Comparison 2 rooms vs. family suite

[momma23boys]

I was curious of everyones opinions on the family suites vs. getting 2 separate rooms. We are currently booked for a family suite at ASMU. It would be a little cheaper ($113.00) to get 2 connecting rooms at ASSp. My three boys love sports, so this is their resort of choice. I also think the family suite would be nice. I also know family suites get booked up quickly. Should I stay with the suite or go 2 rooms and use the 113.00 for......say......a couple gallons of gas! Is the suite worth it? Or could we make do with the 2 sep. rooms?

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

The family suite includes the fridge and microwave in the small kitchenette.

All family suites are in preferred locations.

With the family suite we have one private bedroom with a queen bed and three separate beds for the three kids in the living room. For us this is the final determining factor. With connecting rooms I think you could have three beds or four, but not five.

 

[leanan]

The problem with two rooms is that they or may not be connecting. If you have young kids it is easier to get connecting but not always promised. So think about that too. I know the 113 extra is definitely NICE to have in your pocket.

 

[dgaston]

And the master room has a QUEEN bed. There's also a microwave in the mini-kitchen. If Disney had these when we still had the whole family of 3 kids living at home, I don't know if we would have ended up buying DVC! Well we probably would have anyway...

 

[DizGeek]

Count me in as a connecting room guy. 4 beds, 2 bathrooms, plenty of room, cheaper. Were not big on the kitchen as we eat all our meals out, not to mention the fact that nobody wants to cook anything while on vacation.

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

Another vote for two rooms -- hopefully connecting. The dealbreaker for us on the Family Suites is that most of the beds are pull-outs. With two rooms you have four beds -- real beds.

 

[TheRatPack]

We had to do 2 connecting rooms as well. We needed 2 bathrooms and enough 'beds' for 5 children and 2 adults. So the family suites wouldn't have worked for us as far as beds go. We're not big on the microwave and other items either....since we eat out all of our meals while we're there.

 

[toystorymom]

We are a family of 5 and just returned from our trip with 2 connecting rooms at POP. We loved it! The 4 beds were great, each kid had his own space, and the 2 bathrooms was a nice plus. If you will use the kitchen/fridge/microwave then maybe the suites would work better. We were on the dining plan and didn't have any need for a kitchenette. I will say that our last trip was at Port Orleans which is a beautiful resort, but I don't think we'll go back to 5 in one room again.

 

[pcoaley]

Sounds like two rooms is the way to go. Thanks for the info.

 

[momma23boys]

Unless I am mistaking, the family suite does have 2 rooms. One bedroom with a Queen bed and one with a full bed. It also has a pull out sofa and/or chair. I thought that is what they told me. Is this correct? I'm not sure about the bathrooms. I have all little guys. No primping here. I do good just to get them to brush their hair. One bathroom is enough. Still not sure. Keep the advice coming. It is alot of help. thanks

 

[sharadoc]

The deciding factor for us was having a living room. It will be great to sit on a couch and chair, rather than sitting on the edge of a bed when we have some down time. I have never gone morning to night at the parks. I want to get up, watch some TV, have some cereal in the morning, then in the evening, have the same ability to sit and relax in a living room. Plus the fridge is included and the kids don't have to share beds.

I think the suites are the best deal on the property and everything I have heard is that the pull-outs are comfortable. I plan on doing a trip report about the suites when we go, so stay tuned in February to hear what I think!!!

 

[DizGeek]

Unless I am mistaking, the family suite does have 2 rooms. One bedroom with a Queen bed and one with a full bed. It also has a pull out sofa and/or chair. I thought that is what they told me. Is this correct? I'm not sure about the bathrooms. I have all little guys. No primping here. I do good just to get them to brush their hair. One bathroom is enough. Still not sure. Keep the advice coming. It is alot of help. thanks

Heres a link to the room layout.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/ASMusic_FamSuite_layout.jpg

 

[VacationKicks]

My family of 5 loved the family suites. Each child got their own bed. We liked sitting on regular furniture in the living room when the beds weren't out. We loved the location by the main pool and the food court. We also were on the DDP but we like to eat breakfast in the room and having the fridge to keep the milk and OJ cold was a bonus.

Whenever we booked connecting room we were always told it wasn't a guarantee. With the suite you don't need to worry about connecting vs. adjoining.

 

[Katy Belle]

We stayed in two connecting rooms at POP and loved it! Lots of space, 4 beds, two tvs, two bathrooms, no one sleeping in the living room. I usually turn a trash can into a cooler and that's all I need to keep a couple of diet cokes cold!

Katy

 

[greenpea89]

The family suites have two bathrooms, two tvs, and while they consist of two rooms one of the rooms is set up as a living room with three pullout beds. I love the idea of having a fridge and microwave. I'm certainly not a cook but I like having a fridge for milk, juice, and sandwich meats, and a microwave for soup, popcorn, and mac and cheese (my kids don't like the Disney mac and cheese - it's probably exactly the same but since they don't see it come out of an Annie's box they won't eat it! ).
Can you make it work and have a great time if you choose to stay in two connecting rooms? Absolutely - you can even bring a cooler to keep your perishables in if you don't want to pay for a fridge (fridge swap may also be an option for you if you are on a tight budget). We just think the suite option is a more comfortable and workable solution for the six of us.
My best advice would be to look on the sticky thread for the All Star Suites at ASM thread. It is one of the best threads with tons of pictures of the rooms, pull out beds, bathrooms, and the kitchenette area. The pictures and really important info are on the first page so you don't have to wade through several pages to find what you are looking for. There are also lots of great tips and reviews so you can get a very clear idea of what to expect from the suites. It really helped me decide what to do for our upcoming trip. Have fun!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Unless I am mistaking, the family suite does have 2 rooms. One bedroom with a Queen bed and one with a full bed. It also has a pull out sofa and/or chair. I thought that is what they told me. Is this correct? I'm not sure about the bathrooms. I have all little guys. No primping here. I do good just to get them to brush their hair. One bathroom is enough. Still not sure. Keep the advice coming. It is alot of help. thanks

The family suite is a queen bed in one room and ALL pullouts in the living space. With the ages of your kids I would go with the family suites unless they prefer the Sports resort. I know my 15 year old would rather sleep on a couch than his real bed. . .but he is wierd that way. . .

 

[minnie61650]

The Family Suites do run about $20 more than 2 connecting value rooms.
Remember a fridge is included in a Family Suite.
Fridges are Not included in value resorts and cost about $10 a night to rent.

The Family Suites are located in the Calypso and Jazz buildings.
Those buildings are the nearest to the main pool, food court and bus stop.

If you rent preferred rooms ( those nerest the main pool, food court and bus stop) at All Star Music there is an addition fee of $12 a night for each room.

Plus you get a Queen size bed in the master bedroom, a microwave and a coffee pot included in the Family Suite.

----------------------------------------------------------------

The Family Suites start at $184 a night duing value season in 2008.
Most of the Disney resorts (excluding DVC) charge extra for more than 2 adults in a room.
The Family Suites do not charge extra for extra adults.
1-6 adults can stay in the Family Suites for the same et price.
The Family Suites have discounts available also so if you keep your eyes open you just may snag a great deal.

---------------------------------------------

Family Suite info:

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) in Sept. of 2006.

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

They:

-Sleep up to 6 (plus one child under age 3 in a Pak-n-Play crib)
-Studio amenities and separate sleeping areas giving more privacy than a standard room.
-Queen bed, full-size pullout sofa, convertible ottoman & chair sleepers
The pullout chair and large ottoman each pull out into standard size twin beds.
(4 separate sleepers)
-Private master bedroom and family room have 27” flat CRT TV and high speed Internet access.
-Kitchenette with microwave, small refrigerator (4.3 cu. ft) and coffee pot
-Two-full bathrooms


Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!