Family of 5 resort options

[OhStuffandFluff]

Hello to all!
We are in the beginning stages of planning a July 2019 trip to WDW. Our youngest DD is now 3, thus making us look at resorts that accommodate 5 people. Which resort would you recommend? We do not want one that is too spread out or break the bank. If this helps, we have stayed at ASM, POP, POFQ, and POR. Our favorite resort overall has been POFQ and POP. Thanks for all your help and MAY the 4th be with YOU!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Your lowest-cost on-site options would be Port Orleans Riverside or Caribbean Beach Resort, although CBR may increase when the gondolas come online.

Costlier options would be a suite at Art of Animation or All Star Music, or a deluxe unit at Contemporary, Poly, Grand Floridian, Boardwalk Inn or BC/YC.

DVC studios that sleep 5 exist at Poly, VGF, Beach Club, Boardwalk and Boulder Ridge Villas. There are also 1BR units at several resorts that sleep 5, but they represent a bit of a price jump.

 

[Marionnette]

Hello to all!
We are in the beginning stages of planning a July 2019 trip to WDW. Our youngest DD is now 3, thus making us look at resorts that accommodate 5 people. Which resort would you recommend? We do not want one that is too spread out or break the bank. If this helps, we have stayed at ASM, POP, POFQ, and POR. Our favorite resort overall has been POFQ and POP. Thanks for all your help and MAY the 4th be with YOU!

Any of the family suites in the value resorts, POR, CBR, and the FW Cabins. Many of the DVC studios (BCV, BWV, BRV, PVB, VGF) and most of the deluxe resorts (YC/BC, BWI, CR, GF, Poly). It all depends on how much you want to spend and how much space you want.

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

Our group of 5 loves the Art of Animation family suites. When we have stayed in the Cars section our walk was always reasonable, & I love the bus service and theming there. I'd consider the All Star Music family suites too, if the budget is a concern (I haven't been there yet though; DH is not interested so far).

We also have stayed at Caribbean Beach, in a room with a Murphy bed. We like POR better than that.

Perhaps a Fort Wilderness cabin?

To save $, another option is renting DVC points. Many of those resorts fit 5, and in the off season the cost isn't too bad.

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

Any of the family suites in the value resorts, POR, CBR, and the FW Cabins. Many of the DVC studios (BCV, BWV, BRV, PVB, VGF) and most of the deluxe resorts (YC/BC, BWI, CR, GF, Poly). It all depends on how much you want to spend and how much space you want.

We aren't picky about the space of the room. We are open-close park goers so the room is basically just for sleeping We have thought about making coming back a couple afternoons during our trip to take a break at the resort pool. But other than that are biggest needs are close to transportation and the main food court. Thanks!

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

Our group of 5 loves the Art of Animation family suites. When we have stayed in the Cars section our walk was always reasonable, & I love the bus service and theming there. I'd consider the All Star Music family suites too, if the budget is a concern (I haven't been there yet though; DH is not interested so far).

We also have stayed at Caribbean Beach, in a room with a Murphy bed. We like POR better than that.

Perhaps a Fort Wilderness cabin?

To save $, another option is renting DVC points. Many of those resorts fit 5, and in the off season the cost isn't too bad.

We have never rented DVC points. Is that difficult to do? Is that something we can do through a travel agent to help navigate the process?

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

We have never rented DVC points. Is that difficult to do? Is that something we can do through a travel agent to help navigate the process?

I don't think it can go through a travel agent. I used David's DVC Rentals for our Aulani stay. One nice perk was it included free parking bc DVC owners have it. I hope the same would be true staying at WDW?

There are other companies too. We got trip insurance for peace of mind bc you cannot cancel a reservation made this way normally.

It was easy to do, but it's best to put in a request early, ideally 11 months in advance of your travel dates. That ensures best chance at availability.

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

I don't think it can go through a travel agent. I used David's DVC Rentals for our Aulani stay. One nice perk was it included free parking bc DVC owners have it. I hope the same would be true staying at WDW?

There are other companies too. We got trip insurance for peace of mind bc you cannot cancel a reservation made this way normally.

It was easy to do, but it's best to put in a request early, ideally 11 months in advance of your travel dates. That ensures best chance at availability.

Thank you!

 

[OhStuffandFluff]

I don't think it can go through a travel agent. I used David's DVC Rentals for our Aulani stay. One nice perk was it included free parking bc DVC owners have it. I hope the same would be true staying at WDW?

There are other companies too. We got trip insurance for peace of mind bc you cannot cancel a reservation made this way normally.

It was easy to do, but it's best to put in a request early, ideally 11 months in advance of your travel dates. That ensures best chance at availability.

Another question - can you add the dining plan onto this type of reservation?

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

Another question - can you add the dining plan onto this type of reservation?

Yes, at least through David's you can, so I expect it would be possible elsewhere too.

This is probably obvious, but just in case - you can only get the dining plan you purchase. Not free dining.

 

[Marionnette]

We aren't picky about the space of the room. We are open-close park goers so the room is basically just for sleeping We have thought about making coming back a couple afternoons during our trip to take a break at the resort pool. But other than that are biggest needs are close to transportation and the main food court. Thanks!

CBR has a bus loop which means that you could be close to transportation and still be a distance from Old Port Royal Centertown. Pay a premium for a preferred room close to the lobby and food court.

All of the AoA family suites are near transportation. Some are closer to it than others. "Near transportation" is just a request and is not promised. However, the food court has a pretty good selection.

ASMu family suites are in Jazz and Calypso. Those buildings are closest to Melody Hall.

POR has multiple bus stops as you probably already know. The rooms that will accommodate 5 people are located in Alligator Bayou. You will pay a premium to have a preferred room close to the Sassagoula Steamboat Co. (Lobby/Food Court).

FW Cabins are in the campgrounds. There are internal bus loops for getting to boat transportation and Pioneer Hall.

Deluxe resorts and the DVC resorts that accommodate 5 in a studio have only one bus stop. BWV/BWI does not have a food court. Poly, CR and GF also have boat transportation to the MK plus the monorail. BWI and YC/BC have boat transportation to Epcot and HS.

 

[BrianL]

The family suites at All-Star Music are wonderful. They have two full bathrooms! I have said it before, but I can't overstate enough how convenient that is. There were only three of us and it was so worth it just for that perk. The room is pretty decent too if nothing special, and there are actually three fold-out beds, the couch, the chair, and the ottoman that becomes a full twin. The kids wouldn't even have to share. The Suites are close to the front, and thus transportation (well, the building wa got was the further one, but they are certainly closer than some of the outlying buildings). Anyway, I found these rooms to be a great choice.

 

[Marionnette]

We have never rented DVC points. Is that difficult to do? Is that something we can do through a travel agent to help navigate the process?

It's as easy as contacting a broker, like David's, who will match your request with an owner that has points they are willing to use to secure your reservation. It's as difficult as negotiating on your own privately with an owner who has advertised available points on the Rent/Trade Board. Just make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terms because in most cases, there are no changes and no refunds.

Another question - can you add the dining plan onto this type of reservation?

Yes, whether you go thru David's or privately. Payment in full is required at the time that the dining plan is added.

 

[pixiegoose]

We have never rented DVC points. Is that difficult to do? Is that something we can do through a travel agent to help navigate the process?

Here’s the FAQ for David’s- https://www.dvcrequest.com/faq.asp

There are other reputable companies to rent through, too, but David’s is a board sponsor. Personally we’re renting from a friend for our December trip. He’s giving us a deal so we’re staying in a deluxe studio at Old Key West for roughly rack rate at Pop.

 

[SharonZ]

Keep in mind when renting points that you normally pay upfront, no changes to reservations, no cancellations.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Hello to all!
We are in the beginning stages of planning a July 2019 trip to WDW. Our youngest DD is now 3, thus making us look at resorts that accommodate 5 people. Which resort would you recommend? We do not want one that is too spread out or break the bank. If this helps, we have stayed at ASM, POP, POFQ, and POR. Our favorite resort overall has been POFQ and POP. Thanks for all your help and MAY the 4th be with YOU!

Agree with PP on what resorts might work. Given your youngest is 3 the pull down beds under the TVs are a good, cost effective option, they are small but just right for kids. If you do require more space that those rooms allow, you could do the DVC studios/1 bedrooms and DVC rental points, I think that if you have a good lead time, you can get a great deal that way but you do need to have your dates picked out pretty far in advance to access those points to rent or you can get lucky with last minute deals but those obviously don't offer much in the way of flexibility.