Onsite resort options for a family of 5

[bblanch]

Our family recently increased from 4 to 5. We've always stayed onsite previously. We weren't very comfortable size-wise in any of the value resorts we've stayed at, but were plenty happy enough with any of the moderates or deluxes we've stayed.

We are currently exploring becoming DVC members, but not sure if we are ready to take that plunge. What other on-site options are available to fit our growing family?

 

[TXgal]

Some of the rooms at POR accomodate 5, with two doubles and a trundle. Have you thought about a cabin at Ft. Wilderness? They are sized for 6 (double and bunk beds in the bedroom, plus a murphy double in the sitting area.) It also has a full kitchen. I would have booked one for next summer but we have 7 in our party now with married children. The price is nice -- equivalent to a room for four at WL. The kitchen would certainly save us money on meals!

 

[LilGMom]

If at least one member of your family is in a crib you can stay in any of the 4 person rooms. For 5 members or more there are quite a few options. The WL has bunk bed rooms, ASMu has "Family Suites", POR Alligator Bayou has two beds plus a single sized trundle, I believe CR has two beds plus a sleeper sofa. And of course there are the DVC resorts - a studio has a queen and a sleeper sofa which fit my family of four since the youngest is still content in a pack-n-play. The one bedrooms have the same sleeping options but more overall space and then the two bedrooms is when you get into much much more sleeping options. If you are unsure about DVC try taking the tour or stay at one either through CRO or renting points from a member. We just joined and our only regret is not joining sooner.

 

[Dalton5]

I believe CR has two beds plus a sleeper sofa. .

We just stayed at the CR. The room had the 2 beds and sofa. However, for us, myself, DH, DS18, DS13 and DD13 it was miserable. We had no room. There is no storage, drawers consisted of 2 in a small bedside dresser and 2 small ones in the closet. That's it. For 5 people staying 1 week it didn't work. I think from now on we will do 2 rooms at a moderate.

 

[Gales4Goofy]

I have a bad feeling I'm about to be flamed mightily for asking, but I just have to ask.

We have a family of 5. Value resorts are for a max of 4 people. Adding that 5th person to the family has a MAJOR impact on the cost of the rooms, since the cheapest option is to move up to a moderate.

With 3 kids, expenses are already tight. Moving to a moderate just isn't an option for this trip.

So, that either leaves us staying OP or trying to put 5 into a value room. I know its cramped. I can deal with cramped. The real question is whether its even possible. If we purchase the 5th ticket seperately from our package, would we be able to use it for EMH?

Has anyone tried this?
Please be gentle.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

How old are the kids?

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have a bad feeling I'm about to be flamed mightily for asking, but I just have to ask.

We have a family of 5. Value resorts are for a max of 4 people. Adding that 5th person to the family has a MAJOR impact on the cost of the rooms, since the cheapest option is to move up to a moderate.

With 3 kids, expenses are already tight. Moving to a moderate just isn't an option for this trip.

So, that either leaves us staying OP or trying to put 5 into a value room. I know its cramped. I can deal with cramped. The real question is whether its even possible. If we purchase the 5th ticket seperately from our package, would we be able to use it for EMH?

Has anyone tried this?
Please be gentle.

I believe you have to show your room key for EMH so that wont work if you have 1 child not listed in the room.

I feel your pain.. we are a family of 6. Just spent 8 night at POR... 2 kids we under 3 at check in... Next trip I am sure they will both be older and not sure what we will do... unless I wait long enough until my teen no longer wants to go lol.

 

[Lynne M]

I have a bad feeling I'm about to be flamed mightily for asking, but I just have to ask.

We have a family of 5. Value resorts are for a max of 4 people. Adding that 5th person to the family has a MAJOR impact on the cost of the rooms, since the cheapest option is to move up to a moderate.

With 3 kids, expenses are already tight. Moving to a moderate just isn't an option for this trip.

So, that either leaves us staying OP or trying to put 5 into a value room. I know its cramped. I can deal with cramped. The real question is whether its even possible. If we purchase the 5th ticket seperately from our package, would we be able to use it for EMH?

Has anyone tried this?
Please be gentle.

Sorry, but I wouldn't recommend it. EMH entrance is tied to your resort ID, not your ticket. Everyone registered to the room gets a resort ID, which is also your room key. If one of your party can't show a resort ID....no EMH.

The same goes for Magical Express. There's a voucher for each person on the reservation, and anyone without a voucher won't be able to board the bus.

We have occasionally heard from CM's that groups who are over the occupancy are asked to leave the resort. That's probably quite rare, but still, there's no way i would chance it.

 

[nklooz]

I have a bad feeling I'm about to be flamed mightily for asking, but I just have to ask.

We have a family of 5. Value resorts are for a max of 4 people. Adding that 5th person to the family has a MAJOR impact on the cost of the rooms, since the cheapest option is to move up to a moderate.

With 3 kids, expenses are already tight. Moving to a moderate just isn't an option for this trip.

So, that either leaves us staying OP or trying to put 5 into a value room. I know its cramped. I can deal with cramped. The real question is whether its even possible. If we purchase the 5th ticket seperately from our package, would we be able to use it for EMH?

Has anyone tried this?
Please be gentle.

Just a thought, you could try renting DVC points and staying at a DVC. I have seen, on this forum, and, on the one through www.****************, some really great rates on renting points. And, there are some DVC resorts w/really reasonable pts. required for your stay....(SSR, OKW, AKL, etc.). Worth looking into at least.

Also, POR, for those who may be interested in moving up to a moderate, is very nice. 1 of the things that was really nice for our family was the curtain that covered the closet/sink area for a private changing area. We stayed in the AB section, where the trundle beds are, and loved it.

Good luck.

 

[Gales4Goofy]

Thanks everyone, those are good ideas. The kids are 7, 9 and 11. I was thinking of POR as the next best option, but right now its sold out for our dates. I'll keep checking and maybe we'll get lucky.

I hadn't even considered DVC points. Maybe that will work. I'll check it out. Thanks again for the advice and suggestions!

 

[ocd4disney]

If you rent DVC points just remember that you will still have to have the bigger rooms. Studios won't fit 5 either. It might be a better deal to try the Family Suites at a value than to try the 2 bdrms at a DVC resort....unless you think the kitchen and washer/dryer would make it worth it.

 

[dismom73]

We are a family of 5 and last time we went we stayed in the cabins at Ft Wilderness. If was great, not only did it accomadate us, but we had plenty of room and we weren't cramped at all. Also, I just discovered that the All Star Movies has family suites, so for the same price as a Moderate, where you get one room and one bathroom, you can get two rooms and two bathrooms.

 

[Cory's Gal]

Also there is the option of 2 value rooms, 2 baths, 4 beds. It's a little more than a moderate but a lot more room.