Planning a multi-generational Trip! Help me decide on a resort.

[a1tinkfans]

I would Not do treehouse villas.. bugs, dark, nothing but dark n bugs on repeat lol. A total once n done for us. We’ve done both kidani and jambo and I prefer Jambo BUT… it’s so easy between the two with the little transport bus so don’t hesitate to whichever one. Our group needed the grand villa and then we got Xtra rooms. Disney was great and our rooms were all in a long row. One the BEST experiences for our very large family group. Also, the night Safari at kidani ( we chose the latest was it was less booked at the time) was a wonderful experience. Night vision goggles out on the Savannah and so informative as well as Funnn! We learned that Not Everyone had to do Everything together every minute. It actually makes for such fun convo when we ate meals together every night. Kidani was quieter of the two resorts and food really is at Jambo. Wishing you happy planning and an Amazing trip making memories!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Given your kids’ ages, where do you envision spending most of your time? If MK I would give serious consideration to GF or BLT, or if HS/Epcot for the adults then look at BC or BW. I say this because with an ECV you might really appreciate not having to rely on buses to get into the parks.

We LOVE AK and are owners there, but with 3 families you will already be herding cats a bit, and everything is just a little harder when you also have to deal with transit issues.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We just stayed in a 2 bedroom at Kidani and loved it. It was so quiet and peaceful. But we got very, very lucky and got a room very close to the lobby. (We requested a room near the Timon elevator and got a better location than we ever dreamed we would.) If your kids are into water play areas more than a pool, Kidani might be a good fit. The pool, however, was just meh. It looked like kid soup to me, and I never wanted to get swim there.

We've stayed a few times at Jambo House and loved it there as well. Lots more buzz and activity going on, but it's got a much better pool, and the dining options are better there too.

If we hadn't gotten such a great room at Kidani, I would give the edge to Jambo House. If you're not going to get a savannah view, you might be able to overlook the pool at Jambo House, which would be a much better option than the parking lot view you might get at Kidani.

Long hallways in both resorts, but that's true in most of the Disney DVC resorts.

We've only stayed at SSR once or twice, but bus transportation to the parks can be a hassle (just as it is at Old Key West) since both these properties are really spread out, and it can take a long time to make it in and out of the resort. But if you don't mind that, you might consider OKW as an option. As long as you're on the 1st floor you'd be fine (which should be available to you because of your Dad's mobility issue.) The rooms are bigger than at the other resorts, there are 2 queen beds in the 2nd bedroom instead of the more common bed and pull out sofa in other resorts, the views can be really pretty, and the price is right! If you get a room near the Hospitality House, that helps too.

 

[hmansionlover]

My mother-in-law did the same for us back in 1999. 9 of us in total. She was on a budget so we had three rooms at ASM. IT was the first time for everybody in the party and we had a time that will be remembered forever. I still remember watching my MIL enjoy the children, she had the time of her life. We have been back many times since and have been fortunate enough to upgrade to moderates and the occasional deluxe but, that trip will always be the one that stands out above all others. I guess my point is that in the end, 2 bedroom, three bedroom , Kidani , SSR will not be what makes the trip, it's the fact that your doing it together. And when you do things together you will always find yourself on top of each other at some point. I say concentrate on max number of bathrooms (really important when that many people are trying to make rope drop) and the kitchen. The rest of it will all work out in the end. I wish we could do it again it was great. ENJOY

 

[pregnantw4thprincess]

If you have a car then I would also suggest the Treehouse Villas at SSR. If you don't, then I wouldn't consider them.

This was my thought!

 

[RoseGold]

I am guessing you are renting DVC points based on your OP. I would hands down try for a 2BR Boardwalk and a studio. This isn’t impossible and is good value for money.

Both AKL and SSR are completely bus dependent, what a nightmare in an ECV. Someone with two in front of you, and you are waiting 30 mins for the next bus, happened to me.

The other room that might work is the BLT 3BR grand villa if you want to splurge. Walk to MK. Monorail to Epcot.

 

[Eastern]

We learned that Not Everyone had to do Everything together every minute. It actually makes for such fun convo when we ate meals together every night.

This. I have travelled with friends and family and the sticking point is always rounding everyone up together at the same time. People have vastly different internal clocks and ideas of what is 'on time' or 'the optimal time'. Plan for one meal a day and consider the rest free time.

 

[theaterguy]

Hi everyone! My mom has decided to gift our family a week long trip in March 2023. I am helping her plan it and figure out what is best for everyone. Our family rarely takes big trips all together so this is a big deal to her. We are trying to give everyone the best experience while watching the budget. Here are the details…

8 people total. My parents (60), myself and DH (30s), our kids (8 & 2.5), my sister and her husband (20’s).

My mom is pretty set on all of us staying together and wants a kitchen so we are looking a getting a 2 bedroom villa with rented points. We will probably only book standard view due to keeping budget in check.

We will do 3-4 park days. We have been to Disney several times so she wants to do a few more unique experiences and have resort time as well.

Right now we are looking at SSR and AKL. My dad will have an ECV so I am not sure if one of these resorts is better than the other for that.

SSR: We like the updated rooms and the boat to DS. It also feels more serene and relaxing. My mom likes that it has the pull down Murphy bed as that would be more comfy for my sister. It is also a bit cheaper but I am worried about it being so spread out.

AKL: we like the food better here and feel like it’s a more unique experience. No one else in my family has seen this resort and i think the would like the lobby. Also the fact it has interior hallways. My mom does like that the grandkids would like this resort better. Jambo house or Kidani? I like the 2 bedroom layout in Kidani but the resort better at Jambo.

Does anyone have any recommendations? It’s tough to find a place that everyone would 100% enjoy but we are trying. I know each place has pros and cons.

Have you thought about wilderness lodge? very quiet around the resort and layed out well. boat service is only drawback unless you have a car. The new wing at the grand floridian is very nice and affordable too. i always try to stay on the monorail loop; Everything is close at hand. I'm in my 60's and like bay lake the best.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Hi everyone! My mom has decided to gift our family a week long trip in March 2023. I am helping her plan it and figure out what is best for everyone. Our family rarely takes big trips all together so this is a big deal to her. We are trying to give everyone the best experience while watching the budget. Here are the details…

8 people total. My parents (60), myself and DH (30s), our kids (8 & 2.5), my sister and her husband (20’s).

My mom is pretty set on all of us staying together and wants a kitchen so we are looking a getting a 2 bedroom villa with rented points. We will probably only book standard view due to keeping budget in check.

We will do 3-4 park days. We have been to Disney several times so she wants to do a few more unique experiences and have resort time as well.

Right now we are looking at SSR and AKL. My dad will have an ECV so I am not sure if one of these resorts is better than the other for that.

SSR: We like the updated rooms and the boat to DS. It also feels more serene and relaxing. My mom likes that it has the pull down Murphy bed as that would be more comfy for my sister. It is also a bit cheaper but I am worried about it being so spread out.

AKL: we like the food better here and feel like it’s a more unique experience. No one else in my family has seen this resort and i think the would like the lobby. Also the fact it has interior hallways. My mom does like that the grandkids would like this resort better. Jambo house or Kidani? I like the 2 bedroom layout in Kidani but the resort better at Jambo.

Does anyone have any recommendations? It’s tough to find a place that everyone would 100% enjoy but we are trying. I know each place has pros and cons.

Honestly, speaking from experience, I would consider location first.

Both MK & Epcot resorts offer not only their own amenities, but easy access to other resorts & activities.
For those times when the young'uns need to escape the room for some ice cream & fun on the Boardwalk or when adults want to 'resort-hop' by themselves or return for some R&R, it's then so easy to all meet up wherever for your next family activity.

It allows you plenty of family time while expecting there may be other times when smaller group activities help everyone enjoy themselves more when all together. It will be a busy time at WDW. Everyone's energy & comfort levels may not be the same. Good to have options close by & easy to reach.

PS. I love SSR & AKL but I do find both more limited in being accessible to other resorts & the parks.

 

[buzlite]

1) Copper Creek cabins if money is no option.
2) BLT is great because of its access to parks and its modern. Also the tower is attached to the main lobby which makes it easiernn
3)ssr or okw if you need lots of room

 

[Goofy4]

We stayed at the Boardwalk for one of our family trips, and then FW Cabins/Kidani for another. If you are fans of Epcot and HS, I would lean towards an Epcot resort as there are things to do in the evening if you just want to stroll. It worked out well for using an ECV as well.

Of course, you will be spending time at MK, so I would be tempted to look at a Monorail or MK boat resort if spending multiple days there.

 

[_19disnA]

Our family rarely takes big trips all together so this is a big deal to her.

We learned that Not Everyone had to do Everything together every minute.

I have travelled with friends and family and the sticking point is always rounding everyone up together at the same time. People have vastly different internal clocks and ideas of what is 'on time' or 'the optimal time'. Plan for one meal a day and consider the rest free time.

While it sounds like the OP's parents are trying to make this vacation an extended 'Hallmark' moment, I think the reality of 3 families going on vacation together can be a challenge. Since this group has apparently not done joint vacations, I think you need to discuss plans/expectations ahead of time to avoid issues when you are actually at Disney.

Where you stay is just one aspect of this vacation and staying in one multi-bedroom unit may not be the best choice. Some will probably want their personal space and likely won't want every minute of the vacation to involve everyone else. There are various other threads that talk about the issues/challenges of joint vacations involving multiple families.

 

[CharissaOKC]

Thank you for all the feedback everyone! I think we will be ok in a 2 bedroom. We all spent 8 nights in a suite in AoA last year (minus my dad who didn’t come). We are a close family and do a lot together.

Where this trip is different is that my mom wants to cover most of the trip. We take a lot of trips together but they tend to be lower budget and closer to home as we all are in different places financially. So I guess that is what makes this trip “big”.

I did learn a lot with our last trip with the planning. We will definitely have a few things we all will do together but I will plan a lot of flex time where everyone can do what they want.

 

[CrystalClear82]

Hi everyone! My mom has decided to gift our family a week long trip in March 2023. I am helping her plan it and figure out what is best for everyone. Our family rarely takes big trips all together so this is a big deal to her. We are trying to give everyone the best experience while watching the budget. Here are the details…

8 people total. My parents (60), myself and DH (30s), our kids (8 & 2.5), my sister and her husband (20’s).

My mom is pretty set on all of us staying together and wants a kitchen so we are looking a getting a 2 bedroom villa with rented points. We will probably only book standard view due to keeping budget in check.

We will do 3-4 park days. We have been to Disney several times so she wants to do a few more unique experiences and have resort time as well.

Right now we are looking at SSR and AKL. My dad will have an ECV so I am not sure if one of these resorts is better than the other for that.

SSR: We like the updated rooms and the boat to DS. It also feels more serene and relaxing. My mom likes that it has the pull down Murphy bed as that would be more comfy for my sister. It is also a bit cheaper but I am worried about it being so spread out.

AKL: we like the food better here and feel like it’s a more unique experience. No one else in my family has seen this resort and i think the would like the lobby. Also the fact it has interior hallways. My mom does like that the grandkids would like this resort better. Jambo house or Kidani? I like the 2 bedroom layout in Kidani but the resort better at Jambo.

Does anyone have any recommendations? It’s tough to find a place that everyone would 100% enjoy but we are trying. I know each place has pros and cons.

I'm assuming since getting a a space with a kitchen that the family will be preparing some meals???
Where I would rate SSR higher, is based on food options.

We stayed at AKL in May. We stay-cationed and had food delivered as the food options are VERY limited.
(I understand that its like that every where but being that AKL is further out than other resorts, it felt even more so.) IE no flavored coffee creamer. No PB in the mornings.... Things that we have found readily available at other Deluxe Resorts.

Not totally knocking AKL... We otherwise enjoyed it. I think AKL has a better experience than SSR.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

Hi everyone! My mom has decided to gift our family a week long trip in March 2023. I am helping her plan it and figure out what is best for everyone. Our family rarely takes big trips all together so this is a big deal to her. We are trying to give everyone the best experience while watching the budget. Here are the details…

8 people total. My parents (60), myself and DH (30s), our kids (8 & 2.5), my sister and her husband (20’s).

My mom is pretty set on all of us staying together and wants a kitchen so we are looking a getting a 2 bedroom villa with rented points. We will probably only book standard view due to keeping budget in check.

We will do 3-4 park days. We have been to Disney several times so she wants to do a few more unique experiences and have resort time as well.

Right now we are looking at SSR and AKL. My dad will have an ECV so I am not sure if one of these resorts is better than the other for that.

SSR: We like the updated rooms and the boat to DS. It also feels more serene and relaxing. My mom likes that it has the pull down Murphy bed as that would be more comfy for my sister. It is also a bit cheaper but I am worried about it being so spread out.

AKL: we like the food better here and feel like it’s a more unique experience. No one else in my family has seen this resort and i think the would like the lobby. Also the fact it has interior hallways. My mom does like that the grandkids would like this resort better. Jambo house or Kidani? I like the 2 bedroom layout in Kidani but the resort better at Jambo.

Does anyone have any recommendations? It’s tough to find a place that everyone would 100% enjoy but we are trying. I know each place has pros and cons.

I think AKL would be great for your family. The trade-off between Jambo and Kidani is that Jambo has the more impressive lobby, a larger number of activities, and additional restaurants (Boma buffet, Jiko formal, and the Mara quick service + Victoria Falls lounge with some food). The pool at Jambo is also outstanding. We have always chosen a 2-bedroom at Kidani, though, just for the fact that they have three bathrooms. You can go over to Jambo fairly easily, though I would not recommend walking. I think the pool at Kidani is very nice. If you are at Kidani and you want to stay within the same building some of the time for meals, Sanaa has excellent fast breakfasts and very nice dinners. (I recommend the butter chicken, if you don't like spicy food. The bread service is outstanding with multiple sauces.) I have used an ECV at Kidani and had no trouble at all getting around. It was easy to take on the bus. The driver will let the person with the ECV board first, then the family members traveling with them, then the rest of the people in line. They are really quick about getting everyone on board. The hallways at Kidani are quite long--longer than Jambo, I think, but with an ECV they are easy to navigate. I had never used an ECV before Disney and do not use one at home, but I caught on quickly. The rental ECVs have a very tight turning radius, which makes it easy to navigate. Also, if you enjoy watching animals, there are excellent viewing areas at AKL, including some lobbies with balconies and rocking chairs.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

I think AKL would be great for your family. The trade-off between Jambo and Kidani is that Jambo has the more impressive lobby, a larger number of activities, and additional restaurants (Boma buffet, Jiko formal, and the Mara quick service + Victoria Falls lounge with some food). The pool at Jambo is also outstanding. We have always chosen a 2-bedroom at Kidani, though, just for the fact that they have three bathrooms. You can go over to Jambo fairly easily, though I would not recommend walking. I think the pool at Kidani is very nice. If you are at Kidani and you want to stay within the same building some of the time for meals, Sanaa has excellent fast breakfasts and very nice dinners. (I recommend the butter chicken, if you don't like spicy food. The bread service is outstanding with multiple sauces.) I have used an ECV at Kidani and had no trouble at all getting around. It was easy to take on the bus. The driver will let the person with the ECV board first, then the family members traveling with them, then the rest of the people in line. They are really quick about getting everyone on board. The hallways at Kidani are quite long--longer than Jambo, I think, but with an ECV they are easy to navigate. I had never used an ECV before Disney and do not use one at home, but I caught on quickly. The rental ECVs have a very tight turning radius, which makes it easy to navigate. Also, if you enjoy watching animals, there are excellent viewing areas at AKL, including some lobbies with balconies and rocking chairs.

I will add--we were there in December and January. We only ate at AKL part of the time. Group of 6, but I could easily see how you could fit 8 into a two-bedroom. There would be multiple options. In terms of dining options, I would highly recommend Artists' Point at Wilderness Lodge for the characters, food, and ambience, if it is not too scary for the youngest. The evil queen is fantastic.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

I will add--we were there in December and January. We only ate at AKL part of the time. Group of 6, but I could easily see how you could fit 8 into a two-bedroom. There would be multiple options. In terms of dining options, I would highly recommend Artists' Point at Wilderness Lodge for the characters, food, and ambience, if it is not too scary for the youngest. The evil queen is fantastic.

One other comment about AKL: It is a long bus ride to parks other than Animal Kingdom itself. This has not bothered us, but could be an issue.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

One other comment about AKL: It is a long bus ride to parks other than Animal Kingdom itself. This has not bothered us, but could be an issue.

Well, I guess I am adding another comment after reading several of the previous posts: If you have slept okay on a sofa-bed before, I think you will find the queen sofa-bed in Kidani quite comfortable. It has worked well for us, with stays of a week or so. I found it relatively firm, compared to other sofa beds. The major drawback from my point of view is that the people using the sofa bed have to be up and dressed or at least presentable when anyone else wants to come into the living room area. In past years, we were at Kidani a number of times for stays of about a week with my parents, who were in their late 80's. Both of them were using ECV's at the time, but I was not yet. Their ECV's fit comfortably in the space. They had the "master" bedroom with the king bed and really nice shower and jacuzzi. We had 8 all together, but because 2 were women in their twenties, we wound up using the 2BR + studio arrangement at that time. If you plan the sleeping spaces, you can see whether you think the 2BR arrangement will work for you. Now with just 6 of us, it works fine.

 

[IndyToThere]

One other comment about AKL: It is a long bus ride to parks other than Animal Kingdom itself. This has not bothered us, but could be an issue.

Honestly, only MK and Disney Springs are 'long' on the bus rides. Both Epcot and HS are relatively close and shorter bus rides than a number of other resorts going to these parks. When we stayed there for a week, Disney Springs was the only destination where I really noticed the length of time on the bus.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

Honestly, only MK and Disney Springs are 'long' on the bus rides. Both Epcot and HS are relatively close and shorter bus rides than a number of other resorts going to these parks. When we stayed there for a week, Disney Springs was the only destination where I really noticed the length of time on the bus.

Yes, good points! The ride to Magic Kingdom is a bit long though, the OP's family will definitely want to go there. They could probably skip Disney Springs.