Hi there Catherine, and welcome to
planDisney!
It sounds like you're organizing a fantastic trip for a whole crew of travelers, and I'd be thrilled to help. When it comes to a
Walt Disney World vacation, the more the merrier!
Regarding which accommodation is best for your group, consider your travel habits. Three-bedroom villas at
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts feature spacious living areas, full kitchens, and en suite laundry. I have yet to experience a three-bedroom villa, but when my parents join my family of four on vacation, our preferred lodging is a two-bedroom villa in a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort. We use the in-room amenities and enjoy gathering together in the common areas for meals and downtime. You'll be visiting in January, when you might encounter temperatures from all four seasons within the same week. In this case, having access to a full-size washer and dryer in your room is helpful. Just last week, when I was in Walt Disney World, I wore everything from shorts to a winter coat, and knowing I could do laundry enabled me to pack fewer heavy items.
If a living room, dining room, kitchen, and laundry are missing from your list of must-haves for vacation, there are also benefits to having three hotel rooms. Three rooms offer more privacy and time for individual couples or families to spend together, but separately from the larger group. Additionally, suppose members of your party have an unexpected change of plans sometime in the next few months. If you book three rooms, you can cancel just one room (as long as it falls within the
cancellation window) and not pay for extra space unnecessarily. If you decide to go this route, I recommend
calling Walt Disney World Reservations to book and link your rooms simultaneously. The Cast Member will note you are all traveling together and can even request connecting rooms if available.
I hope this helps with your decision, Catherine. If there's anything else we can do to assist you as your plans come together, please stop by and see us again. Wishing you a magical day and a memorable year of vacation planning!
Betsy