On
Mar 27, 2012
Kerri from MS
Asked
Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.
“
Hi. My family is visiting in 2013. Our group is 6 adults and 2 children : Mom, Dad, 5 yr old girl, 21 mo.old girl, grandma, her sister, an aunt and an uncle. Can you recommend the best resort choice for us? Is one villa or 3 hotel rooms a better value?”
Hello, Kerri!
What a great family gathering you're planning to have at Walt Disney World in 2013! Extended family stays are so much fun for everyone, too, especially with two little princesses in tow!
For my own family, we like to stay in one large villa when traveling together, although others may feel differently. What's nice about a villa is that you share one living area, which helps keep everyone together during transition times such as getting ready to head out in the mornings, changing for pool or dinner time in the afternoons and even at bedtime, when the little ones have crashed for the night, but the grownups would like to stay and visit with each other. The full-size kitchens which come with the one-, two- and three-bedroom villas (not to mention in-villa washers and dryers) make a lot of financial sense for us, too, since we can prepare meals in our villa (breakfast is a favorite, since everyone gets up at different times) and even skip checking a bag on the plane; we simply throw in a couple of loads of wash each night and save ourselves the checked bag fee.
For example, a Two-Bedroom Villa at Disney's Old Key West Resort (Deluxe Villa) which sleeps 9, during "Value Season," is currently listed for $595 a night on Disney's website. Similarly, you can book The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, (Moderate) which sleep 6 and include a full kitchen as well. During "Value Season," these cabins are listed at $285 a night. At Disney's All-Star Music Resort, Guests can book Family Suites, which sleep six, which include two bathrooms and a kitchenette. These suites, during "Value Season," are listed at $198 a night.
Feel free to send me additional questions, such as the time of year you'd like to travel, if anyone has any particular favorites, if a pool slide is important or other needs. I'd love to help you look through your options to help you make the best choice for you and your very special family!