Where to stay w/ 5 people including a 3 mo. old?

[wcduke]

Hi. My family and I (me 38, DW 31, DS 11, DD 4 ) have a 10 day WDW trip booked in September 2008. We have already booked the free dining that was available to us as part of Disney's "bounce-back promotion" offered for guests staying at WDW in Sept 2007. This reservation is very easily revised or cancelled.

DW is pregnant, due in late June 2008. If we stick with this upcoming September 2008 trip, baby will be 3 months old at the time of our trip. DW still wants desparately to take this trip, but I have many concerns about this trip. My two biggest concerns are:

1. At 3 mos old, most likely this baby will not be yet sleeping through the night. Our family of four has always stayed at a value resort for our prior WDW trips. If the 5 of us stay in a one-room hotel room (like the values), when this baby is crying every few hours during the night needing a feeding, ALL of us will be disrupted, not just one person. For the pace and sleep required for a Disney vacation, this scenario is not do-able or tolerable.

2. The September heat in Disney is VERY VERY HOT. We have gone to WDW the last few Septembers and we are well aware of how hot it is there at this time of year. I would think this heat for a 10 day vacation is not a good thing for a 3 mo. old.

With those things being said, if we do indeed decide to still go on this trip, what is our best (and cheapest) option as to where to stay? We would need a situation where when the baby cries at night every few hours, it will only wake my DW or I and not disturb the other 2 kids. Cost is DEFINITELY an issue, so we are looking for the cheapest way for the kids and one adult to sleep comfortably while the other adult cares for the infant at night.

Also, like I said, the September heat is also a concern of mine. Any tricks or ideas for a 3 month old to beat the heat of September and not be in danger?

We are aware that a two bedroom suite is an option. How big are they? How cheap or expensive are they? Which hotels offer them? Are they big enough so a crying baby won't disturb the other bedroom?

Thank you in advance for all of your input!

 

[goodferry]

Yikes! You can check this out on Disney's website, but a suite is going to cost you a bundle. If money is a factor, I would look into two rooms at a less expensive hotel.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I was thinking this thread looked familiar. You probably couldn't find where you posted it on the Theme Parks board yesterday. You got several responses there:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1672931

I posted on the other thread that I think the Fort Wilderness cabins would be a good option for your family. Good luck with your decision!

 

[dizcrazy]

We just were at the World in September, and I have to agree with you about the heat! We used a lot of snack credits just for water and sometimes felt like it diminished our fun.
Would your wife consider a trip in December, when the crowds are thin and the Christmas decorations are up?

 

[earthfaries]

The most affordable Disney way to go would be Port Orleans Riverside. They are the only rooms, value or moderate that sleep 5.

The value resorts sleep 4 and one infant if that works.

 

[mericletwins]

I would go with Ft Wilderness cabins if it is in the budget. If not that, then two rooms in a value or moderate so everyone isn't awake. There are also the family suites at one of the All Stars, Music I think. This would be nice with the kids and the baby because it gives you a little kitchenette that has a mini fridge and micro. It also gives two bathrooms and two rooms. The bigger kids could be on the pull out in the living area and you, DW and baby could be in the bedroom. That would probably be my choice after the cabins.

As far as heat, would someone be willing to stay back at the resort with the baby during the afternoon? That would help a lot with the heat. Or maybe all of you go back to the resort for the afternoon for swimming and take turns with the baby in the room. FT Wilderness has a lot of shade, but I don't know if it is shady by the pool so that you could have the baby in the shade by the pool while the bigger kids swam. I'm sure someone that has knowledge of the pool area there will chime in.

 

[chrisw127]

Space-wise and budget-wise, the cabins are the way to go. You can be as loud as you want and your neighbors (probably) won't hear you. We had some issues with the cabin itself, but found that for us, the complaints about transportation in the park were not an issue. Even though we will probably go WL next time, our five-year old now refuses to stay anyplace but the cabins!

One thing, with a baby that small, you can do a lot of things with the baby in a sling. We saw lots of babies in the park just sleeping and relaxing in theirs. I really like the Maya Wrap for tiny babies when the weather is hot (we live in NC). The material really breathes. I think they're about $39 online.

 

[Going Broke]

We just very recently had the same dilemma. We found that getting connecting rooms at a value was more cost effective and COMFORTABLE than some of the other options. That way you won't all be in the same room during those unpredictable night time feedings for the baby. Good luck. Our baby was 4-1/2 months on our trip last Aug. Our experience was, the baby was the easiest traveler! We had more complaining from the 6 & 7 year olds! Also, use the baby swap! Your other kids will get to ride two times in a row, once with each parent! Also, that was our second time taking a baby under 5 mos!

 

[ElizabethB]

You could get two connecting rooms at any value resort. That way, you can close the door between the rooms so it's less disruptive when the baby cries. One of the family suites at All Star Music would also work.

The Fort Wilderness cabins would work as well, although when we stayed there, we found the transportation situation to be very difficult to deal with -- and it would be even harder with two kids in strollers. You have to rent a golf cart, or take a bus, to the bus or boat that takes you to the parks. We won't stay at the cabins again due to inconvenient transportation options.

The most comfortable option would be a one-bedroom villa at a Disney Vacation property -- preferably the Wilderness Lodge villas if you plan to spend most of your time at Magic Kingdom. You can rent points from a member, although this option is very expensive on the weekends. You can also book directly with Centre Reservations. That is expensive, but there are discounts available.

I would probably stay at the Contemporary, so you'd be within walking distance of Magic Kingdom and have the monorail to take you to Epcot. Given it will be very hot, having a quick walk or monorail ride back to your hotel from MK would be great. Mom could take the baby back for a feeding/nap while Dad and the older kids stay in MK. The garden wing rooms can be quite reasonably priced with a discount. You'd have only one room, but the rooms are large and comfortable. There is a separate bathroom and also a separate toilet room beyond the bathroom area. So, some separation from a crying baby is possible by closing the doors. Also, there are sliding glass doors and a patio for each room that is located on the first floor of the garden wing. It might be possible to take the baby out on the patio for feedings at night.

Just a few thoughts.