Onsite Hotel for Family of 5?

[renaebair]

I'm 35, have never been to WDW - growing up, my family was low middle-class and flying anywhere was never a possibility. Now, as an adult with 3 kids of my own (ages 9, 7, 5), I can afford to take them to WDW, but I feel lost because I don't know anything at all about it.

We live in Maine, we're flying to to Orlando on Dec 19th, departing Orlando again on the evening of the 26th. Our tentative plan was to spend a couple nights near Cape Canaveral first to see the Kennedy Space Center, stay in a relaxing hotel on a beach, chill out. Then spend the last 4 days at Disney World.

What my kids really want is to see some princesses, dine with Beast if possible, see fireworks, do some calm/chill rides (no crazy rides, they're not into them), perhaps visit the Harry Potter area at Universal, eat, shop, hang out in a pool. We're from Maine, it's cold, they're ecstatic to be able to swim at Christmas!

It seems like finding a place to sleep a family of 5 is going to be hard. I'd love to do the Disney Dining Plan and stay at an onsite Disney hotel but I haven't been able to figure out how to do that. Most onsite hotels don't seem to accommodate families of 5, and ones that do I can't see where to add the Dining Plan option. Should I be booking with the hotels directly, or through something like Expedia?

Like I said, I just really have no idea. I know there are a lot of you who are die hard, lifelong WDW fans and I'm hoping you can help me plan out our stay a bit.

I appreciate any and all advice, and promise it will be received with the utmost gratitude

 

[HopperFan]

Are you talking this year? 2015?

 

[lanejudy]

to the DISboards!

There are several on-site resorts that accommodate a family of 5, though depending on budget it may be less expensive to stay off-site. The family suites at Art of Animation or All Star Music, as well as the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, all accommodate up to 6 guests. Moderate resorts Carribean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside both have some rooms with an extra murphy bed that accommodate 5 guests, as do several deluxe resorts. You should be able to add the dining plan to any of these resorts. To book the dining plan online you must also buy tickets to make it a package; you can book a "ticketless package" via phone (resort + dining plan only). I will suggest you run your options to see whether the dining plan is the best buy for your family, especially since you may have trouble getting restaurant reservations this close.

Christmas time at WDW is one of the busiest, most crowded times of year. If you are thinking of this December, you will need to be flexible in your plans and expectations. Most dining reservations open up 180 days out so there may not be much if anything available at Be Our Guest. Onsite guests are able to book FP+ at 60 days out and offsite guests can book FP+ at 30 days out, so you may be behind the game on those as well. Universal will be separate tickets from WDW.

I've never booked through Expedia, but I've read reports of those who book through 3rd party sites like Expedia or Orbitz.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[renaebair]

Are you talking this year? 2015?

Yeah, this year 2015. I realize now, after a discussion on Reddit, that I probably should have planned months in advance!

 

[HopperFan]

Yeah, this year 2015. I realize now, after a discussion on Reddit, that I probably should have planned months in advance!

Yes. People book their hotels a year in advance, dining reservations 6 mos in advance, their FastPass+ for attractions 60 days in advance. Add to that you are going what is probably the busiest time of year which will mean lots of lines.

- Caribbean Beach Resort and Port Orleans Riverside can handle you with 2 Queen Beds and a foldout for $250-280 a night.
- ASMusic Suites and Art of Animation Suites will work at $392 and $457 respectively a night.
- Other options exist but they are even more expensive.
- The regular Disney Dining Plan would add another $180 per night for your family.
- Getting the restaurants you want may prove extremely difficult especially Be Our Guest.
- You may find it hard to get your monies worth with the Disney Dining Plan, I would probably just pay for what I eat.
- One way to try to figure if worth is it is go ahead and try to book your dining reservations online. You don't need a hotel reservation or tickets. This will give you an idea of what is available before you decide to buy the dining plan.
- Since you have missed the window of opportunity for many dining reservations and the advantage of 60 day FP+ I would consider off site hotels and at least compare prices.
- Offsite hotels would still be expensive this time frame but may save you money and some provide breakfast.
- There really are no discounts on Park Tickets for Disney, minimal for Universal.
- I would price Cabana Bay Resort at Universal. Probably cost less than a moderate at Disney, it's new and that is for a suite.

 

[powellrj]

I know it's late, but have you looked into renting a house with your own pool? It would be much cheaper than staying on-site at Wdw. The only down side is you would need to get to the parks early because during that time they will close the parks when the get full. That usually only happens at Christmas and Easter.

 

[mjkacmom]

Definitely hit WDW before Cocoa Beach. The crowds will be larger (huge) closer to Christmas. You will not really get to utilize onsite perks this late (fast pass +, ADR's), so you might be better off saving $ and stating offsite. I've been to WDW many times as a kid and adult, and spent close to a year planning our last trip, which wasn't at a peak time. I recommend The Unofficial Guide.

 

[tabrizia]

I would go for Disney World before the rest of the trip. The closer you get to Christmas the busier Disney gets, so going from the 19th - 23rd will be less busy then the 22nd - 24th. You may not be able to get all the headliners as far as FP+ at the parks go, but you should still be able to see princesses, ride a lot of the rides and have fun. You will need a plan.


We are a family of 5 and staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort (3 kids 4, 6, 8). One moderate room was cheaper then the larger Art of Animation Suites, though we will be a bit cramped most likely, we are only staying 4 nights before moving off property so we figure it will be fine.


One thing to check when making dining reservations, if you can't find a table for 5, seeing if you can find either a table for 6 (if you come with one less it isn't a big deal) or a table for 3 and 2. If you have a table for 3 and 2 you can ask to be seated together or at least next to each other. Also keep checking for reservations if there are any meals you really want, people often will drop restaurants especially the night before, when they decide that they don't want to do it and they don't want to get charged a no show fee.

 

[meohmy]

I would suggest staying on site as the traveling to Disney from anywhere is a nightmare at Christmas time.
Have you considered spending all your vacation at Disney? Four days at the busiest time of the year will make it difficult for your children to see all they wish. Until you visit, you cannot appreciate how large the parks are and how much there is to see. Plus there are activities at the resort's, including a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve.
Whatever you decide, you will have a wonderful vacation, your children will be so delighted to have such a great vacation.

 

[kohlby]

We are a family of 5 and usually stay at the Swan/Dolphin. I think it's technically not an on-site Disney property, but gets most of the same perks.

I agree to do Disney before the beach.

 

[laughinplace199]

I'd skip the beach part altogether. While Florida is warmer than Maine, the weather can be unpredictable in December. You could have great pool/beach weather, or it could be too cold.

Christmas is WDW's busiest season. If you're going to go then, I'd spend the whole vacation there.

Are you totally set on December, or could you go in the spring? We used to go April vacation every year (MA and ME typically have the same week off I think). Airfare can be expensive, but you can get it cheaper if you leave a day or two before school vacation or come back a day or two after school vacation. April weather is perfect and the parks won't be nearly as crowded as they will be at Christmas.

 

[quandrea]

I'm 35, have never been to WDW - growing up, my family was low middle-class and flying anywhere was never a possibility. Now, as an adult with 3 kids of my own (ages 9, 7, 5), I can afford to take them to WDW, but I feel lost because I don't know anything at all about it.

We live in Maine, we're flying to to Orlando on Dec 19th, departing Orlando again on the evening of the 26th. Our tentative plan was to spend a couple nights near Cape Canaveral first to see the Kennedy Space Center, stay in a relaxing hotel on a beach, chill out. Then spend the last 4 days at Disney World.

What my kids really want is to see some princesses, dine with Beast if possible, see fireworks, do some calm/chill rides (no crazy rides, they're not into them), perhaps visit the Harry Potter area at Universal, eat, shop, hang out in a pool. We're from Maine, it's cold, they're ecstatic to be able to swim at Christmas!

It seems like finding a place to sleep a family of 5 is going to be hard. I'd love to do the Disney Dining Plan and stay at an onsite Disney hotel but I haven't been able to figure out how to do that. Most onsite hotels don't seem to accommodate families of 5, and ones that do I can't see where to add the Dining Plan option. Should I be booking with the hotels directly, or through something like Expedia?

Like I said, I just really have no idea. I know there are a lot of you who are die hard, lifelong WDW fans and I'm hoping you can help me plan out our stay a bit.

I appreciate any and all advice, and promise it will be received with the utmost gratitude

It's close but you can do it! I checked the last four nights of your trip and tree is lots of availability. Many rooms hold five. You could stay at almost any of the deluxes--yacht club, beach club etc, port Orleans riverside and Caribbean beach hold five. So does a family suite at art of animation. I wouldn't do the dining plan at this late date as you will have trouble with reservations. We have a last minute trip planned for December and are sticking to the wide and interesting variety of counter service. You will spend less too! Get it booked and book fast passes ASAP. It may not be the perfect trip but you will be able to have a great time if you go with an open mind. Pm me if you want more help.

 

[Baklava]

If you can find a room the preferred rooms at Port Orleans Riverside are all in the Alligator Bayou section and have pull out bunks. The 5 year old would fit there easily.

You never know. There might be a cancellation and a room could be available.

ETA: There's actually preferred rooms available for those day. I'd book that or whatever else you can find FAST.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

You might look at dvc point rental. that gives you more on property options for 5 people but you really waited till the last min...Goodluck

 

[TinkerShellyBell]

I would personally plan to stay at WDW the entire time too. The big downside to previous suggestions to do WDW first and then leave for the beach is - you will probably NOT want to leave! I've never been to the East coast side of Fla but I have been to gulf side in December. No way were we hanging out on the beach because it was freezing with the wind. If it were me I would book the whole stay at WDW and maybe do a day trip to Kennedy Space Center and Universal. You can even rent a car onsite for the day if you wanted, although I don't know availability at the last minute.
Disney pools are heated so your kids could still swim, depending on the crazy Fla weather. We've stayed at CBR, AKL and BC and we loved them all. I don't remember if my kids swam in December but I remember them swimming in February while I sat in a lounge chair in a sweatshirt with their towels wrapped around me.
Make a plan, get FP when you can and keep checking for openings, and be flexible. Make a "wish list" touring plan, and expect it to be crowded. Expect to get in half of what you want to see.
I am also a big fan of park hoppers. If you are at one park and its way too crowded for you, move on to another one.
As for dining, I'd probably go for the counter service dining plan given the time you are going and the short time to plan. (Or pay as you go). You can then keep trying for a few TS ADR for places you would like to go.
No matter what, you are at WDW!

 

[tzolkin]

Family of 5 options (from cheapest to most expensive):
Port Orleans Riverside or Caribbean Beach
Two rooms at a value resort
Family suite at Art of Animation
Fort Wilderness Cabin
Deluxe resort (most accommodate 5 per room)

Also would be worth checking out the Dolphin Resort (not Disney owned, but on property with some of the onsite perks like EMH). They offer some great discounts for teachers and nurses if you happen to be one and have one of the best locations (can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios).

 

[maxiesmom]

Family of 5 options (from cheapest to most expensive):
Port Orleans Riverside or Caribbean Beach
Two rooms at a value resort
Family suite at Art of Animation
Fort Wilderness Cabin
Deluxe resort (most accommodate 5 per room)

Also would be worth checking out the Dolphin Resort (not Disney owned, but on property with some of the onsite perks like EMH). They offer some great discounts for teachers and nurses if you happen to be one and have one of the best locations (can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios).

You left out the Family Suites at the All Star Music. They would fit between two rooms at a value resort (a smidge cheaper) and the Family Suite at AoA (which is quite a bit more expensive).

 

[Disneychica18]

Also the family suites at all star music will be a little cheaper than art of animation

 

[Thing 1]

so, here is what I would do. I would plan to spend the entire time at WDW. Its is going to be very crowded and take more time to do things. I would call
wdw directly and talk to a CM. Most are fantastic. If you get one that is not, hang up and try again. Tell here what you need and ask her what she has available. Being onsite will let you take advantage of EMH and that is going to be very important. After you finish with her, ask her to transfer you to dinning. Ask what is available and be willing to take off hour times. As for FP....get what you can and plan to be there at EMH rope drop to get the big things done. Add hopper passes to give you the most bang for your money. CMs are great at helping you know what is available and what might work, and I love when the say...Have a magical day!!!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Okay, going to sound harsh, but here's what I'd suggest. Don't do it!!!! You're only a month out, have done absolutely no research, don't know the parks, have no FPs booked, no ADRs, and you're going at the absolute busiest time of the year. Just sounds like a recipe for disaster to me! You don't want your first visit to be a bad one. Disney is overwhelming--even to veterans sometimes. There's a lot of planning and research to do to really make it a wonderful trip.

Could you plan for another time--next spring or summer or even a year from now at Christmas? I just really feel you may be setting you and your family up for failure by trying to do a last minute trip without really knowing much about Disney at all. You probably won't get to eat at the restaurants you want, may not get to ride many rides without waiting hours in line.

Take a breath, do some research, plan ahead--Disney will still be there and you'll have a great trip!