Perfect Resort for 5

[GatorChris]

It's been 3 years this month since I took my family to WDW. We've spend the last 3 years doing DL, which was fun. But with all the refurbs coming in 2016, and the fact that too many people sneezing at the same time will cancel the fireworks, I'm considering a return to WDW in Nov or Dec.

A lot has changed since then. Last time, we stayed at POFQ. I had 3 kids, but the youngest was under 2 (we used the pac'n'play for her). Now we'll need to get a room that sleeps 5. We've done all the Moderates in the past - we really like those for theming and price. And it seems like there's maybe one or two Mods that can sleep 5. How do these work out? It seems like you get a 5th bed, but the storage space and drawers disappear. And do these types of rooms usually get included in the discounts that WDW offer - like free dining or 25% off rates?

Is there a better option that keeps the budget in check? We've stayed at AS-Movies once and vowed never to do the Values again. But I haven't read up on Art of Anim., or Pop Century. Any help would be appreciated. It's going to take some time to get back into the groove of uber-planning a WDW trip. That's something you don't have to do at DL. I almost miss it. Almost.

 

[jaceraden]

You won't be able to do Pop with a family of 5 unless you do two rooms.

We like Beach Club for our family of 5. But it's not budget friendly. I'd probably go with Port Orleans Riverside or the Cabins at Fort Wilderness if I wanted to save a bit.

 

[LisaCM614]

Art of Animation was great, loved the extra space and the two bathrooms. I don't know if you can get the family suites with a discount and the price of those rooms end up being not too very different from staying at a deluxe. Sounds like your kiddos are little so 2 rooms at Pop is probably not an option. We're renting points this time and a Polynesian Studio in summer is going to cost us about $350 a night. Just threw that in there for reference!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The two moderates that sleep 5 cleanly are Caribbean Beach (almost all rooms, except the Pirate rooms), and Port Orleans Riverside (Alligator Bayou). The configuration in these is 2 queen beds, plus one cute pull-down two murphy bed that is sized best for someone under 5 feet tall.

They are usually included in room-only discounts. Because they are moderates, it's usually 15-20%.

Most of the Deluxes also sleep 5 - Contemporary and Poly standard rooms are 2 queens and a sofa bed. I'm sure many people will suggest the deluxe, because DIS'ers enjoy spending other people's money. It can be wildly dependent on offer if the higher discount at a Deluxe brings the pricing in line with a Moderate at a lesser discount.

Another option are the family suites at Art of Animation, which include a bedroom and easily sleep 5. These rooms are usually included in discounts.

 

[schwaa]

I would agree to never go Value again. Both Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside fit 5 people. The 3rd bed is a twin murphy bed. It folds down sideways. You do lose the storage. Art of Animation is very, very cool. It's about $100 more a night I think, but you also have 2 bathrooms and 3 full beds - 1 queen, 1 really cool murphy double and a double fold out couch (I read somewhere online that the couch is the most comfortable bed because it has 5 layers of foam or something, but I haven't slept on one, so I don't know and I"m sure you'll get different opinions on that).

Have fun planning!

 

[Sue M]

The Alligator Bayou section of POR is where the rooms are for 5, and CBR rooms can sleep 5. Not sure how many rooms they converted at CBR, 50%? As mentioned, they have a Murphy bed which takes the place of a dresser.
The deluxe resorts have 2 queens plus day bed (and a dresser, lol) with the exception of WL & AKL.

 

[rteetz]

We have done POR for five twice and it worked out great. It's a very well themed resort and has a great food court.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Our absolute favorite resort is POR, and it works for families of five, too.

 

[Thomas Gingerich]

You won't be able to do Pop with a family of 5 unless you do two rooms.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We are a family of 4 but like our space since everyone is older. We aren't a huge fan of the value resorts but love the Family Suites at ASMu and Art of Animation.

We love the 2 TV's, 2 bathrooms and the mini kitchens each has. We didn't pay too much more for a suite when we got a discount than we would have stayed crammed into a room at a moderate resort.

My husband and I had the queen bed in the bedroom and each kid had their own sleeping space in the main room - a sleeper sofa and pull out chair at ASMu and at AoA they had the pull down bed and a pull out sleeper sofa. It made the trip so much more enjoyable with no arguing over space.

I love POR but no way would I squeeze the 4 of us into one room there so I can't imagine doing that with 5 people.

 

[CandiceF]

I don't know about room discounts but this year CBR was included in the fall free dining and POR was only included in the promotion up until October 1. We usually stay at CBR with the fall free dining for our family of 5. This year we are staying at POR and hoping for a room discount. CBR has more of a beachy (CARIBEAN) theme and POR had more of a rustic (NEW ORLEANS) theme. We thought both resorts were nice for a family of 5. Our kids are still little and we had enough space for everyone.

 

[GatorChris]

Seems like CBR is a good place to go for us. I stayed there back in 2004 and thought it was a cool place. Way better than POR. I priced it on the Disney site and it seems pretty affordable. Might be tight but it's just a room with beds. I may try CBR and hope for good discounts.

 

[dansdad]

Seems like CBR is a good place to go for us. I stayed there back in 2004 and thought it was a cool place. Way better than POR. I priced it on the Disney site and it seems pretty affordable. Might be tight but it's just a room with beds. I may try CBR and hope for good discounts.

Excellent choice! CBR is our favorite Moderate.

 

[Hopefully]

My worry is the title of your post. I don't think there is a " perfect" anything at WDW. IF your expectation is that you will find the perfect resort for your family I fear you will end up disappointed.

 

[Lynne M]

Just adding a reminder here that suggesting/promoting ways to get around Disney's rules is against DISboards rules.

 

[DanInMN]

POR would be my on-site choice in your situation, but 5 people in a little hotel room might be too cozy. A condo at WBC would be a great near-onsite choice.

 

[JaimeK]

We're a family of 4 + grandma and I've booked POR for our upcoming trip, actually a split stay with POR and the Contemporary. On our last trip we stayed at GF and we had no issues being together so I'm hoping this trip will be the same, even with POR rooms being a bit smaller.

My brother is also planning a trip (family of 5) and is looking at the Dolphin. I'm not crazy about their sorta-kinda onsite situation but the location is definitely good and great deals can be had.

 

[Sue M]

Just adding a reminder here that suggesting/promoting ways to get around Disney's rules is against DISboards rules.

I must be missing something? Unless the post was deleted I haven't seen anything illegal about putting 5 in POR & CBR? Confused.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I must be missing something? Unless the post was deleted I haven't seen anything illegal about putting 5 in POR & CBR? Confused.

Stuff was deleted that was definitely illegal.

 

[Sue M]

Stuff was deleted that was definitely illegal.

Well that would explain it lol!! Cause I wasn't seeing anything!!