It's So Hard For Us Fams of 5!

[twinboysmom]

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!!

No, they don't allow them in the cabins, lol. For what it's worth, I don't like the look of that trundle bed either being so high off the ground so I woukd bring an air mattress instead in case you change your mind about that resort. Happy planning!

 

[DisneyWannabee]

Another vote for OKW from us!

Family of 5, DD11, DD9, DD6. Love that I can get the washing done whilst still there so don't have to do it when I get home!

 

[Lizzybean]

Another vote for OKW from us!

Family of 5, DD11, DD9, DD6. Love that I can get the washing done whilst still there so don't have to do it when I get home!

Great point!! After that drive home to Chicago the last thing I want to do is a weeks worth of laundry for 5 people...

 

[Lizzybean]

No, they don't allow them in the cabins, lol

oh darn lol! If I tried to bring our German Shep DH would probably kill me!

 

[rentayenta]

Not weird at all, it's one of the reasons some of us buy into DVC in the first place!

When I'm on vacation I want to be as comfortable there as I am at home. I love having a full kitchen, washer/dryer, multiple bathrooms, room to move....


We stayed 10 nights at the POR in 2007. The kids were 5, 8, and 10 and such a small space took its toll.


We've since learned the importance of personal space and vacation is no different, in fact I think it's more necessary. Long hot park days, crowds, sugary food, wacky sleep hours all contribute to bickering. Having a place to chill and relax is key for us.

 

[maxiesmom]

We stayed 10 nights at the POR in 2007. The kids were 5, 8, and 10 and such a small space took its toll.

We've since learned the importance of personal space and vacation is no different, in fact I think it's more necessary. Long hot park days, crowds, sugary food, wacky sleep hours all contribute to bickering. Having a place to chill and relax is key for us.

We did the legal 6 at POR during the start of a vacation, and switched to an off-site suite hotel part way thru. It was planned that way, and let me tell you, I never would have thought I would be happy to leave a Disney resort. As beautiful as POR is, and as much as I love that resort, it was not comfortable at all having that many people in one room.

After a few nights at POR we went to the Staybridge Suites. We had a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit that still costs less than 1 room at POR. Plus they have a full kitchen and free continental breakfast. And room to breathe!

The only reason we don't stay off-site more often is that any money we would save by staying off-site would be eaten up by having to rent a van.

 

[disneydreamkate]

We stayed as a family of five at FW Cabins. My kids were 15, 12, and 4.
+++ Space, boat to MK, full kitchen, parking at your door
--- Transportation to parks (inner park bus system to catch bus to the parks...ick), cabins were very dated, no counter service, older kids weren't able to walk to game room, etc, felt very isolated

If I had to do it over again I would have gone with connecting rooms at a value. Of course, this is my personal preference. I can see the draw for some, but FW just isn't my thing. Good luck deciding...no matter what, it is Disney after all!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We stayed as a family of five at FW Cabins. My kids were 15, 12, and 4.
+++ Space, boat to MK, full kitchen, parking at your door
--- Transportation to parks (inner park bus system to catch bus to the parks...ick), cabins were very dated, no counter service, older kids weren't able to walk to game room, etc, felt very isolated
If I had to do it over again I would have gone with connecting rooms at a value. Of course, this is my personal preference. I can see the draw for some, but FW just isn't my thing. Good luck deciding...no matter what, it is Disney after all!

These are the reasons we decided against the Fort Wilderness Cabins for our WDW trip last year. Also, the cabins are more expensive than the AS Music family suite, only have one bathroom, and are actually a little smaller in square footage than the AS Music family suite (500 sq ft vs 520 sq ft) even though it seems like the cabin would be bigger. We also went back and forth with trying to decide on our limited onsite options when planning our first family WDW trip and we followed our gut instinct and stayed in the AS Music family suite. The AS Music family suites have a separate bedroom with a queen size bed, living room with two separate twin size pull out beds and a full size pull out bed (three kids would not have to share a bed), two bathrooms (thank heaven ), and the kitchenette with a sink, microwave, mini fridge, and coffeemaker really came in handy for quick morning breakfasts, coffee, and keeping beverages chilled (even though we had the dining plan). Another great thing about the AS Music family suites are that they are located in the buildings closest to the main building/food court and bus stop which was really nice when coming back from the parks. Even though AS Music is a "value" resort, we thought the resort was fun but not loud, the theming was cute and whimsical, and the resort was very clean and beautifully landscaped. Even though the family suites at AS Music aren't new like the ones over at Art of Animation, we thought it was in good condition and very clean, plus it is priced lower than the Art of Animation family suites too (if the price is a concern). I know that these decisions are tough to make because what may work and be ideal for one family may be the complete opposite for another family. Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[SteelerCountry]

you could rent a house for a fraction of the price......especially like you said, your not in the room at all. you will already have your vehicle. just curious. we are renting a 4bed/5bath house with private hot tub and inground pool for $950 total for 11 nights..this includes a late check out and an early check in...it's september, so the prices are cheaper!!!

 

[Lizzybean]

you could rent a house for a fraction of the price......especially like you said, your not in the room at all. you will already have your vehicle. just curious. we are renting a 4bed/5bath house with private hot tub and inground pool for $950 total for 11 nights..this includes a late check out and an early check in...it's september, so the prices are cheaper!!!

The main issue with offsite is I'll feel stuck at the park all day. We wouldn't be able to dash off for awhile in the afternoon and cool off in the pool or relax etc and come back. If it weren't for that convenience factor I'd be inclined to look off site.

 

[travelitis]

Our 5 have done on and off-site. We did the FW cabins with 2 teens and a pre-teen. We aren't camping kind of people, but we LOVED it. That being said, it was a short stay. We normally do an off-site condo with 2 bedrooms and full kitchen. We have been quite able to take breaks at off-site locations. By the time you go hop Disney transport and get to FW, you could be at a nearby off-site condo IF you don't necessarily take the most traveled route. We stayed at Westgate Lakes many times and could get from there to the Disney gate in 10 min. Just because you are on site does not mean you will have only a 10-15 min trip to the hotel. Especially with FW, you could end up with a 45 min trip if you factor in the time waiting for a bus. However, if you really want to be on-site to have EMH, at least FW cabins have bedding for the kids in the bedroom, and mom and dad can take the trundle in the living room. That's how we worked it. There aren't washers and dryers in the cabins, but there are laundry facilities at FW. Good luck!

 

[jenniferma]

Did you decide? W are a family of five deciding the same thing... Leaning towards Por right now!

 

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

We're a family of 5 and staying at the Poly for the convenience of the monorail. I was debating to switch to the BC or YC b/c it was over $700 cheaper, but my hubby didn't want to since we will be spending a lot more time at MK than Epcot. We're using our AAA discount to save a little bit of money. I thought of getting 2 rooms at WL, but didn't want to chance the rooms not being connected ones. I looked into AoA since the kids would love the theming, but the suite was almost as much as the Poly. I know you have more space and the kitchenette. However when I'm on vacation, I don't want to do any cooking. I do enough at that at home. The other difference for us is our oldest is only 7, so the kids really don't take up make space and can actually fit into one queen bed together, so we won't need to use the daybed.

 

[dd53]

We are a family of 10 and getting ready to book two rooms at POR but our first trip we were a family of 6 and we stayed in a ASM Family suite. That would be my choice hands down. I wish they had connecting family suites!

 

[MMS1125]

Our resort stays have changed so much as the kids have gotten bigger. I have all teens now so we usually do 2 connecting rooms so we can have 4 real beds and 2 bathrooms. I miss the days where we all fit into 1 room comfortably though and so does my wallet.

I don't think you can do wrong with the cabins have fun!!

 

[DisneyFamilyMomof5]

Hi, you can fit 5 in a room at port orleans riverside, you get a two queens and a murphy bed in the refurbed rooms.. we have a large family as well and we love it there, i would definetly recommned that to you!

 

[Hopefully]

On our first trip years ago when the kids were young, we chose the FW Cabins. I LOVED them. The 3 kids had the Bedroom and DH and I the Murphy bed in the LR. I loved having the full kitchen and the living area in the LR. We fell in love with FW, it is wonderful. We did it both with and without a golf cart and each was fine. The tranportation to the parks, other than the MK, takes a bit longer, but it was not a problem for us.
I would choose the Cabins over the other options again

 

[tarak]

I would love to try the FW cabins. We're a family of six now (although the baby doesn't count for the room total for a few more years). Our next stay is in a deluxe room at WL. I'm hoping to spend part of a day exploring what FW has to offer, so maybe I can convince my husband to give them a shot.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Just a bump!