Where would you stay?

[Dizzymrslizzy]

I'm trying to plan our next WDW trip next summer. It will be a decent size group of us:

DH, Myself, DS (4), DD(6m)
Grandma, Grandpa

So 6 of us. DD will be in a Pnp, so I need to worry about real lodging for the 5 of us. My parents prefer queen/king size beds. DH and I are fine on whatever.

I'm usually a penny pincher and will stay at Values, because I'm there for the parks and not to spend time in the room.

Mom and Dad though are more upscale, stay at mostly Marriott brand hotels. Rooms matter to them.

Mom and Dad are footing the bill for the trip, and I think I have a budget of about $300 a night during late summer/early fall 2012. (I'm hoping I can get a free dining around then, we'll see!)

So where would you stay given those circumstances

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Are you planning on staying in the same room? Personally I"d not be able to stay with my parents and kids in the same room. Obviously that is personal choice though.

However, if there are 5 of you in a room you are limited in your choices. Also, if you are talking 2 rooms are you looking at $300 for each room or total?

 

[Dizzymrslizzy]

Either way is fine for me, either a suite, or two rooms.

I'm unsure what my parent's intentions are, whether it's $300 per room, or $300 total per night. Although our Easter Vacation they spend a good $500-600 per night on room! LOL, so it's possible.

 

[kaffinito]

If it's 300.00 per night than for 2 rooms you could stay at a moderate. CSR, POFQ and POR have queen beds now.

ETA: CSR is like a deluxe resort with deluxe amenities if that helps any.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want one room, you might try the Wing room at Contemporary Resort. Large room with two queen beds and one day bed. Plus room for the PNP. An easy walk from that building to the main building. Less than five minutes. And the wing rooms tend to be less expensive than the tower rooms. Not exactly sure of the cost, but it might fit your bill. Also less expensive than the other deluxe resorts that sleep five in the room.

Plus you can walk to the MK in about ten minutes. Or take the monorail.

 

[Marthasor]

Either way is fine for me, either a suite, or two rooms.

I'm unsure what my parent's intentions are, whether it's $300 per room, or $300 total per night. Although our Easter Vacation they spend a good $500-600 per night on room! LOL, so it's possible.

If it's $500-$600 per night you may be able to get a great room-only discount at some deluxes that time of year! We went this year, the week before Labor Day and took advantage of WDW's August/September discount. We split our stay between BC and VWL. At BC, we had two garden view rooms, each were $250 a night with the discount and a 2-bedroom at VWL for about $450 a night. It's a great time to go and the discounts can be fantastic!

 

[dvcHammer]

You might want to consider renting DVC points from one of the brokers that sponsor the boards. (or from a DVC owner)
That way you could get a 1 or 2BR villa. A king bed for the Grands, plenty of room for everyone, impressive upscale accommodations. (whirlpool tub, 2 baths, washer/dryer, full kitchen, etc.)

We've been DVC owners for 13 years and once you stay in a Villa, it's hard to go back to crushing everyone into regular hotel rooms. For just 2 of us, any of the moderates work out fine.

you would be in the $300 - $500 a night range depending on time of year and villa location.

 

[Disney grandma]

The Dolphin might be an alternative to Disney resort if there is no free dining. They have an Executive suite , two rooms with two bathrooms so there is privacy for each room and they are connected and one room has a kitchenette and living room area. Usually they offer some great rates in the summer for standard rooms too.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I agree with looking into renting DVC points. You could rent a 2 bedroom and have a king bed for mom/dad while you and your kids stay in the 2nd bedroom which has 2 double beds or a double and a pull out couch. You would also have 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen and living area in this situation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I agree with looking into renting DVC points. You could rent a 2 bedroom and have a king bed for mom/dad while you and your kids stay in the 2nd bedroom which has 2 double beds or a double and a pull out couch. You would also have 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen and living area in this situation.

The second bedroom has either two queen beds or a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa.

OP, you have to understand that purchasing reservation from a DVC member is just that. Disney won't be involved in any way. It will be between you an the member. You won't be able to contact Disney for any reason. And it comes down to a lot of trust.

 

[Marthasor]

You might want to consider renting DVC points from one of the brokers that sponsor the boards. (or from a DVC owner)
That way you could get a 1 or 2BR villa. A king bed for the Grands, plenty of room for everyone, impressive upscale accommodations. (whirlpool tub, 2 baths, washer/dryer, full kitchen, etc.)

We've been DVC owners for 13 years and once you stay in a Villa, it's hard to go back to crushing everyone into regular hotel rooms. For just 2 of us, any of the moderates work out fine.

you would be in the $300 - $500 a night range depending on time of year and villa location.

Also know, you do not have to rent points to stay at a DVC resort - in your case, BCV. WDW keeps some inventory for cash customers who are not DVC owners. We have stayed at both AKLV Jambo and VWL and made our reservations on the WDW website. (just search for deluxe villas, Beach Club Villas if checking on the website, or ask for Beach Club Villa availability if you call WDW reservations) We are not DVC owners. Got huge discounts on both by the way! While I agree a 2 bedroom at BCV would be awesome for your family (and may be less than booking two regular rooms!). I personally would not rent points. I like to be in control of my own reservation and like daily housekeeping as well which you will get if you book as a resort guest and not through a DVC owner. DVC owners do not get daily housekeeping. Just my personal preference in booking rooms. I highly recommend the villas though! Tons of space, kitchen and washer/dryer in 1 and 2 bedrooms! Can't be beat with little ones in tow!

 

[jimandami]

No you don't have to rent points to stay in a DVC resort, but it is definitely the most economical way. For our upcoming marathon trip, we rented a preferred view studio at BWV for right at $1000 for 7 nights. When the recent AP 40% discount was released, I checked to see what it would have cost us going through WDW and a standard view studio (which wasn't available for our dates going through DVC) would have been $650 more even with the discount. We have rented points many times both from dvcrequest and individual owners here on the dis and have had great experiences. We don't mind not having daily housekeeping and love staying in the villas!

 

[mattnewyork]

Don't overlook offsite hotels. The Marriott is closer to Epcot than many onsite resorts. Grandpa would be put at ease since he likes Marriotts.

Also, try Hotwire to save a LOT of Money and still stay in a 4 Star or 5 star place.

Allstarvacationhomes.com has great deals as well.

If you must stay on property, I agree with the others the a moderate is within your budget and they are nice (avoid the value resorts, IMHO). Carribbean Beach resort has a great zero entry pool with Pirate ships that kids your age will love.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Don't overlook offsite hotels. The Marriott is closer to Epcot than many onsite resorts. Grandpa would be put at ease since he likes Marriotts.

Also, try Hotwire to save a LOT of Money and still stay in a 4 Star or 5 star place.

Allstarvacationhomes.com has great deals as well.

If you must stay on property, I agree with the others the a moderate is within your budget and they are nice (avoid the value resorts, IMHO). Carribbean Beach resort has a great zero entry pool with Pirate ships that kids your age will love.

Check out the Bonnet Creek Resort. They have some very nice Windham timeshares there that usually go for less than Disney timeshares, plus some nice hotels. Bonnet Creek Resort is adjacent to Epcot and Caribbean Beach Resort. But it doesn't get Disney transportation.