Resort choices for family of 5?

[zagafi]

I'm expecting twin boys in March and have a 5 year old boy as well. We're planning to return to WDW June 2005. With two little ones, which options do you think will be our best for lodging?

We've stayed at WL, AKL, and BWV in the past (we didn't really care for BWV), but always with codes or rented points.

I know POR has the trundle beds, but would we go stir crazy in a room that size? I don't know much about the deluxe rooms at AKL (does WL have them?) either. We'd consider FW Cabins, too.

Pros/cons?

Thanks!

 

[CRCrazy]

Since your boys will still be little - your family of 5 can legally stay in any room on property - since you will have 4 with 1 under 3 (actually 3 with 2 under 3, but let's not get picky!).

Logistically - I would imagine that you would be spending most of your time at MK with 3 little ones, so I would choose a monorail resort - you'll have a double stroller probably at a minimum, so being directly on the monorail would give you the easiest transportation option.

If your one year olds are still in cribs, you would want a fairly big room, as you would need 2! I would personally recommend the Contemporary, as it's rooms are huge, and it's one big building, with the 2 wings attached, so it would be most convenient - but if you are planning on doing much pool time, I don't think they have a zero entry pool, like the Grand Floridian and Polynesian have.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi, zanesmama!
We are a family of 5 also and have stayed at POR when our children were 6, 8, and 10. There was plenty of room for us, however we were at the parks most of the time (it was June and the parks were open late.)

With very young ones, you will probably need to spend more time in your room, and POR may be a little cramped. I guess it just depends how much you want to spread out!

 

[married2grumpy]

I think the Polynesian is great with little ones. The rooms are a nice size. We had a garden view room 1st floor and it was wonderful. We could sit on the patio and let the kids run around on the grass outside our room. In the smaller rooms (or upper floors) my kids get a little stir crazy if we are in the rooms for any period of time. They also have lots of transportation options. The only thing is it can be an expensive trip if you plan on staying there.

I wish there were more options for parties of 5. Since buying our AP's we have taken a couple trips and we had lots of options because our 3rd child was still 2. She just turned 3 and now our options are very limited and much more costly. They are still too young for me to feel comfortable with the 2 room idea and besides POR, only the high end deluxes have room for 5.

I don't understand the whole room occupancy thing. Doesn't a 2 year old in a pack & play actually take up more room than a 4 year old in the bed. The trundle bed rooms in POR are the same size as the non trundle rooms. If room occupancy is based on some kind of fire code, then do they allow some rooms to have 5 and other only 4?

I'm going to e-mail them right now about that. With our resort options limited now, I guess we'll have to spend more on our accomodations which means less trips to WDW.

 

[Kallison]

My kids are larger 13, 11, 9 -- our best most comfortable room was the Contemporary. The pool they loved the best was BC. Best access to everything was Dolphin.

 

[risy]

The FW Cabins allow the children to have a separate room (with a door). There is a dining table that seats 6 and a FULL kitchen.
All rooms come standard with a Pack-n-Play crib.

I like that we can make the rooms completely dark to facilitate naps and bedtime. Then DH and I can fix a snack, relax, and watch TV or plan tomorrow's activities.

Kids can also play outside or on the deck.

 

[Kteacher]

I think you will like the size of the rooms at the Contemporary, as well as the convenience to MK- if the lines for the monorail are too long, you can always walk back to the hotel. Every time we've stayed at the CR it has been the first stop on the buses that go to Disney Studios and AK-something to consider if you've got little ones and strollers.

 

[kel3420]

I think the Poly is the best choice. I love the location, the pools, the beach, the rooms, everything, lol.