question about Value Resorts

[carol9999]

Hi is it possible to book a value resort for 4 people and then actually have 5 people stay in the room.... my 3 boys can easily fit in one double bed and i need to stay in the most inexpensive onsite resort.... is this a definite no-no or do people do this? i realize i would only end up with a ultimate hopper pass for 4 people, but i guess i could buy an individual ticket...what do you think?

 

[iceskatejen]

I think it's a no-no unless one (or more) is under 3. FYI--the beds there are up pretty high (higher than my bed at home anyway).

 

[KathyTX]

With five people, your most affordable onsite choice where you can stay in one room would be at Port Orleans French Quarter (in a room with a trundle bed).

Other than that, your choices would be Deluxe or Home Away from Home resorts, offsite, or multiple rooms.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Other problem would be trying to get into the Extra Magic Hour parks early. You need to show a room ID for each person to enter one hour earlier than normal opening. If one of your kiddos is under the age of three, you will be okay, though.

You could also try the offsite resorts. The Doubletree Guest Suites will hold 6 people. They have transportation to the parks, too. It is just down from Downtown Disney.

 

[MJames41]

To paraprhase Star Wars "Luke, use the Codes"...You didn't say if you were going to use codes or not, because with codes you could probably get a room at French Quarters Riverside for the regular price of a value room (depending on when you are going and if they are available). Check out Mousesavers.com to see.

 

[carol9999]

wow...i cant believe that a family of 5 cannot stay in the value resorts.... couldn't i just check in as four prople and bring him in anyway?... we have no problem squeezing together... kids usually end up in our bed anyway at home.... are they strict about this? has anyone done this? i would just buy him a ticket individually and not worry about the extra magic hour...what do you think? thanks for advise

 

[cassie]

It's really too bad the values can't acommodate 5 people, but I think most people on this board will agree, sneaking an extra kid in is something they wouldn't do.

There are many hotels nearby that have rooms for the size of your family, and some are very reasonable. You should check them out.

 

[sha_lyn]

wow...i cant believe that a family of 5 cannot stay in the value resorts

That is their policy. It is decided by many factors, including firecodes.

couldn't i just check in as four prople and bring him in anyway?...

Why would you want to do that? You won't be able to get him a UP's, use EE or Enights.
You would be better off using a code for a moderate room that sleeps 5. Tehn yo uwouldn't have to lie, or sneak around, and you would be able to take advantage of the UP's, EE and even E-nights if they are being held while you are there.

 

[sha_lyn]

i need to stay in the most inexpensive onsite resort

Why?

 

[carol9999]

you guys are right.... i dont know anything about ee's and e nights , but i'm sure they are valuable....thanks for setting me straight!!!!

 

[cvet1]

I don't know your finacial situation so i'm not going to tell you what to do. If you absolutlu have to stay at a value and can't afford to upgrade in anyway - i understand that these vacations are expensive - but there are a lot of options that you can use including nearby hotels or DTD hotels - yeah check out the discounts first at mousesavers and if you feel you have to stay at value at can't pay for more - No i don't think you'll get in trouble or be booted from the room or anything like that - of course you'll be sneaking someone in so it will be officially against the rules - but i think you would get away with it - i mean it's not a perfect situation - but again if it's all you can afford i'm not about to judge you and i don't think anyone else should either.

 

[gigi1313]

i agree that i won't judge or make that call for anyone other than my own family, but it is against policy and firecode... i wouldn't do it, but to each his/her own...

as others have suggested, if thriftyness is of primary importance, definitely look outside of wdw... another option would be to consider renting dvc points, you just might get a bargain... or how 'bout camping? the tent sites are very reasonable and fw is great fun... if this interests you, check out the camping threads...

 

[jl3614]

I am going to go against the grain with my response.

In my mind it boils down to your conscience. True, it is against the rules (fire code may be the main reason for this rule). And you may have problems with EE. No one ever asks to see resort Id to get on a bus. Their is absolutely no way anyone from disney would know you had 5 people in the room. Even if a maid did happen to walk in while everyone was in the room, they are not going to ask to see id. In my mind this "offense" would be only slightly more grave than driving 10 MPH over the speed limit. I would put it on par with re-using your refillable mug on a second visit.

I have my flame retardent uderwear on - so fire away with the flame throwers.

 

[purplebelle]

I'm just a little confused at how easily people use the term, "just use a code for a discount." Aren't codes somewhat hard to come by and don't they have a limited amount of people who can use them? I'm not an AP member or one of AAA either and it doesn't seem like room codes come out for every single month (correct me if I'm wrong since I may very well be). Doesn't that make the chances of finding a code to work to be extremely small? Please someone correct me and say that codes are at an abundance and that ever month there is a "room only" code!

Also, I don't believe the parks offered that extra magis hour or E-night tickets last December when I went. Are they only offered during certain times of the year? I went during a value time.

 

[sters]

Originally posted by KathyTX
With five people, your most affordable onsite choice where you can stay in one room would be at Port Orleans French Quarter (in a room with a trundle bed).

Actually, the only moderate to accommodate a family of 5 is Port Orleans Riverside in the Alligator Bayou section.

I think they are kind of strict about the occupancy. Would you want to risk being expelled if they find out?

 

[MJames41]

Originally posted by purplebelle
I'm just a little confused at how easily people use the term, "just use a code for a discount." Aren't codes somewhat hard to come by and don't they have a limited amount of people who can use them? I'm not an AP member or one of AAA either and it doesn't seem like room codes come out for every single month (correct me if I'm wrong since I may very well be). Doesn't that make the chances of finding a code to work to be extremely small? Please someone correct me and say that codes are at an abundance and that ever month there is a "room only" code!

Also, I don't believe the parks offered that extra magis hour or E-night tickets last December when I went. Are they only offered during certain times of the year? I went during a value time.

They often have codes that anyone can do. Mousesavers does a very good job of keeping track of them. In fact, there are codes active right now. A moderate can be had in September for $85 per night.

ee is back. I can't remember when it started again, but it has been back for some time. The reason you didn't have any E-night tickets was because they don't do E-night when they have a special "party" like the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or the Christmas party (both require extra hard tickets).

 

[sha_lyn]

Also, I don't believe the parks offered that extra magis hour or E-night tickets last December when I went. Are they only offered during certain times of the year? I went during a value time.

EE's were yr round until they were suspended after 9/11. Once reinstated I believe they have been constant and have not been suspended at all.

E-nights I'm not as sure of but I believe theytend to be when the parks close earlier anyway, so that would keep them out of peak season.

Doesn't that make the chances of finding a code to work to be extremely small? Please someone correct me and say that codes are at an abundance and that ever month there is a "room only" code!

codes can almost always be found, especially for when it is not peak season. Sometime they have limits, such as what state you live in, but usually there are more than one code out at a time. They can easily be found at mousesavers.
There are other ways to save $$ too. The Teacher or Gov employee discount at Swan or Dolphin. Military/DOD employees can stay at SOG etc.

but again if it's all you can afford i'm not about to judge you and i don't think anyone else should either.

If all I can afford is a $10 pair of jeans but I really want a $100 pair can I just switch tags and pay $10. Afer all it is no ones business, and it is all I can afford.

 

[cvet1]

If all I can afford is a $10 pair of jeans but I really want a $100 pair can I just switch tags and pay $10. Afer all it is no ones business, and it is all I can afford.

That's terrible man - this isn't someone who is trying to break into a resort and stay there. She says all they can afford is one value room and that they have too spend as little as possible. And you want to throw this analogy in her face to seem smart - well ya know what - imagine that you had three kids and all you could afford was one room at a value - but your are told well that's too bad because you have to stay at a differnet resort which you couldn't afford - or get two rooms which you couldn't afford. So what is your choice just stay home i guess so you can abide by the rules (and before people try to pick this apart - i know she has other options like staying off site or codes - and i'm sure that will work out great - BUT i'm trying to make a point because this poor woman came to us for help and she has to have her situation compared to stealing jeans - that's not very nice.

 

[sha_lyn]

I'm not going to turn this into an argument. I stated my opinion, and you stated yours. Arguing is not going to change my opinion, and I doubt it would change yours, so it is pointless.

 

[susy]

Carol,

Welcome to the DIS!!!!!!

There are plenty of hotesl that are offsite, but VERY close that I believe would accomodate 5. One that coems to mind is the Country Inn and Suite Calypso Cay. It takes three minutes (I time it every time we pass it) to drive from Calypso Cay to the Welcome to Walt Disney World sign. Thye have free breakfast and a pool slide. I've seen it for as low as $49 -go to valutrips.com.

If you wont have a car, I suggest tryign a Downtown disney Hotel -mousesavers.com often negotiates speical rates with these hotels. I have stayed in a few of them and they are MUCH nicer (as far as amentities, space) than the value resorts. Try the Bestwestern or Hoilday Inn.

You might be able to get a discount at PO riverside, but don't they charge an extra $15 for the trundle?

HIFS (Hoilday Inn family Suites) is offsite (but VERY close), that may be a great option for you. Thye have a "kids eat free" program that would be worth looking into. Good luck and don't get discouraged!

go to the Orlando Hotels board. Plenty of nice people over there to help you!