Hotel Suggestions

[Tasia]

Hello, I have not been to disneyworld since I can't even remember!! We are looking to go next year but want to get an idea of the cost. We are a family of five (2 parents, a 4 year old, 2 year old and a 1 year old at the time of travel). We are looking for a hotel room. We are hoping to also have the grandparents come with us. I know a room for all of us would be extremely expensive. Is there a way for us to get adjoining rooms? With that number of kids can we just get a standard room at any hotel or will it go over the acceptable number of guests?

Any tips or advice?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Space wise it might be tight, but you can fit the five if you in any room on WDW property because the 1 year old can be in a pack n play.

 

[kiramay]

We loved POR because it sleeps 5. Otoh since the baby will be in a crib/pack'n'play, now is a good time to try a different resort since you'll be "4" this time. Once you hit 5 the pickings are slim or expensive.

 

[DISNEYNV]

Space wise it might be tight, but you can fit the five if you in any room on WDW property because the 1 year old can be in a pack n play.

I agree!!!! Take advantage of the fact that you can put the baby in a pack and play and stay where you wish this time around. It gets trickier to book for 5 and can be pricier as well. We LOVE the POP Century and pay for a preferred room to get a bit closer to the pools and bus transportation. My kids love it here!!!!!! My favorite is AK Lodge, but we have stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and loved it as well. Old Key West (you can book at a vacation club resort too) was lovely when it was our whole family! You really cant go wrong with any Disney Resort actually. It is all in your taste and budget. Have fun choosing

 

[rachellm]

I agree with everyone else on the rooms

As for adjoining rooms, you can request them - but they can't guarantee that they would be able to accommodate you.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

For that many people I would rent dvc points and stay at OKW in a 2br suite and be comfortable.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The All Star Music has family suites that sleep 6. The new GF DVC sleeps 6 if your rent DVC points.

 

[robinb]

Are you looking for something onsite or offsite? When are you planning to go? Will you have a car?

Another popular option is the Wyndham Bonnet Creek timeshare. You can get a 2 or 3 bedroom timeshare unit for a very good price and they have a shuttle to the Disney parks. Here's a link that describes Bonnet Creek: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2951974

 

[DreadpiratK]

Something to consider, assuming you'll have a car, is renting a pool home or condo off site. I know, many think that this is sacrilege, but when we went 3 years ago with 2 kids and grandparents we rented a condo at Regal Palms that was just beautiful, had it's own water park, and everybody got their own bedroom including my parents. Plus a nice living space and full kitchen.

Staying on site would have been nicer in some ways, but being able to come home after a long hot day at the parks when everyone was a bit tired and crabby and scatter to our own private spaces for a little while kept everyone sane and really made the trip awesome. I love my parents, and so does my DW, but being stuck in a small hotel room or even suite with them for 10 days would have led to serious family strife, and likely ruined the trip.

Rental homes are often cheaper than hotel rooms, even off site hotel rooms, on a weekly basis, and benefits are more than worth it in my book. Check out www.VRBO.com or other like sites for prices. Unless you are going at peak times, you can score some very good deals. Yes you have to pay for parking at the parks, which adds up, but that can be more than offset by the savings from having a full kitchen to work with. We mostly just ate breakfasts in , but that alone saved a ton when you're feeding 6. Plus sometimes the kids just need to chill out on the couch for a while and not deal with the stress of a restaurant every meal. Especially with young ones this can be a huge trip saving option. Nothing ruins a Disney vacation faster then over tired, stressed out kiddos.

And honestly, if DW and I don't have a private bedroom, it ain't vacation!

 

[mousehunter3]

The first time we went with the kids, we stayed at the CBR. There are 5 of us as well. At that time, our kids were 1, 4, and 6. It was CRAMPED in that room. I did not like it at all.

This past time, we stayed in a family suite at ASMusic and it was SO much better. Having two bathrooms was great and there was a lot more room to move about and put our belongings.

Depending on how close you are with the grandparents, adjoining rooms might alleviate the feeling cramped issue if they don't mind taking a child or two over to their place sometimes.

I just know with the pack n play in our room and everyone sharing one sink, it was uncomfortable for us to be in a double queen room.

 

[CarpeDisney]

As someone already posted, you may want to look into some of the villas (they are at animal kingdom, the beach club, boardwalk, old key west, grand Floridian, Saratoga springs and the wilderness lodge). If you're looking into the possibility of having to book 2 adjoining rooms the price may be comparable if you get a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom villa (depending on the resort and the booking category).

Villas can be rented directly from Disney, or you can look to rent DVC points from their owners directly or through brokers.

 

[Julie711]

I wound also suggest renting points. Our last 4 trips have been renting points and we love having more space in the villa's and being in a deluxe hotel! We have stayed @ AKL, BWV & WL and loved them all & renting points in October for AKL again!

 

[islandtimect]

As others said, the baby doesn't "count" toward headcount in the room, so if you don't mind it a bit tight, you can try anywhere. In addition, there's no charge for the room or park tickets for your 1 yo and 2yo! If your family and parents want to share a room, it's fun staying in a villa. OKW 2 bedrooms are generally the cheapest, and can be booked at 35% off if traveling during their discount periods. There's a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms or more, a large living room, and washer and dryer. You can save a lot of money by eating breakfast in your room, as well as snacks and lunch or dinner on the days you don't go to a park. Hopefully the next round of discounts will be announced the end of the month, so you might want to contact a travel agent who specializes in Disney so they can help.