5 People in a hotel room

[JNBDream]

I was wondering, my husband and I are taking our 3 boys, ages 10, 7and 4 to WDW on Spring Break in April. We currently have a room reserved at POR since that was where we could get 5 of us in one room. I am wondering everyone's opinion about booking a room at the value resorts and telling them we have only 2 children. I'm kind of disappointed with needing 2 rooms at the value resorts or a family suite (which is more money than POR) with a family of 5 the value resorts are a much better find on our budget. Our youngest would sleep inbetween my husband and myself anyway. I know it's not honest but was just wondering what everyone's thoughts were, I'm sure people do it all the time.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

They do it for Fire Safety reasons, and you can't do that anyway, everybody in the room has to be listed on the reservation, whether it is for room only or a package.


Suzanne

 

[unbroken chain]

I believe your park tickets are electronically added to your room keys when you are on site too, and the 4 year old will be required to have a park ticket for admission to the parks.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

I know your pain, as a family of five I personally think this area wasn't very well addressed by disney. For us grandma/grandpa usually go so we can just use two rooms at a value, but otherwise I don't know what we would do.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I believe your park tickets are electronically added to your room keys when you are on site too, and the 4 year old will be required to have a park ticket for admission to the parks.

They are, as well as the dining plan if you purchased that option.

 

[MickeyRPI]

I don't know how the prices compare, or how you are getting there, but have you considered Fort Wilderness? The Cabins can sleep 5 or 6 very comfortably. For the truly economical, you can camp up to 10 people on a campsite. If you enjoy roughing it (Disney style), this could be a nice alternative. I'm sure you could purchase a tent and a couple of air mattresses in Orlando for a lot less than a room at POR. Also, you get the benefit of the nightly campfire, sing-along, direct boat-ride to the MK, and the Electric Water Pageant. Just a thought. I love the fort.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I believe your park tickets are electronically added to your room keys when you are on site too, and the 4 year old will be required to have a park ticket for admission to the parks.

If they didn't get a package, it wouldn't matter. They could go to the gate and buy a ticket for the child...how do you think people NOT staying on property get in.

To the OP, the room restriction are for required for safety reasons. Not to mention that if they catch you...and chances are good they would...they will make you leave the resort. Rules are rules and they are there for a reason....just follow them--to avoid the stress and worry if nothing else.
Plus, the rooms at the value resorts are considerably smaller. You guys would be cramped and miserable. Heck, I hate it when there are 3 of us in a value room...I can't imagine 5.

 

[annie1995]

I was wondering, my husband and I are taking our 3 boys, ages 10, 7and 4 to WDW on Spring Break in April. We currently have a room reserved at POR since that was where we could get 5 of us in one room. I am wondering everyone's opinion about booking a room at the value resorts and telling them we have only 2 children. I'm kind of disappointed with needing 2 rooms at the value resorts or a family suite (which is more money than POR) with a family of 5 the value resorts are a much better find on our budget. Our youngest would sleep inbetween my husband and myself anyway. I know it's not honest but was just wondering what everyone's thoughts were, I'm sure people do it all the time.

First off, the beds in a Value wouldn't fit 3 people, even if the 3rd was a small child. You would be very uncomforatable. We tried it this last September with our 14 month old, and trust me it didn't work.

This years trip will be the last year that we will be able to fit into a value room as our youngest will still be 2. Next year I'll have to decide 2 rooms at POP or 1 at POR ( my personal opinion would be the 2 rooms for more space). Besides being against Disneys policy, you could get caught and I'm not sure how they would handle something like that. If you can't afford the 2 rooms or 1 at POR, it might not hurt to postpone your trip until you are able to do it right

 

[CanadianGuy]

One of your kids wouldn't get an Extra Magic Hours bracelet, a room key and if you have the dining plan, they wouldn't get that either.

I'd pick the one you like the least for that honor.

I'm kidding OF COURSE. You'd want your entire family to experience EMH.. so either stay in an All Star Family Suite (sleeps 5 or 6) or move up to a moderate.

Disney has fire codes and safety regulations for a reason and I seriously would not consider flouting them.

Besides being against Disneys policy, you could get caught and I'm not sure how they would handle something like that.

People have been asked to immediately vacate Disney property for less. It puts you and Disney at great risk.. if for example there were a fire, they would think your room only had four guests in it. That could be disastrous.



Knox

 

[BamaFan121s]

I'm kidding OF COURSE. You'd want your entire family to experience EMH.. so either stay in an All Star Family Suite (sleeps 5 or 6) or move up to a moderate.

Ah, I didn't even think about the AS Suites...that sounds like a good option. Good thinking.

(Out of curiosity, what's the price difference between an AS Suite and a POR room that sleeps 5? )

 

[Aliceacc]

You do raise a good point though. That third child pretty much doubles the price of your accomodations, no matter how you slice it.

When I become CEO of Disney, it's one of the first points I'll add to the agenda. The Family Suites were a good step in the right direction, as are the trundles at POR. But Disney needs to acknowledge that some-- in fact, a LOT of-- families come with more than two children. There needs to be a better variety of rooms and room types that can accomodate larger familes. Those larger families are also typically on a budget. (those kids are not cheap to clothe or feed!)

As a teacher, I'm BIG on fire safety, so of course I'll suggest that you keep your reservations at POR. But this is an issue that Disney needs to address.

 

[Aliceacc]

Ah, I didn't even think about the AS Suites...that sounds like a good option. Good thinking.

(Out of curiosity, what's the price difference between an AS Suite and a POR room that sleeps 5? )

Here's the info I got when I was inquiring last summer: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1506807

Here's the pricing:

Value Season:

All-Star Music Family Suites:Sun-Thurs nights $184
All-Star Music Family Suites:Fri & Sat nights $184

POR lists as $149 for the same nights.

 

[moepanz]

subbing!!! Dreading the day our twins are old enough to be counted as people in a room.

 

[FayeW]

You don't have to stay onsite you know, they will still let you into the parks if you stay offsite.

We only have 2 kids, and we never stay onsite. Can't stand the thought of all 4 of us cooped up in one room, sleeping in double beds. No way. No how.

We rent 2 bdrm condos offsite. For the price you are paying to be at POR you could easily rent a 2 or 3bdrm condo or townhouse at Windsor Hills or somewhere similar AND still have money leftover to pay for the rental car you would need, and daily parking fee at the parks. You would have a full kitchen so you wouldn't have to get 5 people ready in one tiny hotel room, and trudge to a foodcourt for breakfast. You could enjoy your coffee in your pyjamas and have a regular breakfast. You could enjoy keeping water bottles and juiceboxes cold so you could take them to the parks in your backpack, and it would chill the adult beverages nicely if you wanted to have a drink on the screened in balcony after the kids have been tucked in to their own beds, in their own rooms. You wouldn't have to sit on the bed in the dark waiting for the kids to fall asleep. You might also enjoy being able to throw in a load of clothes in your in room washer/dryer. It is very nice not having to bring dirty clothes home and start doing laundry immediately.

I have been getting quotes from owners for our Dec trip. I have quotes as low as $69 per day for a 3bdrm unit.

Don't let anybody try to brainwash you into believing that you HAVE to stay onsite to be "fully immersed in the magic 24/7". Magic is what you make it. I always took the philosophy that since I never stayed onsite, I don't know what I'm missing! (although I have a pretty good idea I that there would be no magic to be found, if my family was sleep deprived from having to sleep in the same room together for a week or more. )

We have been to Orlando 3 times, and are planning our fourth trip. I can categorically guarantee you that as long as our children are travelling with us, we will be in larger accomodations offsite. Add the fact that we (GASP) go to Universal, Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld (your boys would LOVE Islands of Adventure!) as well and that just makes staying offsite a much better option.

 

[minnie61650]

Here's the info I got when I was inquiring last summer: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1506807

Here's the pricing:

Value Season:

All-Star Music Family Suites:Sun-Thurs nights $184
All-Star Music Family Suites:Fri & Sat nights $184

POR lists as $149 for the same nights.

Family Suites at All Star Music vs. POR

The Family Suites run about $35 more than a standard room at POR-AB.

Comparisons:


The Family Suites has 2 seperate sleeping areas.
POR has 1.

The Family Suites are 520 square feet.
POR is 314 square feet.

The Family Suites has 2 bathrooms.
POR has 1 bathroom.

The Family Suites have 2 dressing areas with a privacy curtain.
POR has 1 dressing area with a privacy area.

The Family Suites have 2 sinks( 1 each next to the bathrooms), 2 closets, 2 safes, & 2 hair dryers.
POR has 2 sinks ( a double) .1 closet,1 safe, and 1 hair dryer.

The Family Suites have a kitchette with a nice storage area,lots of counter space, a microwave , paper plates & bowls, plastic ware, can opener, Paper towels, fridge,& coffeee pot.
POR has a fridge &a coffee pot.

The Family Suites -Sleeps up to 6 (plus one child under age 3 in a Pak-n-Play crib)
POR-Sleeps up to 5 (plus one child under age 3 in a Pak-n-Play crib)

The Family Suites--Queen bed, full-size pullout sofa, convertible ottoman & chair sleepers (4 separate sleepers) & 2 TVs.
POR has 2 double beds and a trundle bed&1 TV.

The Family Suites -Studio amenities and separate sleeping areas giving more privacy than a standard room.
POR is a standard room.

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Here is the layout of POR:

POR room lay out

Family Suite layout
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Here are some photos of the POR room with the trundle bed from Allearsnet:

the trundle bed

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Here are some photos from the DIS resort website:

** NOTE there is a wall mounted hair dryer next to the bathroom sink.
Look at 8th and 10th phots down and you will see it.

For more info about the All Star Resorts Please visit the FAQ thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409





Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[annie1995]

subbing!!! Dreading the day our twins are old enough to be counted as people in a room.

Ya know, I've never understood why they don't count infants as people in a room count . IMO a 5 year old can get out easier then an infant KWIM?

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

If they didn't get a package, it wouldn't matter. They could go to the gate and buy a ticket for the child...how do you think people NOT staying on property get in.

It would matter, every person is listed on the reservation whether they are on a package or room only, so the child will have to be listed and they will also ask for age at time of stay. A 4 year old is a little hard to hide

The cabins are a great choice, but are quite pricey, especially for a family on a budget. The prices are $255 to $395, so they are alot more than AS Music or POR.

Suzanne

 

[Allison]

My thoughts-it's the wrong thing to do and saying people must do it all the time is an attempt to rationalize what you know is wrong.

Keep the POR reservation.

We are also a family of 5 and and stay in a room that accomodates 5 people or get connecting rooms. Yes-it's more expensive but that's what we have to do if we want to stay onsite.

We had connecting rooms for our last trip and it ended up being a great choice to have 2 bathrooms and tvs and it let us spread out a lot more.

 

[Kimberle]

Eating out at WDW can be very expensive, even for the fast food choices. If you book a FW cabin, you'd have a full kitchen including an outside grill. You could save a lot of $$ by cooking most of your own meals. Plus, most kids get tired of sitting in a resturant 2-3x per day. Your meals could still be simple, burgers & dogs on the grill, sandwiches, cereal, etc.

 

[BamaFan121s]

It would matter, every person is listed on the reservation whether they are on a package or room only, so the child will have to be listed and they will also ask for age at time of stay. A 4 year old is a little hard to hide

No, it would not matter--I think you might have misunderstood what I was getting at. Someone replied that the ticket would be added to the room key, therefore the kid not listed wouldn't be able to get into the park. Fact is, NO, that is not the case...the kid COULD get in the park if they bought a ticket at the gate. Not condoning doing that, just pointing out that a ticket added to your room key is not the ONLY way you can get in.