slight rant/question

[ScrapperBelle]

When the kids were younger and we were a family of 5, our only option was either 2 rooms (at any hotel, even the deluxes) or a condo/suite arrangement. There was no way we could all stay together in one room (with one bathroom) and be sane at the end of our trip.

There were several trips where we stayed offsite in a condo just to have the space and a couple of bathrooms and a full sized kitchen (with large fridge) was definitely a bonus.

Personally, I would have loved to spend every trip on property, but sometimes it just wasn't feasible and we enjoyed our trip much more having that space to spread out and relax at the end of the day.

We live in the country and each child has always had their own room, so we're used to having our "space" and I knew that being cramped up in one room would ruin our trip more than staying off property would.

 

[maxiesmom]

Bars, metal frames....it is all the same. You do have to be careful about getting out of them because the metal is there for you to catch a body part on when getting out if you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I just know that all the kids complained after one night in them and thankfully that was all we were there for. /QUOTE]

I do remember having to push myself up off of the bed in the morning because of the frame, but I found the pull out itself to be very comfortable. I would never think to spend a whole vacation on what most places consider a pull out, but I would have no problem staying in an All Star Suite again.

You stated that people should ask for opinions on the All Star Suites, so I am offering mine. It just so happens that my family loved them while yours did not. Doesn't make either of us wrong, just means we like different things. The only way for anyone to really know if they are for them or not is to try one themselves. I disliked the Beach Club when we stayed there, and most people here rave about that resort. You just never know.

 

[KCmike]

Riverside is the best resort for families with a budget anyway. You get classy extras there (the pool is excellent and has a slide), (the riverside mill has many good choices for food), (horse carriage rides, surrey bikes, boat to downtown disney, fishing site, many quiet pools around the resort).

We are a family of five as well. We've always wanted to stay at a deluxe but really can't afford it. Really though Riverside is a very good choice for a family of five.

 

[wood145]

You stated you and your wife are teachers. How about the Dolphin (sleeps 5) with the teacher discount? We brought an air mattress for our trip in April and it worked out fine. No ME or DDP, but we always rent a car and would never get the DDP with our kids (all are considered adults). It is really beautiful hotel, walking distance to Epcot.

Just a thought.

 

[edk35]

There was no way we could all stay together in one room (with one bathroom) and be sane at the end of our trip.

This made me laugh. That is how we feel now....we need space. I mean why cram in a room ...part of being at Disney is "being on vacation" and enjoying the resorts too.

 

[edk35]

Bars, metal frames....it is all the same. You do have to be careful about getting out of them because the metal is there for you to catch a body part on when getting out if you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I just know that all the kids complained after one night in them and thankfully that was all we were there for. /QUOTE]

I do remember having to push myself up off of the bed in the morning because of the frame, but I found the pull out itself to be very comfortable. I would never think to spend a whole vacation on what most places consider a pull out, but I would have no problem staying in an All Star Suite again.

You stated that people should ask for opinions on the All Star Suites, so I am offering mine. It just so happens that my family loved them while yours did not. Doesn't make either of us wrong, just means we like different things. The only way for anyone to really know if they are for them or not is to try one themselves. I disliked the Beach Club when we stayed there, and most people here rave about that resort. You just never know.

We LOVED BEACH CLUB. LOL Stayed there last summer for 6 nights.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Bars, metal frames....it is all the same.

Well, no, it's not. Since there are no bars in the sofa, the only way to experience a bar/metal frame in or across one's back would be to sleep hanging off the bed.

 

[maxiesmom]

We LOVED BEACH CLUB. LOL Stayed there last summer for 6 nights.

That just goes to show, doesn't it? What is one families great resort is another ones ick.

You want tight and no room? Try doing a legal 6 at POR. We had 3 adults, and 3 kids (one was under age 3). We did that once. Once was plenty. I about kissed the ground at our off-site suite once we moved there.

 

[edk35]

That just goes to show, doesn't it? What is one families great resort is another ones ick.

You want tight and no room? Try doing a legal 6 at POR. We had 3 adults, and 3 kids (one was under age 3). We did that once. Once was plenty. I about kissed the ground at our off-site suite once we moved there.

I bet you did almost kiss the ground. I didn't care for BW when we stayed there summer 07.....but lots of people love that resort too.

 

[edk35]

Well, no, it's not. Since there are no bars in the sofa, the only way to experience a bar/metal frame in or across one's back would be to sleep hanging off the bed.

Needless to say....it was not comfortable for any of my three kids. They have slept on sleeper sofas at other resorts with no problems. My dd told me it felt like she hit a bar under her back every time she rolled over.....metal bar/framing nonetheless it was uncomfortable..... So...it was not worth the 271 we spent for that night. The beds take up the entire room's space and then add luggage and the cushions you take off.....just not for us. LIKE I SAID......there are some folks that love these new suites....I am just giving my opinion on what we thought. If people want to stay there....then fine...they can then give their opinions.

 

[Christine9125]

We're not angry that you have this problem, most just don't feel like you are being "penalized".

Sorry you got nasty replies.

Op,
Unfortunately the hotel world (not just disney) revolves around double occupany or families of 4.
So, I'll turn your question around on you. Why should disney not follow industry standards? What should the cut off be?

As a family of 5, I can honestly say I have never felt penalized by needing to get 2 rooms at a value to fit our family. I think the industry standards are fine, but I feel with the tourism Disney gets and seeing more and more families are 5 or more these days, I would hope Disney would see this and make more affordable options, like the suites for these families, but for now, when we go, we will get two value rooms, this way there is 2 bathrooms.

 

[mbanks21]

You know if they had more rooms accomodating 5 then the people with 6 with complain and then the people with 7. The industry standard is 4. You know if you have 5 or 6 your vacation will cost more then the person with 4, thats life. You have PLENTY of options from 2 rooms anywhere, ASMu suite, a cabin, 2BR villas, deluxe resorts (short of WL and AKL standard rooms), offsite, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.

 

[itchin2go]

We have 3 people total - 2 adults and 1 child, and we always book either a 1 br villa or 2 connecting rooms. When we stay at regular hotels for other trips, we always stay at (affordable) "suite" type hotels. We're used to the extra space and having a separate sleeping space for my daughter, so that we don't all have to go to bed at the same time. I wish Disney had more "suite" type options at price points that are at least closer to the ones you find outside of Disney. It's not their responsiblity to do this and I don't feel penalized that I can't find abundant suite/villa options at an under $200 (or $300!) price point, but nonetheless, it would thrill me to no end to see more options.

 

[NMW]

I post this all the time when people complain about Disney with families of 5. WE are a family of 5 and Disney is one of THE BEST places to travel to with 5 people. The deluxe hotel rooms are perfect for families with 3 kids. two queen beds and a sofa day bed. You have so many options at Disney-YC/BC, POLY, GF, BWI, CR. All of these hotels let you put 5 people in a STANDARD hotel room! It's fabulous!

I want to know where else these people with 3 kids are vacationing that they think is better than Disney as far as 5 in a hotel room go?? We have stayed at many hotels in many other places and let me tell you that the industry standard is 4 in a standard room, period. Only at Disney are there what, 6 choices of hotels for families of 5 (in standard rooms). Then add in the moderate hotel with the trundle thing, the new ASM suite things, plus the cabins and I think Disney has the MOST options for families of 5, bar none.

Try booking a hotel in Aruba and see if it's as easy as calling Disney and booking the BC or the POLY. Trust me, it's not. Some make you get 2 rooms, others make you pay per night for a roll away bed, etc Plus you can never get any kind of "specials." Only at Disney do I know that our family of 5 is able to choose from 6 different beautifully themed hotels without any kind of issue.

We have friends that bought the Marriot vacation club time share thing in Aruba because they are a family of 5 and so much trouble with hotel rooms.

 

[TroyE]

This year we are a family of 4 in Disney's eyes, so I won't have this issue. But our next trip, we will have to make this decision.

I am not looking forward to it, but I know going in what I have to deal with. It will be a pain, but we will just budget accordingly.

 

[jmamom]

Its not just Disney or hotels, everything is built for a family of four - restaurant booths, cars, etc. Thats just the way it is when you have a larger family. More kids is just more expensive. So we don't get to go on vacation as often as some smaller families, but that's the choice we made!

 

[flickwizard]

We have 3 people total - 2 adults and 1 child, and we always book either a 1 br villa or 2 connecting rooms. When we stay at regular hotels for other trips, we always stay at (affordable) "suite" type hotels. We're used to the extra space and having a separate sleeping space for my daughter, so that we don't all have to go to bed at the same time. I wish Disney had more "suite" type options at price points that are at least closer to the ones you find outside of Disney. It's not their responsiblity to do this and I don't feel penalized that I can't find abundant suite/villa options at an under $200 (or $300!) price point, but nonetheless, it would thrill me to no end to see more options.

I think that most of us with larger families feel the same way. Disney is a business and as such, will do whatever is in their best financial interests, while maintaining the guest experience.

I have 5 children and must book 2 connecting rooms in order to stay on property if I don't want to pay for a 2 bedroom villa.

While it would be great if there were more options at lower prices (and while I'm dreaming...free dining? ), it's not Disney's responsibility to do so. It just means more creative - and obssessive compulsive - planning and tighter budgeting on my part. On the plus side, I have my very own basketball team to coach!

 

[GhillieGirlBelle1987]

Are you all members of AEA/NEA? They have great discounts on tickets right now, and they are better than AAA discount rates. Also I second doing the Swan Dolphin resorts with the teacher, nurse government discount

 

[GhillieGirlBelle1987]

Are you all members of AEA/NEA? They have great discounts on tickets right now, and they are better than AAA discount rates. Also I second doing the Swan Dolphin resorts with the teacher, nurse government discount

 

[kaytieeldr]

Try booking a hotel in Aruba and see if it's as easy as calling Disney and booking the BC or the POLY. Trust me, it's not. Some make you get 2 rooms, others make you pay per night for a roll away bed, etc Plus you can never get any kind of "specials." Only at Disney do I know that our family of 5 is able to choose from 6 different beautifully themed hotels without any kind of issue.

Yup. My other favorite place to vacation is Las Vegas. The maximum occupancy for any room is generally four people - and they charge for the third and fourth guests, no matter how old or young the person is!

Its not just Disney or hotels, everything is built for a family of four - restaurant booths, cars, etc. Thats just the way it is when you have a larger family. More kids is just more expensive. So we don't get to go on vacation as often as some smaller families, but that's the choice we made

Another good point. I grew up in a family with six kids. We rarely went on vacation; usual it was to visit Grandma and Grandpa in New Jersey; once we went to New Hampshire for a time share 'deal' and had to get two rooms (and so, pay for one - back in the days when the incentive was a free stay at the property); ONCE we went to New York as a family and had to get a suite - not because my parents were 'suite-type people', but because there were eight of us. My parents didn't take us to Disney World until we were... well, hold on... never. They never took us because it wasn't an affordable trip. And rooms were a LOT cheaper thirty ago.