Sorting out options w/ extended family

[shellbelle1971]

Okay, I'm thinking ahead to our October, 2007 trip to wdw...I know, if DVC is for compulsive over-planners, it's perfect for me!

We would like to organize a family reunion with my brother's family (3 kids) and my mom and dad.

First, help me decide which resort would be the best choice for us. Factors include: Dad's health seriously limits ability to be "out" in the heat, brother's family will want to spend lots of time at MK. So maybe VWL or BWV or BCV? I know Oct will be F&W, so maybe difficult to book, but we will need to transfer points from another owner to make our ressies anyway, so I could just make sure to get points with the "right" home resort.

Now help me decide what size units we would want. Our group is too big for a GV. I'm thinking a 2-bedroom for my family and a 2 bedroom for my mom and dad plus my brother's family to share. But my parents are suggesting the 2-br for my family and 2 studios (one for them, and one for brother's family) and they would take turns hosting 2 grandkids each night. That's a lot cheaper, pointwise, but they don't know that--they're mostly worried about "intruding" on my brother's family if they have to "share" a unit with them!

What do y'all think? I'm leaning towards trying to get 2 2 bedrooms at VWL...

 

[mikesmom]

Any possibility that they are also thinking about wanting a little of their own privacy? We traveled with extended family a couple of years ago - got a 2 bedroom for our family (self, DH, DS and his buddy- both in college) and one studio each for DS,wife & child, and daughter and her husband. We had a great trip, but it sure was nice at the end of a long day and supper to be able to shut the door as they all went off to their own rooms

 

[JimMIA]

The first suggestion I'd make is not what you are looking for, but something you need to read anyway. Check this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1133967

That thread actually was not nearly as bad as many of the horror stories you will hear about taking family to DVC.

I'm sure many extended family trips work out fine, as ours did, but we do hear a bunch of horror stories of family members cancelling and putting the DVC owner in a jam.

 

[shellbelle1971]

The first suggestion I'd make is not what you are looking for, but something you need to read anyway. Check this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1133967

That thread actually was not nearly as bad as many of the horror stories you will hear about taking family to DVC.

I'm sure many extended family trips work out fine, as ours did, but we do hear a bunch of horror stories of family members cancelling and putting the DVC owner in a jam.

Thanks, Jim, I've been following that thread with a mixture of amusement and horror. So far, in 3 DVC trips with extended family, we've had nothing but good experiences. I'm chalking that up to the combination of flexible, understanding relatives, and a good system for communicating expectations (who pays for what, date changes, etc.) far in advance. Doesn't mean something awful couldn't happen to us, but so far it hasn't.

 

[shellbelle1971]

Any possibility that they are also thinking about wanting a little of their own privacy? We traveled with extended family a couple of years ago - got a 2 bedroom for our family (self, DH, DS and his buddy- both in college) and one studio each for DS,wife & child, and daughter and her husband. We had a great trip, but it sure was nice at the end of a long day and supper to be able to shut the door as they all went off to their own rooms

Well, that seems to be what they're asking for. But in my head I keep coming back to "Wouldn't the extra space of a 2 bedroom be nicer than two studios?" I will definitely book that for them if it's really what they want. Maybe I should explain to them that a 2-bedroom IS functionally a 1-bedroom plus a studio, and that they would have the ability to lock off the connecting doors for privacy's sake, and see if that changes how they feel about it?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Perhaps the second two bedroom (the one for your extended family) could be a lock out. That might go a long way toward helping with privacy.

Otherwise, if you parents want to have a studio, I'd try to accomodate them if at all possible. The other family members won't mind either, I hope!

If your Dad needs to remain out of the heat for the majority of the day, I'd say to look at a resort that will keep him entertained indoors. WL Villas is pretty nice for that.

Unless he wants the privacy of his own room, then go with OKW for the most spacious studios.

Much work to organize a family gathering. I'm gearing up to do it myself for Christmas 2008. Excited, but also a little worried.