Where to stay?

[Loving Disney]

We will be going to Disney World January 21-31. This is our second trip and I am so excited. The trip will be myself, DH, DS 16, DD 14, DS 5, mother in law, and father in law. Last visit was to CBR, it was great but we felt like it might have been a waste of money because we were never in the room. Now that being said it drove me crazy that we were so cramped. We were only there 8 days and this time will be 10.
We are considering a 2 br villa at BLT but don't know if it will be worth the extra money. Another option is 2 adjoining rooms at a value resort. My DH stayed at PCR with his family before I came along and he said that it was very nice, but I feel like I will feel cramped again.
Another question is I know people say not to do Deluxe Disney Dining, but we have several 2 credit meals planned. Is it worth it? I would much rather pay a little more now then have to pay with budget money later. DH does not agree!
Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[disneymom443]

A few years back when we had 8 people in our group. (DMIL, DSIL, DDBFF, DD, DD DS, DH and me) we did two rooms at Wilderness Lodge. We didn't get side by side rooms but it was one room, skip one then the next was our too. We have also done the cabins at Ft. Wilderness but that was with 6 people and then again with 5of us.
On the DDP (deluxe) I'd do it with all the signature dinning it is worth it.

 

[Pakey]

I own DVC and have often stayed in 2 bedroom villas. You will definitely get the space you are looking for. Because we go often, we spend a lot of time in our villa. I would have a hard time justifying the cost if I only used it to shower and sleep. However with the shorter January park hours you may use it more than you think.

I'm not a fan of the deluxe dining plan. We also dine at signatures every night. But eating appetizer entree dessert twice a day is a lot of food for us. I prefer to order what I really want and just pay out of pocket.

 

[spiceycat]

can you all get along enough to stay together.

then would also suggest a DVC - but would go with OKW - it has bigger units - now LOVE BLT - but OKW is cheaper.

or would go for 3 value rooms - two for you and your family and one for the inlaws.

compare prices - OKW renting from a member might beat 3 value rooms at Disney prices. this would be for a 2-bedroom.

now BLT will probably be more.

really do love BLT - walking to the MK is pretty wonderfully. and taking the monorail to Epcot is pretty nice too. (sometimes)

blt in a 2-bedroom has 3 bathrooms - so does AKV (which also might be cheaper than BLT) both of these plus OKW has a chair bed as well

 

[Marthasor]

How about a treehouse villa at SSR?

 

[MMS1125]

could your older daughter or son stay with your inlaws? Or you could do 2 rooms at POR that way your youngest could have the pull down bed and the other kiddo would have a queen to themselves (and 1 with in-laws or boys could share and daughter could have the pull down but it might be small)

I'd cost compare the menus vs cost of dining before going with deluxe. You might be cheaper paying OOP. Another suggestion is 1 person get an AP and a TIW card. You could then possibly get an AP discount on the room and savings on dinners with the card

 

[KrazeeK120]

One thing you didn't mention is your budget.

If you can afford and you all want to stay together, DVC would probably be your best option.

Many of the deluxe rooms have daybeds that your 6 YO can sleep on. Getting 2 rooms at any resort w/daybeds would give each child their own sleeping surface (provided that grandparents don't mind having one of the grandkids in the room with them).

If you're looking for a less expensive option, I think the way to go would be 2 rooms at POR. You'd have a total of 4 queen beds and 2 murphy-style beds. You'd have 1 bed for you and DH, 1 bed for the in-laws, 1 queen bed for each of your older kids, and then your youngest can sleep on one of the murphy beds.

 

[Loving Disney]

A few years back when we had 8 people in our group. (DMIL, DSIL, DDBFF, DD, DD DS, DH and me) we did two rooms at Wilderness Lodge. We didn't get side by side rooms but it was one room, skip one then the next was our too. We have also done the cabins at Ft. Wilderness but that was with 6 people and then again with 5of us.
On the DDP (deluxe) I'd do it with all the signature dinning it is worth it.

We did adjoining rooms last time. Usually isn't a problem that time of year. The problem last time was DS went in the other room but his stuff stayed!

 

[Dreamsdocometrue9112]

If you can stand to all be in one room for 10 days, I give you props. I would go INSANE with that many people in a room, lol. I need my space. Something to take into consideration. That being said, if you CAN stand it, I also vote 2 br villa. If you CAN'T, I suggest 2 rooms at a value or moderate. We had 12 of us on our April trip and each "family" got their own room at POP…it spaced us out at the end of the day to not drive each other insane. It was lovely. POR is a good idea, that way you and your DH get a bed, daughters get a bed and murphy bed. Your in-laws could get their own queen or king bed in their own room.