Family of 6

[GaTech]

There are many two or three bedroom villas at WDW through DVC where you don't have to have an adult in the second or third bedroom. I think as long as the rooms are connected and the adults can go to the other room easily, the adults can sleep in a single room if they like. Now if the rooms were not connected, yes, you would need at least one adult in each room.

I was referring to 2 normal rooms not a villa or suite. If 2 normal rooms are connecting then it's one adult in each room. They don't code the keys to open both rooms so you could have a situation where the kids lock the connecting door in between the rooms and the parents couldn't get in the room.

 

[Tinker53]

Tinkmom5
I know its really strange how much we have in common and I wasn't going to reply to this, but now I am glad I did. As TB3175 said I was feeling out numbered as a large family and for staying off site and thought this was a waste of my time too. Now I am glad I spoke up.

I also love being a big family, Not knocking small families at all, we all do what works for us.

I also don't believe DVC works for all either. imho

 

[Tinker53]

tinker53 :
you are killing me .i swair to you i tell my husband the samething.we are late for everything because of him.i started that trick a few years ago but one time it backfired and now he always askes "is the party really starting at that time or are you telling me that to get me there on time}?
this is too funny.i read your profile as well and we really do have a lot in common its amazing and nice to know i'm not alone in my daydreaming!

That's me always Daydreaming about being in Disney. So nope your not alone

I couldn't get just one part to quote so I had to do that whole thing, thats the blonde coming out in me

 

[mom2my4dwarfs]

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.

I usually don't post but I had to chime in on this one.

We are also a large family with 4 kids and our options are limited. I just had to point out that not all hotels limit rooms to 4 like the comment above. We just got home from the Wisconsin Dells and stayed at the Wilderness Resort (which is a huge waterpark resort). We got a 425 sq foot room with 2 queen beds, a pull out sofa bed, 2 tvs, a wet bar (counter top with second sink and seating), mini refrig and microwave. We are allowed to have 6 people in this room. This room cost us with tax $255 a night.

I still think Disney has missed the mark when it comes to larger families with small children. We will continue to get two connecting rooms at either a value or moderate resort. The family suites don't thrill me. I don't want to have to pull out all the beds at the end of a long day. Then in the morning we would have to fold them up because there won't be much room to walk around them. Lets not forget that you couldn't get free dining with the all star suites either. The cabins don't thrill us either. Dh and I would have to sleep on the murphy bed. I want a real bed. Plus we want a pool with theming. The kids love the themed pools. Even if it is just the shape of a bowling pin. I am not renting points from a DVC member because that means I would have to trust a complete stranger. Sorry, but after working in retail for years it is hard to trust people.

We really like having two rooms so that will continue to be the best option for us.

One day we will get back to the Poly.

 

[mom2my4dwarfs]

I was referring to 2 normal rooms not a villa or suite. If 2 normal rooms are connecting then it's one adult in each room. They don't code the keys to open both rooms so you could have a situation where the kids lock the connecting door in between the rooms and the parents couldn't get in the room.

This is misinformation. We can use any key card for our two rooms. They unlock both rooms. The kids always sleep in one room and my dh and I in the other room. We leave the connecting door open between rooms.

 

[maxiesmom]

I forgot to mention the problems you do face when you stay off-site, such as the stinky transportation most hotels provide. We always drive ourselves if we stay off-site. I can't imagine trying to rely on the hotel shuttles.

 

[Tinker53]

we are renting a van for the week we are there. My DH and I would much rather drive us where we want to be. We are also not staying at a hotel we are going to be at a condo that sleeps 8, and it didn't break the bank either.

Thanks for the information though, its good to know!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

This is misinformation. We can use any key card for our two rooms. They unlock both rooms. The kids always sleep in one room and my dh and I in the other room. We leave the connecting door open between rooms.

Thank you, mom. I was going to say the same thing. Even the villas have lockoff versions that have a door between the living room and second bedroom that can be closed off and locked to make it a one bedroom and studio.

 

[Tinksmom5]

HEY ALL I TRIED TO START A NEW THREAD ABOUT THIS BUT NO ONE ANSWERED ME THERE SO I FIGURED I'D THROW IT OUT ON HERE.I AM LOOKING INTO THE QUALITY SUITES WHICH STATES IT IS ONLY 1.7 MILES TO DISNEY.THEY HAVE A ROOM THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY WOULD FIT INTO WELL AND ITS IN OUR BUDGET RANGE HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER SAYED OFF PROPERTY AND I AM ALITTLE NERIOUS ABOUT DOING SO BUT AS I HAVE STATED BEFORE MONEY IS A MAJOR FACTOR SO MY QUESTION IS HAS ANYONE EVER STAYED THERE AND IF SO HOW LONG AGO DID YOU STAY?DID YOU LIKE IT?WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE GOOD ,BAD,ARE THERE SHUTTLES TO THE PARKS AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK I NEED TO KNOW.THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE HELP.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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?

Who said you must lower your standards????

They have 2BR "condos" at Disney now at many resorts. It isn't the end of the world.


I laugh at the "injustice" accusations that Disney often gets accused of. It is the entire hotel industry that does this and if you are willing to shell out more dollars (even at DVC day guests will get daily maid service b/c you pay for it)....then you aren't having to reduce your standards.

It is rather simple.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

How old a child is irrelevant. That child is no longer a baby. And if they didn't wish to pay for the extra 3yo. They could have gone when the 3yo was 2 years, 11 months, 29 days.

Noone placed the OP in handcuffs and said..NOPE--you must wait until AFTER your child is 3yo.

We don't want to pay extra for our 3yo...we take her when she is 2. Problem solved.

OP's daughter's sleeping arrangements is NOT Disney or any other hotels problem for that matter.

I don't blame the hotel industry when I can't get a room with a king bed and have to get 2 queens when I know my kids will both end up in our bed. It is NOT their problem. It would be mine. I pay extra for the King--I find a hotel with a King availabe...if I am unwilling to pay or can't find a hotel with a King available..tough cookies for me and we have to cram into one queen sized bed.

Since when does how we rear our children and our sleeping habits become the problems of the hotel industry?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

Actually all of what you say still doesn't make sense.

Deluxe resorts too have had their brunt of slow busses (Yes I have sat waiting for them and I wasn't staying their but had visited from another resort).

The 40 minute wait happens when the busses get bunched up. It isn't 40 minutes between all busses...most likely after your bus came..another one showed up very veyr quickly after it. This is a pet peeve of mine but not limited to just the value resorts.

Lastly, I would love to stay at the Plaza Hotel in New York. But it is just something I cannot afford. My family works hard too--working hard does not make one entitled to everything on earth. You must save per what you want to spend. IF you are unwilling to save a little longer (trust me....you could afford $300 per night if perhaps you delayed your trip to save that amount of money necessary).....again, it is not any businesses problem but your own.

We are going to Hawaii in October. We have a very small budget. But through points, miles, and incentive programs that hubby has due to his work and travel..it made going possible and affordable. It took us a long time (we have been planning for 5 years and once we got our hotel points and skymiles high enough then we booked and began saving the cash)--but I didn't whine when it wasn't fair that I couldn't go last year or the year before. We hadn't saved for it yet.

I don't understand while people feel they are owned anything for a vacation.

Lastly--WDW resort guests can rent watercraft from most any resort. You staying at a value resort does not impact your ability to rent a jet ski (though I didn't know they had this) or a mouse boat. All this information is available on your handout at check in telling you where you can take advantage of different amenities on WDW property.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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 have more people--you will pay more. No need to be rude to other posters who are calling that to your attention.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I did say I would like the option to rent a bike or jet ski and is there something wrong with that?

You are entitled to rent these most anywhere on property regardless of where you stay.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't think anyone here is saying they want something for nothing.Once again I must say I never thought about vacation cost when I had my children.I thought about wanting to have a lot of children in my family as I and my DH had growing up and that we were in love and the more the merrier.Cost of Disney vacation was not an issue.Just alittle FYI if you book a certain amout of cabins on a cruise you get a discounted rate.All some of us are saying it would be nice if Disney gave some consideration to the larger family.They just offered free dinning for Sept.Maybe once a year they could do something geared towards larger families.What would be so wrong about that?I have myself ,DH, and 5 children ,all under 16, so I would be paying for everything .there is no splitting cost with grandparents and such.Those of you who don't understand what some of us are saying obviously aren't dealing with the money factor as much as the rest of us are and good for you .You know what.There is no reason for the nastiness just because you don't understand where we are coming from.Its called a different opinion.

We deal with a money factor. We save for the vacations we want taking them every 3-5 years to get what we want.

I disagree with everything you are saying. (Including the cruise--most you need 10 cabins and my hubby's family taking a cruise next year, we will not be able to get a group discouint).

Noone is being nasty except the people repeating the same thing in their defense they should be entitled to an inexpensive vacation that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Disney is not a cheap place to go. Even 20 years ago when we drool at what prices used to be...it was expensive then too.


You don't want your vacation to cost an arm and a leg? Choose another desitation.

The entitlement mentality that every hard working American deserves a Disney vacation is overwhelming. And that is all that I am getting from your posts. That you deserve the vacation so why isn't Disney making it available for what you can afford?

#1--they are...the options were pointed out but you didn't like them.

#2 the coveted properties have always and will always cost more $$$$.

This isn't an attack--this is the truth. Disney is a business. While they will do their best to cater to the needs of their guests...affordability in all categories is not one of them.

Many amenities (such as water craft and bike rentals) can be enjoyed by any WDW guest regardless of the resort they are staying at.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I know there are options for larger familes, and I agree that I don't like some of them. I mentioned this before but am just curious what everyine else thinks- I think it is insane to pay for a hotel room to sleep on a sofa bed. This is why I don't find the Family Suites appealing. Anyone else have any thoughts or experience with them?

Truthfully--this doesn't bother me too terribly at all. It is a hotel room and it allows more room during the day and the maid will make up the bed and fold it back up in the day and all you have to do is pop it open.

I haven't stayed in the family suites--but I have stayed at other hotels with this. My kids think it is cool and it fascinates them and I have slept on some comfortable sofa beds.

One of our condo's has this in Hawaii. I just don't let temporary accomodations such as that bother me. I pay for the room to occupy. As long as they have places for everyone to sleep, I am kosher with it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yep, I admit it makes me angry when people think they are owed something by Disney. Like a resort with all the perks of the deluxe resorts, but only having to pay what a value would cost because they have lots of children. Or when people try to help the poster and point out options and are insulted or told that they just don't understand. Those are some of the things on this thread that make me angry.

THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR LARGER FAMILIES. Maybe you heard it that time.

1. 2 rooms at a value
2. All-star suites
3. 2 rooms at a moderate
4. 2 rooms at a deluxe
5. Rent any off the many villas available from a DVCr. Renting points for a 2 bedroom would be as cheap as 2 rooms at a moderate.
6. The Fort Wilderness Cabins
7. Stay offsite (gasp!) We have done that many times! You can get a 2 bedroom, 2 bath suite with breakfast for under $150. Right by DTD.

Also, do you have AAA? You get a discount on Disney rooms. Each season is a different % off.

You can save money other ways too. Like not getting hopper passes. Like having lunch be your big meal of the day.

Really, it is insulting that you think those of us who pay for 2 rooms must have cushy jobs or no understanding of wanting to save money. We do. We just also know that Disney sets the rules, and we follow them.

You forgot for those that are uncomfortable with renting points...they can book a room at DVC just like they would for Poly. WDW takes cash for the rooms. Costs more...but for those who are concerned for personal reasons about transactions with complete strangers--it is yet option #8.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Boy this thread is heated.

As a family of six(and a rule follower) that has stayed in a few of your options, I just wanted to point out one thing. If you choose to stay in 2 rooms at Disney, at least one adult must sleep in each room. This means on our trip in 2 weeks, I will sleep in one room with 2 kids and my wife will sleep in the other room with 2 kids. It doesn't matter if the rooms are connecting or not. I'm not complaining, I'm just sharing the info with others.

No that is not true at all.

An adult must rent the room--but an adult is not required to occupy the room. Lest all the field trips that travel down are in big trouble as I am sure their chaperone to student ratio is most certainly not 1:3.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

HEY ALL I TRIED TO START A NEW THREAD ABOUT THIS BUT NO ONE ANSWERED ME THERE SO I FIGURED I'D THROW IT OUT ON HERE.I AM LOOKING INTO THE QUALITY SUITES WHICH STATES IT IS ONLY 1.7 MILES TO DISNEY.THEY HAVE A ROOM THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY WOULD FIT INTO WELL AND ITS IN OUR BUDGET RANGE HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER SAYED OFF PROPERTY AND I AM ALITTLE NERIOUS ABOUT DOING SO BUT AS I HAVE STATED BEFORE MONEY IS A MAJOR FACTOR SO MY QUESTION IS HAS ANYONE EVER STAYED THERE AND IF SO HOW LONG AGO DID YOU STAY?DID YOU LIKE IT?WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE GOOD ,BAD,ARE THERE SHUTTLES TO THE PARKS AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK I NEED TO KNOW.THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE HELP.

Never stayed there--but I do have issues with offsite hotel shuttles. We've stayed at several over the years.

They don't pick up as often, about every 30 minutes or so.

They park in the bus lot to drop you off (you don't get in the Disney bus loop).

Not too bad if you don't have transportation--but we live fairly local so when we stay offsite...we usually just nix the bus idea.

If you have a link, I can take a look at the hotel for you.

 

[mjkacmom]

We have 5 children ( 10, 8, 5, and 3 year old twins), and are planning on the Dolphin with a special teacher's rate of $169 in May. We'll get 2 rooms - I've found that it's really nice to have the extra room and extra bathroom with all of us, especially trying to get out in the morning. I'd rather do 2 value rooms than squeeze into a Poly room.