AS Family suite vs 2 rooms at a value

[Zippa D Doodah]

Looks like our family of four may have a fifth traveler with us on the next vacation. Everybody is too big for a trundle bed over at POR, so I was thinking we may wind up doing an ASM suite or two rooms at a value (likely Pop). The suite costs significantly more, but I cannot figure why I would want it as opposed to two rooms at Pop. Anyone talk me into the suite?

 

[sjs314]

You would have the kitchenette which would make having coffee/breakfast/snacks easy in the suite something I consider a big plus

 

[jen42002]

We are a family of 6. Having real beds rather than pullouts for everyone was more important to us than a kitchenette. We would rather spend a bit more money on snacks/breakfast at the food court to have real beds.

 

[ready2vacation]

We are a family of 6. Having real beds rather than pullouts for everyone was more important to us than a kitchenette. We would rather spend a bit more money on snacks/breakfast at the food court to have real beds.

I agree

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

The suite guarantees that you will be together, no matter what the CM may tell you or what is printed on the FRONT(read the fine print, only thing guaranteed is a room, not type or location) of your reservation they cannot guarantee that your two value rooms will be connected. Disney figures if you have more than 1 adult, you can if necessary split into 2 rooms, not a fun way to spend vacation. That said if they have connecting rooms available when you check in you will get them, it's not like they want to make your stay difficult.

 

[twinboysmom]

Somebody will correct me if I am wrong, I think the suite has 2 bathrooms. A plus for me and a guarantee you are together.

 

[twoplustwins]

We originally had reservations for the family suite, but changed to two rooms at POP. We will still have two bathrooms, but more importantly for us - four real beds. We did want the kitchenette, but we were able to add the dining cheaper than what the family suite would have been.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I loved my stay in the suite! But... I had the bedroom to myself, and my nephew loved his pull out in the living room. Having the kitchenette was a big plus for us.

It all boils down to the beds. Next summer we plan to have a suite with my DH and I in the bedroom, and 4 kids in the LR on the pull outs. The pullouts are easy to operate and actually quite comfy.

 

[spiceycat]

now if you are going with DDP - then the 2 rooms makes more sense.

if you are not - then all star music suites with the kitchen can save you some money. there are several places that deliver groceries at WDW.

if you were getting a room only both the microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker will cost you extra or even not be available

 

[r&kmommy]

What is the bathroom situation in the Suites? 2 bathrooms? 1 1/2 or 1 3/4 baths?

For me, that would be the deciding factor. From what I've read elsewhere and here on this thread the pullouts are pretty comfy (maybe not for someone w/ back problems or really big, but for most), and for US the kitchenette wouldn't make or break our decision... the bathrooms would rule.

LOL!

 

[spiceycat]

What is the bathroom situation in the Suites? 2 bathrooms? 1 1/2 or 1 3/4 baths?

For me, that would be the deciding factor. From what I've read elsewhere and here on this thread the pullouts are pretty comfy (maybe not for someone w/ back problems or really big, but for most), and for US the kitchenette wouldn't make or break our decision... the bathrooms would rule.

LOL!

why

both have 2 bathrooms.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Somebody will correct me if I am wrong, I think the suite has 2 bathrooms. A plus for me and a guarantee you are together.

The suite does have 2 bathrooms, but if you had connecting rooms you would have 2 bathrooms too so that's not really a bonus. As for the connecting rooms not being guaranteed, we have never had a problem getting connecting rooms in any of our 5 trips with connecting rooms. That's not saying it couldn't happen, but I wonder how often it really is a problem.

 

[spiceycat]

That's not saying it couldn't happen, but I wonder how often it really is a problem.

think this one is big on when you arrive. if you arrive early you should not have a problem - but if you arrive that night say after 10pm - you might have a big problem.

also depends upon the family that really have to have these units - that arrive with only one parent or guardian - remember these are where the kids playing sports at wws go to (except Pop)

so yes seem it happen and heard of it here.

 

[lovesdumbo]

We really liked the set up of the suite. Guaranteed to be in one unit. The bedroom has a queen bed, desk and nice side chair-things you don't get in a value room. Liked the convenience of the kitchenette-the fridge and having a lot of storage. Also like having the couches and chair to sit in during the day.

And they are in a prefered location as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

My family has done both 2 rooms at a Value and an All Star Family Suite. To my suprise, everyone liked the Family Suite much more than the 2 rooms. Some of the reasons why are:

100% guaranteed to be together. We have been unfortunate enough to not get connecting rooms one time out of the four we have requsted them. So why the odds are on getting them, there are no guarantees. One thing less to stress about when you get a Family Suite.

You get an actual living space. It was nice having furniture to sit on during the day, instead of having to lounge on a bed. Not that we are in room much, but when we are it was nice to sit on a comfy chair. Or couch.

We used the kitchenette for breakfast most mornings. Not only does that save you a lot of money over eating in the food court or at the parks, it gets everyone going much faster.

The pull-outs sleep just fine. Disney had them specially designed without any of those nasty bars running underneath your body. I shared the couch one with my niece and slept as well as I do in the regular beds at WDW. My teenaged nephew slept on the chair pull out and had no complaints. Don't just dismiss the Family Suites out of hand because they have pull-outs. They are not your typical pull-outs!

If you price out everything a Family Suite has, and what it would cost to get those things for 2 rooms, you will find the costs are almost even. The Family Suites are all in the preferred buildings, which would cost you another $15 per night per room if you got just 2 rooms. The fridge would cost you another $10.60 a night to have. Add all those extra fees together, and the cost is pretty close to what a Family Suite costs. If you do what we did and have breakfast in the room, you can actually save money by getting the Family Suite!

Both options are fine, but for us the Family Suite is the better choice.

 

[mitsybella]

I like the family suites because the bedroom has a queen size bed for the adults and the living room has 3 seperate sleeping options, the couch can have 2 people and the chair and ottoman also pull out to seperate beds.
Whether you are on the dining plan or not it still helps to have the mini kitchen, you have the fridge so you can cool your water before heading to the parks,we keep OJ and juice for breakfast and milk and the microwave is handy for popcorn. Its also nice during the day to have a couch rather than a bed to sit on if you are taking a break in the room.

 

[ongomom2]

We are a family of 4: Me, DH, DS-17, and DD-12. We are undecided on which option is the most budget friendly for us. We've grown out of a single value room. We were thinking of a king room for me and DH and connecting double for DS and DD. We don't care about not having a kitchenette and we would still have 2 bathrooms. Has anyone did both and what was the cost difference?

 

[maxiesmom]

We are a family of 4: Me, DH, DS-17, and DD-12. We are undecided on which option is the most budget friendly for us. We've grown out of a single value room. We were thinking of a king room for me and DH and connecting double for DS and DD. We don't care about not having a kitchenette and we would still have 2 bathrooms. Has anyone did both and what was the cost difference?

It depends on what kind of rooms you get, preferred or non preferred. If you get 2 prererred rooms, and want a refrigerator in one of them, the cost is almost the same as a Family Suite. If you go with non preferred rooms and no fridge you will save about $40 a night.

Keep in mind that while you can request connecting rooms, Disney will not guarantee you getting them. They will do their best, but you won't know for sure until check in if you received them or not.