the famous 5 + a child under 3...m

[Gupsmom]

Like I said in a previous post, we are looking to do a quick and inexpensive (disney-wise) trip. We havd me, DH, 17 yr old, 5, 3, 2 yr old.

We can get a room at POR for $680. Or we can get a room at BC for $1170. Now, I realize that we will be tight at POR, but money talks (esp since we are going back for a longer trip next yr). Being that we are only using the room to crash in at the end of the day and to change into bathing suits, can this be done? Also...can a 2 and 3 yr old both fit on the trundle bed. My 2 yr old will never sleeppp in a port a crib. I was planning on putting the 2 youngest together in the trundle. The 17 yr old and 5 yr old together in a double and DH and I in the other double.

Jess

 

[susy]

I think you'll be smushed!! What about two rooms at the AS??? We had connecting rooms in Jan (4 adults , 1 child) and it was VERY roomy. Most of the time we kept the door between open and other times we would close the door if some wanted "quiet" while others were still up and watching TV, etc.
The two bathrooms came in handy. Think about when you all come in from the pool and are trying to get ready at the same time or when the little ones need a nap... you will need 2 tubs with all the bathing you'll be doing!
With 4 beds you will have plenty of room for everyone to sleep comfortably. You could even sleep with one of the little ones, so you and DH don't have to smush (I guess this is my new word) into a double bed. The food courts and buses at AS are great and the rooms are clean and cute enough.

When are you going??? There are some good AP discounts out for summer/fall.

 

[susy]

You will also have more storage. There are quite a few drawers and they are VERY deep.

 

[wdwnutze]

You would definately be crowded at the BC. Although the rooms sleep 5 they are a little small. If not 2 rooms at the all-star, what about the FW Cabins. Never stayed there but sounds like it would work.

 

[Gupsmom]

kids don't nap (even at Disney BTDT). 2 problems with All stars. #1) they won't give ANY discounts on movies and I don't want to stay at sports or music. #2) The cost for 2 rooms is $855 (sports/music). If I have to pay $855 for a budget, then I'd pay $300 more for either 2 rooms at a mod or 1 at a delux.

As for baths...I'm not worried about that. My 5 yr old takes a 2 min shower at night and my 2 and 3 yr old bathe together (at night). The 17 yr old and I can take showers after the younger 3 are in bed. My DH takes a very fast shower in the morning.

So....all I really need to know is if we can all sleep in a decent amount of comfort at POR? We are up and out the door first thing in the morning. We will come back long enough to put bathing suits on in the afternoon (3 little kids can change in plain sight). Then we return in time to tuck the younger kids in. After that 2 of us sneak back to a park.

Thanks...Jess

 

[CamColt]

I havent done it, but from how you plan to sleep, I would think it can be done.
Ive heard a lot of people saying stuff like the All Stars are too small for even 4 people, but we did it with 3 adults & 2 kids(one was an infant) and had no problem with the shower or bed situation. It worked great for us(key words.."for us" ).
Since that would be allowed, and if you have a good attitude and a plan/system going into it, you should be ok. Good luck!

 

[Kermit]

You know your own family any better than any of us do, but I think you will be a bit crowded. I guess it just depends on how much that bothers your family. For me, floor space is important. I don't like having to walk carefully to make sure I don't trip over anything. You won't have much extra space at all with all those suitcases and the trundle out. If you pack carefully, you can make it so that it's do-able, and that may be enough for you. Do your kids sleep well with lots of noise? If they'll stay asleep while others are taking showers and getting ready, that might make things a bit easier.

 

[Jillpie]

We stay at POR every year, 2 adults and 3 children, using the trundle bed. I have to tell you there is NO way that a 2 and a 3 yr. old will both fit on the trundle bed. It is smaller than a twin size bed, they will keep each other awake, never mind the fact there just isn't enough room for 2 children on this thing. If that is your main concern, I say definitely not.

 

[DMRick]

If I'm counting right, isn't that six in a room? Can you even have six in a room, even if one is under 3? I thought it was 5 in a room at POR (as long as one was under 9 or so and could fit on that trundle bed) and 5 in a room at other places if one was under 3 (I'm just talking what they say they allow..obviously you can put 10 in a room, if you dont' mind being together).
We were just 5 at POR, and we fit with no problems..but that trundle bed was barely big enough for the 7 and 9 year old (they took turns)..no way 2 would fit. Space wise we had plenty..but then we have plenty at All Stars.

 

[merryweather's twin]

I think it can be done! I would get the pack and play and give it as an option for the 2 and 3 yo. One may take you up on it! My 1st DD now 5 would never sleep in one at home but at Disney she loved having all her toys in it and a space no one else could be in! They get so tired at WDW they are asleep before they are in bed most nights anyway. Do what you think is best for your family.... We stayed at Cont. Garden Wing last fall with our 4 kids and we loved the walkway to MK and no crowds at the end of the day. We had a 3mo 2yo 4yoand 6yo and it worked for us... May I give one tip.... Zip lock bag all the outfits and it will save alot of space and time.. Then you can give all the kids an bag in the morning and throw one in the diaperbag that will not get wet and you have a place to put dirty diapers or wet clothes or anything you need. Have a great trip!

 

[dcedwards]

The main problem would be the sleeping. The trundles are fairly small. I'm not sure two could sleep on it without having a problem. And, I'm not sure you would be any more comfortable at the BC. I would probably go ahead and get two rooms at POR. But, I like to have a little space. If you will have a stroller in the room, that will make it even tighter with one room. If you are renting or storing it in the car that isn't an issue.

If you did just get one room and the trundle didn't work for the two of them you might be able to request extra blankets and put one of them on the floor. I was trying to envsion where, though. Perhaps you could move the chairs and table and stick one beside the TV armoire.

Good luck. I'm not sure what I would do, exactly.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

We stay at POR every year and I would have to say "no way". The trundle isn't even as big as a twin bed; I can't see how either of your kids would end up getting any sleep. As for sleeping on the floor -yuk! How many people walk on that floor every year without the carpets being shampood?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

It can be done. We've stayed in a room at the ASMu with two adults and two teens for five nights, with rollaway bed in the room (couldn't even get the door open when the rollaway bed was open!). No, it wasn't as comfortable as we are when staying at the Grand Floridian, but we did it without problems. I actually really liked the ASMu, so, if by chance you do decide to stay in two rooms at a value, I would recommend the ASMu.

 

[robinb]

What are your exact dates? Have you considered renting points from a DVC member? You might be able to book a 2 BR at OKW for about the same amount as you were thing of for at the BC.

Unfortunately, there is little available for a larger family such as yours. You might want to consider staying off-site at one of the suite hotels if this is indeed a "cheap" trip.

 

[woody5]

I would definitely check into the Fort Wilderness cabins. They sleep six and would give you the ability to store stuff in the fridge. We stayed at POR-FQ with five and it was definitely a tight fit. Our youngest wasn't quite three then. Also maybe check into the Contemporary. I haven't stayed there but it is suppose to have the biggest rooms on sight. Usually some good discounts there also.

 

[robinb]

Oooo! Woody, you're right! I think the cabin would be a perfect solution.

 

[dcedwards]

Just as an FYI -- sleeping on the floor suggestions was with the assumption that you put down several clean blankets and perhaps brought your own sleeping bag. I agree...just putting someone on the floor wouldn't be my choice.

As another FYI...one time at POFQ we complained about how dirty the carpet was...they shampooed it the next morning while we were at the park and it was dry by the afternoon. Worked out great. However, we didn't have anyone sleeping on the floor.

Finally, I didn't think about asking for a a roll away at Riverside. I'm not sure if they have one. I'm not sure if it would fit in the room with the trundle, but you might want to call the hotel and ask it it has been done before. That way everyone would have a bed of their own.

And, the other thought is that the roll away is bigger than the trundle bed. Could the three little ones sleep in the double bed and the 17yr old sleep in the rollaway? You can get bed rails from the hotel. Just thought I would throw out another idea. May not work but might get someone thinking about something else. Good luck. They just don't have a lot of affordable options for larger families.

 

[threeboysmom]

I'm going to go against the grain and say that the trundle bed may work for both the 2 and 3 year old, depending on how big/tall they are. If you put one lying done at the top of the bed and the other lying down at the bottom of the bed with their feet meeting in the middle, it would work! They will probably both be exhausted by nighttime (especially without naps) and will fall asleep instantly & soundly throughout the night even if their little legs & feet get tangled up with each other

I say go for it! Like you said - you're only there to sleep. Getting ready in the morning will be no big deal with the little ones - they don't need to jump in the shower first thing like we do (if they do, they can go in with Mom or Dad) Also, changing into swimsuits in the middle of the day is no big deal either - it's not like they need the privacy of a bathroom!!

Have fun

 

[Schmeck]

I think Disney will not let you have 6 people in a room, even if 3 of the children are small. If I were you, I'd call and make sure that they'll let you have this many in one room!

 

[ilovdisney2]

When are you going and what rate are you getting? We just got back from POR and got 2 rooms for 84.00 (each) per night. You will be alot more comfy if you had 2 rooms, not saying that you couldn't do it but if you could get a better rate it would sure be worth checking it out.