Splitting accommodation costs with another family

[Hemlock]

We will be renting a 2 bedroom unit at either OKW or SSR. Family #1 is 2 adults, 2 teens and a young child. Family #2 is 1 adult, 1 teen.

If we stay at OKW, we will give the master bedroom (1 king bed) to Family #2 and Family #1 will take the studio portion (2 queen beds) with 1 teen from family#2 staying on the pull out couch in the living room.

If we stay at SSR, Family #2 will take the studio portion with both teens staying on the pull out couch, and Family #1 will take the master.

Both families will share the living room/kitchen/bathrooms... is it fair to split 50/50 or should Family#1 pay more because they have more people. FWIW, we all get along great and nobody will complain about paying more/less. I just want to get some input on what others have done in similar situations.

 

[heather913]

As someone with a larger family, I would expect to pay more.

That said, I think it really depends on what you are paying to stay there vs renting a smaller room. If family 2 can get a studio for say $150/night that would be sufficient, and splitting the cost of 1 the 2 bedroom in half is $250/night, then I would think it's fair for family 1 to pay more. If the cost is roughly the same or less, I'd probably just split it in half.

 

[com_op_2000]

IMHO:
If you are paying with cash then split the cost up per person.
If you are paying with points, then split the points up based on per person.
Be sure everyone understands whatever kitchen/laundry/living room arrangements you agree upon.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Probably all by my self here but if it were me, I would split the room 50/50. Been on both sides of this one and to me it is easier just to split it that way. The bigger family has to pay more for everything else (tickets, food, gifts, etc). I think it is perfect to split the room 50/50 and tell the larger family to leave the housekeepers a tip if you get housekeeping.

 

[Anal Annie]

While we've never traveled with another family to Disney we HAVE gone on several ski vacations with multiple families where we've rented super large ski chalet type homes (the kind that would accommodate like 5 families at a time based on there being X number of "master" bedrooms with king size beds and private bathrooms). We always split the rent evenly per family. Was that fair? I don't know. Probably not. We're a family of 3 and some of the other families were 4 and some were 5 members. Some families had kids that also brought other friends. It was always handled per family and if we didn't like it then we didn't have to go in on the house and could stay home. The only time they (the group) ever did a special discount on the house was in the rare cases where there was a master that only had a queen bed rather than a king or if a bedroom had to share the bathroom with say a common area or another bedroom. Then there was like $100 off for whoever would take that room. They also planned large group meals where everyone took turns providing & cooking. Could also argue that wasn't entirely fair for my family of 3 but it comes down to being petty or perceived as such. When you go out to dinner with a large group if you split the check evenly someone is always gonna get screwed vs everyone paying their own way. There is always the one person who doesn't drink & who orders a bowl of soup or something. Is that fair for them to cover someone else's 2 drinks & most expensive item on the menu? Not really. But that sort of thing happens a lot. Kinda the same thing. Sorta.

I would maybe suggest that whoever takes the master pays more since it has the larger bed and the larger private bath. But I wouldn't make it like a whole lot more. But then if it's family # 2 in there they're really getting the short end of the stick. Nah. On second thought just talk to the other family & see what their expectations are & then figure it out. They may be expecting to pay per person since they're so outnumbered so I would discuss it with them.

 

[hakepb]

FYI, SSR 2BR dedicated will have (2) queens in the 2BR

SSR 2BR lockoff is a 1BR+ studio (queen+full couch)

You will know what type of 2BR is booked as they are guaranteed categories.

 

[Hemlock]

I'm renting points through a broker. Is there a way to make sure we get a dedicated 2 bedroom rather than a lock off?

 

[DenLo]

I'm renting points through a broker. Is there a way to make sure we get a dedicated 2 bedroom rather than a lock off?

A dedicated 2 BR is a villa category. You can tell the broker that is the category you want. However, I know that at least one resorts, BWV, does not have dedicated 2BRs, that resort has only 2BR lockoffs, if the dedicated 2BR it is not available you need to let them know if you will accept a 2BR lockoff.

 

[rentayenta]

When we rented and shared a two bedroom (lock off) with friends, we agreed they would spend $10 per point for the amount of points the studio part of the villa cost. It worked out really well and they got a screaming deal; we had a the full kitchen, 3 bathrooms, living area, two balconies. It was awesome!

 

[hakepb]

When we rented and shared a two bedroom (lock off) with friends, we agreed they would spend $10 per point for the amount of points the studio part of the villa cost. It worked out really well and they got a screaming deal; we had a the full kitchen, 3 bathrooms, living area, two balconies. It was awesome!

FWIW, only BLT and Kidani 2BR have the 3 full bathrooms. (And Grand Californian)
Like most of the other DVC's SSR and OKW 2BR "only" have 2 full bathrooms and a seperate tub/vanity area.

 

[rentayenta]

FWIW, only BLT and Kidani 2BR have the 3 full bathrooms. (And Grand Californian)
Like most of the other DVC's SSR and OKW 2BR "only" have 2 full bathrooms and a seperate tub/vanity area.

Makes sense. We were at the GCV. Even with two bathrooms, it would have been well worth it for them. So do some one bedroom DVC have only one bathroom?

 

[hakepb]

Makes sense. We were at the GCV. Even with two bathrooms, it would have been well worth it for them. So do some one bedroom DVC have only one bathroom?

Yes. Other than the 3 mentioned, the rest only have 1 bathroom. I suppose most have a 1.2 bathroom with a seperate tub/vanity area and a shower/sink/toilet room.

Jambo 1BR only have 1 bathroom with the shower being a step into the jacuzzi tub.

Grand Floridian studios have a 1.1 bathroom with a seperate shower and tub/shower combo that can be used by 2 people. I guess that means VGF 2BR lockoff are 2.1 bathrooms.

 

[disneynutz]

Doesn't matter who gets what. The only thing that matters is that all parities are truly in agreement.

Good luck.

 

[Dean]

Doesn't matter who gets what. The only thing that matters is that all parities are truly in agreement.

Good luck.

This is most important. For timeshares directly no matter how good a deal the owner gives the other party, sometimes people are upset because they see timeshares as free once they're owned. Obviously not the case here but it does offer some thoughts on possible issues. Technically I'd likely just split it 50/50 if the smaller group is taking the Master but likely 60/40 if the larger group gets the master.

 

[kniquy]

So you are renting and paying for the DVC rental- I would take the price divide it up as a per person price and then each person has their "cost" of staying there. It is completely fair this way because if you were not traveling with this family you would only need to get a studio and not a 2 Bedroom -- big cost difference.

Another option would be if you figured out the cost of a studio (which would be what you would need) and the difference the other family could pay for getting the 2 bedroom. Or if you want to avoid the money issue - you both could book rooms at the same resort and each pays their own way.

We own DVC and are a family of 5 so would usually get a 1BR at AVK- in a couple of years we are taking our in-laws so we will need a 2BR. In this instance we are going to figure out the points difference between the 1BR we would typically get and the 2BR and they will pay us a price per point - of course we will not charge them the usual DVC rental rate, but probably an amount to cover the MF for those points.

The bigger family has to pay more for everything else

This is your choice when you decide to have a bigger family. Why should the smaller family have to pay more because the other family has more kids -- totally unfair.

 

[KangaFan]

I agree with everyone that has said that what matters is that both families are happy. The question is, will the smaller family say they are okay with splitting because they are being polite but not really be okay with it? I'm of the school of thought (and it sound like the OP is thinking this way too) that $$$ is not worth bad feelings.

We often share large beach house with 3 other families and we split things up by the number of bedrooms that each family needs since some families only have 1 child and some have 4. In this case, as a family of 5, you would most likely want/need a 1 bedroom, but a family of 2 if on their own would most likely rent a studio. Maybe the family of 2 could pay for the studio points cost and family one could pay the difference? Based on a summer date, the difference would still be less than the cost of a 1 bedroom which would mean that family 2 is contributing to the cost of the kitchen, but gets a lower rate since there's only 2.

Someone mentioned dividing up per person, but that's not how hotel rooms work--your room rate for 2 adults is the same as 2 adults and 2 kids. We do use the per person amount when we purchase grocers for shared meals, however, especially since I have 2 teenagers and all my friends kids are little.

Best of luck for a wonderful vacation with your friends!

 

[Tigger's ally]

This is your choice when you decide to have a bigger family. Why should the smaller family have to pay more because the other family has more kids -- totally unfair.

It is also my choice to pay as much as the bigger family. I would just be nice about it and split it. If you don't want too, then that is your prerogative. I just stated what I would do. Both families are sharing the same place. Split it.

 

[kniquy]

I would just be nice about it and split it.

I guess the smaller family could just be nice and split it, but if i was the one with the larger family(which I am) I would actually feel really bad that the other side is paying more than necessary. We have done that when we rented a beach house with my in-laws -- we are a family of 5 and it is only the 2 of them. We just took the price and came up with a per person price -- I felt better because i wasn't making or expecting my in-laws to pay more. What it boils down to is that if both sides are truly in agreement then everyone should come out being happy.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I guess the smaller family could just be nice and split it, but if i was the one with the larger family(which I am) I would actually feel really bad that the other side is paying more than necessary. We have done that when we rented a beach house with my in-laws -- we are a family of 5 and it is only the 2 of them. We just took the price and came up with a per person price -- I felt better because i wasn't making or expecting my in-laws to pay more. What it boils down to is that if both sides are truly in agreement then everyone should come out being happy.

I get what you are saying and the others. If anything, I think the people that get the master (King bed with jacuzi and shower) get the better deal regardless of how the other sleeping arrangements are slotted out. Both families get the use of the full kitchen, the washer and dryer, the living room and balcony. Two families all together in a two bedroom and I think I grab the wife, lock the doors and excape to the calmness of the Jacuzzi!

Now then, in cases where there is an extra person charge per night, dang straight the big family pays.

 

[crisi]

Make SURE you get the money from the other family up front and they understand its non-refundable. I suspect your biggest risk is the sudden "we can't make its."