Family of 5 on budget

[magooflorida]

Hi there...

My family and I consist of me, my hubby and our three girls...ages 9, 7 and 4. We have usually stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside, but have never had a problem getting into Wilderness Lodge in a standard room or the Poly etc... Now all of a sudden they say we would need two rooms with the exception of POR because they have the trundle bed there. My girls are little....my older two could share a queen sized bed and my four year old could sleep in between my hubby and myself. Is there anyway around this? Can I just lie and say we only have four in the family??? We are on a budget and really cannot afford two room, and the POR is booked. Any suggestions?

Therese

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by magooflorida
never had a problem getting into Wilderness Lodge in a standard room or the Poly etc

They wouldn't let you stay at Polynesian? Those rooms allow 5. They have 2 queens/daybed.

 

[webray]

In order for your girls to share a queen size bed..you would have to go to a deluxe resort.

Why not try the swan or dolphin.

 

[magooflorida]

Thanks for the responses... Bojangles...I meant that we never had a problem at the Poly...we have stayed there before but we are trying to cut costs this time around. Does anyone know how much the Swan and Dolphin are? Do those rooms accomodate 5? Would anyone suggest two rooms at a value resort? I have never stayed at any of those before.

Therese

 

[Divamomto3]

If the Wilderness Lodge is in your budget, then why not try the Contemporary, Polynesian, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan, or Dolphin, which allow 5 in their standard rooms which have 2 Queens and 1 Daybed. Then you don't have to lie or squeeze a 4 year old between you all week! Or try 2 connecting rooms at the Pop Century.

 

[magooflorida]

Hi DivaMom,

Well, WL WAS in our budet a few years ago, but we were trying to cut costs this time. Believe me, I would LOVE to stay at any of those deluxe resorts, but I don't think we can swing it this time. How are the value resorts such as Pop Century?

Therese

 

[Bojangles]

If you are a teacher, government employee, nurse, AP holder or AAA member you can get a good discount at Swan/Dolphin. I am pretty sure they will allow more than 4 in a room, so long as there aren't more than 4 adults. If there is a discount, it may be cheaper than 2 rooms at the AllStar.

 

[magooflorida]

Thanks Bojangles....Does Seasonal pass holder count? I also have AAA. Is there a difference between the Swan/Dolphin hotels? The rooms etc...?

Therese

 

[maggiew]

The Swan and Dolphin do not hold more than 4 unless you get a roll away.

Why not try the Hotel Royal Plaza or the Doubletree Guest Suites at Downtown Disney. Those both hold 5 and would be more budget friendly.

I also suggest you keep calling back for the Port Orleans. Spots will probably open up.

Maggie

 

[dizcrazy]

Hi,

Can I suggest you check out the other thread Where can a family of 5 stay on site? I saw a lot of good ideas posted there.

How about POFQ? If not, then I would keep calling and asking if there are any openings at POR.

 

[Bojangles]

The Swan has Queen beds and Dolphin has oversized double beds. Swan is newly renovated. I would definitely choose it over a moderate.

 

[magooflorida]

Bojangles,

Are the Swan rooms nicer than the Dolphin? I just called and I can get a rate at the Swan for $182 and the Dolphin for $162. I know the Swan rooms have been renovated which is why she said they are $20 more, but are they that much nicer?

 

[BambiTamby]

S/D are great choices!

If you're really trying to cut costs, I would suggest a couple of things.

The DIS Budget Board.
Hey! I used to hang out here ALOT when I was trying to get to WDW for little $$$.

and also, consider Priceline!
Great site to check out isBidding for travel.com .

They will show you what hotels are popping up in the PL system, research methods, and recent winning bids.
S/D has been coming up for $70 a night for June lately!

We also got the MOWC for $55 a night, gorgeous resort right outside WDW.
Watched the FWs from Epcot and DTD everynight from our balcony.

Hope these suggestions help you out!

Where there's a will.....there IS a WAY!

 

[BambiTamby]

Also......

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[Mercy]

As far as the Swan/Dolphin go, I perfer the Dolphin. The laundry is located there, also Tubbies which is a 24 hour food court thing and the Dolphin Fountain is there, which is a Ice Cream/Snack Shop. I believe the rooms are the same, just ask for a renovated room.

They allow 5 in a room there too, you could let 2 sleep in one of the beds and then bring an air mattress for the other. That's what we are planning to do.

We're staying at the Dolphin this summer, our second stay there.

 

[westjones]

We loved the Swan, but haven't tried the Dolphin yet (that would be next time).

You can walk to Epcot and MGM (although MGM is a bit of a hike) from there as well as enjoy all the Boardwalk activities. We stayed at the Swan at Christmas and walked to MGM one morning and then took the boat back for a mid day break. We walked over to Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club resort for ice cream, then we went to Epcot for the dinner and to watch the tree lighting ceremony. That evening we walked back by way of the Boardwalk and enjoyed watching a juggler and then listening to some Carolers. We went into the Boardwalk to see the decorations and got to see Santa!

There is quite a bit to entertain you over at the Epcot resort area!
DJ

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

magooflorida
As a Florida Resident you can get much better discouts then AAA Have you checked the codes on the Disney Web site or mousesavers? You should be able to get two Value Resort rooms for the price of one WL room... Wilderness Lodge also has the Jr. Suites that sleep six which they do have availiable sometimes with discounts that would be less then 2 rooms. As a Florida resident you should be able to recieve appx 45% discount off rack rate.