Where to stay for family of 6

[New York]

I am planning our 8/02 trip to WDW. With 4 children, our on-site choices seem to be rather limited. I reserved a kidsuite at the Holiday Inn Family Suites off-site after hearing many good things about the place. I am still on the lookout for any possible better deal - particularly if we can stay on-site. Comparing 2bdrm villas to the HI - we're talking about $1000 price difference for a four night stay. Its hard to justify the bells and whistles for that much money. I haven't looked into connecting rooms on other properties - and really don't want to do the FW cabin thing. (I am a DC member too) Any suggestions on places to try that would accomodate us? I do like the idea of having a refrig. and microwave at the least. What to do, what to do... Everyone here seems to really favor being on site....

HELP!!

 

[tmli]

Hi and Welcome! Agroup of 6 is hard to accomodate, you are going to spend that extra $1000 for a one room to hold you all. It appears the only choices are deluxe or the DVC Resorts. You could look into renting DVC points but you'll still probably be close to the same cost. The connecting rooms may not be a bad idea. Depending on when you are going you can sometimes get All stars for $59/nt x 2rooms isn't too bad.

 

[darlene walker]

I'm going in October and also have a party of six. We are staying at POR and have 2 rooms resv. for 4 nights for $945.00 tax included. So far the only discount available is the Disney Club or AAA. We are also staying 5 nights at OKW which we've rented points from DVC members. If you can stay on-site for just a few dollars more go for it especially if you have children it's worth it for the convience alone.
Good luck, Darlene

 

[New York]

Darlene -
Are your POR reservations for 2 connecting or adjoining rooms or is it a 2-room suite arrangement? Last time I called Disney, the only "home away from home" resorts to accomodate us (at the DC discount code was OKW villas. That is where I saw the $1000 difference between that and HI Family Suites. I think I need to call back and explore more options. Last visit we stayed at the Buena Vista Spa and Resort on the property. (Different name now???) Loved the location and the transportation system was terrific. But now we are 6... AND I prefer a bed to a pull out for Mom and Dad here!!

Thanks for your input!

 

[4firsttimes]

We are a family of six also. We are staying in a deluxe room at Wilderness Lodge. It has 2 queen beds and a pull out queen sofa. We are paying rack rate of $405/ night for early June, but the summer rates just out are $305. This is by far the most economical for us (for a deluxe resort on site). I've been told there are no comparable rooms at other WDW resorts.

I was also told connecting rooms could not be guaranteed, only requested. We did not want to risk not getting connectings.

We looked at HIFS, but since this is our first and probably only trip to WDW decided to splurge. I hope it will be worth it!!

 

[darlene walker]

Newyork, our rooms will be connected because there are 2 adults and 4 children. POR sounds so nice we are very excited! I also looked into a deluxe room at WL but at $405.00 a night it was to steep a price for us. Have you looked under the DVC rent/trade points section. You can really get a good deal from members are looking to sell some points. We've rented points now from 3 different members and never had any problems.
Darlene

 

[soccer mom]

We are also a family of six who has been to WDW eight times. We started at the campgrounds in a "cabin." It is great with kids because there is a bedroom (with a double and bunks) so we could put the kids to bed and enjoy some time alone. There is a murphy bed in the living room and a full kitchen including microwave and dishwasher. It saved time in the morning and money on food, even if you only ate breakfast there. It is air conditioned and there is maid service. It is a great place for families with lots of things to do at the campground.

Now that the kids are teenagers we have opted for connecting room at a moderate, but a value resort would save you even more money. The two bathrooms are the big plus now!

You can look at floor plans of the cabins, or any of the rooms, including the deluxe at WL at the official site. Staying on property is great and I hope this info makes it happen for you!

 

[SuiteDisney]

We've gotten 2 rooms (connecting) at All Stars before and it worked out great. The price was right, too.

And it was really nice to have two bathrooms when it was time to get ready in the morning.

 

[JGMOM]

Have you considered the Swan/Dolphin. I just returned from there a week ago. Great stay! They give 1/2 off rack rate with DC/entertainment rate. They also give a better deal if anyone in your party is a teacher or government worker (129.00 for a standard). They are deluxe resorts. We had connecting rooms at the Swan. They also will many times give decent complimentary upgrades for those who are starwood members. Joining the starwood program is free of charge. The Swan/Dolphin also have a junior suite (I beleive at the Dolphin) that would accomidate 6. You can check out the layout on the Swan/Dolphin web site. Glo has a great post for the Swan/Dolphin. Go under metting rooms and then down to suites from there. Check this out. The location is great.

 

[kimmar067]

..5 of us with two of my DS's being teens (13 and 15). So we will be staying at CBR with 2 connecting rooms. I couldn't agree more that it is better to have 2 bathrooms, as well as 2 tv's. Then my sons can watch what they want and we won't disturb each other....Besides, it makes it a whole bunch easier to get ready in the AM or getting ready for PS's.....

 

[Lowe6]

Hi, there are 6 of us in our family as well. We are going in Sept. because we HS our children & can go on vaca anytime. Although if you drive homework is about the length of a car ride for 1 wk & can usually be done in about 10 hrs. For a 6 nite stay @ the Allstar in 2 connecting rooms for 6 nights w passes it was under $2000.- total. The rooms were like $69.- per nite. I did compare it to the HI Suites & found it to be just a little more economical however there is no Bkst. but for the quick trip to Walmart for some food I think I'll give up that Bkft. & stay on site for just this ONCE

 

[New York]

That sounds like a great deal! Which Allstar place are you staying? I thought I'd give a call today to check out that option. The idea of two bathrooms is really appealing! Are there differences/ preferences of one AllStar to another?? And forgive all the questions - but how is Disney transportation from these places? Is it direct? Or does it make a million stops to various resorts?

 

[ilovdisney2]

We are a family of 5 and we are used to the space also. I have looked into several different options and have narrowed it down to 2. 2 rooms @ POR which sounds like an awesome resort and when I talked to the CRO she said that we would get adjoining rooms since kids would be in the second room. The other option is a 2 bedroom villa at OKW. This is nice because of the full kitchen and the washer and dryer. We would be renting points for the 2 bedroom villa and that came up to a total of 1990.00 for the 6 nights. The 2 rooms at POR would be 1119.00 (with a post card rate) I don't know if the kitchen and washer and dryer will be worth 800.00 more dollars but my hubby is leaning toward the villa. I like the area of the POR better and also the themed pools for the kids. Now I have to make a decision and stick with it! What ever you decide you will have a blast because you are at disney, but I think you would love staying on site.

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello New York-
We've stayed at ASMo with 7 people in two connecting rooms and it was O.K. We also stayed at HIFS with 6 people and it was definately a better bargain. The free breakfast buffet for all and the kids eat free lunch and dinner with paying adult saved us a lot of money. There is a special promotion running for HIFS, 109.00 per night with an 2 adult free buffets, and kids still eat free.( I think it involves using a losing Florida Lottery ticket ) It wasn't so much the cost of paying for the kids meals at the ASMo's, as it was the kids just not wanting the food "after" you paid for it. At HIFS it didn't seem to be a problem, kids took small samples of what they might like and then went back for their favorites. Also at HIFS, buffet also has milk and oj free, at ASMo the refillable mugs were for soda, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, not milk and oj. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it's just one more thing that HIFS offers at no additional cost.
Good Luck with your decision.

 

[VickiVM]

Darlene Walker, I pm'd you.

Vicki

 

[Lowe6]

Hey New York. We booked the AS Movies. They promised us the toy story section & my kids are absolutely thrilled. 2 BR will be nice too. It will be nice to have the king room for hubby & I too

 

[Dallas_Lady]

For what you want, the fridge and microwave, the two room suite, and for a reasonable price, your best bet is going to be off site. All your onsite Disney options are suites at the Deluxe hotels or Home Away From Home (DVC) resorts. And as you said, those are pricey.

You could do the adjoining/connecting room thing, but you will not have the fridge and microwave (you can rent a fridge for $10 a night.)

I went with my family of 5 when I was 17 and we had to stay offsite, we just couldn't afford onsite for all of us. None of us had ever been to WDW and we had a wonderful time. I never even realized that I was missing something until I started reading the DIS.

 

[Neeter]

Hey New York! We had two connecting rooms at the All Star Movies last April in the Toy Story section. I have stayed at the All Star Music before, but at the Movies we just felt like we were totally surrounded by the "Disney Magic". I don't think you would be dissappointed with the All Star Movies at all. The bus service is great and the food court has a great selection. You mentioned a fridge & microwave... we rented a fridge but our room was so close to the food court we just walked down there and used theirs. We also took a toaster with us to heat up our Pop-Tarts in the morning. As a lot of folks have mentioned, having 2 bathrooms is great. If you haven't stayed on-site before I would suggest trying ASMO I think you will enjoy it and I know your kids will!

 

[New York]

Thanks to one and all for your terrific input! Will take everything under and advisement and make a DECISION!!!

Cheers!