Can someone tell me WHY????

[ThreeAngels]

Back from our October trip to WDW. Stayed at POR because it was the only moderate resort available to families of 5. We enjoyed it but were in Building 39 which was quite a hike from anywhere. Wouldn't have minded except that after all the walking you do at the parks, it would be nice to be closer to things at the hotel. (we HAD requested building 14 for this very reason, but didn't get it )

I would love to know why POR AB is the only place for families of 5 to go besides deluxe resorts and that's just not in our budget. Why can't the other moderates also have trundle beds? The rooms in the mansion section are the same size as AB, why can't there be trundles in there?

And I guess my most burning question is why can't a family of 5 stay at CBR? We stayed there for our honeymoon and the year after so it holds a special place in our hearts. Plus, the rooms are BIGGER than POR, so why couldn't they put some trundle beds in there? Or why couldn't a family of 5 pay $10/night for a rollaway bed?

Not all families of 5 can afford to stay in deluxe resorts. We are looking into staying at the All-Star Music family suites in Feb. '08, but I really wish 5-people families had more of an option in the moderate hotels.

Oh, another question....if you book for a 2008 trip in 2007, do you pay 2007 rates? When do rates for 2008 come out?

Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[minnie61650]

Back from our October trip to WDW. Stayed at POR because it was the only moderate resort available to families of 5. We enjoyed it but were in Building 39 which was quite a hike from anywhere. Wouldn't have minded except that after all the walking you do at the parks, it would be nice to be closer to things at the hotel. (we HAD requested building 14 for this very reason, but didn't get it )

I would love to know why POR AB is the only place for families of 5 to go besides deluxe resorts and that's just not in our budget. Why can't the other moderates also have trundle beds? The rooms in the mansion section are the same size as AB, why can't there be trundles in there?

And I guess my most burning question is why can't a family of 5 stay at CBR? We stayed there for our honeymoon and the year after so it holds a special place in our hearts. Plus, the rooms are BIGGER than POR, so why couldn't they put some trundle beds in there? Or why couldn't a family of 5 pay $10/night for a rollaway bed?

Not all families of 5 can afford to stay in deluxe resorts. We are looking into staying at the All-Star Music family suites in Feb. '08, but I really wish 5-people families had more of an option in the moderate hotels.

Oh, another question....if you book for a 2008 trip in 2007, do you pay 2007 rates? When do rates for 2008 come out?

Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks!

Fire codes.
That is the simple answer.

Room size is not the only factor when determining the fire codes.

It is more about exits, width of the door ways, # of fire escapes, distances from the room to the stairs, and the width of the hallways.

Disney built the AB section of POR to be able to meet the codes for a family of 5.

CBR is older and the fire codes only allow 4 in the room.

The new Family Suites at All Star Music will sleep up to 6 plus a child under 3 in a crib.

The Suites at Music , a Junior Suite at CSR and POR AB section will sleep more than 4.

A lot of the deluxe will also sleep more than 4.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[ducklite]

If you book in 2007 for a 2008 trip, they will allow you to put down the deposit based on the 2007 rates, but you'll eventually get a letter informing you of the 2008 rates and letting you know you'll be charged the difference at check-in.

Anne

 

[bicker]

I think, though, one of the most significant answers to the original question is simply, "because." If there is ever a compelling need (on the part of the business) to have more rooms with trundle beds, then they'll do that. Until then, they have what the have.

 

[Von Drake]

Five in a room at CBR and FQ might tax resort amenities (small food court, small main pool) . I can, however, see it at CSR. Larger pool, huge food court- five seems a more workable number at CSR more than any other Mod. Just thinking out loud...

 

[laura001]

We too are a family of 5, because of the same reasons you point out, we just had to leave an extra year between trips to be able to afford it. When the kids were younger it always bothered me that we felt like we were being penalized for having 5 of us.

Last year we stayed at POR and absolutely loved it, I have always answered people's questions about fitting 5 in the room and said we were just so darned happy to be staying onsite at moderate pricing! WOOHOO! It made our whole vacation!

If you would like to stay somewhere else that is reasonable, stay at Fort Wilderness in one of the cabins. They are fantastic! I believe that all loops have pools etc. We loved staying there.

Your other choice of course would be to book two rooms at one of the values. I have never stayed at a value, but just like anything else, we would just be happy to be there.

Happy hunting!

 

[teacher100]

Another thing is they only offer specials for families of 4. Those of us with 5 in a family should start writing to them perhaps. I agree it is very frustrating. My kids love the value resorts, but the next time we go we will probably stay at POR because of the cost.

 

[byoung]

Take the DVC tour next trip, may be the best for you.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Fire codes.
That is the simple answer.

Fire codes, schmire codes. I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I think that's bull. They do it because they can get more money out of us by limiting the number of lower priced rooms for larger families. They are on the right track with the ASMu suites, but they still cost more than one room at a moderate (and I personally think they are ugly, sorry, but I do).

I think it stinks that we are stuck with AB at POR, or we have to shell out big bucks for two rooms, deluxes hotels, or suites. At AKL or WL you have to go with a deluxe room or a suite at a deluxe resort! We'll never get to stay there. It's frustrating that we don't have as many affordable choices simply because we have an extra child.

I highly doubt that my 31 pound 4 year old would be the difference between life and death if there were a fire.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

ThreeAngels, I am with you!

We are a family of 5 and our littlest one just turned 4. You're so right, our choices are very limited. Why are we stuck with only one resort, having to book two rooms or pay an outrageous amount???!!!

Let's start a petition and complain, complain, complain!!!! Why should our choices be soooo limited? Disney is being really dumb in this area!

I'm writing my letter ASAP!

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't know if I would complain, because Disney knows there is a need/want for more options, or else why would they build the AS Suites? How about a letter telling them how great the suites are and how you wish there were suites like them? You know, the whole catch more flies with honey thing.

And while I agree that 1 child in 1 room wouldn't make much difference, we all know it wouldn't be 1 child. It would be 10000 more if Disney did allow 3 kids in all of their rooms. And then the food courts would be too small, the pools would be over-run, and the bus service would be truly terrible. The fact is all hotels limit the number of guest allowed in their rooms. Not just Disney. We were looking into the Beaches resorts, and guess what? Only 4 to a room.

I think it is great that Disney is making an effort to accomodate larger families. But they really don't have to. There are already options. It is up to us to decide which one we utilize.

 

[Allison]

Another thing is they only offer specials for families of 4. Those of us with 5 in a family should start writing to them perhaps. I agree it is very frustrating. My kids love the value resorts, but the next time we go we will probably stay at POR because of the cost.

What do you mean they only offer specials for families of 4? I'm not sure what you are referring to.

They advertise pricing based on a family of 4 as an example but that doesn't mean the offers aren't available for various size groups.

Now if you are talking about winning vacations-then yes, they are based on 4 people.

I don't think it is because of fire codes either. Disney does it because they can and it helps keep the deluxe resorts occupied. I would love if CBR and the other moderates would accomodate 5 people. I didn't notice the CBR food court being any smaller than POR so I don't know how it would not be able to handle it.

 

[Allison]

I don't know if I would complain, because Disney knows there is a need/want for more options, or else why would they build the AS Suites? How about a letter telling them how great the suites are and how you wish there were suites like them? You know, the whole catch more flies with honey thing.

And while I agree that 1 child in 1 room wouldn't make much difference, we all know it wouldn't be 1 child. It would be 10000 more if Disney did allow 3 kids in all of their rooms. And then the food courts would be too small, the pools would be over-run, and the bus service would be truly terrible. The fact is all hotels limit the number of guest allowed in their rooms. Not just Disney. We were looking into the Beaches resorts, and guess what? Only 4 to a room.

I think it is great that Disney is making an effort to accomodate larger families. But they really don't have to. There are already options. It is up to us to decide which one we utilize.

Honestly, I don't want suites, I would like the other moderates to accomodate 5 people in their regular rooms. You could write a letter to that effect that fits the whole flies to honey thing saying that. I love CBR and I stated that in the survey I completed after my stay there. I told them how much I would love to bring my family there but since I have 3 children and didn't want 2 rooms I wouldn't be able to do that. It was certainly very complimentary of the resort.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

And while I agree that 1 child in 1 room wouldn't make much difference, we all know it wouldn't be 1 child. It would be 10000 more if Disney did allow 3 kids in all of their rooms. And then the food courts would be too small, the pools would be over-run, and the bus service would be truly terrible. The fact is all hotels limit the number of guest allowed in their rooms. Not just Disney. We were looking into the Beaches resorts, and guess what? Only 4 to a room.

Sorry, I mean no disrespect, but I highly doubt that one extra person in a random number of rooms is going to overtax any hotel at Disney. Each room is set up to accommodate a minimum of 4 people plus one child under the age of two. Does that mean that each room books the maximum number of people each night? Of course the answer is "no" because there are families in all sizes staying there - couples, families with only one child, one set of grandparents in a connecting room, a single traveler...and so on.

Lastly, dare I say that there are probably many people who stay onsight and don't obey the rules of capacity. It happens everywhere. I don't personally do it, but I am not naive enough to think that it doesn't happen and I don't think that the planners and powers that be at Disney were that stupid either.

 

[IDoBelieveinFairies!]

I have asked myself the same question. While we like POR, we would like a bit of variety. As you pointed out the buildings that house 5 are quite the hike.

Lucky for us we got in this Christmas at Shades of Green, their rooms are over 400sqft and so they automatically can take 5 in their standard rooms.

I would love to see some more affordable family rooms for larger families; at the moderates.

I was disappointed to find out that Contempary is taking away a wing to turn into DVC, bummer.

 

[minnie61650]

Fire codes, schmire codes. I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I think that's bull. They do it because they can get more money out of us by limiting the number of lower priced rooms for larger families. They are on the right track with the ASMu suites, but they still cost more than one room at a moderate (and I personally think they are ugly, sorry, but I do).

I think it stinks that we are stuck with AB at POR, or we have to shell out big bucks for two rooms, deluxes hotels, or suites. At AKL or WL you have to go with a deluxe room or a suite at a deluxe resort! We'll never get to stay there. It's frustrating that we don't have as many affordable choices simply because we have an extra child.

I highly doubt that my 31 pound 4 year old would be the difference between life and death if there were a fire.

As a mother of 4 (All grown now. My oldest is in her 30's and my youngest is 22) I often wished Disney had more options for larger families.
When the children were younger and we would go to Disney they did not have DVC or the family suites. In fact Disney did not have a Moderate until CBR opened in the late 1980's so if we wanted to stay onsite we either rented 2 rooms at a deluxe or stayed in the cabins.

I wrote to Disney many times over the years asking for more options for families so when I heard they were building the New Family Suites at All Star Music it just made me so happy!

My Dh is a commerical builder and there really are occupancy limits based on fire codes whether you wish to believe it not.

You can contect :
The Reedy Creek Fire Fighters Association
Local 2117
P.O. Box 22829
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830


or this wesite:

http://www.reedycreek.org/contact.html.

Ask them if Disney would be able to add trundle beds to CBR.


This is a good resource for more info about fire codes.

http://www.contractor-books.com/IC/1997UFC_Code.htm

Have fun at Disney!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I feel your pain!!! We have four childred and MUST get two rooms/staterooms wherever we go!! We just suck it up and pay for it!! It's worth EVERY penny!!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Fire codes, schmire codes. I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I think that's bull. ..........
I highly doubt that my 31 pound 4 year old would be the difference between life and death if there were a fire.

Fire codes are laws .. not some arbitrary thing WDW sets to make money. Have you ever seen in any and all restaurants in the US the sign that says "Maximum Occupancy is XX"? That's the fire code.

And no, maybe your one kid would not make a difference, but add a kid to every single room and you may see a problem. Look at the disasters of people dying due to balconies collapsing or over crowding in nightclubs when a fire breaks out.

 

[ducklite]

Fire codes, schmire codes. I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect to you personally, but I think that's bull. They do it because they can get more money out of us by limiting the number of lower priced rooms for larger families. They are on the right track with the ASMu suites, but they still cost more than one room at a moderate (and I personally think they are ugly, sorry, but I do).

I think it stinks that we are stuck with AB at POR, or we have to shell out big bucks for two rooms, deluxes hotels, or suites. At AKL or WL you have to go with a deluxe room or a suite at a deluxe resort! We'll never get to stay there. It's frustrating that we don't have as many affordable choices simply because we have an extra child.

I highly doubt that my 31 pound 4 year old would be the difference between life and death if there were a fire.

You're right, it is money. Five people means extra towels, water, bus seats, luggage service, etc. Families of five SHOULD expect to pay more. You have several choices. POR, CS with a rollaway (extra cost, but hey, there's an extra person so there should be!), ASM Suite, or FW cabin.

Anne

Anne

 

[minnie61650]

...... You have several choices. POR, CS with a rollaway (extra cost, but hey, there's an extra person so there should be!), ASM Suite, or FW cabin.

Anne

Anne

FYI

CSR does have rollaways for a fee but the room occupancy is still 4 persons over the age of 3.

CSR has Junior Suites that sleep up 6 people over the age of 3.

Here is the layout:

Here is the price list for 2007:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-2007.htm#VALUE

The Junior Suites start at $330 a night during value season and go up to $515 a night during the Holiday Season.