Ideas for a large family?? (Where to stay?)

[kellymomof5]

We are moving to the southeastern US this spring, and are very excitedly planning a trip to Disneyworld for sometime in 2006. We went to Disneyland last summer, and it was unbeleivably wonderful! We only had one big problem that we never quite found a way to overcome, and that was accomidations. We wound up getting two adjoining rooms through our travel agent, and although they weren't gauranteed, we did get them together and everything was fine. We were/are not about to pay for one of the big suites for mega money. Now, as we plan this trip to DW, I am wondering if there are any great places for a large family to stay, that doesn't cost a fortune??? I have 5 children, ages 10 to 3, so it is very important for us to all be together as a family. Thus, I need someplace that will work for 7 people. We don't want to camp. We have looked into renting a house in the vacinity, which would be fine, but I would love to stay closer. I would love to be in one of the resort hotels, but since they won't let us have rooms together, and the cost of the suites is unbeleivable, I don't know if we have any options? Any great ideas would be greatly appreciated. It amazes me that DW and DL would make it so hard for parents of 5 kids, to come spend a small fortune at their park! Oh well, we'll get it figured out once again, and hopefully have as wonderful of a trip as we did last time! At least this time we can drive the short distance...last summer we had a full day's flight! Yipes!

Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[1of6]

We have 4 kids and just got back from WDW. My mom and aunt came with us so that made 8. We got connecting rooms at POP. We went value season so I think it wasn't a problem getting the rooms. I joked with the CM who took my reservation that we were going to put the adults in 1 room and the kids in the other so it would be in Disney's best interest to make sure that the kids were near us. She said she hears that all the time.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Hi! We have four children, and had priced the suites, as well. There was no way we could swing one of those for the length of our stay. I know many here have recommended renting DVC points to get villas (?). I honestly don't know anything about that, but so many have mentioned it, it may be worth looking into.

We decided to stay at All Star Movies, with connecting rooms. From everything I've been told (here, as well as thru my Travel Agent), Disney will guarantee connecting rooms for families who have more kids than adults (or some wording along those lines). So, we assume we'll all be connected somehow. And I am looking forward to having two bathrooms/sinks, t.v.s, and rooms to spread out.

Have fun with your planning, and your move!

 

[mom2fivecs]

We too are staying in 2 connecting rooms at Pop in June Having 7 people in our family, we definitely need the 2 bathrooms

 

[dsnymomof4]

For our family of 6, we usually get 2 connecting rooms at Pop, but this past December, brought along Mom & Sis and decided to splurge and rented DVC points and stayed in a 2br at BWV - very nice! If you're interested in renting points, just check out the Rent/Trade board.

 

[katiesmom2]

We are staying in one of these rental homes (the tangerine dream) in a week. We are paying $119 per night for a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with a screened in pool, kitchen facilities and laundry.

I'd be happy to post a review of this place when I return if you send me a private message.

http://www.sun-herald.com/hotel/hotelinfo/57186.html

 

[stacy6552]

Stay in one of the home away from home resorts. You could easily fit into a 2 bedroom villa. It comes with a full kitchen, so you could offset some of the expense dinning in. Or you could rent points from a DVC member, which would be a big way to save, if youre flexible on dates and stuff.

 

[In a hurry]

What about renting DVC points? We did and it was reasonably priced. We stayed at BWV and OKW. OKW had the most room, but I loved the location of the Boradwalk!

 

[powellrj]

check out cypress point on hotelkingdom.com Its a huge favorite over on the Orlando boards. We stayed there last year and will stay again another year! We had the 2 bedroom, but they also offer a 3 bedroom. Its located right down the street from downtown disney, so getting to the parks isn't a problem. Go over to the orlando boards and do a search and you will see lots of people who rave about it!

 

[malibuconlee]

How many will the Ft. Wilderness cabins fit? I'me fairly certain a woman I know with 5 kids stayed there, but she may have had her youngest in a pack and play.

I do think unless you want the kitchen in the cabin at Ft. Wilderness that you're better off with two connecting rooms at a value resort. You'll have two bathrooms that way.

 

[swillis]

I've booked a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom villa are Marriott Grande Vista. It has a full kitchen, living room with pull out sofa, screened balcony, 2 queen beds in 1 bedroom, king bed in the other. It has a washer and dryer in the room, 2 pools, a restaurant on site, and many activities. It's right next to Sea World, and about 10-15 minutes away from Disney. I got this on Marriott's website for 191 per night.

 

[disneymom3]

If you want to stay onsite, head on over to the DVC board and look into renting points from a fellow DISer. I am figuring we can save around $600 for the week renting a two bedroom at Beach Club vs a reg hotel room at the Poly. (We have a total of 5 and hte values do not appeal to me at all)

 

[poohfriend]

Port orleans riverside and ft wilderness cabins are decent choices for a family of 5. Ft. wilderness gives you a bunk and a double bed in the bedroom. There is s double murphy bed in the living area.

POR has a trundle bed in some rooms (a family of 5 can usually get one!)

the connecting rooms at a moderate or value is also a good choice. SOme rooms in the deluxe resorts hold 5 -- but require an upgrade and are pricy!

enjoy your trip!

 

[disneymom3]

poohfriend, unfortunately (well, not unfortunately in the whole scheme of things just in WDW) the OP has 5 kids, not a family of 5, so POR doesn't work afterall. Have you stayed in the cabins? I have always been curious about those.

 

[laceemouse]

I recommend DVC, we bought and we love it, worth every penny!!! You could check into renting points (we never have any to rent out, we use all of them!) We have stayed at BCV, OKW, and VWL so far and they have all been fantastic!!! It is great having a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 3 tvs, and most of all our own washer/dryer!!!

 

[HorsePrincess]

I may be a little young to speak, but when my family went to Disney a few years ago (there are six kids, including myself), we rented a house off Disney property that was not affiliated with Disney in any way. Trust me, it was a blast. There were three kids' rooms that were themed to Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Buzz Lightyear. There was a pool and a game room, tvs in every room, a PlayStation2 and a GameCube with games. And it cost less than staying in a resort for the same amount of time. It was a two minute drive to the parks, and we all had so much fun, both off and on Disney land. I highly recommend that.

~*HorsePrincess*~

 

[rgribik]

We also have 5 kids, myself and dh-- that makes 7!! We go once or twice a year and get connecting rooms at a value or if we are lucky with a good rate, connecting at a moderate. We really like POP. Disney will give you connecting rooms if you have more kids than adults. We have never had a problem getting connecting rooms. I love to stay on site, and wouldn't go outside of Dis for a room, but that's just me. Have fun--taking 5 kids to Dis is always a hoot!!