Newbie here.... a few questions

[SmittyCO]

I'm starting to plan a trip for December 2014.....

1. When is the best time to book?
2. Where is the best place to have 14 people stay? (6 kids, 8 adults)

 

[DisneyWisher]

I'm starting to plan a trip for December 2014.....

1. When is the best time to book?
2. Where is the best place to have 14 people stay? (6 kids, 8 adults)

You can book as soon as they release 2014 rates which I think they have done. Depending on when in December you go I'd keeping my eyes out for possible discount (around mid summer) though the closer to Christmas less likely they are to offer discounts.

Where to stay is going to depend on your budget. You should probably check out Allearsnet.com. They have great info, pics and menus. You will want to know when your 180 day so you can make any ADRs.

 

[spiceycat]

even DVC won't allow 14 people in one villa. 12 people yes - 14 no.

beside a Grande vista at WDW is very expensive.

would go for OKW (if you are renting a reservation from a DVC member) and/or SSR if renting directly from disney.

get two 2-bedrooms villa - that would sleep 8 (ssr) or 9 (OKW) in each villa.

now if you don't care about price - then love BLT - their lake views are very nice and not quiet as hard to get as there standard or theme park views.

BLT is walking distance to the MK and monorail to Epcot.

GFV should be opened then - monorail to MK and Epcot.

If you go with a DVC member than Jan, 2014 is the best time to book your Dec trip.

with Disney it is unpredictable when they will have BLT units to rent - so would start asking now - and really get involved in May and June

BWV and BCV are walking distance to Epcot and walking or boating to Studios.

AKV is near AK but you can't walk or boat to AK. it does have animals.

 

[SmittyCO]

Wow.... thank you both so much! We won't be doing a DVC plan....

 

[Sue M]

There are so many WDW resorts, and different prices. So which resort to pic would depend on budgets. I'm guessing its multiple families? Don't know your dynamics either. As a rule, the value resorts havev2 double beds, the moderates have 2 queens (except CBR has doubles, and one section of Por has a Murphy bed in addition to 2 queens). The deluxe have 2 queens, and some have day bed as well.

Is each family getting there own room? You can have all the rooms linked so they will be near each other.

For a moderate resort, our fav is POR- riverside, in the mansion section.

Allears.net has an Accomodation section with fact sheet for all the resorts, rack rates, and loads of pics.