Larger Accommodations

[DaisyDoesDisney]

I'm planning a trip for early 2016 for three adults- myself, my husband, and our adult daughter. We've never traveled as a group of 3. Typically if our daughter is with us she'll bring a friend along or one of our sons will be with us also so she'll have a roommate. I don't want to put her in a room alone. The point of this trip is for my husband and I to treat her to some concentrated attention so I feel like putting her in a separate room kind of defeats the purpose. However, I am a huge fan of personal space and I'd love to be able to book a larger accommodation- maybe one with multiple rooms.... 2 bathrooms would be fantastic. We always stay at a Disney Deluxe but in the typical standard size rooms. I'd love to hear about your experiences with more spacious options. Please share

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I am not sure what your budget or preferences are but I am pretty sure that the new Polynesian studios have two bathrooms per studio. Also the Old Key West studios are roomier than most. Both of these options you'd have to rent DVC points if you're not a member. Also look into Art of Animation suites and I believe Coronado has what they call Junior Suites. Gold luck and enjoy your search.

 

[Nero the dog]

You can pay cash for,the DVC units, but renting points would be cheaper. you could get a unit at one of the Epcot resorts then spend your evenings relaxing in The World Showcase followed by a short stroll back to your room.

 

[Master Yoda]

You best bet from a cost standpoint would be renting DVC points from a place like David's.

If you do not go the DVC route, Disney does have suites, but they can get brutally expensive.

The least expensive suites would be the ones at All Star Music followed by Art of Animation, but those are value resorts.

The Cabins at Ft Wilderness are suite like and do come in as affordable.

Coronado does have some suites is sizes ranging form square footage equivalents of 2,3 and 5 rooms, but the pricing is pretty high. From a size standpoint the ones that have the square footage of 2 regular rooms cost the same as 3 rooms, 3 rooms costs 4 and so on. The suites at Coronado are rarely discounted.

Every deluxe resort has a variety of different suites. Most suites at the deluxe resorts will start in the $600-$700/ night range and go up as high as $3k-$4k range.

 

[slappy magoo]

You can pay cash for,the DVC units, but renting points would be cheaper.

You best bet from a cost standpoint would be renting DVC points from a place like David's.

Renting points is an option worth investigating, but not necessarily a guarantee of big savings. Studios? Yes, you'll definitely save a big chunk of change when compared to rack rates and a decent chunk of change compared to discounted room rates. Same deal with a 2BR unit. But 1BR units are in a hazy netherworld - the point values for a 1BR in most values is in the range of twice the amount of points for a studio in the same resort in the same view/category. But the cash value for a 1BR is rarely if ever double the cost of a studio, whether you're paying rack rates or getting a discount. As a result, renting points for a 1BR unit doesn't really provide any savings.

Now the OP prefers two bathrooms which means a 2BR unit is more likely anyway, as only a few resorts offer 2 bathrooms in 1BR units (just Bay Lake & Kidani, I believe). I think studios at GF & Poly offer one full bathroom with both a tub and a separate standing shower - so two places to bathe but only one toilet. So those are options, too. The OP wouldn't get the "personal space" oin those studios that a 1BR unit or larger would provide, but they would provide the daughter some "concentrated attention." But if the decision becomes to go for a 1BR unit at Bay lake or Kidani to get those 2 full bathrooms, renting points probably isn't economically viable, better off seeing if there's a package or room-only discount available direct from WDW.

 

[DaisyDoesDisney]

Thank you to everyone who replied. You've given me some ideas to work with. Much appreciated. Especially helpful were the details provided by @MasterYoda and @SlappyMagoo who really zeroed in on my original concerns. Now I have a bunch of additional questions:

1) If I rent DVC points or book a DVC unit with cash through WDW can I still use the MyDisneyExperience site for ADRs and FPs? Do we still get Magic Bands that do everything? Do we get daily Mousekeeping and fresh towels?

2) I've only ever stayed onsite at Deluxe properties and they are so conveniently located. We park hop. A. Lot. Some days we'll do three different parks. We like to dine at an assortment of resorts, not just the one we're staying at. In other words- we are on the go and move from place to place often. If we stay at a moderate resort such as Coronado Springs do we loose the ability to jump around so much. Those properties seem remote and more geared toward people who are less active. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

3) Cabins at Fort Wilderness- are these as "rustic" as they sound? While we have enjoyed staying at Wilderness Lodge we are not camping types, or wilderness types.

4) Can someone who has actually stayed at the Polynesian describe the bathroom arrangement in the standard rooms. Do the bathrooms at Poly have a door separating the toilet and shower from the sink area? Does the sink area have a large vanity and two sinks? I've heard conflicting things.

5) I'm still considering the possibility of just sucking it up and sharing one standard room. The deluxe size rooms at GF seem to be larger and have an additional sitting area however I'm concerned about closet space and areas for hiding personal belongings. I like a neat room. At which resort would we find the largest closets and the most drawer space for tucking things away? We tend to pack a lot especially since we dress for dinner and/or other night time activities.

 

[KLeigh]

How old is your daughter?

Have you discussed this with her or asked for her opinion? (Sharing a room vs having her own space?)

I'm in my 20s, and I'm very close with my parents. However, I would not want to share a bedroom with them while on vacation. I think we both appreciate our own space at the end of the day, and our own bathrooms so we're not fighting for space while getting ready for a nice dinner.

If you're able to find a room with at least separate sleeping spaces, that would be ideal. (Such as a one bedroom unit with a separate bedroom and sleeper sofa.)

I hope your family has a great trip!!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I'm going to make a non DVC suggestion. In the deluxe hotel category you can stay at the garden suite concierge level at the Boardwalk Inn. You have a master upstairs with a bathroom and then you have a queen sleeper with a bathroom downstairs. you have your own space and 2 bathrooms and concierge on top of it!

Pam

 

[DaisyDoesDisney]

@Pam
Thank you for the suggestion of Boardwalk Inn. I wasn't considering it as the location for the trip in question (February 2016) because we (just myself and DH) are already booked (and paid in full) there for September 2015 and we like to switch up our resort each trip. I like your suggestion though and I'm going to check availability right now

 

[Tuvalu]

Thank you to everyone who replied. You've given me some ideas to work with. Much appreciated. Especially helpful were the details provided by @MasterYoda and @SlappyMagoo who really zeroed in on my original concerns. Now I have a bunch of additional questions:

1) If I rent DVC points or book a DVC unit with cash through WDW can I still use the MyDisneyExperience site for ADRs and FPs? Do we still get Magic Bands that do everything? Do we get daily Mousekeeping and fresh towels?

2) I've only ever stayed onsite at Deluxe properties and they are so conveniently located. We park hop. A. Lot. Some days we'll do three different parks. We like to dine at an assortment of resorts, not just the one we're staying at. In other words- we are on the go and move from place to place often. If we stay at a moderate resort such as Coronado Springs do we loose the ability to jump around so much. Those properties seem remote and more geared toward people who are less active. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

3) Cabins at Fort Wilderness- are these as "rustic" as they sound? While we have enjoyed staying at Wilderness Lodge we are not camping types, or wilderness types.

4) Can someone who has actually stayed at the Polynesian describe the bathroom arrangement in the standard rooms. Do the bathrooms at Poly have a door separating the toilet and shower from the sink area? Does the sink area have a large vanity and two sinks? I've heard conflicting things.

5) I'm still considering the possibility of just sucking it up and sharing one standard room. The deluxe size rooms at GF seem to be larger and have an additional sitting area however I'm concerned about closet space and areas for hiding personal belongings. I like a neat room. At which resort would we find the largest closets and the most drawer space for tucking things away? We tend to pack a lot especially since we dress for dinner and/or other night time activities.

1) if you RENT points, you will not receive daily housekeeping or fresh towels. Housekeeping comes after the 4th night. If you pay CASH (not "points") for a DVC stay, you will receive daily housekeeping. In both cases, you can still use MDE for ADRs and FPs and you will get MagicBands.

2) Location of the moderate resorts is no less convenient for park hopping than a deluxe. For example, AKL (deluxe) is close to AK but further from the other three parks; Coronado Springs (moderate) is closer to MK, Epcot and DHS than AKL is. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are very centrally located to all 4 parks.

3) If you are not camping or wilderness types, a Fort Wilderness cabin is not for you. They are rustic and require using an internal bus in addition to the bus/boat to the parks. While I love staying at Wilderness Lodge, I have absolutely no desire to stay at Fort Wilderness, even in a cabin.

4) I have stayed at the Poly many times and the bathroom arrangement in the standard rooms: two sinks with large counter space (but no storage underneath) tub/shower combination and toilet, all in the same room. The Poly DVC studio rooms have two bathrooms: one with a stall shower and sink (no toilet) the other with sink, toilet and tub/shower. The room itself has a queen bed and a sleeper sofa (and a twin pull-down bed). Google images of the room types to see for yourself.

5) We recently stayed in a standard (not deluxe) room at the Grand Floridian with our adult daughter and we had plenty of room. The bathroom is configured with the sinks outside the toilet/shower. The closets are large and there was plenty of dresser drawer space. The standard rooms at GF & Poly are about identical in size; the Poly DVC studio rooms are a bit larger.

 

[DaisyDoesDisney]

@Tuvalu- Awesome Information I always learn so much from reading your posts and I appreciate you taking time to answer my questions. I know that you have much experience with visiting Disney and I also get the impression that like me, you are particular about the quality of your experience. If it were up to you, when traveling with your daughter, would you be happier in a single room at GF, or in two connecting rooms at one of the moderates? I'm already finding limited availability for the larger, non DVC, accommodations at both the deluxe and moderate properties (I have no interest in the value resorts). Thanks for your opinion.

I welcome opinions from anyone who cares to give their two cents as well

 

[Tuvalu]

@Tuvalu- Awesome Information I always learn so much from reading your posts and I appreciate you taking time to answer my questions. I know that you have much experience with visiting Disney and I also get the impression that like me, you are particular about the quality of your experience. If it were up to you, when traveling with your daughter, would you be happier in a single room at GF, or in two connecting rooms at one of the moderates? I'm already finding limited availability for the larger, non DVC, accommodations at both the deluxe and moderate properties (I have no interest in the value resorts). Thanks for your opinion.

I welcome opinions from anyone who cares to give their two cents as well

Our daughter is quite content sharing a room with us and she would tell you she would much rather stay in the GF . I mean, what's not to love about the GF? That said, she is also fine sharing a room with us at POFQ...she's not the type who needs her own space. (DH and I are blessed to be able to take additional trips to the world on our own, so we don't mind sharing the room with her on family trips.)

But if your daughter needs her space, I think connecting or adjoining rooms at a moderate would be a good compromise. POFQ is our favorite due to its small size, and we always do extended family vacations there. We have always found the transportation top-notch and enjoy the ability to walk over to Riverside as well.

 

[DaisyDoesDisney]

Our daughter is quite content sharing a room with us and she would tell you she would much rather stay in the GF . I mean, what's not to love about the GF? That said, she is also fine sharing a room with us at POFQ...she's not the type who needs her own space. (DH and I are blessed to be able to take additional trips to the world on our own, so we don't mind sharing the room with her on family trips.)

But if your daughter needs her space, I think connecting or adjoining rooms at a moderate would be a good compromise. POFQ is our favorite due to its small size, and we always do extended family vacations there. We have always found the transportation top-notch and enjoy the ability to walk over to Riverside as well.

Thank-you. I value your opinion. I'm going to do a little more research before deciding but this is all very helpful.