Help!!! Family of six

[Sxofus]

Hey everyone!!! We're a family of six. Two adults and four kids (6,5,2,2)

We don't want to spend a fortune on deluxe suites, ect, and don't really want to stay at the ASM. Are we limited to the Wilderness Cabins that sleep 6, or do the babies ages give us more flexibility?

I'm hoping to stay in a standard room (2 doubles and a day) at one of the three MK resorts (Cont, Poly, GF). Do I have a shot?

Thanks!

 

[WildGrits]

Have you check into buying points from a DVC member? YUou might get more room for your buck. The only set back is that you cannot get the added dining plan to you MYW tickets.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I know the Poly (my personal favorite) sleeps 5 plus a child under 3 in a crib. If you're going while your younger two are still 2, that would be the way to go, IMHO. We did this in August, when mine were 11,9,3, and 6 months, and it was a tad crowded but worked fine. I recommend you ask for the first floor. Tahiti building is my favorite, but generally, a first floor meant I could send the older ones out on the patio and lawn, and still keep an eye on them. Also, it's easier getting in and out of the first floor and not having elevators/stairs, esp. if you take a mid-day break.

For the longer term, we recently bought into DVC and plan to use that when we go again in 8/08. 2 bedrooms and a full kitchen. I thought you could use the dining plan for DVC. Like you, I wasn't that impressed with the options for a larger family. The All Star suites looked cheesy and suites at the Poly were WAY beyond our price range.

 

[java]

Standard rooms at the Deluxe hotels are queen size beds- We are 6 too(12,9,4,2) The deluxe rooms(the ones you mentioned all sleep 5 plus an infant- so as long as you go before the twins turn 3 you are ok in any of the standard rooms at a deluxe(the poly rooms are large and family friendly- we stayed there in july and are staying at the gf in april... we have never done the contemporary.) We go deluxe for the Queen size beds and the daybed- we fit fine! never felt crowded and the bathroom at the Poly is HUGE!

 

[Zoemakes5]

I have to agree with pp. For the cost you'd be looking at for a Deluxe Resort, look into renting points for your stay. There's a board for it here on the Dis. I looked into renting points when we were looking at WDW last time. They typically go for about $10 per point and we could have stayed in a 2BR w/in walking distance of both EPCOT and MGM studios for about half the price of a Moderate! So I'd definitely check that out. More space, kids can sleep better, you're not beholden to their sleep schedules and you (and your older children) don't have to tiptoe around the room from the point where the little ones are going down for the night. Plus, you get a kitchen and laundry! We're a family of 5, and for us, even if it were slightly more, I'd try for the DVC or a suite over a regular room.
My preference for a wider variety of age ranges is the Beach Club, second would be Boardwalk.

 

[dman11]

You're 2 year olds don't "count" when making reservations at WDW. So you have the ability to stay at any resort you want. If at least one of them will sleep in a port-a-cirb you could even stay at a moderate resort like POFQ or POR. Our last stay our youngest was 2 and our 2 older ones were 10 and 11 and we fit comfortably in a room at POFQ. Even with our youngest not sleeping a single night in the port-a-crib.

However, Poly will give you much more room in the room and queen sized beds. So it really depends on how cooperative you 2 year olds are. I loved the fact that we were able to take our DD when she was just 1 month shy of her 3rd bday and not have to pay for a higher priced room or admission.

Enjoy it!!!

 

[KariC]

We are DVC members (I think we own one shingle at SSR ), and we can buy the dining package when we do our ressies with Member Services ($11 for 3-9, $34? for 9 and up). You pay in advance with a credit card. I do not know about "renting" points.... Can the member you rent from do that for you? I know it would add to the trust factor...if they can do it. However, do keep in mind...if you do this option you will have a full kitchen. And there are some good grocery delivery options (gardengrocer.com is one). Our next trip we're staying in a 1 brrm, doing the DDP, and having groceries delivered for breakfasts, snacks, and drinks.

Good luck! Hope you have fun (well, I know you will ). We took our twins when they were 2 turning 3 and it was a blast. We especially appreciated that they didn't need park tickets or dining!

 

[Sxofus]

I'll certainly check out the DVC options, but as MK and Epcot are our favorite parks, I think the location of the three MK resorts might outweigh the benefits. They Poly sounds great for us, but I think my oldest son has his heart set on staying at "the place where the monorail goes right through". Now to keep our fingers crossed for the free dining.

Thanks for the great tips everyone!!! Keep 'em coming.

 

[Sxofus]

Ok, I think we've settled on the Contemporary for our late August trip. How far in advance should I try to book the room? Should I wait until April hoping for a "free dining" package, June, or should I do it now and try to upgrade later? Can I do that?

We're hoping for a Tower Room with MK view. Any floor preferences?

Thanks

 

[blessedby3]

You have picked a great resort. We love the CR!!! We stayed on the MK side, tower room, 11th floor. Request the highest floor without being conceirge- I think thats still 11th floor. My kids loved the Monorail and I rode it frequently in the evenings with my older 2 kids while DH stayed in the room getting youngest DD to sleep. They even got to ride in the front a lot. We would just ride it around and around. It is also so easy to get to the MK and EPCOT. And if the younger 2 kids are sleeping in the stroller you can just roll them onto the monorail at the park and once you get to the CR just roll them onto the elevator and up to the room without getting them out. It is so nice.
They also have an arcade on the bottom floor that my kids loved. Be sure to get their picture by the Mickey sculpture out by the pool. We always put one kid in each ear and one on the top with Mickey. Great picture.

I would go ahead and book now and if a special comes out call back and have them apply it to your ressie. We booked our 12/06 trip in 12/05. You could just book a room only for now and if you have AAA that will save you too.

 

[TheDizMom]

My sister has four kids also and they were in the same boat. My BIL decided to call D directly and complain about the fact that it is hard to find a room at any of their resorts that says it will hold 6 people, and he felt he was being discriminated against because he has 4 kids(DS9, DD7, DD4 and DS2 at time). He was able to get a room at AKL that would work for them and they gave him a deal on the room( I think they saved a few hundred dollars for the 2 nights they were there). I think they had a queen, bunk beds and a day bed and were able to work it out. With two 2 year olds I would think they could share the bottom bunk.

My suggestion call them and see what they can do for you. It worked for them maybe it will work for you.

 

[DisneyMama27]

We are DVC members (I think we own one shingle at SSR ), and we can buy the dining package when we do our ressies with Member Services ($11 for 3-9, $34? for 9 and up). You pay in advance with a credit card.

ACtually, you just need the member to add DDP to the reservations. You pay for it when you get there. BUt they will NOT let you have it if you don't say you want it ahead of time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You're 2 year olds don't "count" when making reservations at WDW. So you have the ability to stay at any resort you want. ...

Actually, one of your 2 yr olds doesn't count. The rule is pretty much ONE under the age of Three, not as many as you have under the age of three. So you are currently a family of five with one under the age of three for lodging. for Tickets, you will need tickets for the four of you.

Similarly, if you are a family with sextuplets under the age of three, you couldn't stay in a king bed room at a Mod resorts because you are two with seven under the age of three.

If you decide to rent a DVC reservation, you'll need a two bedroom villa. This will be an agreement between you and the member who owns the points. Disney will not get involved in any way. The owner may require full payment up front to make the reservation, or they might require a partial payment to make the reservation with the rest due at least 60-90 days ahead of time.

Cancellation or changes to the reservation might not be possible, again it depends on the owner. They fully control the reservation at all times until you check in. You won't be able to call Disney to confirm the reservation.