Family of 5 -Parents & 3 kids cant stay at a Value?

[_auroraborealis_]

Actually, fire code isn't just room occupancy on a single room basis, but based on the entire building, fire exits size and locations, windows, and other factors. It isn't just "X persons per square feet" on a room by room basis.

One of the reasons infants are treated differently is because they use fire exits differently.

 

[Pembo]

We are a family of 5. We've stayed at POR a few times and offsite in a condo. The condo visits were our most relaxing vacations. We had plenty of room to spread out, the complex had a great pool with slide and we saved on meals by having a full kitchen. I didn't cook a full meal but frozen pizza from the grocery store was a hit on vacation.

The plus side of POR was the pools with slides (my kids love a good pool slide) and the ability for me to leave early in the morning with the younger one and DH could stay out later with the older ones.

Either way, it was a great time in WDW.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I don't even try to argue that point anymore. Disney converted POR, CBR, and various studios to "sleep 5" by adding the pull down bunk -- but they didn't add any extra square footage. So, does that mean they could sleep 5 all along??? And since when is "fire code" dictated by the age of occupants? So, the Fire Marshall says you CAN have a child that is 2y11m in a room, but once they turn 3 you are over the limit? No. That is Disney rules.

Like you said, it's all about the $.

Eh, it's more of an American industry standard, not really Disney rules. There are hotel rooms the same size in other countries with a maximum occupancy of 2 or 3.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Eh, it's more of an American industry standard, not really Disney rules. There are hotel rooms the same size in other countries with a maximum occupancy of 2 or 3.

In my experience, as a family of 5, it's more Disney and less American industry. I've had no problem reserving a room for 5 at most Hilton and Marriott chains (outside the Disney bubble). I call (not book online) and say "I have 3 kids, the youngest is 4. Can we reserve 1 room?" Overwhelmingly the answer is yes - I've never been told no.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Yes, most major chains have suites hotels that are meant to accommodate larger parties.

The bottom line is having a larger family is more expensive, and most things are designed for the "typical family of 4."

Remember you are not just paying for a bed to sleep in. After all, I pay the same rate for my hotel room as a family of four who may potentially be using twice as many utilities over the same length of stay.

Here is a useful website for larger families to find suitable accommodations: http://www.sixsuitcasetravel.com/

 

[megs1313]

Maybe I shouldn't admit it, but when we were thinking about a third child, I actually considered how it would change the way we vacationed. We had previously only stayed deluxe (so spoiled) and then we had #3 and now it's mods all the way. Wouldn't trade her, though.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Maybe I shouldn't admit it, but when we were thinking about a third child, I actually considered how it would change the way we vacationed. We had previously only stayed deluxe (so spoiled) and then we had #3 and now it's mods all the way. Wouldn't trade her, though.

This is comparable to our experience going from four kids to five. As a family of six, at least we could all still stay in one suite for six which most hotels have. Now as a family of seven we don't fit anywhere . But I wouldn't have it any other way. To be able to travel with a family our size is a blessing. There are some people that are shocked to see all of us out and about together at the zoo or local amusement park . But like I said before, Disney resorts (in our experience) are more "large family friendly" than other places we've vacationed. For other trips we've taken since having our fifth child we tried reserving hotel suites that sleep six even when our youngest was barely walking and was told by multiple hotels that she still "counted" and that we would exceed the room occupancy limit. If you do choose to stay offsite for Disney, at least there are really nice places that are still reasonably close to the parks. It took us around ten minutes to drive from our Windsor Hills condo to Epcot and DHS (maybe a couple minutes less for AK and a couple minutes more for the TTC/MK parking lot).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I agree with the money grab regarding maximum occupancy in a room but I've heard plumbing may be another reason.

I lived in an apartment years ago and the people below me would often times have 8 or more people in that one bedroom apartment for a week. The office told me one of the big reasons they have occupancy rules is the septic systems in small places aren't made to handle that many people.

I'm no expert in any of this but it's just what I heard.

 

[Eli's 1st trip]

Sorry everyone my thread was really just a whiny complaint. We will be going back and Im sure it will be in a mod, and during a free dining time. LOL It just how we plan. I was just sulking that day. You all have given me lots to think about though- thanks so much

 

[maxiesmom]

In my experience, as a family of 5, it's more Disney and less American industry. I've had no problem reserving a room for 5 at most Hilton and Marriott chains (outside the Disney bubble). I call (not book online) and say "I have 3 kids, the youngest is 4. Can we reserve 1 room?" Overwhelmingly the answer is yes - I've never been told no.

Room occupancy also factors things in such as how many rooms there are, how wide the doorways are, how many people would have to walk out or how many would be carried (which is why age of the child is important) how tall the buildings are, if there are elevators or not...and on and on. It is fine if those other chains want to allow you to have "extras" but if Disney did the same, word would get out and it would be a huge mess. People complaining if they are not allowed to, talk about it being unfair and maybe even suing for discrimination. Can't blame Disney one bit for not bending on room occupancy. Much simpler for them to have a line in the sand they don't cross ever.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry everyone my thread was really just a whiny complaint. We will be going back and Im sure it will be in a mod, and during a free dining time. LOL It just how we plan. I was just sulking that day. You all have given me lots to think about though- thanks so much

Hey, I don't think anyone blames you. It is a bit of a bummer that a larger family has to pay more, but I would wager you are used to it. At the grocery store, at the shoe store, at the car lot.....

 

[5kidsmommy]

Hey, I don't think anyone blames you. It is a bit of a bummer that a larger family has to pay more, but I would wager you are used to it. At the grocery store, at the shoe store, at the car lot.....

It's one of the things you have to deal with when you choose to have a large family. We have five kids. Vacationing is expensive, buying food is expensive, buying a vehicle that seats all of us is expensive. It really is just part of having a large family, you eventually get used to it. Honestly though it's made me a super good budgeter. My friends are always surprised by how often we vacation with a large family, admittedly though we drive everywhere which saves a ton.

 

[Regan117]

I can't imagine that many people in one room. My best friend and I just stayed at the GF last weekend in a main building standard room. We were saying the entire time, could you imagine 5 people in this room? With the two of us and our two suitcases in there, it was crowded. When I take my husband and kids, there's also 5 of us. We always stay in suites at the deluxe resorts, but I think you would be better off getting two rooms at a value. The mods do sleep 5, but you would have more beds and more bathrooms getting two value rooms that connect.

 

[gatormom2tots]

I feel your pain....now that our youngest is about to turn 3 we are completely forced off property because we are now a family of six. We do love the extra space off an off property house...but miss staying on property as well. We actually did CBR this summer for the onsite benefits while concurrently having a 4 bedroom house in Windsor. We were there for 2 weeks so I think we would have killed each other if CBR was our only place to stay! We mainly used it for naps and pool during the day and to allow us to split between parks.

We have rented points and stayed at a 2 bedroom DVC, but even that costs easily twice as much as staying off site.

 

[plumsiren]

Literally just found out a few hours ago that BFF is pregnant with #3 - now I'm wondering how this will affect future Disney vacations! She's already said I can go on 7DMT in her place this time around - hooray!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I feel your pain....now that our youngest is about to turn 3 we are completely forced off property because we are now a family of six. We do love the extra space off an off property house...but miss staying on property as well. We actually did CBR this summer for the onsite benefits while concurrently having a 4 bedroom house in Windsor. We were there for 2 weeks so I think we would have killed each other if CBR was our only place to stay! We mainly used it for naps and pool during the day and to allow us to split between parks.

We have rented points and stayed at a 2 bedroom DVC, but even that costs easily twice as much as staying off site.

Fort Wilderness cabins sleep six.

 

[Nancyg56]

Do a moderate that sleeps 5. Bigger rooms, better pools and more amenities.

I agree. With 6 people look at CBR and POR. Both can accomodate 5. The mods are great once your family begins getting a little older, there is a lot to do, and if you consider the free dining package, you may save money over the value if you like to book TS meals, especially character meals.

Thanks for all the idea peeps!! We have stayed at the Mods before...bc my MIL has come with us previous trips and #3 kids was under 3 but now MIL isnt coming and #3 is over 3...Staying off site is not an option for us...with 3 boys 9,6,and 3 they eat WAY TOO MUCH NOT to be on the dining plan, they eat eat eat...I would spend way to much on food if we stayed off sight...I PRAY for Free Dining...
SOOOO I guess I have some resort research to do...Thanks again everyone!!

Yes, I also consider those crazy food prices. WIth kids, this is a good way to manage your food budget. I know I know!!!! It is not financially great for some, but with the size of your family in a mod, it may be better than a RO discount.

I can't imagine that many people in one room. My best friend and I just stayed at the GF last weekend in a main building standard room. We were saying the entire time, could you imagine 5 people in this room? With the two of us and our two suitcases in there, it was crowded. When I take my husband and kids, there's also 5 of us. We always stay in suites at the deluxe resorts, but I think you would be better off getting two rooms at a value. The mods do sleep 5, but you would have more beds and more bathrooms getting two value rooms that connect.

Everyone travels differently. When we have 5, we stay deluxe, but we could manage well even in a moderate. It does depend on who we travel with though, I have three adult kids, and while I love my oldest he would never be able to share a room with anyone. My younger son or my daughter? Not a problem, we all often travel together as a larger group, book two rooms and we are good to go.

One thing is we never leave anything hanging around, not suitcases not anything. We organize before we get there so our space is not crowded with stuff all over. I traveled one time with my sister in law, and never again! Her suitcase, her clothes, shoes, shopping bags, her personal hygiene things....it looked like a bomb went off.

 

[maxiesmom]

Fort Wilderness cabins sleep six.

As do the family suites at AoA and the All Star Music. No one is "forced" off site. Disney will take a family of 6's money just as easily as a family of 4's.