Do We Need Two Rooms or Can We Do One?

[Madi100]

We are planning our trip for January 17-22 of 2004. The trip will include my DH (33), me (28), DD (6), DD (2), and my mom (53). We are bringing along my mom to be our "babysitter" for when either of the two children need a break or just for some free time for us. We are paying for the whole trip. Our original plan was to stay at Port Orleans Riverside. Is it "legal" to have five people in a room? We are thinking of either getting a portable cirb for our youngest or having her on the floor in her sleeping bag. Our other plan was to get two rooms at the All Star Resorts. When we went last year we either got a rate of $59 or $49. Do they offer rates this low in January?

Also, is January a slow time to go? We want to go when it won' be busy. Our original plan was for February. However, our youngest turns three in February, so we want to go when she'll be free.

When I make my reservation, can I make two different ones and decide later which to take and cancel one of them? Also, how much is the deposit you have to make? Thanks.

Nicole

 

[jel0511]

I'd recommend the two rooms at the All-Stars. Personally, I'd want a little privacy from my mother. It would be "legal" for you to stay at POR, since your youngest will be under 3, but I think it would be a little tight for you. Three adults and one bathroom, I can't imagine how long it would take in the morning. The last couple of years, they have been rates that low at the All Stars in Jan, so probably they will again. Making double ressies has begun to be a problem. Disney recently implemented a new computer system, which is able to now cross reference EVERYTHING. They will notice a double reservation in a second now. I recently had this problem and was told I had to cancel one, or both would be automatically cancelled within a certain timeframe. If you're set on staying at AS Movies, I'd make those ressies, with Jan being so quiet, with the exception of Marathon weekend, you'd be pretty much o.k. to wait until you're sure.

 

[CarolMN]

POR has some rooms that legitimately hold 5 people. IIRC, those rooms are in the Alligator Bayou section. There is a trundle bed for the 5th person. There is an extra charge of $15/night for more than 2 adults in the same room. I am not sure if there is a charge for the trundle bed - there may be. By the time you add in the extra charges, two rooms at the All Stars might be less expensive.

FWIW, I also would recommend two rooms at one of the All Star resorts. You can request that they be connecting (door between the rooms - no need to go outside to go between the rooms). I'm quite sure you will appreciate having the extra space as well as the "extra" bath.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[CamColt]

I believe if the child is 2 you will be ok anywhere. We stayed at ASMO with myself, DH, my mother, DSs 4 yo, and 20 month old. They gave us a porta crib for DS, and even waived the extra adult fee(10.00/night) for my mother. We had no problem with space or privacy. In fact it worked great!
Good luck!

Originally posted by jel0511
Three adults and one bathroom, I can't imagine how long it would take in the morning.

We actually had it down to a system and it didnt take any longer than it would have if we had another bathroom. I got up and showered. I then dried my hair outside the bathroom while my mother showered. She then dried her hair while DH showered and I started getting the kids ready. When DH was done we finished getting the kids ready and we were off. Since it took each of us adults a different amount of time(me the longest) our system worked perfectly!

 

[susy]

Check your calendar and avoid MLK weekend, if you can. The Movie has been incuded in the discount these past two years, but who knows for next time?

We got it last Jan for $49 and yes, I would definitely get two rooms!!!!!
I refuse to sleep with my DH in a double bed, so he always sleeps with my DS and I get a bed to myself!

Just request two "connecting" rooms. We stayed in Toy Story adn it was so close to everything (Dalmatiosn would be also, just on the other side). You can request one of those sections if you want to be close to the food court, pool and buses.

Believe me, you will need the space of the two rooms. At night it's real nice, because the kids can be asleep in one room and the adults can be up chatting or watchin tv in the other room.
Also, take into account all of your "stuff". We traveled with extended family 3 times to WDW last year and we always got and needed two rooms (even with just 5 of us, total).

 

[lulugirl]

My family just returned from a week at POFQ, we had 2 connecting rooms.In room #1 it was DH,DD(3yrs) and myself, room#2 my mother had all to herself. There is absolutely NO WAY we would have been comfortable w/ just one room. It worked out great to have connecting rooms, DD loved bouncing back and forth between the 2 rooms, and 2 bathrooms was a MUST!
I think you can get decent rates for the moderate and value resorts for the month of Jan.
We paid $94(tax included) a night for POFQ 1/6-1/13.
Hope this helps!
-Elisabeth

 

[Trekker]

I think it depends on what your "focus" for the trip is.

If the majority of your time is spent at the parks then one room at PO would be fine.

If you plan to spend the majority of your time at the resort - you may feel crowded with one room.

 

[Madi100]

Well, it's sounding like two rooms at the All Star Resorts. I am very familiar with All Star Movies. We stayed in the Dalmation resort last time. I think that the Toy Story area would be great for this time. I really enjoyed our last visit. I was just really looking forward to staying at Port Orleans. However, from what I've read, it seems to be very spread out. With two young children, that might not be the best option for us.

If I call and make reservations today, how much do I have to pay? Is it the first night? I can't remember. Also, when do those great rates usually come out?

 

[eeyore0062]

I would also recommend 2 rooms! That way you and your DH can have some privacy. I can't imagine being in the same room with kids and grandparents. Just the kids are OK... but remember, you will be paying an extra $15 - $20 dollars a night depending on the room, if you have more than two adults in the room. With the prices at the AS, I would get the 2 rooms, that way, you have 2 toilets, 2 sinks and 2 showers, and a total of 4 beds, instead of 2 queens and a daybed! But that is just me!

 

[VickiVM]

Here's another vote for 2 rooms. We are a family of 5 (children 8, 6 and 4) and we took my mom last fall. We started with two rooms at ASMu for the first night and then a 2 bedroom villa at BCV. It worked out great. Truthfully, I think it would be considerate to both your DH and your mom that they had some sense of privacy. Not that others who all stay in one room are being disrespectful towards each other. But I think since you are hoping to take advantage of the third adult to watch the kids while you and DH get away for a while (hey, we did it too and it was great), it would go a long way in showing appreciation by giving your mom her own space/bathroom, etc.