Family of 6

[laceemouse]

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?

Agree! I couldn't have said it better myself! When a family decides to have more kids they have to consider all of the costs and sacrifices this will entail. Vacations, eating out, going to the movies, Christmas and birthdays, ect, ect, are gonna cost MORE$$$$. No doubt about it. That is one of the reasons that most people limit their family size! We have 4 kids and have been to WDW many times and RARELY have we seen families larger than ours. It is just out of reach to most people. You can buy or rent DVC or book it through Disney. They are gorgeous resorts. If you are too good for values (and really, most people just look at it as a place to sleep, so who cares WHAT it looks like ) or you can shell out the bucks for two rooms or stay off-site or whatever floats your boat. You can't blame Disney for this, each family decides what they will give up to have a big family (unless you are loaded, my dh makes good money but still, lots of kids = lot of $$$$!)

 

[laceemouse]

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.

LOVE IT!

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

What is sounds like you are saying is you want all of the perks of a moderate or deluxe resort without having to pay for them. Everyone pays more to upgrade from the values, that is just the way it is. You pay more for shorter commuting times, nicer pools, boat rentals, and more. If Disney did make a cheaper option with all of the perks, what would stop everyone from using them, not just larger families? And as we are not a communist country, that is the way everything is set up. Want a larger house? Pay for it. Bigger car? Pay for it. The car companies do not sell mini-vans to larger families for a discount, just because they are larger families. Which is what is seems like you are asking Disney to do for you.

Disney has listened to guest complaints about this. They have created the All-star suites. They are trying to offer a larger room for larger families at an affordable (for Disney) rate. But apparently only a suite at a deluxe hotel will do for some. Oh, wait. They already have those, but most people do not want to pay for them!

 

[CharmedLife]

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!

I totally agree with this. Disney is not alone in limiting rooms to 4 people - practically every hotel in America does this. In fact, the fact that they have rooms where they offer trundle beds, bunk beds, etc. to allow a family of 5 in one room seems generous to me. Most resorts and hotels would cut it off at 4 and if you have more, get the extra room.

We stayed at POFQ two years ago and while it was certainly large enough for our family of 4 to sleep in (DD4 and DS1 at the time), we found it cramped because the kids could not play anywhere. Although we don't spend that much time in the room, when you have young children you are there more than you think.

Last year we took the plunge, bought DVC, and stayed at Saratoga Springs in October (2-bedroom suite with another young family). It was HEAVEN - the kids went to bed early, and the adults could actually stay up late! And talk! And watch the World Series! I loved not having to go to bed at 8:00 and just lay there waiting for my kids to fall asleep, or sitting outside the door reading a book.

For large families, I think DVC is the perfect answer - and if you don't want the commitment, rent points (but not mine, we are always borrowing ahead). You'll get a spacious 2-room suite for the same price as that one room at the Poly.

 

[Tinksmom5]

What is sounds like you are saying is you want all of the perks of a moderate or deluxe resort without having to pay for them.
SO ONCE AGAIN I HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF.THAT WAS NOT WHAT I WAS STAYING.I WANT TO STAY ON SITE IN A AFFORDABLE ROOM THAT CAN HOLD MY WHOLE FAMILY WITHOUT PAYING AN ARM AND A LEG.WAS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU NOW.DO YOU UNDERSTAND OR SHOULD I TYPE SLOWER?

 

[maxiesmom]

What is sounds like you are saying is you want all of the perks of a moderate or deluxe resort without having to pay for them.
SO ONCE AGAIN I HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF.THAT WAS NOT WHAT I WAS STAYING.I WANT TO STAY ON SITE IN A AFFORDABLE ROOM THAT CAN HOLD MY WHOLE FAMILY WITHOUT PAYING AN ARM AND A LEG.WAS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU NOW.DO YOU UNDERSTAND OR SHOULD I TYPE SLOWER?

You also complained about the longer travel time at the value resorts. The shorter travel times are a major perk of staying at a deluxe resort. And you complained about the lack of jet-skis. Maybe you should type slower so you know what you are saying.

 

[zookeeper]

If that's all you truly want than they already have those. It's called the ASMu Family Suites/2 connecting rooms at a value resort. Those choices are definitely affordable and offer the basic amenities of an onsite resort. Obviously, that isn't all you want which is why you're getting all the responses. Simply put, you can't expect to pay a value price and get the perks of a deluxe.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The FW Cabins sleep 6. They have boats available to rent. They even have golf carts available to rent. Why not stay there with your larger family?????

When I stay by myself in a hotel room when I travel on business, I'm paying the same price as the family of four next door. I think I should only have to pay 1/4 of what they do.

 

[Tinksmom5]

I did say I would like the option to rent a bike or jet ski and is there something wrong with that?I have no problem with the all stars what so ever I just think it would be nice to have things to do at the hotel is that so bad?.I also feel its not right that the higher priced resorts get a shuttle every few seconds as well as all the other transportation while the people in all stars are left to wait around .You can disagree with me all you like and its apparentent some of you can't or refuse to try to even understand alittle of what I am trying to say .So to that I will end with this.I came on here to talk to other famlies who love Disney,share our experience and get helpful ideas.If you don't have any then thats fine but I will not explain myself anymore.
Thanks to those of you who do see my view point and who did try to help.
By the way I know what I said you are the one who doesn't get it! For those who did try to make a few suggestions we have 7 in our family so anywhere we stay outside of a DVC we would need 2 rooms and it gets very expensive.But thanks for the suggestion.I will continue to stay at the all stars with my 2 rooms but I was just saying it would be nice if I had other options with my budget,thats all.Please forgive me !

 

[Deb & Bill]

How come when I'm waiting for my bus back to OKW or SSR, I see about 5 Pop Century and All Stars buses while I'm standing there? I think you may be dreaming about the numerous deluxe resort buses that show up while you wait for your value bus.

 

[Tinksmom5]

Maybe while we are waiting for our own buses it just seems like everybody else is getting theirs.I do however agree that there were many more buses for pop century we all noticed that.If as you say I was dreaming then my entire family was having the same dream along with all the people who were waiting with us

 

[maxiesmom]

I do understand what you are saying. Unfortunately at Disney you pay a premium to have things like jet-skis at your hotel. That is part of the way they entice people to pay big bucks for the deluxe hotels. They have to have perks, otherwise why stay at them? What would make the deluxe resorts different from the value?

 

[jodifla]

It's always shocking to me that people don't factor in how expensive it is to have large families these days!

If you take more people to Disney, it costs more! Heck, if you take more people anywhere, it costs more.

 

[Tinksmom5]

I don't get why some of you are so angry .We started off talking about ways to make Disney more affordable for large famlies and I have some imput on the subject and shared my views and the next think I know everyone is being mean and hateful.I never did factor in the cost when I had my family.Perhaps I should have but I didn't.They have all they need.We work hard and a vacation is not something everyone does.There are actually people out there that have never had a family vacation.Until this past year I was one of them.
I am happy that some of you can afford to go away 2 or 3 times a year but I am not that lucky.When I go its the basic's.I am not above anything or anyone.There are many reasons to stay at a moderate or deluxe besides jet ski's,transportation and bike rental.The atmosphere for one.the dinning options,as well as the rooms and location.I know Disney will never change anything I complained about I was just saying wouldn't be nice if it wasn't so hard for large familes.Thats all.I will continue to go and stay at my value resort and be happy there but if there was more to do when I didn't feel like hitting a park that would be great.I don't expect to get anything in life for nothing.I know all too well that doesn't happen.I hope you all have a great time whenever you go or where ever you stay and I intend to do the same.

 

[jodifla]

I don't get why some of you are so angry .We started off talking about ways to make Disney more affordable for large famlies and I have some imput on the subject and shared my views and the next think I know everyone is being mean and hateful.I never did factor in the cost when I had my family.Perhaps I should have but I didn't.They have all they need.We work hard and a vacation is not something everyone does.There are actually people out there that have never had a family vacation.Until this past year I was one of them.
I am happy that some of you can afford to go away 2 or 3 times a year but I am not that lucky.When I go its the basic's.I am not above anything or anyone.There are many reasons to stay at a moderate or deluxe besides jet ski's,transportation and bike rental.The atmosphere for one.the dinning options,as well as the rooms and location.I know Disney will never change anything I complained about I was just saying wouldn't be nice if it wasn't so hard for large familes.Thats all.I will continue to go and stay at my value resort and be happy there but if there was more to do when I didn't feel like hitting a park that would be great.I don't expect to get anything in life for nothing.I know all too well that doesn't happen.I hope you all have a great time whenever you go or where ever you stay and I intend to do the same.

Good luck with your decision. We own at DVC now, but before that, we mostly stayed at Days Inn type places on 192. Occasionally, we could find a deal on property, so we'd take that. Disney is an expensive proposition any way you cut it.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Renting DVC points is the way to go. Even though a studio sleeps 4, you can have an extra person as long as you provide their bedding such as a "sleeping bag". That would be allowed as I far as I know. We are going next May...there are 7 of us and we are renting DVC points from an owner...2 studios at beach club villas for only $1300 for 5 nights/6days. We got the points for only $10 each....can't beat that deal!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Renting DVC points is the way to go. Even though a studio sleeps 4, you can have an extra person as long as you provide their bedding such as a "sleeping bag". That would be allowed as I far as I know. We are going next May...there are 7 of us and we are renting DVC points from an owner...2 studios at beach club villas for only $1300 for 5 nights/6days. We got the points for only $10 each....can't beat that deal!

No, no, no. A studio only sleeps four and they will allow you to have one under the age of three. A one bedroom also only sleeps four, but currently MS will allow a fifth person over the age of three, but they will not provide any additional bedding or linens. You still only get four bath towels.

I hope your group of 7 is not just two adults and five children. There is no guarantee that these studios will be next to each other and they cannot connect. You might be on two different floors or hallways.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Renting DVC points is the way to go. Even though a studio sleeps 4, you can have an extra person as long as you provide their bedding such as a "sleeping bag". That would be allowed as I far as I know. We are going next May...there are 7 of us and we are renting DVC points from an owner...2 studios at beach club villas for only $1300 for 5 nights/6days. We got the points for only $10 each....can't beat that deal!

Studios at the DVC Villas only sleep 4 max and member services will not let a member put any addtional people on that reservation. The OP would need to rent enought points for a 2 bedroom with her family size.

ETA: Clearly Deb is a much faster typer than myself

 

[supersuperwendy]

Geeze.....

Please let me make my pardon....man oh man........

As for our reservation....2 adults 1 child and 2 adults two small children....

not too worry.....it's all good.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

AMEN SISTER!!!!!