Family of five??

[SnoFun68]

Hey folks, I'm planning my Disney trip in May 2008 and it seems like trying to get the right accomodations for two adults and three kids is a challenge, even with a travel agent.

Do you have any ideas as to the best places to stay without spending an arm and a leg.

We have on hold, a room at the AKL 1 bedroom Villa with a Savannah view, with airfare, all transfers and 7 day Park Hopper passes for around $6,500. Does that sound okay? I have no problem with spending that, but not if I'm getting ripped off.

Thanks in advance for any info and tips you can provide me before I make this reservation complete.

 

[mom to 3 angels]

Hi Snow!
We too are a family of 5, planning our FIRST trip to WDW in May. Our trip is May 18-23. We are a family of 2 adults, and 3 children, ages at travel will be 11, 9, and 4 ( mere weeks from 5). I have been checking with several sites, and checked with a few travel agents, and Port Orleans Riverside seems to be our best bet. It is a standard view with trundle bed (most appropriate for a child as it is smaller than a twin bed) through Mouseketrips for $2028.48. Themagicforless for $2017.83. No dining with either package. This includes 5 day Magic Your Way base tickets only. We will be driving, so we will not need airfare. I hope this is helpful. It gives you a couple of travel agents you can check in to. What dates are you traveling? Good luck!

 

[SnoFun68]

Yes, my agent mentioned Port Orleans as an option, but we like the fact we would have a seperate bedroom @ AKL equipped with a king bed. private balcony, tub, kitchenette, etc..

I guess I shouldn't be complaining about the high price since it seems apparent I want and like the extra comforts.

We'll be traveling May 4th to the 10th.

My kids ages at the time of travel will be 4,6 and 7.

 

[karliebug]

You may also want to consider the All star family suites or getting 2 adjoining rooms at a value resort. That would be less expensive than the AKL.

 

[Elmo888]

I was going to suggest the ASMusic Family Suites, too. It doesn't have a full kitchen, just a microwave, fridge, and coffeemaker, but it has a separate bedroom and living area and two bathrooms. It can sleep up to 6 plus one child under 3 in a crib. During value season, it is under $200 (I don't know what season May considered).

Here is a thread with pics and lots of info...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409

Watch for discounts at mousesavers.com, and you might be able to apply one (can be applied to existing reservation) to save some $$. Also, you can probably book airfare yourself for less (vs. going though Disney Travel Co.).

Have a great trip!

 

[jimandami]

Hey folks, I'm planning my Disney trip in May 2008 and it seems like trying to get the right accomodations for two adults and three kids is a challenge, even with a travel agent.

Do you have any ideas as to the best places to stay without spending an arm and a leg.

We have on hold, a room at the AKL 1 bedroom Villa with a Savannah view, with airfare, all transfers and 7 day Park Hopper passes for around $6,500. Does that sound okay? I have no problem with spending that, but not if I'm getting ripped off.

Thanks in advance for any info and tips you can provide me before I make this reservation complete.

Have you gone to the DVC rent/trade board...you could rent poiints for that room for probably 1/2 the cost!!

 

[darlak]

We're going with 5 for 7 nights checking in on March 14, 2008. Staying at POR, MYW 8-day tickets w/park hopper (waterparks and more added free with code), and DDP. Total cost $3906.94.

I think the rates from mid-March through May are similar.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I feel your pain. We decided on FW Cabins. We did 6 nights with park hopper and dining (1 child is considered an adult) for around 3600 (5800 with airfare and I believe we live in the most expensive city to fly out of). We are leaving in 10 days (so we haven't experienced them yet) but there seems to be plenty of room in them plus you get your own deck.

 

[darlak]

I feel your pain. We decided on FW Cabins. We did 6 nights with park hopper and dining (1 child is considered an adult) for around 3600 (5800 with airfare and I believe we live in the most expensive city to fly out of). We are leaving in 10 days (so we haven't experienced them yet) but there seems to be plenty of room in them plus you get your own deck.

That's a good price. How many of your group are adult rates?

 

[Aliceacc]

WE opted for the Contemporary, in the cheapest room we could find there.

It IS more expensive than POR or a family suite, although not incredibly so. And the thought of being able to WALk a cranky 5 year old back for a swim or to bed if the monorail lines got long... well, that pretty much clinched it for us.

Happy planning!!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

That's a good price. How many of your group are adult rates?

We have 3 adults. Me, DH DD10 (an adult as far as park tickets and dining plan) DD7 & DS4. I was very happy with the price and I think that my family would go crazy in a more cramped room.

 

[MainGuy]

We are a family of 5 (3 kids aged 11,6,4) going May 2-9.
We booked a 2 bdr condo at Bonnet creek (right next to wdw), flight, 6 day MYW tix and a minivan rental for $3350.
We are from Montreal, but will be driving to Burlington VT (1.5 hrs drive).
We like the flexibility of the condo for meals and the proximity of Bonnet creek.
This will be our first time there.

 

[mom2grace]

Have you gone to the DVC rent/trade board...you could rent poiints for that room for probably 1/2 the cost!!

I agree! Go there, and post your travel dates and see what happens!

You can also add the dining plan if you want, and Magical express is free (no matter how you book).

 

[ChrisAlli]

I feel your pain. We decided on FW Cabins. We did 6 nights with park hopper and dining (1 child is considered an adult) for around 3600 (5800 with airfare and I believe we live in the most expensive city to fly out of). We are leaving in 10 days (so we haven't experienced them yet) but there seems to be plenty of room in them plus you get your own deck.

We stayed in the cabins in May and loved them. Lot's of room, and if you have a car it's right of front.

We requested and stayed in loop 2100, loved it

 

[SnoFun68]

Thanks for all the tips and good information!!

Those All Star Suites look great and run only $1,400 for the week (just the room)

 

[mommylicious]

If you don't mind spending a good bit on a room and if 1 room is OK (as in no seperate bedroom), our family of 5 (ages 7, 4 and a baby who doesn't take up much room but all of the "stuff" that accompanies him does!) really like the deluxe concierge room at the Beach Club. That category used to be called a junior suite. It was more than twice the size of a regular BC room with 2 queens, a day bed, lots of floor space, a marble "foyer" one HUGE balcony and one standing balcony, big dressing area etc. The only drawback to the room was that it is not on the same floor as the concierge lounge. We knew that going in so it was no big deal. Our kids actually had room to run around and play with the swords they bought outside POTC. It's going to be a good bit more than a family suite but you have the deluxe amenities, concierge services, Stormalong Bay and lots of room.

Just a thought.

 

[justwinnie]

We recently stayed in a 1BR at AKV. It was nice and spacious, but we only have 1 child. I think it's smaller than some of the other vacation clubs, since the ones available now were retro-fitted into the hotel rooms.

You might want to see if there's availability at other vacation club resorts-- Old Key West may be cheaper and it's a lovely resort. The 1 BR at OKW is more spacious than AKV, in my opinion.

The 1BR villa at AKV and other vacation club resorts only has one bathroom. You'll have two bathrooms if you get connecting rooms or if you get a family suite at ASMu.

If you have young kids, ASMu might be more fun with all the over-the-top theming.

 

[freshstart19]

I've been agonizing how to accommodate our group of 5. My DH really wants a bedroom door so the teen girls (actually adults now that cost more!!) can stay up late and not wake up the 5 year old. I've been given the Saratoga Springs for 3 nights with dining for $3,045.00 in a 2 bedroom villa. The one bedroom apparently does not have a pull out coach! A room at the Polynesian would be the same and would sleep 5 but that's in 1 room. The All Star Family Suite option is $2118.24, but I'm concerned that there it will be too "themey" for the 18 year olds and they wanted to be close to DTD. I'm also going nuts thinking maybe it's a better option to stay in a non-Disney suite property near DTD and not worry about the 3 extra hours at night in the MK and MGM. Any ideas..... We'll be there from 1/5 - 1/8/08. Thanks!

 

[hematite153]

I've been given the Saratoga Springs for 3 nights with dining for $3,045.00 in a 2 bedroom villa. The one bedroom apparently does not have a pull out coach!

All of the DVC one bedrooms (except some of the value rooms at AKV) have a pullout bed in the the living room. But, if you want somewhere for 18 year olds to hang out late with a closed door, then you'll likely want the 2 bedroom version.

Plus, only the AKV one bedrooms accommodate 5 so your party would be too large for a SSR one bedroom.