Opinions please - Grand Villa vs. multiple rooms?

[ReneeQ]

Yesterday I was talking to my husband about possibly having a big "family reunion" DVC trip in about 2 years. We would like to do this with my family, then a few years later with his family. We each have parents, a brother, and 2 sisters. Some are married and a few have kids.

We own at BWV and VWL. I was saying how we could maybe get a grand villa at OKW. (Couldn't afford the GV points at BWV!) He said, oh no, you mean we all have to stay together, couldn't we just get everyone a studio? I had never thought of that.

So I got to figuring points - we would probably arrive on a Sat. and leave on a Fri, so 1 weekend and 5 weekday nights. Well, the points are probably cheaper to NOT get the GV, but get a 2BR and another studio, or possibly all studios - haven't decided.

Anyway, what has everyone else done? He's thinking we might all like our "space" in the evenings and our privacy. A few have small children/babies, and others are single, so the touring schedules might be quite different. I'm thinking my husband's idea is a good one. What has worked for you?

Thanks!

 

[Richyams]

We always get the OKW Grand Villa. We only get it with one other couple and let the kids take the third bedroom. I don't really feel that you are on vacation when youhave to share the room with the kids.

You may have a very difficult or impossible time getting an OKW Grand Villa. The lower point times of year book up very quickly. Often you have to reserve these one day at a time at the eleven month window.

The dining room in the GV and the family room make for a real nice size area to congragate in. Even the deck can have a bunch of people on it.

I would get a GV for your family and invite one other family, have the rest of the familys buy into DVC and get their own studios.....but that's just me.

 

[drusba]

I would also think that it will be difficult to get the GV at 7 months out. When we do large family groups we intentionally avoid getting one GV. When we have done events like that staying in one large unit we found the result to be the same. First day, everyone is pleased to see each other, great time, all for one one for all. Second day, some old wounds start to surface and tensions start to rise. Third day, murder is on the minds of too many. As a result, we always do it with at least two and often three different units; in fact; we have even done it at WDW by staying at different resorts.

 

[ncligs]

drusba,

Excellent post!!!!!!!!!

 

[DVCJman]

I would vote to go with the Grand Villa. It is nicer to me that everyone can be together and share the experience. You have three bedrooms (two upstairs) that people can go to for some peace and quiet. The only sleeping area that could be in a bit of a quandry would be the person(s) sleeping on the pull out sofa. If the numbers are right and the sleeping arrangements can be made it would be my vote to go with the GV. But it is to each his/her own on how they wish to spend a vacation....have fun!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I know I posted on this board about a 1 BR vs. 2 studios and felt convinced that 2 studios were the way to go. Privacy was one reason. And although I'm not sure how many bathrooms in a GV, each studio has a bathroom. Also, if one family is tired and wants to go to bed, everyone else tends to stay in the living room, making it difficult for real quiet for that 1 family. And yet, they don't want 1 family to make everyone else be quiet. I vote for studios!

 

[HookdonWDW]

You may want to remember that if you go with just studios, you won't have a "gathering place" for all the families, if you want to get together. The GVs are great for that. If you want a little privacy, how about the 2BR/Studio option?

 

[DisneyJen]

We are taking our family ... my parents and siblings ... to BWV for a milestone birthday in May. There are 12 adults and a 9 year old going. We have a 2bd-rm for DH, DD, my mom. my dad and me. We got 3 studios - 1 for DB, DNie, DNep, DSil; 1 for DB and DSil. and 1 for DB and DSil. I originally wanted a grand villa but after an honest and open chat with all involved we agreed that this was the best way to go. We will use the 2 bedroom as a gathering spot.

 

[mikesmom]

Another good reason to get separate rooms is that if anyone pulls out, you can cancel rooms that are not needed. We are going down in May and have reserved a 2 bdrm and 2 studios. We have relatives who are always very iffy about commiting far enough ahead of time. This way we could start dropping off studios as necessary if someone cancelled.

 

[sgtpet]

Go with the 2 bedroom studio concept. My DW and I discuss about inviting relatives and we think that giving them a studio is much more economical and much better for yours truly. We would be going crazy by the end of the trip. At least with the 2 bedroom you could gather and then sleep quietly away from each other.

Good luck

 

[ReneeQ]

Thanks everyone for all your posts! This is something we would like to do in about 2 years, but I need to start using points/saving points with those plans in mind. I'm thinking the 2BR and studio(s) combinations are the way to go. Great point about being able to drop a studio if someone backs out, too.