Resort Advice..Please

[LadyntheTramp]

Why is planning a Disney Vacation so stressful.....lol

I am attempting to plan a vacation for 8 adults (me, my husbad, my mom and dad, my brother, my two sisters, and my grandmother). I just finished planning a trip in October for myself and my husband, which was easy compared to planning this next one for June!

So my delimma lies in that this trip needs to be done on a budget but also I want it to be really special because it will probably me our last family vacation.

I have done price comparisions and I think I have a plan.

We are going to rent DVC points for an AKL Villa, Undercover tourist tickets, and dining out of pocket with TiW card...that will come to about 1000 per person. Also I have never rented points before is it easy? Should we look into trip insurance? Who do you rent with? (I was thinking David's Vacation Rentals.)

If we get two rooms at AoA it is only $50 less per person, so I think the 50 extra is worth it.

My main problem comes with discounts...What if free dining is available or a room only discount? If I rent DVC I can't change...Also with dining everyone needs to be on the same package correct? So my husband and i would need to by tickects even if we have an AP? Are discounts even available in June..It looks like we will be going June 16 to June 23.

There are just so many possibilites I don't know what to do...Would you stay value and hope for a discount or would you suck it up and stay deluxe even if the value is cheaper?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[laceemouse]

I don't think free dining has ever been available for June, last year the last date for it was early March I think. There may be room discounts though, it depends on how bookings are going.
I think the DVC unit would be nice and comfy, but even if you get a good deal renting points it is never cheap. Still, it would be nice have a living room for all of you to sit around in, kitchens to fix meals in, etc.

 

[Pakey]

Are you planning on getting a Grand Villa (3 bedroom)? I own DVC and I've stayed in a 2 bedroom at AKV. No way would I consider doing 8 adults in a 2 bedroom. I did it with 6 adults and just about went crazy. We did a Grand Villa with 8 people and it was nice.

I've never rented points since I own but most people have been happy doing it.

 

[twinboysmom]

I think a villa is fine but have you considered sleeping arrangements? Will some people be ok sleeping on pullouts and is everyone ok to share a bed? I think for 8 adults you might consider a grand villa or possibly an offsite vacation home (one of the 4 or 5 bedroom ones).

 

[Deb & Bill]

Why is planning a Disney Vacation so stressful.....lol

I am attempting to plan a vacation for 8 adults (me, my husbad, my mom and dad, my brother, my two sisters, and my grandmother). I just finished planning a trip in October for myself and my husband, which was easy compared to planning this next one for June!

So my delimma lies in that this trip needs to be done on a budget but also I want it to be really special because it will probably me our last family vacation.

I have done price comparisions and I think I have a plan.

We are going to rent DVC points for an AKL Villa, Undercover tourist tickets, and dining out of pocket with TiW card...that will come to about 1000 per person. Also I have never rented points before is it easy? Should we look into trip insurance? Who do you rent with? (I was thinking David's Vacation Rentals.)

If we get two rooms at AoA it is only $50 less per person, so I think the 50 extra is worth it.

My main problem comes with discounts...What if free dining is available or a room only discount? If I rent DVC I can't change...Also with dining everyone needs to be on the same package correct? So my husband and i would need to by tickects even if we have an AP? Are discounts even available in June..It looks like we will be going June 16 to June 23.

There are just so many possibilites I don't know what to do...Would you stay value and hope for a discount or would you suck it up and stay deluxe even if the value is cheaper?

Thanks for the advice!

In your case, I'd get three separate rooms.

Youi could rent three separate studios at AKV (or a one bedroom villa and two studios). That would give you three queen sized beds and three double sleeper sofas. And instead of you paying for it all, each group could pay for their own studio. And it will keep them interested. There are tons of stories from just DVC members alone about renting a larger villa to make sure they had enough room and part of the group backing out at the last minute.

 

[LadyntheTramp]

I think a villa is fine but have you considered sleeping arrangements? Will some people be ok sleeping on pullouts and is everyone ok to share a bed? I think for 8 adults you might consider a grand villa or possibly an offsite vacation home (one of the 4 or 5 bedroom ones).

Thank you all for the responses. I think I will look into renting and hope for the best.

As for sleeping arrangements..everyone is fine sharing.

In 2007 we went to Disney with 7 adults and stayed at Pop in 2 bedrooms. The only addition since then has been my husband.
My family also grew up camping for vacation in a pop up camper or small RV (6 people), and we go to the beach everyother year and share a house with 23 people (all family)!

The AKL Villa will seem huge to us..lol

I love planning trips but since this is the last family one for awhile I just want it to be really special.

 

[dskib]

I planned our family vaca for 6 of us, and found that 3 rooms at a moderate resort (POFQ) was cheaper than a villa. I have NOT rented points though, so I can't compare. No one had to sleep on a pull out, everyone had privacy, and everyone had their own bathroom. We could have done 2 rooms, but we have some people who don't feel comfortable bunking together

We rented it during a week that historically offers free dining, so if it got offered later, we could add it. We wanted the dining plan for convenience sake anyway, so it would be a huge savings for 6 people.

The only reason I'd do a villa is if we definitely weren't doing a dining plan and wanted to have a kitchen to prepare meals.

It sounds like you have a laid back bunch willing to pack in together to save money. So I'd just decide if you wan't to focus on the dining plan or not. If you want the option of POSSIBLE free dining, don't rent the points. It's hard, because with 8 people, that's a BIG savings. But make sure you going during a date that has historically offered the promotion.

And don't forget, if you rent points, you don't have maid service every day either.

This year we're using a 30% room discount at a Moderate and skipping the dining plan. Personally, I'd rather have my own room at a Mod than share a crowded deluxe Villa.