Being Penalized

[NMW]

WE only have 3 children and I have found travel slightly difficult sometimes. However, Disney is the ONE PLACE where I do not find it difficult. Most hotels everywhere in the world are set up for a max of 4 people. The cruise ship industry is particularly this way.

At Disney we have no problem. The deluxe resorts are the ones we want to stay at anyway. We have no problem fitting our family of 5 in Disney's deluxe rooms. My sons fought over which one got to sleep on the sleeper sofa thing at the BC last May. It was pretty comfortable. Honestly, even with 2 kids, we would pick these resorts. We are staying at the POLY in May 09. I think a major reason we always go back to Disney is that their deluxe rooms sleep 5 no problem.

We have not had the same experience at other hotels. We have had to book 2 rooms when staying 2 nights for my brothers wedding at a hotel. We had to pay a charge for a rollaway cot at another wedding (2 rooms were not available as we booked late). Once at a hotel in Myrtle Beach, we had to book a suite.

 

[Allieloopy]

I totally see the OP's point. When we added a new daughter to the family suddenly our price to stay at Disney doubled?!

I didn't understand and was very cheesed until I read some of these posts. For some reason it didn't make sense (to me) to charge me double for one small 40 pound person.

Now I understand the math but still am not happy with it. The only affordable option in truth is two value rooms which brings you almost up to the price of ASM suites or to stay offsite. Everything else is too expensive.

I know that there are many of you that think the moderates are just right but for a lot of people anything over a value is too pricey. The cabins at Fort Wilderness are a joke to someone who is considering two value rooms. The costs aren't even close.

And dont't get me started on the dining plan for 10 year olds!

Well with this new special we are making two rooms work. The kids are thrilled with the idea of their "own" room. I also did it on two seperate ressies so that means two $200 gift cards!

Too bad we can't do the dining plan this time. My 10 yr olds can't eat that much food in a day. So it's eating in the room and one counter service meal a day for us. Oh well, when they eat more then it will be worth it. Or we can wait until they are old enough to stay home alone and DH and I can stay at the Wilderness Lodge alone!

 

[bicker]

If I remember correctly, there is actually a technical term for this: step function costing. It basically recognizes that certain costs are incurred as a step function rather than a smooth curve. As in this case, it is typically a matter of structural aspects of the provision of service that prompts step function costing.

 

[Brian Noble]

bicker: your property tax point is only true if you think school taxes have no value beyond the direct education of your own children. If you believe that everyone benefits from the local production of a well-educated workforce, then the argument breaks down.

 

[bicker]

Not really, because there is no question that you, yourself, derive substantial benefit from the education, beyond the benefit that people in general derive from educating youth. So let's say my wife and I, without children in our home, derive X value from educating youth. Our neighbors, with children in their home, derive X + Y. Therefore, my argument applies to that Y value.

 

[KEHCharleston]

I totally see the OP's point. When we added a new daughter to the family suddenly our price to stay at Disney doubled?!

I didn't understand and was very cheesed until I read some of these posts. For some reason it didn't make sense (to me) to charge me double for one small 40 pound person.

I know that there are many of you that think the moderates are just right but for a lot of people anything over a value is too pricey. The cabins at Fort Wilderness are a joke to someone who is considering two value rooms. The costs aren't even close.

Well with this new special we are making two rooms work. The kids are thrilled with the idea of their "own" room. I also did it on two seperate ressies so that means two $200 gift cards!

Too bad we can't do the dining plan this time. My 10 yr olds can't eat that much food in a day. So it's eating in the room and one counter service meal a day for us. Oh well, when they eat more then it will be worth it. Or we can wait until they are old enough to stay home alone and DH and I can stay at the Wilderness Lodge alone!

Keep in mind when I talk about renting DVC points I am not talking about buying a Disney Time Share
You rent the points (much like you rent a hotel room) from DVC members who are unable to make it down to use their time share that year.
If you plan ahead, it can be a terrific deal. We stayed at Old Key West for $80 a night (total cost, taxes are not charged) The rooms were huge and with a kitchen. (The kitchen cuts down on food cost).
For the best deals, you do have to pick and choose your times, and you do have to plan ahead. (6 months should do it)
You will find more information on the DIS DVC Rental Board.

 

[NMW]

Just wanted to add that I'm not "mad" about the fact that I have 3 kids and hotel rooms, cruises, etc. sometimes prove a little challenging or more costly. It was certainly my choice to have 3 kids.

I'll use a cruise as an example. With a family of 5, you are limited. We either do 2 staterooms, or find a big suite (always booked when I have looked). 2 staterooms on a ship, with a balcony and young kids was just not something I felt comfortable with. Although I have heard that Disney's cruise ships have plexi-glass on the balconies. For the money the suite would cost, I'd rather pay it go to Disney or Aruba. In fact, that is what we have done both times we looked into cruises, gone someplace else.

We want to take the kids to Ireland in a couple years. I KNOW we are going to have to get 2 rooms most every place we stay. I have 3 kids and the travel industry is really set up for 2 kid families. I'm not bothered by it, it's just the way it is.

 

[dclfun]

I raised our family of 6 with the same issues and understand how much more expensive it is to travel vs. the famiy of 4. We bought DVC 13 years ago and haven't looked back. It worked for us and we loved having the large villa. Now my kids are grown and I often just get a studio but have the option for the larger villas when they return with spouses, their kids, etc. As was mentioned, renting DVC points from a member not using theirs is a good option for larger families and is often more cost-effective than getting a room on property otherwise. Since we knew we'd want to visit WDW often while our kids were young, a purchase was best for us. We still want to visit WDW often and have gotten our money's worth and then some.---Kathy

 

[Brian Noble]

So let's say my wife and I, without children in our home, derive X value from educating youth. Our neighbors, with children in their home, derive X + Y.

Except that one could argue---quite convincingly---that X dominates Y. For example, a strong school system is highly correlated with strong property values and higher rates of appreciation.

 

[bicker]

No, I disagree completely. The value of education with regard to one's own personal benefit is overwhelming: Have you ever tried to get a job without a high school diploma? There is no way that X is more than a very small fraction of Y.

 

[Brian Noble]

But the differential benefit of a "good" secondary school vs. a "bad" one has much lower impact on total potential earnings than post-secondary (and post-graduate) education.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled rant about room sizes.

 

[zagafi]

I think the point folks try to make is that a family of five, for example, pays DOUBLE in room costs what a family with one less member pays(needing 2 rooms vs. 1 or a getting a family suite). It's the *affordable* part that seems to get lost in these discussions, IMO. No one is asking for handouts!

We went from a family of 3 to a family of 5 with the birth of twins, and because of one "extra" child, we now need MUCH costlier accomodations. (And of course I "chose" to have my kids--what a ridiculous argument.)

We were AP holders until the twins were born and we haven't been back in a few years. We simply cannot afford the cost of accomodations for a family of 5 like we could when we were a smaller family. I expect to pay per person for tickets and meals. But effectively needing a second room for one "extra" child? Makes it a whole lot more costly for us.

We stayed at Great Wolf Lodge in OH this summer and had a BLAST. We had a ginormous "Kid Kabin" suite for less than we'd pay for something at WDW. Was it "cheap"? No--but I feel like the value for what we paid was excellent in comparison to what we'd get for the same accomodations at WDW (which would probably be double if they offered something similar).

Rambling now...

 

[DebbieB]

I think the point folks try to make is that a family of five, for example, pays DOUBLE in room costs what a family with one less member pays(needing 2 rooms vs. 1 or a getting a family suite). It's the *affordable* part that seems to get lost in these discussions, IMO. No one is asking for handouts!

We went from a family of 3 to a family of 5 with the birth of twins, and because of one "extra" child, we now need MUCH costlier accomodations. (And of course I "chose" to have my kids--what a ridiculous argument.)

We were AP holders until the twins were born and we haven't been back in a few years. We simply cannot afford the cost of accomodations for a family of 5 like we could when we were a smaller family. I expect to pay per person for tickets and meals. But effectively needing a second room for one "extra" child? Makes it a whole lot more costly for us.

We stayed at Great Wolf Lodge in OH this summer and had a BLAST. We had a ginormous "Kid Kabin" suite for less than we'd pay for something at WDW. Was it "cheap"? No--but I feel like the value for what we paid was excellent in comparison to what we'd get for the same accomodations at WDW (which would probably be double if they offered something similar).

Rambling now...

There has to be a line drawn somewhere since there is no such thing as a 1/4 room. If they had value rooms for 5, then people with 6 would complain they have to pay double for 1 extra person.

Hotels have a price per room, they don't charge by the person. You could have the opposite argument. People who stay in a hotel by themselves could say why do they have to pay double per person than when 2 people stay in the room.

 

[NMW]

No, I disagree completely. The value of education with regard to one's own personal benefit is overwhelming: Have you ever tried to get a job without a high school diploma? There is no way that X is more than a very small fraction of Y.

You guys crack me up!

 

[bicker]

Just imagine how funny it would be if it was actually humorous!

 

[wendy darling]

To the original poster- I understand your venting and concerns.

I think that the focal point of the original post has been lost in this thread!!

 

[gallam5]

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?

I AGREE 150%!!!! It seems silly!
Doesn't it!!!

 

[bookwormde]

While panelized is probably not how I describe it, WDW has definitely not been creating “volume discounts” for larger families which are common in other businesses. This is why a lot of bigger families stay offsite or if they are in the moderate to deluxe market buy into or rent DVC. Since this is often the only affordable way to larger families to stay in 1 suite. There is also a limited amount of family suites at the values, which have a high occupancy rate, and are often not included or quickly fill up when discounts are offered.

WL does have 6 person (junior) suites, which are actually pretty reasonable with a discount since they are club level and can significantly reduce food costs.


bookwormde

 

[gallam5]

We have four children and have been to various different resorts, I don't think that penalized was a great choice of words, but I know exactly how you feel.
I will just say that our disney trip planning takes a lot more creative planning!
And now we are very fortunate to be able to travel with great family/friends who are like family to us - who have only one child - so we just put one in their room reservation.
As a family of 6 we do not expect to not pay, but our options are certainly somewhat 'limited' - yes there are several choices, but honestly - the choices just do not compare!
We have stayed at all levels of resorts and you get what you pay for. Bottom line! We will never stay at a value again - and that is not to be snobby or rude - but we ALL have DIFFERENT opinions, we ALL VALUE different things!
I know we just have to save more and be more diligent with our choices pre-disney so that we can stay where we WANT to stay not where we HAVE to stay.
Also, we are only a one income family, but like I said creativity has got to come into play!
That being said - you have tons of choices - it is just what are you willing to pay for? Family of four is the standard yes. But that family of four still has to decide what they can afford as well? I don't know - I am rambling - so many thoughts on that one....

 

[maxiesmom]

I understand totally that Disney can't give you extra room for free, but my kids are small, and if given the option we would put all three in one bed and be fine. The reasoning is always "fire codes", but as a PP mentioned, why can AB rooms sleep five while the larger AKL and WL rooms can only have 4?
On the plus side, and also already mentioned, is the fact that I have a great bargaining chip when pushing for a deluxe!

Fire Codes are not based on how large a room is. It also takes into consideration if a building has elevators or not,which is why the AB rooms at POR have trundles, and the Mansion rooms do not. And it also takes into consideration how wide the doorways are.