Inexpensive accommodations for a party of 6?

[1rockinmamato2]

We're planning our trip. DH and I will be going to DW with our two children (which will both be two and under at the time of travel). DH has invited his mother, so that brings our party up to 5. And I would like for my cousin to go with us too, so that brings us to 4 adults and 2 children.

Is there an inexpensive way to stay on-site with this many people? We'd rather stay in a moderate resort, but it looks like that's going to mean two rooms and we will not be able to afford that as we are picking up the entire vacation tab for his mom.

Are there any suggestions? I guess worst-case scenario would be for his mom to have to help pay her part, but we really hate to do that since she's living on a fixed income.

 

[robinb]

The limit for all values and most moderates is 4 people over 3, plus one under 3. Port Orleans Riverside allows 5 in their Alligator Bayou rooms and I assume that you could include your youngest child in a pack-n-play and your older one in the trundle bed.

You can also get two rooms at one of the value resorts or stay in one of the suites at All Star movies. Two rooms will give you two bathrooms which will be more comfortable for 4 adults.

 

[darlak]

We've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, All Star Movies family suite, and 2 connecting rooms at Pop. Our usual traveling crew is 4 adults and one teenager. The downside of the room at PORS is only one bathroom. My personal preference of those choices is two rooms at Pop. Our next trip we're staying in 2 non-connecting, but close rooms at Pop (my choice). This trip our group includes me, DH, DD-20, DS-22, DD's boyfriend-21, and DD-13. DS and DD's boyfriend will be in one room, while the rest of us will be in a nearby room. I can't underestimate the value of that second bathroom!

 

[pweyl36]

I know you want too stay on site,but have you looked into renting a house?
we had 13 people in a five bedroom house w/3 full baths,pool,hot tub, for about $800 for the wk.you cant get that onsite.

 

[faindrops27]

I assume that since you mentioned your children will be under 2. That you will be trying to go during free dining. Since your oldest lil package is 20 months now. Best advice, if this is the case. 2 rooms, at one of the values. Mom, and cousin share one room. Best of luck!!

 

[djblu883]

how about a huge tent and air mattresses???? that will be your most economic way....and air mattresses make it almost as good as being on a bed...the bathrooms are very clean and you can use WDW trans.....check out the camping thread....there is a world of info there....

 

[faindrops27]

how about a huge tent and air mattresses???? that will be your most economic way....and air mattresses make it almost as good as being on a bed...the bathrooms are very clean and you can use WDW trans.....check out the camping thread....there is a world of info there....

I dont know if you are trying to be funny or not. But, camping, with 2 under 2year olds. No way!!.. I know some people are going to say people do it all the time. To me, that is not a vacation. No way Op. Dont do it. That is a disaster. In the making. I went camping once, had a deluxe aerobed, and a 10person tent. For a total of 4 adults. All I can say is never again. I cannot imagine, having to lug an infant, and a toddler into a camping scenario. But again, this is jmho. So, take it with a grain of salt. But, please think about it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

If it were me I think I'd do what the others here have said and go with 2 rooms at the POP that do connect. This arrangement worked for us when we went with the in-laws years ago when the kids still napped. The connecting rooms made it sooo much nicer. All our other family members were adults so the rooms were empty during nap time. When the kids were napping we had a key and opened up the connecting door, went into the in-laws room and watched TV without fear of waking the kiddies. At night we just locked the doors so no-one would be woken up by toilet flushing or snoring in the next room.

To be honest, we did do this at POR but the in-laws paid their own way and so did we. I can't see spending all that money for a moderate when the POP would probably be just as nice considering your situation.

 

[djblu883]

nope not kidding...did it with my kids all over the country since they were babes in diapers...however my sister just took 9 to Disney....they rented a house right outside the gates....

I dont know if you are trying to be funny or not. But, camping, with 2 under 2year olds. No way!!.. I know some people are going to say people do it all the time. To me, that is not a vacation. No way Op. Dont do it. That is a disaster. In the making. I went camping once, had a deluxe aerobed, and a 10person tent. For a total of 4 adults. All I can say is never again. I cannot imagine, having to lug an infant, and a toddler into a camping scenario. But again, this is jmho. So, take it with a grain of salt. But, please think about it.

 

[powellrj]

try the orlando board for wonderful off-site ideas. You can rent a condo or pool home for around the cost of 4 adults at pop and have lots of extra room and privacy. I know many people prefer to stay on site, but a condo or a pool home is also nice because there is more room to spread out and the cost is very reasonable!

 

[blessedby3]

You might get a better weekly price staying off site, but IMHO it is way more trouble to stay off site. Especially with 2 babies. You have to figure in travel time to and from the parks, and pay parking daily at the parks and you give up your option to have EMH. This also limits your coming and going from the parks to hotels for naps, rest. If you are on property, 2 of you can take the little ones back by bus to the hotel for a nap and the others can stay and enjoy park time without strollers and child swaps. If you are off property, you would probably all leave at the same time because of having only one vehicle. Also, if you are flying down you have Magical Express (free) if on property and wont need to pay for a rental car. If staying off property you have to factor in the cost of a rental car and gas too.

Camping at WDW with 2 babies and in a TENT
I wont even do that with my 3 kids who are all self sufficient!!!!!!
No vacation there if you ask me

 

[robinb]

If you are off property, you would probably all leave at the same time because of having only one vehicle. Also, if you are flying down you have Magical Express (free) if on property and wont need to pay for a rental car. If staying off property you have to factor in the cost of a rental car and gas too.

I think that's the worst part of staying off site. While you would save plenty of $$ on a condo/house/cheap hotel you would end up spending more on a rental car. PLUS you would have to be joined at the hip with the other adults in your party and on the same exact schedule.

 

[mill4023]

The most economical option to stay onsite is Port Orleans Riverside in the Alligator Bayou section. Since at least one of your kids is under 3, they don't count towards occupancy and Disney allows 5 people to stay in one of the POR rooms with the pull-out trundle bed.
We love POR and we've stayed there on at least part of all 3 of our trips to Disney with our 4 kids. Yes, it was a little tight, but we didn't spend much time in the room anyway. Our youngest slept with mom in one bed and our 2nd youngest slept with me in the other bed. Our oldest 2 (currently 12 and 10) took turns between the trundle and a sleeping bag.

So technically it would work for you, but I honestly don't think I'd want to do that with 3 adults. It seems like the sleeping arrangements would be more difficult with 3 adults and 3 kids than with 2 adults and 4 kids. Oh, and I forgot that you would have to pay an extra charge for a 3rd adult in the same room. So it might not end up being cheaper than 2 rooms at a value after all.

So if you are trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible, it's really a matter of deciding if you'd rather stay at a nicer resort like POR, but be crammed into a room or stay at a value and have more beds and bathrooms and space.

 

[faindrops27]

I think that's the worst part of staying off site. While you would save plenty of $$ on a condo/house/cheap hotel you would end up spending more on a rental car. PLUS you would have to be joined at the hip with the other adults in your party and on the same exact schedule.

Definately, I think that it costs more in the long run to stay offsite. Alot of people don't see it that way. Because, they get a great rate on a townhome. Or an offsite property. But, in our case. In the long run. It did not work out that way. I, and my family stayed at windsor hills in 2005. We are a family of 5 husband and I, and 3 children. We had a beautiful townhome with a pool, plenty of space. But, after, all was said, and done. Between van rental 13 days, paying for parking for 13 days, admission tickets, rental of home, food offsite, onsite, and supplies, and food for the townhome. The grand total was upwards of 4900. The conveniece, and value, and perks of staying onsite. Outweighs, the space, and room. You aquire staying offsite. JMHO.

And, Djblu- I was not trying to be snarky. I admire people like you, who brave the camping thing, with babes in diapers. I hardly made it through, the first day, of camping with 4 adults. Like, they say different strokes, for different folks. You are truly a superparent!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I think you would qualify for POR. It's a moderate that sleeps 5 plus one under 3. It would be the most economical on-site vacation. If you can afford it two rooms at POP or All Stars would give you two bathrooms and more space. If not I'm sure you will love POR even if you are a little cramped!
Have a great time planning your trip.

BTW with little ones I would definitely try to stay onsite. I thinks its much more convenient. If you can get free dining that might help eat up the cost of the extra room at POP.

 

[pweyl36]

Definately, I think that it costs more in the long run to stay offsite. Alot of people don't see it that way. Because, they get a great rate on a townhome. Or an offsite property. But, in our case. In the long run. It did not work out that way. I, and my family stayed at windsor hills in 2005. We are a family of 5 husband and I, and 3 children. We had a beautiful townhome with a pool, plenty of space. But, after, all was said, and done. Between van rental 13 days, paying for parking for 13 days, admission tickets, rental of home, food offsite, onsite, and supplies, and food for the townhome. The grand total was upwards of 4900. The conveniece, and value, and perks of staying onsite. Outweighs, the space, and room. You aquire staying offsite. JMHO.

And, Djblu- I was not trying to be snarky. I admire people like you, who brave the camping thing, with babes in diapers. I hardly made it through, the first day, of camping with 4 adults. Like, they say different strokes, for different folks. You are truly a superparent!!

Boy,$4900 is alot of money. We stayed off site in march my total w/rental car
was $2500. we ate breakfast at the house drove to the parks(10min ride) and brought our own water and snacks.It just takes planning.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

In your place I would go for a Family Suite. You can share the queen bedroom with your dh and your mil can cousin can sleep each one in her own bed (convertible beds I just slept in one of them the entire week with no problems) and still have plenty of space for 2 pack n plays.

You would get 2 bathrooms this way, and a mini kitchen with a microwave, cofee maker, small fridge and sink to wash bottles, etc. (I find it extremely gross to wash baby bottles in a bathroom sink -though the bathroom sinks are technically outside the bathroom). Also there is plenty of storage space in the suites and you will have enough space for the stroller or strollers, etc. (we had 3 strollers in ours). Also 2 tv`s

HTH

Julie

 

[faindrops27]

Boy,$4900 is alot of money. We stayed off site in march my total w/rental car
was $2500. we ate breakfast at the house drove to the parks(10min ride) and brought our own water and snacks.It just takes planning.

Yes, it sure was alot, and has convinced me to stay on Disney property always. I am an avid planner also. But, when crunching numbers, staying offsite versus staying onsite. Just did not add up well for our family. The initial reason I stayed at Windsor hills is because it was brand new, and 1375 seemed like a very reasonable price. Let me get this right. For 13 days.. You had a rental van, and stayed at windsor hills, in the 3 bedroom townhome? For 2500, including all of your onsite, and offsite food, and disney tickets? Where did your family of 5 fly from? We flew from Long Island NY. 2500 is not bad at all. I dont know how you did that. Here is how our trip numbers looked.

For 13 days. Our townhome alone cost us 1375.
Airfare was 1100.
The van was a great price at 478.
We ate 4 TS which ran around 660, including tip.
Another 500 for CS.
Snacks for 13 days. I did not add. I dont have a reciept for them all.
Dinners, at olive garden, pizza hut, red lobster, steak and shake, and this expensive italian place. Ran roughly 640 with tip.
I think i spent around 150, on supplies for the house, some breakfast foods, 2 dinners which I cooked.
Then the tickets. Which if I remember correctly were around 1000.
Sometimes we let the kids eat breakfast at mcds, if we running late leaving for the parks in the morning. so another 50.
Oh, parking. I did not add that either.
I was actually low in my equation. I think this adds up to more than 5000
Which really nails the nail in the head. To stay onsite. At least for me.

The next trip with just me, and the boys. I think is costing me around 1500, with the free dining for nine nights.Airfare 430, SW. I will use the bus for transport. I cannot wait. I am pretty sold on staying onsite. From now on. I love it!! And again, if following the example of what we paid to stay at Windsor Hills. It is a no brainer. To stay onsite. But, again. That is JMHO

 

[maxiesmom]

How about the Fort Wilderness Cabins? They sleep 6. One bed and 2 bunks in the bedroom, and a pull down in the living room. The only drawback is they have only 1 bathroom. If that doesn't appeal to you I would go with the All-Star Suites. Two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchenette.

 

[HeatherC]

Faindrops27 - Did you actually go to the parks every day for 13 days? Just curious. I love Disney, but after a few days at a theme park, I've had enough.

We are a family of 5 and I can never get the numbers to work for us onsite. I'm renting a 4 bedroom townhouse in June for 10 days for $690 total. How can I find that at Disney? If there is a way...please let me know.
Even paying for parking and renting a car, we have NEVER come close to $5000. Our usual trip is about 10 days.

Always looking for advice and suggestions.

HeatherC