Family of Five - Polynesian or Suites?

[YanksWinAgain]

Family of 5 (Mom, Dad, 12-boy, 10-girl, 6 -girl). Going in August (I know... the heat). Would like to stay at the Poly since it is (a) close to transport and (b) has 'space' for five in a room.

Is it worth it to look into the Suites in something like Wilderness Lodge? I know it would be more money, but I think we will be cramped in the one room. I figure we spend a relatively short amount of time in the room, but I would assume my wife will be back there with the youngest at least some of the time during the day...

First of probably many questions. Any suggested threads would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did the Polynesian for our first trip. We also had a family of five since we brought our two nieces. It worked out very nicely for us.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The Poly is possible, but the daybed is kind of small. My DS12 is 5'4", not sure how comfortable he'd be on it. YMMV. Also, consider if family members will have different bedtimes--the room could feel really cramped, too. But, it's do-able, and the Poly is lovely. If you stay there, consider a ground floor room. The view's not as nice, but my kids loved being able to go outside and run around, still within sight of the room.

Suites at AllStars would give you more room, and you'd have kitchen facilities. I don't know if that interests you at all. You could consider renting points--you could stay BLT and fit 5 in a 1BR, still on the monorail. Or consider AKL, which is lovely, but feels more remote (not that it's a bad thing, but you're not going to see the castle, etc.).

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Wilderness Cabins are another option .... handles 6

 

[jel0511]

Listen it's' all up to personal comfort. We're only 4 and stay in a 1 bedroom villa. We can't stay 4 in a reg hotel room anymore, too cramped. We either do 2 rooms, or book a suite. Two rooms at WL would be cheaper than a suite and prob not more then the Poly.

 

[mom2d&b]

I think the Poly would be fine. Since the hotel is older the rooms are bigger than many other rooms on property. Love the pool, it is great being on the monarail line, the nightly water parade, and the ability to catch the fireworks from the hotel.

 

[woody5]

We were a family of five, the oldest is now married. We always chose to get two rooms at a value or moderate resort instead of one room at a deluxe for the following reasons: 4 beds, 2 tvs, 2 bathrooms, and it was cheaper. Now I know that some will dispute this but I always had a guarantee on my reservation that said due to families connecting (or adjoining) rooms. I don't remember which jargon they use for the rooms with the door that open between them. In all of our numerous trips with a family of five we always had the connecting rooms.

 

[mjkacmom]

We were a family of five, the oldest is now married. We always chose to get two rooms at a value or moderate resort instead of one room at a deluxe for the following reasons: 4 beds, 2 tvs, 2 bathrooms, and it was cheaper. Now I know that some will dispute this but I always had a guarantee on my reservation that said due to families connecting (or adjoining) rooms. I don't remember which jargon they use for the rooms with the door that open between them. In all of our numerous trips with a family of five we always had the connecting rooms.

We're 7, so we don't have the option to be in one room, which is fine by me, because having 2 bathrooms is HUGE! The only places we can stay in 1 room is when we camp (and the cabin is next to a public restroom), and the GWL (and only having 1 bathroom is horrible). Just getting everyone showered is a PITA.

 

[wahoolio]

Notwithstanidng your unfortunate username, I can empathize, as we are a family of five, as well, and our kids are almost the exact same age as yours (give or take a year).

When they were younger, we stayed at the Poly. It was great in many ways -- monorail gave best/easiest access to MK, the park where we spent the most time; also could walk to TTC, which gave very easy monorail access to EPCOT or buses to parks and other resorts; fun theme; nice zero-entry pool with fun slide; youngest (3 yrs old at the time) fit in the daybed comfortably, etc.

A few years later, we tried the (year-old at the time) family suites at All-Star Music. We had never stayed onsite at a "value" resort before, and we were somewhat skeptical. It worked out GREAT, and when you combine with park hopper passes, the cost was about 40% less than Poly. Even though the kids were bigger, the suite set-up felt much bigger than our room at the Poly, even though it probably wasn't much bigger -- if at all. Looking back, I think the biggest reason it worked out so well was that our family didn't need the "plusses" of the Poly as much. They were all swimmers by then, and they had plenty of fun at the pool -- even without a slide. Poolside kid activities were abundant (hoola-hooping and karaoke contests, periodic dance parties with the lifeguards, etc.). Also nightly movies poolside. The food court suited their tastes better than the Poly restaurants. Moreover, our family's park preferences had broadended, so being on the monorail line close to MK was not nearly as important. The buses worked very well for us, for travel to the parks as well as other resorts (for ADRs, etc.).

For a trip this coming spring, we areconsidering a similar stay again in an AllStar Music family suite. We are also had our AAA rep price two adjoining rooms at AllStar Music, and the price (with park hoppers) for a 6-night stay turned out to be about $300 less than the suite. Moreover, my AAA rep told me that Disney will usually "guarantee" (whatever that really means) the adjoining rooms if you've got more children than adults in your family.

We loved the Poly when we stayed there, and I'm glad we had that experience. We've also stayed at Wilderness Lodge in the past and had a great experience. But given where our family is now in terms of kids' ages, preferences, etc., the value resort set up works best for our family, particularly when you consider the cost savings.

 

[bwolfe]

We stayed in the WL villas in Feb. and it was great. There are five of us. We are staying at POP for a quick trip this weekend, but any extended trip will be back at the WL villas.

 

[NotUrsula]

If the meal plan is not important to you, you might also consider the Swan if you can qualify for a sale rate.

The regular beds are GREAT, and they will provide a twin-sized rollaway bed. We like that location even better, because there are two parks within walking distance, and you actually CAN walk it.

 

[happymommy]

I only have two kids, and this past December (last year) we stayed at the BWI (for the first time). The daybed was a true twin bed for DD, and my DH only was there for about 4 nights. I went early with the kids.

With just me and the kids, it is okay but not great at their ages now in one room. The 4 of us, well, it was fun but really I wouldn't do it again. I'd rather have more privacy and space than anything. I also don't really care about being on the monorail personally.

Given the choice, I'd do two rooms at the Swan or Dolphin for probably less than one room at the Poly.

 

[YanksWinAgain]

Appreciate the feedback from all...

I have been to WDW several times (stayed at the Poly back in 73 or 74 when I was a kid - remember the luau, but not the pool or rooms...), but for the kids it is the first time. Sort of wanted to give them the experience of being real close to MK as opposed to further away in Sports/Music. Also, had heard some negatives with Sports/Music - with "class trips" and other things going on.

 

[LJRJR]

My kids are 9,7 and 5 and we have stayed at the Poly the last few trips. It works well for us. The day bed is a regular sized twin. We found the room to be comfortable for us, and the ground floor is a plus, as someone else mentioned, becuause the kids can go outside easily and run around on the grass. If you get real close to the main building, you would be able to give your older children alittle more freedom (if you are comfortable with this), such as running over to Captain Cooks to pick up snacks, etc. But I did find the room to be large enought for us. I would love to stay in a suite somewhere, but I love staying at the Poly.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

We've stayed at Poly twice as a family of 5. We have plenty of room. My kids were 9, 7, and 4 our last trip.

We actually like to stay farther from the main building because it is a short walk to ticket and transportation center. We can go there when we don't want to transfer monorails for Epcot. We also use their bus stops for Animal Kingdom and the Studios. Poly sometimes shares with GF and Cont.

Have fun!

 

[LuvOrlando]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Poly!

The room has sleeping for 5, but even so I sometimes bring an airbed to a hotel just because my kids like to have their own space.

 

[PaulaSue]

We are a family of 5 and very comfortable at Poly. My girls were 5,7, and 9 when we went. Too bad we were not in our hotel enough to really enjoy it though.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

We are a family of 5 and are choosing the Contemporary (dh and ds choice for birthdays). I think we are going to love walking to/from MK (especially at night when the monorail line is so long at closing). We have eaten at Chef Mickey's in the past, and my kids think it will be cool to see Mickey/the monorail/and Wishes from their hotel!

 

[ma2jr]

I vote Contemporary