Probably a silly question

[smfritz03]

We are traveling w/ 3 small children---most hotels have an occupancy limit of 4 (even the suites). Do we have to put all the kids down that will be staying in the hotel? Would they really notice if one extra comes tagging through?

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Depends on their ages, if they are under the age of 3, Disney doesn't 'count' them.

 

[smfritz03]

Depends on their ages, if they are under the age of 3, Disney doesn't 'count' them.

They are 7, 6 and 6. Just having a hard time booking and even the places w/ 2 bds and a sleeper couch put a limit of 4! How much trouble could we get in for not listing one?

 

[ducklite]

You won't be able to do early entry.

Have you looked into Port Orleans Riverside? You can get a room with a trundle that sleeps five and be "legal".

Anne

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Some of the resorts are ok with it too. The deluxes have the "day" bed which gives sleeping arrangements for 5. And PORS has a trundle bed which also gives 5!

So check which resort you are going to, and if they can accomadate you.

MKY

 

[smfritz03]

Im not sure yet if we are staying in a Disney Hotel or one off site. Is there a difference?

 

[ducklite]

Basically you take the risk that you'll be caught and either kicked out or forced to pay for an extra room.

I'd be looking for accomodations that slept the number of people in my party to avoid surprises.

Anne

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We are travelling with three children also. We book a deluxe which has two queen size beds and a daybed. If the deluxe is over your budget looking into Port Orleans (moderate) which sleep five or two value (Pop Century or All Stars). Even an offiste such as HIFS - Now Nick is more money than PORS. I don't think you'll do much better than POR and I think you would miss some of the Disney magic.

 

[Madi100]

Im not sure yet if we are staying in a Disney Hotel or one off site. Is there a difference?

There is a HUGE difference between off-site and on-site. When you see the advertisements that say right next door, it's still quite a ways from Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney World property is huge. My husband would like to say that I am the one who has to stay on-site, but he is the one who would never stay off-site. He loves going on vacation and not driving at all. If you've never been to Disney before, you can stay busy on property, and you won't need to leave at all. Therefore, you'll save the money on renting a car. I would either stay in two value resorts, Port Orleans or a deluxe. I'm glad there is just the four of us.

 

[Wendy31]

Don't know what your budget is, but you could also look into the Fort Wilderness Cabins.

They sleep 6 - the bedroom has a queen bed & a set of bunk beds, & the living room has a pull-down murphy bed. Plus, there is a full-size kitchen & a deck outside. (There's full maid service & complimentary daily newspapers as well.)

We have 2 small children, &, while we would "fit" in any of the hotel rooms, we chose the cabin so that, after the kids went to bed, we could still move around & watch TV w/o waking up the kids.

The Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is also a boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom - for this trip (our kids are 5 & 3) proximity to the MK was a big factor for us.

We looked at the All Star Resorts because, at first, we thought the kids would like the "themeing" a bit better, & we also looked at the Caribbean Beach Resort & the Port Orleans Resorts, but, in the end, the closeness of Fort Wilderness to the Magic Kingdom & all the "extras" at FW made our decision easy.

The Fort Wilderness area has tons of fun things to do for the kids - playgrounds, pony rides, hay rides, petting zoo, nightly campfires w/ Chip & Dale, nightly Disney movies outside, a beach where you can watch the Electrical Water Parade, wildlife, etc.

The only 2 downsides that I can tell are the 2 pools - both "unthemed" & the internal bus transportation.

Fort Wilderness is a bit pricier than 2 rooms at the All Stars - which is what we would have done even for just the 4 of us - the value resort rooms look small - I think you would want to at least consider 2 rooms at the All Stars w/ connecting doors - then it would be a like a suite - 2 tvs, 2 bathrooms, &, at night, the kids could go to bed in 1 room & you & your DH could stay up in the other. Or, take a look at the Port Orleans Resorts - which one has the trundle? The grounds look lovely, and, from what I've heard, the pools are really nice too.

Also, we got a discount at Fort Wilderness by booking our package through AAA.

And, this is our 1st trip to Disney since my DH & I were on our High School Senior Trip in 1991, so it's been a while! But, in answer to your question - "Is there a difference between staying on-site & off-site?", I would say a definite yes. On-site you get to take advantage of Disney transportation, free parking at the parks, & the extra magic hours at the parks. Plus, all that extra Disney magic!!

Good luck w/ your decision!!