Cat 4 Family Stateroom vs Cat 3 suite (your opinions please)

[SweetSpot]

We presently have a Cat 4 family stateroom for a family of 5. I've called to see what the difference would be to upgrade to a larger room and the difference is about $2,300 which is close to 1/2 of the price of my next cruise. I can't imagine being in 304 sq feet with the 5 of us for 7 days and the suite is almost double the size but I also don't know if it is worth spending that kind of money for a larger room. How often will I really be in the room? Are the amenities included in the cat 3 worth the price difference? Any opinions from people who have been in either room would greatly be appreciated.

[prymsu]

if it was my situation and predicament, I would settle for the CAT 4, as the upgrade is lots of money that you could be using towards another cruise. My only requirement is that I must have a balcony...I just can't see paying those prices for a room, when a majority of the time you will be out and about...just my two cents.

[Michelle]

Is it wonderful to splurge on concierge? YES.

Is it WORTH it to splurge on cocnierge? NO. :)

If money is no object, then go for it. If space is your problem you might consider booking two lower category cabins instead (adjoining if you have young kids, or a Cat. 6 with a Cat. 11 across the hall if your kids are old enough to sleep in a cabin alone).

Good luck deciding! :)

[josierac]

Here are some pictures of the Cat 3 cabin and you can see if it's worth it to you.
Disney Magic Category 3 (http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/toast/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=10&tid=12286)

[Kelsie]

There are some great pictures of a cat.3 right here on the DIS.

Take a look:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/CruiseStaterooms/index.html

[Deb in IA]

Also, keep in mind that you REALLY are not in your room very much during the cruise -- too much other stuff to do and see!!

Really, we just slept there and took showers there . . .;)

[kramer_clan]

We had 4 of us in a Category 8 on Deck 7 when we sailed 08/18. My husband and I and a 16 and 13 year old. You are not in your cabin that much at all!! You will be fine with the Category 4.

Vicki

[Ocallaghmp]

We were in a category 4 on the 4 day cruise with myself, DH, DS 17, DD13 and DD8. Our kids were in the clubs so much or off swimming. The only time we were all in the cabin together was to sleep and that was only after dragging our teens out of the Common Grounds at 2:00 a.m. Even showering was at different intervals, I would use the extra money for shore excursions.

[slindamood]

My DH and I were in cat. 4 and my mother and DD shared a cat. 3. For that much extra $$, I would stick with the 4. The extra services were not enough for the extra cost of the cat 3 and it really did not have all that much more useable space.

Some of the cat 3 room arrangements would not work as well for 5 people as the cat 4 room arrangment. The cat. 4 is a fantasatic design, and each child would have his/her own bed. If you would get the same room as my mother's cat 3, the pull down bed was in the bedroom (placing one child, almost next to the queen size bed) and the other two would have to share the pull out couch. We had to move furniture to pull out the couch, and it about fills the living room.

The cat 3 would give you a complete second bathroom. The walk in closet is huge, and would make "stuff management" easy.

Both rooms are on the Magic, which can't be beat!!! You will have a great time no matter which option you choose.

[SweetSpot]

Thank you!!!!! I was really going back and forth and when I saw the pictures I fell in love with the room and was a bit tempted until I realized that I still wouldn't have my own bedroom because I would have a kid sleeping right next to my bed! Our kids never want to be seperated so they would end up with a bedroom of thier own and we would be sleeping on the pull out couch. It would be nice, and if money were no object I probably would do it but I don't think I could get that nagging feeling of spending 1/2 of my next cruise money on the room.

I appreciate your responses you made my decision much easier.

[SweetSpot]

josierac:

Had to say, what a great site! I have been clicking away. I want to go now!! Thank you for that link.

[josierac]

Originally posted by SweetSpot
josierac:

Had to say, what a great site! I have been clicking away. I want to go now!! Thank you for that link.

You are welcome, glad you like the site. I became a part of it because I loved the pictures and the people there so much.