WWYD?

[focusondisney]

We're doing 4 nights, no park arrival or departure day leaving 3 park days: MK, HS, AK.

So free dining might not work for you. The recent offers have required 4 day park hoppers.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thank you, I am a Disney Visa cardholder. So with free dining at a value resort, it is QS only? And you have to have hoppers? Wow, back when my kids were little we did free dining multiple years in a row for the week after Labor Day, regular tickets and value resort (POP usually) and included TS dining.

 

[PatsGirl]

THanks!

So free dining might not work for you. The recent offers have required 4 day park hoppers.

 

[Disneylover99]

Thank you, I am a Disney Visa cardholder. So with free dining at a value resort, it is QS only? And you have to have hoppers? Wow, back when my kids were little we did free dining multiple years in a row for the week after Labor Day, regular tickets and value resort (POP usually) and included TS dining.

Yes. Quick service only for values and moderates now.
Yes. You need park hoppers and generally a minimum 4 night ticket for each person.

 

[focusondisney]

So with free dining at a value resort, it is QS only?

Yes, values have had quick service since 2009 I think. Moderates have gotten quick service since about 2017, park hopper requirement added around then too. And I think you only get 1 snack per day, although I don’t get a dinning plan so not positive about that. Thats why many people don’t think the free dining is worth it most of the time.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm really leaning towards DVC rental at Fort Wilderness,

When considering any DVC property, be certain the layout and sleeping surfaces will work for your party. The Cabins at FW sleep 6 plus an infant. They have a queen Murphy bed in the living room, and in the bedroom there’s a queen bed and one set of twin size bunk beds. There’s only one bathroom. OTOH the Copper Creek Cascade Cabins at Wilderness Lodge are like 2BR villas with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and sleep 8 plus an infant. They’re much more expensive!

 

[PatsGirl]

Yes, I"m looking at the Copper Creek 2 bedroom villa with 2 bathrooms. I think most importantly what DIL and son are hoping for is a space to feed that doesn't wake everyone up. The two bedrooms are separated by the living/kitchen area so I think that will work. I know that they are also a bit unsure about my granddaughter staying alone with myself and her aunt/my D28. I had hoped to take this trip just the three of us but that apparently isn't in the cards at this time.

 

[Marthasor]

Yes, I"m looking at the Copper Creek 2 bedroom villa with 2 bathrooms. I think most importantly what DIL and son are hoping for is a space to feed that doesn't wake everyone up. The two bedrooms are separated by the living/kitchen area so I think that will work. I know that they are also a bit unsure about my granddaughter staying alone with myself and her aunt/my D28. I had hoped to take this trip just the three of us but that apparently isn't in the cards at this time.

Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge are absolutely gorgeous. If you are interested in booking a 2-bedroom and want to save some $$, we like Saratoga Springs in the Preferred section. The DVC units at WL would certainly make your trip to MK shorter, but SSR is lovely.

Another option, if you decide not to purchase the dining plan, could be a two bedroom suite at the Swan or Dolphin - they configure the suites by connecting two regular rooms with a living room/kitchenette between the two rooms. You would lose the washer/dryer, but depending on your dates a two-bedroom at Swan/Dolphin typically comes out substantially less than a 2-bedroom DVC resort. Those resorts give you excellent proximity to both EP and DHS.

 

[CarolynFH]

Yes, I"m looking at the Copper Creek 2 bedroom villa with 2 bathrooms.

Those are different from the Cascade Cabins and aren't as expensive because they don't have the luxury touches of a private plunge pool, double sided fireplace, etc. that the Cascade Cabins do. The Cascade Cabins are along the lakefront, while the 2BR CCV villas are inside the main Wilderness Lodge building. The Boulder Ridge 2BR are similar to the CCV 2BR, just in a separate building very near the main WL building. Another advantage for the DVC 2BR (CCV or BRV) would be a washer and dryer in the villa, which might come in handy with a 6 month old as well as a 3 year old!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

5 people plus an infant in a FW cabin is tight living, in my humble opinion. Those are meant more for camping/roughing it than luxury/space. It’s an awkward layout for multiple groups, unless everyone is just really super comfortable in close quarters. For that party makeup I’d consider two cabins, if this were me.

 

[CarolynFH]

5 people plus an infant in a FW cabin is tight living, in my humble opinion. Those are meant more for camping/roughing it than luxury/space. It’s an awkward layout for multiple groups, unless everyone is just really super comfortable in close quarters. For that party makeup I’d consider two cabins, if this were me.

Later posts suggest that OP is considering a 2BR villa at CCV or BRV (WL) as opposed to a FW cabin, which to me is a studio/1BR hybrid or actually more like a larger studio with a full kitchen. Of course a 2BR villa makes much more sense for OP's party.

 

[liamthompson]

Hey there, we are a family of 3 that typically stays at AoA in a cars suite and I went through a similar exercise as you when deciding where to book when bringing my parents.

Is DIL planning on pumping/needing to store milk? Only having a beverage cooler in the room would be a deal breaker for me.

Given your comment about wanting a separate place to do night time wakings for the 6mo old, I would re-think any of the 2 bedrooms...even if the soundproofing is good, I could imagine parents being under huge pressure to keep baby quiet at 11pm, 2am, 5am, etc. to not bother everyone else. Plus, toddler bedtime shenanigans can get loud.

My next questions may sound unkind but it not my intention to be hurtful but rather give food for thought. Has your daughter in law expressed genuine enthusiasm for this trip? Are you used to putting your granddaughter to bed and keeping her overnight? Are you comfortable navigating your granddaughter's meltdowns?

If the answer to all the above is not a confident yes and you are still wanting to proceed, I agree with the suggestion above on 2 separate ft wilderness cabins. One cabin for you and your daughter and space for your granddaughter if she wants to "sleepover" and another cabin for your son's family to handle the baby's night wakings.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes, I"m looking at the Copper Creek 2 bedroom villa with 2 bathrooms…

Wowza talk about a price jump! I had to check you were OP lol.

Fwiw… it can be very easy to talk yourself into better and better rooms and why they’re absolutely necessary as the budget fades away. That is a red light to me that a firm budget needs to be established (yeah, not everyone has to budget but you literally started with Values). You went from a 3 person trip to a full 3 generation trip, from Values to a FW Cabin to a 2 bedroom Villa- you’re spiraling. Establish your limits because this is the very beginning of these decisions. Next you’ll have dining and then LLs and oh boy is it easy to convince yourself you need to spend more and more and more…

At the end of the day- the baby cries for feeding it’s waking everyone up. Disney’s walls range from stupid thin at Values to thin at Deluxes.