand villa but at 7 months out from October i doubt you’ll get a good pick of much of anything. And the only way i would do dvc rental is to get everyone’s money upfront and tell them no refunds if they can’t come. I had to do this for a bachelorette party. One girl backed out and i didn’t give her the money back. She was ok with it.

 

[brewhome]

Two rooms at CBR might work... you can put the four that don't mind sharing in one room, and three that want their own beds in a second room - just make sure to request a room with a pull down bed along with the two queens, and then each person will have their own sleeping space. I'm 5'8" and while the pull down is a little short, I thought it was comfy - I took a nap on it. It's not a guarantee to get a pull down bed, but many of the rooms have them. I go on a girls trip every couple of years with four of us in one room and it works out fine. Make sure the one that takes the longest to get ready in the morning takes the first shower and then go from there.

You'll see a lot about construction at CBR... but it didn't bother us in the least. You definitely see it while you're on the buses and around the resort, but we were never bothered by noise. We enjoyed time on the beach listening to the steel drum bands with some great cocktails from the bar, we loved the quiet pool, and the resort overall is really pretty. We ate all of our meals at the parks and Disney Springs, so the food tent situation didn't impact us in the least. Buses were fine, too.

 

[lmhall2000]

Well, because you like Epcot I would focus on those resorts...convenience is big! I would recommend either two standard rooms connecting, or one of the Villas that fit 8. I would shoot for Beach Club Resort/Villas. If you do hotel room, 3 of you can be in one and 4 in the other...2 queens and daybed gives 3 solo beds. Split the costs 3/4 way. This will be cheaper than villa. But villa gives you more living area...any of the three Epcot resorts would be great! Boardwalk, Yacht, or Beach.

 

[heidijanesmith]

All good ideas - I'm guessing that 3 of us will want our own beds and the other 4 will be willing to share to save $. You're right in that we will probably want two or three bathrooms; otherwise getting out of the hotel in the morning would be insane! We will mostly likely spend very little time at the hotel or the pool. I have been declared the unofficial travel agent, so I appreciate the input!

I agree with 3 rooms at a value, since you will be at EPCOT the most. I would stay at POP. You have three bathrooms and if room size does not matter, I would not go to a Moderate/Deluxe.

 

[SharonZ]

Three rooms at a value.

 

[leebee]

What about a family suite and a single room at a value? Not sure of the cost, but you'd get 3 bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a living room area (that serves as a bedroom) for hanging out. I think the sleeping accommodations would be a queen bed in the suite bedroom, a sofa bed and two (?) chair beds in the suite living room, and 2 double beds in the single room. If I did this, I'd split the cost of the rooms equally, as everyone benefits from 3 bathrooms, and everyone will probably use the kitchenette and living room at some point along the way.