Opinions on the best choice for FIVE people

[kitkatsmom]

In 2004 we stayed at the PO Riverside.

(we are a family of 5)

We are planning on going back 2008

The PO was very nice but we were on top of each other in the room. (small)
Would the Family suite offered at the value resort give us more room?

Is it worth it? Are there better options for a family of 5.

I hate that everything is geared to families of 4 or less.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[SB in KY]

Don't know the ages of your children but here are a couple of possible suggestions:
1. The cabins at Ft Wilderness. They sleep 6 (a double and set of bunk beds in the BR and a queen size Murphy bed in the LR). Also has a full kitchen and LR...way more room than a regular hotel room. Really need a car if you stay here, and only 1 bathroom. Cost is fairly reasonable and discounts abound. Great informal atmosphere and the extra you spend on the cabin could easily be recouped by doing breakfast and a few other random meals in the cabin. It is a very fun place to be...lots of outdoor activities for the kids, etc.

2. Rent points from a DVC member for a 1 BR unit at the AK Villas. They will accomodate 5 (other DVC's 1 BRs only accommodate 4 + 1 child under 3)...again a full kitchen, lots of room but also a jacuzzi tub, 2 bathrooms, DVD player and a washer/dryer. All of the advantages of staying at the AKL as well. A car would not be essential to stay there (handy, but not essential). If you get a standard view the price would be around $190 per night (renting points at $10/point which is pretty much the going rate I think) in low season (and there is no sales tax added onto that so $190 is the final cost) for Sun - Thursday nights (weekends are MUCH more at DVC's)

3. If your kids are older you could go with 2 rooms or one of the family suites at a value resort. The family suites are booked quickly I think and so are rarely if ever discounted so you might be better off going with 2 rooms if your family could work with that,

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

I agree that 2 connecting value resort rooms is the cheapest way to go. As a family of 5 myself, I feel your pain. Disney (or any other vacation spot) certainly doesn't make it easy on us!

 

[Hopefully]

Disney is not geared solely for families of 4. We are a family of 5 and we were always fine.
We stayed at the Fort Wilderness Cabins when my children were young and we loved it there. It has been well described.
We have also stayed at many of the different DVC resorts, renting through CRO. It is cheaper to rent from an owner, but we never did it that way.
The deluxe resorts also sleep 5 - the CR, Poly, GF, and some rooms at AKL and WL. POR AB section has room for 5, but you felt these were small.
Have a great trip.

 

[teacher100]

I agree that 2 connecting value resort rooms is the cheapest way to go. As a family of 5 myself, I feel your pain. Disney (or any other vacation spot) certainly doesn't make it easy on us!

I have to agree! We would be perfectly happy staying at All Stars, but can't now that we have 5 people. Getting a room that will accomodate 5 is much more expensive. Yes they have them, but you pay the price. Families of 5 need an economical choice as well!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have to agree! We would be perfectly happy staying at All Stars, but can't now that we have 5 people. Getting a room that will accomodate 5 is much more expensive. Yes they have them, but you pay the price. Families of 5 need an economical choice as well!

The more in your family, the more you'll have to pay. That's the economics of the system.

And a family of five surely can stay at the value resorts. You'll just need either a family suite or two rooms.

 

[teacher100]

The more in your family, the more you'll have to pay. That's the economics of the system.

And a family of five surely can stay at the value resorts. You'll just need either a family suite or two rooms.

Sorry if may post offended you, I was just replying to another family of 5 with the same problem. I am well aware that three childen cost more than two. If I got two rooms or a family in the value resort I would have to pay twice as much for one more child. I little unbalanced in my calculations. A standard room at a value during regular season would run 25.00/person, cheaper if you get codes. Now if Disney could get a value that could accomodate five I would gladly pay an extra 25.00 and I would be as happy as this banana!
Just like I am happy to pay for one more meal at a restaraunt or extra for a roll away bed in most hotels. Not all families of 5 can afford the deluxes. We would not be staying on sight on my August trip if it were not for the code we got at POR for part of our stay. We are still one night short and will probably be staying off sight to save money.

 

[kitkatsmom]

Disney is not geared solely for families of 4. We are a family of 5 and we were always fine.
We stayed at the Fort Wilderness Cabins when my children were young and we loved it there. It has been well described.
We have also stayed at many of the different DVC resorts, renting through CRO. It is cheaper to rent from an owner, but we never did it that way.
The deluxe resorts also sleep 5 - the CR, Poly, GF, and some rooms at AKL and WL. POR AB section has room for 5, but you felt these were small.
Have a great trip.

The vast majority of packages you see are made for 4 people. Not only at disney but many other places as well.

There aren't any "value" spots available for 5. You have to pay much more.
8 nights at the value resort vs 8 nights at the Ft. Wilderness cabin is a bit different in cost.

I know this and pay it, but it would be nice if Disney came around a bit.

 

[kitkatsmom]

I agree that 2 connecting value resort rooms is the cheapest way to go. As a family of 5 myself, I feel your pain. Disney (or any other vacation spot) certainly doesn't make it easy on us!

I will check out getting the two rooms.
I like having the extra room.
Especially at night when the kids go to bed and hub and I stay up later. When your all trapped in one room then you all have to be on the same sleeping schedule.

The PO room was very nice and I loved the hotel. I just hated being squished in the same room with no where to go.
I will also check out the ft wilderness cabins.
I have heard good things about them.

Thanks

 

[rrgreennc]

We've always gotten connecting rooms at a value resort in this situation. From what I understand, the request for connection rooms is not guaranteed; however, you have a better chance if you point out that you need the space for children that would otherwise be in a room alone.

I think the suites at ASMusic sound great, and I priced them recently (for a trip that has yet to actually be planned) and they work out to pretty much exactly the same price as 2 connecting rooms. That's really what they are, with the exception of the connection being much larger than a single door, and the furniture configuration is different (a sofa instead of all beds). Don't forget the one advantage here is also the second bathroom, which is not part of all the other options provided.

 

[Aliceacc]

HI!

I'm struggling with the same thing... if you scroll down a bit, you'll see my thread with the same question.

We're thinking of going next August, and my kids will be 10,8 and 5. Here are the 3 options I'm considering at the moment: (Each costs about $160 per night this year.)

a) Port Orleans. I think it's a regular room with a trundle bed. It's a Moderate, not Value hotel

b) Century POP: 2 adjoining rooms. Two bathrooms, 4 queen sized beds, lots of kiddie atmosphere, food court.

c) All Star Music: Family Suite. 2 Queen beds, assorted sofabeds. Kiddie atmosphere, food court.


The last time I was in Disney was 1990 and we had no kids... this is a whole different ballgame!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

HI!

I'm struggling with the same thing... if you scroll down a bit, you'll see my thread with the same question.

We're thinking of going next August, and my kids will be 10,8 and 5. Here are the 3 options I'm considering at the moment: (Each costs about $160 per night this year.)

a) Port Orleans. I think it's a regular room with a trundle bed. It's a Moderate, not Value hotel

b) Century POP: 2 adjoining rooms. Two bathrooms, 4 queen sized beds, lots of kiddie atmosphere, food court.

c) All Star Music: Family Suite. 2 Queen beds, assorted sofabeds. Kiddie atmosphere, food court.


The last time I was in Disney was 1990 and we had no kids... this is a whole different ballgame!!

Pop Century only has double sized beds. All Star Music has one queen sized bed in the family suite, one double sleeper sofa and two single sleeper chairs if I recall correctly. Definitely not two queen beds.

Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter both have double sized beds. All moderates and values have double sized beds except for the few king sized beds and the family suites with the single queen sized bed.

 

[Aliceacc]

Oops, sorry!

My notes are upstairs (with the 3 kids ) so I was winging it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Oops, sorry!

My notes are upstairs (with the 3 kids ) so I was winging it.

You really didn't do so bad for just going on memory, though.
Don't forget about the Ft Wilderness cabins that sleep 6.

 

[lippylulu]

In addition to the FW cabin, other reasonably priced choices are Old Key West and Saratoga Springs Resorts. We are only a family of 3 and STILL can't stand being on top of each other or shring anything less than 2 Queens (not doubles) or a King plus a rollaway. The deluxe resoorts were too expensive so we rented points from a DVC owner from this message board for SSR and can't wait to go! The Wilderness Cabins have a better location, but I have heard OKW and SSR have more comfortable beds, space etc, Disney themed pools, etc. We got a 1 bedrooom (not a studio) so we have a full washer drier, private bedroom with king bed, sleeper sofa and probably room for a rollaway if we prefer our daughter to use that rather than the sofa. The price was equivalent (maybe slightly less) to FW Cabins, more than a moderate resort and less than a deluxe.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In addition to the FW cabin, other reasonably priced choices are Old Key West and Saratoga Springs Resorts. We are only a family of 3 and STILL can't stand being on top of each other or shring anything less than 2 Queens (not doubles) or a King plus a rollaway. The deluxe resoorts were too expensive so we rented points from a DVC owner from this message board for SSR and can't wait to go! The Wilderness Cabins have a better location, but I have heard OKW and SSR have more comfortable beds, space etc, Disney themed pools, etc. We got a 1 bedrooom (not a studio) so we have a full washer drier, private bedroom with king bed, sleeper sofa and probably room for a rollaway if we prefer our daughter to use that rather than the sofa. The price was equivalent (maybe slightly less) to FW Cabins, more than a moderate resort and less than a deluxe.

DVC resorts will not provide rollaways or cots. In a one bedroom there is a king sized bed in the master bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room. You will get four bath towels, two hand towels and four face cloths. They will not provide any additional bed linens or towels for a fifth person. You will have to provide your own bedding and linens for the fifth person.

DVC is currently allowing a fifth person in the one bedroom but with the limitations listed above. This could change once AKV opens because many of the one bedroom villas there do provide a single sleeper chair in addition to the sleeper sofa to have room for the fifth person. The other DVC resorts do not have the sleeper chair.

Remember, too, that renting a reservation from a DVC member is a private agreement between you and the member. Disney will not get involved in any way if you have any problems. Cancellation can be a problem and you could lose your deposit if you decide to cancel your reservation or need a change for any reason.

 

[simonkodousek]

In 2004 we stayed at the PO Riverside.

(we are a family of 5)

We are planning on going back 2008

The PO was very nice but we were on top of each other in the room. (small)
Would the Family suite offered at the value resort give us more room?

Is it worth it? Are there better options for a family of 5.

I hate that everything is geared to families of 4 or less.

Thanks for any advice.

Values -- All Star Family Suites
Moderate -- Port Orleans Riverside
Deluxe -- Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge "Junior Suite"

Would the Family suite offered at the value resort give us more room?

Yes it would. The family suites are about the size of two regular value rooms. Plus, they offer two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.

I hate that everything is geared to families of 4 or less.

Me too. I really think that WDW should address this problem, not only in the value resorts, but also in the moderates and deluxes.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... I really think that WDW should address this problem, not only in the value resorts, but also in the moderates and deluxes.

They already do. Lots of the deluxe resorts sleep five or more if you get a suite. CSR has larger suites that hold five or six. POR has rooms that sleep 5. WL has larger suites that hold more. DVC has villas that sleep 4, 8 or 12. Ft Wilderness Cabins sleep 6. All Stars Family Suites sleep 6.

The more people you have, the more you have to pay for your lodging. Simple fact of life.

 

[turning40withMickey]

HI!

I'm struggling with the same thing... if you scroll down a bit, you'll see my thread with the same question.

We're thinking of going next August, and my kids will be 10,8 and 5. Here are the 3 options I'm considering at the moment: (Each costs about $160 per night this year.)

a) Port Orleans. I think it's a regular room with a trundle bed. It's a Moderate, not Value hotel

b) Century POP: 2 adjoining rooms. Two bathrooms, 4 queen sized beds, lots of kiddie atmosphere, food court.

c) All Star Music: Family Suite. 2 Queen beds, assorted sofabeds. Kiddie atmosphere, food court.

QUOTE]

The family suites never get ANY discounts, like codes or AAA. This year my calculations showed it was a LOT more than PO or POP. I had AAA discount prices, but two rooms at POP 131.20 (65.60 per room), PO one room with trundle 116 per night, and ASMusic 271.15 (can't get any discount). These are in August value season. Rack rate value is 82 at this time, I think PO rack rate was 145?

 

[teacher100]

HI!

I'm struggling with the same thing... if you scroll down a bit, you'll see my thread with the same question.

We're thinking of going next August, and my kids will be 10,8 and 5. Here are the 3 options I'm considering at the moment: (Each costs about $160 per night this year.)

a) Port Orleans. I think it's a regular room with a trundle bed. It's a Moderate, not Value hotel

b) Century POP: 2 adjoining rooms. Two bathrooms, 4 queen sized beds, lots of kiddie atmosphere, food court.

c) All Star Music: Family Suite. 2 Queen beds, assorted sofabeds. Kiddie atmosphere, food court.

QUOTE]

The family suites never get ANY discounts, like codes or AAA. This year my calculations showed it was a LOT more than PO or POP. I had AAA discount prices, but two rooms at POP 131.20 (65.60 per room), PO one room with trundle 116 per night, and ASMusic 271.15 (can't get any discount). These are in August value season. Rack rate value is 82 at this time, I think PO rack rate was 145?

Just make sure you get your discounts as soon as codes come out or early with AAA. I got POR when the room only came out. When I decided to add one more day a few days later AAA and the code rooms were gone for POR, probably because it is the ONLY moderate that accomodates 5. We are going to spend a day at Sea World, so we will stay off site and save money unless something else comes up. I'm sorry the family suites maybe in a value resort, but it is not priced that way. It is less expensive to get two rooms, but I just would hate having to pay double for one more child. If disney can provide trundles at one resort POR, they could find a way to build more resorts that way.