Wishful thinkin'

[daisyyy]

I'm not a resort snob by any means.... I generally tell people that as long as it has a bed and a bathroom.. (and is in Orlando) that's all I need.... But... I wish there were more options for a larger family... (besides a family suite at the value resort or the cabins).... We really love the moderates... mostly because they have a fridge.. and a pool slide.... (not asking much)... (We also feel the moderates are a little less crowded, and the bus stops are usually one or two stops closer to the main entrances than the values are). Anyway... why doesn't Disney have this option... a family suite at a moderate??? We're not looking for all the bells n whistles of a deluxe... we like the food courts for breakfasts etc.. it's just not an option.

I know this really isn't a question.. just wondering if other people feel the same... if you ever see the posts about larger families, everyone says book 2 rooms at the value resort... We've stayed in the values many times in the past... we just prefer the moderates.

 

[Schmeck]

If you get two connecting rooms at a moderate, it is like a family suite - and you get two fridges!

 

[dizneechic]

I agree with you! While we're only a family of 5, one of my kids can't sleep in the same room as anyone else or he will stay up all night. We've tried 2 rooms and unless 4 of us are in 1 room with him in his own it doesn't work, but we have figured out the poor kid can sleep in a bathtub lined with blankets quite well. Granted it would be great if Disney was different than any other amusement park or vacation we've been on exhausting him so this wouldn't be an issue, but we're not willing to risk everyone's sanity on the trip hoping things will be different *this time*.

Needless to say we've resorted to renting a very nice Disney themed 4BR pool home off site and just made sure it had a full game room and anything else the kids may miss by not being in the hotel. It's certainly not the same as staying on site (we love WL), but for now it's what we needed to do to make it work for us.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you rent points, you get get a 2 bedroom villa for about the same price at 2 moderate rooms. We stayed at the BCV's during our last trip, and what a mistake - I can't staying in a regular room now. I think the room and resort were the highlights of the trip for my kids!

 

[Tiffany_PartyOf7]

Currently we get a room at a Deluxe. We love the Poly and can't see staying anywhere else.... Not sure what our options will be next time though LOL - we will have 2 adults, a 6 yr old, 4 yr old, 3 yr old, 2 yr old, and infant. LOL. We just HAVE to stay on monorail. LOL

 

[JUJU814]

Currently we get a room at a Deluxe. We love the Poly and can't see staying anywhere else.... Not sure what our options will be next time though LOL - we will have 2 adults, a 6 yr old, 4 yr old, 3 yr old, 2 yr old, and infant. LOL. We just HAVE to stay on monorail. LOL

We are a family of 5 so feel what you are saying! What we do, is one of us gets an annual pass ie: me and then I get the AP rate at either Poly or GF Last year we got GF for $298/night. This year we are getting Poly for $249/night..sleeps 5 Being at a monorail resort is a huge perk as well! Hey, time is money right?

I agree though...unless you only have 2 kids, you are so limited. Doesn't Disney realize this????

Julie

 

[Schmeck]

Try going to Europe, where most hotels sleep two to a room...

 

[*BTMRR*]

Try going to Europe, where most hotels sleep two to a room...

Very true. We're a family of 6 (all kids are under 10 years old) and in our travels we've encountered many hotels that would require us to get THREE rooms!

But OP, I do agree with you that it would be nice if there were more on-site options for larger families without having to pay the full price of two separate rooms.

 

[maxiesmom]

We are a family of 5 so feel what you are saying! What we do, is one of us gets an annual pass ie: me and then I get the AP rate at either Poly or GF Last year we got GF for $298/night. This year we are getting Poly for $249/night..sleeps 5 Being at a monorail resort is a huge perk as well! Hey, time is money right?

I agree though...unless you only have 2 kids, you are so limited. Doesn't Disney realize this????

Julie

Yes, but larger families are not the average family. So it makes no sense to have a whole lot of options for them. Keep in mind too that the Family Suites haven't been around all that long, so Disney has made more options available. It just doesn't make good business sense to cater to larger families too much.

OP-- As long as one of your kids is under the age of 3, you can fit into one room at POR. We have done a legal 6 before, and while it is tight, it is do-able.

 

[Tiffany_PartyOf7]

Although I do think large families are becoming more and more common.

 

[Leajess99]

Try going to Europe, where most hotels sleep two to a room...

And many of those rooms are quite small or they were when I was there.

 

[daisyyy]

Try going to Europe, where most hotels sleep two to a room...

I can't imagine... We've never been to Europe.. but if we did go... I would like it to be just me and DH... so in that case.. 2 in a room would be ok... For a nice romantic vacation.. without the kids... SOME DAY... more wishful thinkin'.... oh well.... I am just hoping that Disney would convert some of their rooms in the moderates to a family suite... (without having to rent 2 separate adjoining rooms)... I know it's not the norm for Disney.. but even if they just converted a small percentage of the rooms to accomodate the families that need the extra bed. I guess if things don't change, we'll end up trying to rent/ buy points.. I haven't the slightest clue how that works.. we really want to stay on property..

 

[JUJU814]

Yes, but larger families are not the average family. So it makes no sense to have a whole lot of options for them. Keep in mind too that the Family Suites haven't been around all that long, so Disney has made more options available. It just doesn't make good business sense to cater to larger families too much.

OP-- As long as one of your kids is under the age of 3, you can fit into one room at POR. We have done a legal 6 before, and while it is tight, it is do-able.

three kids is not a larger family. It's average, and as it is, you need to get a deluxe room if you all want to be in one room. I don't think that's right. why can't they have the 2 queens and a day bed in moderate or values? It's just a big $$ thing of course.

 

[Schmeck]

The family suites at ASM cost more than renting two standard rooms, and the only benefit is the kitchenette (fridge, sink, microwave?). Then the guest count goes from 8 to 6 as well. The moderates come with the fridge, have the sinks outside of the bathroom, so all that is missing is the microwave. I guess WDW could convert rooms and plunk a microwave down on a counter, but that reduces guest counts by 2 every time they do it.

 

[Aliceacc]

Disney has one moderate choice for families of 5: the trundle rooms at POR. So it's do-able.

Speaking as one of those families of 5: we're not looking for freebies, and we're not looking to do 5 as cheaply as 4. But a greater variety of options would be really nice.

We've been incredibly lucky. Last year we were able to stay at the Poly because we lucked into a 40% PIN; this year Disney offered the 4/3 deal and we were able to swing it again.

So for us, the trick has been incredible luck paired with an obsessive/compulsive hunt for bargains.

 

[maxiesmom]

three kids is not a larger family. It's average, and as it is, you need to get a deluxe room if you all want to be in one room. I don't think that's right. why can't they have the 2 queens and a day bed in moderate or values? It's just a big $$ thing of course.

Part of it has to do with the Fire Code. Resorts are set up to hold a finite number of people. You can't just add another fold out and call it good. You would have to redo a large part of each resort.

I have read that one of the reasons POR only allows 5 in the Alligator Bayou section is that those buildings are only 2 stories high. Maybe I'm off the mark, but I'm guessing Disney doesn't want to run around taking whole floors off of their resorts.Also, the AB buildings do not have elevators. Another factor.


Don't forget that the Deluxe rooms that hold 5 people are larger than most other rooms.

I don't think allowing more people into rooms at any resort is a simple as it may appear to be at first glance.

 

[Aliceacc]

I don't think allowing more people into rooms at any resort is a simple as it may appear to be at first glance.

Of course not. We know that the Disney people have fielded this question for years, and have come up with the solutions that will maximize their revenue... as much as we would love to think otherwise, that's their job. So they face the delicate balance of pleasing families of all sizes while still making their stockholders as much money as they reasonably can.

But in the realm of "wishful thinking"-- well, it would be nice!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

I know the mere mention of camping scares many people, but I don't mean camping in the traditional "tents and lanterns" kind of camping. We are also a family a five and hotel rooms just aren't made for us at a price we are willing to pay. So, when we come to Disney, we bring two bedrooms, a full bath, a full kitchen, three TVs, and an outdoor patio. The kids bring thier bikes, Fort Wildreness has recently refurbished the pool to add a slide and splash park. The people there have a sense of community so it is an incredibly friendly place to be. The boat ride to MK is short, you can see wishes from the beach... the list goes on.

So, you might try going to a local RV dealer and checking out some of the really cool RVs. If your family seems interested, there are several places that will bring an RV to FW, set it up and you can rent it and the site for about or less than two rooms at a value.

It's something to consider. We love coming back to the site after 6 or so hours in the park and having someplace to unwind, sip and adult beverage while relaxing in the shade. The kids aren't confined to one small area, so those that are tired can take a nap and those who aren't can watch a movie or ride a bike or.... well, whatever they feel like doing.

Frankly, I can't imagine being cooped up in an hotel room with my kids for a vacation, especially when you come to bedtime for the younger ones but maybe not for the oldest or Mom and Dad. And DH loves an afternoon nap in a hammock in the shade.

 

[daisyyy]

That actually could be fun... renting an RV and driving down to Fla... and "camping" (I'm not a tent and campfire type of girl...) But we did go to Hershey campground with friends once in their RV, and it was a lot of fun for a few days!. I can only imagine that Fort Wilderness is 10x better. that might be great. I wonder how much it cost to rent one / and a site / plus gas to drive one from PA to FLA? Can you bring pets? and I suppose you could cook... (if you wanted to) (if you rented a campsite / and bought park hoppers.. does that qualify you for the dining plan?)

 

[Ericandus]

We are also a family of 5! I have driven my DH CRAZY with all the different options we have had to try and figure out! ASMu suites may sound like a great option for families, but I hate the idea of ALL of my kids having to sleep on a fold out couch or chair for 10 days! Not to mention that the "trundle" beds at PO are TINY! So we have to get 2 rooms just for ONE extra child!? Right now we are wrestling between renting points for a DVC or staying off property. Off leproperty leaves us un-eligible for DDP, though. UGH! SOOO much of a headache trying to find the best option for the best price. Surely they could put single or even double murphy beds in some of the moderates...I thought Disney was supposed to be a reasonably priced vacation for "families" but only if you are a family of 4?? I feel your pain!!