Helping another family plan - family of 5 options?

[chocovrdmicears]

Forgive me - I know this has been asked a gazillion times - but I have never paid attention because we are a family of 4 - But I am helping a family of 5 plan a trip - What are the on property resort options for a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids ages 3, 5 & 7). TIA!

 

[brekin67]

Port Orleans Riverside is a nice option.

 

[Magic3forme]

POR
the Contemp and Poly.
AoA suites.
and there are always DVC rooms... AKL and BLT are our top choices for 5 people.and Kidani / BLT have 2 bathrooms.

 

[Megsie1000]

Dont' forget Beach/Yacht Clubs. They have a nice daybed.

In fact the only deluxe resorts that don't accommodate 5 are the Wilderness and Animal Kingdom lodges?

WE are a family of 5. Our choices have been POR, 2 connecting rooms at a value, one of the deluxe resorts that can take 5, the cabins at Ft. Wilderness or a family suite.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

So family of 5 cannot stay in a regular room at AKL or Wilderness Lodge? but all other Deluxes are an option?

 

[Allison]

So family of 5 cannot stay in a regular room at AKL or Wilderness Lodge? but all other Deluxes are an option?

Correct. The Wilderness Lodge has junior suites that include club level service and sleep 6.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Correct. The Wilderness Lodge has junior suites that include club level service and sleep 6.

Thank you.

So the official list is:

Suites at AOA or ASMusic
POR
all Deluxes except WL and AKL
Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

 

[tcherjen]

We are running into the same thing. We are a family of 5, so our choices are limited, well according to my budget. I am thinking POR for us.

 

[tiggspring]

We chose Poly on both our trips because with room only discounts we got luxury at a bigger discount and room for 5. We stayed at POR Riversde with just our youngest for dance the magic in November and the renovated rooms are nice but much smaller than the Poly. Not sure we would have survived with all five of us especially since the TV is right over the twin bed so if that person wants to rest when others are watching tv the speaker is literally inches from their heads.

We had somone in our party stay at the AOA and they liked it alot but preferred Poly. Also if the family has young children having the monorail really decreases time to/from parks and you can watch fireworks from the resort which is great if kids are exhasted and about to meltdown. Our kids played in the sand while watching the fireworks and it was heaven.The balcony-patios allow parents to sit outside while kids fall asleep instead of laying in the dark for an early bedtime.

I would say AOA if Poly wasn't an option and Riverside rooms over the standard POR rooms but be prepared to be cramped. Yatch/beach club looked great for amenities but have never seen the rooms.

 

[Princess on the Run]

Thank you.

So the official list is:

Suites at AOA or ASMusic
POR
all Deluxes except WL and AKL
Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

You can stay at AKL but not in the main lodge. Kidani and Jambo have suites.

Any of the deluxe villas will work. My kids are the same ages and we do the 2 bedroom villas. It works great both for space and for the kitchens and laundry.

 

[AntFarm]

I think POR is one of the best options on property for a family of five.

 

[maxiesmom]

If your friends will want some down time to hang out by the pool, and just relax at the resort, POR is a great choice. It is a very beautiful resort and has a great pool area.

If your friends don't mind spending a little more money and would appreciate having their own bedroom separate from the kiddies, an All Star Family Suite is the way to go. The adults will get a queen sized bed in their own bedroom, plus a kitchenette and 2 bathrooms. You can save quite a bit of money using the kitchenette for quick meals.

 

[Aliceacc]

In what I think is the order from cheapest to most expensive for a family of 5:
- a Trundle or Murphy Bed room at Port Orleans Riverside
- a Family Suite at All Star Music
- two (hopefully) connecting rooms at a Value
- a Cabin at Fort Wilderness
- a Family Suite at Art of Animation
- a room in the Garden Wing at the Contemporary
- a room in most of the Deluxes (except Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge-- their standard rooms don't sleep 5)

The only of those options that has a full kitchen is the Cabin. Good luck!

We're huge fans of the Deluxes! The Poly, Contemporary and Beach/Yacht Clubs and the Boardwalk all offer incredible proximity to at least one park in addition to sleeping 5 in a standard room. (And Stormalong Bay, the pool area shared by the Beach and Yacht Clubs, is simply amazing!!!)

Also, if by some chance one of the parents is a teacher, nurse, or government employee, check out the Deluxe Alcove rooms at the Dolphin. They offer a nice discount to members of those professions. Last year, before we lucked into the PIN that made the Beach Club possible, I had a Deluxe Alcove booked. The price was something in the mid $200s I think.

 

[Coconuts]

Aliceacc has it right! The list from cheapest to most expensive is right. We are a family of 5 and I have priced it backwards and forwards, and POR is the cheapest option and where we have stayed a few times.

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[Coconuts]

Aliceacc has it right! The list from cheapest to most expensive is right. We are a family of 5 and I have priced it backwards and forwards, and POR is the cheapest option and where we have stayed a few times, and will have to stay from now on since DD is now over 3yo.

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[chocovrdmicears]

Thank you for all the fabulous feedback - MUCH appreciated!

 

[nkereina]

I think POR is one of the best options on property for a family of five.

POR is also the smallest option, if space is an issue. POR also depends on the ages in your party. If your family of 5 are all over the age of 12 or 13, POR likely will not work. The new murphy beds in the rooms fit for five are smaller than a twin bed and hang below the TV, but are suspended. So, there are height and weight restrictions for these beds and not meant for anyone over the age of 11 or 12. The room size is standard moderate size room and they remove the armoire/dresser to make room for this extra bed, so its short on storage as well. The upside is that its probably the cheapest option for a family of 5.

 

[Aliceacc]

My 14 year old son is 5'8" and outweighs me by a decent amount. That trundle or Murphy bed at POR would NOT accomodate him.

For us, it's simply NOT a realistic option.