8 people/Non DVC. Villa? Help!

[adamcav]

Hello All,
I need some advice. My family is planning to visit WDW in October 2008, possibly around Columbus Day. We will have 7 or 8 people plus an infant. We are not Vacation Club members. Where should/can we stay?

I was looking online and it would seem that a villa might be a good choice (less expensive than 2 or 3 rooms in a deluxe/keeps the family all together.) But not being a vacation club member I am not sure how/when/if we can book a villa.

Can anyone suggest ideas or options? Do you think a villa is the best choice? Being a non-DVC member how do I even go about booking a villa (I know DVC members get a early window of opportunity)?

Lastly, does anyone have any opinions about what individual properties might be best for a family of 8 with an infant?

Thanks for the help:wave:

 

[happymom52003]

As a non member, you can book a villa the same way you book any room at a Disney resort....call 1-407-W-DISNEY. With an infant, I would suggest staying at either the Wilderness Lodge villas because they have boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom (much easier than a bus with a stroller), or the Boardwalk Villas because they are close to Epcot (again, you do not have to take a bus to Epcot if you are staying at the Boardwalk). We always stay at the WL villas and love them. We spend most of our time at the MK, so the boat is very nice. We are not DVC members and have never had trouble getting a villa.

 

[Master Yoda]

Anyone can rent a villa but the prices tend to get a little insane directly from Disney. If you want to stay in a DVC property I would look into renting points from another DVC member. This has to be done person to person. If you Google renting DVC points you should get a few hits for sites that will help facilitate this and I am sure someone will chime in with a link or two.

I have never found one resort to be better than the others when it comes to infants so I would just look for what you like in the theming, location and amenities of the resort. From a location standpoint the Boardwalk and Yacht and beach club are walking distance from Epcot and MGM. Wilderness lodge is about your closest option for MK. Animal Kingdom lodge (my personal favorite) is of course the closest to AK.

 

[adamcav]

HappyMom,
Do you know how far out in advance you can book a villa? I've heard that for DVC members there is something like an 11-month-out rule for their home resort and a 7 month rule for others. Also, I take it that the only way to book a group of 7 or 8 is over the phone and not online?
Thanks

 

[Master Yoda]

Groups of 7 or 8 can technically be done on line but you will have to multiple reservations. The same thing will happen if you book multiple rooms over the phone but it is much simpler as the CM will do all the hard work and you will not have the possibility of getting one room booked and then not be able to book the others.

 

[Boray]

This is just a suggestion and I know staying on property will be fun, but have you considered a rental home? With the size of your party, it might be more convenient for you. We stayed in one in 2003 with 13 of us (one was an infant) and we were able to come back to the home in the early evening, because we had 4 children in our party, put the kids to bed and continue to have a fun evening with the rest of the adults. It was FAR more convenient for us to all be in the same place. We had 2.5 bathrooms and 5 bedrooms, our own screened in pool, full kitchen, and laundry facility in the home (which came in VERY handy with having the kids!) Last year we had a 3 bedroom home in October with 2 baths, kitchen, pool, laundry for only $99/night.

Also, if price is a consideration (and with us, it is) the price to stay in a rental home is FAR less than anything on property, with many more amenities.

This is just a suggestion, we've had great experiences with rental homes (yes, we've done it more than once, and doing it again this coming November, this year, however, we're renting a 3 bedroom condo - cutting finances a little this trip, only $79/night).

Good luck!!! :wave:

PS If Disney offered rental homes at similar prices we've gotten for them, with WONDERFUL ammenities - very clean homes too - I'd never stay off property. Feel free to PM me if you want to know the company we usually use.

 

[mouselvrmom]

Beware if you decide to stay at a villa for your vacation. We stayed in a 2 bedroom villa at the boardwalk with 8 of us including an infant and on that trip we bought in to dvc. We couldn't stay anywhere else after that! :lol:

 

[adamcav]

We definately want to stay on property. Part of what we LOVE is the immersive experience of being there "completely."

mouselvrmom, I've got my fingers crossed there Hoping that perhaps a villa stay may indeed sway those family members still stradling the fence.

I was looking at pictures of the AKL DVC rooms and they look great. Unfortunately it would appear that the two-bedroom units won't be complete when we go in 10/08. We've stayed in the main building at the WL before and really, really loved it. The villas there make the short list. We also like the proximity of BWV and BCV although I have yet to look at those pics.

 

[mouselvrmom]

We definately want to stay on property. Part of what we LOVE is the immersive experience of being there "completely."

mouselvrmom, I've got my fingers crossed there Hoping that perhaps a villa stay may indeed sway those family members still stradling the fence.

I was looking at pictures of the AKL DVC rooms and they look great. Unfortunately it would appear that the two-bedroom units won't be complete when we go in 10/08. We've stayed in the main building at the WL before and really, really loved it. The villas there make the short list. We also like the proximity of BWV and BCV although I have yet to look at those pics.

We have stayed at both the BWV and the BCV and enjoyed both of them. They really spoil you with their location. It is so convenient to walk over to epcot in the evenings for a nice dinner and a stroll. allears has great pictures of both resorts so you could see what kind of decor each has.

I'm sure whatever you decide, you will have a great time!