Rookie - Family of 5 - Suggestions For Location?

[DaveAlaine]

We are looking to go to Disney for our first time in June/July for a week. Have family of 5 with kids 11, 9, 6. Where do you think we should target renting for the best, 1st time experience? Thank you.

 

[chalee94]

you'll need a 2BR, but the resort depends on your favorite park:

AKV - animals - short bus trip to AK - no sharing of buses to other parks (also, standard 1BRs at AKV will allow a family of 5 to squeeze in).

BCV/BWV - walk to epcot (and studios is a little farther)

VWL - take a boat to the MK

SSR - close to DTD

OKW - not near a park but very large villas

trying to rent 5 or 6 months out is starting to qualify as "last minute" on the timeshare calendar, though. many owners at the smaller resorts (like BCV/VWL/BWV) have already booked their rooms at the 10-11 month mark, so your choices may be a bit limited at this point.

here are some other threads you can read to learn more about renting:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669863

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

 

[hakepb]

AKV (Kidani, should be completed May1) and BCV would have the best pools. You'd have a better shot at AKV (larger resort)
You also need to consider what will make your vacation best? Certain park proximity? CS (counter service) selection?, Table Service restaurants?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since you will need at least a 1 bedroom that sleeps 5, I'd go with Animal Kingdom Villas. The one bedrooms there will have enough beds for everyone! THere will be a king bed in the master, a queen pull out sofa in the living room, and a twin sized pull out chair in the living room also. Plus, if you reserve a savanna view room, you will have lots of great African animals to look at right outside your balcony! Plus, the embiance at this resort is the best! There is also a great pool area (one on the lodge side and another great water park area on the villas side) that the kids will be interested in for sure!

If you think your family is likely to want to spend most of their time at Magic Kingdom, then I would reccomend Villa's Wilderness Lodge, but a 1 bedroom there will only have beds to accommodate 4.

 

[mooneyda]

I guess it depends on what you are looking for . When I take my nieces they really love the BWV/BC area because of being so close to Epcot and Studios but then at night they have nightly entertainment on the boardwalk they have a juggler and my little niece was 3 then just loved the juggler and running around on boardwalk.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Your first problem is your timing. Lots of places may be booked already for June and July. I know I was unable to get my first choice in May/June at 7 months out. I was able to get my second choice, but I have heard others say some of the resorts are booked. If you can't get a one bedroom at AKV with the extra sleeper chair, you'll need to get a two bedroom villa. DVC won't provide any additional bedding or linens for the fifth person in the other one bedroom villas that only sleep four.

 

[CheapMom]

My vote is for AKV- you can go for either a 1 br in kiani or a 2br in Kinani or Jambo. IMO it has the best WOW factor of the DVD resorts.
Good luck- I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[Anal Annie]

I'll throw another vote out there for Animal Kingdom Villas (AKV). The entire property is special, special, special. Currently at Jambo House there's a zero entry pool for your youngest...when Kidani opens there will be a water splash play area. Jambo has 3 great dining options. There's the Mara which is a really good CS option. Boma offers one of the best dinner options within all of Disney (buffet - adv. reservations suggested) and Jiko which is one of the "signature dining" restaurants. (Jiko is a bit pricey IMO but we LOVE both Mara and Boma.) There will be a new restaurant in Kidani when it opens but we don't know a lot about it since it's not open yet.

As others have posted, you CAN get by with a one-bedroom villa for 5 or you can certainly spring for a 2 bedroom.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd suggest OKW because that's the only resort where your whole family can sit and spread out on the balcony.

 

[Cassie Dean]

We are a family of five as well. We stayed last year in Port Orleans Riverside. It was nice, but the trundle bed was fought over each night and we had to alternate who would sleep in it...LOL The rooms were a little small, but it wasn't a big deal to us. All we did was sleep and shower in the room too much activity to be staying inside the room.
This year will be our first trip as DVC owners at AKV so we are really excited. Good luck with whatever you end up doing. Hope you have a great time.

 

[Mahusky]

I would also vote for AKV but you could book at any 1 Bdr Villa. Before I get flamed I just booked a 1Bdr a AKV but MS CM told me "Exact Words" "With a party of 5 you can stay in any 1 Bdr however you will only have bedding for 4."
I was very surprised by that comment. I know many do this but was shocked it was suggested that is all.


So if you dont mind packing an Aerobed or something you are all set.

 

[hakepb]

I would also vote for AKV but you could book at any 1 Bdr Villa. Before I get flamed I just booked a 1Bdr a AKV but MS CM told me "Exact Words" "With a party of 5 you can stay in any 1 Bdr however you will only have bedding for 4."
I was very surprised by that comment. I know many do this but was shocked it was suggested that is all.

So if you dont mind packing an Aerobed or something you are all set.

AKV Jambo value 1BR only sleep 4 but all other Jambo 1BR (Standard, Savannah and Concierge) should all officially sleep 5 with bedding for 5 (inc the sleeper chair)
Jambo 1BR's only have 1 bathroom. Kidani will have 2 Bath