Family of 5, which resort?

[jennibug]

Good morning all!

I am currently planning a trip, possibly a magical gathering, for some friends and family. We have two families within our group that have 5 people in the family. The ages of the children will be 3,6,10 in one group and 4,10,12 in the other group when we leave for WDW. Which resort would be best for us? The other groups, at the most might have 4 adults in a room.

We know the kids will want to stay at a value resort, but can we squeeze everyone in?? I know that Disney won't allow more than 4 in a room at the Value resorts, but we can work around that.

What does everyone think??
THANKS!!

 

[goofy4tink]

You would be very cramped squeezing 5 in a value room. Besides, there is the issue that those over the age of 3 (if I remember correctly) will need a room key in order to prove they are on-site guests for any EMHs. Could you either stay at POR, in AB with a trundle bed, or book 3 rooms for the two families with all the kids? You could get two connecting rooms with an adjoining room..total of 3. Then split up the adults between the three rooms, sleeping with some of the kids? Sure, you could try to squeeze in a mattress but that would be really cramped.
I really think POR-AB is a better choice. Besides, they have two sinks and a privacy curtain in the vanity area....makes for much easier dressing.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I wouldn't try to fit more than 4 in a value room - it will be way too cramped. Why not try POR (trundle for 5th) or a Ft. Wilderness Cabin (sleeps 6)? Unless you have some families that only have two or three and are willing to put an extra child in with them I wouldn't go for the values. I'm sure the kids would love POR or Ft. Wilderness.

 

[Pixiedust34]

POR has a trundle bed that will be perfect for a child in a family of 5. If you stayed at a value resort, the families with 5 may have to get 2 rooms.

 

[Dadtojbj]

I personally think the AKL, WL or the BC are the best resorts for families and they all acoomodate 5 people (Deluxe rooms at AKL and WL). I think it comes down to a matter of preference in terms of theme and cost.

Good luck.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We are getting two rooms at ASmo for next August. It will be nice to have the extra bathroom and more room

 

[DeeDeeDis]

PO-Riverside has a trundle bed (slides out from under one of the queens)

AKL (and i believe WL) has rooms with queen bed, bunk beds and a couch that goes down to make a twin bed.

Also Fort Wilderness cabins sleep six.

Whats nice about the moderates and delux resorts is that they come with a fridge & coffee maker so you could keep snacks, drinks,milk, cereal, in your room so you could do breakfast in the morning.

As for one bathroom - if your a family of five you are used to sharing and waiting - and it is only for one week-your figure it out

 

[TnTWalter]

of one at POR and it was just $100 to do so. The AKL bunk bed room was $1000 more.
Trish

 

[*Fantasia*]

PO-Riverside has a trundle bed (slides out from under one of the queens)

AKL (and i believe WL) has rooms with queen bed, bunk beds and a couch that goes down to make a twin bed.

POR has two double beds NOT queen beds and the trundle bed underneath. It will accomodate 5 people.

AKL/WL has either one queen bed with bunk beds...NO couch! OR two queen beds in the standard room and can only sleep 4. WL deluxe room can sleep 6.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

Fantasi

I just returned from AK Lodge and the room my family was in (and it was just a room with a waterview) had

ONE Queen BED

ONE set of BUNKBEDS

AND I repeat

A COUCH THAT CAME DOWN TO MAKE A TWIN BED

why would i make that up??? and why are you being so nasty???

 

[*Fantasia*]

Fantasi

I just returned from AK Lodge and the room my family was in (and it was just a room with a waterview) had

ONE Queen BED

ONE set of BUNKBEDS

AND I repeat

A COUCH THAT CAME DOWN TO MAKE A TWIN BED

why would i make that up??? and why are you being so nasty???

NASTY!! Ahh... Hello!!! FORGIVE ME!!! Where is the nastiness there? You just didn't wanted to be quoted! OK... so I was wrong about AKL...FORGIVE ME PlZ!!! ????????????????????????????? I NEVER SAID YOU MADE IT UP! Okay... lighten up my friend... It's Monday!!

 

[scottcpa]

My family of 5 will be going, Lord willing, in Sept. 2006. I thought of getting two adjoining rooms at one of the All Star hotels. Any thoughts? If we request adjoining rooms, what are the chances we will get them? I assume there is a door inside the rooms that connects the two like at all other hotels, am I right? I have two girls ages 6 & 5 and a boy age 2 when travelling. Any suggestion on which All Star to pick?

Thanks!!

 

[lyncruiser]

DeeDeeDis is right. Deluxe rooms at AKL have a fold out futon style bed. We also had a queen bed and bunk beds, so it slept 5. My brother, who is over 6 feet, slept comfortably on the futon-style bed.

Scottcpa -- if you want a connecting door between the rooms, you should request a connecting room rather than an adjoining room since adjoining means next to, but doesn't necessarily mean a connecting door. I understand if you have children in one room and adults in the other, Disney will guarantee a connecting room for the children's safety. I don't have experience requesting this so others can speak as to whether Disney can be relied on in that respect.

My own view is the absolute best place for a family of 5 with three kids is the Contemporary. The rooms are the largest on property and very comfortable with two twins and a fold down sofa-style bed. The garden wing rooms are often available at something of a discount and the convenience of the monorail, especially with one or more strollers in tow, can't be beat. I would much prefer one CR wing room to two rooms at a value if the price is about the same.

 

[lyncruiser]

Oops, I meant CR rooms have two queens (not two twins!).

 

[my4kids]

we are a family of six - one is in a crib. We are getting 2 rooms at the ASMo.
It may not come with a fridge or micro. - but you can rent them for like $10 each for the week - Which is way cheaper than the cost difference of the room. Plus you get 2 bathrooms and "privacy" for the adults - Biggest issue for us is 2 TV's - I do get tired of not being allowed to see the news because "my favorite cartoon is on" . Its was about a couple hundred more for a whole week of 2 rooms at all star than 1 room with trundle at port Orleans.....Unless money is no issue with you - I don't think the value and accomadations can be beat with 2 rooms at an all-star.

 

[nliedel]

We have the same problem this week and are staying at POR. Which is fine this year but with the babies coming along in the future we are going to be moving the Goat Rodeo to the Wilderness Cabins.

 

[WAHMto5]

We have stayed at the POR when we had just 5 and it was just fine, as long as one doesn't mint the small trundle bed. We are staying in the cabins this time and looking foward to the extra room.

 

[Barb D]

My family of 5 will be going, Lord willing, in Sept. 2006. I thought of getting two adjoining rooms at one of the All Star hotels. Any thoughts? If we request adjoining rooms, what are the chances we will get them? I assume there is a door inside the rooms that connects the two like at all other hotels, am I right? I have two girls ages 6 & 5 and a boy age 2 when travelling. Any suggestion on which All Star to pick?

Thanks!!

We're doing POR in April. At the time of year we're going (Spring Break) it's $300 less for 5 nights than 2 rooms at the All Stars. In September the price difference may be less. (We checked for January, another non-busy time like September, and the difference was only a little over $100.)

OP, by "work around it" do you mean shuffle kids between families, at least on the reservation? That might work out.

 

[madge]

Good morning all!

I am currently planning a trip, possibly a magical gathering, for some friends and family. We have two families within our group that have 5 people in the family. The ages of the children will be 3,6,10 in one group and 4,10,12 in the other group when we leave for WDW. Which resort would be best for us? The other groups, at the most might have 4 adults in a room.

We know the kids will want to stay at a value resort, but can we squeeze everyone in?? I know that Disney won't allow more than 4 in a room at the Value resorts, but we can work around that.

What does everyone think??
THANKS!!

PO-Riverside, Ft. Wilderness Cabins or 2 rooms at a value resort. Those are your only options, unless you want to rent DVC points or get into the Deluxe resorts.

 

[TnTWalter]

All Deluxe -- WL, AKL, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Yacht, Poly, Grand F, Contemp; Also Cabins; Moderate -- POR & CSR; and of course 2 rooms at Value.

If more codes come out for January, I may consider upgrading but for now I think my kids will love the Toy Story Building at ASMo and DH and I will enjoy our 'quiet time' in our room.
Trish