Where to Stay with 5 and Half People?

[Everyyeardisney]

We are going in Dec for a long weekend and haven't deciaded where to stay yet. We are travelling with me, DH, Dh's dad, DH's mom, ds(3), and dd(1). I would rather not stay at a value resort. We are looking for what would suit us best. We don't mind staying in close quarters so staying together is the best bet for us money wise. Any ideas on what hotels would suit us best?
Thanks for all you ideas.

 

[karebear1]

ARe you looking for onsight recommendations?

 

[Everyyeardisney]

yes, we usually do 2 rooms at a value resort but since this trip will be a short one we thought we might stay at a moderate or a deluxe. Looking for 1 room that can accomodate all of us. Like 2 beds and a trundle, something like that. thank you.

 

[karebear1]

You could try any of the DVC properties. You'd have to get a 2 bedroom with crew though. The other option you have is a cabin at FW. I believe that that would be the onl;y option you'd have if you want to keep everyone in 1 room.

 

[zachary5]

I would highly recommend staying at FW in a cabin. They are great, there is plenty of room, easy transportation to the parks, and a very relaxing place to unwind after a long day of fun. My family of five stayed there last year and we had a great time and we were able to spread out some.

 

[decker96]

I am pretty sure that since your DD is only 1 you can stay at any resort that would accommodate 5, plus a baby in a crib. That is what the descriptions of the rooms say on the Disney website. I think you have to pay extra for more than two adults in a room though. POR sleeps 5, plus a baby, if you get a room with a trundle, but there really is not alot of floor space once you pull out the trundle (we stayed there in 2002). Probably the only place you could fit a pack n play would be in the sink area outside the bathroom and it would probably be in front of one of the sinks.
I know the deluxes are bigger, but we've never stayed in one (staying at the Poly next trip though!), so I don't know what the layout would be.

 

[michmouse]

I believe most of the deluxes, with the exception of WL and AKL, will accomodate 5 plus an infant. You may try Poly, GF, CR, BC/YC, or BW. The rooms have 2 queens plus a day bad.

 

[woody5]

I would get two rooms at a moderate. If you stay at a deluxe and then have to pay an extra $50 per night for the additional adults your one room will be quite expensive. Two rooms at a moderate are almost always less expensive than one room at a deluxe (except WL & AKL) even without the additional charge for the adults. Also you will then have four beds, two tv's and two bathrooms. I really liked CSR. All of the moderates are nice and each have their pros and cons. Pick a theme you like and get two rooms at a moderate.

 

[ellenmiele]

You could stay in a deluxe room (aka junior suite) at WL or at BWI. These rooms are not well-known and I have even been told by WDTC operator that they don't exist -- but they do! And the ones at BWI are concierge to boot! The layout is LR w/pull-out full/queen couch and a separate BR w/2 queen beds. One bathroom and a little wet bar w/fridge and coffee maker. The rooms are a few more $$ than standard rooms at WL or BWI (with BWI being more than WL because of the concierge service) but not as much $$ as two rooms -- and you'd have a little more space than trying to fit everyone in the regular deluxe resort room (5 guests plus one 3 or under in crib). I've stayed in the "junior suite/deluxe room" at WL and it was very nice and in Oct we're staying at BWI -- I've heard the deluxe room there is a little bigger than at WL and so far the concierge staff has been great help in planning our trip. Either way you can't go wrong!!

 

[maciec]

ellenmiele ... if the WDTC operator said that they don't exist how do you book one of the junior suites/deluxe room?

 

[ducklite]

The Junior Suites at the Wilderness Lodge would be your best bet in terms of space for the dollar. If I'm not mistaken they also come with a coffee maker and minifridge, and have at least semi-private sleeping accomodations.

Anne

 

[erikthewise]

If you're willing to pay for a Junior Suite at WL that would be great, but they're not cheap. Rack rate is $390 in value season. And it's unlikely you would get a good discount on a Dec weekend, when WL is very popular.

The Swan and Dolphin have similar rooms, and it may be easier to get a discount there.

I think the best bet is to follow decker96's suggestion of taking a standard deluxe resort room with a daybed at e.g. Polynesian, though it will be a little cramped. At least the monorail resorts have larger rooms. A FW cabin would provide more space.

The most economical option may be Doubletree Guest Suites near DD - just barely onsite. Their rooms sleep six with two double beds and a large sleeper sofa, and they are huge (about 600 sq ft). Not luxury but 3-star quality overall. I once stayed there for under $100.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would also get 2 rooms at a moderate. With the additional adult fees (15/person at the mods, 25/person at deluxe) one room at any resort would get expensive. For a moderate that would be $30/night extra fee and I'm not so sure that you'd be able to fit in one of the POR trundle rooms with the porta crib. I haven't done that, though, so don't know. We'd stayed at a deluxe with 5 people plus the porta crib and there was plenty of floor space, but we didn't have any extra fees since there were only 2 adults. That is doable, though, if you don't mind the extra $50/night fee. At least that way you'd be on the monorail. Actually, in your case, I'd look more into an offsite place with 2br, unless you won't have a car.

T&B

 

[abby&emmasmom]

I really understand your delima. We will be going in Dec. with my mom & dad with DH & DD's (4 & 1). We are a very close family and we vacation together often. Close quarters are fine with us too, but I hate the thought of paying the extra $50 for two adults in a room. I think we have decided to go for the 2 moderate rooms for Christmas, but we are also planning & saving (a lot) for a deluxe vacation next year in the Boardwalk villas (2 bedroom). For a family friendly resort, Disney doesn't have a lot of reasonably priced options for "big" families.