New to Disney have a resort question.

[Sarah815]

We are new (or basically new) since we have not been to Disney in 15 years. We do universal every year but now with 3 grandchildren it has come time to revisit Disney. We will have 6 adults and 4 kids under 4 and would prefer some type of suite. We are planning on coming for Christmas events so early part of December like first or second week. When I look for rooms for that time none are available at any resort. Is it that busy that all suites are already booked this far in advance?

 

[Conno]

Generally you'll be looking at a 2 bedroom villa, or grand villa (sleeps 12) at a resort like Saratoga Springs - these are bookable at 11 months out due to being DVC resorts, and are held primarily for points/contract owners to get first choice. Try again towards the end of January when rooms are released for cash reservations.

You can also try renting DVC points from one of the many providers out there which make might the stay more affordable.

 

[Sarah815]

Generally you'll be looking at a 2 bedroom villa, or grand villa (sleeps 12) at a resort like Saratoga Springs - these are bookable at 11 months out due to being DVC resorts, and are held primarily for points/contract owners to get first choice. Try again towards the end of January when rooms are released for cash reservations.

You can also try renting DVC points from one of the many providers out there which make might the stay more affordable.

Thanks for the answer. Looks like we may need to go the travel agent route. Seems like a like to deal with.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Looks like we may need to go the travel agent route.

Only DVC villas will be large enough for your party, no regular resort rooms or suites. You can book directly through WDW (after the 11 month point) but be prepared for sticker shock on those larger villas. A travel agent may or may not work with renting DVC points because they won't get a commission, but renting points will be less expensive - though could be more stringent on cancellations/changes.

 

[Tom P.]

Thanks for the answer. Looks like we may need to go the travel agent route. Seems like a like to deal with.

Travel agents generally deal with bookings direct through Disney. That is doable, but the cost will be enormous. It is much better, IMHO, to rent DVC points though one of the reputable point rental brokers like DVC Rental Store.

 

[Jon81uk]

Probably better to look at multiple smaller rooms too, maybe still worth considering the DVC villa resorts, but two two bed villas might be better?

Or for another option then multiple family suites at Art of Animation could work too?

 

[nickys]

I’m going to echo what @Jon81uk said.

All Stars have family suites, with a separate bedroom, 2 bathrooms and kitchen. The recent refurb looks really nice.

Booking DVC through Disney will be pricey but allows cancellation / changes, renting points is cheaper but usually worse cancellation policies.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Probably better to look at multiple smaller rooms too, maybe still worth considering the DVC villa resorts, but two two bed villas might be better?

Or for another option then multiple family suites at Art of Animation could work too?

Not exactly on point to the OP, but i agree with Jon81uk that you might be better looking at multiple smaller rooms, both from a cost perspective, availability, and selection/choice of location. We have priced out trips multiple times looking at villas/multiple bedroom suites/rooms vs just multiple adjoining rooms. Each time the price actually came out better (thought sometimes close) going with the multiple room scenario. This is especially true (from a use perspective) if you are not looking to utilize the suite/room for cooking/eating in the room, as i have always thought the price of that option is built into the larger rooms, and is a waste if you are not going to use it. Most resorts have adjourning room options so that you can open the middle doors and get the feel/ease of joint rooms, without the higher costs and still be able to close down the rooms to single spaces. This makes it a lot easier to select locations, as opposed to being limited to the smaller number of resorts that have larger villa/suite type set ups. It's tons of fun in the morning to be able to send the kids through the adjourning room to grandma/grandpa's room, and get a couple minutes extra sleep! lol.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

Most resorts have adjourning room options so that you can open the middle doors and get the feel/ease of joint rooms, without the higher costs and still be able to close down the rooms to single spaces.

All resorts (except Cabins at Ft. Wilderness) have connecting rooms, though not all room-types may have connecting. Just know that it cannot be booked or guaranteed.

*Note: "adjoining" will not necessarily be "connecting" with a door between. The former may be next door (no connecting door), across the hall or a couple of doors down the hall. The latter has a door to go between rooms without going out into the hallway. Request "connecting" if that is what you want.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

All resorts (except Cabins at Ft. Wilderness) have connecting rooms, though not all room-types may have connecting. Just know that it cannot be booked or guaranteed.

*Note: "adjoining" will not necessarily be "connecting" with a door between. The former may be next door (no connecting door), across the hall or a couple of doors down the hall. The latter has a door to go between rooms without going out into the hallway. Request "connecting" if that is what you want.

I know when we have booked rooms we definitely did clarify that we wanted connecting, as opposed to just adjoining. Thats a really good point. The three times we did want them we did do it at booking (calling WDW to do so, not just online) and we got them each time. They didn't mention on the phone that it wasn't guaranteed, but then to be fair they didn't say it was either.

One note, if it matters to you that it may delay when you are able to check into your room/when your room will be available. Multiple times we have gone with 3 rooms, 2 being connecting and 1 not, we had to wait until later in the day so that the 3 rooms, all on same floor and 2 that were connecting were cleaned and available for check in, as opposed to getting into our rooms earlier on trips where we hadn't booked for connecting rooms.

 

[Figgy1]

Paging @Kingdom Konsultant @wannabeBelle

 

[hsisthebest]

There are tons of Disney themed AirBnB and Vrbos houses/condos that would easily fit your group for a fraction of the cost onsite (even if you wind up paying for parking at the parks).

 

[Calmdownnow]

With 4 kids under 4, it sounds as if you are going to need some afternoon nap times and maybe some early bed times in the evening. Plus kitchen facilities to warm baby/toddler meals, with enough space where the adults can socialize while the babes sleep. You will also need enough real estate to accommodate multiple double strollers. Bear in mind kids can nap in beds that aren't their overnight sleep spaces -- get a two bed DVC and a nearby studio DVC. Grandparents get the master in the 2 bed; One family gets the 2 queens in the 2nd; the next family gets the studio. During the day, if naps are needed the kids sleep in the 2-queen room.
Funnily enough, having kids that need naps may make it more efficient to reserve on-site rooms if you only have a few days.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi there, Im Marie with @Kingdom Konsultant Travel, travel sponsor for this site. As others have said, a Grand Villa or multiple rooms is going to be your only option with a group that large. We dont deal with rental points at all, but you can reserve these room types via cash, if available, and that, we can do. Having several regular rooms at a more standard resort room might not be a bad option either, depending on the room amenities that are a must have for your group. I do suggest onsite simply because coordinating rides to and from the parks, especially if people have to leave during the day, for nap time for the children, relaxing for the adults, etc. will be a bit more a hassle if you are offsite. Factor in time to get out of the park, walk to your vehicle, drive offsite, and then reverse it if you want to return to the parks later on. Multiple schedules are easier to coordinate when various groups can come and go with the transportation system and not have to wait on anyone to drive back and forth.
Any of our agents would be happy to speak with you about your options, pricing and availability. Give us a call at 1866-566-7858 to speak with someone directly or you can e mail the agency at Vacations@KingdomKonsultant.com. My e mail is Marie@KingdomKonsultant.com. I will be in and out over the next bunch of days with Christmas coming up and the office is definitely closed for the holiday itself. We look forward to speaking with you soon!!
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a wonderful, healthy and happy New Year everyone!!
Marie

 

[zappy]

The Swan and Dolphin have suites but you have to call for availability. The Reserve next door will show some suites on their website.

 

[robfum]

If you want to try to snag rooms using some of the pretty great discounts available now, be sure to check if the rooms you want are eligible. Don't think grand villas qualify for the discounts.

 

[wannabeBelle]

If you want to try to snag rooms using some of the pretty great discounts available now, be sure to check if the rooms you want are eligible. Don't think grand villas qualify for the discounts.

Different discounts have different limitations in terms of what room types are included or excluded, so definitely double check. Generally speaking though, Grand Villas arent typically included with discount offers. Marie