Next year? Where to stay? 4 kids

[nicolewi]

I am starting to think about trying to get back to Disney next spring. We have four kids. When we went in 2018, we stayed at Art of Animation and LOVED it, but our kids are bigger now. I don't know if we can still squeeze into the family suite with teenagers involved! It was tight when my kids were 4, 6, 8 and 10. Also, back in 2018, there were a lot of benefits to staying on site that have since disappeared. Are any important benefits still in play or coming back?

On Disney property, I think we only have the option of something like AoA, or renting DVC points to try to get one of the much more expensive suites?? but from what I've seen, the costs are still really high...is that right? 

Friends really like Wyndham Bonnet Creek, so I might look into that or similar properties close to Disney. If we stay off-site and rent a car, we could more easily include Universal, which I think would be fun to do for a day. 

WWYD/any initial suggestions for a family of 6? Kids will have just turned 15, 13, 11 and 9 if we do this next year.

[momin2013]

My initial suggestion is to absolutely consider Universal - we took DS when he was 9 and he was right at the beginning of the perfect age for it, IMO. He’s also into Harry Potter and loved HP World. We stayed at Cabana Bay and the price was pretty reasonable, as far as resort prices go.

I am in no way a Disney expert, so no recs there.

[mrsslocombe]

Renting a suite with DVC points CAN be similar cost as an AOA suite, depending on time of year, and which property you choose. It can also be 2-3x the price. I would get a quote from David's or DVC rental store just to give you an idea of the price to help make your decision. There are ways to rent points cheaper but you have to do more research than I have done in the past.

The onsite perks that matter to me:
1. 30 minutes early entry to the parks (we are rope drop to close, only valuable if you can plan on arriving 45 minutes prior to early entry).
2. Transportation-I will do just about anything to avoid driving or getting a rental car, but I live in NYC and don't drive normally so that is more a personal thing.

Other perks that don't matter as much to me:
3. Earlier access to dining reservations (staying on property, you can book for your entire stay 60 days prior to check in. If staying off site, it's 60 days before each individual day.
4. I think you still get earlier access to ILL purchases but I never use these, so maybe someone else knows.

If your kids are big on thrill rides, than Universal is worth it. If they don't like roller coasters or can't do 3D then it's a tougher call. Personally I think one day is enough with a park hopper but I also haaaaate simulation rides so I could skip a lot of attractions there.

[nicolewi]

Thanks. They are NOT big on thrill rides, except maybe one kid, but she hasn't been on anything rougher than the Yeti ride!

[krystee]

With four kids and a full week, I think I’d look at a fun Disney-themed house or townhouse with a backyard pool and a fun bigger community pool on AirBnB. But we are not the type who can make it to the parks before rope drop, so the perks don’t mean that much to us.