Party of ~9, Which Resort?

[KJeff90]

Planning for a trip that is well over a year away(Mid-Late August, or Early Sept 2018), but I thought I would get some input on which resort we should look into. We're going to be taking on the ambitious challenge of making this trip work for 9(maybe more/less) people. With the magic of a cast member discount, and such a large number of people splitting the costs equally, quite a few resort room options are being considered, and within reach. I know it's ultimately up to our group to decide, but arguments for/against options would be great to tell them. But before we get to that, I guess it's important you know some stuff about our travelling party...

Here are some fun facts about our large party :
1- There's going to be somewhere between 8 and 10 of us.
2- We're all from California; half from the Los Angeles area, the other half from the Sacramento area. We're all very familiar with Disneyland, only a very few have ever ventured out to WDW.
3- It'll be a playful combination of cousins, siblings, couples; all in our mid-late 20s:
~ Me
~ My Brother
~ Couple 1 (Male Cousin and his soon-to-be Wife)
~ Couple 2 (Female Cousin and her Boyfriend)
~ Female Cousin (From Couple 2)'s Sister [Might bring her boyfriend]
~ 17-year old Male Cousin

"The Second String"ers - If someone backs out from above, the following are lined up to jump in(might not need for options that only sleep 8):
* Soon-to-be Wife (From Couple 1)'s Sister
* Soon-to-be Wife (From Couple 1)'s Best Friend

4- It may sound like that old riddle about the fox, sheep, and sack of hay trying to get from one island to another with one boat, but as far as sleeping surfaces: all couples are assumed to sleep in the same bed, my bro and I can share one, but would prefer not to, second stringers would probably prefer to be in separate beds.
5- I can book up to 3 rooms with the discount we're receiving.
6- While we do want to save money(which the cast discount will help with immensely), we're looking for accessibility to amenities, parks, and overall experiences. The difference in price between our most/least expensive options per person is surprisingly reasonable.
7- All of the options listed below are resorts we've never stayed at, so personal experiences from you kind folks would be great!

Here are the main options we're considering, ranked from most to least affordable(there's only a difference of ~$65/person, for the week, between the top and bottom options on the list...based on 2017 prices):
- 2 Cabins at Fort Wilderness (Sleeps up to 12)
- 1 2-Bedroom Villa at Old Key West (Sleeps up to 9)
- 1 2-Bedroom Villa at Saratoga Springs (Sleeps up to 8)
- 2 Suites at Art of Animation (Sleeps up to 12)
- 1 Treehouse Villa at Saratoga Springs (Sleeps up to 10)
- 1 2-Bedroom Villa at Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village (Sleeps up to 9)
- 1 2-Bedroom Villa at Boulder Ridge Villas @ Wilderness Lodge (Sleeps up to 8)

There are second string options for resorts too!
- 3 Rooms at any of the All-Star Resorts(Technically sleeps up to 12)(This would ultimately be the most affordable option, more of a last resort really. Pop Century is not really an option at this time unfortunately, but could be, come next year.)
- 1 2- Bedroom Villa - Lake View at Bay Lake Tower @ Contemporary (Sleeps up to 9)(This would be our "splurge-within-reach" option.)
- Any other options/combinations you kind folks of the DIS can provide!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would strongly suggest looking at the bed configurations of each option. For instance, a 2BR at OKW or AKV will have a king bed, 2 queen beds, a sofa bed and a chair bed. At Saratoga or BRV, this becomes a king bed, 1 queen bed, and 2 sofa beds.

A treehouse villa is 2 queens, a sofa bed, a chair bed, then a bunk bed for 2 people. They are shorted than normal twin beds, the treehouse bunks. A treehouse sleeps only 9.

If everyone wants a bed, the 2 rooms at an All-Star may be a good option.

 

[gayles]

How long will your visit be ? Also that's a lot of people jammed in 2 Rooms . I understand your trying to figure out Sleeping arrangements. But consider 3 rooms . Since that's a lot of people ( Adults) getting ready for bed at Night & Getting ready in Morning . You might all need some. " Elbow Room" Cabins 3 of them plus some people would have option to walk around Camp area. Boat Ride to MK is Fun for all !

 

[happymommy]

To me, that's a bit too close for comfort. I would assume each couple would want their own room, so would go with a value resort and allow for that. I understand you can only get three rooms at the discount, but late summer rates are still pretty low, and with rack rate sometimes free dining comes out as well.

So, to me, I'd do you and your brother in one room, each having your own (double size) bed.
Then the next two couples each get their own rooms.
Then the remaining 3 may share one room (but it is tight - I did two nights just me and my kids last spring in a room at Pop, and while it's fine for two, it was a bit tight for all 3 of us). Still, most 17 year olds don't mind sharing a bed or living quarters as much as I do!

So, you could probably get by with 4 rooms at a value resort.

AOA is really geared towards younger kids, so that doesn't appeal to me much for your ages.

For young adults, the Epcot resort area is the most fun. Not sure if the BWI or the YC/BC are an option.

Just because something sleeps 8, it doesn't necessarily mean comfortably. That puts two sharing a sofa sleeper, in the living room (unless it's AKV Kidani, but I've stayed there and with both the chair and sofa opened up, you have literally no space to move about).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would do 3 rooms at the Beach Club, Yacht Club or BWI. The villas do not have enough comfortable sleeping surfaces for that many people IMO. Also the Epcot resorts are perfect for those ages and group.

You can do you and your brother in one room. One couple and a single in a room each. That way each person that wants their own bed can have one and the couples would still have their own bed.

Or get four room so each couple has their own room and just split the 4 rooms cost wise equally. We did this once for a girls trip. We got a few discounted rooms and one full price. We just totaled everything up and split it 9 ways.

 

[KJeff90]

A treehouse villa is 2 queens, a sofa bed, a chair bed, then a bunk bed for 2 people. They are shorted than normal twin beds, the treehouse bunks. A treehouse sleeps only 9.

If everyone wants a bed, the 2 rooms at an All-Star may be a good option.

I think for the sake of comfort, we're going to have to rule out the Treehouse Villas, I dont think even the shortest of our party would enjoy being stuck in one of those bunk beds, Thanks for helping me realize this, _auroraborealis_.

How long will your visit be ? Also that's a lot of people jammed in 2 Rooms . I understand your trying to figure out Sleeping arrangements. But consider 3 rooms . Since that's a lot of people ( Adults) getting ready for bed at Night & Getting ready in Morning . You might all need some. " Elbow Room" Cabins 3 of them plus some people would have option to walk around Camp area. Boat Ride to MK is Fun for all !

After reading _auroraborealis_'s post above, I think we're going to have to rule out the cabins because of those bunk beds; having them be there and not being used is just inefficient and I think would be wasted effort. Three cabins to spread us out does seem comfy, but getting three of them would blow us over the budget line. Thanks for the input though, gayles!

To me, that's a bit too close for comfort. I would assume each couple would want their own room, so would go with a value resort and allow for that. I understand you can only get three rooms at the discount, but late summer rates are still pretty low, and with rack rate sometimes free dining comes out as well.

So, to me, I'd do you and your brother in one room, each having your own (double size) bed.
Then the next two couples each get their own rooms.
Then the remaining 3 may share one room (but it is tight - I did two nights just me and my kids last spring in a room at Pop, and while it's fine for two, it was a bit tight for all 3 of us). Still, most 17 year olds don't mind sharing a bed or living quarters as much as I do!

So, you could probably get by with 4 rooms at a value resort.

AOA is really geared towards younger kids, so that doesn't appeal to me much for your ages.

For young adults, the Epcot resort area is the most fun. Not sure if the BWI or the YC/BC are an option.

Just because something sleeps 8, it doesn't necessarily mean comfortably. That puts two sharing a sofa sleeper, in the living room (unless it's AKV Kidani, but I've stayed there and with both the chair and sofa opened up, you have literally no space to move about).

Thanks for the reality check on comfort as a deciding factor, happymommy. 4 rooms would be nice at a value resort, but it's not an option as I'm only limited to three rooms max for the discount I'm given. Also, we don't mind the playfulness of Art of Animation, it is Disney World afterall...we still have that kid-like maturity at times. I think if we did AoA, we could lock away the couples in their rooms, and have all the "single-lings" spread among the living/dining room beds. the Epcot resort area would be nice, but pricing somehow looks like it'll be three-four times what it would cost us at the villas. Finally, I do have my fingers crossed for free dining somehow making it 's way into my cast member hands for that time of year.

I would do 3 rooms at the Beach Club, Yacht Club or BWI. The villas do not have enough comfortable sleeping surfaces for that many people IMO. Also the Epcot resorts are perfect for those ages and group.

You can do you and your brother in one room. One couple and a single in a room each. That way each person that wants their own bed can have one and the couples would still have their own bed.

Or get four room so each couple has their own room and just split the 4 rooms cost wise equally. We did this once for a girls trip. We got a few discounted rooms and one full price. We just totaled everything up and split it 9 ways.

I like that you've introduced the idea of getting multiple room types to break up the monotony of multiple room reservations. Again, the Epcot area resorts are not really an option right now because they are ridiculously pricey for us(I think our discount is not as high as the other options, but that can change once the 2018 rates come out). Thanks, mi*vida*loca, I now have a new way at looking how we can squeeze everyone together, but not too close.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Finally, I do have my fingers crossed for free dining somehow making it 's way into my cast member hands for that time of year.

I believe that even with CM discount, it is either a room discount, or free dining. Not both.

 

[AshleeH]

Our group of 9 stayed at BLT in the 2BR villa. That's our go-to room, so it was a no-brainer to invite our friends (we just moved our kids to the pullout couch). It has 3 bathrooms, which kept everything perfect. Our friends had the second bedroom and their own private bathroom for the two of them and their two kids, we used the master with master bath for ourselves and our toddler, and my boys had the bathroom off the entryway for themselves. Worked out great and we all had such a great time that we're planning on doing the exact same thing next year.

 

[KJeff90]

I believe that even with CM discount, it is either a room discount, or free dining. Not both.

Oh, good to know. Since it is over a year away, I'll keep an eye out if something is made available this year, and hope that it happens next year. We're prepared to pay for a dining plan in any case. Thanks again, _auroraborealis_!

Our group of 9 stayed at BLT in the 2BR villa. That's our go-to room, so it was a no-brainer to invite our friends (we just moved our kids to the pullout couch). It has 3 bathrooms, which kept everything perfect. Our friends had the second bedroom and their own private bathroom for the two of them and their two kids, we used the master with master bath for ourselves and our toddler, and my boys had the bathroom off the entryway for themselves. Worked out great and we all had such a great time that we're planning on doing the exact same thing next year.

Thanks for sharing your experience AshleeH! The fact that there are more bathrooms in the 2-bedroom villas was something that stood out to us. BLT's accessibility to the monorail, boats, and MK overall would be something fun to With so many people in one "room" it would definitely help out with getting ready in the mornings and getting to the parks sooner. With possibly two suites at Art of Animation, the efficiency is even greater with 4 bathrooms total.

 

[Regan117]

Whenever we take 9 people, we rent points for a grand villa. The 2-bedrooms just aren't big enough. I'd recommend 3 separate rooms.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I too would consider a grand villa (sleeps 12). But also consider that you can get 2 2BR villas for the price of a GV. (Sleeps 18)

 

[Regan117]

I too would consider a grand villa (sleeps 12). But also consider that you can get 2 2BR villas for the price of a GV. (Sleeps 18)

True. If you don't mind not all being together, that would give you even more room! We like all being in one room, but if it didn't matter, I'd definitely get 2 2-bedroom villas.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I think I would do either 2 or 3 rooms at Port Orleans Riverside. You have my (free) recommendation of either a preferred rooms in Alligator Bayou or Royal Rooms. If you book a preferred room you get close access and two queens plus a pull down bunk. The bathrooms have two sinks, a curtain to provide privacy, and the commode and shower are behind a door for a bit more privacy.

The resort provides a fun boat to Downtown Disney for nightlife and the live music at French Quarter and Riverside are excellent. If you are a group of 8, two rooms would be fine. For 10, I would go with three rooms, but you could legally stuff everyone in two rooms in the Preferred Section. The value resorts lack hot tubs, truly quiet pools, nightlife, and indoor bars. A moderate provides great options for 20 somethings, especially Port Orleans.

The Royal Guest Rooms at Riverside only sleep four each, but they are extensively themed and extraordinarily well done rooms. If you are only a groups of 8, I would consider staying there.

The DVC properties you listed provide things like a full kitchen, but is everyone really going to want to cook? Will one person end up doing meals and clean up? Two (or three) moderates allows you to keep the cost lower and use that money for things like nice restaurants.

You can request the rooms be connecting so you can move freely back and forth.

 

[rpcvpanama]

How does everyone feel about sharing beds? The couples, no problem, but something to keep in mind with the others going. I would not be comfortable sharing a bed with someone I may only know casually. Also, depending on the room type and splitting equally something to consider as well. If you get a DVC villa and one person is on the pull out I would not be happy paying the same amount as the people getting the real beds.

 

[happymommy]

How does everyone feel about sharing beds? The couples, no problem, but something to keep in mind with the others going. I would not be comfortable sharing a bed with someone I may only know casually. Also, depending on the room type and splitting equally something to consider as well. If you get a DVC villa and one person is on the pull out I would not be happy paying the same amount as the people getting the real beds.

You bring up two very good points. I know I wouldn't share a bed with most folks other than immediate family, but also wouldn't share a room either.

But, sleeping on a sofa sleeper is not equal to having a room to yourself.

 

[DG25]

Here is MHO especially for that time of year.

I would also not consider, the cabins, art of animation, tree house. I also would not consider contemporary, because rooms are on the very small size there and there is a lot of you.

Since your not sure of 8 or 10, it is hard to say because most 2 bedroom are only for 8 so if there is 10 you need a 3 bedroom and did not list any. Also, will you use a kitchen or not, that makes a big difference also.

With that all said, I would for that time of year look at a few other options.

The price difference at that time of year, for port orlean river side and wilderness lodge is very minimal, like $20 difference, the same with Coronado springs and animal kingdom. With that said, I would pick wilderness lodge or animal kingdom, bunk bed rooms, you would get more space in a deluxe resort, you would get 1 queen bed and one set of regular size bunk beds, in each room. That time of year you will also get free dining possibly, well for you it will not be free under the discount room, but it will be discounted dining also, that is what we got twice when we went under a cast member anyway, a 40% discount on dining plan. That saving in those rooms would give you the best of bedding I would think. Animal kingdom also has bunk beds.

Another option would be a three bedroom villa. A 3 bedroom villa would give you space for 12 to sleep, and at old key west and Saratoga springs, a three bedroom would be cheaper than a 2 bedroom at any of the other villas. That would be my first choice if you really want a kitchen, also.

My other option that I would not take but you might like, would be two suites at all star music? The couples would have a bedroom, and the singles would have the living area, but they are pull out sofas and chairs, two suites would sleep 12, there also would be 2 bathrooms in each suite so you would have 4 bathrooms between all. I am just not a fan of values and have never stayed in any so I can not tell you what these suites are like, maybe someone else could, as for bathrooms and getting ready, and able to sleep the couples together and the singles together this would probably be you best option. You would get 4 bathrooms, two queen bedrooms, two living rooms with 4 twin beds ( 2 as pull out chairs and two as pull out ottomans) and 2 full sofa beds.

 

[DG25]

Just thought, you could also, get one suite and one regular room next to each other at all star music, this giving you a different option, two full beds in one room and then the suite, or even one suite, and two regular rooms. That time of year a regular room would cost about $100, the suite with discount maybe $200 or less, three rooms there would give you so much room especially if one is a suite, it would be like getting four rooms for the price of three.

 

[happymommy]

No adult would sleep in a bunk bed; my kids did them when they were 4 and 6, and that was fine. But NO adult would do them! It would be absurd.