Space for 5 at POR--really?

[zagafi]

Here's our deal--Me, dh, almost 6 year old and twins who will be 15 months or so when we go next summer. Will we really "fit" in a room? Keep in mind we'll have a double stroller with us along with all our other stuff. We will be going back for naps daily so we'll be in the room more frequently than to just shower and sleep at night.

POR Veterans, weigh in, please!

 

[dgaston]

You would be in the Alligator Bayou section of POR with a pullout trundle bed that's about 5 ft long. It worked for us because my daughter always sleeps curled up in a little ball. But there is limited storage space. One of the things I can never figure out is why the decorators thought a big ol' time luggage chest that doesn't open would be good in AB. Have you looked into the cabins? I really like these for a setting that gives Mom and Dad some privacy, and isn't nearly as expensive as the DVC properties.

 

[kashkdz]

Our family of 5 w/3 kids (DS9,DD6,DS4) stayed at POR last October. We were in the same boat where we didn't want to spend the extra $$$ for a deluxe hotel, and didn't want to rent a DVC just yet. So by default the only moderate resort that sleeps 5 was POR. There are two sections: Mansions and Alligator Bayou (AB). The AB is the only section that sleeps 5. Since your children are rather young you should have no problem with room size. The actual size of the room is probably not much larger than the value resorts, but you do have a trundle bed which pulls out from one of the beds. Our two older children slept on the one bed, while my youngest slept on the trundle. There was lots of room. The grounds of the hotel are absolutely beautiful, and the pool is rather big with a really cool slide. Lots of things to do at the resort (fishing, carriage ride, walking paths, bike riding, piano lounge, etc). I'd recommend it! We'd probably stay there again, but we became DVC owners on our last trip....Saratoga Springs 2005 here we come !!!

 

[marcyinPA]

We just got back from POR this past Sunday. We were in Alligator Bayou building 35. They do sleep 5. We only have a family of 4, and didn't request a trundle bed, but it was there so we used it. My boys (5 & 9) don't sleep well together so it was a blessing for us! My only comment about the room was it has VERY LITTLE privacy. The bathroom is TINY and not usable for changing clothes in. The sink area opens up directly into the room, making it impossible to get ready in the morning and not wake others who are still sleeping. As for space, I think if you moved around the table and chairs a bit, you'd get your stroller in there ok. There isn't much drawer space in the armoire, but we never un-pack our suitcases so it didn't much matter for us.

While we LOVED the resort itself (it is beautiful!), Fort Wilderness cabins are a much better fit for our family. We are planning our next trip for 12/05. My mom will be with us on that trip, so we'll either get two value rooms, or we'll stay in a cabin. Do some research on the cabin...they are WONDERFUL!!!! Plus you'd have the bonus of a full kitchen.

Good luck planning!!

 

[zagafi]

Thanks for the feedback. We have considered the cabins, but they're a little more $ than we'd like to spend. If we *knew* we could get a code closer to time, I'd stay there in a heartbeat. I think 3 little boys would love Fort Wilderness.

If only we had crystal balls to reveal when those codes would be available...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We stayed at POR (then Dixie Landings) in '96, when our kids were 6, 8, & 10. We thought there was plenty of room, but we hadn't ever stayed in a deluxe at that point! My kids fought over the trundle, they finally made up a daily schedule, taking turns sleeping on it!

We really loved this resort, I don't know what bldg. we were in, but it was AB, and when you exited the room you were looking at a quiet pool. A nice little walk through beautiful landscaping to the bus stop, Ol' Man Island, etc. We loved it!