Villas vs multiple rooms?

[LenaG]

So I have actually gone on many trips to Disney but only one as an adult (my honeymoon!!... we stayed at riverside and I loved it). I currently have a 5 month old boy and my mom wants to take us all (baby, husband and I) to Disney for the boys 2nd birthday. I haven't ever coordinated this many people on vacation. My mother is going to be footing the bill and she wants me to do all the planning.
Anyways on to my question....
We are trying to decide on two rooms or a two bedroom villa. Any experience with this and how that worked for your family?
My other question is how far out do you typically book a villa and when do they even become available for booking? I know that villas are kept aside outside of DVC. I suggested to my mom about renting DVC points but she wasn't interest in that.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[RememberWhen]

A villa would be great. Having the washer and dryer (especially with a two year old) is great. You'll also have a full kitchen and lots of space for kiddo to run around. We have stayed in the villas lots of times, both with and without kids.

I don't know about timing not related to DVC. My mom is DVC and can book her home resort 11 months out. I assume if you know where you want to stay the rental places can probably book you at 11 months if they have availability.

 

[LenaG]

A villa would be great. Having the washer and dryer (especially with a two year old) is great. You'll also have a full kitchen and lots of space for kiddo to run around. We have stayed in the villas lots of times, both with and without kids.

I don't know about timing not related to DVC. My mom is DVC and can book her home resort 11 months out. I assume if you know where you want to stay the rental places can probably book you at 11 months if they have availability.

Do all villas have washer and dryer? I didn't realize that. That's a game changer tilting to villa.

 

[RememberWhen]

Do all villas have washer and dryer? I didn't realize that. That's a game changer tilting to villa.

As far as I know anything from a one bedroom and larger has a washer and dryer and a full kitchen. A studio doesn't have the washer dryer and only has a kitchenette, but I think you had mentioned a two bedroom. I would probably not try to squeeze into a one bedroom, though I think you technically fit. You're 3-4 adults, plus a two year old, right?

 

[andy773]

I own DVC at Bay Lake Tower and Polynesian. All villas 1-bedroom and larger have washer/dryers.

Check out David's Vacation Rentals:

https://www.dvcrequest.com/

They are very reputable and you will be surprised how much it saves you off of Disney's direct booking prices.

 

[incorrigible]

We just got back from a stay in Dec at Coronado springs w/ almost-3y/o twins where we booked 2 rooms. Given the deals that were running at the time, it was cheaper than a villa (even compared with renting DVC points). It was slightly more expensive than a family suite at AoA, but not by much so we opted for that. I definitely think it was worth it.

One advantage we found to staying at Coronado with the kids (vs other mids we've stayed at [PO, CB]) was that there were large sliding doors that separated the bathroom / sink area from the rest of the room. They were very helpful when it came to bedtime and keeping the kids separated (we had 1 in a pack-and-play in by the sinks); we hadn't seen those at the other mids.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

When I went with my family in May of 2014, most of us stayed in a 2 bedroom villa at Bay Lake Tower. There were 3 bathrooms. We also had a washer and dryer and a full kitchen. Very helpful and I didn't feel cramped at all. I'm going with my Mom and younger siblings in May. We have a 2 bedroom villa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Helpful to have the extra space.