Two rooms, too cramped?

[Danielle17]

Hello!
Planning our 2nd WDW vacation: family of 7, 5 kids ages 6-12. Last year we stayed in a family suite at AoA for 11 days & it was fine - enough space for dh & I with the separate bedroom. Buses were WAY faster & more efficient then I thought they'd be (late April) so all in all a perfect first on-site stay. We had grandparents in another suite so 1 kid stayed overnight with them so this time the suites are out and I'm looking at booking two rooms. I know connecting rooms aren't guaranteed. The suites are so expensive and for that price I'd rather stay offsite & get more bang for my buck.

Dining is a huge part of splurging on our vacation so I'm looking at mod resort plus dining plan for around 10 days. But, will I go crazy in the space? I know the room dimensions but does it feel really cramped? We don't spend a huge amount of time in our rooms, but enjoyed some mid day breaks and resort only days last time & vegging out a bit in the evenings.

I want to go around early December this time with the Christmas decor up so free dining's a possibility but not guaranteed. For the Christmas-y ambience I'd rather stay on site, just worried the tight space might not be worth it. Experience or thoughts welcome!

 

[brittanidp]

Have you priced out renting a 2br DVC villa and adding the dining plan?

 

[Danielle17]

I have, and that's a definite possibility if I decide the two rooms just won't be a good idea. I'd kinda hate to miss out on snagging free dining with that, though. The DVC villas seem a little isolated & that brings on more convenience concerns, too, so a bit unsure of that option.

 

[Hopefully]

I think you will be ok in 2 Moderate resort rooms. A big thing for me is sleeping surfaces. At Mods you will have a total of 4 Queen beds & 2 bathrooms. Can some kids share beds?

 

[brittanidp]

I have, and that's a definite possibility if I decide the two rooms just won't be a good idea. I'd kinda hate to miss out on snagging free dining with that, though. The DVC villas seem a little isolated & that brings on more convenience concerns, too, so a bit unsure of that option.

All of them aren't far out, but I guess t depends on where you will spend your time. You could book a 2br through Disney if it's available when free dining comes out, but I'm not sure if the value will still be there then

 

[Danielle17]

Yes, sharing is not a problem. Twins & Irish twins so they're always together anyways

 

[_auroraborealis_]

How early in December? If your check-in overlaps Pop Warner, there won't be free dining for that period.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Consider this... AOA suites are 565sqft.
One room at a moderate resort is 314sqft.
So 565sqft compared to 628sqft.
Shouldn't feel too cramped in my opinion.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have you priced out renting a 2br DVC villa and adding the dining plan?

Early December is the most popular time for DVC members and could be close to filling up already. Members know that they have to book their home resort early to guarantee their stay.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I don't think you'll feel too cramped in 2 mod rooms. The biggest concern would be not getting connecting rooms. I would definitely look at a 2-bedrom villa - BLT, VWL, BCV and BWV puts you very close to theme parks, as does AKV (close to AK). They would give you more space plus a full kitchen and washer/dryer which could come in handy!

 

[Babsy]

Consider this... AOA suites are 565sqft.
One room at a moderate resort is 314sqft.
So 565sqft compared to 628sqft.
Shouldn't feel too cramped in my opinion.

THIS!!!

If you were comfortable enough in an AoA suite, you should be fine in two moderate rooms. The actual space is larger, you still get two bathrooms and you have 4 queen beds! You will have two small fridges and two coffee machines. It's not bad at all, IMO.

Which moderate were you planning on? If you book pool view RR at POR, for example, you should be really close to each other because the rooms are almost all on one side of Oak Manor. Or, booking at POFQ, (where the resort is small) might also keep you relatively close together. Meanwhile, you can request connecting rooms and hopefully will get them. Disney does try to fulfill your requests whenever possible.

Good luck!

 

[Nancyg56]

I think two rooms would be fine. If connecting rooms is a priority, make it your only request. If it is a deal breaker, you need an different option.

 

[Danielle17]

Thank you all for your responses, you've been really helpful!

 

[rosiebean]

Chiming in on two mod rooms being fine for space, IMO...and if you get AB at POR, you'll also have the murphy bed. I think those are at other mods as well. I've stayed with four and three adults in a mod room, and it was totally manageable. I imagine it's even more spacious feeling with kids instead of grown ups filling the space!

 

[AngiTN]

I was also going to suggest booking rooms at POR. If you book with 5 in a room this would give you AB, where you'll have 5 sleeping surfaces. Also, booking Preferred will give you AB. They also have a fairly large percentage of connecting rooms. If you make it your only request I think you'd stand a decent chance of getting them. I've only booked 2 rooms once (at POFQ), made connecting rooms our only request. We got them.