Being Penalized

[maxsmomamy]

I'm always amazed when people get roasted for expressing a "negative" opinion on here. It really is more difficult with larger families- the options aren't there as they are for a family of 4 or less. If you have 4, then you can go ANYWHERE in the WDW resorts. Families of 5+ are lucky if they can find an opening in anything less than delux. Its past time that Disney had more to offer for larger families. Just because there are more kids or even a live in in-law, it doesn't mean the pocketbook is fuller.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I have not really read all the replies, but have to say if you choose to have that many kids and have a large family, you are also choosing more expense in your life.
Its like saying that a car made for 4 passengers plus a driver is penalizing your family. Why the heck should you have to buck up for a minivan?
I have chosen to have one child, as it is a good fit for me. I can afford to give her things she needs plus take nice vacations, drive a decent car,etc....

If I chose to have 4 or more kids, that would be a decision also with 'can I afford this many kids?' - and that goes for your house, food, clothing, vehicle and vacations.

 

[maxsmomamy]

You beat me to it! As a couple, we pay the same room rate at WDW as we would with 2 kids in the room. That's just the way it is, and I'm not complaining. It's a standard hotel practice. If we had a large family and needed more space, I'd expect to pay for it.


DisFlan

This is true- it wasn't so long ago that DH and I were in the same boat. Ideally family of 4 "fits" all the scenerios best. More options for larger families would be much appreciated. I know a few families that stay local and not inside WDW. Sometimes its better to stay (gasp!!) off property. I hear the house rentals are incredible!

 

[njfamilyof6]

I don't think you are being penalized. You opted to have a large family and have to deal with the consequence of traveling with a larger family. I am not being mean or rude just stating the facts. We travel to Europe often and even with a family of 4 fitting in one room is a challenge there. It is just how the industry works and you have to find what fits best for you as far as accommodations

As to the kids free offer you are talking about you must not be staying at a Disney resort because their room rates are the same whether you have one adult in them or two adults in them. It is when you have more then two adults in the same room that you are charged an extra fee

Yes, i did opt for a bigger family and I thank God everyday. I now the conswquences of traveling with a large family, I was just throwing out an idea since Disney has always promoted family fun, that is all, I was not saying Disney should give handouts or anything like that to large families, we would just prefer somemore options that was the point of my post.
As for the kids free offer,it is for the Disney Resorts, its called Kids
stay,play and eat free. It is a pin code I received from Disney. I have know idea why they include the stay part since the rooms are the same price either way.

 

[rosiep]

I'm always amazed when people get roasted for expressing a "negative" opinion on here. It really is more difficult with larger families- the options aren't there as they are for a family of 4 or less. If you have 4, then you can go ANYWHERE in the WDW resorts. Families of 5+ are lucky if they can find an opening in anything less than delux. Its past time that Disney had more to offer for larger families. Just because there are more kids or even a live in in-law, it doesn't mean the pocketbook is fuller.

I agree. I think the OP had a legitimate beef. I don't travel with children but I am forever thinking that a family of five would be crammed in a moderate room, and I think there are too little options for a large family...AND IT"S DISNEY!!! Disney is all about the "family" vacation! Deal or no deal..Disney is expensive, for you, for me, for everyone who goes. The OP point that she was being penalized for taking two rooms is a case in point: Everyone thought she meant Disney wasy charging her for two adults (DUH) no, what she meant was the room rate was based on having two adults in the same room, because she took two rooms, assumedly one adult to a room...she was not GIVEN the better rate.

 

[maxsmomamy]

I have not really read all the replies, but have to say if you choose to have that many kids and have a large family, you are also choosing more expense in your life.
Its like saying that a car made for 4 passengers plus a driver is penalizing your family. Why the heck should you have to buck up for a minivan?
I have chosen to have one child, as it is a good fit for me. I can afford to give her things she needs plus take nice vacations, drive a decent car,etc....

If I chose to have 4 or more kids, that would be a decision also with 'can I afford this many kids?' - and that goes for your house, food, clothing, vehicle and vacations.

I understand what you are saying and do agree, but she's already past the point of that decision. Plus, things happen- people loose jobs, get sick, etc. Sometimes what seemed affordable years ago just isn't now. We all want family time and great memories with our kids. It's just too bad that those of us with more than one or two kids don't have as many options. I LOVE staying delux- I can always fall back on the "but honey, we won't fit anywhere else" argument, but as the economy has gotten worse and everything is more expensive, I've looked around. The only moderate option is Alligator Bayou, and it books up quickly. Now even some of the delux options available 3 years ago are gone. I'm not sure if the word penalized is quite accurate, but it is tougher.

 

[sweet maxine]

I know how you feel about being "penalized". Each year we look longingly at a stay at Wilderness Lodge, then reality hits, and we have to come to grips with the thought of paying for two rooms in order to house the 5 of us. This year I even had the (gasp!) thought of sneaking my little one in, just to have the "opportunity" to stay in one of those WL rooms. I know we'll probably never stay there, and it is upsetting to me to think that I can't unless I fork out a good many $$$$ for an extra room. We can't afford that, so in the meantime we'll just mosey on over and enjoy the beautiful lobby and decorations. As far as I know, there's no charge for that!

 

[maxsmomamy]

I know how you feel about being "penalized". Each year we look longingly at a stay at Wilderness Lodge, then reality hits, and we have to come to grips with the thought of paying for two rooms in order to house the 5 of us. This year I even had the (gasp!) thought of sneaking my little one in, just to have the "opportunity" to stay in one of those WL rooms. I know we'll probably never stay there, and it is upsetting to me to think that I can't unless I fork out a good many $$$$ for an extra room. We can't afford that, so in the meantime we'll just mosey on over and enjoy the beautiful lobby and decorations. As far as I know, there's no charge for that!

When we were engaged at WDW in '98, we went to WL for dinner. I made my husband swear to me we would stay there one day with our kids. Well, we had 3 of them, so WL is no longer an option. I'll look for you while we are also in the lobby checking out the decorations!

 

[njfamilyof6]

I agree. I think the OP had a legitimate beef. I don't travel with children but I am forever thinking that a family of five would be crammed in a moderate room, and I think there are too little options for a large family...AND IT"S DISNEY!!! Disney is all about the "family" vacation! Deal or no deal..Disney is expensive, for you for me for everyone who goes. The OP point that she was being penalized for taking two rooms is a case in pooint: Everyone thought she meant Disney wasy charging her for two adults (DUH) no, what she meant was the room rate was based on having two adults in the same room, because she took two rooms, assumedly one adult to a room...she was not GIVEN the better rate.

THank you for clearing that up for me. I guess i didnt explain it as well as I should have. And Obviously I should not have used the word "penalized"(LOL). Thanks again.

 

[sweet maxine]

When we were engaged at WDW in '98, we went to WL for dinner. I made my husband swear to me we would stay there one day with our kids. Well, we had 3 of them, so WL is no longer an option. I'll look for you while we are also in the lobby checking out the decorations!

Yes, and what's really so sad is that I've always thought out of all the Disney resorts, the WL was the one that seemed so family friendly... I also can't afford the inflated prices for one of the ever elusive villas at WL. Anyway, I'd still have to get a 2 BR to house the 5 of us, and no way we're paying ~$500 and up for a room for a night. Disney just does not have their finger on the pulse of the avg. American family. But again, it's all about making $$$$$...Walt would probably turn over in his grave...

 

[njfamilyof6]

I understand what you are saying and do agree, but she's already past the point of that decision. Plus, things happen- people loose jobs, get sick, etc. Sometimes what seemed affordable years ago just isn't now. We all want family time and great memories with our kids. It's just too bad that those of us with more than one or two kids don't have as many options. I LOVE staying delux- I can always fall back on the "but honey, we won't fit anywhere else" argument, but as the economy has gotten worse and everything is more expensive, I've looked around. The only moderate option is Alligator Bayou, and it books up quickly. Now even some of the delux options available 3 years ago are gone. I'm not sure if the word penalized is quite accurate, but it is tougher.

Then only problem with the Alligator Bayou (which is where we stayed last year and loved) is they only allow 5 people and a crib, one the 6th person is over 3yo you can no longer stay there either. So I guess its deluxe or @ value rooms. THanks for the post. And Yeah I realized that penalized was not a good choice from all the responses I got (lol)

 

[dizfan]

Would the Fort Wilderness Cabins work for the Kids deal?

They sleep six. Maybe they would only charge for 2 adults, while the four children get the deal.
I believe the Fort Wilderness Cabins are now classifies as moderates.

 

[njfamilyof6]

Would the Fort Wilderness Cabins work for the Kids deal?

They sleep six. Maybe they would only charge for 2 adults, while the four children get the deal.
I believe the Fort Wilderness Cabins are now classifies as moderates.

HMMM I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the suggestion..

 

[ekatiel]

OP-- Have you checked into the 4/3 deal? It might work out cheaper for you guys than your pin. From what I've read on these boards, those who booked their 2 value rooms under separate ressies were able to get the 3 nights free on each room (you are not guaranteed connecting rooms then, but I'm sure they'll do their best to get you connecting rooms). You could also see if they'd do it under one ressie-- you never know unless you ask! You could also check into the 4/3 deal at All Star music suites or at fort wilderness cabins. I think any of those options might be cheaper than the pin code you received. --Katie

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I am a single mom with a 12 yr old daughter. I have to pay a full cruise fare for her because it is just 2 of us. No kid fare for us. Also at hotels, I have to pay for a room with 2 beds and only put 2 people in the room and not 4. I have never looked at it as being penalized, but in a way we are being 'penalized' for being only 2 people. The familes of 4 get more bang for their buck than we do, but I have never complained!

 

[DebbieB]

Yes, and what's really so sad is that I've always thought out of all the Disney resorts, the WL was the one that seemed so family friendly... I also can't afford the inflated prices for one of the ever elusive villas at WL. Anyway, I'd still have to get a 2 BR to house the 5 of us, and no way we're paying ~$500 and up for a room for a night. Disney just does not have their finger on the pulse of the avg. American family. But again, it's all about making $$$$$...Walt would probably turn over in his grave...

They have made several options available for larger families. For 5 people, you could get a cabin at FW. There are options for all income levels. You could get a family suite at AS, 2 value rooms, a trundle room at POR, a deluxe other than WL. They offer discounts for most of the year that make rooms more affordable. You could rent points from a DVC member to make that 2 bedroom at VWL more affordable.

You say they don't have their finger on the pulse of the average American family, they don't seem to be hurting for business with their current structure. They are a public company in business to make money. I don't think Walt went into the business to break even.

 

[rosiep]

I am a single mom with a 12 yr old daughter. I have to pay a full cruise fare for her because it is just 2 of us. No kid fare for us. Also at hotels, I have to pay for a room with 2 beds and only put 2 people in the room and not 4. I have never looked at it as being penalized, but in a way we are being 'penalized' for being only 2 people. The familes of 4 get more bang for their buck than we do, but I have never complained!

There's a difference between paying for what you are and paying for what you are not.

 

[dizfan]

HMMM I'll have to look into that. Thanks for the suggestion..

Glad to help out.

Fingers crossed that it works out for your family.

Link to All Ear's Fort Wilderness information.

 

[sweet maxine]

They have made several options available for larger families. For 5 people, you could get a cabin at FW. There are options for all income levels. You could get a family suite at AS, 2 value rooms, a trundle room at POR, a deluxe other than WL. They offer discounts for most of the year that make rooms more affordable. You could rent points from a DVC member to make that 2 bedroom at VWL more affordable.

I realize the other options available. That doesn't mean that I don't still wish to be able to book a room at WL or even AKL for my family of 5. I really don't understand why they built those two resorts with rooms that sleep only 4 anyway. Don't get me going about the rooms at Alligator Bayou....the rooms in the other mods are the same size, yet sleep one less...because of a trundle bed??? I can't really fall for that. The rooms at WL and AKL are larger than the rooms at POR Alligator Bayou, right? Why no trundle there?

 

[flickwizard]

I think we can all agree that "penalized" wasn't the best word to use, but we should also all agree that harping on that word misses the point "njfamilyof6" was trying to make.

Since I have 5 children, I understand where "njfamilyof6" is coming from.

Everyone understands that you pay for a room. Whether you're a party of 1, 2, 3, or 4, you pay for a room. If, however, you have more than 4 in your party, then your options at Disney become more limited unless you can afford to spend more money. Significantly more money. It's not about the rate per person. It's that Disney is a pro-family place and therefore one would expect more options than currently offered for families with more than 4 people (plus 1 infant).

Of course anyone with a large family expects to pay for it. No one is looking for a handout. However, there are fewer options for larger families at Disney without the cost becoming prohibitive.

What is surprising is that there aren't more larger, more moderately priced rooms (say somewhere between a moderate and a deluxe) that can accomodate larger families, but aren't as expensive as booking 2 rooms, the ASMU Family Suites, or a 2 bedroom villa.

People with large families are very much used to paying more. That goes with the territory. Still, IMHO Disney could do more to accomodate this key group of vacationers, and charge us appropriately for it.