slight rant/question

[Iott Family]

We are a family of 6, too. If it wasn't for the 4/3 deal we would be staying off property. We actually love off property for the space, peace and quiet and the savings $$$$. When I mean off property I mean renting a villa/condo/house. We rented a house back in 2007 and saved a mint on room and food. Tickets were actually our biggest expenditure that year!! Head over to the orlando area resorts board. They are very helpful!

 

[racefanof88]

We are also a family of 5. Our first family trip (1999) we stayed at the ASMo, the youngest was only 1 at the time so we had a crib for him. We then stayed off property for several trips. Our next on property stay was at POR with the trundle bed (2002). We did not like the trundle bed option as it made it very difficult for the person on the inside of the beds to get up at night to go to the bathroom. We stayed off property again for the next 5 years at suites. We loved Homewood Suites. This past May we decided to try on property again and we stayed in 2 connecting rooms at ASMu. It was great to have all the space but, we didn't like the property. This upcoming May my DD is bringing her DBF and we will be a family of 6 so we are staying in a cabin at FW. The place I sleep really isn't of the utmost importance to me as long as it is clean, safe and the bed isn't made of concrete. Once I get to the parks I don't care where I'm staying . I feel like I have to work harder to find good places for us to stay but, that is all part of planning the trip. Now, don't get me started on the pet friendly thing .
My DH and his dogs.................

 

[DVCleslie]

We were 6 people earlier this month at FW in a cabin- It was well worth the price (~$250.00) since it has a full kitchen. We made a hot breakfast every morning, which saves $$ when you're feeding 6!

 

[momof1+1+2]

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.

The OP already is aware of the Deluxe options and really, didn't post such a bad point. It is his take on his situation. They weren't complaining just expressing a thought. If you had nothing positive to add, why post? We had 7 there at OKW 2 BR Villa last month and I too felt the pinch and wish there were more options. When you book two rooms they don't gaurantee they are together. But we still love Disney and so does the OP. As for industry standards, we have stayed at plenty of hotels that allowed for us to have cots to accomodate all of us (at the time 6).

I also read the other post mentioned - "penalized" - and she was treated harshly as well in my opinion. Someone should be able to come here and vent and not be flamed. To some of us who aren't as well versed in how to get the best deals or who can't be as flexible in dates or who have larger families, it does sometimes feel that way. Her point was to vent and express she felt she wished she had more options. I too felt that way when planning. All I'm trying to say is can't we just speak respectfully to each other? Where is the Magic in being sassy?

 

[tsal]

Sorry, but this seems to be another one of those "higher expectaitions" of Disney. I've worked in ski resort hotels and in the AC casino industry, the make no special allowances for parties larger than 4, it is indeed an industry standard. You might find a hotel here and there that still offers a roll away, but honestly it's becoming a thing of the past, you just have to book two rooms.

 

[NMW]

The OP already is aware of the Deluxe options and really, didn't post such a bad point. It is his take on his situation. They weren't complaining just expressing a thought. If you had nothing positive to add, why post? We had 7 there at OKW 2 BR Villa last month and I too felt the pinch and wish there were more options. When you book two rooms they don't gaurantee they are together. But we still love Disney and so does the OP. As for industry standards, we have stayed at plenty of hotels that allowed for us to have cots to accomodate all of us (at the time 6).

I also read the other post mentioned - "penalized" - and she was treated harshly as well in my opinion. Someone should be able to come here and vent and not be flamed. To some of us who aren't as well versed in how to get the best deals or who can't be as flexible in dates or who have larger families, it does sometimes feel that way. Her point was to vent and express she felt she wished she had more options. I too felt that way when planning. All I'm trying to say is can't we just speak respectfully to each other? Where is the Magic in being sassy?

I really wasn't trying to be harsh. I just wanted to point out that compared to other hotel/vacation spots, Disney is one of the best options for families of 5. Disney will put a family of 5 in 6 (7 if you count the moderate) different hotels in a "standard" room, no questions asked. That's a HUGE amount of hotels to choose from. I know from our families experience that this doesn't happen everywhere. We have had to book 2 hotel rooms or a suite, almost everywhere else we travel. And, even if hotels give you a roll-away bed, they charge you for it per night. The ease of booking a hotel room at Disney for the 5 of us is a big reason we keep coming back.

I'm not "defending" Disney, just as I'm not "ranting" about hotels other places besides WDW. I just want families of 5 to know that Disney has a lot of options that you don't find elsewhere. Just the fact that Disney added the ASM family suites shows, to me at least, that Disney is more accommodating to larger families than the rest of the travel industry. That's the only point I was trying to make.

 

[kgle]

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.

Is there no support bar in the middle? If there is, I could understand the complaint.


And as for the complaint about how WDW doesn't cater to large families...they aren't the only vacation destination that doesn't...its everywhere.

 

[ElizabethB]

Mike -- I didn't read through all the posts, but I'm hopeful someone mentioned the Swan/Dolphin. They have teacher rates that you'd qualify for. Unlike Disney Resorts, they'll bring in a rollaway, making 5 in a room possible. Their location can't be beat -- and they have the second to best pool of any on-site property. Plus the pool is often not very crowded because many people at the Swan/Dolphin are there for conventions. You have boat transportation to DHS and Epcot. We found the bus service to MK to be quite good when we stayed there. Swan/Dolphin are deluxe resorts with wonderful service -- and really terrific beds.

You have Extra Magic Hour benefits at Swan/Dolphin. You can't do Magical Express or the dining plan. But if you save enough in comparison to other deluxes on Disney property, you'll be fine without those.

That would be my choice. Best of luck to you.

 

[maxiesmom]

Is there no support bar in the middle? If there is, I could understand the complaint.

No, there is not support bar. The couch kind of folds out onto itself.

And I need to comment on the whole "don't post unless you can be postitive" thing. I know when I post a question, I want to hear everyone's opinions and ideas. I don't find it helpful to have a bunch of people telling me just what I want to hear. With as many people as there are posting on the DIS, we are bound to not agree all of the time. We shouldn't be trying to place limits on what gets posted, unless it is obviously inappropriate, but then the Mods will step in. We should be able to disagree nicely, and I think we do a pretty good job of that.

 

[dbriggsq]

It's interesting that people say that Disney is a business and they want to make a profit - they actually seem to be doing that quite well and fair play to them.

I think what makes Disney different from say hotels in Vegas or Ski resorts is that they cater specifically to families and I think people with larger than average families can't understand why they don't cater for all sizes of family (at affordable prices)

Our family of 7 would have to book 2 hotel rooms which would cost twice the price of the 'average' family. We don't earn twice as much, and, following other people's analogies we didn't spend twice as much on a car to seat 7 rather than 5, our house isn't twice as big or cost twice as much - so it's a little bit peeving that we have to spend twice as much on accommodation.

 

[maxiesmom]

Our family of 7 would have to book 2 hotel rooms which would cost twice the price of the 'average' family. We don't earn twice as much, and, following other people's analogies we didn't spend twice as much on a car to seat 7 rather than 5, our house isn't twice as big or cost twice as much - so it's a little bit peeving that we have to spend twice as much on accommodation.

How else should they charge? Per person? Should they pro-rate it according to your income level? How should they charge that would be fair to everyone?

 

[dbriggsq]

How else should they charge? Per person? Should they pro-rate it according to your income level? How should they charge that would be fair to everyone?

Perhaps it would be better to charge per person - an amount per adult and a smaller amount per child of that family - then if a family needs a second room they wouldn't have to pay double the price of one room.

 

[d-r]

Perhaps it would be better to charge per person - an amount per adult and a smaller amount per child of that family - then if a family needs a second room they wouldn't have to pay double the price of one room.

Why wouldn't you have to pay the price of the whole room? The family still takes up the whole room despite the size or number of people in the room.

I guess I'm not sure how many options people want - at a certain point it just costs more money when you take up more space. It would be nice if everyone could afford everything, but sometimes you just can't.

 

[DebbieB]

Perhaps it would be better to charge per person - an amount per adult and a smaller amount per child of that family - then if a family needs a second room they wouldn't have to pay double the price of one room.

It would be great if they charged per person. When I travel solo, I could pay half as much!

The bottom line is you are using two of their rooms, you have to pay for two rooms. It doesn't matter if there are 2 people in each room or 4 people in each room, you are using 2 rooms.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It would be great if they charged per person. When I travel solo, I could pay half as much!It would be great if they charged per person. When I travel solo, I could pay half as much!

I thought the same thing when I read this suggestion - half-price for a hotel room, NO single supplement on cruises. Count me in!

 

[gailanncreates]

If we are on the subject of affordability, please check into the rent/trade points board regarding the DVC properties. This was an excellent choice for our family, and will be my first choice to research the next trip.
PS. I am jealous that you are within "driving distance", and don't have airfare. Also, since you are, there are many lovely hotels and suites that are off property to suit larger families. We all love on-property, but... if it made it affordable to go, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

[eliza61]

It's interesting that people say that Disney is a business and they want to make a profit - they actually seem to be doing that quite well and fair play to them.

I think what makes Disney different from say hotels in Vegas or Ski resorts is that they cater specifically to families and I think people with larger than average families can't understand why they don't cater for all sizes of family (at affordable prices)

Our family of 7 would have to book 2 hotel rooms which would cost twice the price of the 'average' family. We don't earn twice as much, and, following other people's analogies we didn't spend twice as much on a car to seat 7 rather than 5, our house isn't twice as big or cost twice as much - so it's a little bit peeving that we have to spend twice as much on accommodation.

It is a business! and as a share holder I expect them to make a profit. Sorry you're family size was a personal decision. First, Disney does offer options for large size families, they have 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas that are can be reserved by anyone. Why does it have to be "affordable"? Who sets affordability? Disney's job is to operate at what the market can bear, and considering the rooms have been operating at 90% occupancy this year, some body is renting them. Your earning potential or eating habits have no bearing on the price what so ever and you do pay more for a bigger house than you do a smaller house.
Sorry, I'm with disney on this one. Disney offers a product, just like Mercedes or Lexus. You have the choice to purchase it or not. No one goes into a Lexus dealer and says hey, I don't have the salary for that care could you give it to me at 1/2 price because I only make 25,000 grand a year. they are not obligated to make it within your budget.

Why do we have different expectations for Disney? I think some times we feel because they "market" family time and magic that we think they should operate differently.

 

[maxiesmom]

Perhaps it would be better to charge per person - an amount per adult and a smaller amount per child of that family - then if a family needs a second room they wouldn't have to pay double the price of one room.

But if they charged a per person amount that would make it more affordable for larger families, they would then be loosing money on the rooms which have only 1 or 2 people in them.

 

[Iott Family]

You know what disturbs me most sbout this thread is that its turned into a debate instead of a discussion and many of the replies come off soooo condescending.
Families of 4 people or less just dont get it and I can see both sides of the discussion as we were a family of 4 our first visit, a family of 4 plus baby( stayed at CBR) our second trip and our last two we are a family of 6(a rental with 4 bedrooms 3 baths and pool, and 2 rooms AKL this Feb 2009). My best advice for larger families is book two rooms at a value/mod or stay off site in a rental. Windsor Hills, Indian creek, Emerald Island, and Windsor Palms are some very nice choices and very cost effective for large families. You will save a mint of accomadations and food. We ate breakfast in our rental every morning, packed a small cooler with water and fruit and uncrustable, granola bars to snack on, got a mickey bar or icecream cone in parks, ate lunch in park and a counter service and left every day by 3-4 and went back to our rental for a swim and hot dinner then if we were up to it went back into parks for night time shows, rides, etc.
Now when we vacation else where we often stay at Stay Bridge Suites, Hyatt Suites, Comfort Inn Suites, because they can accomodate our family in one room and I never pay more than $100 a night. We also rent a beach home for our beach vacations and its so nice to have the comforts of home but the luxury of a rental with the ocean at your back door, sometimes literally at high tide!!!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We are a family of 6 also. Getting 2 rooms gets very expensive. The suites are a nice option. Try going during value season also and hope for deep room discounts like they are giving now!

We always get two rooms connecting rooms at a value. We are a family of 6 and it is the cheapest way for us to stay on site. In fact, it's only about $10.00 more per night than one room at a Moderate.