Family of 7, where to stay?

[momof5gr8kids]

Hello all..new to the "group" but happy to be here!
My DH and I are planning to take our 5 kids (DD12, DS11, DD9, DD7,DS6) in December and we're planning now. The biggest issue we seem to have, is WHERE TO STAY! We have requested a quote for 2 connecting rooms at All Star Movies, but according to WDW they will not guarantee that; so do we the go for a villa in order to stay together? We've been reading the existing boards for hours trying to figure this out, and still are confused.
(I don't know if this makes a diff, but youngest has CP and a few other issues. )
We want this to be an incredible experience for all of them as it's going to be the only time we all go for a LONG time. (our money tree isn't as fruitful as we'd like )
We don't plan to spend a great deal of time in our "room" so as long as we can sleep comfortably and somehow have more than one bathroom we'll be happy. After all, Mickey, Buzz, and the whole Disney gang will be awaiting our arrival every day!
Sorry to ramble! Basic question is where would the best place for a family of 7 to stay w/o breaking the bank?
THANK YOU!!!

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Hey there! We are leaving in 17 days to stay at ASMovies. It is me, Dh and our 6 kids. We will be in connecting rooms. It's never been an issue getting connecting rooms. I'm pretty sure if it's all one family they will put you together even though they say they can't guarantee it. If you're not planning on spending too much time in your room then I'd definitely suggest the value resorts. I'm sure others will suggest renting points from DVC, but if you are truly looking for the most inexpensive way to stay onsite than it's in 2 value rooms. This will be our first time at ASMovies. We've stayed at POP before and really enjoyed it, but the kids wanted to try something different this time. Best of luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

Is staying onsite a must? We just stayed in a three bedroom condo over Christmas week. It was just under $700.00 for the week. The condo is a little older, but the inside was done up great. Sleeps 9. One Mickey themed room with bunk beds, double on the bottom, tv & dvd. Other room with Mickey accents and queen bed and tv, queen pullout in living room & t.v, Mickey themed kitchen, washer & dryer, stove, full size fridge, dishwasher and microwave, Mickey themed Main bathroom, Master bedroom with queen bed and t.v., master onsuite. Small screened in deck, two minute walk to the exercise room, pool & hot tub. About a 10 to 12 min drive from door to WDW Parking lots. This would probably help with the budget, with price and a full kitchen.

 

[Rylee]

Hi, where in NY are you from? We're near Syracuse and planning a December 2008 trip.

I really recommend staying on-site.

I would call WDW and talk to a CM (Cast Member, as they are called).

Different CM's use the terms, "connecting" and "adjoining" rooms, differently. Make sure they understand you mean, rooms with a common door between them and not just next door to one another, side-by-side.

Also, it is common to get different answers from different CM's. (Ya know what they say... Not the answer you wanted? ... Call back and speak to a different CM. )

I have 5 children, too, and in the last few years, the older two have been over 18, so it is not guaranteed for us, but I was told it is guaranteed if it is one family and all the children are minors.

Also. talk to the CM about your youngest child, will you need an easy access ground floor room? Will you want "prefer room" location... less walking within the resort and closer to the food court and buses.

Look into AAA, if you don't already have it, and/or watch for discount codes to become available.

When in December are you going? Least busiest times make it easier to accommodate such request.

Our friends went on Spring Break in April of 2007, with their 4 minor children and did receive their request at ASMovies. They were never told it wasn't guaranteed. We received it Presidents Week in Feb. 2006. I didn't even ask about it in 4/2007 as the older girls like having their own space without the younger children running around.

(My family loves it at ASMovies. This year only 3 of our children will be going, so I'd like to stay at a deluxe again, but DH is pushing for ASMo, he says for him, it is Disney.)

 

[jewelmicky]

We are staying at the Poly next month. There are also 7 of us....2 kids and 5 adults...but 2 of the adults have special needs.
We are not gauranteed the connecting rooms, but are counting on it. I would hate to have to go off site once we are there to get what we need. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[momof5gr8kids]

Hi there..we are in Camden, which is about 45 mins north of Syracuse..Rome/Oneida area. I'm originally from the Syracuse area, now I live in the boonies, or as my urban friends say..there's a sign one mile from my house that says "edge of the earth, 5 miles" with an arrow! LOL!!!
Anyway, I DO appreciate your comments. We DO have AAA and so I'm working w/ them, as well as talking to everyone I know who has had any experience. Unfortunately, most of them only have 2, 3 kids at the most so don't run into these "large family" issues! I LOVE my large family; it's frustrating to make vacation arrangements sometimes tho due to the number of people allowed in hotel rooms. (as you know!)

We'd rather stay onsite, simply for convenience. I hate to sound like a "princess", but we don't do all out vacations (this is a first) and I'd like to just be able to totally take it all in w/ the kids. Come and go as we please, have stuff sent to our rooms, etc. I figure that's the "pampering" part for me.

Thanks to everyone...and PLEASE feel free to fill me in on any more ideas! I'm always open to suggestions!

 

[momof5gr8kids]

the condo sounds great for the next trip. Thanks for the info! The price certainly is RIGHT.

 

[PA Princess]

We have 4 kids (ages 12, 11, 7, and 3) so we know the issues you face when traveling with a bigger than normal family. We have had a great deal of success with booking connecting rooms at Disney, we have always had them in the last 4 trips when we have asked for them. However, we have traveled at slower times of the year.

I am by no means an expert, but I believe there are special allowances that are made with a family traveling with a child with disabilities. There is a board for this on here and I would recommend you ask over there as well for further assistance. I would think they could tell you who to contact so you have a better shot than the average family of getting the connecting rooms.

For us, we solve the whole...will we or won't we get the connecting rooms by always traveling with a grandma in tow We have still received the connecting rooms, but with 3 adults along it is less of an issue for us if we do not get the connecting rooms and one less thing to stress over while we are planning.

Happy planning

 

[momof5gr8kids]

Thanks, Pa Princesss! I'll check that board.

 

[allaboard]

I agree with most of what has been written. We aren't as large with only 5 in our family, but we can't fit in the values unless we pay for the suite or two rooms... and the only moderate we fit in is POR, and not for long since our youngest will be 9 this summer. Anyway, the point I wanted to add is that if you have an agent at AAA, like you mentioned you were using, they can be much better talking with Disney sometimes than we would be.
Make sure they are aggressive with talking to the resort about your needs and your child's special needs. They can have that marked on your reservation. Then, when you check in on your arrival day. Do not wait until late in the day to check in. Get there early enough to be able to deal with anything that might come up and to get a good assigned room(s). Good luck and WISHES galore!

 

[Minniemomof4]

There has only been one time in probably 20 trips that we did not get the connecting rooms that we had requested. That was at AKL several years ago. We checked in later in the evening and were given adjoining but not connecting. They said the resort was full and that was the best they could do for us but could move us to connecting in two days! We were only there for 3 days so we stuck it out. Me with two kids and DH with the other two. Not the best situation but it didn't ruin the vacation. With that said, I would say your odds are pretty good on getting connecting.

 

[Rylee]

Hi there..we are in Camden, which is about 45 mins north of Syracuse..Rome/Oneida area. I'm originally from the Syracuse area, now I live in the boonies, or as my urban friends say..there's a sign one mile from my house that says "edge of the earth, 5 miles" with an arrow! LOL!!!
Anyway, I DO appreciate your comments. We DO have AAA and so I'm working w/ them, as well as talking to everyone I know who has had any experience. Unfortunately, most of them only have 2, 3 kids at the most so don't run into these "large family" issues! I LOVE my large family; it's frustrating to make vacation arrangements sometimes tho due to the number of people allowed in hotel rooms. (as you know!)

We'd rather stay onsite, simply for convenience. I hate to sound like a "princess", but we don't do all out vacations (this is a first) and I'd like to just be able to totally take it all in w/ the kids. Come and go as we please, have stuff sent to our rooms, etc. I figure that's the "pampering" part for me.

Thanks to everyone...and PLEASE feel free to fill me in on any more ideas! I'm always open to suggestions!

We're down the thruway the other way, about half way between Syracuse and Rochester.

We always stay on-site and I always recommend it to others. It really does give the effect of leaving the real world behind and you're surrounded in Disney Magic for your entire stay.

Is this your first trip to Disney? If you have any other questions, just ask... I (and everyone here) love talking Disney.

 

[spiceycat]

when are you going?

offseason, if you can, is much, much cheaper than onseason.

with a party of 7 - might go with a 2-bedroom DVC resort rented from a DVC member (just don't rent on fri or sat - too expensive).

you can do OKW 2-bedroom - Sept, Dec 1-14, Jan - around $220 to $308 per night. so for 5 nights it is $1,100 to $1,540. All other times are higher.
Think you can also get this price on AKV (the newest)

this should not be cheaper than a value resort for 2 rooms - but sometimes a person is having a sale.

you get more room than a value - alot more room. a full kitchen, washer and dryer, 3 TV's, 2 DVD(I think) - 2 baths. the master bathroom has a whirlpool tub and shower stall - the 2nd bath has a combination tub. So at least 3 kids could get ready at once.

the problem with not getting a connecting room (adjoining is next to each other) is that Disney would expect you and your wife to separate. when you are dealing with a child that has problems - well separation from your spouse is not always a good thing.

with that many kids - would definitely go with WDW. Now if you were bring more adults with you then offsite is great for big families. but just you and your spouse - trying to kept up with 5 kids. well you deserve an award.