Family of 6

[tb3175]

We are planning a trip to Disney next September. We are a family of 6. Kids are ages 8, 9, and 3 year old twins. We would love to stay at the ploy. But they won't allow 6 in a room. When we vacation our littlest one always sleeps between my hubby and I. (She doesn't sleep well away from home). I think the room is more than big enough for our family. Would it be wrong to make reservation with 3 kids and just pick up an extra park hopper pass for the other child? Would we have any problems? It seems sneaky, but really do two 3 year olds require an entire extra room to the tune of over $300 a night?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Anytime you add the word "sneak" into your question, you actually already have your answer.

Try the All Stars Family Suites. They hold six.

Or the Fort Wilderness Cabins. They also hold six.

Which child will you leave behind when you want to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours?

 

[medic2707]

TB3175,

We also have a large family, DS 11, DS 7 and twin DD3, so I feel your pain with hotels. We took our family to WDW and a cruise in July to celebrate our twins third birthday. Having to have two cabins on the cruise and paying adult fares for the boys really hurt.
Have you concidered renting a vacation house near WDW? We love staying at the Swan but I could not justify spending $255 per room per night for two rooms when we could stay in a 5 bedroom house for $229 per night.
This worked great for us. We rented a house with a Mickey pool. One ear was a wading pool for girls and the other ear was a hot tub that the girls also liked playing in. Took less than 20 minutes from driveway to park entry. Kids loved having thier own pool and much easier to watch the twins. The best part for DW and me was not having to take the twins into a restraunt for every meal.

But back to your original question, If your going to stay very many nights I would guess you would want the second room so your not walking on top of each other. A word of caution when making reservations for two rooms, I dont think you will be guranteed connecting or ajoining rooms. At least that has been our experience when making hotel reservations lately. Good luck with what ever you decide. If you have any questions about traveling in WDW with twins or our experiences feel free to ask.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We are also a family if 6 (kids 8, 5, 2, and 1). Although we do cram all of us into one room during regular hotel stays, I would never risk it at Disney. We pay too much to have something go wrong, which could put a damper on our vacation. The fact that you need an extra pass to take advantage of EMH, etc., could get you in the long run.

Although we could have fit 5 plus a baby in one of the moderates, we decided that we would rather spend the money on 2 rooms. We've been told that, although Disney can't guarantee it (although it is 'guaranteed' on our form from AAA), we shouldn't have any problem getting connecting rooms, given the ratio of children to adults. Having extra room to spread out, and having two bathrooms, will be heavenly compared to stepping over each other to squeeze in one room.

So, although it could probably be done, I wouldn't recommend sneaking an extra person into your room. There are plenty of other options which would great for a large family (2 rooms, suites, renting a home). Good luck with your decision...and have fun planning!

 

[dementia412]

I feel your pain. We are five and won't be able to go to the resort we want because they only have 4 max. I personaly see nothing wrong with taking another kid in as far as room is concerned, (most people on the DIS are really umm well they doen't seem to get that some of us manage to live happily in tiny homes with many people and nobody is tripping over anyone else, those rooms at WDW are quite large enough) but I wouldn't risk them finding our because that would ruin the vacation... and even if they don't, you'll have that possiblility hanging over your heads the whole time which would make me misserable. I don't want to worry while on vacation. I'd just go for another less desirable resort and get my "stupid Disney doesn't care about families.. ggrrrr" stuff out of my system before I go.

 

[CharmedLife]

2 additional options:

1. Instead of staying at the Poly (which I know you love but is expensive), maybe you could stay at a moderate or value and get the two rooms for close to the same cost as one room at the Poly.

2. Consider renting points on the DVC rental board and getting a 2-bedroom suite at a DVC resort. Total cost may be similar to that one room at the Poly depending on when you go, and you'll have lots of room, a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, etc, while still being at an on-site hotel and therefore get the benefits that go along with that.

 

[laceemouse]

Also, sneaking is hard to do when they take all of your luggage and walk to the room with you. Where are you gonna have the kids hide until the bellboy leaves?? We have 6 and have stayed in DVC units, off-site condos, and adjoining rooms. Next trips we are camping at FW! The Poly is just out for us unless we win the lottery and can afford 2 rooms, or we can just wait until a few of them go off the college!!!

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

We have 4 chidren also (ages 7,5,4, and 2). Last year we stayed at POR. We are staying at POR this year also. This will be the last year, however, as POR has a 5 person maximum. Apparently if they are under 3 they do not count as a guest. We are thinking about taking a 2 year break from WDW after this trip to save up for DVC. With this many children in a family that is crazy for the mouse we are going to need it. If we can't save up the money in that time we will have to do family suites at a Value resort. I did tell Customer Service that they need more resort options for larger families. She mentioned the Value Family Suites to me. I had to explain to her that even though we have 4 children we are not Value Resort people. Let's be honest folks, some of us just aren't. I think that the Value resorts are to crowded and Kitschy looking, personally. Some of our friends LOVE them though! I do think that they need a Moderate option at LEAST for larger families. My MIL could never take all of their kids due to this ( she has 12 total). We have also considered buying an RV and staying at Fort Wilderness. I have heard that it is wonderful and very relaxing. Please do not sneak a child in though. Follow the rules the way that you would like for your children to do. Sometimes rules are not fun- the room occupancy rule in particular as the mother of 4 really ticks me off- but by following the not so fun rule you are practicing what you preach.
Nicole

 

[java]

We will soon be outsizing ourselves from Disney. Our littlest one is still only 1 so we have one more year at the Poly I think(12,8,3,1) But after that we will go either DVC or offsite- what I am not crazy about at the suites is (well first off the $275 price tag on a budget hotel) and the big one is that the 3 beds(that sleep the 5) need to be folded out every night. Maybe I am a deluxe snob but no way am I going to be making 5 beds every night! and how do you walk around in there when they are all open? I am curious to hear from someone that has stayed in them. Maybe I am wrong.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

We are 6 too. I priced two rooms at a value, and it's alittle cheaper than the suite at the value, and you get two bathrooms!!! I thought I heard somewhere if it were 2 parents and more than 2 kids they would guarantee connecting rooms. I don't remember where I heard that or if it is true, but you could find out!!! Good Luck, I know it's hard. My ds just turned 10 so our next trip he will be an "adult" and my dd2 will be 3. So we will have an extra "adult" and no more free kids.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are 6 too. I priced two rooms at a value, and it's alittle cheaper than the suite at the value, and you get two bathrooms!!! I thought I heard somewhere if it were 2 parents and more than 2 kids they would guarantee connecting rooms. I don't remember where I heard that or if it is true, but you could find out!!! Good Luck, I know it's hard. My ds just turned 10 so our next trip he will be an "adult" and my dd2 will be 3. So we will have an extra "adult" and no more free kids.

Until your son turns 18, he won't be considered an adult by Disney lodging. He is a guest 10+, though. They don't really sell adult and child tickets. They are guest 3-9 and guest 10+.

 

[skoi]

We're almost six. We never really planned to be more than 4, but adopted last year and will adopt again next year (if our homestudy agency gets moving and does what they have to- but that's another story). I would also suggest looking into renting DVC points. We own (no, we're not shilling for renters, we barely have enough points for our plans), and when we bought as a family of 4 it wasn't a great idea, but now with five going on six, we're really grateful we took that plunge. We've stayed at BCV, OKW, and VWL, and loved them all, but when it comes to Disney, I'm easy to please.

Renting the house sounds great, too. We would have never thought of that,but we're obsessed with staying on-site.
Julie

 

[tb3175]

I did tell Customer Service that they need more resort options for larger families. She mentioned the Value Family Suites to me. I had to explain to her that even though we have 4 children we are not Value Resort people. Let's be honest folks, some of us just aren't.

Thank you! Everyone's thoughts have been very helpful...but I agree! We are definately NOT value resort people. No offense to those that love it but they look as though disney puked on Motel 6. We are now considering the possiblity of a deluxe room and the WL.

 

[zookeeper]

Thank you! Everyone's thoughts have been very helpful...but I agree! We are definately NOT value resort people. No offense to those that love it but they look as though disney puked on Motel 6. We are now considering the possiblity of a deluxe room and the WL.

Now how could anyone take offense to a lovely statement like that

I agree, it would be nice if Disney offered some more solutions to bigger families. We're a family of 7 so it'll be 2 rooms for us wherever we go.

 

[java]

Actually the vacation villas are really going to be a good alternative to get the "deluxe" resort feel_ boardwalk villas or the Beach club villas. If you are uncomfortable about renting points from the dvc board- you can book directly through Disney- but it'll cost you. Now I am not sure what you mean by the Wilderness lodge deluxe- so will you get 2 rooms? I ask because if you are used to the size of the Poly the Wilderness will be a rude awakening (imho)

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I too wish they would have other options for larger families. We are currently a family of 5 but plan on expanding. Now we usually stay deluxe- but it is not just because we like the resorts- We like the monorail! We have small kids and strollers etc. and like to get back to our room quickly without dealing with the buses! I am also not too impressed with the Family Suites. I just don't feel that I need to pay for a room where we all sleep on fold out couches. We have a fold out couch at home with a top of the line mattress on it and I could never sleep on it for a week and wouldn't expect my kids to either. We are trying a Value resort this month and I think we will enjoy the theming but the whole bus thing has me a bit worried. We'll see though and keep an open mind. In the Bahamas you can get a room with 3 beds in it (and it's not a suite). I don't see why Disney can't offer that as well. Oh well- hopefully I will hit lotto and then I can stay at a suite every time!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Actually the vacation villas are really going to be a good alternative to get the "deluxe" resort feel_ boardwalk villas or the Beach club villas. If you are uncomfortable about renting points from the dvc board- you can book directly through Disney- but it'll cost you. Now I am not sure what you mean by the Wilderness lodge deluxe- so will you get 2 rooms? I ask because if you are used to the size of the Poly the Wilderness will be a rude awakening (imho)

The WL offers a Deluxe room that sleeps six. It is actually 2 rooms connected by french doors. I believe that you get 2 queens in one room and a sitting room with a pullout couch.

 

[shaylahc1]

Thank you! Everyone's thoughts have been very helpful...but I agree! We are definately NOT value resort people. No offense to those that love it but they look as though disney puked on Motel 6. We are now considering the possiblity of a deluxe room and the WL.

Now that makes me You'd rather cram 6 people in to a room made for 5 (even go so far as to purchase a separate ticket to "scam" the system) but wouldn't stay at a value resort because they look like disney puked on motel 6? I consider the notion of scamming the system to stay in a deluxe resort "illegally" because you can't afford to book 2 deluxe rooms rather than stay "legally" at a value resort, um, what shall I say......TRASHY

No offense, of course

 

[tb3175]

Actually we could spare the extra cash to get a second room at the Poly. It is not about the money. I just think it is a waste when my three year old will sleep in between me and my dh, even if we had an extra bed. This summer we were staying at hotel that we resevered as 2 connecting rooms, one with 2 queen beds and one with a king bed. That was not availabe when we checked in so we got 2 rooms with 2 queens in each room. My ds (9) slept in one. My 2 dd (8 & 2) slept in one and my dh and other dd (2) and myself all in the other. One bed was never touched for the entire week. Two rooms at the poly would have 4 beds and 2 daybed. We would be paying for a room that would never even be walked into. It is not like I am trying to cram 4 full grown teenagers all in one room. My twin are still practically babies.

I just think that Disney is doing an injustice to larger families. We have very little options. Just because we have a set of twins and two singletons doesn't mean that our vacation should suffer and be spent in motel that is not our regular form of travel accomodations. We always do big resorts. Why should our standards have to lowered just because of our family size?

 

[MomofCKJ]

My TA did say if the number of kids is greater than number of adults they will guarantee you connecting rooms.

There are 5 of us and we have 2 connecting rooms at Pop this December. I would have liked a Mod but we did not want to be all in one room and Deluxes are just out of our budget. To me just staying on site is wonderful enough, if I have to be at a Value so be it. It sure beats being off site (to me at least). Last trip (just DH and I) we stayed at a Sheraton and we really missed feeling the magic.

Allyson