Family of 5?

[Aliceacc]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here.

My husband and I are starting to talk about bringing the kids to Disney next summer--probably mid August. We think we want to stay on site, so that we can hit the pool in the afternoon and get the other perks from staying on site.

BUT... as 2 teachers on a moderate budget, we don't want to pay for 2 rooms. Any suggestions as to where we can stay that will accomodate 2 adults and 3 kids aged from 5 to 10?

Thanks for any help you can offer

 

[wdwrich]

Port Orleans Riverside has some rooms (in the Aligator Bayou section) that sleep 5 on two double beds and a trundle. You might also consider the family suites at the All Star resorts.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I can tell you from pricing it out that 2 rooms at a value is cheaper than one room at a deluxe. The only moderate that will accomodate you is PO-Riverside as the previous person mentioned. I feel your pain--I have been looking into spring break and it's WAY more than the summer prices I am used to paying. I'll tell you though, go before your kids are all over 10 (a situation I am headed for next year)--at least my DS is still a "child" for tickets and food. You won't regret going no matter where you stay.
Robin M.

 

[Trekker]

I would suggest either the cabins at fort Wilderness or a great alternative is the Swan and Dolphin - they give awesome teachers rates and I think most of the rooms at the dolphin will handle 5 with a roll away bed....

 

[Tink3Belle]

Maybe next August they will offer Free Dining again so you can afford one of more delux reosrts that sleep five. We will be in the same boat this is the last time we will fit in a moderate or value when my kids turn another year older. You would think they would have more options - Is that what the standard family is supposed to have 2 kids we run into that with dining too there is always an extra wait.

 

[2minny]

POR is great for a family of five, we've stayed there twice and really enjoyed it. We once got two rooms at ASMu and did not care for the hotel at all, too loud and busy. POR is more relaxing after long days at the parks.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Port Orleans Riverside has some rooms (in the Aligator Bayou section) that sleep 5 on two double beds and a trundle. You might also consider the family suites at the All Star resorts.

I agree!

I think that the Aligator Bayou section would be your best bet. Plus, if you are wanting to spend some pool time there, they have one of the best pools.

 

[turning40withMickey]

Also family of five, and probably the same teacher mentality! We are going this August (before free dining, alas). We decided on two rooms at POP. Pricing it out, it was cheapter by far than ASMusic suite (2 rooms at value=1037.82 for seven nights) (ASM Suite, doesn't qualify for discounting like AAA, seven nights is 1898.00 in August value season) So two rooms was actually a lot cheapter than the suite. The FW cabin would have been 1666.77 and POR with trundle bed, 913.50. We went with the two rooms to get a bed for everyone, two bathrooms, and a little space for seperating. POR was a little cheaper, but would have been trundle bed, one toilet, and limited space for the five of us in the room. I was originally booked at the Dolphin without rollaway for 994.99 but a rollaway would add ten or twenty dollars a night (I was going to bring the air mattress and skip the rollaway). Dolphin is deluxe, but it would be one room again, and we decided to do the dining plan which we couldn't get at Dolphin.
What I did was get a price for every single option, wrote them all down and contemplated forever. I haven't had a second thought about POP since finally deciding. We will love the total Disney-decor of it!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Also family of five, and probably the same teacher mentality! We are going this August (before free dining, alas). We decided on two rooms at POP. Pricing it out, it was cheapter by far than ASMusic suite (2 rooms at value=1037.82 for seven nights) (ASM Suite, doesn't qualify for discounting like AAA, seven nights is 1898.00 in August value season) So two rooms was actually a lot cheapter than the suite. The FW cabin would have been 1666.77 and POR with trundle bed, 913.50. We went with the two rooms to get a bed for everyone, two bathrooms, and a little space for seperating. POR was a little cheaper, but would have been trundle bed, one toilet, and limited space for the five of us in the room. I was originally booked at the Dolphin without rollaway for 994.99 but a rollaway would add ten or twenty dollars a night (I was going to bring the air mattress and skip the rollaway). Dolphin is deluxe, but it would be one room again, and we decided to do the dining plan which we couldn't get at Dolphin.
What I did was get a price for every single option, wrote them all down and contemplated forever. I haven't had a second thought about POP since finally deciding. We will love the total Disney-decor of it!

EXACTLY what I would have said!
We have stayed at Pop 5 times. We love it there. 2 rooms is a tough pill to swallow financially, at first. However, once you are able to spread out...give the little ones a bath while the teenager showers in the other bathroom...put the kids to bed and have a few down moments watching TV... It makes for a much more enjoyable vacation. The numbers breakdown as the pp shows. Worth every penny!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

dont know if you have AAA, but you get either 10 or 15% off room price. dont know if this will help you.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Another teacher here with a family of 5.......
I did exactly what turning40 did, priced out all the options, except we decided on POR.

 

[elan]

Family of 5 here. We've stayed at por, AB section. We had enough room. Great pool and a nice boat ride to dtd. We've also stayed at pop. My youngest was under 3 so we had one room. Enjoyed our stay there too. Great theming

We are back to pop this year, two rooms because dm will be joining us.

 

[TnTWalter]

and LOVED IT.... so fun and so inexpensive....it was $100 more total than 1 room at POR and to us seemed worth it to have the space. Plus the theming was fabulous for our kids [they were 6,4,3 at the time].

this next trip we're doing 1 room @ Poly. I know I'll miss the privacy but I'm sure other aspects will be nice too.

We looked into the cabins [they were a little cheaper than Poly].

You could also rent a 1 bedroom from DVC member although you'd want to bring an airbed or something.

I know it's frustrating as a family of 5....

Trish

 

[Hopefully]

I believe that a 1 Bedroom DVC unit still only sleeps 4. You would need a 2 bedroom and that would be a lot more money.
We loved the Fort Wilderness Cabins when our kids were younger. There is a double and twin Bunk set in the bedroom and a double Murphy bed in the Living Room (This was comfortable) We were able to put the kids to bed in the evening and DH and I could sit in the Living Room and enjoy each others company until we were ready for sleep. It was also nice to have the full kitchen, there is no question we saved money on breakfasts and we also always had cold drinks and snacks when we came back from the parks. The boat ride to the MK is enjoyable as well.
The major downside is that the transportation to the other parks is more complicated. You can rent a golf car or car if that is in your budget.
There are lots of "free" things to do in the Campground for the kids. There are 2 pools, although these are not "themed" and don't have slides. We visited the Petty Farm and Playground and there is a nightly Campfire program.
I would choose the Cabins
Good Luck with your decisions

 

[TnTWalter]

it's just not 'advertised'...they do not provide linens though.

Trish

 

[Tam1067]

We're a family of 5 and we stay at the Poly. You can also stay at most of the deluxes in one room. Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk, and Polynesian all fit 5 in their standard price rooms.

We decided to do that instead of two rooms at a value because we like the amenities of a deluxe resort and are willing to pay a bit more.

 

[turning40withMickey]

We're a family of 5 and we stay at the Poly. You can also stay at most of the deluxes in one room. Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk, and Polynesian all fit 5 in their standard price rooms.

We decided to do that instead of two rooms at a value because we like the amenities of a deluxe resort and are willing to pay a bit more.

Pardon my rudeness, but if you don't mind:
How do five of you fit, two queen beds and they give a rollaway or is there a couch or something for the fifth person?
How much does a room like this run for the night?
Have a fabulous trip! I have never stayed at the Poly, but I am sure I should be very envious!!!

 

[Tam1067]

The deluxes have 2 queens and a daybed. The daybed is about the size of a twin. Rooms at the Poly and Contemporary are quite a bit larger in square footage than the Yacht/Beach club, too, and they're larger than moderates or values.

Rack rates start at:

Contmemporary-- $259
Yacht/Beach Club and Boardwalk-- $315
Polynesian--$329
Grand Floridian-- $375

We have an AAA discount which saves us some, and of course, there are often codes for other discounts depending on when you go.

 

[littleelvis]

We are a family of 5 too. Are family is a little bit younger but we stayed at CR and we are staying at CR again in Feb 08. I think the rooms are big enough for 5 even when the kids are older. The new beds are WONDERFUL, and that daybed is big and comfortable enough (even for an adult). I also think having MK so close is a big plus. Good luck families of 5 everywhere!

 

[ozzyla]

If you are not doing the dining plan, opt for the camp ground cabins. We cooked all of our own meals, and only spent $100 in the parks on souveniers. It was a great way to save money and still be in the middle of the action.

If you are going to do the dining plan go for POR, we loved it.