Question about child turning three

[piratehookspixiedust]

When we go in 2013 my youngest will be two so I am good there but when she turns three and we try to go in 2014 will we be able to stay in a standard room in a value resort? Or will they make us bump up to a suite? I know they have roll away beds but I was just wondering if they are very strict on their policies about this? I just don't think it will ever be very easy for us to go without staying standard value due to the fact that even that is a huge stretch for us right now!

[HM]

So, do you have two other children making you a family of five?

If that's the case, then you'd have to do a suite or two rooms at a Value once your youngest child turns 3. But there are other alternatives: Deluxe rooms that hold 5, Port Oreans Riverside, and Ft Wilderness Cabins all hold five or more.

[LilyWDW]

Originally Posted by piratehookspixiedust

When we go in 2013 my youngest will be two so I am good there but when she turns three and we try to go in 2014 will we be able to stay in a standard room in a value resort? Or will they make us bump up to a suite? I know they have roll away beds but I was just wondering if they are very strict on their policies about this? I just don't think it will ever be very easy for us to go without staying standard value due to the fact that even that is a huge stretch for us right now!

The occupancy of a standard value room is 4 plus one under the age of 3. If you already have 4 others in the room, when your youngest turns 3, you will be above occupancy and will not be allowed to stay there.

Edit: And they are very strict about it. If they find you are above occupancy then you will be required to pay for another room at rack rate or asked to leave. Also, the person over occupancy will not be able to use ME or EMH due to the fact that they wouldn't let you register them into the room.

[Missytara]

Originally Posted by piratehookspixiedust

When we go in 2013 my youngest will be two so I am good there but when she turns three and we try to go in 2014 will we be able to stay in a standard room in a value resort? Or will they make us bump up to a suite? I know they have roll away beds but I was just wondering if they are very strict on their policies about this? I just don't think it will ever be very easy for us to go without staying standard value due to the fact that even that is a huge stretch for us right now!

Just because they provide a rollaway bed does not mean you can go over the occupancy limit.

Occupancy limits are based on local, state, and federal fire codes. It is based on exiting in case of a fire, and encompasses the width and length of corridors/pathways and amount of stairs to the grade for exiting.

A child under the age of 3 is not considered towards occupancy because it is assumed that in 99% of fires, a parent carries said child and therefore they do not take up space in the exit way or exit stairs. Once they are 3 and over, they may walk on their own, especially if the parent now has another child under the age of 3 that they have to carry.

Sorry....

[Sandi]

The OP has two older boys and a two year girl.

The standard rooms at a Value resort will not work. As the PPs have noted, the occupancy is 4 plus one under 3.

Some of the POR rooms have occupancy for 5, so you might want to look there.

[Missytara]

Originally Posted by Sandi

The OP has two older boys and a two year girl.

The standard rooms at a Value resort will not work. As the PPs have noted, the occupancy is 4 plus one under 3.

Some of the POR rooms have occupancy for 5, so you might want to look there.

She clearly stated that they cannot afford anything above the value option, so a moderate would not work for them.

[aaarcher86]

Originally Posted by Missytara

She clearly stated that they cannot afford anything above the value option, so a moderate would not work for them.

It's the least expensive next choice though. A POR 5 person room is less expensive than 2 value rooms or a family suite.

It's that, don't come at all, sell the worst behaving child for a small profit, or stay off property.

[piratehookspixiedust]

I honestly was just curious how it worked. We went for our first time last month and enjoyed ourselves so much that DH and I hoped to make it our yearly family vacation. That's why I was already looking that far in advance. I would obviously NEVER try and sneak anyone in or break any rules. I was looking into 2014 because I have OCD planning! We plan on going in 2013 while she is still under 3 and have our fingers crossed for free dining again (not counting on it though of course). We will try our best to stretch it even if we don't get it again. I will check into a few more things. Thanks for the tips.

[Sandi]

Originally Posted by aaarcher86

It's the least expensive next choice though. A POR 5 person room is less expensive than 2 value rooms or a family suite.

It's that, don't come at all, sell the worst behaving child for a small profit, or stay off property.

Right. That was why I was throwing that out there as an option. The Value suites are kind of expensive and if you don't know that a moderate would be less, the info is helpful. Thanks for posting that. I guess I wasn't clear enough.

[DebbieB]

Originally Posted by Missytara

Just because they provide a rollaway bed does not mean you can go over the occupancy limit.

Occupancy limits are based on local, state, and federal fire codes. It is based on exiting in case of a fire, and encompasses the width and length of corridors/pathways and amount of stairs to the grade for exiting.

A child under the age of 3 is not considered towards occupancy because it is assumed that in 99% of fires, a parent carries said child and therefore they do not take up space in the exit way or exit stairs. Once they are 3 and over, they may walk on their own, especially if the parent now has another child under the age of 3 that they have to carry.

Sorry....

Disney occupancy limits can be different than fire codes. Disney can choose to limit the room occupancy to a number less than the fire code. That's why if you make a reservation through CRO for a 1 bedroom at BWV, the limit is 4, if you make it through DVC it's 5. Fire code doesn't change based on if the reservation is points or cash, it's Disney's choice to make it less. Disney typically uses the number of sleeping spaces for occupancy. As long as it is fire code or less, they can do that. They don't want to advertise a room limit of 5 if they don't provide sleeping spots for 5. For DVC, they put out a disclaimer that bedding or linens are not included for the 5th person.

[dgagnon519]

Depending on how long you are staying a moderate is not a big rate increase from a value studio. Like 2 nights at a AOA in a room for 4 is $389 in June and a room at POR in a room for 5 is $441. That is not too bad of a difference.

[maxiesmom]

If you have a car, there are some great off site hotels that will give you more space, and cost the same or even less than a value resort. Many will even include breakfast, which will help keep the cost down even more. If it sounds like something you may be interested in, search the Lake Buena Vista area when looking at hotels. You will be right next door to WDW.

[sndral]

Originally Posted by piratehookspixiedust

I honestly was just curious how it worked. We went for our first time last month and enjoyed ourselves so much that DH and I hoped to make it our yearly family vacation. That's why I was already looking that far in advance. I would obviously NEVER try and sneak anyone in or break any rules. I was looking into 2014 because I have OCD planning! We plan on going in 2013 while she is still under 3 and have our fingers crossed for free dining again (not counting on it though of course). We will try our best to stretch it even if we don't get it again. I will check into a few more things. Thanks for the tips.

Although free dinning is nice, you might explore room % off discounts when the time comes that you need to move up to POR, you can always be very frugal w/ food and share entrees @ cs and have breakfast things and snacks in the room.
When I had a very strict budget, I simply gave myself longer to save up - make it a once every 18 month vacation rather than every 12 months. Or make Disney every other year.

[MinnieGirl33]

Just a reminder that when comparing prices, your soon-to-be 3 y.o. will then require her own ticket as well so you really need to compare options against each other not against what you are currently used to paying.

I'm sure you'll find a solution that works for your family.