Does Disney enforce 5 guests per room?

[HopperFan]

I'm just curious, has anyone actually seen or known someone who was "caught" at wdw with more than the allowed occupancy? I'm not condoning this and I'm not talking about something crazy like 8 in an all stars room. I mean something like what the op is asking, a family of 5 in a 4 person room.

I'm just trying to envision how this would happen.

Most wdw regulars know about the occupancy limits but I think many casual visitors don't see any problem with 5 family members in a hotel room especially with the popularity of aero beds etc. they are not out trying cheat the system. I can't see guest relations throwing some family out on the street for having an extra child in the room.

Just curious if anyone's actually seen this happen.

There have been numerous reports on here by some seeing others asked to leave or pay for another room. Since DIS is a very small fraction of Disney's guests I think those are pretty good odds. It's not worth it to chance ruining your vacation or be slapped with a much bigger bill, just book the right room.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Based on DVC, it is very clear that Disney's occupancy limits don't have to do with the number of sleeping surfaces.

See also, the Saratoga, VWL, BCV and BWV 1BR Villas, which sleeps 5 on a queen bed, a pull-out sleeper, and the 5th guest must provide their own bedding and linens. Similarly, their 2BRs (because they're lock-offs, and thus just the 1BR + Studio) will sleep 9 IF the 9th person BYOB. Which says, clearly: Disney is okay with people adding a sleep surface as necessary, and to sleep 5 in those 1BRs it IS necessary, but only in units rated to sleep 5 by fire code.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I'd also think housekeeping would report suspected violations.

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.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

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.

Fire Regs

 

[DisneyWishes14]

WDW has put provisions in place to help deter people from doing this. No DME, no FP+ at 60 days, no key to get into a room, no EMH for anyone not listed on the reservation. I would call directly and see if the CM can see availability at the mods you are looking at. Otherwise, there are many other options - Ft. W cabin, 2 rooms at a value, a deluxe standard, etc.

 

[kamik86]

We are a family of five, and at Disney, we absolutely always book a room for five (since our youngest turned three years old.) At non-Disney resorts/hotels and in VRBO rentals that list capacity at 4, we call and ask if it's OK that we have two adults, two teens and a little guy. I can think of one resort in Canada that would not allow it, so we booked a room with a six-person capacity. But in our experience, most non-Disney hotels from Kimpton to Four Seasons are fine with this - they offer a rollaway, or extra blankets/pillows or whatever. Disney doesn't have that kind of wiggle room, and I think that can be surprising to new guests.

I think the reason disney has more of an issue is that:
1) Disney is more full more often in resorts then a normal non-Disney hotel
2) Disney has more families then many other hotels
3) In many cases the fire codes are number of people per section of the building and not just per room.
4) Disney knows there are message boards like this one and if they allow something once everyone else will want it.

So a hotel used for business often for example may be able to accommodate 5 in a room because they know the next 3 rooms have one person each in them. They also aren't worried that word is going to spread and many many more families of 5 are going to want to do this.

 

[Sue M]

If availability is full now, keep checking. There could be cancelations esp at the 45 day mark, the last day people can cancel without penalty.
You've been given some good alternatives, maybe book 2 rooms in a value resort for now. Have them linked together as traveling together and request connecting rooms. Personally I'd prefer 2 rooms, a little more room, 2 bathrooms, more privacy, grandma can have some quiet time etc.

 

[book_junkie]

I'm just curious, has anyone actually seen or known someone who was "caught" at wdw with more than the allowed occupancy? I'm not condoning this and I'm not talking about something crazy like 8 in an all stars room. I mean something like what the op is asking, a family of 5 in a 4 person room.

I'm just trying to envision how this would happen.

Most wdw regulars know about the occupancy limits but I think many casual visitors don't see any problem with 5 family members in a hotel room especially with the popularity of aero beds etc. they are not out trying cheat the system. I can't see guest relations throwing some family out on the street for having an extra child in the room.

Just curious if anyone's actually seen this happen.

Actually, yes, on different trips. Once at WL where they were kicking out a family of 6 (parents plus 4 kids) from a non villa room and once at Port Orleans Riverside where they had 5+ teens in a room and the teens were "threatening" to call their parents for Disney "ruining" their break.

How they got caught I'm not sure as they were on different floors than us. Not sure what their options were, either- with the family the father was yelling about having to pay for 2 rooms at "outrageous" prices, so my guess is they were trying to rebook them at a fire code level at the time.

 

[AngiTN]

I'm just curious, has anyone actually seen or known someone who was "caught" at wdw with more than the allowed occupancy? I'm not condoning this and I'm not talking about something crazy like 8 in an all stars room. I mean something like what the op is asking, a family of 5 in a 4 person room.

I'm just trying to envision how this would happen.

Most wdw regulars know about the occupancy limits but I think many casual visitors don't see any problem with 5 family members in a hotel room especially with the popularity of aero beds etc. they are not out trying cheat the system. I can't see guest relations throwing some family out on the street for having an extra child in the room.

Just curious if anyone's actually seen this happen.

Being alert to this is part of Mousekeeping training.
As for casual visitors not knowing, seeing how the way MDE works someone would have to intentionally get around the occupancy rules. Someone who isn't familiar with them would not be caught by surprise. They would book their trip on MDE and they would enter all their party members and MDE would limit the resort options. Someone would have to know about them and intentionally try to get around them by leaving someone off the reservation.

 

[aaarcher86]

I'm just curious, has anyone actually seen or known someone who was "caught" at wdw with more than the allowed occupancy? I'm not condoning this and I'm not talking about something crazy like 8 in an all stars room. I mean something like what the op is asking, a family of 5 in a 4 person room.

I'm just trying to envision how this would happen.

Most wdw regulars know about the occupancy limits but I think many casual visitors don't see any problem with 5 family members in a hotel room especially with the popularity of aero beds etc. they are not out trying cheat the system. I can't see guest relations throwing some family out on the street for having an extra child in the room.

Just curious if anyone's actually seen this happen.

I witnessed a family at POR being asked to book a second room or leave because they had 5 in a princess room. It was a pretty big blowout, but the CM wasn't budging whatsoever to avoid the scene.

No idea how they found out, but it's probably easier now with MBs and FP+.

 

[Marionnette]

Does Disney enforce 5 guests per room?

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.

The answer to your question, in short, is YES.

The rest of your explanation is irrelevant. The room occupancy limits are what they are, whether they are set by Disney or by the fire marshal. It doesn't matter that you will bring an air mattress or that the children are very young and small. Nor does it matter whether you want the dining plan, take DME or use EMH.

Have you considered one of the offsite resorts or condos? The rooms are more affordable, so you would be able to get something that will comfortably accommodate your family that is within your budget. Bonnet Creek gets rave reviews and is much more friendly to families of 5 (or larger).

 

[Mrsjvb]

I'm just curious, has anyone actually seen or known someone who was "caught" at wdw with more than the allowed occupancy? I'm not condoning this and I'm not talking about something crazy like 8 in an all stars room. I mean something like what the op is asking, a family of 5 in a 4 person room.

this happens with FAR Greater frequency at WDW than anywhere else. my own family( one set of aunt/uncle/cousins/offspring) is wildly guilty of putting 6 adults and 3-4 children in one room design for fit 4 people. they bring sleeping beds, their own pillows, etc. they don't even tip the poor housekeeper at the end( they never let them IN at all because there is literally no where to walk, let alone work, in the room) and on three separate occasions the hotel let it slide, even after a non relative complained bitterly( and with reason, but we are not here to discuss the PWT-iness of that particular set of family members. even the hotel I worked in in a major tourist town for several years we pretty much NEVER implements to extra adult fee or had issues with more than the allowed amount( although we did charge someone the $250 extra cleaning fee after a particularly..interesting.. weekend)

at Dinsey, they do things differently. you WILL be restricted to occupancy levels. period.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

Yes. They are very strict about it.

 

[Irishcastles23]

I personally would not chance exceeding the room capacity. Fire code regulations are strictly enforced and you could be forced to pay any fines Disney may incur on your behalf. You could be expelled from the room with out a refund and or forced to pay for another room. Why ruin your trip by trying to skirt the policy. I would definitely look into a resort that can accommodate 5. I personally would rather pay now than later. Good luck in whatever option you choose and hopefully you will have wonderful weather and a great time.

 

[DisneyHardin]

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.

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

CBR is one of the oldest resorts, and back then 4 was the gold standard on how many a room could sleep. Now with fire codes they have to take into account all sorts of things--how wide the doorways are, how many floors each building has, elevator or no elevator, and many other things. I'm glad Disney went back and figured it out so that they could add extra beds to some of the rooms. Fire Codes are not a myth.

 

[gwynne]

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 would think whatever the number is, the FD and Disney have agreed upon it. It sounds like they signed off on a change some years back. I figure the FD and Disney work together to keep people as safe as possible.

 

[DisneyHardin]

CBR is one of the oldest resorts, and back then 4 was the gold standard on how many a room could sleep. Now with fire codes they have to take into account all sorts of things--how wide the doorways are, how many floors each building has, elevator or no elevator, and many other things. I'm glad Disney went back and figured it out so that they could add extra beds to some of the rooms. Fire Codes are not a myth.

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.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You need a room with a capacity of five. You say you don't need to use the pulldown bed but you still need to book for a party of five. Leaving one person off the registration is not recommended. Besides the fact that if they catch you you'll have to leave, there's the added issues of 1) DME if you need it, 2) inability to book fastpasses at the same time, 3) no magic band for the extra person and they may not give you an extra key, 4) no access to extra magic hours for extra person if you want that, 5) possibly no access to some resort amenities for the extra person.

it is not about how many beds there are in a room. It is about how many people there are in a room. They are providing 1 bed per person whether the persons use the bed or not. Just because the 5th person in a room that has a capacity of 4 is using their own mattress, and there is room for the mattress, does not mean that fire codes now allow 5 people in that room.

 

[maxiesmom]

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'm guessing here, but they probably just went Room Holds 4 when they built the resort, and now with more larger families, went back and did the math in order to accommodate 5 in some rooms.