Best way to book when needing 3 to 4 beds?

[staffieri]

Haven't been to WDW since 2003. This time it will be me, DS 14, DD 6 and my mom Nana. How do we make this work on a budget? My daughter and I could maybe sleep together, my son needs his own bed and I don't want me or my mother on a sofa. Thoughts? Help!!! Is it better to get two rooms?

 

[Darcy03231]

If you need that many beds, I would either book two rooms (if you're staying on-site) or a vacation home/condo (if you're staying off-site).

 

[mrsklamc]

Look into Wyndham (sp?) Bonnet Creek. I haven't stayed there b/c our party is so large we use Windsor Hills but with just 5 I might try WBC.

 

[Suz D]

Haven't been to WDW since 2003. This time it will be me, DS 14, DD 6 and my mom Nana. How do we make this work on a budget? My daughter and I could maybe sleep together, my son needs his own bed and I don't want me or my mother on a sofa. Thoughts? Help!!! Is it better to get two rooms?

If you really want to stay onsite an option (although not a very good one if your son is a big 14 year old) would be Port Orleans with the trundle bed. You and your daughter could take one bed, your mom the other, and your son on the trundle. They are short and not hugely comfy, but if he's a kid who sleeps curled up, it would be cheaper than two rooms unless you're going in a super value season.

 

[kiki02]

Haven't been to WDW since 2003. This time it will be me, DS 14, DD 6 and my mom Nana. How do we make this work on a budget? My daughter and I could maybe sleep together, my son needs his own bed and I don't want me or my mother on a sofa. Thoughts? Help!!! Is it better to get two rooms?

Have to stay offsite i guess. We did this recently, stayed at the Sheraton Vistana. was fun.

 

[indimom]

I've read several posts on here from families that bring a twin air mattress for this reason, they don't want to foot the bill for an extra room, but have family that can't or won't sleep together.
(They prop the mattress up against the wall during the day to save on floor space.)
You and DD could have one bed, your mother the other, and DS the air mattress.

 

[DisneyEater]

On Site:

Cheapest = Port Orleans

Most Comfortable = Rent DVC Points for a 2 BR

 

[clanmcculloch]

The problem with POR is there's no way to guarantee that you'll get one of the murphy rooms. Parties of 5 get priority for these rooms.

I have to have at least 3 beds even though we only have 4 people. Here's our options for on-site resorts where you're guaranteed at least 3 beds.

• AoA suite
• AS Family Suite
• 2 rooms at any value or moderate (risk of not getting connecting rooms)
• cabin at FW
• GF, Poly, CR regular rooms all have day beds
• AKL and WL bunk bed room
• 1br villa at OKW, AKV or BLT
• 2br villa at any of the other DVC resorts

 

[MSSANDRA]

We are onsite people so I will address it in that way. Legally with four people you can stay in any room.I think you will just need to balance your budget with your comfort requirements. If you need to be super budget, you can get one room at the values, a bed for mom, one for you and your DD and bring an air mattress for your DS. Going to be a little cramped and a little bit of a pain to deal with moving the air mattress but certainly doable. Two value rooms might be a great choice IF it works for your budget. If you want a little bit more room in one room, choose a moderate or a deluxe, one room and bring that air mattress or if choosing a deluxe, you will have an extra sleep space in SOME rooms. If money is less of an issue than comfort, a cabin at FW would work well, or look into renting DVC points and staying in a DVC resort though this would be more costly.

Off site, the same. Air mattress in a standard room or look into a two bedroom condo or home.

 

[Colleen27]

I would look at Art of Animation suite. The Murphy bed would work for your mom, you and your daughter could take the bedroom bed, and your son could deal with the sofa. Otherwise two rooms is your best option but remember, no matter what a CM tells you connecting is just a request and there's always a (usually slim) chance that the rooms won't be connecting or even next door to one another.

I wouldn't recommend the air mattress route unless you're looking at a moderate or deluxe. At a value it is just too tight.

 

[DisneyEater]

The problem with POR is there's no way to guarantee that you'll get one of the murphy rooms. Parties of 5 get priority for these rooms.

I have to have at least 3 beds even though we only have 4 people. Here's our options for on-site resorts where you're guaranteed at least 3 beds.

• AoA suite
• AS Family Suite
• 2 rooms at any value or moderate (risk of not getting connecting rooms)
• cabin at FW
• GF, Poly, CR regular rooms all have day beds
• AKL and WL bunk bed room
• 1br villa at OKW, AKV or BLT
• 2br villa at any of the other DVC resorts

I think Beach Club rooms also have day beds, but not sure if it is all of them.

Renting a 1 BR villa at OKW, AKV, or BLT gets you 1 bed, 1 convertable sofa, and 1 convertable chair. Of the 3, OKW is the best value.

If you go with the villa, I recommend renting points from someone as you can probably get a room cheaper than a deluxe resort room, but that may depend what kind of deals they have going on when you travel.

Not sure of the prices vs the value suites, but I am guessing the cabin will give you the most bang for your buck.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I didn't list BC, YC or BWI because you're not guaranteed a room with a day bed. Yes, some of the rooms do have them but when you NEED that day bed when you have less than 5 people it's risky booking these resorts. It's the same reason I don't have POR on the list; rooms with a 3rd bed are not guaranteed.

 

[maxiesmom]

On a budget you can book a value room and bring along an air mattress. Voila a bed for everyone! There is no need to pay more for a moderate or deluxe resort unless you want to.

 

[jgreco]

We've done the air mattress in POR. Worked out great. Glad to see other people posting the same suggestion on here. I offered it up once and was belittled about how wrong it was.

 

[minnierocks]

We have used a twin air mattress since my son was about 11...he is almost 20 and has no problem using one. We are rarely in our room and only use it for sleeping. Last time, we flew and he carried it on for his carry-on. It folds up nicely into a backpack style bag. The only thing to note is that not all air mattresses are made alike. We bought a better one that is thick, covered in a soft material and has a built in motor that plugs into the wall.

 

[LadyBeBop]

....has a built in motor that plugs into the wall.

Yes, make sure you at least have a motorized air pump. Don't try to use a mechanical pump...it's too hard, and you'll use a lot of energy just to get the mattress inflated. Even worst, if you have to have it deflated.

You can get a good pump at Walmart for about $20. Since you'll be inside with access to an electrical outlet, get a pump with a plug. The battery operated pumps might be a little cheaper, however inflating one mattress will use up most of the juice in one set of batteries.

 

[wgeo]

I think the air mattress sounds like a good idea, never thought of that.

We are also a group of 4 that has to be in 3 beds, so we've gone with with the offsite choice for space reasons. Loved both of our choices, we stayed at Windsor Hills in a 3 bedroom townhouse and at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in a 2 bedroom condo, both places for less than the cost of a moderate on site, just barely more $ than a value. If you are considering off site I would recommend the "orlando hotels" subforum for tons of good advice.

 

[blessedby3]

We just came back from a stay at Bonnet Creek in a 2BR Deluxe. It was very spacious and so convienent...right next to Caribbean Beach resort. It had a king in the master and 2 doubles in the second bedroom and a comfy (new) sleeper sofa.
We paid $837 for the week
If you are wanting on property, you could do the air matress thing in a value of moderate room (although they are tight enough on space without another bed being on the floor) or get a suite at All Stars Music or the new AOA. You could also go with the CR or Poly. They have 2 Dbl beds and a daybed. You also have the Ft Wilderness cabins...they sleep 6 with a double bed, twin bunk beds and a murphy bed.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

FW cabins would be the best choice. Little more expensive room but can weigh that against bringing your own groceries in. And it's a fantastic area of the resort.

 

[indimom]

We've done the air mattress in POR. Worked out great. Glad to see other people posting the same suggestion on here. I offered it up once and was belittled about how wrong it was.

Really? That's ridiculous. It's not like its breaking any rules (i.e. bringing an air mattress to sneak extra people into the room). It's just making sure that everyone is comfortable without breaking the bank.
We are considering it in the future. Our kids are getting old enough they don't really want to share a bed on vacation anymore (15yo girl and 12yo boy). I want them to enjoy our vacation, but No Way am I paying for two rooms when one will suffice. The air mattress solves all of that.