strict with occupancy limits?

[leahjade]

Is Disney strict with the occupancy limits on villas? A one bedroom would be fine for us (a family of 5) but all the limits say "a family of 4". If we had 4 in our family, we'd just save money and stay at a value property!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

you can stay at a regular deluxe then

 

[Princess Stitch]

Doesn't Port Orleans have some rooms that can accomodate 5 people as well? Also, don't forget about the family suites at the All-Star Music Resort. Still much cheaper than a 1-bedroom or a Deluxe.

I'm not sure how "strict" they are, but it's a rule and apparantly part of the fire code. I would assume that they would be within their right to ask you to either pay for another room or leave if you were in violation of policy.

 

[LindyN]

If you're on a package and don't book everyone in your travel party, then you will not have dining credits for the unbooked person. If housekeeping notices that you have more than the number authorized for the room they are obligated to report it. If reported, then you are in violation of the room occupancy which is set by fire code. The resort will tell you that you need accommodations for your party size at an additional charge, or you will need to leave.

Families of five can go to the All Star Music Family Suite (accommodating up to 6) or any other suite which fit the party size (all do not sleep 5); standard rooms at the deluxes such as Poly, CR, GF, YC/BC/BWI (AKL and WL only accommodate four persons unless you book a Deluxe room); one room at POR with a small trundle bed; a cabin at Ft Wilderness; a two bedroom villa; or two rooms in a Value or Moderate (other than POR). Of you stay off property where five can usually be accommodated with an extra charge rollaway bed.

 

[minnie61650]

Princess Stitch is correct. It's a rule and apparantly part of the fire code.


There are real fire codes.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Some guests think occupancy limits are solely based on room size.
The room size is not as an important issue as are the width of doorways, widths of hallways, number of stair wells, location of stairways, number of fire walls, number of stories in a building and the total number of persons in a building when determining the fire code in regard to fire access and egress.


------------------------------------------------------


Since 9/11 a lot of the fire codes are stricter especially in regards of the disabled and fire access and egress.


See this website about Resources on Emergency Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness for more info:



http://www.access-board.gov/evac.htm

There are real reasons why hotels/motels have room occupancy limits.

Just a little FYI

Have fun at Disney!

 

[minnie61650]

Also, don't forget about the family suites at the All-Star Music Resort. Still much cheaper than a 1-bedroom or a Deluxe.

The Family Suites start at $179 during value season in 2007.

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) last Sept. (2006)

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no meatle bar to hurt the sleepers back.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

Here is my review of the Suites with photos I took.:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is Disney strict with the occupancy limits on villas? A one bedroom would be fine for us (a family of 5) but all the limits say "a family of 4". If we had 4 in our family, we'd just save money and stay at a value property!

A one bedroom sleeps four if you make a reservation through CRO, plus one under the age of three. They are very strict with occupancy limits.

 

[pilferk]

A one bedroom sleeps four if you make a reservation through CRO, plus one under the age of three. They are very strict with occupancy limits.

Just for my own point of clarification: I know with DVC membership, they'll allow you to book 5 in a 1 BR (though I'm not sure I'd do it...that's why we bought AKV). With CRO, is that not the case? I wouldn't be surprised at the difference, just want to confirm there IS a difference.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

also the cabins
all star suites
a room at a deluxe sleeps 5
2 rooms at a value
POR

 

[minnie61650]

Just for my own point of clarification: I know with DVC membership, they'll allow you to book 5 in a 1 BR (though I'm not sure I'd do it...that's why we bought AKV). With CRO, is that not the case? I wouldn't be surprised at the difference, just want to confirm there IS a difference.

CRO is very strict with the limits.

DVC bends the rules by sometimes by allowing a 5 th person in a one bedroom unit butDisney will not supply additional bed linens, towels, utensils, or other amenities for the fifth Guest.

I do not know how DVC gets away it.

There was a interesting thread discussing Disney occupancy level and fire codes a few months ago.

Here is the reply one of the Dis'ner got back from Disney-- Post #60 of this thread

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1287974&page=4

Well guys...I wrote to Disney and inquired about the reasons why a roll-a-way or trundle could not be put in other rooms besides POR -AB. This was there response:

"Although we appreciate your interest, please know Florida safety and
fire codes restrict additional bedding due to the reduction in fire
access and egress."

So, it's technically the bedding that restricts this - not the extra person, or the size of the room. This would explain why they are allowing a 5th person to be booked in a one bedroom through DVC but not supplying the bedding.

I have to say I find this interesting and not what I expected to hear!

Any thoughts?

That thread is interesting to say the least.

 

[pilferk]

CRO is very strict with the limits.

DVC bends the rules by sometimes allowing a 5 th person but DVC will not supply additional bed linens, towels, utensils, or other amenities for the fifth Guest.

I do not know how DVC gets away it.

There was a interesting thread discussing Disney occupancy level and fire codes a few months ago.

Here is the reply one of the Dis'ner got back from Disney-- Post #60 of this thread

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1287974&page=4



That thread is interesting to say the least.

Thanks Linda..that's very interesting stuff.

It's one of the compelling reasons we ultimately decided to buy into AKV, rather than SSR or resale into one of the existing resorts...we'd either have needed more points (so we could book a 2BR) or depended on Member Services/DVD's "whim" in allowing that 5th guest into the room.

Once we saw AKV would allow 5 (as in, stated occupancy is 5) in a 1BR, that pretty much made the decision for us (in truth, we were leaning that way, anyway, but it was the final deciding factor)!

 

[ElizabethB]

I guess if DVC can "bend the rules" and allow 5 in a DVC one bedroom, then the so-called "fire codes" aren't being enforced when it suits Disney not to enforce them. Hmmmmm.

 

[minnie61650]

I guess if DVC can "bend the rules" and allow 5 in a DVC one bedroom, then the so-called "fire codes" aren't being enforced when it suits Disney not to enforce them. Hmmmmm.

I think Disney may be worried about the fire codes not being enforced and that is why Disney will not supply additional bed linens, towels, utensils, or other amenities for the fifth Guest.

Disney could be fined and they could lose their fire insurance if they are knowingly going over their ocupancy limits in violation of the fire codes.

Edited to add:

Sometimes there are different fire codes for different usage of the same room.
Such as a room that is used for a sit down meal may have a different occupancy rate than the same room if a dance floor and entertainment were added to that room.

It may be that a 1 bedroom DVC unit falls under a time share fire code which would have a different fire code than CRO renting the same 1 bedroom unit as a hotel room.

Just a possiblity .

 

[maxiesmom]

OP--How old is your youngest? It makes a big difference. If your youngest child is 2 or under, you will find many more options available.

 

[LilyWDW]

minnie61650 is doing a grand job of explaining the reasoning behind occupancy limits and fire codes. I work with codes quite a bit as an Interior Design student and pretty much everything minnie has said is spot on. Fire codes can get extremely complicated especially in places such as hotels. This is due to the different occupancy codes that each area falls under. If I could find my NCIDQ examination book I would go into more detail, but I would hate to get something wrong lol.

Pretty much I hope Disney is very strict with the occupancy codes and strict with those who break them.

 

[leahjade]

Are the pullouts in the family suites large enough for teens? How about the bunk beds in the cabins - is it a double with a single on top? Thanks for all the info!

 

[OneBadApple]

Are the pullouts in the family suites large enough for teens? How about the bunk beds in the cabins - is it a double with a single on top? Thanks for all the info!

The bunks in the cabin are both twin, but that room also has a double bed in it. The living area then has a murphy bed, which I believe is also a double.

 

[Trekker]

I think the murphy bed is larger - a queen or king?

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I guess I don't understand how these fire codes work. If they can allow 5 in a room at POR rooms with trundles, and they are the same square footage as other mods, then what's the big deal? Can someone please explain how this works? I am not planning on breaking any codes, just curious why it is allowed in some places and not in others?

 

[BroadwayGirl]

I guess I don't understand how these fire codes work. If they can allow 5 in a room at POR rooms with trundles, and they are the same square footage as other mods, then what's the big deal? Can someone please explain how this works? I am not planning on breaking any codes, just curious why it is allowed in some places and not in others?

As I understand it, they have to consider a combination of various factors...room size, bedding, building size and most importantly evacuation routes. While additional bedding might fit in the rooms at other moderate resorts the building design and escape routes may not allow for a quick enough evacuation should there be an emergency at the resort.