Just need to vent a bit...

[ducklite]

We have an unusual situation.There are 7 of us..2 are a father and his daughter..The mother is gone and the Father is Actve duty Navy We are her guardians when he is gone..With 4 kids and 3 adults we have yet to all got to WDW at the same time..It's just too expensive..We divide them up..4 of us are going in April and the other 4 will go in October.. I get to go on BOTH trips..Hahahaha
I could do 5 in POR and we would be fine.

Jenny, wouldn't you be eligible for SoG? I would think that as long as those kids have dependent cards they are elegible. Those rooms sleep five easily, two queens and a sleeper sofa.

My sister and BIL have four kids, 9, 6, 3, and 10 months, and they've been told they are "legal" to all stay in one room at SoG.

Anne

 

[hddanis]

I am right there with you! We're a family of 6.. and unless we stay at the aabins, a 2 bedroom villa, or a deluxe room at the WL, we need to get 2 rooms. I do think that Disney should at least offer a discount for a 2nd room for larger familie, JMHO.

We made the choice to go for 2 rooms at the WL..$5900 for 7 nights with the park hopper and dining options. That is with the AAA discount. DH and I like some privacy and didn't want to sleep on a fold out couch to get it in the deluxe room at the WL. Unfortunately, there are only Courtyard views available right now, but I'm HOPING someone will cancel and a cheaper room will come available.

I went back to work part time to finance this trip. For us, it's worth it..this time.

Next time, 2 rooms at a value, but since this is the first trip in 12 years, DH and I ..ok mainly me..wanted to make it as special as possible!

 

[disneysnob]

The average family in the US has two children. They would be wasting money outfitting rooms to accomodate more than the average. The industry standard in hotels is two beds which each hold two people.

Frankly I don't think larger families spend any more at WDW--in fact possibly less because I would imagine that overall they have less disposable income to begin with, are less likely to dine at the expensive full service "signature" restaurants, less likely to spend money on the high markup "extras". So that arguement doesn't hold water.

When you made the decision to have three (or more) children you made the desicion to have everything in lfe cost more. Asking for a room that can accomodate five at no additional cost is the same as asking for a car that can accomodate five at no additional cost, it's just an illogical complaint.

Anne

I'm not sure I quite understand what point you're trying to make. It's common sense...A Family of five WILL spend more than a Family of four..Just as a family of six will spend more than five. We just want to get the same value for our vacation as does smaller families...Disney doesn't allow you to do that, though. You need to get 2 value rooms, or a deluxe room or the POR moderate (oh the choices)

 

[grimley1968]

- I don't think the OP was asking for her family to be able to stay at a moderate for necessarily the same price as a family of 4 or less. It seemed to me the OP just wants the ability to do this, even if that 5th person costs them a little more. It seems the OP is being made a "straw man" in a debate that was never intended.

- Many of the deluxes are the same way as moderates. 4 maximum to a room. WL is this way, unless you pay for a suite, which as another poster said is much more $$$.

- Coronado Springs offers suites where you could probably sleep 5. It's more expensive than a regular room at CSR, but less than what most regular rooms cost at a deluxe.

- Don't forget the POR rooms that sleep 5 as well, but others have mentioned that.

- FW Cabins, though they cost about the same as a deluxe room, sleep 5 easily.

- The OP has a legitimate gripe, IMO. Disney does lack in providing larger rooms and/or suites for larger families. I'd have no problem with them charging slightly more for the space. But the fact is that they really don't have much to offer in this type of lodging, compared to lodging for 4 people or less.

 

[Evans Family]

Stay off property. You can rent a 4 bedroom 3 bath house with private pool for about $170 a night.

We go to Disney alot but only stay on property about 50% of the time. If we stayed on property everytime we wouldn't be able to go as much! I say save you money stay off property .

 

[golden1]

I think that since there are approx. 2.1 kids per family these days, they should have 5-10% of the rooms at a value or moderate sleep 5 or 6. The family suites seem like a step in the right direction. I would have no problem paying more money for a larger room.

Have any of you with 3+ kids looked into renting points for a two bedroom from DVC members? This is probably more economical than two rooms at a moderate and has the "common room" that might provide a better family atmosphere.

 

[LeahA]

We stayed at WL last Easter with an awesome code from Mousesavers. We spent $189.00 per night, which was a great rate, but, we were quite cramped with a party of 5 in a deluxe room.

This year we are going to stay at Pop Century. We have 2 adults, 2 children and a 2 year old. We know we will be cramped but, I'd rather be cramped and pay less than pay more.

I understand the OP, I don't think they wanted to start a debate on money or the choice of having more than 2 kids. I think they just stated that if the deluxe resorts can accomodate 5 people it would be nice to have more options for a family of 5 or more at a moderate or value resort. Plain and simple, no argument.

There is nothing wrong with the OP wishing this! Disney is all about families. Perhaps now they don't have many options for larger families, but, that dosn't mean in the future they will not.

Disney should expand their horizons, with new ideas for all. Whether you have 0, 1, 3, or 5 kids. Or, if your annual household income it 50K, 75K, 100K, or 200K and beyond!!!

 

[swimmom]

We are a family of 5 and face the same concern. I find it downright hilarious to actually see someone call having a thrid child a "lifestyle choice". This entire discussion needs to shift to something no one has brought up and that is customer service. Does Disney value the business of the larger family? If in your opinion it does not than you can "march with your feet" and choose accomodations elsewhere. There are hotel chains that seek out larger families by discounting the second room (at resort properties during the summer you will find that policy at some Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels) They are throwing a bone to the family traveler.

And to the poster who implied that becasue I have 3 children, I am less likely than my counterparts with 2 children to eat at a signature restaurant or go parasailing, I am still laughing at your ignorance!!!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

It's very generalized, but I think you can see my point. Anne

I don't think I do.

In your post where you told the OP she was illogical, you said that she'd be spending less than other families, and that she was the one who decided to have a third child and make everything cost more.

Then you explained why you felt she'd be spending less using the facts that everything in life costs more when you add a third kid.

Don't you think that since everything else costs more when you add a kid that it stands to reason that a vacation would, too?

 

[DisneyDotty]

Having had up to four kids at a time (foster family), I sympathize with the OP's frustration with on-site restrictions. I understand the OP was just venting--but also think there really are some viable alternatives to sneaking in additional people to a four-person room. That troubles me a bit--but that's another thread...

 

[bigmerle1966]

I have heard that they are making part of Pop Century into suites. They are the newer section that is across the lake/pond. They are going to convert two rooms into one, with two bathrooms.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Does Disney value the business of the larger family? If in your opinion it does not than you can "march with your feet" and choose accomodations elsewhere. There are hotel chains that seek out larger families by discounting the second room (at resort properties during the summer you will find that policy at some Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels) They are throwing a bone to the family traveler.

I absolutely agree with you. And I think Disney is slowly catching on to this with the addition of its All Star suites.

 

[disneysnob]

just to comment on ducklites philosopy:

Lets say we both make x-amount of money. We both save $5000.00 for a family vacation to WDW. Why do you think it would cost me less because of my family of five, than one with a family of four or less. We both started out with the same amount to spend on vacation....what's your point???? We both need to buy park tickets, eat, souviniers....I just don't see your logic

 

[ducklite]

I am right there with you! We're a family of 6.. and unless we stay at the aabins, a 2 bedroom villa, or a deluxe room at the WL, we need to get 2 rooms. I do think that Disney should at least offer a discount for a 2nd room for larger familie, JMHO.

Disney is a corporation. They are accoutable to their stock holders. Somehow there's got to be a loss taken for this. It will either be passed on to the stockhoders--wrong, or to other guests--very wrong. When you buy a pair of pants at JC Penney's, do you feel that they should give you the second pair for half price just because you have a bigger family?

Anne

 

[mrsmagic]

I'd like to see them make rollaways available, at an extra cost. I'm willing to pay extra for a 5th person, I just don't want to split up my family into 2 rooms. We purposefully stayed at WL/AKL this trip because we knew that in the future our youngest would be over 3, and then we couldn't stay there anymore. I'm from a family of 5, and I spent many trips on a rollaway!

 

[disneysnob]

-but also think there really are some viable alternatives to sneaking in additional people to a four-person room. That troubles me a bit--but that's another thread...

Actually, It's my DD 7 1/2 that I'm "sneaking" with an air mattress. I'm not hosting a party... I really don't think it should be frowned upon. Maybe Disney could offer roll-aways. That could be a viable alternative. Instead of an extra $10 rollaway charge, They expect one to get a two-bedroom for over $500.00/night. It's a travesty, I tell you

 

[MBW]

I am right there with you! We're a family of 6.. and unless we stay at the aabins, a 2 bedroom villa, or a deluxe room at the WL, we need to get 2 rooms. I do think that Disney should at least offer a discount for a 2nd room for larger familie, JMHO.

We made the choice to go for 2 rooms at the WL..$5900 for 7 nights with the park hopper and dining options. That is with the AAA discount. DH and I like some privacy and didn't want to sleep on a fold out couch to get it in the deluxe room at the WL. Unfortunately, there are only Courtyard views available right now, but I'm HOPING someone will cancel and a cheaper room will come available!

We're also a family of six, 4 ages 9 and under. I figure our 8 day trip next week will cost about $5500 - $6000, but that's with a dinner at V&As and 2-3 nights babysitting. We like to stay at the deluxe resorts, and since only a DVC property will fit us, we economize by renting points from a DVC owner. We don't do the dining plan because we have the full-kitchen and most of our kids are picky eaters with food allergies, so we use our DDE card for our adult dinners and pack lunches if we need to. But we didn't have to worry about airfare this time, as we're driving from Pittsburgh (though since it's a Southwest hub, we could have gotten great fares.) It would have been $1000 cheaper had we gone in early December as originally planned (had to postpone) and if we wanted to stay at OKW again (lovely place), we could have shaved another $1000 off for a 2BR (about $1200 for 5 nights) plus 3 at a 5+1Deluxe (another $1000 w/ an AP rate).

We've just made the decision that we can really only do this every 4-5 years, mainly because we want to go other places (DH is not a Disney fan.) Also, since we now have large travel trailer, if we wanted to go more often in the future, camping at Ft. Wilderness would be fine. I just like to be pampered more when I go to Disney, which is why I won't do a value again.

It would be nice if there was a roomy moderate option for 5 or 6, but renting points for a 2BR at one of the less expensive DVCs is a much greater value than even one room at some of the more expensive Deluxe resorts.

 

[ducklite]

Don't you think that since everything else costs more when you add a kid that it stands to reason that a vacation would, too?

No. The family with the lower disposable income will spend les on the vacation. They will eat out less, buy less souveniers, spend less park days, any number of things to spend less money, because there is less to spend to begin with. It's simple economics.

While some larger families have the means to fund a vacation with all the bells and whistles, it only stands to reason that logocally the average larger family will have smaller disposable income and thus spend less on vacation.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

just to comment on ducklites philosopy:

Lets say we both make x-amount of money. We both save $5000.00 for a family vacation to WDW. Why do you think it would cost me less because of my family of five, than one with a family of four or less. We both started out with the same amount to spend on vacation....what's your point???? We both need to buy park tickets, eat, souviniers....I just don't see your logic

But if your overall cost of life is higher (which I think we both agree it is as you add to your family) it would take longer to save for that vacation, thus the overall amount of cash going into WDW's pocket is lower.

If we are living next door to each other, have the same job/income, but I've got four kids and you have two, and they are all in the same activities, we shop at the same stores, etc... When all is said and done, if we are both going to WDW once a year, I'm going to have less money to spend. Or I'll have to save longer and take less trips, or shorten my yearly trip.

Anne

 

[ameraumi]

I understand what you are saying. We are a family of four, but we are doing this trip with my mom and grandma. We did not want to book 2 rooms and risj not having them together so we got a Jr Suite at CSR. It sleeps 6 and will give us our space. I would love to give my DS and DD their own beds, but this trip they will have to share (which is another gripe of mine).