POR family of 5 for 9 nights????

[NHBelle]

OKay so I have crunched the numbers a million times and the new summer discount isn't much of a help (going in August). We are a family of 5 (kids 17,13,9) and Disney is becoming quite expensive for us. Our first choice would be two rooms at POP, but squishing into a room at POR will save us almost $1000 and with our daughter going away to college...it WILL break the bank to spend an extra 1k (we are already over budget)......just wondering if we can make it work in 1 room. We hardly spend time in the room...we all go straight to bed at night and we wake the kids up early to hit the parks. I would imagine we would have to have to split up the shower taking.....like 3 of us at night and 2 in the morning. What about space for our clothes though....oh and can we move the "bench" bed...it's right under the tv...kind of an akward spot.

 

[siskaren]

It's a Murphy bed which means it's attached to the wall, so no, it can't be moved.

 

[Sue M]

Disney isn't cheap for families of 5+ it's true. And as much as i love POR, we only have had 2 or 3 in a room, depending which or both daughters come. I can see 5 being squishy.

My other suggestion for a budget is to look at the DTD Doubletree. They are all suites, 1 bedroom and spacious. The living room has a pull out. Our bedroom had 2 beds, can't remember if they were queen or doubles.
We stayed 1 night pre-WDW pkg and got a great discount on mousesavers.com that included room discount and free continental breakfast.

It's not exactly like staying on site, none of the perks of DME or EMH, but you are walking distance to DTD, and their bus system is very good from the DTD resorts. Running every 30 min continuously. It's a close second.

 

[mad madam mim78]

You can do it! We did. It's snug and takes lots of organizing on your part. Our 9 year old slept on the Murphy bed and loved it. Have a shower schedule for the mornings. Love PoR!!!

 

[msjprincess]

We've done it. My kids are younger (8,10 &12), but we've never had a problem. We don't spend much time in the room.

 

[Susan & Jessica]

We have done it with 5 people and the 9 yr old on the trundle bed.. Consider it an adventure!!

 

[donnaf516]

Everyone is different but there's no way I'd be spending an extra 1000 on a second room. We don't spend much time in the room so the only issue might be the sleeping arrangements. My suggestion is to bring an air mattress since your 9 year old might be squished in the extra bed.

 

[maxiesmom]

It will be very tight, no question. Ask yourself will you truly only be in the room to sleep and shower. No breaks at all? No arguing because someone wants the tv on and someone wants the tv off? No one complaining that someone is snoring? Or that their bed partner is kicking them?

If you can deal with all of that then my only tip is to ask for a room near the main pool. You can use that shower and restroom for back-up if needed.

Honestly? I wouldn't do it. But if you decide to I wish you well.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have to ask, how are you getting that 2 rooms at a value would be $1000 more for your trip? Just with a quick check the All Stars are 90 a night weeknight, and POR is 170. That would only be an additional 10 a night for 2 rooms at a value instead of one at POR. Weekends would be an additonal 30 a night, but that still is a long way from adding up to over $1000.

If you are only sleeping and showering in the rooms I would spend the small amount extra and go for 2 all star rooms. No question.

 

[daisymomof4]

I'm sure I've read some people take the murphy bed mattress and put it on the floor (that it's attached with velcro to the pull down frame), but I'm not sure where it's put on the floor. You might want to double check that in the POR thread Andre has running.

I think it can be done with some extra effort in organizing the room and taking less than you'd normally take (maybe plan on laundry).

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We did 9 nights at POR with 5 of us and we were fine. 2 Adults, 20 yr old sd, 11 and 8 yr old. I was worried about space, but we had plenty of room for all of our stuff. There's only 3 drawers under the murphy bed but lots of space in the closet and high shelf above. Space under the sink (I brought fold up cloth baskets for kids PJs, socks, bathing suits, etc.) We were there in Feb. as well so had lots more heavier clothes (Jeans, hoodies, etc.) that took up more room. If you've got mainly shorts and ts you will have plenty of room.

I guess it depends on how everyone gets along. We were lucky as we had great weather so we didn't spend too much extended time in the room. Kids were able to fall asleep even with tv on (me too! lol). There's lots of space to stretch out at the resort too. Hammocks around to read a book in, the river roost lounge has couches you can hang out in (had my coffe there every morn while the sleepheads were in bed!). So there are plenty of ways to get away from everyone if need be. LOL

Younger kids took turns sleeping in murphy bed and they were fine. There would be space beside one of the beds for a single air mattress if your kids preferred that.

If it was our family I'd save the $1000. But you know your family best and how well everyone will get along in the room for that length of time.

 

[stmize]

We did fine the 4 of us plus ds friend for 11 days.

 

[Junebugwv]

Since your vacation style is to spend minimal time in the room, you should be fine. Our teen kids love to take the boat to DTD, so that might be a plus for your group. If you have a car, POR is closer to Ft. Wilderness for a fun evening at the campfire and sing-a-long.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The murphy bed is slightly bigger than a crib mattress. It is about 5.5' long by 2.5' wide.

 

[luvdisney00]

We did it in 2010 for 8 nights with an air mattress instead of the trundle (that was before the murphy beds). The room was tight but we managed fine, but we did all have to get in bed at the same time because one you pull out the trundl or the mattress or I guess pull out the murphy there is not much room to move around. My kids were 7, 12 and 14 at the time. It is doable and POR is a very nice resort.

 

[disneymom06]

The space is tight but if everyone stays organized and focused, it works. Had the same discussion with my family and since POR is my favorite, I was gong to make it work. My youngest slept on the murphy bed. She loved it and did not mind, actually fell asleep with the tv on. Sometimes her older brother (18) took a nap on "her" bed. He slept fine.

Lack of drawers was an issue but I brought foldable storage boxes to place on the shelf and one went under the nightstand. I also have an hanging shoe holder for all of the miscellaneous items that lie around.

I did take the children for walks around the resort if Dad was sleeping,but between the boat, the food court, the pool, we never really had a problem.

We all would do it again, the savings and the option to be at a mod is well with it for us.

Good luck on your trip.

 

[AliceIn]

OKay so I have crunched the numbers a million times and the new summer discount isn't much of a help (going in August). We are a family of 5 (kids 17,13,9) and Disney is becoming quite expensive for us.

How tall is your 9 year old? The new murphy bed is for children 9 and under. If you've got a taller than average child, it might not be comfortable. I think the difference between two rooms at one of the All Stars vs. POR would end up being a lot less than $1000 for the week. I came up with $197 per night for a standard room at POR, and $108 for a room at All Star Movies. That would come out to about $130 give or take a little difference for the entire week. Both of those rates are standard rack rate. I'd go with two rooms with the ages of your kids. The two teens are at ages where they want some privacy for getting dressed, etc. The second bathroom will make things much easier for you.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

If it were me, I would go for the two rooms and spend 5-6 nights there rather than nine.

 

[polyfor4]

We've done it before with 5 including two 17 year olds and a 10 year old- it's possible! It sounds like it will work being that you don't spend much time in the room. As long as you get a shower schedule, it should be no drama. If it saves $1,000 and you can stay 9 nights at Disney- that's awesome. Your family will have a great time and POR is a fantastic resort!

 

[vming]

Personally, I would book a 2BR at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. 9 days is a long time to be cramped. I have 3 kids also and 5 days is my max in one room. You would be able to save money by having a full kitchen, and be able to do laundry. The pool is beautiful there (lazy river) and its just as close as POR.