Family of 5?

[Aliceacc]

I don't think I want a place with a real kitchen... cooking is SO not my idea of vacation! (A microwave for some popcorn, a fridge for milk, and maybe someplace to store some cereal, those are fine!)

Besides, my daughters are in the picky eating stage-- they do lots of nuggets and pizza, so I'm not sure about the dining plan.

Right now I'm thinking:

a) POR-- family suite

b) All Star Music- 2 rooms

c) POP- 2 rooms

All would probably be in the $160 range (this year's prices I know) as I'm reading it.

Have I left out anything in that ballpark?

Anyone want to help me narrow it down-- pros/cons of any of the above?

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We bit the bullet and booked the Poly for our family of five using AAA discount for August. The extra cost for the deluxe room is only a small fraction of our total trip cost and it is the first time at WDW for our kids (DD6 DS9 DS12).

 

[pixidust princess]

we are also going as a family of 5 for our next trip. Our 5 is 3 adults and two children. I have no idea where we will stay!!! There will most likely be 9 of us total, but only 5 in our room. POR looks the best for the whole family, but I am concerned about only having one bathroom AND about not having room to spread out. I am also considering renting a vacation home, but am sooo afraid I will regret not staying on property, as this will be our last disney trip for some time (dh said so) I think the value resorts look fun, but dh has said he will not stay in one. Thank goodness I have a LONG time to plan. I am not good at making decisons!

 

[Tree]

We are a a family of 5 (2 adults and kids 8, 5,5 ) and just finished up a week at the All Star Music Resort suites. No discount through AAA but wel well worth it.

The reason we did the suites vs getting two rooms is that there is no guarantee that you can get 2 connecting rooms.

The g ood thing about the suites is that they are at the front of the resort so not a ton of walking to the food courts and buses.

 

[Aliceacc]

OOPS...

I meant to say a family suite at All Star Music

 

[DisneyDadNY]

I have done both the family Suite at All-Star Music and 2 connecting rooms at the POP. I prefer the POP solution for the extra room that the little kitchen thing takes up at the Family Suites. My kids also prefer the beds at the POP to the pull outs at the Suites but I thought they were OK. This is the best solution for my family as I really like having the 2 showers - saves a bunch of time in the AM.

Whenever I make my reservation I request connecting rooms and tell them that there will be 1 adult and 1 or 2 kids in each. Disney has never let me down.

 

[SuzieN]

Hi All!
New here but wanted to give my 2 cents! My family of 5 stayed at POR last February in AB and loved it! Sure it's not as roomy as 2 value rooms but I think it's totally worth it for a much nicer resort! The grounds are absolutely gorgeous! My kids loved this resort too! We are looking forward to checking out Coronado Springs next year!

 

[bryantslovedisney]

I totally understand your worries...It is always so hard to book for 5.
You can't even go on the discount internet sites (Travelocity, Orbit, etc.)without it kicking you off because "exceeds Maximum room capacity". It's so annoying trying to find a hotel anywhere! My clan now consists of teenagers(12,15, 17, all boys) so now they are much bigger and take up more space. We have stayed in POR (with the trundle) , AKL
(Savannah View Deluxe View), Poly, and Fort Wilderness Cabins. They all were fabulous and you really get the whole Disney experience by staying there. We are staying at Beach Club this time and maybe a couple of days at Poly. I checked into 2 rooms at Coronado Springs and it would be cheaper than BC, but DH likes the deluxes. I was told by CM that we would be "Guaranteed" connecting rooms because the number of children
"EXCEED" the number of adults. I was very tempted to go the 2 rooms with that guarantee. However, I was told once the 17 year old turns 18,
then there would be no guarantee . Just thought you would enjoy the inside info! Have fun... You will have fun anywhere you stay on-site!

 

[turning40withMickey]

We are a a family of 5 (2 adults and kids 8, 5,5 )

The reason we did the suites vs getting two rooms is that there is no guarantee that you can get 2 connecting rooms.

The g ood thing about the suites is that they are at the front of the resort so not a ton of walking to the food courts and buses.

I was completely miffed by the "no guarantee" disclaimer that Disney has, but when I called, I was told I would be guaranteed connecting because the number of kids outnumbers the adults. (2=A 3=C ) Maybe they are adjusting thier "policy" because I have talked to several CMs as I planned, and all have said that for my family. Someone else has posted the same thing in this thread.

I think they should discount the suites, too, don't you? It is ridiculous that they don't.

I think the suites are neat, and love the foldaway beds for younger kids, but won't pay full price for anything, on principle.

 

[turning40withMickey]

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.

My dream is the Beach Club, I love the pool. Plus, there is always the dream of getting bumped into concierge ..... Have a great trip!

 

[Nasus]

I loved reading this discussion because we are also a family of five. Figuring out a hotel stay is like planning siege! We stayed at POR and the Contemporary last year. POR is beautiful, we loved the pool. The room was very cramped. DH is 6'4" and the double beds are uncomfortable for him. The CR was much roomier and loved the proximity to the MK. In 2005, we stayed in 2 connecting rooms at AS Sports. We got the rooms for $55 a night, an unbelievable deal for us. For free dining this year, we decided to get two connecting rooms at POP. I have heard so many good things about POP that we are happy with our choice.

The good thing is that no matter what you decide, you are at Disney, so it will be fun

 

[turning40withMickey]

The good thing is that no matter what you decide, you are at Disney, so it will be fun

RIGHT!!

 

[Amber74]

Our group of 6 stayed in 2 connecting rooms at ASMo and we really appreciated the kids having their own side to be wild if they wanted to while I relaxed(we kept the door open at all times). The suite at Music looks really nice also and you will have a mini kitchen(I would have gotten that if it was included in the discount I got). I would say go for that if you want to spend the extra money on that. Personally I would not do POR just so you can have some personal space and more room. Just my opinion

 

[huge mickey fan]

We are a family of 5 this year and staying at the POR. When I was reading the codes board it gave out codes for our stay. We started out paying $145 a night for value season in August. After my code was applied we ended up paying $99 a night. There are other codes for the other resorts so maybe you could be on the lookout for those to help with your budget. I am excited to stay at Port Orleans. I haven't stayed anywhere but the ASMo. AS other posters have mentioned, there are now family suites at the ASMu so you may want to check them out.

 

[Aliceacc]

Sorry, guys, this is all another language to me.

I assume that the "codes" are discount codes. Can you tell me where to find them?

How much is the AAA discount?

 

[turning40withMickey]

You can find the codes right here on these boards, or on sites like mousesavers. You may even be lucky enough to get a special postcard from Disney (but don't hold your breath). There is a whole thread of discount discussions. I am not sure how much the AAA discount is, but for me, the 82 dollar value rate was 65.50 with AAA at Pop or All Stars. That is about twenty percent.

 

[Deb & Bill]

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

Trish

DVC doesn't provide any rollaway beds or cots, either. You get four bath towels in a one bedroom villa, so you have to bring your own for the fifth person.

This could easily change in the very near future once the AKV open. They do have one bedrooms with beds for five and DVC could limit all the others to four plus one under the age of three as it is supposed to be.

 

[Princessbaby]

Has anyone had any experience at POR with them putting you into a room in AB if one of your party of 5 is an infant (2)? Or is there a chance of getting a mansion? I was just wondering if parties of 5 automatically get put into AB-no matter the age of the people in the party. Thanks!!

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, so I guess that eliminates the Family Suite!! We're AAA, so I'm hoping to get that discount.

Let me ask this: once you get on a bus (I realize that the waiting time will vary) how long are the rides to the Magic Kingdom from PO and POP?

I really really wish we had the money to stay in the Contemporary and just hop on the monorail. I did, once, in 1976, but I was young and single then

 

[Aliceacc]

I went to mousesavers and took a look at this year's prices & discounts.

Under their room only discount codes, a room at the contemporary (garden wing, garden view, would be $230 per night. According to their AAA section, the Value SEason discount would be 15% off Deluxe Resorts. So a room at the Contemporary would be $195.50 per night? As opposed to an un-discounted price of about $160 per night at Port Orleans?

Is that right? Can you combine discounts like that? If so, it seems to me that I may have to rethink this all. I'm thinking about the convenience of hitting the hotel pool in the heat.

Can someone correct me if they see a glaring error-- like whether or not discounts can be combined???

(If they can be, find me more discounts, please!!)