What room arrangements do you recommend with extended family?

[disney-super-mom]

So last night (Thanksgiving), I was talking to my MIL and mentioned that our little boys have been to DL many times over the years, so next year we were going to take them to WDW for their first trip there. My MIL then says, "Boy, I sure would like to go with you, and maybe Michael (my BIL) could go too."

So okay, I think going on a trip with them would be fun, and I think they'd really enjoy WDW. We all get along fairly well, but of course there are times when we all can grate on each others nerves too.

Now, since many of you have traveled with extended family before (and we haven't), I thought I'd ask your advice.

Is it better to get seperate rooms so there's not too much togetherness? (For example I could reserve 2 studios - one for my family, and one for my MIL and BIL share.)

Or, is it better to reserve one large unit, like a 2 bedroom?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Is it better to get seperate rooms so there's not too much togetherness? (For example I could reserve 2 studios - one for my family, and one for my MIL and BIL share.

I'll answer both questions as simply as I can.

YES

Or, is it better to reserve one large unit, like a 2 bedroom?.

NO

Time away from each other is very important if you'd like to continue getting along very well. BTW, I like the move of putting BIL and MIL in the same studio.

HBC

 

[spiceycat]

I fully agree with HBC.

if you know your il's might get on your nerves - you and your kids don't need that.

too much together could definitely happen otherwise.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Is it better to get seperate rooms so there's not too much togetherness? (For example I could reserve 2 studios - one for my family, and one for my MIL and BIL share.)

If it were me, I would get two studios. I would put my family at AKV, and my MIL... at OKW.

MG

 

[grimgrinnin]

I concur -
We're taking my In-Laws for Christmas this year (MIL, FIL, SisterIL, DNephew) - we're getting 3 studios as opposed to a 2-Bedroom.

We get along great. It's just nice for everyone to have their own 'space'.


grim

 

[MdmMim]

Yes, to separate studios. You'll be happy you did.

 

[Donald is #1]

Another vote for separate studios.

My sister & her family went to WDW last October (2006) with her in-laws (I tagged along too.) They all stayed in the in-laws RV at FW and I stayed at WL in my own room. Getting my own room was the best move! I met up with them when I wanted and had my own space. Talking to my sister and brother-in-law, by 1/2 way through the week, they were really wishing that they had their own hotel room.

 

[canwegosoon]

I have 3 studios booked for most of my family(only 1 sil)...more privacy, and down time(or up time) depending on many factors. I can totally see my sisters out with us at MK until 2am....but my parents will be asleep by 11pm...indvidual studios-every one is happy.

 

[disney-super-mom]

See, that's why I like you DVCers.....you guys and gals are hilarious!

Okay, so there's seems to be no question, we should get two studios!

That's perfect, and that's what we'll do.

Now the question is where? I was kind of thinking OKW since my MIL will have an ECV that she will need to keep in the room at night, plus the OKW studios have 2 queen beds, but I think they'd like BWV for the ambiance and the location.

Of course I'm also thinking about AKV too. DH and I really liked the AKL when we went to BOMA even though it was kind of dark. AKV is really speaking to me right now......

Oooh, it's a tough call to make!

 

[disney-super-mom]

BTW, I like the move of putting BIL and MIL in the same studio.

I thought it would be a great bonding opportunity for them.

 

[Donald is #1]

See, that's why I like you DVCers.....you guys and gals are hilarious!

Okay, so there's seems to be no question, we should get two studios!

That's perfect, and that's what we'll do.

Now the question is where? I was kind of thinking OKW since my MIL will have an ECV that she will need to keep in the room at night, plus the OKW studios have 2 queen beds, but I think they'd like BWV for the ambiance and the location.

Of course I'm also thinking about AKV too. DH and I really liked the AKL when we went to BOMA even though it was kind of dark. AKV is really speaking to me right now......

Oooh, it's a tough call to make!

One warning on OKW: I believe that there are only 2-3 buildings that have elevators. Other than that, it is a beautiful resort.

 

[daisyduck123]

This past May, we spent 9 days in WDW with extended family.
It worked out pretty well because we did not even stay at the SAME resort.
We just met for meals & some park-time.
It was:
* DH, DD13, DS9, myself at SSR
* My parents at POP
* DH's parents stayed offsite.

We never really had a chance to get sick of each other or get on each others nerves because we did not spend a WHOLE lot of time together. Worked out great!

*Btw, we had an ECV with us at SSR because DH broke his big toe the day we left home to go to WDW!!

 

[disney-super-mom]

One warning on OKW: I believe that there are only 2-3 buildings that have elevators. Other than that, it is a beautiful resort.

Well now you see, that's another thing. At OKW, she would either have to be in a building with an elevator, or she would have to be in a ground floor unit. That shouldn't be a problem to request though, would it?

 

[ldo]

Are you going for the week? I would want a 1 BR for me and the kids and a studio for the others. With 2 studios, you don't get a kitchen or living room area, plus private BR for adults and kids on sofa--nice if kids go to bed earlier and you still want to stay up (we put our kids in the BR, then transferred later that night). With a 1 BR, you could have an areas where all could come and hang out in the evening, play cards, etc. Plus, you could cook meals.

Of course, if you don't want a place where everyone can hang out together and don't want to be able to cook meals....well, that's a different story! We do the 2 BR--it is a LOT of togetherness!!

 

[rayelias]

Is it better to get seperate rooms so there's not too much togetherness?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

I know from experience.

My suggestion? 2 studios. One at Saratoga Springs and one at Vero Beach. You'll thank me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

On our very first DVC trip, we took my husband's parents along with us. We had a two bedroom at OKW and gave them the second bedroom. My husband and I had the master bedroom and our son was supposed to be on the sleeper sofa. Wound up me and son in the king bed and husband on the sleeper sofa.

But we had a very good trip. I was sure they wouldn't want to get up early every day and do park opening. My FIL, ex accountant with a major oil company, was the first one up each day and raring to go. Surprised the heck out of me.

An OKW two bedroom would give you lots of room. You could even request a lockoff so they could have the private entrance and kitchen in their room. But they would still have two queen beds.

 

[disney-super-mom]

An OKW two bedroom would give you lots of room. You could even request a lockoff so they could have the private entrance and kitchen in their room. But they would still have two queen beds.

Ahhhh, that is true. They really could have their own room in a way, and yet we could have the benefits of a two bedroom (full kitchen and washer/dryer). That's food for thought for us to consider.

Thanks for bringing that up.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Are you going for the week? I would want a 1 BR for me and the kids and a studio for the others. With 2 studios, you don't get a kitchen or living room area, plus private BR for adults and kids on sofa--nice if kids go to bed earlier and you still want to stay up (we put our kids in the BR, then transferred later that night). With a 1 BR, you could have an areas where all could come and hang out in the evening, play cards, etc. Plus, you could cook meals.

Of course, if you don't want a place where everyone can hang out together and don't want to be able to cook meals....well, that's a different story! We do the 2 BR--it is a LOT of togetherness!!

We may consider this scenerio as well. I'm going to have to run this all by DH and see what he thinks, but I love all the different perspectives because they bring up options/ideas that we didn't think of.

 

[ACDSNY]

Another vote for a two bedroom lock-off. We've done this several times and the extended family use the studio part. You'll need the washer/dryer and kitchen when you're traveling that far with kids.

 

[Steve@BWV]

While the accommodations are important I believe it is more important to develop grounds rules before you leave for the trip. When we travel with guests (including family) we stress that we not only expected the guests to have some time to themselves but we also expect time to ourselves. We have found it is very important to be able to separate during the day to pursue different interests.

We make it very clear ahead of time that this is the case. After the first trip with my mother and sister this became evident. Every time a decision needed to be made (even if involved only them) they would say "you know Disney, just tell us what to do."

Good luck!