planning first visit with family of 6

[pfordham]

WE ARE PLANNING OUR FIRST VISIT TO WDW IN JANUARY 2002. SINCE WE HAVE A LARGER FAMILY I AM HAVING A TOUGH TIME DECIDING WHERE TO STAY. I WOULD LIKE TO STAY ON SITE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO THAT AND STAY IN OUR BUDGET OF LESS THAN $150 A NIGHT. I HAVE BEEN THINKNING OF FORT WILDERNESS HOMES, OR GETTING 2 ROOMS AT A VALUE RESORT. ANYONE HAVE ANY INPUT? MY KIDS ARE AGES 11,10,7,AND 4. WE ARE VERY EXCITED, AND HOPE TO MAKE THIS VACATION THE BEST EVER.
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pepper

 

[pstepka]

You may want to consider off-site also. The HIFS (Holiday Inn Family Suites) would accommodate your family very easily. It's a wonderful, new hotel with two-bedroom suites, an awsome swimming pool, a game room, free GREAT breakfast buffet (which certainly would help with the budget), plus many other good points.

The Wilderness Homes are nice (my sister stayed there w/her 4 kids), but it IS a camping-type experience. I, personally, do not like camping -- when I'm on vacation, I want room service, a nice hotel, etc.

You can find out everything about everyplace on these boards! To learn more about many great off-site places, check out the Orlando Hotels and Attractions Board, also.

 

[BonnieA]

You might consider renting a house in the area for your vacation. You can get a 3 to 4 bedroom house for around $100/night at that time of year. I've been in 3 different rented houses and they were all great. Last time our house was close enough to WDW to see the fireworks. And having that much room to spread out in is very nice. All the houses had private screened in pools.

 

[JulieWent]

This probably isn't helping because you're getting three different opinions from your replies so far, but I think having two rooms at the All-Star or Pop-?(Culture or Century) Resorts would be nice for you. Your children are good ages for this kind of split. It would give you two restrooms and four beds. And, while I know nice rooms can be found more cheaply off-site, there is really nothing like staying on-site. With your group, you'll probably want to split up from time-to-time. Being on-site allows you a lot more freedom there. You can save on food by bringing a cooler and eating breakfasts and quick lunches in the room.
I have never stayed in the homes at Fort Wilderness, but my parents camp at FW every time they go down, and they love the amenities. FW has a beautiful atmosphere that allows you to feel like you're away from it all. You might do a search under Fort Wilderness Homes in order to get some recent discussion from people who have stayed there.
Sometimes, Disney Institute Village (which changes names pretty frequently!) Homes can be gotten on special. That might be worth checking into. (They're on-site, too, near Downtown Disney.)
Hope we're being at least a little helpful!

 

[fhp30]

Hey,
This is my first time planning a trip, but I have a group of 6 as well. We are Staying at the Holiday Inn Maingate and got a really good rate. We are in the two room suites in June for 89 a night. I found it through the Hotel link on this site. Good Luck!!!
P.S. I did the same thing with posting my question as a poll.

 

[zurgswife]

Summerfield suites. I just check for a friend a 2bdrm 2 bath suite in march(higher cost) was $179...$159 with entertainment book discount..It comes with alot of pluses.. I always prefer a place on site....

If you were to do five days in January Sun-Thurs(check out Friday) you could do a 2bdrm suite at the boardwalk for $240 nights...It comes with a full kitchen (save on meal costs) and washer and dryer..it's walking distance to MGM and Epcot...Go to the DVC rent board to get more info.

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[Lisa P.]

You will have a much easier time finding comfortable, spacious lodging within your budget offsite. Even in value season with some of the discounts available, two rooms at All Stars or Pop Century plus 12% taxes will end up more than $150. Even if you snag an "upsell" discount on a Cabin At Fort Wilderness (with just one bathroom for the whole family! ) plus 11% taxes, you will still pay more than $150. Those are your least expensive options onsite. If you really wish to stay onsite, you'll have no other choice but to pay more. If you expect to split up the family at times, with some returning to the resort while others continue to tour the parks, staying onsite may be worth the added expense to you.

Personally, I'd go with a lower priced option very nearby, such as the HIFS mentioned. A Kidsuite sleeps 6-7 (bunk room w/kid-trundle, MBR and LR w/sleeper-sofa and mini-kitchenette but only one bathroom). Buena Vista Suites has 2-BR suites that would work too. Both of these places offer a full breakfast for free each morning and both have shuttle services ($) though I don't know how often.

Sheraton Vistana, Cypress Pointe and any of the Marriott "Palms" Villas located at Marriott Orlando World Center are all timeshare resorts located very close to Disney property without a traffic problem. All offer at least 2-BR/2-bath villas that will accommodate your family size VERY comfortably. You may find a rental week from an owner that would fit easily within your budget and a little room to spare.

All of these resorts and hotels are located close enough that if you ever need to split up, the group left behind could take a Disney bus to Downtown Disney (or Epcot), then take a pretty inexpensive taxi cab ride back to your resort or hotel. It's only about 2-3 miles (roads too busy to walk). Hope that helps. Feel free to email me for more specific suggestions.

 

[funhouse8]

Hi, we also have 6 ( kids ages 17,15,11,10)in our family and boy is a trip to Disney alot of money. The last visit we stayed in the wilderness homes and loved it. This visit( in seven days) We decided to stay at the HIFS Thanks to these boards. I'll let you know when I return which one my family liked better. I really liked that we get a complete breakfast buffet included in our price and kids eat free every meal. By the way this room was $141 per night and the wilderness homes were $215 five years ago. ginaºoº

 

[sk!mom]

If you don't mind being off-site you might try Priceline. I have had good luck with great rates when I wasn't paticilar about a specific hotel. For WDW, I prefer on-site, but if I had 4 kids I might feel differently.

 

[Mom-to-3]

Hi! Welcome to the DIS!

I'd go with Holiday Inn Family Suites -- we loved it and the huge breakfast buffet is worth $50/day.

By the way, Priceline only guarantees their rooms are double occupancy. You cannot be sure they will let more in the room. Of course, you could get 3 rooms....

Mary

 

[Candace]

You might look into info about renting a DVC unit at Old Key West (on property). DVC members usually rent their points for about $10 per point (or sometimes less). January is a "low point" season, and either 2 studios or a huge 2BR unit would fit your family great. Studios have kitchenettes, 1 bath and 2 queen beds. 2BR units have full kitchens, 1King bed, 2 queens, 1 fold out sofa, huge living/dining area, private porch, jacuzzi in the master BR, 3 tv's, vcr, full size washer dryer, etc. There are 3 pools, planned activities for the kids daily, boat trans. to Downtown Disney, buses everywhere. Check out the DVC Rent/Trade board on this site for more info. PLanning is so much fun and so exciting...........Have fun!

[This message was edited by Candace on 02-14-01 at 09:07 PM.]

 

[disneymommyof3]

I am also going with a fairly large group and booked at Comfort Suites Maingate for $87 for the first night and $53 for each additional night. Go to choice-hotels.com and check it out. Well worth the $ from what I have read on these boards and 1 room can sleep 6 w/ free cont breakfast (which will help), pools, microwave, fridge, etc.. Good Luck

 

[bunnie]

We usually split the nights between a Disney Resort and HIFS. That way you get some of the on site perks, early entry and E-nights, the disney atmosphere but don't have to spend all that extra money. At HIFS you get a full breakfast buffett FREE. Also kids eat free until 5pm with an adult purchase at the Pizza Hut and A&W rest. With a family of six thats a lot of $. HIFS is about a 3 min drive to the entrance of WDW property. (They do have shuttles) I have also seen posts about a new Amerisuites off of 535 for under 55$ a night. (a very good deal)I do suggest that you rent a car. Food on property is expensive. Lots of fast food and chain restaurants close by.