Not too accomodating to family of 5

[Winter921]

Does anyone feel like Disney is not too accomodating to families with 5? I was really surprised when I made my reservation to know that I had basically 1 option of where to stay. I know the more expensive resorts have rooms for 5, but having 5 in a family kinda puts me on a budget at it is, so I was disappointed not to be able to stay at a Value Resort, they looked so nice not to mention the cost was nice. I think nowadays there are ALOT of families of 5, even consider that many families travel with a grandparent or two. Anyway, I have heard really nice things on here about the POR, and since that is where we are staying, I hope we enjoy it.

 

[skiwee1]

You can do what many others do and that is get two rooms at the values. With public codes you can get those quite cheaply. We too are a family of five but really don't expect anyone to do anything extra for us. After all it is our choice how many kids we have. I am sure that if Disney had values that allowed up to 5 in the room then families of 6 and more would think that unfair. I hear all nice things about POR and I am sure you will enjoy it. It sounds lovely and kids will like the pool.

 

[mrsboz]

Hi. We also are a family of five and I do understand what you mean. By booking two rooms at the value resort it is not a value. I don't think that the poster was questioning why families of four get them but just that it would be nice if we could fit into this category. I find that it is even worse with the cruises as you would have to buy a higher category room. I don't think that the poster was complaining but just wishful thinking. I believe that Coronado Springs, if I am not mistaken, also has room for a family of five???. We are going to try POR for the first time also this year. I hope that we both enjoy it.

 

[Harambe]

My sister (family of five) has stayed at POR three times, and has always enjoyed it! As a matter of fact, she is planning a trip with just her youngest (high school age) and her DH wants to stay at the Poly. She says she wants to go to POR! LOL!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I hear you loud and clear. Our family of 5 is running out of economical options at disney too and with 3 teens and also a tall dh even double size beds just dont cut it for us. We have found our new favorite - the Swan with a govt. discount. This time we purchased and our bringing our own aerobed to save the $25 a night on the rollaway. The 3 ds can take turns between the heavenly bed and the aerobed. I also priced 2 rooms at a value and for a few dollars more we got the deluxe swan.

 

[dreams4disney]

We are a family of 6. So no matter where we go we just get two rooms. It gives us a lot more space too. We stayed at ASM and had two connecting rooms and it was great! That is what we will be doing this next May too.

 

[antkim]

I do understand your situation however I do not think Disney was trying to discriminate against those with larger families when they built the value resorts. They were trying to make their resorts affordable for everyone. Before these resorts were built a family of 4 or less had no choice but to stay in a moderate or deluxe regardless of their budget. I guess a person staying at a value resort could ask why they do not have waterslides or hot tubs. You know what I mean? I think Disney is doing their best to accommodate all but it doesn't always work. JMO No flames please as I do understand the problems for larger families.

Kim

Just wanted to add another point! LOL They do also have the cabins available for up to 6 people and although they are more expensive to stay in you can save a bundle of money eating in. So I think they have covered their bases pretty well.

 

[Chicago526]

Well, two rooms at a value are, of course, more expensive that one room. But, you then have two bathrooms, which can really save time getting ready in the mornings (and no waiting if you need to use the potty!). Also, if you have little ones that need a nap, they can sleep in one room while everone else stays in the other room, talking or watching tv. So you do get more for the extra money you're spending! And depending on the codes, two Value rooms could be less than one Moderate.

Also, have you thought about looking into renting DVC points and staying in a villa? Renting points would still be more than a Value, but then you get a kitchen, which can save you money on meals, and you'll be at a deluxe resort with all the deluxe amenities.

I do see your point about the Value's not fitting 5. Most motels will sleep 5 and why Disney chose not do have at least some rooms that could fit that many, I don't know.

Good luck in your planning!

 

[Winter921]

Thanks everyone. I am sorry if it came across as a complaint. I didnt intend for it to be that way. I was just wishing for some more options in the moderate and value ranges. But after reading all the posts on the POR, sounds like a great place.

 

[rkmassa]

You are going to love POR. Money well spent. Your family will be wanting to go back. Kids love the slide at the pool, and you can go over to the POFQ and use the pool there too. Good food at both resorts. Boat to DTD. It is just a great resort. We can't wait to go back in August.

 

[laceemouse]

We are a family of six. When we were just a family of five we stayed at POR in one of the trundle bed rooms and loved it. Now we are DVC members, the 2 bedroom units are perfect for us. However, if we had not joined DVC we would get 2 rooms at a value or moderate each time. Even with just 3 kids, as they get older having to share a room with one bathroom and one t.v. is just not comfortable to a lot of folks. It depends on your family, and the gender of the kids, but teens, and even pre-teens, need a little privacy ( and so do DH and I!) You will have a great trip at POR The more kids you have, the more everything costs, that's just life.

 

[donnabc]

We just came back from Disney and stayed at Pop Century (DH, DS and myself). We plan to go again with my older two step kids and the fit in this small room is going to be tight...the kids will probably take turns sleeping on the floor by the sink in a sleeping bag.

 

[PratersloveDW]

Winter921, you will love POR!!! This has been a family favorite for a long time. I haven't gotten to stay there in a while but it is beautiful. When I was younger, I loved the slides! The grounds are beautifully maintained. The food court is great, it can be a bit of a walk but at least at it is a nice walk! I hope you really enjoy it and be sure to let us know about it when you get back on the Trip Reports Board.

 

[kidangel]

We're a family of five two, and the day is coming when even the POR trundle won't be an option, so I sympathize. We've stayed at POR and LOVED it, and yes, we could get two rooms at a Value for the same price, or close. That's probably what we'll have to do the next time around, because the trundle will be too small.

The problem is, we prefer the Moderate level, for reasons ranging from layout to transportation. We're a bit sad that we've never been able to even consider CBR or CS because of the size of our family. (the CS junior suite is too expensive) It would be nice if there were more Mod options for a family of five or more at the mod or deluxe level. Even at WL, we'd need a deluxe room to fit five. And the FW cabins are priced pretty high.

I wonder if WDW would ever get to the point where they'd discount a second room at the mods or deluxes, if it was to accomodate a single family?

We're seriously considering looking into DVC to accomodate our near-anneal trips and larger family. Which makes you wonder if that's what WDW hopes for all along.

 

[xterratri]

My mom, sister, and myself stayed at All Star Movies in April and liked it but I knew when Grandma agreed to go with us in Dec 4 adults in the room would be a little cramped especially since my 18 year old sister has the typical teenage/college student sleeping habits of late nights and late mornings so I looked at larger occupancy alternatives. I ended just booking 2 rooms at All Star Movies instead as it was more economical. Future trips won't be an issue because we joined DVC as it seems to be the best fit for how we are vacationing. Yes it can be an economical option even for people that have stayed at value resorts in the past.(My outlay over the next 2-3 years will be higher but I will be getting more for it too by staying more days in a different level of place) I know that it is certainly going to change how we do the parks- no more commando, rushing to see and do every thing becuase we KNOW rather than just hope that we will be back soon.
Fellow DVCs will understand: counting down to Jan 24(11 month checkout window)

 

[eeyore0062]

Up until the CBR opened in 1988 if you wanted to stay on property you had no choice but a deluxe or the campground. Things have come along way.

To keep prices down they started with moderates. They had one, CBR, , until PO-FQ opened in 1990. To help accomodate those with 5 people in their parties, they included a trundle bed in the Alligator Bayou section of PO-R.

The size of a room helps to determine how many may stay in a room--- AKL and WL rooms are the same size of CBR and they only sleep 4, but they cost more than the moderates. The larger the room, the larger the price. I know that it may not seem fair.

Have you looked into some of the Good Neighbor resorts on Hotel Plaza Blvd? You might want to look into the Best Western or Doubleday Suites, which could easily accomodate your family, save on food costs because you will have access to cooking, and still be the closest thing to on property as you can get to sleep 5 without paying a lot. They are also right across the street from a grocery store, TGIFridays, McDonalds, Perkins, and Taco Bell. You won't be able to participate in EMH and the transporation is nowhere near as good as Disney's, but if that isn't an important factor and you have a car with you, you should be OK!

Still, if you look for deals on Disney property, you can many times get two value rooms for the same price, if not less than the moderates will cost you.

 

[PatriciaH]

I am a travel agent and I think that once you get over 4 in your family it becomes hard. Most resorts (US, Mexico, Caribbean, Europe) you can have 4 in a room. People with 5 have to get 2 rooms or a suite. When it is 2 adults and 3 kids in 2 rooms, 4 people are going to be paying adult rates (or one single rate in each room-$$$$) even if 3 of them are children!

 

[WDW LOVR]

I wouldn't rule out the Cabins at FW. We've stayed there probably a dozen times and if you pay attention to codes/discounts you usually can stay in them for less than $200/night (we've had rates as low as $139 during the right time of year). E.g. Rack rate = $279, annual passholder rate discount got us the room for $179/night. The extra cost of the AP paid for itself in 2 days. AP rate for value was $79 at the time. 2 values = $160.

Being able to eat breakfast in your room for a family of 5 will save you at least $20/day. Eating breakfast at the Trails end restaurant one day would cost a family of 5 around $50 and I guarantee you'll skip lunch after that (it's a awesome buffet that will fill you up completely) which would = $25/per meal for 2 meals. Go back to the Cabin some evening and get a take out pizza from the Trails End. A huge pizza is around $17. Throw in a couple orders of chicken wings and you have a meal for 5 for around $35 (which would cost you more than that at counter service in a park).

I think if you compare the cost of two rooms at a value or one room at a moderate to the cost of a Cabin, if you factor in the savings on breakfast every day plus maybe a dinner, the Cabins become quite affordable. Having a separate bedroom for the kids so Mom and Dad can enjoy a little quiet time when the kids go to bed is great. After all, not only is WDW the happiest place in the world, it's also the most romantic place in the world!

 

[Aimeedyan]

There are VERY few hotels and resorts anywhere in the world that easily accomodate families of 5, so Disney is certainly not different in that. We've always had to get two rooms on any vacation we went on. My family is a party of 5 (I'm now married, but growing up) but we always got two rooms because 5 in 1 bathroom was NOT GOOD and certainly not an enjoyable vacation =)

We stayed 2 rooms at CBR, and 2 rooms at POP before. We enjoy the extra space, 2 baths, etc. Works out great! I don't think I'd stick 5 people to one bath even if the room size was larger, and enough beds. Getting ready in the morning takes hours!

If you can get value for $55, you're only paying $110 a night for two rooms and two baths, which I think is a steal! Or, you can always rent a vacation home, we did that once - 5 bedrooms, full kitchen, 3 full baths, slept 12, etc.

 

[steelmans DW]

We are also a family of 5. We opted to buy an AP and we get 2 rooms at CSR. We love having 2 bathrooms, 2 tvs, and everyone gets their own bed. We stayed at POR in 2001 and had a room with a trundle bed and we absolutely hated it. The thing is only inches off the floor and that just grossed us out. Alot of people love POR and that's great but our family hated it and we won't go back there. Last June we had ressies at Contemporary and when AP rates came out we could either go to Cont. or get 2 rooms at CSR for the same price. We opted for 2 rooms at CSR because we LOVE it there. We are booking there again this June and also for Christmas. Your family may love POR and I hope you do. Try not to worry too much about what other people think of a resort. I've found that being is great no matter where we stay.