Which resort options do we hae for this size group?

[Disney*Dreamer]

We are thinking of taking a vacation next summer with my sister-in-law and her family. It would be their first trip. Anyway, I am not sure what resort options that we have. Here is who is going:

Me, Dh, Ds(5) and DD(2)

Also

Mother-in-Law

and

Sister-in-law
Her dh
Her Ds (11)
Her DS (8)
Her DS (4)

So what are our options as far as resorts go? Mother in Law will not be paying her way, we will be splitting that, so we don't really want to get her a seperate room. We would love to get everyone in 2 rooms or even one if possible. I just don't know what is best. So I thought I would get advice here before calling for prices. Thanks!

 

[Elmo888]

One ASMusic Family Suite (sleeps 6) and one standard room at ASMusic (sleeps 4) would work (your DD2 is "child under 3" so, technically, your MIL could fit in your room in just about any resort, which would be 4 plus one child under 3).

With your SIL's family of 5, her least expensive options are POR (some have trundles) or ASMusic Family Suites. So, you could go with 2 rooms at POR, too. That would be your family and MIL in one room and your SIL's family in another room (a room with a trundle, which only sleep younger children).

I'm sure that there are other options, but those seem to be the least expensive (off the top of my head).

Another option (more expensive)...Some (or all?) of the deluxes have daybeds and can sleep 5. So, you could get two rooms with your family and MIL in one room and SIL's family in another room.

I thought that 2 bedroom villas sleep only 8, but I just saw on the Disney web site that the AKV sleep 9. That would work since you have 9 plus one child under 3.

Have a great trip!

 

[rie'smom]

Fort Wilderness cabins are really nice. here's the layout:

The Murphy bed is very comfortable. The kids can go to the outdoor movie at the Trading Post in the evening. You can bring your own S'mores fixings or you can buy a kit for 5.00. There's no charge ( except if you need a kit) and Chip and Dale are there too! When our kids were younger, we especially loved the kitchen for snacks, heating bottles,etc.

 

[ducklite]

The only option for "one room" would be a DVC Grand Villa.

You'd all fit in two deluxe rooms (except at AKL and WL), but MIL would be in your room with you.

Frankly I'd seriously consider staying offsite in a rental house. You'll need at least three rooms at the value resorts, and a rental home would most likely be the least expensive options.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

The only option for "one room" would be a DVC Grand Villa.

You'd all fit in two deluxe rooms (except at AKL and WL), but MIL would be in your room with you.

Frankly I'd seriously consider staying offsite in a rental house. You'll need at least three rooms at the value resorts, and a rental home would most likely be the least expensive options.

You are probably right about the rental house, I just Hate to stay off-site. Maybe we can stay on-site and the out-laws can stay off site, lol, and J/k.

 

[klofan]

How about 3 rooms at a value? Go in August (cheap and low crowds). It will only be about 240 a night plus tax for 3 rooms!

 

[jmsahs]

You could do two connecting rooms at POR aligator Bayou . . . They sleep five (two double beds and a trundle)

 

[spiceycat]

value - except All Star Music Suites - sleep 4 suites sleep 5 or 6
moderate - except for POR - AB - sleep 4 - ab sleeps 5
deluxe - standard room - sleep 5 (except AKL and WL - 4)
FW cabins - sleep 6
DVC resorts
studio - sleep 4
1=bedroom - sleep 4 (except for AKV - 5)
2-bedroom - sleep 8 (except for AKV - 9)
3-bedroom - sleep 12

I might go with 2 fw cabins - the kids can go wild there and no one will complaint.

at the other places they are basically hotels (exception are OKW and SSR) and kids screaming and playing - like cousins do - might get you complaints.

fw cabins has double bed (full size) in the bedroom with bunk beds (twin size)

in the livingroom is a murphy bed - where MIL can be. this is not by any means a sofa bed - it is a regular bed just in the wall.

 

[Deb & Bill]

How about two rooms at the Contemporary Resort - Wing rooms would be a bit less. They sleep five with two queen beds and one day bed (twin sized). You would have to pay for the extra adult in your room if MIL stayed in your room. Two yr old could sleep with you and husband or in the pack and play. Son could sleep on the day bed. The rooms are around the largest on the Disney property.

You could walk to MK, take the monorail to Epcot. Bus to AK and Disney Studios.

 

[ccigliano]

I would try to rent points from a AKV DVC owner for the two bedroom that sleeps 9. I think that economically while it may not end up being the cheapest (2 rooms at POR) - you'll end up staying at a Deluxe for a little bit more - get a full kitchen to make some breakfasts and lunches and really get spoiled. You would even get your own bedroom - as the planner always gets the master bedroom with the jacuzzi tub -it Disney LAW!!!. Good Luck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Even if some of the AKV two bedroom villas sleep 9, I would never want 9 people staying in a two bedroom. Just TOOO crowded and uncomfortable. There would be three people sleeping in the living room.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I would do 3 rooms and put MIL with the 2 youngest Boys ,Yours and SILs as they are close to age and might enjoy it.

 

[ElizabethB]

They have nine plus an infant age 2. To my knowledge there are no DVC 2 bedrooms that sleep nine plus one in a pak n play. Isn't the maximum 8 plus one in a pak n play? If I'm wrong, please let me know. We had eight and a two-year-old in a two bedroom at SSR resort last month. We were comfortable -- and we liked that we had a nice living room kitchen area where we could gather for coffee, chats and the like. For that reason, a 2-bedroom DVC would be nice if the OP's group fits -- but I don't think it does.

Given that, I agree with the suggestion of two rooms at the Contemporary, provided the OP doesn't mind sharing a room with her mother-in-law. The rooms are large, the pools are great, the slide is fun, and the walk to MK and monorail can't be beat.

 

[minnie61650]

Just an FYI

Note: there is no extra fee for extra adults in a Family Suite;.
1-6 adults can stay in a Family Suite at the regular rate.
AAA now has dicounts on the Family Suites.
Codes and other discounts have also been offered.
Keep your eyes open for specials!


Remember a fridge is included in AS Suite.

Fridges cost $10 a night to rent when staying at a value . Don't forget the Queen size bed,a coffee pot and microwave are also in Family Suites.
The Family Suites are located in the Calypso and Jazz buildings. Those buildings are the buildings which are nearest to the main pool ,food court and bus stop.
That means less walking to and from your room!
------------------------------------------------------------

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) in Sept. of 2006.

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.
The sofa folds out and sleeps two. Both the chair and ottoman also fold out into a twin bed and each sleep 1 person.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[kaytieeldr]

It appears (calculating quickly) that the OP's best option is one Family Suite and one 'regular' room at All Star Music.

They have enough people to qualify for a Grand Gathering - which doesn't cost any extra unless they choose to do one of the available 'events'. The benefit to that is room location - apparently, Grand Gathering Guests' rooms are assigned first, so they can be close.

If the OP takes the four-year-old nephew in her room, SIL & BIL can have the bedroom in the suite; MIL can have the fold-out sofa; and the two older boys can each have one of the fold-out chairs (or put MIL in one of those, two of the boys sleep together on the sofa, the third on the other chair - and the OP gets just HER family in her room).

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Thanks so much for all of the great advice. I called Grand Gatherings and got some prices, for some reason, the lady quote me a higher price than what I was quoted through the online system. Weird. But I plan to call back and check on the suites, when I called I was checking on 3 rooms at Pop.

I am also considering renting a vacation house, though initially I am leary of them, having never done anything like that before. Ideally we will stay onsite. I don't want the fact that they may go with us, to ruin my vacation and staying off-site, IMO would take some of the magic out of it.

As for the kids and MIL, I will keep any of the kids in my room, but I cannot sleep in the same room as mil, since she snores really loud and keeps me up all night. No bad blood, just bad snoring. lol.

I am going to look into some of the other options posted here too. Thanks for taking the time to post everyone!

 

[Rylee]

Other than the cost, I wouldn't recommend or want to stay off-site, either. Staying on site is more magical, something the in-laws should experience for their 1st trip, if possible, but also allows for greater flexibility. We are a family of 7 and often travel with another family of 6... and we sometimes have different priorities... some want to be in the parks all day, others like to play in the pool or take a break in the afternoon, and nap the little ones. With the on-site transportation, it makes it much easier to split up for a few hours.

I would probably go with 3 rooms at a value... 2 connecting and 1 adjoining and let a couple of kids bunk with Grandma, or 1 room and a family suite at ASMusic.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Well I have been on the phone all morning, here is what I have come up with. For the Grand Gatherings at AS Music 1 standard room and 1 family suite and tickets for everyone it comes to 4890.82

Also, I have found a nice vacation home through Villa's Direct, with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and all of our tickets for 3387.25


That is a huge difference so I am not sure there is even any argument that I can make to get everyone to agree to stay onsite. The difference is 1503.57.

 

[spiceycat]

They have nine plus an infant age 2. To my knowledge there are no DVC 2 bedrooms that sleep nine plus one in a pak n play. Isn't the maximum 8 plus one in a pak n play? If I'm wrong, please let me know. We had eight and a two-year-old in a two bedroom at SSR resort last month. We were comfortable -- and we liked that we had a nice living room kitchen area where we could gather for coffee, chats and the like. For that reason, a 2-bedroom DVC would be nice if the OP's group fits -- but I don't think it does.

the new AKV have in the livingroom a chair bed - so they sleep 9 in a 2-bedroom and 5 in a 1-bedroom. plus they could have a pack and pay (10 allowed if one is under 3)

this is the only DVC resort that 5 is allowed in a 1-bedroom.

so CRO should stop (doesn't mean they will) allowing 5 guests in any DVC resort for a 1-bedroom expect AKV.

 

[rie'smom]

We stayed off site in a villa one year and loved it! The house was in the Emerald Island subdivision and we were 5 minutes from the Animal Kingdom.