What would you do for 5 people?

[lisareneeo]

We might try to squeeze in a "budget" trip this May for myself, DH, DS(7), DD(4) and asking my mother-in-law to go. We already have a 11 day trip planned for Oct., so this May trip would just be a quick get away. I need help in deciding where to stay. My husband votes for POR where we can use the trundle bed. I feel it will be too cramped. For $278 more, we could get 2 rooms at the All Stars. Even though $278 might not sound like a lot it is to my husband (especially since we have a big trip in Oct. to look forward to) We have stayed at POR before and really enjoyed our trip ( just the 4 of us in the room) We have never stayed at an ALL Star Resort. We are also annual passholders and are hoping that a rate will come out that beats the codes we have found on Mousesavers. What would you do? I appreciate your opinions.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Stepman]

Try to find information about the Double-Tree suites over in the downtown disney area. All rooms are suites and sleep easily 6 people. Probably less than $200/night. Check it out...

 

[disneyag]

How much time do you plan to spend in the room? If everyone goes back to nap each afternoon and you lounge around the hotel a lot, then I would go for the All Stars. If you plan to take advantage of all the early entries and only go back to the hotel to sleep, then you probably wouldn't be too crowded at PO.

 

[boomer626]

Mary just posted info. on Mousesavers about her trip to Hotel Royal Plaza which looks like another good option for five - bigger rooms with a pullout sofa for the fifth person at great Mousesavers rates.

 

[woody5]

If you stay at POR they will charge you for the extra adult in the room. I believe it is $25 per night. That wouldn't happen at the all stars because you have two rooms. When we stayed at POR we were charged $15 per night extra to use the trudle bed for a third child. Also this bed is very small. It is not as big as a rollaway bed. We were very tight with five in the room and three were children under the age of 10.

 

[ducklite]

I agree, between paying the extra adult fee and the trundle bed fee, you'll probably be just about breaking even with two AS rooms, plus you'll have two bathrooms! Keep in mind that with three adults they won't guarantee connecting rooms.

Anne

 

[MKFan-PR]

I agree with the others; I think you forgot to factor in the cost of the extra person in the room. At the moderates, the standard accomodation is 4. They'll charge you for the extra person, plus the trundle bed (and those aren't the most comfortable). So now, in terms of both space and money, I think you'll be better off with two rooms (and two bathrooms!). It will be less cramped and the kids will get a kick out of the All-Star decorations (especially at ASMo).

 

[tar heel]

The extra adult fee at moderates is $15 not $25. I still would get two rooms if I were traveling with my mil, though -- and I have the world's greatest one. That would be a little too cozy IMO. We have stayed at PO-R twice with two adults and three kids. The last time we stayed there we had two adults and kids ages 16, 12 and 6. Now, that both older boys are adult-sized, we just don't think there's room for us any more. We've done deluxe resorts (queen beds, daybed, more space) the past two trips, but now that we'll be assesed the $25 (at deluxes) extra adult fee, we're probably going to do two rooms at All Stars.

 

[MrsMud]

If you're not commited to staying onsite, I would consider HIFS! We were in your exact situation in Dec. '01: Me, DH, 2 Dds (3 1/2 & 5 1/2) and DMIL. We loved HIFS so much and there are not only 2 rooms but 3. You have a king sized bed for you and DH, a great themed kids room with bunk beds which your kids will love, and a double sleeper sofa in LR for MIL. Also 3 TVs, VCR, Nintendo, frig. and microwave. There are lots of activities for the kids and they are at the perfect age to really enjoy them. You could get a KidSuite there for a heck of a lot less than 2 rooms at the Allstars, and it's closer to the parks. The only downside I see when comparing is you would only have 1 bathroom. BUT there is an extra sink & mirror outside of the bath. I would highly recommend it, in fact we're going back there in Oct., again with the 5 of us!

 

[ducklite]

So at $15 for the extra adult and $15 for the trundle, you've got $30 (plus 11% tax).

On a five day trip that makes it only about $100 more for the two rooms.

Anne

 

[lisareneeo]

mrs Mudd,
Where exactly is HIFS? Could you please give me more info? What are prices and location, etc...
Thanks

 

[MrsMud]

Check out the website at; www.hifamilysuites.com
It is in Lake Buena Vista, about 1/2 mile east of the WDW gate. If you look at a map of that area there is a triangle formed by #535, #536,and #4. HIFS is just about the middle of that bottom line of the triangle. LOL, I know it's not very precise, but I can always find it very quickly that way on a map! I don't know what the rack rate is for May, but there are usually discounts to be found. I got early Oct. for $74 with the Entertainment rate (50% off)!

 

[jamsmom]

I would try to get 2 rooms at All-Stars so you have 2 bathroms. Even if they are not connecting doors, maybe they could be close by and the kids could take turns staying w/ your MIL.