Will a 2BR (BCV) be too big for us? (sorry, long and rambling)

[brergnat]

Hi all. I am in the preliminary planning stages for a "first family trip" (but NOT a first trip by any means) for May 2009.

At the time, there will DEFINITELY be:
2 adults (me and DH)
2 children: ages 3 and 4 (almost 5)

There MAY be:
MIL (adult, obviously)
My Sister (adult as well)

There is a possibility that MIL will join us for half the trip and my sister will join us for the other half. We plan to stay 8 days. But, there is also the possibility that one or both of them will be there the whole time.

So, at the most, we are looking at 4 adults, 2 children.

At this point, I am considering a 2BR villa at Beach Club Villas. We really want the Epcot location, so Boardwalk will be a second choice. We are not interested in any of the other DVC properties.

I am wondering, will a 2BR be too big if it ends up just being our immediate family. (me and DH and kids). My biggest issues are that the older child is autistic. We NEED a separate bedroom for him and his brother, or he will not sleep. We had a hell of a time getting him to sleep when we all stayed in one room at Disneyland. We don't want to repeat that, so we know we need a separate sleeping area for him where he can't see us.

The one bedroom doesn't seem to be a good option, since the boys won't share a bed first of all, and I don't want the older one sleeping in the same room as the kitchen (he is fascinated by sinks, dishwashers, and stoves, and I can't trust that he'll NOT play with that stuff in the middle of the night) and since I can't childproof it, I don't want to worry.

If MIL and/or my sister comes, we won't worry, since there will be someone sleeping in the living area foldout. But, I worry about the size of the 2BR, with me and Dh sleeping in the master, and the kids across the unit in the second bedroom, if no one else joins us. I worry, mainly about them leaving the room and wandering about the living area/kitchen at night without us hearing them. We could bring a baby monitor, I suppose, but I don't know.

Has anyone stayed in a 2BR and put YOUNG kids in the second bedroom alone? How has it worked out?

The only other option would be to get a connecting room at the hotel proper, but since Disney won't guarantee that, I can't take that chance. We can't afford a suite in the hotel. The price of the 2BR villa is about the most we can pay, so I'm at a loss what to do. Having everyone in one bedroom will NOT work.

The only other thing I could think is to make 2 reservations...one at the BCV assuming we will be joined by MIL or sister and then one at the WL Junior Suite (which would be perfect for our immediate family, but not so much if anyone was joining us) if no one else ends up coming. I could cancel whichever one we don't need.

What would you do? Just remember, money is not really an issue, to an extent. We're not looking to stay at the Values, in a family suite, for example. Our budget will allow for up to about $800/night for the accommodations.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I can't answer your "too big" question, but I do have a suggestion. Assuming you go for a DVC 2BR, request a dedicated (versus lock-off) one. I believe dedicated is a separate room category. Make it clear that you need this for medical purposes (your autistic son). I understand your concerns with the kitchen and all, but at least a dedicated would ensure that if he wanders, it's into your living area and not down the hall or outside.

If you have concerns about the kitchen area while you snooze in the MBR, could you use some type of alarm system if he left his room? Either purchase something that would tell you that he opened his door, or do a makeshift thing like put a few pans where he would kick them and make noise? Something of that nature. I would possibly consider bringing along a baby monitor if you're concerned about the separation between the two bedrooms. Personally, I wouldn't bother, but you've got an autistic child in a strange room, and you want him to have the best possible vacation. And you want to sleep comfortably, knowing your kids are okay.

I think the extra room of a 2BR would be nice, especially if your kids sleep on different schedules, or otherwise need alone time.

BTW, we've requested connecting rooms at WDW several times, and have gotten it most (but not all) the times we asked for it.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

If you have other relatives joining you you will need a two bedroom. On the other hand, I think the two bedroom is a little big with children that small. You could split up your sleeping arrangements with one of you( parents) sleeping in the second bedroom and one in the master. It is not the ideal situation but at least you wont worry. If not, I would bring the monitor for sure. They will have a separate bathroom as well. Could you bring a baby gate to seal off kitchen? I would be more worried about access to the other bathroom. If no other adult joined you I would split up the sleeping arrangements or try a junior suite. I haven't tried one so I can't speak to that although we stay in a two bedroom at the BCV's every year. When our kids were small we stayed in a one bedroom. Good luck.
Ask for a dedicated 2 queen beds room.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

We stayed in a 2 bedroom with my sister, BIL and DN (2) in the 2nd bedroom. If it was just my husband and I and our two kids (who are younger granted) (4) (<1) I wouldn't have put them in the 2nd bedroom. It really was too separated from us..

If you have the one bedroom can you put him to bed in the master bedroom and then transfer him to the pullout when he goes to sleep?

 

[Starr W.]

Hi all. I am in the preliminary planning stages for a "first family trip" (but NOT a first trip by any means) for May 2009.

At the time, there will DEFINITELY be:
2 adults (me and DH)
2 children: ages 3 and 4 (almost 5)

There MAY be:
MIL (adult, obviously)
My Sister (adult as well)

There is a possibility that MIL will join us for half the trip and my sister will join us for the other half. We plan to stay 8 days. But, there is also the possibility that one or both of them will be there the whole time.

So, at the most, we are looking at 4 adults, 2 children.

At this point, I am considering a 2BR villa at Beach Club Villas. We really want the Epcot location, so Boardwalk will be a second choice. We are not interested in any of the other DVC properties.

I am wondering, will a 2BR be too big if it ends up just being our immediate family. (me and DH and kids). My biggest issues are that the older child is autistic. We NEED a separate bedroom for him and his brother, or he will not sleep. We had a hell of a time getting him to sleep when we all stayed in one room at Disneyland. We don't want to repeat that, so we know we need a separate sleeping area for him where he can't see us.

The one bedroom doesn't seem to be a good option, since the boys won't share a bed first of all, and I don't want the older one sleeping in the same room as the kitchen (he is fascinated by sinks, dishwashers, and stoves, and I can't trust that he'll NOT play with that stuff in the middle of the night) and since I can't childproof it, I don't want to worry.

If MIL and/or my sister comes, we won't worry, since there will be someone sleeping in the living area foldout. But, I worry about the size of the 2BR, with me and Dh sleeping in the master, and the kids across the unit in the second bedroom, if no one else joins us. I worry, mainly about them leaving the room and wandering about the living area/kitchen at night without us hearing them. We could bring a baby monitor, I suppose, but I don't know.

Has anyone stayed in a 2BR and put YOUNG kids in the second bedroom alone? How has it worked out?

The only other option would be to get a connecting room at the hotel proper, but since Disney won't guarantee that, I can't take that chance. We can't afford a suite in the hotel. The price of the 2BR villa is about the most we can pay, so I'm at a loss what to do. Having everyone in one bedroom will NOT work.

The only other thing I could think is to make 2 reservations...one at the BCV assuming we will be joined by MIL or sister and then one at the WL Junior Suite (which would be perfect for our immediate family, but not so much if anyone was joining us) if no one else ends up coming. I could cancel whichever one we don't need.

What would you do? Just remember, money is not really an issue, to an extent. We're not looking to stay at the Values, in a family suite, for example. Our budget will allow for up to about $800/night for the accommodations.

I have an Aspie son, who's 11 and a typical who's 6. We basically stay places that have a bed for each of the boys, they have there own rooms at home and I'm not going to spend money to listen to them whine about sharing a bed(plus DH & I like our privacy). so a 2br is mandatory for us(2nd bathroom is a plus also). I find the DVC 2br's a bit on the small size and we tried having another person stay with us and it was too crowd for my tastes. Next time she'll get a studio.

Growing up my parents always booked connecting hotel rooms or rented condos etc. So eveyone had there own bed and privacy.

 

[dallasdisneymommy]

We stayed in a Grand Villa when my kids were 3 and 5 and it was just fine. My kids had their own room and the grandparents had their own room upstairs, and my husband and I slept downstairs. There were no problems at all, and a Grand Villa is much larger than a 2 bedroom.

Granted, my 3 year old is not autistic, but from an age-appropriate standpoint, we never thought twice about it. At home he sleeps on another floor as well, so it just wasn't a concern.

 

[brergnat]

Thanks for all the input.

I think we will book the 2br villa but keep the WL junior suite as an option. If no one joins us, worst case, we put one kid in one bedroom, and the other in the other bedroom and DH and I sleep on the pull out couch.

I don't worry about the bathroom access...oldest DS (the autistic one) is already fully toilet trained and does not really fool around in the bathroom. However, he's a very light sleeper and cannot be TOUCHED once he falls asleep, or he is up and ready to go, no matter what time of day or night. The younger one sleeps like a rock, so once he's out, he's not going to wake up. We'd probably bring a baby monitor for peace of mind anyway, though.

I really like the idea of having the 2br, if not for anything more than the extra space. Youngest DS will probably still be napping, and it would be great to come back and put him down and still have the rest of the villa to hang out in without disturbing him. I also like the second bathroom, which helps immensely in being able to shower/blowdry my hair AFTER the boys are in bed without disturbing them.

I don't worry about it being "too crowded" if MIL and/or my sister joins us. MIL is a tiny thing, and she's very NON obtrusive. She blends in nicely when she visits...it's like she's not even here. My sister needs her space, though, so I don't know what will happen if they BOTH come for the whole trip. It's all too early to tell who will end up coming for sure, so we'll just have to wing it.

I just got a bit overwhelmed when I read that the square footage of the 2BR is the same size as our 3 bedroom apartment here! While it all sounds great while on vacation to have so much space, I worry if it's TOO much in a strange environment.

I wish Disney would make some rooms/DVC or otherwise that were more suitable for families with kids who do NOT like to share a bed, but who do not need a Queen sized bed. There needs to be some options with twin beds, other than the bunk rooms at WL...or why couldn't they put 2 queen beds in the master bedroom of the 1 bedroom DVC units? That would be better, even.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I don't know about two queens in the MBR--we sleep in a king bed at home, and my tall DH really appreciates being able to have one on vacation as well.

OTOH, I would love, love, LOVE to have them put bunkbeds in place of the fold-out couch in a few of the studios/2nd bedrooms. I'm already hearing the whining from my DD12 about having to share a bed with DD4. I told her, the floor was an option. Of course, DD12 can also sleep in the living room, but then she has to put up with her early-rising mother! Ah, the trauma!

 

[Starr W.]

I don't know about two queens in the MBR--we sleep in a king bed at home, and my tall DH really appreciates being able to have one on vacation as well.

OTOH, I would love, love, LOVE to have them put bunkbeds in place of the fold-out couch in a few of the studios/2nd bedrooms. I'm already hearing the whining from my DD12 about having to share a bed with DD4. I told her, the floor was an option. Of course, DD12 can also sleep in the living room, but then she has to put up with her early-rising mother! Ah, the trauma!

We were just at BCV 2br with the queen and sleepersofa. DS6 slept in the sleepersofa(he's average size) wanted to switch with his elder brother 11yr 5'4" 110lbs.

Can't wait to VB, I'll hear the same song.

 

[LSchrow]

I'm already hearing the whining from my DD12 about having to share a bed with DD4. I told her, the floor was an option.

an aerobed is a wonderful option
they're just as comfy as a "real" bed, inflate & deflate in seconds with its own internal pump (i didn't want it out during the day, so that was important), & fits into its own duffle (we just put ours in a wheeled carry-on & checked it).

it a great cure for whining
lol

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I hear you on the aerobed, and we do something similar on driving vacations. My problem is, I have 4 kids, and the oldest, in particular, seems to think she's the most holy anointed one. Maybe it's the age (she'll be 13 in June), maybe it's because she's oldest, but I refuse to cater. She's pretty small, and DD4 isn't a bad kid--doesn't wet the bed or anything that I would consider a "deal breaker". DD12 just thinks she's entitled to her own bed. I say, she's getting 12 days in WDW, that's enough, share with your sister or sleep on the floor and stop crabbing!

Of course, I'm the meanest mom in the world, but you knew that. She also tried to pawn off DD4 to share a bed with DS10. That's not happening, either. The youngest will still be in a crib.

Anyway, sorry to get off topic.

 

[spiceycat]

air mattress - they are fairly cheap and travel well.

really wish that DVC would consider - bunk beds or even murphy beds - but get told that the other timeshares are not doing this.

was really hoping for something different at AKV - guess we need to be happy at least got a chair bed there.

WL and AKL and FW cabins - all have bunk beds.

you might consider FW cabins.