Cheapest room for family of 5?

[TinkOhio]

What is the cheapest way for a family of 5, (4 adults and one teen,) to book a room on property in order to qualify for the dining plan? We will be stying off property and just want to grab the room for one night in order to participate in the dining perks.

Thanks for any help!

 

[WishMom09]

I believe staying at POR is the best deal! It worked great for my family of 5 last year!
But the family suite at the value gives you 2 bathrooms which might be worth the extra $ for you!

 

[rt2dz]

Disney won't allow 4 adults and 1 teen at POR. The trundle is quite small and they cut off the age before the teen years.

Your best bets are the deluxe resorts that sleep 5, 2 value rooms, family suites, or the Fort Wilderness Cabins (not in any order).

The dining perks will only give you 2-3 meals total (depending on your plan). It might not be worth it to you.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for the help!

 

[woody5]

If you only stay one night you are not eligible for the free dining plan. To get free dining you have to book a package for at least four nights (I believe) with at least day of tickets. If you have four adults in a room, you will also have two pay an extra fee for each adult in the room. The charge varies upon which level of resort to stay at. To answer your original question, the cheapest way to do a family of five with four adults would be to get two value rooms. You would then avoid the extra adult charge because you can split them between the two rooms.

 

[aubriee]

If you only stay one night you are not eligible for the free dining plan. To get free dining you have to book a package for at least four nights (I believe) with at least day of tickets. If you have four adults in a room, you will also have two pay an extra fee for each adult in the room. The charge varies upon which level of resort to stay at. To answer your original question, the cheapest way to do a family of five with four adults would be to get two value rooms. You would then avoid the extra adult charge because you can split them between the two rooms.

This year free dining requires paying rack rate for the room, staying at least four nights, buying two day park tickets for everyone in the room, and also requires you to buy a $99.00 photo memory book. If more than two adults share the room, you'll have to pay an extra adult fee for each adult over two. At a value resort it'd be $10.00/night, at a moderate it is $15.00/night, and at a deluxe it'd be $25.00/night for each adult after two.

Also don't forget you get the DDP for each night of your stay (not day), so if you stayed only one night and paid for the DDP you'd only get one TS, one CS, and one snack if you bought the basic DDP and three meals, two snacks, and a mug if you paid for the DxDDP. Unless you have an AP or are staying on DVC points, you'd have to also buy at least one day park tickets for everyone in the room.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks again! We won't be doing the free dining. We are planning on doing the premium dining plan for one night. Starting in 2012, there is a 3 night minimum for this plan. We want do this before the change.

 

[2ofUs]

Do you mind if I ask where you saw the change to 3 nites for the pkg?

 

[livinlife25]

Do you mind if I ask where you saw the change to 3 nites for the pkg?

There is a premium/platinum thread somewhere on these boards that discusses everything about it and I read through a bit and I also saw it being mentioned that it had been changed to a 3 day minimum.

 

[basketlacey]

This year free dining requires paying rack rate for the room, staying at least four nights, buying two day park tickets for everyone in the room, and also requires you to buy a $99.00 photo memory book. If more than two adults share the room, you'll have to pay an extra adult fee for each adult over two. At a value resort it'd be $10.00/night, at a moderate it is $15.00/night, and at a deluxe it'd be $25.00/night for each adult after two.

Also don't forget you get the DDP for each night of your stay (not day), so if you stayed only one night and paid for the DDP you'd only get one TS, one CS, and one snack if you bought the basic DDP and three meals, two snacks, and a mug if you paid for the DxDDP. Unless you have an AP or are staying on DVC points, you'd have to also buy at least one day park tickets for everyone in the room.

Is this true for anyone over 18 or any "Disney" adult (over 10)? I have two kids that are Disney adults and I didn't factor this upcharge in to my planning.

 

[TinkOhio]

Do you mind if I ask where you saw the change to 3 nites for the pkg?

On your thread! I posted this question there and never got a response, so I tried here. I knew that posting it seperately would get a quick reply.

I did do the premium with my DD over our spring break and loved it!!! We'll be down as a family this coming Christmas break, so I would love to have everyone try it. It will most likely be the only time that we can afford it untill our kids' college days are over. (Where's the smiley with the pockets turned inside out and the dollar bills flying away!)

 

[danceintherain]

Is this true for anyone over 18 or any "Disney" adult (over 10)? I have two kids that are Disney adults and I didn't factor this upcharge in to my planning.

The upcharge is only for those 18 and over.

Yup...it seems that the rumors are true. I just tried pricing a Premium Vacation Package, and it says there's no availability until I get up to 3 nights.

Per the OP, the least expensive option would be a Family Suite, it doesn't have an upcharge for additional adults, or two rooms at a value resort, which would also avoid the upcharge.

 

[dandave]

If you're staying off property and just grabbing the room in order to get the plan, why not get a campsite?

 

[2ofUs]

Ouch, there may be some campsite users that will post to caution against doing just that, unless you meant a cabin and plan to STAY there?

Apparently, campsites are not so easy to come by and it is frustrating to see some sit empty for just the reason you state above. If you meant a campsite, it would honestly be better to use an All Star Family suite instead. Or wait until the new Lion King and other themed values open - they are supposed to have lots of suites available.

 

[dandave]

Ouch, there may be some campsite users that will post to caution against doing just that, unless you meant a cabin and plan to STAY there?

Apparently, campsites are not so easy to come by and it is frustrating to see some sit empty for just the reason you state above. If you meant a campsite, it would honestly be better to use an All Star Family suite instead. Or wait until the new Lion King and other themed values open - they are supposed to have lots of suites available.

No. I meant a campsite. It's the cheapest answer to the OP's question. Of course some people will be upset with renting a campsite and not using. Some people would upset with doing the same at Pop or any resort that they want to stay, if there is no availability. Some people will be upset with the very idea of working the Premium Plan mentioned here. None of that is my concern. I simply gave the best/cheapest answer to the question.

 

[ccgirl]

If you're staying off property and just grabbing the room in order to get the plan, why not get a campsite?

And this, right there, is the reason campsites are not eligible for the dining plan.

 

[dandave]

And this, right there, is the reason campsites are not eligible for the dining plan.

They most certainly are. I faux-made one the other day to check. I suggest you try it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Let me see if I understand you want a room for one night to get the dinning perks. You realize you will one get one days worth of dinning. Your dinning plan is based on how many nights you book your hotel room for.

 

[ccgirl]

They most certainly are. I faux-made one the other day to check. I suggest you try it.

Maybe it's free dining they are not used for. I know it's one of them because I remember several posts where those that used campsites were upset at those that used throw away campsites ruined it for the rest of them.

I have also read that if there is not a tent on the site they can cancel your reservation (also cancelling your dining plan). Not sure if this has every happened then.

 

[dandave]

Maybe it's free dining they are not used for. I know it's one of them because I remember several posts where those that used campsites were upset at those that used throw away campsites ruined it for the rest of them.

I have also read that if there is not a tent on the site they can cancel your reservation (also cancelling your dining plan). Not sure if this has every happened then.

And if you book a Value room in order to get the free dining, you have to occupy that room or face cancellation as well. That becomes a problem if it's more than a single night.
The point is still that you can absolutely book a dining plan with a campsite. People who camp still eat.