It's So Hard For Us Fams of 5!

[Lizzybean]

I really should've been on top of this a long time ago. What might have been nice was a standard garden view at CR w/ the summer discount but of course there aren't any of those available!

Booking through WDW OKW looks to be about 2600 w/ the special. I'm thinking maybe this trip cut my losses, do FW and hope the full kitchen and separate areas are enough and start planning next years trip much earlier!

 

[Lizzybean]

And next year we are doing early June. I can't do another August.

Oh and every person in this thread is beyond fabulous. It feels so good to commiserate!!!

 

[Candy Orlando]

We are DVC members and we always stay at OKW, three times a year for a week. I love the tropical theme, parking at your door, large rooms, full size washer and dryer, big patio, sandcastle slid at the pool, basketball, volleyball, tennis, shuffleboard, bike and boat rentals, golf course and water views, gourgous palm trees, fire pit for roasting marshmellows, sand near the child pool, and a community center. Watch my video of a one bedroom villa. You'll fall in love and have to buy OKW points.

 

[Lizzybean]

You guys are creating a monster! I'm trying to look up points for the week we're going at AKV now too!

Maybe we'll just buy a house in Celebration?!?

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Ok, what am I missing here???? Is there a reason you are not wanting to stay in a Deluxe -- two beds plus the day bed??? Is it the price alone or wanting to stay somewhere with more than just one room? Have you looked into Swan/Dolphin?

Wishing you all the best as you sort this out!!

 

[Lizzybean]

Ok, what am I missing here???? Is there a reason you are not wanting to stay in a Deluxe -- two beds plus the day bed??? Is it the price alone or wanting to stay somewhere with more than just one room? Have you looked into Swan/Dolphin?

Wishing you all the best as you sort this out!!

DH is the holdout who doesn't want to fork out what he considers a bunch of money on a room he thinks we will never be in. Im thrifty but bless his heart, he's cheap. He doesn't understand cost vs. convenience etc. It's my fault for shielding him from the big bad world. I also blame Vegas where we can go to the Wynn or Encore for 100 a night. But I digress...IF I could get a base room at a deluxe w/ 30% off I think we would be good to go. But he is going to have a heart attack and insist on connecting rooms at a value if the room is much more than 2K.

 

[Lizzybean]

I tried to check out the swan but I couldn't tell if 5 people would fit. I was getting frustrated with their website so I gave up after a few tries.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

We are also a family of five so I understand your concerns. My first pick would be Portt Orleans Riverside. We have stayed here many times and we have loved it every time. I would actually pick this over a deluxe, mainly because we don't spend much time in the room anyway.

We have also stayed in two rooms in a value and it was actually nice because we had more space, and an extra bathroom. There were six of us on that trip so we had to book it this way to fit our needs. The suite was going to cost us more because at that time they would not apply a discount code to a suite. I'm not sure if this has changed.

This next trip is a little different. For the first time ever with all of us going plus a new boyfriend of my DDs, we have decided to stay off site at Bonnet Creek. We are booked for 7 nights for $840. Total!! Sure, I will have to pay to park, but I will still be saving so much money, and this is for a two bedroom suite, with everything we could ever need right there. I couldn't rent points for that at a DVC resort. They also have a bus to if you don't want to drive. Bonnet creek is stil on Disney Property so it's not like it is out of the way. We always drive to the parks anyway so this was a non issue.

I'm all for saving money, but when it comes to Disney I have to do what will make everyone happy. DH is finished being crammed into a little hotel room so I must make my Prince happy above all or we won't make it back down there. He is excited about our next trip.

What ever you choose to do, I'm sure you all will have a great time! Have a safe trip!

 

[wallawallakids]

I tried to check out the swan but I couldn't tell if 5 people would fit. I was getting frustrated with their website so I gave up after a few tries.

They do have a suite that sleeps 6. I called them a while back for prices on it. It wasn't bad with the discount they offered. In the end I went with Disney though for ME and it was less to stay in 2 rooms at a moderate than the suite at Dolphin.

 

[sukhakuli]

My sister always stays at POR, and as a family of 5 they really enjoy it. For us, personally, we need an extra space or else dh and I end up hiding in the bathroom while the kids are trying to sleep. Young kids need 10-12 hours of sleep a night, and we just don't need that much. The WiFi at the YC last time was great, though, because we spent our time planning our next park day and going over our ADR's.

I also think, if you are willing to do some minor cooking, the full kitchen at the Cabins can't be overlooked. We used 2 credits and ordered a pizza from Trail's End, and it lasted several meals in the fridge. If we didn't have breakfast planned, the kids had oatmeal in the room, and we were able to add healthy things like yogurt and fruit as well. And of course milk, my kids go through 4 gallons of milk a week, and they really miss it on vacation, but with a full fridge they were able to drink their milk. We had the dining plan, so we didn't use the kitchen to its full potential, but if you have a pin code, and want to save some money (food is our second largest expense after the room), then you could really save a lot with the kitchen.

We are also a family of five so I understand your concerns. My first pick would be Portt Orleans Riverside. We have stayed here many times and we have loved it every time. I would actually pick this over a deluxe, mainly because we don't spend much time in the room anyway.

We have also stayed in two rooms in a value and it was actually nice because we had more space, and an extra bathroom. There were six of us on that trip so we had to book it this way to fit our needs. The suite was going to cost us more because at that time they would not apply a discount code to a suite. I'm not sure if this has changed.

This next trip is a little different. For the first time ever with all of us going plus a new boyfriend of my DDs, we have decided to stay off site at Bonnet Creek. We are booked for 7 nights for $840. Total!! Sure, I will have to pay to park, but I will still be saving so much money, and this is for a two bedroom suite, with everything we could ever need right there. I couldn't rent points for that at a DVC resort. They also have a bus to if you don't want to drive. Bonnet creek is stil on Disney Property so it's not like it is out of the way. We always drive to the parks anyway so this was a non issue.

I'm all for saving money, but when it comes to Disney I have to do what will make everyone happy. DH is finished being crammed into a little hotel room so I must make my Prince happy above all or we won't make it back down there. He is excited about our next trip.

What ever you choose to do, I'm sure you all will have a great time! Have a safe trip!

May I ask where you booked BC? I was looking at their 2 bedroom suites, and on their webpage they were 275+ per night. I can get a suite at SoG for that, plus we don't pay resort tax. But your BC suite is working out to be about 120 per night. Did you book direct, or through another website?

 

[mrzrich]

May I ask where you booked BC? I was looking at their 2 bedroom suites, and on their webpage they were 275+ per night. I can get a suite at SoG for that, plus we don't pay resort tax. But your BC suite is working out to be about 120 per night. Did you book direct, or through another website?

Never book WBC through Wydham. We have had great luck renting from Ken Price at www.vacationupgrades.com He and his wife are very nice and try to get you the best deal they can. If he can get the room cheaper at the 60 day mark, he calls you and lets you know.

Others have had luck with a company called Vacation Strategy. Still others get the best deal by using Ebay. If you go this route, look at the seller's feedback closely.

 

[twinboysmom]

I tried to check out the swan but I couldn't tell if 5 people would fit. I was getting frustrated with their website so I gave up after a few tries.

I recommended the dolphin alcove rooms a few days ago. Call the number on the web page. The website is a pain in the rear. Don't suppose you or your DH are a nurse or teacher? I believe they offer other discounts to some other types of employees that are fairly substantial as well. We are both nurses and our rates are usually around the price for a moderate resort but most would argue the swan/dolphin are more deluxe. Like I said, no ddp and no magical express which you don't need anyway. Might be worth the call.

 

[madelyn]

I've never heard of these "Alcove" rooms. Looks like they are available at both the Dolphin and the Swan. Description from the website: Deluxe Alcoves in the Swan feature all of the amenities found in our Standard Guest Rooms in addition to the following:

500 square foot room
Sleeper sofa
32" flat panel TV with 30 channels of your favorite HD programming including Showtime® and ESPN®
Entertainment console
Conference table for four
Desk and chair
Lounge chair
Floor lamp
Some with a balcony

Deluxe Alcove room configurations in the Dolphin vary widely and feature all of the amenities found in our Standard Guest Rooms in addition to the following:

500 square foot room
Sleeper sofa
32" flat panel TV with 30 channels of your favorite HD programming including Showtime® and ESPN®
Entertainment console
Wet bar
Desk and chair
Two lounge chairs
Walk-in closet

I recommended the dolphin alcove rooms a few days ago. Call the number on the web page. The website is a pain in the rear. Don't suppose you or your DH are a nurse or teacher? I believe they offer other discounts to some other types of employees that are fairly substantial as well. We are both nurses and our rates are usually around the price for a moderate resort but most would argue the swan/dolphin are more deluxe. Like I said, no ddp and no magical express which you don't need anyway. Might be worth the call.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

We just did POR as a family of 5, with all teens! It really wasn't bad. We went through the same thoughts your going through and it came down to the$ for us. Yes the room was a little tight and there was not alot of storage at he rooms, however we saved money that we were able to spend elsewhere. We really don't spend much time in our rooms so although the deluxe rooms would have been nice, spending the money to not be in the room that often made our mind up for us.

I have several photos on my TR of POR if you want to sneak a peek.

Good Luck!!

 

[autismgoesdisney]

For now my kids are on the young stage still (8, 6 and 4) at the time of the next trip and we are doing 10 days at POR. We did a week last time and we liked it, everything except the rollaway bed. My kids HATED it and hardly slept. We are hoping the new murphy bed is better.

After that, we aren't sure what we are going to do. My kids (mainly my oldest) wants to try a new hotel, but if the murphy bed works, I may turn them down on it again.

The cabins seem nice but I know I am paying for the kitchen and since we normally go when its free dining, we do not need a kitchen! I hate paying for things we don't use! However, the boat to MK seems wonderful and we would have our own car. I worry about mosquitos in August though at the cabins. Something to research for our next trip!

Same things with the suites. Seems wonderful but I hate knowing I am paying for the kitchen that we won't use. I also hate knowing that I have to pay extra to upgrade to the regular dining plan when I can stay at POR and get it for free for cheaper! My kids also LOVE LOVE LOVE the slides at the resorts, so I don't think a value would do much for them anymore

 

[maxiesmom]

For now my kids are on the young stage still (8, 6 and 4) at the time of the next trip and we are doing 10 days at POR. We did a week last time and we liked it, everything except the rollaway bed. My kids HATED it and hardly slept. We are hoping the new murphy bed is better.

After that, we aren't sure what we are going to do. My kids (mainly my oldest) wants to try a new hotel, but if the murphy bed works, I may turn them down on it again.

(

Just bring along an air mattress for one of the kids to sleep on.

 

[kerriemiller]

If somebody mentioned this already sorry. We got a one bed at WL in the villas. Full kitchen, get location, I felt the resort was not as spread out at some of the other ones. And you could still run the trails and DH could enjoy his outdoors. We saw lots of wildlife.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

May I ask where you booked BC? I was looking at their 2 bedroom suites, and on their webpage they were 275+ per night. I can get a suite at SoG for that, plus we don't pay resort tax. But your BC suite is working out to be about 120 per night. Did you book direct, or through another website?

I am booked with Ken Price at Vacationupgrade.com. I actually got a better rate with vacationstrategy.com but there were two days that were not available, and I needed the whole week. Her rate was actually around 85.00 a night for the same thing! I could not get a value for that! There is a whole thread about Bonnet Creek here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2739937

 

[Lizzybean]

So here is the latest update in our resort drama dilemma:

1. WL had no availability for our dates (of course)

2. We aren't teachers or nurses (saw that on the swan/dolphin site) but I may give them a call anyway. DH works for large company whose corporate HQ is in FL so maybe there is a corp rate. We get other perks similar to that so it doesn't hurt to ask.

3. I really don't feel like cooking on vacation but I know my DH who loves me will make eggs and hash browns in the morning since I love hot bfast. We might grill out one night too (at FW) and if we get some pasta or easy stuff like that I can whip something up fairly quick. I already know I'm going to want this that or the other to eat in the parks so in the end it doesn't matter. Plus as long as it isn't every night it won't be too bad. Plus I don't have to do dishes!

4. DH has decided POR is just too small w/ all of us especially since the Murphy bed does not look like a bed and DD8 and DS13 love to bicker. Constantly. FW would give DS13 his own space.

5. Of course...maybe we could do a split stay, check out both and save some money towards my bday trip in oct just me and DH!?? (I should get planning that huh?).

6. Despite all the craziness I'm REALLY excited about this trip and as long as I don't end up in a motel 6 along the interstate I'll be ok.

 

[Lizzybean]

Here's another thought...I think I read dogs can come to FW. but maybe that's only the campers...then it would TRULY be a family vacation!!