Traveling with another family, large suite or separate rooms?

[LittleMissDisney]

We are in the planning stages of our second family trip to Disney. This time it will be even more magical as our friend and her children will be traveling with us. We are trying to determine the housing situation first.

Here are the details of our respective families:

LittleMissDisney's Family

LittleMissDisney-mom and major planner of this adventure. Disney adventure count 3 (once when I was too young to remember, honeymoon and 1st family trip 3 years ago)
LittleMissDisney'sMr.-dad and will do what ever it takes to keep LittleMissDisney happy Disney adventure count 3 (once when he was too young to remember, honeymoon and 1st family trip 3 years ago)
Dash- boy-11, ADHD under control with medication has been to Disney one other time-
Bug-boy-8 has been to Disney one other time

Anna the First's family

Anna the First-mom and best friend to LittleMissDisney Disney adventure count 1 (once when she was too young to remember
Captain Jack-boy-11 best friends with Dash, epileptic under control with medications Disney adventure count 0
Princess Ky- girl-5 Disney adventure count 0

Our families have lived next to each other for 4 years. We have celebrated major holidays together and our families are together constantly. All of the children get along remarkably well and we have very similar parenting styles.

The Adventure

We are looking to book a vacation in June or July. Our exact dates are flexible but we'd like at least 5 park days. We will be driving (separately) and staying on property. My family has stayed at Pop Century and we were at All Star Movies for our honeymoon (toy story sheets-so romantic)

Our first decision is to see if it would be better to get a larger room and share the costs or get separate rooms. As far as resort, we don't plan on spending much time in them so value is fine although all of the kids love to play in the pool so a great pool would be a bonus.

Any suggestions?!?

 

[squirrel]

I'd do two rooms. Request connecting rooms if you like.

 

[Pumbaa_]

ditto the 2 rooms. at the end of the day, each family will be able to retreat to their own space. Priceless!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Space needs aside, 2 rooms would most cost effective as well. Something onsite that would fit 7 would be extremely expensive compared to 2 rooms at a value (or a moderate).

 

[CarouselOfProgress4]

Two connecting rooms is the way to go for sure. Obviously its different for every person or family but I think you will definitely appreciate the privacy at the end of the day!

 

[LittleMissDisney]

Thanks. we're primarily motivated by money. Connecting rooms didn't occur to me, I'll make sure to put that down on my list!

 

[Momoftwins+1]

Definitely connecting rooms. Most of the time you can do 2 values and sometimes even 2 moderates and still be under a larger suite price if you can score a discount etc. We are traveling in a party of 7 and we reserved 2 rooms at Coronado Springs for May. Still way cheaper than what we normally book as a family of 5 in a deluxe.

Space is a good thing between families. After a few long days, tired kids can grate on each others nerves as can close families

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree with two rooms but request adjoining if you can. Not guaranteed but it would allow the kids to hang out in one room to play while the adults chilled in the other one, and if need be you could watch each others kids or maybe even put them all to bed in one room while the adults stayed up to visit in the other room. This is how we most always do it when we travel with out best friends.

 

[bushdianee]

2 rooms definitely. For one thing it gives you 2 bathrooms which would make mornings and bedtimes easier and quicker. Also if 1 family needs some family time you can have it. We had a group of 8 last year and while we didn't get connecting rooms we were right next door to each other. While our kids get along great there were times when 1 or more needed to be apart from the others for a short time as there was so much stimulation at WDW. Bedtime routines may differ also between families.

 

[morethananyonex]

To fit everyone in one large suite, it would have to be a 2 bedroom villa or larger.

Basically, I would only choose to share if you were dead set on one of the deluxe resorts, having a kitchen and knew for sure that there would be no issues sharing a space with the other family. Otherwise, 2 rooms at a moderate or a value are WAY cheaper than a 2 bedroom villa, even with discounts. Likely better for everyone's sanity too .

 

[rigs32]

The family suites - the only affordable suites - sleep 6. Two rooms at a value would be your best bet if you want to stay on site.

Being on site means one or more adults can go back to the hotel with tired kids without needing to play car roulette.

 

[LittleMissDisney]

it's the bathrooms that decided it for me. Two rooms for sure.

 

[morethananyonex]

it's the bathrooms that decided it for me. Two rooms for sure.

Any suite that you can fit 7 people has 2 bathrooms, some 3.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Two separate rooms. No connecting door.

 

[spectrecat]

Yeah, the bathroom thing would convince me to get two rooms, as well!

 

[englishteacha]

2 separate rooms.

 

[squirrel]

Two separate rooms. No connecting door.

Connecting door can be handy if the other mom wants to run down to the food court at night or early in the morning while her son is sleeping or getting ready. Also if they want to take turns staying out at night.

If you don't think you would need a connecting room, then don't request it. I did a connecting room with my neighbour as we were taking turns watching each other's kids (I had my niece) one night, so it worked for us.

 

[cbrown1007]

I'd do two rooms. Request connecting rooms if you like.

This. And it's actually cheaper to do 2 rooms then one suite.