Family of 6, 4 boys--what to do?

[moxiecola]

My wife and I are planning a WDW vacation and as much as we'd love to stay on the property, we just can't seem to find a reasonable rate for a room that will accomodate---we'd need a crib, and than three other beds for the older boys and obviously my wife and myself.

We have looked at Windsor Hills which is a complex right outside the property and it looked very interesting and we could get a 4 bedroom with our own pool for $1500 for 10 or 11 nights!

Any advice on places to stay on property that would compare or advice on park tix, etc if we stay off-propery would be greatly appreciated.

We are actually going to go down late April/early May 08 so we are planning late!

Thanks

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Have you thought about renting points from a DVC member and staying in a Villa, go to the Disney Vacation Club thread and go to renting points. You could try that and you are on property with a kitchen and laundry in your villa.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

FT Wilderness cabins
The cabins are 504-square-foot, one-bedroom units that contain a double bed and bunk beds in the bedroom and a Murphy bed in the living room, giving them a maximum occupancy of 6 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib). This makes them a good choice for larger families. Ft. Wilderness cabins have a full kitchen with all the basic cooking utensils, pots, pans and dishes supplied. about $300 a night less during value season.

So boys in the bedroom, you and mrs in the living room on the murphy bed.

 

[esdras]

Even less expensive than the Wilderness Cabins are the Family Suites at All-Star Music.

You and your wife get a separate bedroom with a Queen size bed - and you can probably fit a Pack-n-Play Crib in there with you - Disney will provide those (I think).

The other half has a Loveseat (that converts into a double pullout bed) and a Chair and Ottoman that both convert into single beds - and reports are that they're fairly comfortable.

These Suites are converted from what used to be TWO rooms at this value resort - therefore, you get TWO full bathrooms (with a family your size, this can be a lifesaver) TWO TV's (one in the "living room" the other in the separate bedroom) and a small kitchenette. This has a microwave, small fridge (you have to pay extra for a fridge otherwise at Value resorts) and a coffee maker.

Admittedly, the Wilderness Cabins have a full kitchen, but the Family Suite is also cheaper at $207.02/night (taxes included) during Value Season.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Ooo, I vote family suites.

I didn't even think of those.

 

[esdras]

Sorry, one more addition.

The price you are getting on that 4 bedroom with your own pool - chances are you will NEVER get a deal like that onsite - even renting DVC points, the closest comparable size to that is a 3 bedroom Grand Villa, and they cost a lot more. Even a two bedroom DVC on a point rental would be around $2500 during value season - and that would be at a very good rate on points.

You have to decide how much staying onsite is worth it, and right now, you have admitted that you have a child in a crib - right there, my vote is STAY ONSITE!

Your youngest will likely need to rest each afternoon - heck, most people could use a break each day. Staying onsite makes it MUCH easier to get back to your room. It would be a little faster to do so if you have your own car, but Disney's transportation usually works quite well.

Also note, if you stay offsite, especially at the rental you mention, you will likely have to find your own way to Disney - i.e. drive. You will then be paying for parking -if you are a resort guest, parking is free.

Check out all the little intangibles you get as an onsite guest - I personally feel that they are well worth the added cost of staying onsite.

 

[suzieqmomof4]

We, too, are a family of 6 (DVC members) and we've stayed at the All-Star Family Suites and the Fort Wilderness Cabins and we prefer the cabins. The kitchen is much better-full size refrigerator, sink, and dishwasher.

The downside is the pool-it's very no-frills at Fort Wilderness. It's a little nicer at All-Star, but neither one has a slide.

If I had 4 boys (I have 1 boy and 3 girls), I would definitely pick the Cabins.

 

[AlyLynn]

Another vote for the cabins...And we have 4 kids (3 boys). We loved the cabins and Fort Wilderness so much, that we bought our own camper last year. Now we can go more often! And you can save a lot of money on food in the cabins with the full kitchen. It's true that the pools are not as fancy as the other resorts, but it never bothered my kids, and 1 is a teenager!

 

[nuts4wdw]

I vote for Windsor Hills! I have 3 boys and enjoy Windsor Hills. I've stayed both on and off site. On site is fun, but I prefer to spread out. Windsor Hills has a fantastic pool with pop up jets, a waterslide, and a gigantic playground. The full kitchen and own pool is worth it to me. The only thing I miss about being onsite is the refillable mugs, but with the money I save I can stop at a quickie mart and refill any mug. Maybe ask this question on the Orlando board.

 

[tnmomof4]

I have four boys and we stayed in the Family Suites last year, and we are staying in them in November. (after reading about the cabins I will have to think about them for next time) The kitchenette in the suite is small as some have said.

I think too that if you are planning on going in April or early May that is Regular Season. The rate for the Family Suite for regular season is $220 on the weekdays and $240 on weekends.

 

[moxiecola]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
This is a tough decision, but great information.
I am sure I can find this somewhere, but how much does it cost to park at Disney daily?
Also--what are there other hidden costs or perks?

I know when you are onsite you get the Disney transportation, extra magic hours, etc.
The additional costs for off-site that I was thinking of were parking & car rental. I am sure I am missing something though...
Is it less expensive to buy park tix when you are staying on the property?

 

[esdras]

To try to reply to some of your questions...

Extra Magic Hours can be a blessing or curse...
With having a child of "crib" age, you might not be planning on using the Evening Magic Hours that much, and according to many reviews, Morning Magic Hours can make that park MUCH busier than normal.

However, if you take advantage of the EMH in the morning, grab an early lunch at that park, and then go back to your resort for a rest, you'll avoid the worst. In that case, however, get hopper tickets if you want to go back to a park later on an EMH day, simply becasue you DON'T want to go back to the Morning EMH park.

Parking for offsite visitors is (I think) $11. They will allow you to leave and come back - but you have to keep the receipt. Lose it, and you'll pay again.

You mention car rental, so I assume you are flying?

If so, you can skip the car rental altogether. I realize that some people who stay onsite still rent a car, since they can park free anywhere, and it can often be faster than Disney Transportation. However, if you simply want to save money, skip the car rental and use Disney Transportation. Additionally, as long as you fly into Orlando from a U.S. origin point, you can use Disney's Magical Express - you and your luggage will be taken to your resort free of charge, and back to the airport on your departure day. Your bags are delivered directly to your room - you don't have to claim them upon arrival from the airport. Finally, a number of U.S. airlines will allow you to check-in at the resort desk rather than at the airport, saving you some time. Check out the details of this service on Disney's website.

Finally, and some may not find this a benefit, but I do...

Staying onsite makes the "real world" go away for a while. When we were there in '06, I didn't look at a newspaper or watch the news even once. I had no idea what was going on outside of Disney... and I LOVED IT! That can drive some people squirrelly though.

Anyway, whether DVC resorts, Wilderness Cabins or Family Suites - my vote is to see what you can do to stay onsite.

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

With our 5 little ones, we find it easiest to stay in two rooms at a Value resort, we love POP.......We've always had connecting rooms and then you have 2 bathrooms, 4 beds, etc!

 

[lucigo]

We just came back from 2 connecting rooms at Pop. The kids loved it, everything is big and bright and very kid friendly. I've been researching Windsor Hills for spring break, and having a hard time deciding between going back to 2 values, getting a family suite, or a house at Windsor Hills.

If you like your internet, its $10 a day at Disney, which makes up for the $11 a day you have to pay for parking if you stay off site. And the food issue...if you get a house you can at least eat breakfast at "home" and save a little money on that. Good luck with your decision!

 

[dferri]

I have a family of six also. That one extra family member almost doubles the cost of staying on site. Somehow dosen't seem fair.

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

Hi,
We have 4 boys too!

I would suggest the All Star Family suites, a cabin, Port Orleans Riverside, or a deluxe. I know how frustrating it can be to try to do this kind of trip on a budget.
We are staying at Polynesian in December (I figured it was our last chance to ever do a Deluxe resort with just one room - because the little one will be in a crib).
But the monorail will be nice with a stroller.

I guess you could stay off site and get a better deal, but that just is not a Disney vacation to me. I like to park my car and leave the car seat buckling behind for a week!!

Good luck!
www.plan-a-magical-vacation.com/my-disney-story.html

 

[collcass]

and the ages of the kids.

We, too are a family of 6. We are actually doing both (July)- I booked the first two nights at ASSR as a package with my 10 day tickets.

We are staying in Windsor Hills from Sat-SAt and then back to WDW for the very end of our vacation. (We chose off site for the middle since we are meeting several other families and the large home seemed like a good idea.)

I definitely think there are many benefits to being on property but don't think you could possibly get the price onsite nearly as affordable as the vacation homes.

If you are flying - maybe cut out the rental car and save money that way.

I have a family of six also. That one extra family member almost doubles the cost of staying on site. Somehow dosen't seem fair

I couldn't agree more!!