Traveling: families of 5 in hotels

[LegoMom3]

We are driving to WDW next fall and will be two nights on the road. This is our first trip with all the kids over 2 years of age! However, our youngest is 4 and still uses a travel toddler bed when away from home. Now, we all know Disney has a hard and fast rule about no more than 4 people in a room that has 2 double beds, but I am wondering about places you'd encounter on the road, like a Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn and the like? Any other "Over 4" families out there who have traveled like this - what has your experience been?

TIA!

 

[MidgeD79]

We usually have 5 or 6 of us and stay in 1 hotel room for the drive to WDW. We fit everyone in the beds provided. We don't ask the hotel if it's ok.. we just do it. This is strictly a "somewhere to sleep" policy for us. We are staying this summer at Pop Century and have reserved 2 connecting rooms.

 

[LegoMom3]

We usually have 5 or 6 of us and stay in 1 hotel room for the drive to WDW. We fit everyone in the beds provided. We don't ask the hotel if it's ok.. we just do it. This is strictly a "somewhere to sleep" policy for us. We are staying this summer at Pop Century and have reserved 2 connecting rooms.

Yeah, that's my thinking, too....When we've traveled like this before, we always just look for somewhere inexpensive and clean to spend the night - I didn't want to get into paying for a suite or two rooms, just on the way down!!

 

[undertheradar]

Look at Springhill Suites or something similar. There is ample bedding, 2 tvs, mini fridge and small microwave. These come with continental breakfast and many have indoor pools(helps get the kids unwound after sitting in the car). Some hotels are very strict about occupancy due to fire codes. We like added space after being couped up in the car.

 

[rileyroosmom]

We also just find a room (we prefer 2 Queens) and just pile in. We are only there to eat, sleep and get on the road first thing.

 

[lisametairie]

We do the sleeping bag thing. We're on vacation why not camp. just roll out the sleeping bags on the floor. We also hae a twin air mattress that we bring. Usually our kids end up fighting over who gets to sleep on that.

 

[dougsmom98]

We have stayed at Howard Johnsons and are going to stay at a Comfort Inn in a few weeks and we have 6. At the Howard Johnsons, we booked online and then before we went we called and let them know that there were 5 of us at that time. They said that was fine. We brought a $14 blow up twin air matress and one of the kids slept on that. We never ask for extra towels or pillows. We just booked the Comfort Inn to stay at the night before or flight. Online they would have charged us an extra $10. I called the hotel directly and said the we had 6. The baby didn't need any a bed because we will bring the pack and play but we were wondering how much a roll away was. The lady said it wouldn't cost us anything. So, rather than booking online like we normally do, we booked over the phone and will get a rollaway.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Our last driving trip to WDW we stayed in a Holiday Inn. There were 6 of us, so we paid extra for the suite. And I'm glad I did! In the middle of the night, my dd5 got sick with a 24 hour virus. We had to end up staying an extra night, and of course, the other children didn't want to sleep with her.

After 12 hours of driving, we need a little more room to stretch out for sleep.

Mary

 

[Plutofan]

There are five of us that drive each year. If you plan far enough ahead you can get great rates if you go to the Holiday inn official website.

 

[TNKBELL]

We have always stayed at Comfort Suites there are 2 queens and a pull-out sofa, including an indoor pool and deluxe continental breakfast and usually a very reasonable rate. Choice hotels currently has a stay twice and get a free night offer on two seperate stays. This has always worked well for our family of 6 and 7 in 2003 when my Mother accompanied us. www.hotelkingdom usually has very good rates. Have a great vacation!!

 

[skooniebird]

Most regular hotels and motels gratefully accomadate 5. I have one 14 one 13 and one 6. On property, Disney's Port Orleans Riverside will provide a slide away trundle for a 3rd child. According to my agent and a "Disney" class I took at the Community College they are,as yet, the only one to allow 5 per room. It is an incredibly picturesque mid-priced resort with frequent and easy bus service to all parks. Stay in the part called Alligator Bayou and you would honestly swear you were right near New Orleans. Plus, short ferry ride to sister resort the other Port Orleans resort where you have pool rights and all too. Liked Riverside better than high ends I had stayed in before all the rugrats. Ride rented bikes along the bayou. Drive little motor boats yourself up and down the river. Pay a minimal amount to use a cane pole and actually catch little fish! Right near your room. Fine dining and food court. Kids pool and multiple adult pools.Large children's play area with swings,climbing etc. Absolutely wonderful experience!

 

[rgribik]

I have to second the Springhill and Comfort suites, we were a family of 5, now we have 7. On the way down to Dis and home we pile in, and sleep where ever. But both of those hotels offer plenty of room, a sink,refridgerator, breakfast and usually a decent little pool to take the edge off of the kids. One step ahead catalog or the Right Start catalog offer a neat travel bed for little kids, we are going to get 2, now that the twins are out of the play yards.

Port Orleans is an awsome hotel, we love it, and you can have 5 in your room LEGALLY!! Have used the trundle bed several times, now we have to get connecting rooms, but still love to stay there. The pools are great for the kids, and the boat goes to Downtown Dis.
As was stated before it is the only hotel you can pool hop to PO-French Quarter, that pool has a great slide.

 

[Plutofan]

If you want to stay on a WDW property at a deluxe disney resort you are allowed to have 5 of any age at the DVC resorts - Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Saratoga and Old Key West. Disne will not provide a bed, towels, linens for the 5th person. The one bedrooms come with a washer/dryer and a full kitchen. If you rent points from a DVC member you can get these deluxe resorts for about 20-60% off the rack rates which is about the same as a moderate resort. This is a great deal as long as you understand the risks of renting and feel comfortable with it.

 

[kimbac3]

we do the 2 beds plus a rollaway bed. Until very recently nobody wanted to sleep with DD7. She is VERY active in her sleep and if you didn't sleep with one eye open you could end up knocked onto the floor or with a black eye Honestly she's a sweetheart when she's a wake !!!
She was better last trip she shared with my DD13 on the way down and had the rollaway to herself on the way home(got a fever our last day and nobody wanted to get that close to her-mind you they were 2 inches apart in the truck for hours and hours )

It is hard finding lodging for a family of 5. We are priced out of staying onsite. We are renting a 4 bd house off site.
Kimba

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

We usually have five and just get a rollaway. Most hoels/motels don't care.