overwhelming!

[1mom23]

I just found this board and it is wonderful but I am completely overwhelmed. My DH and I would like to take our 3 kids to Disney for the first time. I have never been myself. My DH was there when he was 11. I am trying to figure out the most cost effective way to do this. It will most definitely be a once in a life time.

Is there any way a family of 5 can stay in the value resorts? I hate spending double the money when we really don't need an extra bed.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

not in the values unless you get a family suite
or 2 rooms at the values

 

[mjy]

not in the values unless you get a family suite
or 2 rooms at the values

And, I believe, there must be someone at least 18 years of age in each of the rooms.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

welcome, !!! Ask lots of questions , dont be shy!
How old are your kids?
Can u go during less expensive season? or do u have a "set" vacation week?

 

[Billyg]

Yes it is possible, go through AAA if you have it or magicaljourneystravel, both agency's will help you plan everything and they will also look out for cheaper and any freebies that come up, before your trip and include them in you reservation. I have used both many times and have never been dissappointed.

 

[dizydreamer]

Hello and welcom.

I think you would have to look into the family suites for the value resorts. Other wise it would be two rooms.

If you are able to swing it you might want to look into the Port Orleans resorts (POR - POFQ) as they can accomodate 5, but this is a moderate resort. (might be worth it though... I hear it is a very nice resort.)

Enjoy the research. It is half of the fun.

 

[dpuck1998]

of couse you can always use dreams unlimited travel. They sponser this board and a perhaps the best disney travel agency in the world and they don't pay me to say that.

 

[zickig]

What are your kids ages? We are staying at a value resort with 3 kids but 2 of mine are age 2 and under so they are ok, value is ok for 2 adults and 2 children plus one under the age of 3 I believe if in a crib/pack n play.

Welcome to the board, it is very overwhelming at first, I'm new here myself, it won't take long for you to make friends and get a feel for the place.

 

[Rylee]

I just found this board and it is wonderful but I am completely overwhelmed. My DH and I would like to take our 3 kids to Disney for the first time. I have never been myself. My DH was there when he was 11. I am trying to figure out the most cost effective way to do this. It will most definitely be a once in a life time.

Is there any way a family of 5 can stay in the value resorts? I hate spending double the money when we really don't need an extra bed.

Options for a family of 5, lowest going up in cost...

Port Orleans Riverside - 1 room
Value Resorts - 2 rooms
All Star Music - family suite
Deluxe Resorts - any room that sleeps 5
Fort Wilderness - Cabins

* If one (1) of you children is under 3 years of age, you can stay in any room with an occupancy for 4.*

 

[Aliceacc]

We're a family of 5 too... I feel your pain!

For starters, the ages of your kids is important. As someone else mentioned, if one is under 3, you can stay in a room for 4!

If not, your choices include:
- Family suites at All Star music. (Just think: you and your husband can keep the TV on after the kids are in bed, since it's a 2 room suite!!!!)
- Trundle room at POR (a moderate!)
- We opted for the more expensive Deluxes on the monorail line. (We started at the Contemporary-- the cheapest of the 3 on the monorail. You can WALK a tired child back from the Magic Kingdom. We upgraded when we lucked into a PIN code.)

Next thing to consider: are you AAA/CAA members? The auto club can save you anywhere from 10-20% from the price of your room for a $50 or so annual fee. It's well worth the money!

This may help you organize your thoughts: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

 

[1mom23]

Thank you all so much. I am trying to navigate me way around. There is so much to learn and research!

My kids are 2 Nine year old boys and a 6.5 year old girl. The time we go is flexible. I am trying to hit the lower rate times.

 

[Aliceacc]

Here are my suggestions:

1. For starters, if you're not already members, join AAA. You can get a discount ranging from 10-20% with your membership.

2. Go to the Disney site and order the trip planning DVD. Then go to the reservations site and play with some pricing options. These steps do 2 things: they give you an idea of the options, and they get your name into the Disney system, possibly qualifying you for a PIN code to save money off your room cost.

3. Do you have a general time frame-- as in this year or next? Unlike many other places, Disney's "seasons" are as follows for this year:

Value Season: January 1 - February 13, August 3 - October 1, November 30 - December 18

Regular Season: March 30 - May 21, October 2 - November 29

Summer Season: May 22 - August 2

Peak Season: February 14 - March 29

If you're looking to save money, you want "Value Season." If you're concerned about taking the kids out of school, that pretty much means August.
Holiday Season: December 19 - December 31

4. Your first priority is to get a time frame and a resort. Take a look at the fact sheets at www.allears.net to see what's offered at the assorted resorts.

 

[PiratesRock]

We're going in October and I'm taking my Mom and my DSis. I wanted to stay onsite but was having a hard time finding a place I liked that would fit in my budget. (Lot's of places I liked that would work for 4 of us, but multiplied by 2 rooms it was out of the question.) So I opted for Windsor Hills. It's close, affordable, and everyone will have their own bedrooms! I know we'll have to pay for parking, but it still comes out way ahead for the time of year we're going.
I had a list a mile long of places I liked (including all the Disney resorts that I thought I could make work) and even figured in the "if I got a 20% or 40% discount code. I also called Disney reservations and asked them for affordable options for a family of 6. I'm not sure he understood me though (English as a 2nd language - him, not me) because he gave me 2 "good options" one for $6,500 and one for $14,000!!! Nonetheless, Try calling for options before you make a final decision.
For us, staying offsite won't make the trip any less magical, but it fit the budget easier.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I'm not sure he understood me though (English as a 2nd language - him, not me) because he gave me 2 "good options" one for $6,500 and one for $14,000!!! Nonetheless, Try calling for options before you make a final decision.
For us, staying offsite won't make the trip any less magical, but it fit the budget easier.

Sounds like his definition of affordable and yours, were completely different. His doesn't match up to mine either.

We stayed at Windsor Hills aswell in December 07. I have to say this was the best decision we made, particularly as we were travelling with children. We didn't find it any less magical either. With our car, being a quiet time, it took us next to no time to get from our villa to AK, DHS and Epcot. Magic Kingdom wasn't that long either. We are planning another trip for 2010. Yes I know its soooooo far away. But we have talked about it, and we really can't justify staying anywhere else but Windsor Hills.

 

[wilde_oscar]

when you get into parties of 5 or more, often is is cost effective to stay off site... dreamsvillas.com is decent, lots of extras.

 

[Disneysoloist]

I had great success staying offsite through Affordable Florida Vacations. A furnished house with all the comfort of home. A two bedroom should run you about the cost of a moderate room, BUT, with a fully equipped kitchen, you should be able to eat in a lot, saving quite a bit of money. (There are even BBQ grills). Each home also has a very nice screened-in swimming pool that affords excellent private swims. They are located in Kissimmee, and are a short drive to WDW.

 

[mikymouse]

We are just getting use to being a family of five! I would highly recommend staying on site for your first trip, as they make it so easy for you, however, there is not a lot of affordable options for larger families at Disney so definately compare the cost of on-site to off-site. We stayed off site this time at Windsor Hills and it was so nice and it was very easy to drive to the Disney parks which were only a few minutes away by car. I would highly recommend this townhome owner. They are very helpful with ALL things Disney and the 3 bedroom/3 bathroom townhome as well as the resort were just perfect. Just go to "5mins2disney" dot com. We stayed at the "Enchanted" and it was great

Suggestions:
1.) Check out the Allears.net website for planning consideration and sign up for the Mousesavers Newsletter
2.) Order the Planning DVD from Disney it's Free and Fun to Watch
3.) Read the DIS Boards the tips are priceless

Planning is half the fun and I think there is nothing better than your FIRST family trip. Reading trip reports was/is very helpful to me.. so check out my links below and go over the the trip report section to get all the details you could ever want.

 

[Enchanted_Mama]

hi - we are planning our first trip, too, and are pretty budge conscious. we are going in late October (a family of four with 2 kids, ages 6 and almost 3). We're renting points from a DVCer and staying in a 1 BR villa at OKW. It will cost us $80 a night, plus we plan to make use of the full kitchen for breakfasts and packing picnic lunches, which will help keep costs down.

If you haven't considered it, think about renting points and staying in a DVC property.