Anyone ever warned about PO's 5th person?

[lagunaseca]

It is true. Port Orleans Riverside cannot be booked for a party of 5 if everyone is over the age of 10. Disney's system will not allow it any longer. Even if you have a child under 5' tall if they are 10 or older the system will kick it out. I know in the past you could do this though.

Sue Ellen

Yes, this is exactly what I was told by two different Disney Travel Specialists and 2 different CM's. I know for a fact that they have all your info on the computer once you have stayed at WDW. Last year once I gave my name they could tell me the ages and names of my kids based on past travel. So, I am going to keep the two rooms because even if I got a CM that said it was ok I'd hate to take the chance the computer would "spit out" my reservation and once we got there be told we'll have to have 2 rooms at rack rate. That is how my luck would run.

 

[teacher31]

I'm confused. If the 'system won't allow it,' how did I get my reservation? I don't want any surprises when I show up, so I'm debating calling & asking. Wait. I did that when I made the reservation. I asked if I would be turned down at check-in and she said no.

 

[Sammie]

The problem with the inconsistency at Disney Reservations is Cast Members are incented on the amount of revenue they book and some are willing to chance violating policy to make a booking.

Which is another reason there is a such a huge turnover of staff there, as the computer records all this info and everything management needs to prove a violation.

The main problem and the sad thing is the CM booking does not care about the consequences after the booking; if a guest books 4, you get 4 resort IDs. If the guest does not plan on the 5th person enjoying Early Entry or Extra Magic Hours, then one can probably get away with it.

 

[mugsymagoos]

We have stayed at POR and POFQ with our three children. They fit just fine on the trundle, and at the french quarter, I just booked the room for 4 and then just brought my third child and an inflatable mattress. Never been asked to show the keys and if I was, we would just say sorry, forgot one I guess. I am not going to pay for two rooms when I have three children under 11 years old that don't take up much room, and an air mattress fits just fine. We are not in the room much anyway. I know others have done it, I got the idea here on the DIS boards from other families of three children, but of course, there will be some high and mighty people that will flame me, but oh well, can't please everyone!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think part of the problem with 2 rooms conected is they don't promise you will get that. When you have kids, if you can't get two conected rooms, you are better of with one room. If there was a promise your rooms will be contected, then it wouldn't be AS big of an issue for many.

Besides the conecting rooms are always the ones you hear the noise coming from, through the door. The walls are thick enough it isn't a problem. On night I was awoken at midnight because the kid next door was despertily trying to get into our room. That wasn't fun. The door was right next to my head and waking in a strange place to someone trying to get into your room is scary. I finally banged on the door and yelled STOP IT. I think I scared the pants off him. He didn't do it again.

 

[bicker]

They will guarantee connecting rooms when there are fewer adults than rooms booked.

 

[DisneyPhD]

They will guarantee connecting rooms when there are fewer adults than rooms booked.

That is nice, but not really good enough. I am sorry but if pay for 2 rooms, I want to at least be able to sleep with my DH.

However we have DVC so the mater isn't AS important to us (If you get a 2 bedroom the rooms will be contected.) Still I can see peoples view points and it might happen to us someday.

 

[bicker]

That is nice, but not really good enough. I am sorry but if pay for 2 rooms, I want to at least be able to sleep with my DH.

With such extra requirements, a guest would be well-advised to book one of the larger accommodations, such as 1BR and 2BR villas, or suites.

 

[tlbwriter]

Besides the conecting rooms are always the ones you hear the noise coming from, through the door.

But if you want a connecting room because you have young children, wouldn't you *want* to hear them? I don't understand why this is a downside.

 

[DisneyPhD]

But if you want a connecting room because you have young children, wouldn't you *want* to hear them? I don't understand why this is a downside.

It is a down side because every room has door. Most of the time the people on the other side of that door are NOT someone you want to hear and don't really worry themselves about bothering others. The downside is the door is there if you are conected or not. To be in different rooms, have the door but not have that be where your kids are.

If I had conecting rooms I would bring the child monitor. For now I don't anyway, when we are on vacation they like to be with us. (while they are young.)

 

[tarmand]

With such extra requirements, a guest would be well-advised to book one of the larger accommodations, such as 1BR and 2BR villas, or suites.

The problem with that is that most people can't afford to do so. Two rooms at POP or All Stars is significantly cheaper than a 1br or 2br villa. I think Disney should be more caring about what people need. If I can get guaranteed connecting rooms at the Holiday Inn, why can't Disney manage to do the same?

 

[tlbwriter]

It is a down side because every room has door.

Oh, I thought only a fraction of the rooms were actually connecting rooms. If every single room is a connecting room, I wonder why it's so difficult to get them?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Oh, I thought only a fraction of the rooms were actually connecting rooms. If every single room is a connecting room, I wonder why it's so difficult to get them?

It seems like every room I have ever been in has a door (I am not talking about DVC here.) I think the problem is there are open rooms, but not 2 right next to each other.

tarmand, I agree with you. Heck, I am a DVC member and I can't afford to get a 2 bedroom or villa. Half the time I can't aford a one bedroom (we spend a lot of time in Sudios.) I think if you book the rooms together and ask for conecting, it should be guaranteed. I have heard too many stories about family's where they were not able to get them.

 

[bicker]

The problem with that is that most people can't afford to do so.

Most people cannot afford to visit WDW. Those that can sometimes, however, make compromises. If you have stringent requirements (such as refusing to split up the adults in your party), and are unwilling to make compromises, you need to be prepared to pay extra for your additional requirements.

If I can get guaranteed connecting rooms at the Holiday Inn, why can't Disney manage to do the same?

You're "introducing facts not in evidence." This is not a Holiday Inn forum, so it isn't clear how often and under what circumstances Holiday Inn offers such a guarantee, nor how often they fail to live up to it. Furthermore, what we do know about Holiday Inn is that their load-levels, system-wide, are substantially less than Disney's.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Most people cannot afford to visit WDW. Those that can sometimes, however, make compromises. If you have stringent requirements (such as refusing to split up the adults in your party), and are unwilling to make compromises, you need to be prepared to pay extra for your additional requirements.

That is such a ridgid and unfeeling attitude. Another option is staying off property in a place (or rental house) that can accomdate. (not a good one for WDW who makes lots of money on the resorts.)

More should be done for families larger then 4 and groups. I mean they have a whole campain on "bring everyone you know and have magical memories."

 

[bicker]

That is such a ridgid and unfeeling attitude.

Not at all. It is both realistic and compassionate. It factors in the fact that in any relationship there are two sides, and both sides need to be considered. Bias is okay, in its place, but in the end, balance prevails.

 

[maxiesmom]

I never understand when people complain that Disney should do more to accomodate larger families. There are many options available, be it villas or suites or booking multiple rooms. You may not like the options but that is your problem. I may not like that the monorail hotels cost more, but that is how it is. I either save the extra $$ or book a different hotel. My choice. To say that Disney should charge less because that is what I would like would just be ridiculous.

 

[teacher31]

I never understand when people complain that Disney should do more to accomodate larger families. There are many options available, be it villas or suites or booking multiple rooms. You may not like the options but that is your problem. I may not like that the monorail hotels cost more, but that is how it is. I either save the extra $$ or book a different hotel. My choice. To say that Disney should charge less because that is what I would like would just be ridiculous.

I don't think anyone with a large family, ours has 5, is asking for a bargain. I think we are asking for another option than just PO or 2 rooms somewhere else. Yes, Contemporary fits 5. Unfortunately it doesn't fit my budget. So we handle it. I don't expect a discount, but another option or two on site would be nice.

From what I hear/read of families of 5, we'd just like another choice. I'm done.

 

[DisneyPhD]

To say that Disney should charge less because that is what I would like would just be ridiculous.

That is true. However no one here said that. Or even close to it.

 

[Sammie]

Huh?? We have 5 in our group and only 2 resort keys and we always go to early entry with only one adult showing a key. We go every morning to the park with early entry - we have done this more than 60 times over the past few years with no problems at all.

Have you done this in the last year. And you will definitely need a resort ID for each person if you are going to Extra Magic Hours to get a wristband.