Splitting the Bill with Nana

[rascooby]

We are planning a November trip and it will most likely be my family of 5 and my mom. The rest of my extended family was invited but don't want to or can't afford to go. Since we are a family of 5 we usually can't stay in 4 person rooms. I'm leaning toward the Princess rooms at POR or POFQ. What do you think would be a fair way to share the room cost with my mom? We definitely do not want a situation where we all stay together at a larger place because we need a break from her (she's kind of chatty and we aren't, lol). We will have one kiddo sleep in her room or maybe more if she wants them. They will be 8, 9 and 13 at the time, so they don't require a lot of care or anything.

I want to help some with the room, but I know DH isn't going to want to pay all of it because if she wasn't there, we would just stay in POR or another resort that is 5 person friendly. It wouldn't be quite as comfortable though, so we should definitely offer to pay part. We invited her because she wants to go, not because we expect her to babysit for us. We will all be together for meals, etc, just not sleeping.

Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[robinb]

If it were me, I would split the cost of the extra room with her and stick 2 kids in there with her.

 

[Tara1988]

I would get a 2 bedroom suite because it would probably cost less in total than 2 moderate rooms. Plus if the dreaded $15 resort fee was in place then, you would only have to pay that for one room, not 2. That way you can easily spend time together when wanted and not when you don't want to. More space to spread out, extra bathroom that is easily accessible for everyone, and extra amenities. I would have her pay a third of the room cost, maybe less, depending on how the space is divided.

 

[robinb]

I just looked at the cost of the Princes rooms. Yikes! They are $1919 per week each rack rate. Discounts are not available now but when they come out, it would likely be at most 25% which brings it down to $1440, add tax and you're back to $1625 per room or $3250 for both. Here is historical info on discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2015 .

Tara1988, I just looked at your post and that's exactly where I was going!

A 2BR Standard View 2-Bedroom villa at AKL Kidani runs 239 points. At $13 per point that's $3107 which saves you some money and you'll also get a full kitchen and laundry room plus a great resort. The 2BR sleeps 9 people with a king bed in the master bedroom, a queen bed and a fold out couch in the second bedroom and a fold out couch and a sleeper chair in the living room.

 

[harrowgirl]

Ya....if you are looking at moderates I'd consider renting DVC points and getting a 2 bedroom suite at a deluxe villa - that would be cheaper

 

[msmama]

I'm staying at AoA with my mom and my son (there's only 3 of us, so plenty of room, though I feel you on the chatiness). We're splitting the room in half. I realize it's not quite fair since there are 2 of us and one of her, but it is what it is. I know if she could afford it, she'd pay for the whole thing, but...she can't (nor would I ever let her).

Maybe split the room and then offer to take her out to one nice dinner? I'm taking my mom out one night and I would guess she'll pick up the tab at least once (though I wouldn't expect her to). Otherwise the plan is to simply split costs where convenient, and/or settle up at the end when it's not (I find it much easier to just go through QS lines while Gma and kid go find seats).

What about an AoA suite and then a single room in the LM section? I don't know if being super close would bother you. Once we did 2 rooms at POFQ (back when now ex still traveled with us) and I think we chipped in slightly on Grandma's room (we got connecting rooms).

Other options would be paying for her whole room, but she pays for everything else, or you could let her pay the room and buy her tickets.

 

[Hikergirl]

Do the deluxe villas have 2 bathrooms? If not I'd go for 2 rooms in a resort of your choice or a family suite in AoA. I'd split the cost 2/3 for you and dh and 1/3 for your mom.

 

[harrowgirl]

Do the deluxe villas have 2 bathrooms? If not I'd go for 2 rooms in a resort of your choice or a family suite in AoA. I'd split the cost 2/3 for you and dh and 1/3 for your mom.

Yes they do

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We took my mom a few years ago and my oldest dd spent most nights in her room and the girls shared her bathroom in the mornings ( we had connecting rooms). We shared the cost of the room with her. It was really nice having two bathrooms.

 

[rascooby]

Thanks everyone. I'll look at DVC. Everyone having an actual bed (not a pull out) is kind of important to me, but I'll look at it. Does anyone know how comfortable the pull out beds are? We stayed in a suite (not Disney) over the summer and the kids fought over who had to sleep in the pull out because it was uncomfortable. I don't mind that for a night or two, but I don't really want to do it for a week.

Otherwise I think the idea of splitting the cost of her room with her is fair. It will be nicer than squishing in one room.

 

[robinb]

Thanks everyone. I'll look at DVC. Everyone having an actual bed (not a pull out) is kind of important to me, but I'll look at it. Does anyone know how comfortable the pull out beds are? We stayed in a suite (not Disney) over the summer and the kids fought over who had to sleep in the pull out because it was uncomfortable. I don't mind that for a night or two, but I don't really want to do it for a week.

Otherwise I think the idea of splitting the cost of her room with her is fair. It will be nicer than squishing in one room.

We are DVC members and I think the pullout couches are very comfortable. In any case, the kids would get them and they are very flexible .

 

[mjkacmom]

Thanks everyone. I'll look at DVC. Everyone having an actual bed (not a pull out) is kind of important to me, but I'll look at it. Does anyone know how comfortable the pull out beds are? We stayed in a suite (not Disney) over the summer and the kids fought over who had to sleep in the pull out because it was uncomfortable. I don't mind that for a night or two, but I don't really want to do it for a week.

Otherwise I think the idea of splitting the cost of her room with her is fair. It will be nicer than squishing in one room.

We rented points for a 2 bedroom villa at the BC, and it was huge (I think 3 bathrooms?). I don't think you should split the cost, since your mom will be 1/6 of the reservation. Our rental was a little more than 2 moderates. Maybe have her pay 1/4?

 

[rascooby]

If we rent a larger place for all of us I would just have her pay 1/4. If we rent 2 rooms I would pay 1/2 of the second room (so either way, I think we will pay 3/4 of the cost.

 

[jimandami]

We have stayed in two bedrooms at several resorts and the pull outs and chair beds are much more comfortable than most hotels with pull-outs. Having said that, you might have a tough time with availability for November as the 7 month window is opening now for that time frame and the fall is a very busy time for DVC...you should try to find an owner ASAP.

 

[Vijoge]

Do the deluxe villas have 2 bathrooms?

I believe at Kidani they have three bathrooms in a 2 bedroom.

 

[Hikergirl]

I believe at Kidani they have three bathrooms in a 2 bedroom.

Oohh, that is nice! I've never stayed in a villa before.

 

[dvc at last !]

Ya....if you are looking at moderates I'd consider renting DVC points and getting a 2 bedroom suite at a deluxe villa - that would be cheaper

Great idea !

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks everyone. I'll look at DVC. Everyone having an actual bed (not a pull out) is kind of important to me, but I'll look at it. Does anyone know how comfortable the pull out beds are? We stayed in a suite (not Disney) over the summer and the kids fought over who had to sleep in the pull out because it was uncomfortable. I don't mind that for a night or two, but I don't really want to do it for a week.

Otherwise I think the idea of splitting the cost of her room with her is fair. It will be nicer than squishing in one room.

Your only problem is your timing. If you are looking at the end of November and early December, there is a good chance most of those are already reserved by members since that is Thanksgiving and the beginning of December which is the most popular time for DVC members to book. And they book 11 months out.