Max. of 4 in Disney Resorts??

[Mis4Mouse]

I have been to lots of Disney Discussion Boards, and I have to tell you that the ones here seem to have a very argumentative tone to them!

Anne has a very valid point... as do many of you here. However the way that everyone here shares their opinion is not quite as friendly as I expected.

The only reason I joined here to begin with is because the topic seemed relatively tame and I thought maybe it would be a nice place for those of us with more kids than most to commiserate a little. I didn't feel like I was complaining or griping - just expressing how having more kids makes it all that much more difficult to afford Disney.

I hardly expected the defensive tone of the posts from people like Anne and others here, on both sides of the issue.

It has all left a very bad taste in my mouth. With so much more to get our panties in a twist about, why waste energy here?

 

[Mis4Mouse]

Hear Hear Prince John!

 

[DawnCt]

Prince John, as another frequent visitor who visits often, I agree. I started going to WDW when we only had two kids, of course my mother would come along so we started with four plus a baby. We were quite happy with the deluxe resorts which always accommodated five. When I had my forth child, I too vowed that Disney wouldn't know when he turned three either. He recently celebrated the 11th aniversary of his third birthday. He didn't get a birthday card from Disney so I guess it is still my business. Everyone else...flame away. I have been flamed to the max on this subject and I don't care! Furthermore, I haven't found one manager of any of the resorts that cares either.

 

[hockey mom]

Deb and bill, I only used OKW as a reference to the size of rooms and fire codes.

Ducklite- I think you missed my point altogether. I don't want my child to get in for free, I will buy a ticket. I don't want my 3rd child to eat for free, I will buy a meal. What I don't want to do is buy a second hotel room just because I have one too many kids. If both our families can fit comfortably in one room what should it matter how many kids you have or I have.

Prince John-Thank-you.

 

[Prince John]

Dawn,Ct

It's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. We too visit WDW with my wife's mother (I'm not going to be out-numbered) and we pay extra for the extra adult in the room. But when it comes to the kids, I just have a different attitude. For those people who say it's not comfortable, I say - not true. My wife and I are comfortable in one bed, my mother in law sleeps in the other bed with our two sons (4 & 6) just like she does when they spend the night at her house, and our baby sleeps in his pack-n-play. How is this uncomfortable? How is this a fire-hazard, how is this a dormitory? How is this anyone else's business?
We were very skeptical last Sept when we tried this at the All-Stars because we thought the rooms may just be too small. Not a problem at all - we never tripped over each other, we never had a shower problem, or a sink problem. We are on vacation at WDW!!!
So flame away, but don't use old, worn out excuses like the fact that we use more:
1. water (my boys bathe together),
2. towels (we never ask for extras),
3. toilet paper (the boys use wipes),
4. bus space (we drive to the parks),
5. pool space (my boys are small - should large people be charged extra for "increased pool space"?)
By the way - I hope everyone senses my joking sarcasm - I just love this type of discussion. I guess that's why I'm doing this instead of the work piled up on me desk.

 

[Prince John]

Can someone please explain the term free to ducklite? I'm at a temporary loss for sarcastic humor at the moment.

Ducklite - I hope you know I'm just goofing around. A few years ago, I made an attempt at humor towards the wrong person on these boards and I had to change my user name to stop the harassment from him. Since I'm sort of fond of the whole "Prince John" thing, just take what I say in stride.

 

[gepetto]

Why is everyone jumping on Ann here? She's expressing her frustration with people breaking the room occupancy rules in the same tone that everyone else is expressing their frustration that Disney limits occupancy at all.

"How is this uncomfortable?" Prince John, If you are comfortable putting 6 into an All Stars room and sleeping 3 to a bed and sharing 1 bathroom then more power to you. It's your vacation.

 

[MELSMICE]

Having 3 kids does mean you have 1 too many - it means you have one more child to enjoy Disney with. I also was expecting one more & was blessed with twins. Does it cost me more to go to Disney, yes, it does, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It also costs me more to go to dinner at home, more for clothes, groceries, etc., etc., etc.

We have found accommodations on & off-site that were suitable for us. The Wilderness Cabins are our favorite. Pricey, yes, but we saved on meals out by eating in the cabin. The Holiday Inn Family Suites are a great place to stay. Free breakfast (a full breakfast, not continental). Free lunch & dinner for the kids also with paying adults. How can you go wrong. Great pools & activities.

Having a great vacation costs money, no matter how many children you have. Spend the money now - one day they'll want to stay home & not go with you. Then you won't have to worry about that "extra kid" & you can go to a place that accommodates 4!! You won't have to worry about the cost of accommodations, you'll just worry about the "extra" that is at home!!!

 

[DMRick]

As long as you don't knock on my door and ask to borrow my towels for the extra child, I sure don't care how many you put in a room <g>. Although I switched to POR this upcoming trip, because there are now five of us, I too, belive that Disney should allow 5 in the rooms at AllStar. I have stayed there enough, that I just don't buy that there is enough room if the child is under 3, and the portacrib, but not if they are four years old. It should be up to the people how crowded they want to be.This is sort of like the refillable mug issue (hey, lets get this thread even hotter!). The "real" rules are, that you are suppose to buy new each trip. The sign in the all of the Allstars says it (good for the length of your trip, and we all justify bringing them back on all our trips), if you ask Disney on line, they say good for the length of your trip..but the managers of the foodcourts and the cashiers couldn't care less..they come right out and tell you to bring 'em on back on your next trip. I believe it's the same thing..the hotel managers couldn't care less..they let people fill up their thermos's (I think we need a thread on the most unusual item you have seen being refilled!), and never say a word...and they let larger families stay in rooms and never say a word (I've only ever heard about someone who knew about the cousin of a friend's sister's brother in law that this has happened too..never direct). If you bring back your mugs, you aren't any different from the person with an extra kid in their room...if you really want to get down and dirty. And I have to admit..I bring back my mugs! So, hey..why the heck am I staying in POR and paying the extra adult charge again?
OK, flame away, I have my protective gear on!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by gepetto
Why is everyone jumping on Ann here? She's expressing her frustration with people breaking the room occupancy rules in the same tone that everyone else is expressing their frustration that Disney limits occupancy at all.

What I am frustrated about is that people think that either because they have more kids they should be entitled to special treatment (ie Disney should build special rooms at special prices just for them), and people who say that Disney doesn't offer anything affordable for a family of five. There is also debate that they should be able to put their family of five into one room and not pay anything more for it. I conversely argue that if that is the case, I should get a rebate as my family is only three.

I have pointed out that two of the moderates offer accomodations for a family of five, that with discounts you can often get two rooms at the All Stars for a very moderate price, that the FW Homes and DI both offer moderate prices for rooms that accomodate five. There are options, and there is no reason for Disney to build additional rooms to accomodate larger families when the rooms that already exist aren't being fully utilized.

Anne

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

My family of 3 stopped staying at the All Stars when DS was 5 because those rooms are incredibly small. Putting occupancy issues aside, I can't imagine that 4 people (let alone more) would be happy in such a tiny room. They have 2 double beds and not enough floor space for sleeping bags for anyone other than a toddler.

Disney has plenty of options for people as has been pointed out. If you aren't happy with those options, go offsite.

 

[DMRick]

What I am frustrated about is that people think that either because they have more kids they should be entitled to special treatment (ie Disney should build special rooms at special prices just for them),

Can you point me to the post where that was said? I missed it. I thought peopel were saying, that just like in "outside" hotel rooms, where families of 5 can stay in one room, people are questioning why, if they don't mind being a little crowded, Disney won't let them stay five in an Allstars room (not build a new set of bigger rooms..they are OK with the size of the Allstars). Put it back in perspective..don't change what the concern was..no one said they were entitled to more. Some may not belive the Allstars rooms are big enough for 5..and that is a real choice..others are just saying, that Disney says it's OK with a family of five, as long as one is in a portacrib..which takes up even more room, than three small kids sleeping together in a double sized bed. If the reason isn't because of firecodes (and again, if 5 is OK if one is a baby, I don't think it is), why not let the family make that decision. The poster who suggested a rebate, since she only has one child, is certainly not seeing the point. A larger family IS already spending more..more on food, more on tickets and other entertainment (and they weren't complaining about that). The real question (IMO) is why "outside" rooms allow 5, why some mods allow 5 (and more water and towels being used), but not the Allstars..who do allow 5 if one is under 3.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by DMRick


Can you point me to the post where that was said? <snip>(not build a new set of bigger rooms..they are OK with the size of the Allstars).

Yes, Ricola asked for minisuites to be built at a moderate resort price towards the start of this thread. So Ricola WAS asking for larger rooms at a lower price in order to accomodate families that chose to have more kids. Several others agreed.

The poster who suggested a rebate, since she only has one child, is certainly not seeing the point. A larger family IS already spending more..more on food, more on tickets and other entertainment (and they weren't complaining about that).

Actually, I doubt that this is true. We generally spend $150 or more per day on food, and $300+ per trip on incidental entertainment such as sports, spa treatments and such. Chances are that this puts us right in line spenditure wise with a family of five. We also go 2-4 times a year, and never spend less than five days at a time.

The real question (IMO) is why "outside" rooms allow 5, why some mods allow 5 (and more water and towels being used), but not the Allstars..who do allow 5 if one is under 3.

The All Stars are value resorts. The moderates are moderates. If you put five in a moderate you'll be charged extra for the fifth person (unless it's a baby). They have built and furnished the rooms in a way taht a fifth person can fit. It is being implied that ALL off property rooms will sleep five. This is simply not the case. Some do. Just like some WDW Resorts do. But many don't.

Anne

 

[Prince John]

Not that anyone may crae, but this thread is getting less fun by the minute. I read every new post for an opportunity to put in a few more "two cents", but I can't. Somebody please say something controversial or really stupid so that I can satisfy my urge to respond. Hee hee.

 

[gepetto]

Somebody please say something controversial or really stupid so that I can satisfy my urge to respond. Hee hee.

hmmmm


controversial....or stupid. Or BOTH!


I can make something up. We just want you to be happy.


Picture it....years from now....Prince John says to his 27 year old son..."ok son, if anyone asks you're 2. You're still 2. You're just big for your age".

 

[wdisneyaholic]

What is with all this attitude from this thread? I am 100% behind Prince John!

Ducklite, it is not just people that have more than 1 or 2 kids, maybe the kid wants to take a friend. What is with all the attitude? Are you loosing out on something because families of 5 are traveling to Disney?

I thought that the idea of these boards was to get information and have fun reading about everyone's favorite place. It just goes back to the "you can't say anything negative about Disney" here or you will get slammed for it.

Hey, I have a family of 5 and I take my own towels, anybody need an extra?

 

[Grumpygal]

Prince John this may not be controversial or stupid but I offer something only slightly off topic as food for thought.

The cost of a room (whether a WDW property or not) is based on double occupancy and for each additional adult there usually is a nominal charge. Based on this, the cost for each consecutive adult is a little more. Why then, is it more expensive for one person alone to stay in a room than 2 people?

That is something I've always found to be the case. When you take the cost of a room and divide it out among the number of people staying there its obvious that the more people you have the cheaper its is. Why is that?

Here's the somewhat controversial piece for you: if you do the math, it very well may be cheaper per person to get 2 rooms for 5 people than it is for 1 person to stay in 1 room.

As I said just some food for thought.

 

[DawnCt]

Okay Prince John, I will try to comply. If you have one person over the limit, be prepared for midnight fire drills and room checks. You may think that is a tv in the cabinet, but it is really a room camera designed to note if an extra person enters the room without a room key in their own name. Don't try to save the fifth towel in the bathroom; when you hang it up on the towel rack, the rack will collapse, the water sprinkler will come on in the room, red lights will flash and a loud siren will sound. You will be mortified because other guests on your floor will "know" that you broke the room limit. Worst yet, a paddy wagon will pull up in front of the lobby and you will be carted away in your night clothes to (dare I say it) Motel 6!! You may think Disney won't know if you have length of stay passes for 6 people but only five are registered to the room. They WILL KNOW! When you enter the room, you are desensitized. This allows you to pass through any gate or turnstyle without notice. If, however, you aren't registered, you are not automatically desensitized. Again, bells and whistles will go off. The villians of WDW are doing double duty and you can expect Captain Hook to snatch your youngest child up and send her to the crocodiles. In spite of all this, enjoy your next vacation and sleep in shifts.

 

[Mattsmom]

We are a family of five and have been for alot of years. Youngest DS is 11. Even if Disney allowed five at a value resort we wouldn't stay there, it's not for us. (I know that's another debate.) We prefer deluxe resorts, but we have stayed at POR. So this discussion is not a problem for us.

What I would like to point out though is for the last 11 yrs. we have traveled with the kids to alot of different places. With very few exceptions the hotels/motels that we have stayed at all would provide a roll away bed for a fifth person. Some charged a fee, some didn't. From my experience this seems to be the normal business practice in most lodging chains. I think it comes as a surprise to people who are used to this practice to learn what Disney's policy is.

I also agree with Ricola, I believe Disney is missing a segment of the market. Pop Century is sitting complete but not opened. MAYBE if they were to open it and allow five to a room they could filled it?

 

[DMRick]

Hey, I have a family of 5 and I take my own towels, anybody need an extra?

Hey, the towell part was a joke..I'd share towels if your family was in need! But, hey, be sure and give it back, so that if the maid counts the towels, they won't know you have extra people in your room.

Ok, in the beginning one person did make a suggestion about suites..you were right about that..although that doesnt' have to pertain just to people with more kids..could pertain if I wanted to bring my elderly parents as well:
:

Why not offer a resort with inexpensive suites, or, a simpler solution (which wouldn't require redesigning a resort and which could utilize the existing ones), a discount when booking more than one room?

I can't see that happening (building more), since Disney can't fill what they have, but the discount when booking more than one room, isn't so out of line.

What I keep hearing, is that some people on this board wouldn't want to sleep five in an Allstars (some don't even want to sleep 3!). Generally, those of us with larger families, don't mind the "closeness", so obviously, if you minded, you wouldn't do it..but I still say the option should be there...like it is in most all of hte other hotels we have stayed at.

Prince John..my throwing in the people who bring their mugs back every year, wasn't controveral enough for you? Heck, I even own one mug per child..we don't even share, so I have to cart them all back when we come to Dis (last trip there, someone was filling a really big thermos..like one of the BIG yellow McDonald ones they give you for sports activites..they had to wait while the lemonade was refilled..there wasn't enough in the spigot)!