Family Of 5 On-site Options

[Coconuts]

We will soon be a family of 5 and are planning a trip for Fall 2009. Where on site would you recommend, considering any budget and kids ages 8, 6, 1 1/2? Thanks for the input.

 

[disneydance]

Well you could stay at any resort onsite as the youngest is under 3 i would reccommend possibly a mod maybe POR since the have a pull out bed for extra room if your interested in deluxe i would reccomend Poly or CR since you would get a day bed

 

[dgaston]

I would also look into All Star Music family suites (Queen bed for mom and Dad), POR with the trundle, and cabins at Ft Wilderness. You could also look into renting points from a DVC member for either a studio or 1 br. I'd recommend the 1 br at OKW -- huge, but all DVC 1 br include a washer and dryer -- great for the 1 1/2 year old. Who am I kidding? Great for me!

 

[churchstein]

I highly recommend All Star Music Family Suites!!

 

[Aliceacc]

First of all, join AAA so you can get their discount!

My kids will be 10, 8 and 6 when we go this August. I agonized over the choice of resorts for ages. I had pretty much decided on the Family Suite at All Star Music-- it's a great value for the money.

My other prime contender was one of the beds with a Trundle at POR. Take a look there and do the math-- the pool looks amazing!

But also do the math for the cheapest room at the Contemporary. With the AAA discount, it wasn't THAT much more than my other options. And there's the HUGE consideration that the Magic Kingdom is a monorail ride or even a WALK away!!! (imagine your youngest child, in 90 degree heat, overtired and hungry. Now imagine a 10 minute walk to a pool or a nap.)That's what we eventually booked, to my delight.

When we got the elusive PIN code for 40% off, we upgraded and still saved money. Had the pin not come in the mail, I would have been thrilled with our arrangements at the Contemporary.

I say hit the reservations site, get the numbers for all the options (even at this year's prices; at least it will give you a ballpark idea) then see what your gut tells you.

 

[raider97]

We stayed at Pop this past April and had lots of fun. My kids were almost 5, 3, and 16 months. The next time we go we are hoping to stay at POR.

 

[southtexasmom]

We are a family of 6, my kids are 15, 12, 5 and 2. We've been 4 times, last year we rented points and stayed in a 2 bedroom at Saratoga Springs. It was wonderful with the full kitchen, 2 bathrooms and washer/dryer. We are now DVC members and will never stay without a full kitchen and washer/dryer again.

 

[Coconuts]

First of all, join AAA so you can get their discount!

My kids will be 10, 8 and 6 when we go this August. I agonized over the choice of resorts for ages. I had pretty much decided on the Family Suite at All Star Music-- it's a great value for the money.

My other prime contender was one of the beds with a Trundle at POR. Take a look there and do the math-- the pool looks amazing!

But also do the math for the cheapest room at the Contemporary. With the AAA discount, it wasn't THAT much more than my other options. And there's the HUGE consideration that the Magic Kingdom is a monorail ride or even a WALK away!!! (imagine your youngest child, in 90 degree heat, overtired and hungry. Now imagine a 10 minute walk to a pool or a nap.)That's what we eventually booked, to my delight.

When we got the elusive PIN code for 40% off, we upgraded and still saved money. Had the pin not come in the mail, I would have been thrilled with our arrangements at the Contemporary.

I say hit the reservations site, get the numbers for all the options (even at this year's prices; at least it will give you a ballpark idea) then see what your gut tells you.

Thanks for all the input. Where and how do I get the pin codes/discounts? We have stayed twice in the past 2 years and never got anything in the mail, which I heard others have.

 

[Aliceacc]

Nobody really knows. It's either total chance or a complicated mathematical algorithm. But in spiite of the way it reads here, it seems that a very tiny percentage of people actually get the codes. I've used up all my good luck for the next 20 years on the one I got, I'm sure.

Join the thread (or start one) on discount codes for the months you're considering. And keep an eye on www.mousesavers.com And start with AAA-- that 20% discount is pretty decent as a starting off place.

 

[Deb & Bill]

For the least expensive on site stay, stay in any of the Value resorts in a single room. With your youngest under the age of three, he/she doesn't count towards room occupancy. So, technically, you are a family of four plus one under the age of three. When the baby turns three, that's when you need to worry about rooms that sleep at least five.

Even renting a DVC reservation from a member for a one bedroom villa will cost more than a stay in a single Value room.

Enjoy your stay.