Helping picking rooms for 5

[jediagh]

I'm planning a SEP 2012 vacation back to Disney (FL). I took the family last year in SEP 2010 and we stayed at the CBR. That was the first time we had been to Disney. Back then it was a adults and 2 kids. However for SEP 2012 it will be 2 adults and 3 kids (7, 4, and 1). We liked CBR but want to try another resort this time around.

I need help in determining which resorts will be able to accommodated us. I can't and can see us using a room similar to CBR (2 full size beds) again but suspect we would have to take a playpen for the 1 year old although it would be a tight fit.

I would like to stay at a MODERATE resort if possible. If that is not possible then DELUXE I guess. (Will have to increase by monthly savings as those are more). Nothing against those that stay at the VALUE ones but I would rather now. Although not even sure they would accommodated 5.

Are their rooms where you can book 2 rooms next to each other that are "interconnected" (ie. have a door between the rooms)? Or are their suite type rooms with a common area and 2 bedroom areas, etc..?

I was eying the Colorado Springs for it's nice mayan pool for the little ones. But got an email this week about the new Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter resorts starting in Mar 2012 and those look nice.

Just not sure I can fit 5 in the royal rooms 2 per bed and the little one in the play pen.

Oh the 2012 trip is geared for my son BTW.

Suggestions please!!!

 

[momH2the4th]

If you're looking for space, the way to go would be in a deluxe. The WL has rooms with a queen and bunk beds and would be perfect for your family since you still have one under 3. You could stay there legally. This is what we did when ours were about your kids age for our first family trip. They have pack and plays for the baby or you could do bed rails and the 1 year old could sleep on the bottom bunk with another kid or the 2 older ones on top. I think you would enjoy the resort and the pool. Yes, it's more than a moderate, but I think you would enjoy it.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would think you could fit everyone in at POR. With one of your kiddies being under the age of 2, you could technically stay at any Disney resort you want to. I do think your children would like the themeing at POR--the pool area is very neat, and they have surrey bikes for rent, and carriage rides too.

You can also request connecting rooms(rooms with the inside door), if you want to go the 2 room route. Unfortunately they are not a bookable catagory. You can request them, and Disney will do their best to give them to you, but there is a small chance of not getting them. That doesn't happen very often, but when you end up unlucky (like we did one time) it kind of puts a crimp in things.

Honestly, if you are thinking about 2 moderate rooms I think you should just go deluxe. Stay at the Poly or Contemporary. Both resorts have nice and big rooms, and are on the monorail line, which makes it a snap to get to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Plus the pool areas are very cool. You can actually swim at the pool at the Poly and watch the nighttime fireworks at MK at the same time!

 

[plutolovr]

CBR has the largest rooms in the moderate category, so a Pack-n-play would fit better here than any other moderate. Also, WL rooms are exactly the same square footage as CBR rooms (340 sq.ft.) and AKL rooms are only 4 feet larger (344 sq. ft.). So if you're definitely looking for more space 2 rooms would be the way to go or stay at one of the other deluxes. Contemporary and Poly have some of the largest deluxe category rooms.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

With a family of 5 and one under the age of 3, you can pick any room at WDW you want so your choices are quite vast.

We have stayed in all four of the traditional Moderates and our preferences in order were CBR, POFQ, CSR and POR. POR used to be our favorite, but fell after our stay there last March. That said, the rooms have been rehabbed (or are in the process) since we last stayed there. The advantage of CSR is that it has Queen size beds. The picture of the new Princess rooms at POR look nice, but not sure I'd do that with a trip focused on your son.

You could also stay at the Wilderness Lodge Cabins (they sleep 6). It's a bit too secluded for us, but many enjoy it.

At the Values, you can do a Family Suite if the standard rooms are too small. By the time you travel, the new Art of Animation resort is due to open. Many of the rooms will be a two room suite. It is a value, but being brand new, it should be quite fun. The family suites are a little more expensive than a standard room at a Moderate.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/12/new-images-disneys-art-of-animation-resort/

If you upgrade to a Deluxe, I too would prefer the CR over many of them due its size and proximity to the Magic Kingdom. For a little extra, you could upgrade to the Poly. If swimming pools are important to you, then splurge with either the Yacht Club or Beach Club.

If space is of utmost importance, you could rent points for a DVC villa. You could rent a 1 bedroom villa with a full size kitchen and laundry for not much more than a Moderate. You would get a king size bed with that option! The disadvantage is that you can't take advantage of free dining if it's offered. September is a month that has been traditional for free dining the past several years.

 

[jediagh]

The advantage of CSR is that it has Queen size beds.

Oh did not know that about CSR.

You could also stay at the Wilderness Lodge Cabins (they sleep 6). It's a bit too secluded for us, but many enjoy it.

That is one of the things I don't like about the Wilderness Lodge Cabins. They just seem to be too far from everything on the resort.

Guess I should have been a bit more specific on the plans and what is a priority for us.

The plan is a 8 day/7 night stay in SEP to take advantage of the FREE DINING assuming they have it in 2012 but making my budget based on 2011 prices off season with NO free dining and a 10% increase of prices to get 2012 estimate.

The tentative plan is
9/3 MON - Arrive @ Resort
9/4 TUE - MK (note 2)
9/5 WED - RESORT Pool Time (note 3)
9/6 THR - Studios
9/7 FRI - RESORT Pool Time
9/8 SAT - Epcot (note 1)
9/9 SUN - MK 2

note 1: Kids are a bit too small for EPCOT but DS is in LOVE with Mulan so thus we are going to epcot for mulan.

note 2: Will be doing the pirate league

note 3: Will be doing the pirate adventure

The kids had a blast at the CBR pool we did 2 "resort days" last time spent all day in the pool, lunch at the resort and then dinner at Downtown Disney along with shopping. It was a good break away from the parks.

So I'm looking for the same thing next time. I'm not too concerned about the rooms size as I am about the pool and distance to the "restaurant/shop" area. y concern with the rooms is can be fit 5 with one in a playpen in the rooms at the various resorts or will we just be too squished. Case in point at the CBR I just can't see putting a playpen in the room and still having room to walk around it. I guess it would be possible if we moved the table with the chairs all the way into the corner. Don't think a playpen would fit in between the 2 beds. Maybe next the entrance. Just not sure.

At the Values, you can do a Family Suite if the standard rooms are too small. By the time you travel, the new Art of Animation resort is due to open. Many of the rooms will be a two room suite. It is a value, but being brand new, it should be quite fun. The family suites are a little more expensive than a standard room at a Moderate.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/12/new-images-disneys-art-of-animation-resort/

Oh I did not know this about the value resorts. Will have to look into the family suites. Plus the screenshots of the new resort look nice and they have a boy's theme in Disney Cars.

If you upgrade to a Deluxe, I too would prefer the CR over many of them due its size and proximity to the Magic Kingdom. For a little extra, you could upgrade to the Poly. If swimming pools are important to you, then splurge with either the Yacht Club or Beach Club.

If space is of utmost importance, you could rent points for a DVC villa. You could rent a 1 bedroom villa with a full size kitchen and laundry for not much more than a Moderate. You would get a king size bed with that option! The disadvantage is that you can't take advantage of free dining if it's offered. September is a month that has been traditional for free dining the past several years.

Travel time to/from the parks is not an issue for us. Last SEP it was pertty much a 15 to 20 min ride from the time we walked out of the room to the place we were going. SEP was very "dead" in terms of people so I expect the same in 2012 SEP.

 

[aripantaloon]

With your youngest under 3, you can stay anywhere you want. I would avoid the values since their rooms are pretty small and you'll be tripping over the PNP.

We're going to be faced with the same issue next year as our youngest will be 2. I'm fairly certain that we're going to at the AKL. If my FIL comes, we'll get a 2 room suite, but if not, we'll just do a regular room. Well, that is unless 2 regular rooms would end up being cheaper than a 2 room suite.

 

[beer dave]

my suggestion-- check out the thread for dvc points for rent. chose a dvc resort like boardwalk or old key west ( largest rooms anywhere) reserve a one bedroom room if you want more space, or just reserve a studio for economy. whoever you buy points from will reserve the room in your name. You will recieve the conformation from disney. the points cost about 11 dollars per point, and res in sept are 10 points per week nite and 13 per fri /sat for a studio and 21/26 for a one bedroom. the one bedroom has a king bed in the bedroom with huge bath and jetted tub with sleeper sofa in living rm with full kitchen. Great rooms. How does the price compare? I never stayed at the moderstes. we are DVC. hope it helps.

 

[jediagh]

my suggestion-- check out the thread for dvc points for rent. chose a dvc resort like boardwalk or old key west ( largest rooms anywhere) reserve a one bedroom room if you want more space, or just reserve a studio for economy. whoever you buy points from will reserve the room in your name. You will recieve the conformation from disney. the points cost about 11 dollars per point, and res in sept are 10 points per week nite and 13 per fri /sat for a studio and 21/26 for a one bedroom. the one bedroom has a king bed in the bedroom with huge bath and jetted tub with sleeper sofa in living rm with full kitchen. Great rooms. How does the price compare? I never stayed at the moderstes. we are DVC. hope it helps.

Do you have a link to the thread about DVC points?
Also would the FREE DINNING be allowed in those rooms/packages as well?

 

[Sammie]

Do you have a link to the thread about DVC points?
Also would the FREE DINNING be allowed in those rooms/packages as well?

No free dining when you rent points. Free dining is a package bought from Disney. Renting DVC points is a private transaction between you and another person. No cancellation, full payment up front.

DVC also does not include daily housekeeping if that is important.

 

[jediagh]

Thanks Sammie.

Not sure I like the sound of DVC renting at least not for this upcoming trip. It is like renting a time share from someone else then? Just the "time share" happens to be at the DISNEY location?

Tried to find where the threads are on this board but can't find them.

 

[Sue M]

I'm planning a SEP 2012 vacation back to Disney (FL). I took the family last year in SEP 2010 and we stayed at the CBR. That was the first time we had been to Disney. Back then it was a adults and 2 kids. However for SEP 2012 it will be 2 adults and 3 kids (7, 4, and 1). We liked CBR but want to try another resort this time around.

I need help in determining which resorts will be able to accommodated us. I can't and can see us using a room similar to CBR (2 full size beds) again but suspect we would have to take a playpen for the 1 year old although it would be a tight fit.

I would like to stay at a MODERATE resort if possible. If that is not possible then DELUXE I guess. (Will have to increase by monthly savings as those are more). Nothing against those that stay at the VALUE ones but I would rather now. Although not even sure they would accommodated 5.

Are their rooms where you can book 2 rooms next to each other that are "interconnected" (ie. have a door between the rooms)? Or are their suite type rooms with a common area and 2 bedroom areas, etc..?

I was eying the Colorado Springs for it's nice mayan pool for the little ones. But got an email this week about the new Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter resorts starting in Mar 2012 and those look nice.

Just not sure I can fit 5 in the royal rooms 2 per bed and the little one in the play pen.

Oh the 2012 trip is geared for my son BTW.

Suggestions please!!!

As mentioned, CBR has the largest room size of the moderates, so that's where you'll have the most room. I think there would be plenty of room to put the pack & play. Disney supplies them.

As you noticed, POR is getting queen beds, POFQ already has them. And CSR does too, but I think you could fit in a pack & play. Even in the curtained off sink area.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks Sammie.

Not sure I like the sound of DVC renting at least not for this upcoming trip. It is like renting a time share from someone else then? Just the "time share" happens to be at the DISNEY location?

Tried to find where the threads are on this board but can't find them.

Yes that is exactly what it is just like Vacation By Owner, the deal is made privately with the DVC member. They own the reservation until you check in. The terms to be decided by them. Disney is does not get involved at all and won't.

The info thread is on the DVC rent/trade forum.

 

[tookie]

I would not rule out the Fort Wilderness Cabins. There is a lot of room for the price. There is a full kitchen and a decent sized living room area. The bedroom has a full size bed and bunk beds. There is also a Murphy bed in the living room. Everything is very easy to get to if you rent a golf cart. It is an extra cost, but well worth it. My boys loved riding around in the evenings. We really loved the quietness of the resort after a busy day of go, go, go at the parks. It is in the MK area which is great because you can sit on the beach and watch the fireworks at night. It is a great value and a lovely resort! They also have sooooo many activities you can do there. The movies and smores are great in the evenings. There are 2 pools, horse rides, organized activities for the kids, plus the Mickey's Backyard BBQ and the Hoop De Doo are right there. Also, the resort seems to have the shortest lines when waiting for a bus. A definite plus. Just some thoughts. Of course you will be at Disney World so any place you stay will be great!

 

[tzolkin]

One thing to keep in mind would be if you are planning to go to Disney again (especially frequently) in the future.

If so, you may want to consider choosing a resort that only holds 4 for this trip because when your youngest reaches age 3 you will not have the option of staying there without exceeding the occupancy for one room. For example, we stayed at Pop, CSR, and CBR when our youngest was an "infant". Now that he's older we're limited in our resort choices as a family of 5.

Coronado Springs was unanimously the favorite for our family. We had no problem fitting into the room with a portable crib. We loved the theming, the larger beds, the main pool and playground area, and just the general feel of the resort.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Yes that is exactly what it is just like Vacation By Owner, the deal is made privately with the DVC member. They own the reservation until you check in. The terms to be decided by them. Disney is does not get involved at all and won't.

The info thread is on the DVC rent/trade forum.

Ditto this suggestion. We have rented points many times without a problem. Make sure you get a contract and references. Or you can rent from dave's for $13 per point. Just scroll down a little further on these boards you will find them. Be forwarned though once you go dvc you might not want to go back to anything less. OKW has the biggest rooms on property. If you go with a studio you will have 2 queen beds, a one bedrom will have a king in the master, a full kitchen and living room and a laundry room with full sized washer and dryer. Never stayed at BWI but kids find the giant clown pool a little freaky. Also BW shares a bus with other resorts. OKW does not and that might be better with little ones.

 

[iheartdisney]

One thing to keep in mind would be if you are planning to go to Disney again (especially frequently) in the future.

If so, you may want to consider choosing a resort that only holds 4 for this trip because when your youngest reaches age 3 you will not have the option of staying there without exceeding the occupancy for one room. For example, we stayed at Pop, CSR, and CBR when our youngest was an "infant". Now that he's older we're limited in our resort choices as a family of 5.

Coronado Springs was unanimously the favorite for our family. We had no problem fitting into the room with a portable crib. We loved the theming, the larger beds, the main pool and playground area, and just the general feel of the resort.

THIS!!!
Your trips to WDW and staying in a room built for four are drawing to a close. Enjoy one while you can!
Do you know which Pirate Adventure you want to do? My DD did the Albatross cruise from the Beach Club and she loved it! I think I am going to do it again this summer and send all three kids. Her favorite part was getting to "sneak" into Epcot.
If you do that one, it probably would be easiest to stay at the Beach or Yacht club. The pool totally rocks. It is an understatement to call it a pool...

 

[jediagh]

THIS!!!
Your trips to WDW and staying in a room built for four are drawing to a close. Enjoy one while you can!

Thanks that is what I figured and am leaning towards the CSR for this go around. We loved the CBR in 2010 but want to try something different.

I figure we have another trip to Disney in 2015 when the new born is around 4/5 which at that point it will be 2 adults; 3 kids.

Do you know which Pirate Adventure you want to do? My DD did the Albatross cruise from the Beach Club and she loved it! I think I am going to do it again this summer and send all three kids. Her favorite part was getting to "sneak" into Epcot.
If you do that one, it probably would be easiest to stay at the Beach or Yacht club. The pool totally rocks. It is an understatement to call it a pool...

They have more than 1 Pirate Adventure???
From the Disney website I only saw this:

Disney's Pirate Adventure

Aspiring buccaneers between the ages of 4 and 12 board a pirate-themed boat and scour the waterways around Walt Disney World Resort in search of pirate treasure during a swashbuckling high-seas adventure.

On this guided expedition, each participant enjoys a light snack and beverage, learns how to talk like a pirate, visits legendary ports-of-call, and—if he or she is lucky—returns with a bag of pirate booty! Disney's Pirate Adventure is a 2-hour sailing voyage that takes place each day at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 

[Missytara]

They have more than 1 Pirate Adventure???
From the Disney website I only saw this:

Disney's Pirate Adventure

Aspiring buccaneers between the ages of 4 and 12 board a pirate-themed boat and scour the waterways around Walt Disney World Resort in search of pirate treasure during a swashbuckling high-seas adventure.

On this guided expedition, each participant enjoys a light snack and beverage, learns how to talk like a pirate, visits legendary ports-of-call, and—if he or she is lucky—returns with a bag of pirate booty! Disney's Pirate Adventure is a 2-hour sailing voyage that takes place each day at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

See where it says "select Walt Disney World Resorts."

There is NOT more than one pirate adventure. They are at MORE than one resort. There is also one running at POR.

 

[jediagh]

See where it says "select Walt Disney World Resorts."

There is NOT more than one pirate adventure. They are at MORE than one resort. There is also one running at POR.

Ah makes sense now! I don't recall where I read it but I thought they were only offered at the Grand Floridian Resort. So any difference between 1 location vs the other?