Two Accommodates better than One?

[rockyroad569]

First time w/ family planning for Disney. Kids super excited to say the least. That is what it is all about. Some extended family wants to join us but that would make us a group of 10 people. I know that there are places that can accommodate 10 people but putting aside the family being together aspect, is it more cost effective to look at two accommodation vs one for all family members? Advice welcome. Thanks

 

[CarolMN]

Two studios will be less expensive than a 2 bedroom.

You have to weigh the difference in cost against the amenities the larger villa provides - a washer dryer in the villa, a full kitchen, a Jacuzzi tub in the Master bedroom, three TVs and in a few cases, three full bathrooms.

 

[MAO]

Looking at a couple of points charts from dvcmember.com, I'd say a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom would probably work best. A GV sleeps 12, but that's usually just 6 beds - 1 in the master bedroom, 2 in another bedroom, 2 in a third bedroom and another bed in the living area sofa. (There's probably a resort that has some different layout, but the point is the same - if you have adults and/or kids who can't or won't share a bed, you're apt to have problems.) I checked 4 resorts and, with the exception of OKW, a 1 bedroom plus a 2 bedroom was cheaper in terms of points than a Grand Villa.

A 2 bedroom gives you the bed in the master bedroom that can be 'closed' for privacy, plus the studio that can be 'closed' for privacy. Put kids in the sofa bed of the main room and, if necessary, you still have the sofa bed in the studio portion. The 1 bedroom then gives you, again, that master bedroom and sofa bed in the living area. If you tell Disney that you're traveling together, they'll try to get the two rooms close to one another.

Obviously, depending on ages and family relations, the GV might work out just fine for you. With no details other than what you've given, though, I hesitate to say that it's the best solution. And the cost difference is going to be dependent on the resort you want to stay at.

 

[disney junky]

Two 2br are fewer points than a GV. I'd say it depends on your party. A lock off offers a bit of privacy. Last trip we did a 2br and a studio. We weren't as close in proximity as I would have liked. Won't do that again. You also my have to consider availability.

 

[thepops]

Two rooms also offers you the option to cancel one if they decide they aren't coming at the last minute (or at least a little before the last minute)

 

[momof3poohlovers]

While it can be fun hanging out with family, sometimes a little too much time together can cause problems. I would do at least one 1 or 2 bedroom so that you would have a living room for times when everyone wants to get together but have two separate accommodations so that you can also have some down time. This way, no one gets on anyone else's nerves!

 

[DVC Jen]

I would go with two simply for the privacy. Even the closest of families can get on each others nerves if they never have a "break".

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

It depends... is one of the ten your mother in law?

Seriously, though... the Grand Villas are more than just a three-bedroom villa. They're seriously upgraded rooms, and you pay a points premium for them. Mega points, in fact! Definitely consider splitting the group if you're point conscious. (Personally, I've never been able to pull the trigger on a grand villa reservation.)

For 10 people, I'd consider a 2-bedroom and a studio. There will be room for you to all hang out together when you want to, and then comfortable places to break off to when it's time to go to sleep. Have Member Services mark the reservations as "travelling together" and then explain that again to the desk when you're checking in. Keep in mind though, that your idea of two rooms being close to one another might not be the same as the cast member's. There are no guarantees.

One strategy with this would be to go with one of the larger resorts, like SSR or OKW, where there's a bigger turn-over every day, and more chance of there being two empty rooms in close proximity. With OKW, you also get the benefit that the studios have two queen-sized beds instead of a bed and sleeper sofa, like all other resorts.

 

[rockyroad569]

All good points, will consider them all. Thanks CarolMN

 

[rockyroad569]

Looking at a couple of points charts from dvcmember.com, I'd say a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom would probably work best. A GV sleeps 12, but that's usually just 6 beds - 1 in the master bedroom, 2 in another bedroom, 2 in a third bedroom and another bed in the living area sofa. (There's probably a resort that has some different layout, but the point is the same - if you have adults and/or kids who can't or won't share a bed, you're apt to have problems.) I checked 4 resorts and, with the exception of OKW, a 1 bedroom plus a 2 bedroom was cheaper in terms of points than a Grand Villa.

A 2 bedroom gives you the bed in the master bedroom that can be 'closed' for privacy, plus the studio that can be 'closed' for privacy. Put kids in the sofa bed of the main room and, if necessary, you still have the sofa bed in the studio portion. The 1 bedroom then gives you, again, that master bedroom and sofa bed in the living area. If you tell Disney that you're traveling together, they'll try to get the two rooms close to one another.

Obviously, depending on ages and family relations, the GV might work out just fine for you. With no details other than what you've given, though, I hesitate to say that it's the best solution. And the cost difference is going to be dependent on the resort you want to stay at.

MAO, Thanks. I did not realize that some of the accommodation are basically open bedrooms. Not that big of a deal, just good to know before I would get there. I could see where an extended family of sorts would have some issues with an open bedroom.

I know I was light on the details...just did not want to be too wordy....thanks again

 

[rockyroad569]

Two rooms also offers you the option to cancel one if they decide they aren't coming at the last minute (or at least a little before the last minute)

Good point. I guess that would be the last, last minute.

Thanks

 

[rockyroad569]

While it can be fun hanging out with family, sometimes a little too much time together can cause problems. I would do at least one 1 or 2 bedroom so that you would have a living room for times when everyone wants to get together but have two separate accommodations so that you can also have some down time. This way, no one gets on anyone else's nerves!

Total agreement there. we are consider doing just what you suggested. Thanks

 

[rockyroad569]

I would go with two simply for the privacy. Even the closest of families can get on each others nerves if they never have a "break".

The "break" from the family seems to be a recurring theme. Glad to see other families are no different than mine. Thanks for the reply.

 

[rockyroad569]

It depends... is one of the ten your mother in law?

Seriously, though... the Grand Villas are more than just a three-bedroom villa. They're seriously upgraded rooms, and you pay a points premium for them. Mega points, in fact! Definitely consider splitting the group if you're point conscious. (Personally, I've never been able to pull the trigger on a grand villa reservation.)

For 10 people, I'd consider a 2-bedroom and a studio. There will be room for you to all hang out together when you want to, and then comfortable places to break off to when it's time to go to sleep. Have Member Services mark the reservations as "travelling together" and then explain that again to the desk when you're checking in. Keep in mind though, that your idea of two rooms being close to one another might not be the same as the cast member's. There are no guarantees.

One strategy with this would be to go with one of the larger resorts, like SSR or OKW, where there's a bigger turn-over every day, and more chance of there being two empty rooms in close proximity. With OKW, you also get the benefit that the studios have two queen-sized beds instead of a bed and sleeper sofa, like all other resorts.

Well no mother in-law but my mother is considering joining us....LOL

That being said the group has shifted as I expected when you are looking for a yse on who would be going....We are now at 6-8 w/ 2 kids under 10. what would you suggest now?

Thanks

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well no mother in-law but my mother is considering joining us....LOL

That being said the group has shifted as I expected when you are looking for a yse on who would be going....We are now at 6-8 w/ 2 kids under 10. what would you suggest now?

Thanks

An important point would be how many beds that means? ie, couples? singles?

FWIW I much prefer having single accommodations vs multiple rooms. Rooms have doors if someone needs to get away but it's a chance for us to visit with the people we invite. I don't see it any different than when family comes to visit us at home but we don't live near most of our family either.

 

[MAO]

Well no mother in-law but my mother is considering joining us....LOL

That being said the group has shifted as I expected when you are looking for a yse on who would be going....We are now at 6-8 w/ 2 kids under 10. what would you suggest now?

Thanks

I think, as PP said, a lot depends on who's sleeping with whom .. or not.

How many beds do you need is, to me, the starting point. If you have 6 adults which translates to 3 couples, you need 3 beds. If you have 6 adults which translates to 2 couples and 2 singles, you need 4 beds. And if the singles are different genders, most people are going to feel that those two beds need to be in separate rooms.

There are, of course, many options. Depending on when you want to go, particularly in relation to when you are making the reservation (i.e., it's a lot easier to make a multi-room reservation, in my opinion, at 11 months than at 7,) you may find it easier or cheaper to get a 2 bedroom and put the kids in a sofa bed, and two adults in each bed as well as the other sofa bed. Me, I'd consider a 1 bedroom for the family with the kids and either upgrade to the 2 bedroom for one couple/single and a studio for the rest or just keep the 1 bedroom and get as few studios as you can convince the others to accept.

Depending on the length of stay, as well as the habits of those involved, one washer/dryer and kitchen (in that 1 bedroom) might be sufficient. Otherwise, it might work out better to get two 1 bedrooms. It's really difficult to say because so much depends on the dynamics of the family. I have a 5 night trip coming up in October - put my father with my sister and her husband in a 2 bedroom, but got three 1-bedrooms for the rest of us. ("Fair" and "Equal" and "she got more than me!" were expressions we used frequently growing up - "sharing" never seemed to work out all that well for us. LOL!)

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Well no mother in-law but my mother is considering joining us....LOL

That being said the group has shifted as I expected when you are looking for a yse on who would be going....We are now at 6-8 w/ 2 kids under 10. what would you suggest now?

Thanks

Take a look at the Tree House villas at SSR.

 

[rockyroad569]

MAO...Can you suggest best days to visit the major accommodations. Seen many different approaches but would rather get some advise from the members. any advice?

 

[rockyroad569]

Birdsofpraydave,

I see you have been in the club for some time and have been asking advice on the best days to visit the major attractions. Any suggestions considering I would have kids?

 

[rockyroad569]

DVC Jen,

It looks like you have been a member for some time. i would like to ask which water parks are the best. Trying to find a place to stay and plan a down day to recoup. Thinking a waterpark day would fit the bill. would you agree? Which days are better than others? any idea?