The Whole Gang is coming ~ Where to stay..Where to stay??

[Hisgirl]

Hi all...I sure could use your expert advice. I've been to WDW many times but it was always with 2 or 3 kids at most. This coming Feb 1, DH and I are planning on taking daughter and son-law, 3 grandloves age 6-9 and one 2 month old.

Our original plan was to all stay together preferably somewhere we could cook our own breakfast. However, I know this reaaaally limits our choices.

We are mostly interested in awed wonderfulness and roominess. Two rooms is a possibility but we really want to get something more than a 2 bed hotel room. A great atmosphere is imperative! DD may spend a good bit of time relaxing with the newborn so comfort is high on the list. Thank you!!!

I'm all ears to your suggestions!

 

[jw50]

Without going to two rooms you are pretty much limited to a DVC 2 bedroom villa, a Treehouse Villa or a FT Wilderness Cabin. You could fit in a 1 bedroom since you have an infant with you but that would not provide the roominess that you are looking for.

Which would be best depends a lot on your personal preferences and your budget.

 

[amym2]

With 4 adults, 3 kids, and an infant you would need at least a 2-bedroom. OKW would give you the most room, with plenty of living space. You might consider BLT for convenience to MK or AKV for a neat atmosphere for the kids. The THV would also be fun, although they are a bit more challenging transportation-wise. Will you have vehicles? If money is no object, go for a 3 bedroom Grand Villa at a DVC resort (but prepare for sticker shock).

Honestly, personally I'd probably rent a house off-property. We've done that a couple of times with extended family. We own DVC, but sometimes it makes more sense financially to rent a house.

 

[pieface]

I agree with Amy O.K.W. is a wonderful resort but it won't come cheap. I would price a home close to the park.

 

[Hisgirl]

With 4 adults, 3 kids, and an infant you would need at least a 2-bedroom. OKW would give you the most room, with plenty of living space. You might consider BLT for convenience to MK or AKV for a neat atmosphere for the kids. The THV would also be fun, although they are a bit more challenging transportation-wise. Will you have vehicles? If money is no object, go for a 3 bedroom Grand Villa at a DVC resort (but prepare for sticker shock).

Honestly, personally I'd probably rent a house off-property. We've done that a couple of times with extended family. We own DVC, but sometimes it makes more sense financially to rent a house.

At my knowledge of this site, you just suggested a bacon lettuce and tomato for convenience...LOL! I just printed off all the abbrevs. and am running to the printer to study up! Thank you both for your suggestions!

 

[Hisgirl]

My husband and I just went down in April for our anniversary and took one day to explore some of the resorts. That's when I found out (surprise!) most rooms are only for 4 folks.

We really liked the WL but I haven't stayed there and don't know if you would recommend it for our size group of folks.

When yall say prepare for sticker shock and I'm seeing $4700 being a typical week's worth of spending, I'm scared to ask what that would be!

I agree that a house outside of magic would be feasible. I did that once, years ago, but gosh, it just doesn't feel the same. I wonder if there is an offsite hotel that has magic in a different way, but really fun stuff?

 

[keaster]

I agree with looking into renting DVC points and get a two bedroom!

If magic kingdom is a priority go for bay lake tower...we are owners at animal kingdom and we love the two bedroom at kidani. Both options have three full baths which is great for a party your size

 

[scdak]

I think you have been given some good suggestions onsite, if money is not an issue onsite sounds great, if money is a consideration I would recommend offsite in a rental home or condo, that would save a huge amount of money that can then be used for lots of fun character meals with the kids, maybe a little pampering for the new mommy, etc

 

[jw50]

When yall say prepare for sticker shock and I'm seeing $4700 being a typical week's worth of spending, I'm scared to ask what that would be!

It is too early to get a quote for Feb, but 7 nights in a FT Wilderness cabin will probably be in the neighborhood of $2500 (room only). A 2 bedroom villa through Disney would probably a little over twice that (~$5500). You can rent points for less than you can book through Disney. Some of the DVC experts can give you an idea of what it would cost to rent points and how you would go about doing that if you were interested.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Your least expensive option for an on-site villa would be a 2BR villa at Old Key West, which are gorgeous, and the largest 2BR villas in WDW.

Since you're going during value season, there's an excellent chance that you could get a AAA discount (20%-25%), which would make it more affordable.

I know that lots of people advocate renting DVC points, but when I compare, discounted rates have always been very close or better than renting points. When you throw in that daily housekeeping isn't included when you rent DVC points, that's the game changer for me.

I would do anything within reason to stay on-site rather than off-site, but that's just me.

 

[amym2]

It is too early to get a quote for Feb, but 7 nights in a FT Wilderness cabin will probably be in the neighborhood of $2500 (room only). A 2 bedroom villa through Disney would probably a little over twice that (~$5500). You can rent points for less than you can book through Disney. Some of the DVC experts can give you an idea of what it would cost to rent points and how you would go about doing that if you were interested.

FW Cabins only hold 6 plus one child under 3, so they would need two cabins.

 

[amym2]

At my knowledge of this site, you just suggested a bacon lettuce and tomato for convenience...LOL! I just printed off all the abbrevs. and am running to the printer to study up! Thank you both for your suggestions!

Lol... sorry about that! Don't be afraid to ask for clarification! BLT or Bay Lake Towers is the DVC (Disney Vacation Club) resort that is connected to the Contemporary Resort. We haven't stayed there, but we've walked around it and it's very modern. Not usually my cup of tea, but it is walkable to the MK.

 

[amym2]

My husband and I just went down in April for our anniversary and took one day to explore some of the resorts. That's when I found out (surprise!) most rooms are only for 4 folks.

We really liked the WL but I haven't stayed there and don't know if you would recommend it for our size group of folks.

When yall say prepare for sticker shock and I'm seeing $4700 being a typical week's worth of spending, I'm scared to ask what that would be!

I agree that a house outside of magic would be feasible. I did that once, years ago, but gosh, it just doesn't feel the same. I wonder if there is an offsite hotel that has magic in a different way, but really fun stuff?

We love the WL, but the standard rooms only hold 4. If you take a kid or two into your room, that might work. The bunkbed rooms are great, our kids loved it (maybe for the two oldest kids?). There isn't much space in the rooms, though, just enough room for the beds.

The VWL (Villas at WL) does have 2 bedroom villas, so that might be better for your group. WL/VWL is a beautiful resort with great boat access to MK. The Whispering Canyon Cafe is lots of fun, and there's a decent counter service restaurant (although small).

There are some other off-property resorts that get good reviews. I'm sure someone can chime in about those.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Using 2013 prices (2014 hasn't come out yet), a 2 BR villa at Old Key West will run just under $4900 for the week, including tax. With the AAA 25% discount, you're looking at around $3650.

 

[stargazertechie]

Looking at the 2 bedrooms for that time frame, you're looking at the following prices at $14/point. Better deals can be had if you rent from private owners ($11 or $12 a point- which could add up tow $250-$700 savings)

OKW- $3766
BWV- $3920
BCV- $4382
SSR- $3766
AKL (standard)- $3570
BLT- $4438
VWL- $4452

 

[Hisgirl]

Gosh, yall are great! So much good information!

Even considering the dastardly choice of staying offsite gives me the shivers, but I'm going to look into just what we could get.

~ takes a moment to peruse vacation rental houses -feeling quite like I am commiting Disney adultery ~


Hmmm....okay, this is interesting. For the same, no....actually about 700 less for the week, we could rent a 5 bedroom house, with a huge private pool, massive theater room with big ol' leather seats, full size video machines, washer and dryer, neighborhood park, pool, play fountains....and....dangit....they decorated the house like Walt Disney himself lived there. Pirate ships for bunkbeds, Peter Pan flying all over the place.

It looks like Donald Trump and Walt Disney built a mansion.

Well shoot. Now I'm all confused. And feeling guilty like I just stepped out on Mickey Mouse.

"I'm sorry Mickey...I'm sorry...but I'm so confuuused......"

 

[amym2]

Yep, we stayed offsite in Windsor Hills in a 5bdrm house for just over $100 per night years ago. It is a balance between the convenience of being onsite (although the drive from WH was no worse than Disney buses) and the "perks" of being onsite like EMH, being able to split up your group and have a couple of people return to your resort while others stay, etc. I will say that it was a definite plus having the private pool so the grandparents could watch the kids swim without having to follow them around the pool area and keep track of them.

Walt Disney wouldn't mind, if it means more money for you to spend in his parks. As someone else said, put that money towards character meals or other Disney experiences.

How does the rest of your family feel about onsite vs offsite? When we did our first trip with my parents, we thought we'd be staying onsite, but when we found out the price difference, we were totally fine with being offsite. And the extra space vs being crammed into two hotel rooms made such a difference. But then we live in a different state than my parents, so spending time together was just as important as park time. We knew we'd be back to WDW when the kids were older (and we have many times!).

 

[Hisgirl]

I just spoke with our daughter and she is just wanting us to choose what we want. She agreed that having a pool there would be fun and a bit easier to just drive right up to the house and walk a few steps and be done.

That is my only issue with onsite. After walking all those miles and miles....you finally get back and it's another hike until you make it back to the room.

We're gonna have three little boys who aren't used to walking much and a mama with a newborn. I'm thinking more and more the house will fit the bill. Also, considering a newborn waking up during the night crying, a big ol' house would allow for more room for the crying to disperse before it hits Papa and Nina's ears.