Family of 5 - Where to stay

[gsmith0113]

We just got back from WDW (stayed at CBR) and are talking about our next trip, so the subject of where to stay has come up. There will be 5 of us (kids are going to be 7, 4, and 2 when we go back). The one issue that we had with CBR was that the bus seemed to take a very long time if we didn't go first thing in the morning (almost 20 mins to go around the resort).
Any suggestions? We are thinking AoA suites or going to a monorail resort, but are open to anything.
Thanks

 

[tzolkin]

In order of price (low to high):
One room at POR or CBR
Two rooms at a value (not guaranteed connecting)
ASMusic Family Suite
FW Cabin
AoA suite
Any Disney deluxe that allows 5

Another option is the Dolphin. They have good discounts for teachers, nurses, etc that make the prices similar to a moderate, but they have the Epcot Resort/Boardwalk area location. This is our favorite area (Disney Deluxe if we want to spend the extra money) because we spend a lot of time at Epcot and enjoy being able to walk there and to HS.

Also, just wanted to note that you don't actually need a room that allows 5 since your youngest will only be two. You can stay in any four person room. Personally, I might take that option if you think you will be taking more trips in the future. We tried to do as much 4-person max as we could before our youngest turned three, because after that you lose the opportunity to stay there without paying for two rooms.

We never had any problems with busses at POR or CBR, but that may depend on what stop you're located near.

 

[gsmith0113]

In order of price (low to high):
One room at POR or CBR
Two rooms at a value (not guaranteed connecting)
ASMusic Family Suite
FW Cabin
AoA suite
Any Disney deluxe that allows 5

Another option is the Dolphin. They have good discounts for teachers, nurses, etc that make the prices similar to a moderate, but they have the Epcot Resort/Boardwalk area location. This is our favorite area (Disney Deluxe if we want to spend the extra money) because we spend a lot of time at Epcot and enjoy being able to walk there and to HS.

Also, just wanted to note that you don't actually need a room that allows 5 since your youngest will only be two. You can stay in any four person room. Personally, I might take that option if you think you will be taking more trips in the future. We tried to do as much 4-person max as we could before our youngest turned three, because after that you lose the opportunity to stay there without paying for two rooms.

We never had any problems with busses at POR or CBR, but that may depend on what stop you're located near.

Thanks for the response tzolkin. we are trying to figure out what works for us. I know that AoA only has one bus stop, so getting to and from the park is a bit easier (but perhaps more crowded) and any of the monorail resorts are easy to get to MK and Epcot. I hadn't thought about the Dolphin, but will look into it. Any thoughts on the other Epcot resorts (Boardwalk/Yacht and Beach)?
With discounts, it looks like the AoA suites are close to deluxe in price

 

[tzolkin]

Last trip we stayed at the Dolphin and then just one night at the Yacht Club (Dolphin was not available our last night). The Yacht Club & Beach Club have the best pool (especially for younger kids) and it's so close to Epcot. If money is not a factor I would highly recommend. (They do offer 30% off if you are able to go during a time the discount is offered) DH is a nurse and we got a great discount at the Dolphin (same price as CBR).

From all the Epcot area resorts you can either walk or take the boat to Epcot and HS. We had good bus service to MK and AK.

 

[Spunky946]

With your youngest being only 2, you can fit in any room on property that sleeps 4, because the youngest is free. You could do a room at the wilderness lodge. It is a deluxe resort, but a little less expensive then the monorail resorts, but still a boat ride away from mk.

 

[kohlby]

Is there a hotel that you really want to stay at that has a max of 4 per a room? If so - choose that one! We did AKL when my youngest was 2.5 since once they turn 3, they count in the room count and we're also a family of 5. We normally stay at Dolphin, which allows 5 regardless of the children's ages.

 

[Juliet25]

I agree with the pp. Stay some place to you want to try as a family of four. I would choose either the AKL or WL. Both are deluxes but their price point is lower.

 

[happymommy]

Oh my gosh, I would totally go with AOA suites!
My DD and I just stayed at Pop, and we totally loved it. With AOA you would get an extra bathroom, and so much space.
The bus service is so good I think.
No way would I want to share one room - go with the suite!

 

[4crazykidz]

With 5, I'd do Port Orleans. I will sleep in a trundle, but it works out great!

 

[mrsp1030]

We are a family of 5 and typically rent points to stay in a studio. We have done AKL - Jambo House before our youngest turned 3, WL studio, VGF studio and will now be doing Polynesian studio. We loved the split bathroom layout at VGF and having access to laundry is always a plus for us!!!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I love the savings, room and convienance at Windsor Hills. We stay at a three bedroom on Maneshaw, Debbie Askerish I think her name is. If you YouTube a video for Windsor Hills, Maneshaw you can find the two story Disney themed home. It has three bedrooms and baths, washer and dryer on the second floor. Full kitchen and living room. The pool is enclosed, covered and gated.

I paid $599 with $75 cleaning fee last Fall. I was spoiled by the room, king bedroom, and only minutes from the gates. The savings is amazing and I felt like I was on a real vacation instead of cramped in a room. They are super clean, if you have any problem, Dave is a phone call away. There is no daily maid service, just the cleaning fee the end of the stay. Towels, dishes, pots etc are there. Nearby are many nice places to eat, or stop for som

 

[kandb]

Is there a hotel that you really want to stay at that has a max of 4 per a room? If so - choose that one! We did AKL when my youngest was 2.5 since once they turn 3, they count in the room count and we're also a family of 5. We normally stay at Dolphin, which allows 5 regardless of the children's ages.

We are a family of 5 and I thought the Dolphin only slept 4, unless you get a suite? Am I mistaken? They have 2 queen beds in the room, where do you put the fifth person? Do they have rollaways?

 

[tzolkin]

We are a family of 5 and I thought the Dolphin only slept 4, unless you get a suite? Am I mistaken? They have 2 queen beds in the room, where do you put the fifth person? Do they have rollaways?

Dolphin allows 5 (Swan only allows 4).

A rollaway bed is $25/night. We drive, so we just brought an air mattress for my youngest. There is plenty of room to leave either set up the whole trip.

The murphy beds at POR and CBR are more convenient, but location was a priority last trip and the Dolphin was the same price as the moderates so it was worth bringing the air mattress.

 

[ajwolfe]

We did POR as a family of 5 on the last trip and was happy with it. The murphy bed was convenient and according to our youngest was comfy! The resort itself is also very nice.

 

[Dismama2boys]

We stay at Wyndam Bonnet Creek, and I will never stay on property again, we were so spoiled there. Bet we're not bus people, so that's a big issue. We can, but won't, pay Disney prices for a similar space (large 2 bed/2 bath for about $100 a night at Bonnet Creek).