Does Disney enforce 5 guests per room?

[Aliceacc]

Some options, in more-or-less order
- Room for 5 at POR or CB
- 2 hopefully connecting rooms at All Stars, or at POP
- Family suite at All Star Music
- Suite at Art of Animation.
- Fort Wilderness Cabin
- Deluxes: Contemporary is usually cheapest, followed by Beach/Yacht/Boardwalk, then Grand Floridian

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It is true that there is now current demand for single rooms that will fit larger groups. so now they have built an entire resort (AoA) that is mostly suites with a capacity of six, and added some capacity to older resorts by refitting some rooms to fit 5. But if you're in a room with a capacity of 4, that room still must be occupied by only 4 people. Can you get away with it, probably. Could it be an issue, yes it could.

 

[Irishcastles23]

I'm not saying they are a myth at all. I work in a school, so I know all about fire codes. I just think it's funny that Disney added a 5th bed with no major remodel to the rooms, but a guest can't add a 5th bed. As far as I know, they didn't widen the doorways, add additional fire exits, etc when they added the Murphy beds to account for more people than previously in each block of rooms, but I could very well be wrong about that.

I agree I too think it's funny how they suddenly have the room to add another bed. My guess is that they had the square footage all along, but would prefer that you book a deluxe resort or an extra room. More money for them. I guess the issue here is that you probably can't have a non fixed bed such as a sleeping bag or blow up mattress as it could be a tripping hazard in the event of a fire.

 

[Aurora0427]

Mmmm.....I have known a few housekeepers personally. They really don't get involved in this.
Disney is very much about seeing violations FIRST HAND, not based on speculation or assumption. Ever get frustrated because someone cut the line and you told a CM and the CM didn't do anything about it? Well that is because theyhave been told/trained if they didn't witness it, they aren't to address it. Can't take one guest's word over another on those matters.
Management has to deal with the bigger issues or violations and they are going to make sure they have crossed their T's and dotted their I's.

There's no way Disney would see this first hand unless it was reported by housekeeping or other guests. From reading this thread, according to other posters, other guests have turned people in and it's a regular part of housekeeping training. So I don't really understand your post at all. Either Disney enforces the fire code, or they don't- and since they don't do nightly bed checks, housekeeping seems like their first line of defense.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree I too think it's funny how they suddenly have the room to add another bed. My guess is that they had the square footage all along, but would prefer that you book a deluxe resort or an extra room. More money for them. I guess the issue here is that you probably can't have a non fixed bed such as a sleeping bag or blow up mattress as it could be a tripping hazard in the event of a fire.

But Disney does allow sleeping bags and air mattresses, as long as you don't go over their set room occupancy limit. Again, room size isn't what the dictates the limit. Many things do, including how many people can be in each building and how they would have to exit in case of a fire. Which is in part why the buildings at CBR and POR that allow 5 are the ones that don't have elevators.

 

[Irishcastles23]

But Disney does allow sleeping bags and air mattresses, as long as you don't go over their set room occupancy limit. Again, room size isn't what the dictates the limit. Many things do, including how many people can be in each building and how they would have to exit in case of a fire. Which is in part why the buildings at CBR and POR that allow 5 are the ones that don't have elevators.

I did not know you could bring an air mattress or sleeping bag so thanks for clarifying.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

While fire codes and approaches do change over time, if Disney can get approval for 5 in most of CBR now and choose to do so, it's their right; if they don't choose to do so at other resorts, that is also their right. They are a private hotelier and can enforce reasonable policies that don't violate state or federal anti discrimination laws. Setting occupancy limits is an area that is considered non-discriminatory, as it is pure math, and not judgement on race, color, gender or etc. etc.

 

[Irishcastles23]

I did not know you could bring an air mattress or sleeping bag so thanks for clarifying.

However, with that said room size does factor into determining occupancy limit as does placement of furniture and number of exits. Of course the ultimate number is determined by the fire marshal.

 

[maxiesmom]

However, with that said room size does factor into determining occupancy limit as does placement of furniture and number of exits. Of course the ultimate number is determined by the fire marshal.

Room size does factor into the whole thing, but it alone does not determine how many people can safely stay in a room.

 

[mefordis]

I'm looking to book 5 nights in May, preferably at a moderate POR or CBR. It will be me, DH, DD4, DS3, and grandma. There are rooms available with 2 adults and 2 kids, but not 3 adults and 2 kids. The problem is, we do not need the pull down bench. DH and I will be in one bed. DD will be with grandma in another bed, and DS will be in an inflatable Intex bed which he loves (looks like a tan raft). I don't mind paying for the extra adult and staying in a 4 person room, it's just that my options are severely limited as there are no moderate rooms available. We're not looking into getting a ding plan either if that helps. I'm also open to booking either through Disney or Orbitz. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

CBR has rooms that sleep 5, so you should be okay.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's kind of funny that the occupancy is "all about fire codes" when those five person rooms at CBR used to be 4 person rooms. When Disney wants to add a bed it is okay, but when the guest wants to add a blow up bed, they can't.

I'm not condoning sneaking in a 5th person, but it just strikes me as ironic.

I agree I too think it's funny how they suddenly have the room to add another bed. My guess is that they had the square footage all along, but would prefer that you book a deluxe resort or an extra room. More money for them. I guess the issue here is that you probably can't have a non fixed bed such as a sleeping bag or blow up mattress as it could be a tripping hazard in the event of a fire.

Alligator Bayou rooms are smaller than any at CBR but have always held five. And it's okay for Disney to add a bed/occupancy because they own the rooms. The guest doesn't.

 

[Tink415]

CBR has rooms that sleep 5, so you should be okay.

Yup, as long as a room is available to book, but didn't the op say CBR (and POR) were full!? Anyway, lots of other options were given.

I tried not to read all of the responces, but I did, and all the different viewpoints are amazing.

I'm just going to add I would never book one room and intend to have more than allowed; BUT i have booked 2 rooms and had 5 sleep in one and 2 in the other. This was AFTER a trip where I booked a room for 5 and was put in a room for 4 at a different (but 'sister') resort and when I complained was told basically oversold so sad too bad. When I asked where our 5th was going to sleep I was GIVEN an aerobed sheets and a blanket to use. When I related that story on these boards people were saying all kinds of stuff, like 'oh there really isn't bedding for 5 at that resort' (?? Really?? It's called a daybed and most of the deluxe resorts have them) etc. It would have been funny if someone "reported" us, I would have given them an earful!!

 

[Lynne M]

The OP's gotten good suggestions for alternatives, so I'm going to close this. Just a reminder....on the DISboards, discussions of ways to circumvent Disney's rules or 'cheat the system' are not permitted.