VWL help and large group with drama

[twinboysmom]

I really am embarrassed to even ask some of this but here it goes. The non embarrassing part first. Our next vacation is at VWL, a first for us and a surprise that we were able to book here. We will not be using the buses but my question is regarding the boat to MK. Will it accommodate strollers or will we have to take the children out and fold them? Also any recommended room requests as we would like a balcony and a non dumpster view. I don't mind walking down long hallways. How is self parking? We will have 6 children in our group ranging from18 months to 5 years. Any not miss recommendations?

As for the drama, I feel like I am in junior high again. We are bringing along two other families of 4 giving us a party of 12. Originally we had planned on staying in OKW at a GV but the two other families don't want to stay with each other. We are all long time friends but they have begun having "issues". We currently have a 2 bdrm and studio. How do I pick who stays with us in the 2 bdrm? Any recommendations would be great as well as any recommendations for traveling with such a large group. One family has been twice before; this is our 3rd and last time bringing them and the other has never been. Both seem to think they are staying with us.

One last question, can I get two cribs, not pack n plays, from the hotel or do I need to use an outside company. Thanks everyone!

 

[Disney Princess]

I don't have any answers to your questions, but I wanted to say good luck with the issues. Things can always be difficult when dealing with . . . people. I don't know when your trip is or what your point situation is, but I would try to change the reservation from a 2BR and a studio to a 1 BR and two studios. That way each family is getting a studio and both are separate from your family. Your family can still enjoy the 1 BR ammenities, but no family feels left out. That seems to take the stress away from you. Then you aren't choosing a favorite. Good luck!

 

[rentayenta]

I say you stay in the Studio and let them hash it out. Honestly, that's tough. I would sit down before the trip with the major players and nip this. Vacations can be stressful especially when trying to coordinate a large group and any drama will just increase the tension. If it were me, I would share with the family with the oldest kids- little kids tend to be higher maintanence imho especially when trying to match bedtimes, food choices, etc... Good luck!

 

[kim532]

To me the perk of the 1 bedroom is the kitchen. Do you know if one set of friends are more interested in having the full kitchen for cooking. If there is a couple that plans on eating out every meal, then let them have the studio.

Kim

 

[RDP]

Tell the other two families to sort there issues out before they go. Or else you will end up with an expensive stressful vacation. Their S**t is not your problem!

 

[Sandisw]

I would simply tell them that you need to know what their preference is as far as staying the studio attached to your unit or by themselves so that you can decide how everything will work.

If they both want to stay with you, then be honest and tell them that you will put the names in a hat and go by luck of the draw. If you have a personal preference, then you choose and just tell them this is how it is.

I would try not to worry too much about it but I would certainly set some group rules up for how and when you will do things as a group, especially if the other two are not getting along quite as well as would be nice.

We did that with a large family trip to the beach. We set it up ahead of time that we were all on our own vacation but together. Everyone did their own planning and shared it with others and if someone else wanted to do it as well, great. But, if not, there were no hard feelings or anything. This way, everyone knew what to expect ahead of time.

Good luck!

 

[disneynutz]

Dealing with the drama didn't improve our relations with friends and family and no matter how hard you try, people will be people.

After several attempts to share our love of Disney and WDW with others, we have decided to keep it for ourselves.

Bill

 

[twinboysmom]

Thanks everyone! I tell you, I think when it comes to these vacations I am only going to bring family or just travel with our own group of 4. I guess it's going to be drawing from a hat. My twins are the youngest and they each have 2 children, almost identical in ages. Nobody plans on cooking, including me but I am certainly going to keep the 1 bdrm portion for just us and we can all use it as a meeting place, place for laundry that sort of thing. I don't have the points for a 1 bdrm and 2 studios or I would do that. I think it will all work out in the end, they get along fine in person, not necessarily behind each others backs. We are all driving separately so I guess another option is whoever gets there first picks their room. Anyway, any VWL suggestions?

 

[Disneywedding2010]

Personally if you are the DVC member with the points I would take the 1 bedroom for yourself and then decide which other family is staying with you. Then put the 3rd family in the studio.

 

[Brandis]

Just came back from VWL. We always parked in the first parking alley, where the front half is reserved for Handicapped Parking.

When coming back from the parks, turn left just after the security booth, then left again and then right into the first parking alley.

After that, there are 2 alleys reserved for Valet and then the rest of the hotel parking.

 

[dzorn]

I know you were excited about VWL but I would look at the other options point wise to see if you could swing a 1-bed and two studios at OKW or else where. If the other two families are already having issues I would hate for that drama to continue on vacation. One of the two will be upset about the studio.

If you have no preference on who stays with you I would choose the family that has not been with you before. If you need an extra pack and play just call housekeeping.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

I see you want cribs not pack and plays. I am not sure you will fit two with out being squished around them. I would definitely switch to OKW just for the extra space of two cribs.

Denise in MI

 

[wildernessDad]

I really am embarrassed to even ask some of this but here it goes. The non embarrassing part first. Our next vacation is at VWL, a first for us and a surprise that we were able to book here. We will not be using the buses but my question is regarding the boat to MK. Will it accommodate strollers or will we have to take the children out and fold them? Also any recommended room requests as we would like a balcony and a non dumpster view. I don't mind walking down long hallways. How is self parking? We will have 6 children in our group ranging from18 months to 5 years. Any not miss recommendations?

As for the drama, I feel like I am in junior high again. We are bringing along two other families of 4 giving us a party of 12. Originally we had planned on staying in OKW at a GV but the two other families don't want to stay with each other. We are all long time friends but they have begun having "issues". We currently have a 2 bdrm and studio. How do I pick who stays with us in the 2 bdrm? Any recommendations would be great as well as any recommendations for traveling with such a large group. One family has been twice before; this is our 3rd and last time bringing them and the other has never been. Both seem to think they are staying with us.

One last question, can I get two cribs, not pack n plays, from the hotel or do I need to use an outside company. Thanks everyone!

There are two types of boats that make the rounds in those parts. The larger, friendship boat would allow one to board a little one in a stroller. The smaller one would not. Of course, they may have changed and require all strollers to be folded up. I don't know.

 

[krikiter]

I really am embarrassed to even ask some of this but here it goes. The non embarrassing part first. Our next vacation is at VWL, a first for us and a surprise that we were able to book here. We will not be using the buses but my question is regarding the boat to MK. Will it accommodate strollers or will we have to take the children out and fold them? Also any recommended room requests as we would like a balcony and a non dumpster view. I don't mind walking down long hallways.

Last I heard they're still running both large and small boats to MK, so as has already been mentioned: wait for the big boat and you won't have to fold up the strollers. The small boats (including the Contemporary and FW runs) require children to be removed and strollers to be folded.

Request a lake view or pool view room and that will put you on the opposite side of the building as the dumpsters. Even if you don't mind a walk, you may still want to request "close to lobby/elevators", since it puts you closer to the main lodge, boat dock, pools, etc.

 

[dis-happy]

Do you have a lock-off 2 b/r? If so, state that you are staying in the 1 b/r and the two families each have their own studio--just that one of them "happens" to be next to yours. Just keep the lock-off door locked and no need to tell them the key will open both rooms.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Do you have a lock-off 2 b/r? If so, state that you are staying in the 1 b/r and the two families each have their own studio--just that one of them "happens" to be next to yours. Just keep the lock-off door locked and no need to tell them the key will open both rooms.

I was going to make the same suggestion! That way no one feels they are being slighted. I'd also make sure both parties understand that "your" living room will be the group meeting place, but "their" rooms will be their own. I think that avoids all the problems that could arise, and then you sill just have to hope that the stand alone studio is as close to your unit as the one that would be your lock off would be.