Families of 5 (or more)-Where do you stay on property?

[VP037388]

We just returned from a great stay at Wilderness Lodge. We are 2 adults, 2 kids and an infant. When checking into the bounce back offer, we were told we can't stay in a single room there as we will be 2 adults and 3 kids next year. We like the Deluxes and have stayed at WL, GF and the Poly. We are open to other resorts. What are the options? I know about the Villas and DVC but we like the themes of the regular resorts. Concierge is pricey so we are trying not to go that high.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

We like the Yacht and Beach. We stayed there as a family recently with 5 (2 parents, 2 grown up kids, and 1 teenager) and still didn't feel crowded.

Because the pool is so great, and there is so much to do in the Epcot resort area, only late at night when it was time to go to sleep were all 5 of us in the room. Even when we were all there we felt like we had plenty of space. The transportation options to all of the parks are great, and it's hard for us to stay anywhere else. We stayed at the GF once when my youngest sibling was 3, but prefer the Y and B overall.

 

[disneymom443]

We have stayed at Ft.Wilderness in the cabins. My family is myself, DH, DD20, DD17 and DS7 at that time. We had lots of room and enjoyed the quiet and the beauty of the grounds.

 

[wendow]

We recently returned from a split-stay at POR and at BLT. We loved POR but we desperately needed a second bathroom and loved being able to spread out once we moved to BLT. Our youngest will be 3 next time we go so we'll no longer fit in a single room at POR and we'd need two rooms. I'd be ok with that but for that much money, we can stay in a villa with a full kitchen and washer/dryer. Not sure what we will do next time we go. I've looked into the Wilderness cabins but I really feel we need 2 bathrooms. It might be a great option for you though if you are ok with just the one bath.

 

[maxiesmom]

You could still stay in one room at most deluxe resorts. Only the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge won't allow 5 in a standard room. But you could do a villa at either resort.


I travel to WDW quite often with extended family. With 6 or 8 people we have done:

2 rooms at value, moderate, and deluxe resorts.

An All Star Family Suite. The 6 of us who stayed in the Family Suite loved it! The fold outs were very comfy, and it was nice having a kitchenette and a second bathroom. The only real downside is the lack of hot tub and pool slide. But that is the trade off you make when you stay at value resorts.

One room at POR. I love POR, but I didn't love it so much when we were all packed into one room.

We also rented points for a 2 bedroom villa at the Beach Club. Loved the room set up, was a little disappointed with the resort itself. The bus service to MK and AK is poor, and I missed having a decent quick service restaurant.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[FigmentChick]

We always stay at POR (Port Orleans Riverside). We seem to fit just fine. We are considering getting a blow-up bed for our next trip, though....just so each kid can sleep by themselves. We'll see, though.

 

[nanhol]

We've stayed at the Poly and CR and we will be staying at the Beach Club + 1 extra night at CR (with a cruise in between) for our next trip. I loved being on the monorail at the Poly & CR, but we want to try out the Epcot deluxe resorts this time around. We will love being able to walk to Epcot and to walk or ride a boat to HS.

I've heard some really negative things about the bus to MK from the BC/YC--I'm thinkinb about hiring a taxi for the ride, especially when we have ADRs at the Poly. One or two taxi rides will be worth it for the peace of mind we'll gain!

 

[mickeynut1]

We just returned from a great stay at Wilderness Lodge. We are 2 adults, 2 kids and an infant. When checking into the bounce back offer, we were told we can't stay in a single room there as we will be 2 adults and 3 kids next year. We like the Deluxes and have stayed at WL, GF and the Poly. We are open to other resorts. What are the options? I know about the Villas and DVC but we like the themes of the regular resorts. Concierge is pricey so we are trying not to go that high.

Any of the deluxe resorts (with the exception of WL and AKL) all accommodate 5 + 1 under the age of 3 in a regular room; with the WL and AKL accommodating 4 + 1 under the age of 3. With that said, depending on how old the infant will be next year, the WL could still be a possibility if he/she isn't 3 yet at the time of your trip. As far as the monorail and Epcot resorts go, our favorite is the Poly, but we also loved our stays at the GF and BC. The rooms at the Epcot resorts are not as big as the Poly and GF, but are slightly larger than the rooms at the WL. The CR is also an option, with the garden wing rooms being cheaper than the tower rooms.

 

[memakwed]

We've looked into this several times. Last two trips have been party of 5(myself DH DS and my parent's) and next trip a party of 7(myself DH DS, my parent's and god parent's). We go in value season and price wise it has always been the best choice for us to do 2 rooms at a mod(POR) that are adjoining. We get two bathrooms keep the door open during the day between the rooms and then at night my parent's have their own space but for you guys the door could just stay open so everyone is happy and together.

 

[klinlin]

We have friends (family of 5 all 6ft plus) who swear by the Ft. Wilderness cabins. Love the space, the kitchen and proximity to MK. Have a great trip!

 

[maxiesmom]

We've looked into this several times. Last two trips have been party of 5(myself DH DS and my parent's) and next trip a party of 7(myself DH DS, my parent's and god parent's). We go in value season and price wise it has always been the best choice for us to do 2 rooms at a mod(POR) that are adjoining. We get two bathrooms keep the door open during the day between the rooms and then at night my parent's have their own space but for you guys the door could just stay open so everyone is happy and together.

As an fyi, in Disney-speak what you had were connecting rooms. Those are the rooms with the inside door between them. Adjoining rooms are just rooms that are near each other.

If someone wants to request one or the other, they need to make sure the know what they are asking for.

 

[princessluvsapirate]

Another family of 5 and love the cabins in Ft . Wilderness . So peaceful at night .

 

[Megsie1000]

We have stayed at the Contemporary and the Beach Club with 5 and been very comfortable. This January I am hoping to try a split stay starting with 2 connecting rooms at the Pop and then moving to the Polynesian (one room) for the final 2 nights. That will only work if the discounts work, though. LOL

Other things we have looked into: All in one room at the Port Orleans Riverside (would definitely be tight but the most economical), Cabins at the Wilderness Campground (this looks fun but more inconvenient if you are commando park-goers like we are), 2 connecting rooms at any of the values (hoping to try this in January) or a family suite at ASM or the new AoA resort.

We have also stayed off-site and rented a house. I did like that a lot more when we had babies because of needing to get more diapers or if they got sick or whatever. But as my kids get older I enjoy staying on-site more.

 

[4kids4karen]

If you have any affiliation with the military, Shades of Green standard rooms sleeps five. It is walking distance to the Poly.

 

[4kids4karen]

My family loves the cabins as well. We are a family of six. However, when we stay at the cabins we do not visit any parks. We just enjoy the campgrounds.

In fact, we are going to try the tent camping next. We tent camp at state parks often but never Disney. Since we love the campground and cabins we figure why not give it a try. Again, no parks will be visited. All four of my kids say they are tired of disney parks. I guess that is what happens when you take them there too often when they are young. Mine are 9, 10, 18, and 20.

 

[Wendy98]

My youngest just turned 3 in July, so we are now officially a family of five. Even when he was free, we love the 1 bedroom DVC. We have stayed at BLT, Villas at WL, and BW Villas. Unfortunately, we can no longer stay in most 1 bedroom villas anymore. Most only accommodate 4. For this next trip, we are staying at AKL Villas and BLT (those both accommodate 5).

I know we could fit in a reg. room at most deluxes. It is just too cramped for us. I have 2 kids that still take a nap and a husband who snores loudly. We need some seperation.

 

[LuvLDM]

We are a family of 5, we get connecting rooms at a moderate.
One hotel room doesn't work for us, we need room to spread out and we really appreciate having two bathrooms.
We have considered renting DVC points for a two bedroom but two rooms at a moderate is generally cheaper.

 

[kamabet]

We are also a family of 5. We have stayed at Fort Wilderness cabins once and really liked them and that extra space, but sadly, my oldest daughter had really bad seasonal allergies and needed to be moved to POR. POR was our go to hotel when the girls were younger. Now that they are teenagers we opt for 2 rooms at Pop Century. It gives them their own room and allows me and DH to keep our mental health in tact.

 

[2BoysMom]

We are a family of 5 and have stayed at the FW cabins a few times, POR a few times (and again this Friday), the Poly and Bonnet Creek (on property/off-site). My DH has a conference this weekend, so we will be trying out the Swan & Dolphin for the first time (for free!).

My favorite is the Poly, my kids are young so the monorail resorts are great for us. When we do a lower price point, we almost always do POR. I am excited to see the newly remodeled rooms that now have 2 Queen beds instead of full, and a Murphy/daybed, instead of a trundle.

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

My youngest just turned 3 in July, so we are now officially a family of five. Even when he was free, we love the 1 bedroom DVC. We have stayed at BLT, Villas at WL, and BW Villas. Unfortunately, we can no longer stay in most 1 bedroom villas anymore. Most only accommodate 4. For this next trip, we are staying at AKL Villas and BLT (those both accommodate 5).

I know we could fit in a reg. room at most deluxes. It is just too cramped for us. I have 2 kids that still take a nap and a husband who snores loudly. We need some seperation.

Actually, all one bedrooms accommodate 5, you just have to supply your own bedding (like an air mattress) in those without a sleeper chair.