Room type for 8 people?

[goin3d]

Over the next year or so we've been giving some thought to taking a disney trip with a larger group of family members at BLT. Up to this point we have 6 adults (three couples), and two children (3 years old each). I'm a little stumped on the best room plan for this group, meaning would 3 studios be better than one 2br or something bigger. I'd like to give each family of two + child as much privacy as possible, but still have us all together. Anyone else plan for a similar group makeup and can offer any advice?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would book a 2 bedroom and a studio, or else the 3 studios.

I like the 2 bedroom to have the living room as a common area to meet everyone, have a meal, and then each family has a bedroom to go to.

With the 3 studios, no common living room, no washer dryer, no full kitchen, but privacy.

Just a single 2 bedroom would be my last option, but since there's sleeping arrangements in all 3 rooms, and 3 full baths, it could work.

You have lots of time to think about it. I've not had 3 families, 2 with a child, together in a 2 bedroom, so I do not have first hand experience.

Bobbi

 

[DenLo]

Three year old usually take naps, so that means that everyone in villa will have to be quiet during nap time. So in a 2 BR one family would have to be in the living room, during that child's nap the living room is not useable. Unless the family with 2nd bedroom is willing to allow both kids nap together.

A more expensive option is one 1BR for you and 2 studios. Then the group could meet in the one bedroom and the families return to their own rooms for naps and bedtime.

I think I would vote for the 3 studios, it just more privacy. Taking a vacation can be fun but everyone needs a break now and then and separate rooms gives that break.

 

[Sandisw]

I would book a 2 bedroom and a studio, or else the 3 studios.

I like the 2 bedroom to have the living room as a common area to meet everyone, have a meal, and then each family has a bedroom to go to.

With the 3 studios, no common living room, no washer dryer, no full kitchen, but privacy.

Just a single 2 bedroom would be my last option, but since there's sleeping arrangements in all 3 rooms, and 3 full baths, it could work.

You have lots of time to think about it. I've not had 3 families, 2 with a child, together in a 2 bedroom, so I do not have first hand experience.

Bobbi

I agree that doing a 2 bedroom lock off and a studio would work out well. It gives a common meeting space, a washer and dryer, but the families with children can have the studio portion of the 2 bedroom and the extra studio.

 

[castleri]

You do not say whether you own points or are thinking of renting a reservation from someone. If you have enough points I would consider a GV at OKW which would give each couple a bedroom(different sizes so would have to determine who gets which room by luck of draw or some other way) and you have the living areas to share with a huge laundry room and extra bathroom downstairs. Of course a GV anywhere would work but some are considerably more points than others. If you go with a 2 BR and someone is sleeping in the living room I would go with BLT of AKV Kidani so each group has their own bathroom. The 2BR studio combination works well also and is probably less points than a GV. Just be sure to ask that they be close together if that is important to you. The last would work well at any resort.

 

[jandersonlj]

We usually travel with a group of 12 or 13. We like to stay a POR. Each family gets their own room, but we book as a grand gathering. Therefore, our rooms are side by side with some adjoining. We don't want or need the kitchen or living room because we are hardly ever in our room. We have found this arrangement to be perfect. After a full day in the parks with our whole group, we are in need of a little privacy when we get back to the room! The kids will sometimes swap from room to room, but are usually so tired they just shower and fall into bed. I guess it just depends on how much you intend to be at the resort and what your needs are.

 

[goin3d]

You do not say whether you own points or are thinking of renting a reservation from someone. If you have enough points I would consider a GV at OKW which would give each couple a bedroom(different sizes so would have to determine who gets which room by luck of draw or some other way) and you have the living areas to share with a huge laundry room and extra bathroom downstairs. Of course a GV anywhere would work but some are considerably more points than others. If you go with a 2 BR and someone is sleeping in the living room I would go with BLT of AKV Kidani so each group has their own bathroom. The 2BR studio combination works well also and is probably less points than a GV. Just be sure to ask that they be close together if that is important to you. The last would work well at any resort.

I'm a BLT owner, but figured (maybe wrongly) that if i did anything involving a 2br it would have to be at BLT due to the booking window and limited availability of the larger rooms. Meaning a grand villa at OKW would rock, but i just assumed there was no way to book that at 7 months?

Thanks for all the advice! I am a little fuzzy though on the difference between a 2br, and a 2br lockoff?

 

[myxdvz]

Thanks for all the advice! I am a little fuzzy though on the difference between a 2br, and a 2br lockoff?

A 2BR lockoff is a 1 BR and a Studio with an adjoining door between them.

It really depends if your goal is to use the least amount of points, or what is best for all families and how close the families are.

 

[Pakey]

I'm a BLT owner, but figured (maybe wrongly) that if i did anything involving a 2br it would have to be at BLT due to the booking window and limited availability of the larger rooms. Meaning a grand villa at OKW would rock, but i just assumed there was no way to book that at 7 months?

Thanks for all the advice! I am a little fuzzy though on the difference between a 2br, and a 2br lockoff?

Don't count out the chance of a grand villa. I was able to get one at AKV for our trip in October at the 7 month mark. I booked a 2 bedroom and a studio at my home resort at 11 months and then cancelled when I was able to get the Grand Villa. I called to waitlist and didn't even think I had a chance that way and was shocked when the CM told me I could get savannah view GV without waitlisting.

Four our second week, we are doing a 2 bedroom and a studio at BC. We are also 6 adults with 2 children. I did register us as a grand gathering so hopefully we will have villas on the same floor. The last DVC grand gathering, we were not on same floor.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm a BLT owner, but figured (maybe wrongly) that if i did anything involving a 2br it would have to be at BLT due to the booking window and limited availability of the larger rooms. Meaning a grand villa at OKW would rock, but i just assumed there was no way to book that at 7 months?

Thanks for all the advice! I am a little fuzzy though on the difference between a 2br, and a 2br lockoff?

As mentioned, a 2 bedroom lock off is really just a 1 bedroom and a studio that are connecting. The nice part is that each family can close the door and feel as though they have privacy.

 

[castleri]

I'm a BLT owner, but figured (maybe wrongly) that if i did anything involving a 2br it would have to be at BLT due to the booking window and limited availability of the larger rooms. Meaning a grand villa at OKW would rock, but i just assumed there was no way to book that at 7 months?

Thanks for all the advice! I am a little fuzzy though on the difference between a 2br, and a 2br lockoff?

It will depend on when you are planning to go. I have had great luck getting 2 BR units on short notice but they have been off season for DVC - by short notice I mean anywhere from 2 days to 4 months. I have a friend who got a grand villa at OKW at 4 months for March one year so it is possible. You will probably want to make some reservations at BLT and then if you want to try to change at 7 months you will at least have something if it doesn't come through. Just keep in mind your banking deadlines incase the number of points you would need at another resort would be less than what you would need at BLT.

 

[goin3d]

That's awesome news about the 2br and larger rooms! That at least gives me hope because I don't think i want to borrow to get the points required for that size room at BLT.

 

[wdwfan1]

I'm a BLT owner, but figured (maybe wrongly) that if i did anything involving a 2br it would have to be at BLT due to the booking window and limited availability of the larger rooms. Meaning a grand villa at OKW would rock, but i just assumed there was no way to book that at 7 months?

Thanks for all the advice! I am a little fuzzy though on the difference between a 2br, and a 2br lockoff?

I booked a GV at OKW at about the six month mark--and that was for December, which is a prime time for DVC.

There were 6 of us, 3 couples. We had tons of room and a great time was had by all.