BIG families?

[BlsdMama]

Where to stay? ($$ are an issue ) We really would like to stay at a Disney property, but perhaps we'd be better off at a near Disney rental?

2 adults
4-6 children (depending on whether we bring the two youngest. Ages: 11, 8, 6, 4, 3, 1)

Thank you!

 

[FayeW]

Whether you bring the 2 youngest or not, you will need either a family suite at All Stars, or 2 rooms at the other resorts.

We always stay offsite in a 2 bdrm condo. We've rented through skyauction 3 times now, and the most we have paid is $266 for the entire 7 days!! It really depends on the time of year you are going and if you will have your own vehicle. You may want to go back to the resort during the day to nap, relax and swim. I went back to our hotel with our rental car by myself one day, and met up with the others later and didn't find it to be a problem at all, but if you expect that one of you may leave the park with one or two of the younger children it might be easier to do that at an onsite resort.

You could check out www.redweek.com, and see if anyone is renting a week a Bonnet Creek for your dates. You would need a vehicle from that location (as shuttles have to be booked in advance) but going back and forth to the parks with your own vehicle would be very easy, as are all properties in Lake Buena Vista (although much farther away than Bonnet Creek).

 

[DisneyMom5]

We prefer to stay onsite. We drive down, and like to park our 15 passenger van and let Disney drive.

[We love the Disney buses and have had no problem getting on and off, even with our folded dbl stroller.
I take a sling to hold the youngest while on the buses and in line for rides.]

We stayed at Pop Century in connecting rooms. You have to specifically request connecting and tell them it is because you will be travelling with six minor children. They will then guarentee it (though if pressed they will say NOTHING is guarenteed, but we didn't have a problem.) Be willing to be more flexible with your room requests, and you should get connecting.

Last trip ours were 11, 9, 6, 4, 2, and 1. We had a lovely time. Happy to answer any other questions you might have about the big family Disney trip!

 

[disneymom06]

The all star suites only hold 6 people so that will not work for all of you. We have 4 children and did connecting rooms at POP as well. It was nice and did give us enough space. Request a pack n play for the one year old and if you bring an air mattress you will be able to put all of the children to sleep in one room. It is nice to put them all to bed and have some down time all to yourself. It made a perfect end to the day for me.

I would think twice about staying off property. It is easier with the children to be able to hop on a bus and move around the Disney area on their driving. To haul everyone and move the car around can be a hassle, especially if it is a busy season because you still have to get the children on the tram in the parking lot. Disney buses take you right up to the gate. Ideal when you have children in tow.

 

[disneymomof5]

we have 5 children, and find that it is better to do adjoining rooms than to get a suite. We also like to stay onsite, It is much easier to return to your room for mid afternoon naps. And we always drive. The money we save driving is a whole other trip!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Noone has mentioned camping at Fort Wilderness!!!

We did it this past summer with 5 kids and 2 adults and it was great! You're allowed 10 people on a site and it is less than half the cost of a hotel room even at a value! We flew down and used the DDP and it couldn't have been easier!
We are doing it again in 2 weeks!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

we have 5 children, and find that it is better to do adjoining rooms

Connecting rooms. There really IS a difference!

 

[tripletots]

We also have 5 kids and did connecting rooms at All Stars Sports. We did pay extra to have preferred rooms and it was well worth it!

Connecting is the way to go if you have a large family and a small budget!

 

[BlsdMama]

Well, it looks like it would be less expensive to fly than to drive a 15 pass van from Iowa to Florida. We could rent a 15 pass. -but what about carseats??

I can't imagine packing our camping equipment and flying it down there, not to mention trying to pick it all up from baggage claim. 4 kids under 5, a tent, and camping gear. We'd probably lose our minds!

How many do the log cabins hold??

We thought perhaps we'd have to have connecting rooms... We were really hoping for Port Orleans, but I can see it will be less expensive for two rooms at the Discount Resorts.

We'll be going during early-mid February of next year, if that is of any consequence. Thank you all so much!!