Family of 5 + inf - ASMu Suite or POR AB

[ateam79828592]

We have done 4 trips to Disney and stayed at CSR, CBR, and POFQ (twice). Our next trip to Disney will be with our new baby and put us at family of 5 + inf category. Looking at the different resort choices we have narrowed it down to POR AB and ASMusic Family Suite. FW Cabins, AoA, deluxe, or renting points are not worth the extra $$ for our family.

We have done 4 + inf in CBR and POFQ and been fine on space. It is tight, but we are organized and it has been fine.

Kids will be 9, 6, 4 & 10 months on our next trip. We do rope drop every morning and come back to resort for afternoon break. We are back in the room by 8:30/9p every night. In the last 4 trips we have found that the trip time from our room to the park gate is an important part of the trip. At CBR the resort size + 7? bus stops seem to make this a VERY long time.

So here is what I have going as for as our pro/con list for the two resorts. Any input especially from families that have done it with similar family size?

All Star Music Family Suite
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More space
2 bathrooms (not a huge deal at this point since kids are small)
Private sleeping for me & DH / quite nap place for baby
Kitchenette
Dining (free dining - QS) - we haven't done QS before..but i think QS + a few out-of-pocket TS meals would better fit our family
Likely closer to food court & pool


Port Orleans - Riverside - Alligator Bayou
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Main pool has a slide. Slide was HUGE part of the trip for the kids last year.
Better food court
Can only do the option (1 room) for another trip or so before we're family of 6
Approx $700-750 cheaper
Covered bus stops with seating - more relaxing with 4 small kids + strollers
Boat ride to DTD

 

[AliceIn]

I picked the suite. I don't think I could bear to have 6 people (even small ones) in such a small room.

 

[wiigirl]

I picked the suite. I don't think I could bear to have 6 people (even small ones) in such a small room.

Good choice!

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

I would also do the AS Music Suite or 2 room at any value.
We are doing POR with 3 kids in 49 days and do know where we are all going to fit in!!!!!

If you can do the money difference and you plan on going back for nap at the resort that go with the bigger option!

 

[dansdad]

Although POR is an awesome resort, with that many people I would definitely do the suite. We've done 5 at POR and that is the most I would do even if #6 is a wee one.

ETA - We've never stayed in a family suite, but have stayed at Music in a regular room and enjoyed our stay.

 

[Megsie1000]

I think you guys will enjoy your trip much more if you have a little more space - especially since you are trying to do breaks/naps midday. Two bathrooms is a life-saver, too, for those mornings.

Did you look at the All-Star Music family suites? They are all in the preferred section from what I understand.

We are only a family of 5 but we did two connecting rooms at POP and that worked well for us.

ETA: Sorry I thought you were talking about the AoA suites. Looks like you already found the music suites.

 

[ateam79828592]

Thanks for the input so far. Anyone else? Especially interested in anyone with a similar family make-up that has done either or both...

Thanks! DISBoards is the best!

 

[jjjbennett]

Just back from ASMU suites and I loved being able to close up the pullouts and actually have seating if we came back during the day or in the evening. I find having kids, eating, relaxing etc directly on the bedding seems to get things dirty fast. This way they could snack or watch TV with the pullouts closed and then the sheets and blankets were nice and clean when it was bedtime.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

We are a family of 5 (kids ages 7/6/4) and I am opting for POR.
I think the decision really comes down to how much time you think you might be spending in the room and whether you will be eating there at all. Now that our kids are not napping, we are hoping to keep going most of the day and crash at night. : ). You have a very little one however so I guess unless he/she is a good stroller napper, I would probably go with AS.
I like that POR has a more relaxing atmosphere though (not that I've stayed at AS) after being at the sensory overloaded parks all day.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[SA mom]

I would definitely opt for 2 bathrooms. Just think at how much quicker you could get everyone bathed or even get everyone on the potty before leaving for the parks. With only one bathroom, but the time everyone went, you'd have to start over!

 

[3princes+1princess]

I would go for POR. We went two years ago, with my family of 6 (ages 12, 9, 6 and 2 at the time). We also had my sister and her son. Well, in order to stay in one room, we put one of the kids on my sisters reservation; however, we all stayed in the POFQ room. We also had my brother, his wife and two of their kids on the trip.

So, we had all 6 of us in a room at POFQ. We brought a twin air mattress that we put up every night for my 12 year old. The 9 and 6 year old shared a bed and me, my husband and our 2 year old shared a bed. They are queen size and we are used to co-sleeping so there was no issue there.

Like you, we are super organized. I brought the shoe holders for their clothes, an organizer for the back of the bathroom door and we did NOT have a problem at all. We were really never at our room except to pass out. We are used to our big family, know how to do shower and share space. We were always ready before any of the other family.

We have to do two rooms now since we don't have the infant and never really want to travel with family again, lol. We did consider, for a second, a new family suite at AOA. But I cannot stand the 'loudness' of the room....it is too Disney and I would not relax there at all. Plus I don't like the set up of the room at all...the bed table area at all. Of course, compared to two connecting rooms, the suites are not even a comparison....but if we could still do one room with all 6 of us, I would. No question at all, especially with the free dining (compared to quick service).

So, I would have to disagree with everyone and go for POR. Sounds like you are leaning in that direction if you know it can work....and it really can.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I've done 5 in PoR. Six is totally possible but going to be super cramped. I would go with the suite.

 

[Mom2six]

We are going to be staying at POR our next trip. We've stayed at POFQ but never POR. Have you planned out where everyone will sleep? I can't picture where you will put both a pack n play and a stroller in POR.

 

[zy144622]

We are going to be staying at POR our next trip. We've stayed at POFQ but never POR. Have you planned out where everyone will sleep? I can't picture where you will put both a pack n play and a stroller in POR.

Pack n play fits nice up against connecting door and side of bed. Stroller fits best between table and ac unit. So as long as you have none to connecting door all will fit nicely.

 

[maxiesmom]

We did the legal 6 at POR one time. One time. I wouldn't ever do it again.


Give me a family suite where you have more space, a kitchenette, and a second bathroom.