Not sharing a "room" with kids

[jhoannam]

We plan to go back to WDW in May 2016. I asked DH were he wanted to stay, he said he didn't want the long bus ride, we stayed the Pop last time, and didn't want to share a room with the girls. He likes to wind down at the end of the day, and that was impossible sharing a room with the girls. What would be our best resort/room.

 

[Crystal824]

You could rent DVC points to get larger accommodations at a fairly reasonable price or you could get a family suite at Art of Animation or All Stars if you want to stay on property. You could also rent a cabin. I don't know how old the kids are, but if they are old enough you could just do two rooms anywhere. You could also rent a car if you don't want to deal with the buses.

If you are willing to stay off property, you could rent a house or any number of time share places. We stayed at Vistana once in a two bedroom once. It was very spacious. In fact, I would love to stay there again. Any place off property, you would definitely need to rent a car.

 

[maxiesmom]

No matter where you stay, unless you drive you will have a long bus ride to one or two parks.

How much is budget a factor? There are all sorts of options, but they range from not so horrible to outrageously expensive. The cheapest on site option would be an All Star Family Suite and they run around $240 a night and up, depending on the season. The AoA suites and Wilderness Cabins both start at over $300 a night. The other end of the range is the Grand Floridian, where one bedrooms start at over $1400 a night.

 

[IBLarsen]

Would definitely consider renting DVC points for a one or two bedroom villa. Would likely be cheaper than renting two rooms, and the DVC properties are all at the Deluxe resorts which are at least closer to most parks. We loved Wilderness Lodge Villas, and a quick boat ride to Magic Kingdom. You could also look at OKC with DVC points, they are roomier one and two bedrooms.

 

[Happyjen27]

It certainly is more expensive than the values, but DVC to some monorail resorts would be a wonderful way to have the kids go to bed in one room, and be able to relax in a separate space.

Another option is to get 2 rooms in a value resort. He will have a long bus ride, but, his own hotel room to chill in separate from the rest of you. My husband and I do this on cruises, get 2 cabins. One for the kids and one parent, one for the other parent. We switch off every other night who sleeps in which cabin so we both get some down time. It works great, but, will include that long bus ride he wants to avoid if you do this at a value resort.

An off site stay is a 3rd great option, but, it involves driving and traffic. I've heard the drive from off site is sometimes more convenient than on-site transportation.

 

[robinb]

If your husband really wants a space to get away from the kids, I would rent a 2-bedroom villa at Bonnett Creek and drive to the parks.

 

[MandiC]

If you want to stay on-site you have 3 options.
1. Family Suite at AoA or an All Stars resort. I thought I heard AoA has dedicated buses? Never been there but something to look into.

2. Cabins at FW, boat ride to MK, you could also take the boat to hop on the monorail for Epcot/Hollywood Studios. It would still be a bus ride to AK and from what I have heard the internal bus system can be a headache, you can rent a golf cart for that though.

3. DVC room at a monorail resort. Most expensive but will give you both things, the only time you would have to ride the bus is to AK, the others are a quick monorail ride away (and with MK if you stay at the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower you can walk)

 

[Southern Bell]

We have stayed at AOA in the suites and we enjoyed the extra space, table, fridge, microwave etc., All Star Music has a cheaper suite.

We have done two rooms and that was good also.

The only way we have been able to cut down on travel time is to drive ourselves. If you get to HS or Animal Kingdom very early and a little before it opens you can park near front and is an easy walk to front gate. We do not drive to MK because of taking the ferry.

We have stayed at the fort in our camper and it is nice to take the boats. Its a nice change from the bus. The campground is so big they do have to run bus inside to get you to were you want to be, swimming pool, boat dock, trading post, etc., Other wise everyone would have to rent a golf cart or walk a long ways! We ask for a campsite near the lake in loops, 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 to eliminate the need for taking a bus to catch the boat to MK and Epcot. That helps some on this. I'm not sure if Cabins are near the boat dock. But that would be my first choice or near the pool with children. I would want to eliminate taking a bus one place or another.

 

[anonymousegirl]

If you rent a one bedroom DVC, then the kids would have to have the bedroom (or else the parents are trapped in the bedroom after the kids go to bed in the living room). Same for the AofA suites. That means the parents sleeping on the sofa bed.

I would definitely look at two rooms or the 2 bedroom villas. The villa won't come cheap and they sell out fast. 2 rooms at a value or a moderate will be cheaper.

To avoid a long bus ride, choose the monorail resorts (fast access to MK, monorail access to EPCOT, bus access to DHS and DAK), or the EPCOT resorts (walking distance to EPCOT and DHS, plus boat to DHS, but horrible buses to MK and DAK). Avoid Animal Kingdom lodge as it is far away from everything except DAK.

 

[kwdw]

We plan to go back to WDW in May 2016. I asked DH were he wanted to stay, he said he didn't want the long bus ride, we stayed the Pop last time, and didn't want to share a room with the girls. He likes to wind down at the end of the day, and that was impossible sharing a room with the girls. What would be our best resort/room.

Are you talking about teenagers or little ones? Sure, a 2 bedroom villa would be awesome, but its expensive! Two value rooms might be your cheapest option. AoA family suite and FW cabins in between.

As for the bus rides, there's no one place that is close to every park. Either pick the resort based on distance to the parks you plan to visit the most, or go, with my solution and rent a car.

 

[gigi1313]

A possible option would be a standard room at a deluxe with a balcony... we have often taken turns relaxing on the balcony while the other parent puts the kids to bed... an added bonus to that is that most deluxe rooms have an extra bed in addition to the two queens, which gives more sleeping surfaces.

 

[Schmeck]

We plan to go back to WDW in May 2016. I asked DH were he wanted to stay, he said he didn't want the long bus ride, we stayed the Pop last time, and didn't want to share a room with the girls. He likes to wind down at the end of the day, and that was impossible sharing a room with the girls. What would be our best resort/room.

There's going to be at least one 'long bus ride' if you go to all four parks on your trip, so tell hubby that. 15 minutes on a bus is too long for him?

Can he 'wind down' at the bar at the resort?

What would the girls and you like?

 

[buzznina]

Just prepare your husband for some sticker shock, because when you go up to suites or villas the cost jumps big time. I personally like having the whole family together, we have a great time.

 

[AZMermaid]

We own DVC and could never go back to one room. We get one bedrooms and it works for us, but we are okay with being trapped in the bedroom part when the kids go to bed. At least we can use the lights! I think BLT has two bathrooms (feels less trapped) and is walking distance to Magic Kingdom and monorail to Epcot. I'd look into David's vacation rentals to rent DVC points, but be aware of the two drawbacks to renting points- no refunds or changes and no daily maid service (unless you pay extra for it). You get maid service every fourth night.

 

[Oodalally13]

Why not leave mr grouchy pants at home and make it a girls trip? Or if he wants to be so selfish and you want to accommodate, leave the kids and take a grown up trip.

 

[AZMermaid]

I don't think that's selfish at all. My kids are almost 3 and 4. They go to bed at 7, maybe 8 on vacation. They have been up after 8:30 twice. I'm nuts about them getting their recommended sleep, and they are still always at the bottom of the recommended range (11-13 hours for my little one- naps count), 11 for my older one. No way do I want to sit in the dark for 2-3 hours!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Our greatest trip yet was the three bedroom Disney themed town house at Windsor hills. A washer and dryer, three bedrooms and bathrooms, private pool. Meals befor the park, cold drinks to pack, three tv's, full kitchen
For $599 and cleaning fee. You sometimes can find last minute deals for $299 too.
The condo sleeps six, town house eight. We went with four and it was an amazing time.

From the exit of Windsor to pulling in the parks was about 15 minutes. It's the exit following the one to the resorts, down to a red light, second left on Old Wilson lake road and half mile on the right your home. There are so many eating choices, everyone loved Perkins and the cost was great.

I can't stand the thought of four walls any more, and love having the space with a washer and dryer in the home.

 

[Oodalally13]

I don't think that's selfish at all. My kids are almost 3 and 4. They go to bed at 7, maybe 8 on vacation. They have been up after 8:30 twice. I'm nuts about them getting their recommended sleep, and they are still always at the bottom of the recommended range (11-13 hours for my little one- naps count), 11 for my older one. No way do I want to sit in the dark for 2-3 hours!

I wasn't responding to your post, just the situation of the OP. Doing what you are doing is the same as at home. It just seems the OP dad has a LOT of demands.

 

[Gracie09]

Rent a DVc room or look at the cabins at fort wilderness

 

[robinb]

I don't think that's selfish at all. My kids are almost 3 and 4. They go to bed at 7, maybe 8 on vacation. They have been up after 8:30 twice. I'm nuts about them getting their recommended sleep, and they are still always at the bottom of the recommended range (11-13 hours for my little one- naps count), 11 for my older one. No way do I want to sit in the dark for 2-3 hours!

My DD would go and go and go and go and go until she would collapse. Like you, there was no way I would return to my room by 7-8 and sit in the dark! My solution was different, though. We would let her fall asleep in her stroller and we would keep on going .