Family of 6

[wrldpossibility]

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?

I understand what you're saying about the extra money being a waste if you don't use the room/beds. But something I don't understand (and I've heard it said a lot on the DIS), is when people say there are no "options" for larger families. Yes there are! DVC points (villas), two rooms anywhere, value suites, WL deluxe rooms, etc. They're more expensive, but that's because there are more people in the room(s). I have a family of 5, so we're not exactly small either, but it's a given you'll spend more on vacation than a family of 3 or 4. One thing we considered before having our third child was that becoming a larger family meant we would have to buy a bigger car, pay for 2 hotel rooms, etc. So while I feel your pain, I don't understand the complaint (made by many). Anyone have some imput?

We're traveling with inlaws, so we'll have a group of 6 plus an under 3 on our upcoming trip. We knew we needed two rooms, so deluxe was out for us. We chose 2 rooms at POR (we don't like values either). If I were you, I'd buy the two rooms at Poly, since that seems to be where you want to be, and you say you can afford it. You may end up happy to have the extra bathroom, if nothing else! If you decide not to spend the extra $$, get two rooms at a moderate...at least then you're not paying much more than you were planning to (and you still get two bathrooms). Have fun!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Doesn't the Poly have suites that might fit everyone? Of course it would be more expensive than the 2 rooms but if you can all fit and you can afford it , why not? At least you'd get you money's worth out of a suite since your living quarters would be, presumably, larger and you could all spread out.

I've been to the Poly and loved it and also shared an adjoining room with the in-laws at PORR some years back and loved that too. A definate plus to having 2 rooms is that once the kids are sleeping you can close the door between 'their room' and 'yours' for some quiet time with DH.

 

[maxiesmom]

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?

So you can afford to stay in two rooms at the Poly, but you just don't want to pay for it? If you don't want to pay for it, don't stay there, but don't complain that Disney "owes" it to you. There are many options for larger families. None of them are the Poly, but that is the decision you have to make. Pay for the Poly or stay elsewhere.

And Disney has just opened the Value suites up because of feedback from guests like you with larger families. But that didn't make you happy either. Maybe you wanted to give them decorating ideas?

I imagine if they do make suites at the Poly like they have at the All-Stars ,they will cost almost as much as 2 rooms, just like the suites at the All-Stars do. Or is what you are really saying that you want a suite at the Poly but pay an All-Star price???

 

[shellbelle1971]

As a very happy DVC owner and mom of 6, I enthusiastically second the idea of staying in a 2-bedroom DVC suite. (Your choices would be Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Saratoga Springs or Old Key West.) Renting points is much less expensive than many people realize!

In many DVC units, you can get 2 queen size beds in one bedroom, and a king size in the master, (plus a pack-n-play and the dreaded fold-out hide-a-bed) so I would guess your family would fit comfortably--far more comfortably than squished into a hotel room (or even two rooms!)

A word of warning--if you book through Disney's regular reservations you will probably pay about double what you would if you rent directly from a member. But you will have housekeeping every day. OTOH, if you "rent" points from a member and you want housekeeping daily, you will have to pay an additional fee (I think currently $40 or so for a 2 bedroom.) So if not having to make beds every day is high on your priority list, be sure to either book directly through disney or else state clearly to the DVC owner that you rent from that you want and are willing to pay for daily mousekeeping.

The "extras" in the dvc villas (jetted tubs, full kitchen & living area, private balconies, etc.) make them SO much more comfortable for a family than a regular hotel room. Or even two adjoining hotel rooms! We would never go back!

PS Even though we're owners, we don't rent out our own points--we always seem to have a serious point deficit since I have to feed our WDW addiction!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think the OP is misunderstood here. While I am not condoning illegal behavior, I understand that they don't want to rent a room that nobody will use. The Family Suites may be nice but we like the Poly for the resort and the Monorail. I also mentioned before that I am not going to pay for us to sleep on pull out couches. That's just my pet peeve about them. I may change my mind one day, but for now I think that stinks. I know that there is a limit on how many people you can have in a room and it is for good reason, but let's face it- suites cost a fortune at a Deluxe and renting 2 rooms is silly if you know you will not be using one of them. I don't think the OP feels that Disney owes her anything, I just think it is frustrating to have to waste money. Also as far as DVC points, the resorts that currently have DVC accomodations - except for WL- are just not for us. We like monorails and boats to get to the MK. It makes our vacation easier. We're trying Pop this month and we can't wait but we are not looking foward to the bus. I think the theming will be so much fun for us and the kids, but the rooms are smaller than the Poly so we'll see how it goes. Who knows? We may love it and never do a Deluxe again! I hope so! This way it costs less and we can go more often!

 

[Deb & Bill]

... I don't think the OP feels that Disney owes her anything, I just think it is frustrating to have to waste money. ...

Unfortunately, Disney makes the rules. And if you want to stay in a Disney resort, you abide by their rules. So whether you or the OP thinks its a waste of money, it's Disney rules. You'll just have to find other ways to not waste your money at WDW.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Unfortunately, Disney makes the rules. And if you want to stay in a Disney resort, you abide by their rules. So whether you or the OP thinks its a waste of money, it's Disney rules. You'll just have to find other ways to not waste your money at WDW.

Hey I totally agree with following the rules. Don't get me wrong. We don't pool hop or reuse mugs or put 10 people in a room. But- I was just saying that I can understand how frustrating it is to rent a room that will go untouched.

 

[chrissybear]

We are a family of 5, I know what you mean about the extra bed going to waste. However I love having the extra room, not because it is too crowded in 1 room but with 2 rooms I can escape from my kids and DH. Don't get me wrong I have a great family, but when we are at home we are not together 24/7, we work, go to school and we all don't sleep in the same room. It's just nice to have some quiet time. We often go back to the room in the afternoon for a break. It's nice for the kids to go into another room and rest/watch tv/play games while I decompress in the my room. It also makes bed times easy to enforce. Space is one of the many reasons why I'm glad to be a DVC member .

 

[maxiesmom]

(Pulling on flame retardent underwear)

OP's first post--Can she just sneak in her 4th child. Answer is no.
Second post--When pointed out that Disney has Value Suites that would suit her needs--Makes comment about how they look "puked up"
Third post--OP states that she is not a Value Resort kind of person.

I'm sorry, but I have no patience for people who complain that there are no options, but when it is pointed out that they do have options, say but I don't like my choices. There are many choices at Disney for larger families. As someone who often travels with her sis, sis's hubby, and their 3 kids, we have used many of them. We also camp together, so we know about cramming 6 people into a tiny space. But this fall we will go from 2 rooms at the Poly to a 2 bedroom villa at the Beach Club. We upgraded from 2 rooms at POFQ when I figured out I could rent points at the Beach Club for the same price.

There are options at Disney, but you need to decide what is important to you. Being on the monorail and spending the money to be there, or spending less, not liking the decor, and using the bus system. I don't see there being any low cost monorail resort options in the near future.

(changing back into more comfy clothes now)
(

 

[bartleby1]

I understand what you're saying about the extra money being a waste if you don't use the room/beds. But something I don't understand (and I've heard it said a lot on the DIS), is when people say there are no "options" for larger families. Yes there are! DVC points (villas), two rooms anywhere, value suites, WL deluxe rooms, etc. They're more expensive, but that's because there are more people in the room(s). I have a family of 5, so we're not exactly small either, but it's a given you'll spend more on vacation than a family of 3 or 4. One thing we considered before having our third child was that becoming a larger family meant we would have to buy a bigger car, pay for 2 hotel rooms, etc. So while I feel your pain, I don't understand the complaint (made by many). Anyone have some imput?

I think the complaint comes in when people end up paying any extra $100 or more a night for a three year old! Yes, of course there are options for larger families, but they are double the price for one extra child. I don't see that as being a fair option for many. We are a family of 5 also, so we know that our options are going to bit limited once our youngest hits the magic age of 3 yrs old. At least we can still do POR. But, we do like the value resorts too and we won't be able to stay there unless we pay DOUBLE (either 2 rooms, or a suite). So, one extra 3 yr old on a 10 day vacation will cost $1000 or more extra just for lodging. I think disney, of all places, could come up with a more affordable option.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

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?

This is ridiculous. Why do you think Disney should subsidize your visit because you have a large family? There are PLENTY of options for you, you just have to be prepared to pay for them.

I think Disney is doing an injustice to low income families. Just because they cannot afford deluxe accomodations, why should their standards be lowered because of their family income? It's not fair they should have to pay as much as well off families.



Get real.

Note: I have nothing at all against large families.

 

[shellbelle1971]

This is ridiculous. Why do you think Disney should subsidize your visit because you have a large family? There are PLENTY of options for you, you just have to be prepared to pay for them.

I think Disney is doing an injustice to low income families. Just because they cannot afford deluxe accomodations, why should their standards be lowered because of their family income? It's not fair they should have to pay as much as well off families.



Get real.

Note: I have nothing at all against large families.

LOL! I agree! Our family is big, so we expect to pay more. That's not unreasonable...it's makes sense, and it's reality! We need more space, eat more food, take up more space on busses... Disney is not in the business of subsidizing us! They're in the business of doing business.

If spending so much bugs you (like it sometimes bugs me) do what we did with the other businesses that get a lot of our money...buy stock in them! We haven't lost $ on Disney, Home Depot, Wal Mart, etc. At least this way I feel like some of the cash I'm spending is coming back to me.

 

[skoi]

This is ridiculous. Why do you think Disney should subsidize your visit because you have a large family? There are PLENTY of options for you, you just have to be prepared to pay for
them.

We're a slightly large family, 5 now, hope to be 6 by next year's vacation (woo hoo, first December in Disney). We had the typical 4 person family for a long time before deciding to adopt, and one of the things we took into consideration was our regular trips to Disney. Fortunately, we had succumbed to DVCitis and bought in before our finances took the adoption hit. If we didn't have DVC, though we love the deluxe resorts, we wouldn't be staying in them with 6 of us- we'd stay somewhere we liked a lot less, because IMHO it's way better to be in Disney in a puked on Motel 6 than a lot of other places we could be.

Again- my opinion only.

 

[mlacreta]

wow, what a "hot" topic. just a thought. Did anyone consider the thought that maybe disney isn't directly responsible for limiting that one extra person from the room...maybe it's a fire code thing? We have a large family also and I know I asked at a hotel we wanted to stay at once if the kids could sleep on the floor in sleeping bags even though the room was for 2 people and that was what they told us....it was a fire code issue with the number of people safely allowed in that size room!

 

[Tinksmom5]

Wow hot topic is right!I am the mother of 5 and while I understand our vacation will cost a lot more than say a family of 4 I think it is true that Disney shouldn't make it so hard for us to stay on site.I have stayed at the value resorts and love them.Even though they looked "puked on"!However there is a lot of benefits that we didn't get.We waited in the rain on more then one occasion for a bus while the moderate and deluxe resorts had a bus every few minutes we waited over 40 minutes many times.Also we would like to be able to rent a jet ski or go biking and that is not open to us.While my DH and I considered many things before having our famliy, what Disney would cost was simply not one of the things we thought about.Call us crazy!
I'm not saying Disney don't give choices but that they are indeed limited.There are seven of us total and any suite other then a home away from home is still to small for us.My DH and I both work hard and just because we can't afford to stay at a moderate or deluxe resort we shouldn't be punished.Although Disney now offers a suite at the ASM we still don't fit so our only option is 2 rooms.Staying off site is not something we want so we pay the extra for a second room and while we would like to stay somewhere alittle more upscale we simply can't.All I'm saying is it would be nice if Disney offered one hotel for larger families that won't empty our bank accounts!

 

[skoi]

Tinksmom5:

Have you ever rented DVC points? Seriously- Old Key West would might be a good bargain for you guys. However- it's also far away from a lot of the action, but it's quiet, has a nice feature pool, lots of quiet pools, bus service is good. We love OKW because the villas are a little bigger than the other DVCs. If you can go in the off season, it's a great value.

 

[Schmeck]

It just cracks me up when people say they are being 'punished' at WDW for having a large family and not able to get exactly what they want for accomodations, even when it's against fire codes/hotel policy...

 

[zookeeper]

Wow hot topic is right!I am the mother of 5 and while I understand our vacation will cost a lot more than say a family of 4 I think it is true that Disney shouldn't make it so hard for us to stay on site.I have stayed at the value resorts and love them.Even though they looked "puked on"!However there is a lot of benefits that we didn't get.We waited in the rain on more then one occasion for a bus while the moderate and deluxe resorts had a bus every few minutes we waited over 40 minutes many times.Also we would like to be able to rent a jet ski or go biking and that is not open to us.While my DH and I considered many things before having our famliy, what Disney would cost was simply not one of the things we thought about.Call us crazy!
I'm not saying Disney don't give choices but that they are indeed limited.There are seven of us total and any suite other then a home away from home is still to small for us.My DH and I both work hard and just because we can't afford to stay at a moderate or deluxe resort we shouldn't be punished.Although Disney now offers a suite at the ASM we still don't fit so our only option is 2 rooms.Staying off site is not something we want so we pay the extra for a second room and while we would like to stay somewhere alittle more upscale we simply can't.All I'm saying is it would be nice if Disney offered one hotel for larger families that won't empty our bank accounts!

I have to say I'm a little confused about some of the comments being made. If I understand correctly, those of you with big families want to be able to stay onsite, but you want to be able to stay at mods or deluxe not values(because they're pukey/you're too upscale for that! BTW, I disagree) . So -you want all the conveniences and bonuses of the mods and deluxes, but you don't feel like you should pay for them because you won't really use the other room (which I'm sure would remain closed and empty the entire trip ). Which, to me, begs the question what about those people that stay in the deluxes, but only use their rooms to sleep and don't take full advantage of all the resort has to offer? Should they be offered a reduced rate because they don't "need" everything, but they too are above stying in a value resort? It seems to me that Disney does offer choices to larger families you just don't like them. They just opened up the family suites at ASMu for larger families. (Which, BTW, my family of 7 can't even stay in ) If I had to guess, Disney placed these family suites at a value resort because marketing research showed that the majority of people who would use them are those that stay at value resorts.Disney isn't punishing anyone by making rooms at mods/deluxes more expensive. It's reality people...you get what you pay for. If it's that important to stay at a mod/deluxe and money isn't an issue then pay for the extra room, get over it and enjoy your trip. Honestly, I just don't get it.

 

[Tinksmom5]

Apparently people misunderstood what I was trying to say in my last statement.So for those of you in the back of the room let me try to explain it better.I was saying I would like to stay someplace ,anyplace,{no I am not above the value resorts I believe I did say I love them!}that offers rooms large enough for my family that isn't going to bankrupt me thats all. I just think it would be nice if they offered other things to do if your budgets allows right at your hotel like the mod/deluxe offer.When I said pukey I was quoteing someone elses statement.I am sorry that I can't afford to stay in a $300 or more per night room like some of you can but that is my reality. Forgive me that I think it is unfair that while I had to wait 40 minutes at times for my shuttle the pricier resorts had one every few minutes.Families at the value resorts work hard just like everyone else and they spent a lot of money to be there and I just feel we shouldn't be treated different then someone staying at a higher class hotel.I love Disney and as long as I can I will continue to spend the money and vacation there all I'm saying is a more affordable room to hold my whole family would be nice.Thats all I was saying.

 

[Tinksmom5]

skoi:

Thank you for you suggestion.I have priced the DVC resorts and find Old Key West would be our choice as well.At the moment however it is way out of out price range.Hopefully one day it won't be but for right now its just not an option.Thanks again.