Off-site or WL with 4 people?

[wmjeffer]

Hi everyone! I'm having a difficult time working through a decision and I hope you guys can offer some of your thoughts.

My father-in-law and his wife have generously offered to take myself, my husband, and our (then) 5 year old daughter to Disney World in December. This couldn't come at a better time, as we had to cancel our trip this month because of unexpected medical bills. We're so grateful for his offer.

When we first began discussing the trip, I mentioned that we had previously stayed off-site to save money, and that interested them, so I priced out some options and sent it to him. They had only stayed on-site before, so I did talk through some of the disadvantages, so they understood the differences (they haven't been to Disney in 5+ years, so I wasn't sure what they did or didn't know!).

They considered off-site, but my FIL really loved his stay at the Wilderness Lodge and we're looking at the Boulder Creek villas. My daughter could sleep on the pull-down bed (I think it should be ok and hopefully she won't fall out! lol), hubby and I in one bed, and FIL in the other (his wife won't be joining us because of work).

I'm feeling quite apprehensive about this. We've loved the extra space of staying off-site and the thought of everyone in the same room with no place to be alone kind of bums me out. I like FIL very much, but we've never spent much time together, so I'm concerned it might be a little weird. Also, my daughter obviously goes to bed earlier than we do, so that might be tricky as well. Plus - one bathroom! Eek.

But then I think about how awesome it would be to stay at such a wonderful resort. And then I feel bad for even questioning what he wants to do, when he's gifting this to us. And maybe I'm overthinking this and it'll be no big deal - my daughter will be older then too, so that will help with bedtime.

I know that if we told them that staying all in one room wouldn't really work for us, they would do whatever we want, but who am I to deny him this, you know? And I would kind of like to stay at such an awesome resort too. Just feeling like I don't know what to do. I know that no one here can make a decision for me, but if someone has been in this kind of situation or has any thoughts, I'm all ears.

BTW - I am planning on sending them other options as well (like booking two rooms at a value resort), but I still want to get my head straight first so I can feel sure in what I think might be best for everyone.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Personally, staying in the studio with him at BRV would feel awkward to me. Would he consider a 1-bedroom villa at BRV or CCV? You could also look into renting DVC points to bring the cost down on a 1-bedroom villa.

 

[Kimberle]

How about the AofA suites? They have 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms.

 

[danikoski]

Also be aware, someone will have to sleep on a pull out sofa. The studios, and one bedrooms, do not have two real beds.

Personally, I'd look at a 2 bed, although that gets pricey. You could also look at a deluxe room at WL that has two queen beds, fold down couch, and club level access. Also pricey, but depending on discounts, can be cheaper than a two bedroom.
You could also look at a regular room at WL. Others have used a 2 queen room and then put the child on an air mattress they brought. You can do this as long as you don't exceed the room occupancy of 4. And there is room for an air mattress between the wall and queen bed by the patio door.

 

[wmjeffer]

Personally, staying in the studio with him at BRV would feel awkward to me. Would he consider a 1-bedroom villa at BRV or CCV? You could also look into renting DVC points to bring the cost down on a 1-bedroom villa.

I’m not sure if they would be comfortable with the risk of renting DVC points and they are trying to do this economically (their words) which I totally understand (since we usually stay off site, the prices of some of these rooms totally scares me! Lol). Plus - we would need three beds - I don’t think the 1 bedroom villas have three?

How about the AofA suites? They have 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms.

I mentioned AoA in my original email, but I think it may be a better option for us. I think he just really loves WL!

Also be aware, someone will have to sleep on a pull out sofa. The studios, and one bedrooms, do not have two real beds.

Personally, I'd look at a 2 bed, although that gets pricey. You could also look at a deluxe room at WL that has two queen beds, fold down couch, and club level access. Also pricey, but depending on discounts, can be cheaper than a two bedroom.
You could also look at a regular room at WL. Others have used a 2 queen room and then put the child on an air mattress they brought. You can do this as long as you don't exceed the room occupancy of 4. And there is room for an air mattress between the wall and queen bed by the patio door.

Regular rooms are sold out for our dates at WL I don’t think he minds the pull-out sofa (or perhaps doesn’t realize that it might not be the most confortable!). And since he wants to do this economically, I think a two bedroom, while definitely being ideal, would be out of their budget.

 

[danikoski]

Regular rooms are sold out for our dates at WL I don’t think he minds the pull-out sofa (or perhaps doesn’t realize that it might not be the most confortable!). And since he wants to do this economically, I think a two bedroom, while definitely being ideal, would be out of their budget.

WL is popular for December, but also try different variations of your dates. So if you plan to stay a week, instead of just doing 6 or 7 nights, look at combinations of those like 3 nights and 3 nights. It sounds odd, bit Disney's room blocking system is completely ridiculous and I've had it happen where I can't book a week in a row, but I can book 4, then 3 days, or something like that. It has happened multiple times. So there may be rooms available but they may not be coming up. But because it is December, it very well may be booked up too since WL is so popular that month.

 

[danikoski]

If you do the pull out couch, you may want to bring a mattress topper, or have one shipped to the hotel. They aren't the thickest of mattresses, although I don't remember a bar across the middle like most pull out couches. He also may want to try just sleeping on the couch. If the back cushions are removed, it is a decently wide sleeping surface. Just some thoughts. Whatever you decide, you'll be at Disney, so it's all good

 

[wmjeffer]

WL is popular for December, but also try different variations of your dates. So if you plan to stay a week, instead of just doing 6 or 7 nights, look at combinations of those like 3 nights and 3 nights. It sounds odd, bit Disney's room blocking system is completely ridiculous and I've had it happen where I can't book a week in a row, but I can book 4, then 3 days, or something like that. It has happened multiple times. So there may be rooms available but they may not be coming up. But because it is December, it very well may be booked up too since WL is so popular that month.

Oh, I didn't know that! Thank you - I will try that too to give them some more options! How does that work if you have two separate reservations? Can Disney combine them for you?

If you do the pull out couch, you may want to bring a mattress topper, or have one shipped to the hotel. They aren't the thickest of mattresses, although I don't remember a bar across the middle like most pull out couches. He also may want to try just sleeping on the couch. If the back cushions are removed, it is a decently wide sleeping surface. Just some thoughts. Whatever you decide, you'll be at Disney, so it's all good

Thank you for the tip! He is a taller, larger guy, and I do worry about his comfort on the pull-out!

 

[danikoski]

Oh, I didn't know that! Thank you - I will try that too to give them some more options! How does that work if you have two separate reservations? Can Disney combine them for you?

After making the reservation, call, and Disney can connect them. They are almost universally good about keeping you in the same room, unless you book two different room categories. You can also try looking up the rooms, finding them, don't book them, but instead call reservations and see if they can book it as one reservation. Sometimes they can override the system, although I've heard this can be hit or miss and dependent on the CM, but it can be worth a shot.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Since he’s paying for everything is there anyway you can pay a portion of an extra room ?

I wouldn’t want to stay a week in a room with my FIL. But, like you, i would be extremely grateful!

 

[wmjeffer]

Since he’s paying for everything is there anyway you can pay a portion of an extra room ?

I wouldn’t want to stay a week in a room with my FIL. But, like you, i would be extremely grateful!

Unfortunately, even with checking for different date configurations (like 2, 3, or 4 days), there is no availability at WL regular rooms (and to be honest, even that is kind of out of our budget at the moment!) I sent them an email with other suggestions too (like AoA family suite and booking two rooms at a value), so we'll see what they say!

 

[sleepydog25]

If he's comfortable paying for a stay in the villas, then I would simply graciously accept and deal with the arrangement issues. Studios are doable, and if a 1BR is available, they would offer even more room. In short, if he's paying, then let him choose.

 

[wmjeffer]

If he's comfortable paying for a stay in the villas, then I would simply graciously accept and deal with the arrangement issues. Studios are doable, and if a 1BR is available, they would offer even more room. In short, if he's paying, then let him choose.

Yes, true. I sent them an email with several different rooms priced out (including the BRV), so we'll see what they decide I want him to have the vacation that he wants, since he's graciously gifting us this trip!