Leaving babies off of reservation- Should I ?

[arwood82]

I am reaching out to all of my Disers for help. We are going on a family vacation in Sept 2011. I have two babies (they will be ages 1 and 2 at time of travel). It will also be my fiance and I and my mom and 12 year old brother. When I try to book it tells me there are too many and makes me get a deluxe resort. My question is has anyone left their babies off of the reservation to get the room they wanted. They will both sleep in pack and plays that we will bring with us anyway. I really do not want to stay in a deluxe resort. We are looking to stay in either a value or moderate. I can book these resorts if I leave one of the babies off. Any information or help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. TIA

 

[labdogs42]

It isn't recommended. And I'll warn you that you're going to get some heated responses to this question. Just keep in mind that 6 people crammed into a value room with two pack and plays isn't going to be very comfortable. I'd get two value rooms or a family suite at a value which sleeps 6 plus one in a pack and play. so, Deluxe isn't your only option. Good luck with your decision and this thread!

 

[Shagley]

I wouldn't leave the babies off of the reservation. Due to fire codes, Disney can't allow that many people in one room - so if it was discovered after you arrived that you are over the room limit, you will be forced to get two rooms anyway (or asked to leave). It would be best just to plan accordingly before you get there so there aren't any unexpected issues after you arrive. I agree with labdogs42, you can get two connecting Value rooms or book the All Star Music family suites for cheaper than a Deluxe room.

 

[maxiesmom]

Don't do it. Not only will you not be able to use Magical Express, the Dining Plan, or Extra Magic Hours, if you are caught you will be told to either pay rack rate for another room or to leave.

The cheapest on-site option for your family would be POR. It sleeps 5, plus one child under 3. As you have found out, only 1 child under the age of 3 is a freebie. The rest are counted.

Sorry, but no one hear can tell you to leave a child off. It would go against Disboard policy to help you break a Disney rule. Even if that were not the case, I wouldn't tell you to do it. I would be so worried about being found out that I wouldn't be able to enjoy my vacation.

 

[blessedby3]

I would get 2 rooms at a value, or check out the family suites. You wont want 3 adults a 12 yr old and 2 babies in one room

 

[twinspluscade]

Don't do it. Not only will you not be able to use Magical Express, the Dining Plan, or Extra Magic Hours, if you are caught you will be told to either pay rack rate for another room or to leave.

The cheapest on-site option for your family would be POR. It sleeps 5, plus one child under 3. As you have found out, only 1 child under the age of 3 is a freebie. The rest are counted.

Sorry, but no one hear can tell you to leave a child off. It would go against Disboard policy to help you break a Disney rule. Even if that were not the case, I wouldn't tell you to do it. I would be so worried about being found out that I wouldn't be able to enjoy my vacation.

The babies wouldn't need tickets into the park anyway though, will they? And they'd be too young for the dining plan.

(Not saying that the OP should do this, just saying it's a bit different than if the kids were older).

OP--since the babies won't need tickets, chances are you could do this and not get caught. BUT...if you did get busted, how embarrassing would that be?!. And what a hassle. .

For your own piece of mind--and the added space!!--I would book two rooms at a value. That way, the 12 year old and Grandma could share the second room: the 12 year old could stay up later, and the babies won't disturb Grandma. OR..maybe Grandma will be really generous and take all three kids in her room for a night or two, giving you and dh some alone time.

 

[arwood82]

Thanks for all the help guys. Just one more question do any of the value resorts have connecting rooms.

 

[blessedby3]

Just wanted to add that if the babies would sleep in a bed (one with you and one with DF), the resorts will provide bedrails (if you got 2 value rooms). That helps the space issue as far as having 2 pack n plays in the room. Value rooms are very small as it is, without adding 2 more pieces of furniture.
DH and I do this all the time. The beds are just full size....small....and I would sleep with one kid and he would sleep with another.

 

[minushka72]

You could also book a cabin at Ft Wilderness. It is more than a moderate 9even though that is its category) but still less than a deluxe.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Thanks for all the help guys. Just one more question do any of the value resorts have connecting rooms.

All of the value resort have connecting rooms. We are a family of 6 and we get two connecting rooms at a value resort everytime we visit WDW.

 

[pampam]

It isn't just the pack and plays that will take up a lot of room. All the paraphanalia that babies require will fill up a small room like the values very quickly. I'm sure you will be using strollers, bags of disposable diapers, bath toys, etc. I can't see how you would be comfortable at all.

 

[Happy Mom2]

We booked two value rooms (requested connected rooms) which will give us four beds and two bathrooms for cheaper than we could have gotten anything else large enough for 3 adults and two kids.

 

[maxiesmom]

The babies wouldn't need tickets into the park anyway though, will they? And they'd be too young for the dining plan.

(Not saying that the OP should do this, just saying it's a bit different than if the kids were older).

I thought maybe there would be some way for accounting for the "free" kids on the Dining Plan.

However they would still have to be listed on the room reservation to use Magical Express. Everyone has to be listed in order to board the bus, even babies.

I don't see it as being one bit different. The OP doesn't fit into 1 Value room. No shades of grey on this one. Either you fit or you don't.

OP--Keep in mind that while you can request to have connecting rooms, they are not guaranteed. And as you will have 3 adults, your request will be a ways down the priority list. All of the 1 or 2 adult famlies will get them before you do. Out of 4 times requesting connecting rooms we were denied them one time.

 

[arwood82]

Again guys thank you so much for your help. This is the first time we have traveled with this many people. Usually it just my fiance and I and my mom and little brother. We now have a son and we just got custody of my nephew last week bc my middle brother decided to make some very stupid decisions. So we went from 1 baby to 2 with no preparation and it is a little stressful. This is part of the reason why I am planning a vacation for September already. I knew all of the wonderful people on these boards would be able to help me out. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated too.

 

[Suellen]

Just be aware that connecting rooms is a REQUEST and not a guarantee. We often travel as a party of 5 and when we do value we get two rooms. We have had adjoining but NOT connecting before. One time we weren't even in the same building!

I would recommend trying to find a place that has a room big enough (given the ages of your family) to sleep you all. Try the DVC rental board. You can rent points for a 1 bedroom of which some now sleep 5.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Again guys thank you so much for your help. This is the first time we have traveled with this many people. Usually it just my fiance and I and my mom and little brother. We now have a son and we just got custody of my nephew last week bc my middle brother decided to make some very stupid decisions. So we went from 1 baby to 2 with no preparation and it is a little stressful. This is part of the reason why I am planning a vacation for September already. I knew all of the wonderful people on these boards would be able to help me out. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated too.

September is one of slowest times of the year, you shouldn't have any trouble getting connecting rooms. Our connecting rooms request has never been denied or turned down. Hope ya'll have a magical vacation!