Which resort would you pick? (possible big group)

[DisneyMom5]

Haven't been here in a while. Our 3 yr. old was hurt by a tree limb on Memorial Day, and we just moved home from the hospital last week. To celebrate his recovery, make up for a lost summer, and to reward my parents for their full time care of our kids, we hope to plan another WDW trip.
Maybe in Feb.? We would like to hit off-season.

If we can talk my parents into the trip, we will have 4 adults and 6 kids (almost 11, 8.5, 5.5, 3.5, almost 2, and an infant).

Some onsite resort ideas I have had are: 3 rooms at Pop Century, 2 cabins at Ft. Wilderness, 2 rooms at Port Orleans, 2 bedroom Villa at OKW or Saratoga S. Don't want to get much pricier than the Villa, and less expensive is better (hoping to snag the kids go free Visa deal again.)

We stayed at the cabins last Feb. and LOVED them. Torn between trying something new, or sticking with what we know. The only drawback would be some of the kids would have to stay with the Grandparents. Same situation with P.O. They probably wouldn't mind, but we are trying to reward them, LOL.

We like the kitchen, but didn't use it for more than 2 meals (other than breakfast, which was mostly cereal and milk.)
Would love to hear some input, especially on the villas.

 

[sters]

You might get better input on the Villas from the DVC boards. If that is affordable, it would probably give you more space, especially having a 2 year old that might need to nap or crash earlier than you do.

I've only stayed at POR and the cabins out of your set of options. I loved POR and the pool was a big hit with my kids. Although in February, that might not be such an issue for you. I liked the cabins, too, but swore off them for serious parking hopping because of transportation issues (too many bus connections to get anyplace besides MK).

 

[Deb & Bill]

A two bedroom villa will only sleep 8 plus one child under the age of 3. So you have one too many to just use a two bedroom. You could add a studio to the two bedroom, but it wouldn't connect. And your parents would get a little peace and quiet if they wanted it.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Originally posted by Deb & Bill
A two bedroom villa will only sleep 8 plus one child under the age of 3. So you have one too many to just use a two bedroom. You could add a studio to the two bedroom, but it wouldn't connect. And your parents would get a little peace and quiet if they wanted it.

I was wondering about that, but the villas were one of the choices that the automated reservation system gave me when I put in my numbers -- 4 adults 4 children 2 infants.
I wonder if they make an exception when its 2 infants. Anyway, the 2 bedroom villa would be about $100 more for 4 nights than 2 cabins would be, so that's why it was sounding attractive. I wonder if when I call them they will contradict the automated reservation. Hmmm.

 

[BCV23]

I would go with the cabins or OKW. The 2BR at OKW are much larger than SSR. I really don't think WDW cares if you have 1 or 2 children under 3....just as they wouldn't at buffets or for entrance to the parks. Not sure but if that is what the computer says then I would think it is fine.

If you were to choose OKW, perhaps your parents could have the master BR....whirlpool and all.

At OKW you would have tons of room for two cribs.

And you would have a washer/dryer...very nice for a family with little ones.



And if you decide on the cabins, I don't think Disney will do a bedcheck. So if you can fit two cribs in one cabin, your whole family could sleep in one cabin, leaving your parents some down time at night in the other. It's been a while since we stayed in a cabin though....18 years ...so I'm not sure if you'd have enough room for 2 cribs. At OKW, you certainly would.

Most importantly, that is so wonderful that your son has made a complete recovery!

 

[DznyDreams]

Originally posted by Deb & Bill
A two bedroom villa will only sleep 8 plus one child under the age of 3. So you have one too many to just use a two bedroom. You could add a studio to the two bedroom, but it wouldn't connect. And your parents would get a little peace and quiet if they wanted it.

I agree with Deb & Bill on getting the extra studio for you parents. Also, if you'd rent the points for this reservation from one of our fellow DISers, you'd save A LOT of money over booking the same room through Disney. As you can see from my signature, we've stayed in DVC units ranging from studios to 2 bedroom units for several years now, and we've always rented our points from a DISboard member.

The only "downside," which is actually not a problem at all for me and my family, is that you won't get daily maid service with a DVC rental. Since the 1 and 2 bedroom units come with washer/dryer, we always had clean towels...never a problem to do our own.... and we'd just toss our trash in one of the provided receptacles on our way out to the parks each day. If washing towels and taking out trash just doesn't sound like a vacation to you, but an unmade bed wouldn't be so bad, you can call housekeeping after you check in to arrange daily trash/towel service. There is a small fee for this, but it's not too much extra to have fresh towels and empty trash cans daily.

Renting DVC points is not for everyone, but it is an option that many enjoy.

 

[gigi1313]

i would go w/three rooms at a value (pop century)... that way you/kids could have connecting and get the g'parents their own room next door... you'd have plenty of room for cribs, extra bathrooms and tvs! the bigger kids could be awake while the littler ones napped and it would not be a problem... the only "downside" is that you would not have kitchen facilities, but since you're only doing cereal breakfast in your room, who needs it? rent one fridge for the group and you are good to go...

i also think it would be the most economical in the long run, offer the most privacy and togetherness all at the same time... and use any money you might "save" to take the whole gang to a great dinner or do the illuminations cruise or something!

ENJOY!

 

[BCV23]

I assumed that the price differenceDisneyMom5 was using indicated a DVC rental. I think a 2BR CRO price would be well over the $100 difference?

With a OKW or SSR 2BR unit you do get 3 TVS although only 2 bathrooms. However, you do have that whirlpool as well as a shower in the master BR. The other bathroom has the usual tub with shower.

 

[DznyDreams]

Originally posted by BCV23
I assumed that the price differenceDisneyMom5 was using indicated a DVC rental. I think a 2BR CRO price would be well over the $100 difference?

Actually, the OP said --

"Anyway, the 2 bedroom villa would be about $100 more for 4 nights than 2 cabins would be, so that's why it was sounding attractive."

Since we don't know the OP's exact dates in Feb, I just arbitrarily selected Feb 13 - 17 (4 nights during VALUE season) and here's what WDW.com gave me:

2 cabins at Ft. Wilderness - $2087.36
2 bedroom Villa at OKW - $2185.44

If the OP can consider renting the points for this stay from a DVC member (and I AM NOT an owner - I rent only), she could get the same dates I selected above at OKW (in a 2-bedroom only) for anywhere between $1110.00 (that's based on paying $10/point) to $1332 (based on $12/point). The going rate seems to be anywhere between $10 and $12 per point right now. Sometimes you can get lucky and find something cheaper, but anything under $10/point doesn't appear as often.

You could rent an additional studio for the same arbitrary dates I've selected for about $410 to $492 extra. That would make the totals change to: $1520.00 to $1824.00 for a 2 bedroom PLUS a studio for 4 nights (checking in on Sunday, out on Thursday).

DisneyMom5 - For slightly more that what I've quoted above, you could get an Epcot or MK resort (BCV, BWV, or WLV) and be closer to the magic. The prices depend on the amount per point the DVC member is asking, and the number of points you'll need for your stay. The points you'll need for your stay is based on the days of the week you choose (SUN - THURS night stays are considerably less than weekends), the season, and the resort/unit size you desire. The DVC seasons are not like the regular Disney hotel seasons. You can compare the Home-Away-From Home Resort seasons to the Value through Deluxe seasons on mousesavers.com, if that interests you. The only thing you really need to know in order to book a rental is the number of points you'll need, which can be done by visiting the DIS "DVC Rent/Trade" board and then select the "DVC Points Calculator" link at the top of that page.

It has been my experience to pay between $9 and $10 per point for most of my stays, but I watch the boards like a hawk when I'm in the market for a DVC resort. I am paying a bit more than that with my upcoming Oct BWV reservation because I drug my feet and didn't start searching until the last minute. I had been dreaming of staying in the WL (the hotel, not the villas) during this stay, but I began to get nervous about the lack of discounts, so I took what I could get at this late date. I'm paying $750 for a studio at BWV for 5 Oct nights vs. $1834.18 I'd pay for booking this same room through Disney (which, at this time, isn't even available through CRO anyway - BWV has been booked for a long while now).

GOSH! Sorry so I got so long winded, but the DVC rental thing is complicated to explain in under 100 words!

 

[susy]

Make sure you check in before peak season kicks in (mid-Feb). I would early Feb.

Here is my suggestion: 3 rooms at Pop. I have often seen discounts for $49 at this time. You could request connecting rooms with an adjoining room. You would have three bathrooms and three rooms in which to move about, watch Tv, nap, etc. You would also have six beds and no on would have to take a sofabed while someone else sleeps in a kigs sized bed.

The bus service is excellent at this resort and the food court was great.

In Feb you won't care too much about the pool (although Pop has three cool ones).

We bring a cooler for juices, water, milk, etc. We do usually eat breakfast in our room with no problem.

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by DznyDreams
Actually, the OP said --

"Anyway, the 2 bedroom villa would be about $100 more for 4 nights than 2 cabins would be, so that's why it was sounding attractive."

I understood that she was talking about 2 cabins...don't think I indicated otherwise.

But I AM very surprised that the difference is so small when renting through CRO.

Didn't do all the homework you did either.

DznyDreams, are you ever nervous renting? We own at BCV...welll, I suppose that's obvious.....but have never rented either way.

To the OP, they all sound like good options. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[DznyDreams]

Originally posted by BCV23
DznyDreams, are you ever nervous renting? We own at BCV...welll, I suppose that's obvious.....but have never rented either way.

Nope. As you can see by all the villa stays listed in my sig, we've done it many times. I just always make sure the people I rent from are long-time board members with good reps. I've never had a problem, and as long as I do my homework, I don't look for there ever to be one.

AND...sorry for assuming that you mighthave missed the fact that the OP was comparing the price of 2 cabins to a 2-bedroom. You know what happens when we assume. . .

 

[DisneyMan1016]

I suggest 3 rooms at a value. And you dont you let your parents pick the value resort. Oh, and do you have airline tickets yet?

 

[gigi1313]

three values, at $75 each (and we all know how rarely a dis'er has to pay rack rate!) would only be $900 and would allow alot more flexibility than any of the other options, with the exception being the lack of kitchen facilities... if you do not plan to cook (and w/the money you save on accomodations, you can afford to eat out more!) then it would be in your favor... i think letting the g'parents select which value is a great idea...

 

[DisneyMom5]

Originally posted by DisneyMan1016
I suggest 3 rooms at a value. And you dont you let your parents pick the value resort. Oh, and do you have airline tickets yet?

We would be driving. Even with gas prices, its still cheaper to ground transport 10 people than fly!
I was able to get very cheap off-season accomadations in both Chattanooga and Orlando last time we went using a group discount that I get. Anyway, that's the scoop on flying. LOL

Great suggestions everyone! I do love this board!

 

[macs4us]

We really love OKW, and like having the extra space and laundry in our unit. With a large party the size of the villas at OKW is invaluable. We are a family of "spillers," with someone always spilling something on their clothes, so we just threw dirty stuff in the washer before we would go to the parks - no laundry room hassle. Love the cabins, but love OKW more.

If the laundry and kitchen don't matter much to you, do the values - you can't beat the price.

 

[MinnieGi]

My vote would be for OKW also. You could all be together in a villa yet still be spread out. I love the full size washer and dryer and the kitchen here. Even if you only do breakfasts, beverages, and snacks its so nice to have somewhere to put the stuff. Its also nice to have bowls, dishes, cups, glasses, flatware etc. already for you to use in the villa. OKW is very relaxing and peaceful.

Dznydreams explained the DVC rental process well. It is definetly an economical way to rent DVC villas if you are staying Sun - Thurs.

 

[gjw007]

DznyDreams

Another factor that you didn't mention was not having to pay the 11% tax. That adds a couple hundred to the price of obtaining a room (or the two cabines) from Disney than renting the points from a DVC member. These little things all add up. The $900 for the 3 rooms at the values plus 11% tax is around $1000 or just a little under the $1110 ($10 per point) that you initially came up with renting points to stay at OKW. Based on the initial post, I don't think price was the only criteria.

 

[lisareniff]

With all those young kids (bless you!) I would definately go with the villa. The kitchen and washer and dryer can't be beat! It is so convienent. The little ones don't have to wait to eat a normal breakfast in the morning and you always have cold drinks available. We didn't cook dinner but for breakfast, drinks, snacks and some lunches it was wonderful. With the washer and dryer we only needed to pack half the clothes. My little one got especially messy last trip, we would have had to make two trips to the laundry room! I would not have been a happy camper!

Look at some pictures at allearsnet to get a better idea.