What to do when you have a large family

[DWVol]

Two years ago we went to DW and my son was only 1 and my two daughters were 4. Last year our trip was cancelled due to covid, and now our son will be 3 and daughters will be 6 when we hopefully get to go back this summer. It didn't occur to me at the time that certain rooms would not be available since room size only allows for 4 people in a room.

Currently we have a 5th sleeper room at Caribbean Beach resort reserved for this summer. My question though is what do those of you with larger families do about your hotel reservations. I want to keep staying on property as long as we can, but I don't want to price myself out of being able to take a trip each year. If it is easier (cheaper) for us to stay off property let me know what I should be looking into for the future.

What do you do with a large family? Where on property do you stay?

Thanks for the help!

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

The reason we bought DVC was because we had 3 kids, since it provides more options for larger families. Aside from DVC (purchasing yourself or renting points) there are a few options, one of them is to change the time of year you travel to an off-season if you don't already do so. As far as staying on property with 5, The Ft. Wilderness cabins sleep 6 (5 comfortably in my opinion), Art of Animation and All Star Music have the family suites. Some Port Orleans rooms are similar to CB and have a trundle for the 5th person. You can also book 2 adjoining rooms at Pop or the All Stars.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

Rent 2 standard rooms, A family suite, or look into DVC.
Otherwise you may want to look at off property and rent a house is that ends up being a more economical option for you.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Buy DVC, rent DVC, book cash DVC room, stay at Bonnet Creek.

 

[MamaBelle4]

If I did not buy DVC, there is no way I'd spend the money to stay on site as a large family myself (7 person family, plus we usually have travel companions).

Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa is not too far from the parks. We stayed in a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom with full kitchen and laundry room in 2014 for $900 for a full week.

 

[DWVol]

The reason we bought DVC was because we had 3 kids, since it provides more options for larger families. Aside from DVC (purchasing yourself or renting points) there are a few options, one of them is to change the time of year you travel to an off-season if you don't already do so. As far as staying on property with 5, The Ft. Wilderness cabins sleep 6 (5 comfortably in my opinion), Art of Animation and All Star Music have the family suites. Some Port Orleans rooms are similar to CB and have a trundle for the 5th person. You can also book 2 adjoining rooms at Pop or the All Stars.

If I did not buy DVC, there is no way I'd spend the money to stay on site as a large family myself (7 person family, plus we usually have travel companions).

Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa is not too far from the parks. We stayed in a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom with full kitchen and laundry room in 2014 for $900 for a full week.

Buy DVC, rent DVC, book cash DVC room, stay at Bonnet Creek.

I have some questions on DVC then. If we buy a resale DVC plan does that end up being cheaper than hotel stays, or is it better to buy the DVC outright from the beginning? If we are spending 5-6k (including DDP) on a trip am I doing it wrong? I'm sure that I am. I am a veteran, but I do not have access to shades of green or military salute. Is there something else I need to be looking at then? Sorry for so many questions... there will be more!

 

[5Tulips]

We have three kids, ages 8-13, and were very comfortable at Yacht Club. We will head back there next trip.

We’ve also rented houses at Windsor Hills and have enjoyed those stays too.

 

[happymommy]

We stopped all sharing one room when my kids were about 7 & 9 or so, and found that we sleep much better if it’s all 4 of us in two rooms. That being said, Disney can’t guarantee connecting rooms, so even if you go Value and get two rooms, it might not work well.

Have you looked into the Swan or Dolphin? They have some suites, Alcove rooms that have a sofa sleeper, or sometimes a deal with a discount on the second room. I’m not sure if they guarantee connecting ones for that deal still, but they used to do so (think it’s best to call regarding that). They have some decent rates, much better than the Disney Epcot resorts. Only consideration is if you’re flying in then you would have to arrange your own airport transportation (some car services will have a booster seat).

Off site works for many families as well, and there are a plethora of nearby resorts. The downside is most have little to no transport to the parks, so it’s best to have a car. You will have to pay for parking at the theme parks, so factoring in the rental and that, may still offer savings.

I agree looking into the cabins might be a fun option; it would give you more space than a moderate resort hotel room. Plus, a kitchen for snacks, which is a bonus with kids!

 

[nkereina]

Be mindful that if you book two standard rooms anywhere, you are not guaranteed connecting rooms. The expectation would be that you and your spouse would split up with the children in the event they cannot give you connecting rooms.

IMO, you can still get away with family suites or 5th sleeper rooms while the kids are young. When they reach older ages where they take up more space and grow out of the size of the 5th sleeper bed (roughly 12+), then offsite becomes more appealing both from a cost perspective and space perspective. DVC is also a good on-site option if you can swing it. Renting points for DVC is a viable option, but comes with payment and cancelation requirements that don't always work for everyone.

 

[DWVol]

We stopped all sharing one room when my kids were about 7 & 9 or so, and found that we sleep much better if it’s all 4 of us in two rooms. That being said, Disney can’t guarantee connecting rooms, so even if you go Value and get two rooms, it might not work well.

Have you looked into the Swan or Dolphin? They have some suites, Alcove rooms that have a sofa sleeper, or sometimes a deal with a discount on the second room. I’m not sure if they guarantee connecting ones for that deal still, but they used to do so (think it’s best to call regarding that). They have some decent rates, much better than the Disney Epcot resorts. Only consideration is if you’re flying in then you would have to arrange your own airport transportation (some car services will have a booster seat).

Off site works for many families as well, and there are a plethora of nearby resorts. The downside is most have little to no transport to the parks, so it’s best to have a car. You will have to pay for parking at the theme parks, so factoring in the rental and that, may still offer savings.

I agree looking into the cabins might be a fun option; it would give you more space than a moderate resort hotel room. Plus, a kitchen for snacks, which is a bonus with kids!

Thank you for this information! How much more are you looking to pay when getting multiple rooms? I have thought about this, however the risk of having two rooms and them not being adjoining is too great when my kids are so young as of right now. I will look at the swan and dolphin now. Can you still get the DDP if you stay at those resorts?

 

[happymommy]

Thank you for this information! How much more are you looking to pay when getting multiple rooms? I have thought about this, however the risk of having two rooms and them not being adjoining is too great when my kids are so young as of right now. I will look at the swan and dolphin now. Can you still get the DDP if you stay at those resorts?

You can look at the Swan and Dolphin’s website to get rate information, but I’d call to ask about connecting rooms to see if they guarantee them. I admit, it might cost more than the one room you have booked, though. I just found we all slept better if we had more space.

No, they never participated in the dining plan, but that’s not a concern right now as the dining plan has been suspended with no information about if or when it might resume.

Edited to add: on the Swan and Dolphin website, they state the “Stay Connected” for a second room starts at $99/night plus resort fee. If you book one room, then you call 888-828-8850 to book the “Stay Connected” extra room. I’d only do that if they guarantee it’s actually connecting, but also you can compare the “family rooms” (used to be called Alcove rooms). I thought the Dolphin had them with two double beds plus a sofa sleeper, but I can’t find that on their website now.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

I have some questions on DVC then. If we buy a resale DVC plan does that end up being cheaper than hotel stays, or is it better to buy the DVC outright from the beginning? If we are spending 5-6k (including DDP) on a trip am I doing it wrong? I'm sure that I am. I am a veteran, but I do not have access to shades of green or military salute. Is there something else I need to be looking at then? Sorry for so many questions... there will be more!

DVC does wind up being cheaper than regular hotel stays, but you aren't getting regular hotel rooms. With a DVC studio you get a kitchenette and access to the laundry facilities but you don't get daily housekeeping (only every 4 days for a full cleaning). With a 1 bedroom you sometimes get an additional bathroom but you also have a full kitchen, washer and dryer. Some DVC owners still get the DDP (we occasionally do) but we use the kitchen or kitchenette to prep meals as a way to save money. You also have to keep your annual dues in mind as that will wind up costing more than the initial price of DVC over the life of your DVC membership. Some DVC members enjoy more resort days and spend less time in the parks and less money on tickets. There is a DVC section here on the disboards that can answer some of your questions and give you more to think about.

 

[pinkxray]

We are a family of 5. We stayed at Poly, GF, YC and Dolphin with no issues. We also have two girls and 1 boy. Girls get the bed and boy takes the little bed. I wouldn’t see any issues for us until they are teens maybe with staying in one room.
We did just buy DVC but otherwise had trips planned at FW cabins and CBR. Whenever POR opens they have rooms for 5 too. We would stay at any of these until the kids are bigger, maybe teens and need more space.

 

[DWVol]

We are a family of 5. We stayed at Poly, GF, YC and Dolphin with no issues. We also have two girls and 1 boy. Girls get the bed and boy takes the little bed. I wouldn’t see any issues for us until they are teens maybe with staying in one room.
We did just buy DVC but otherwise had trips planned at FW cabins and CBR. Whenever POR opens they have rooms for 5 too. We would stay at any of these until the kids are bigger, maybe teens and need more space.

Just curious, did you buy them resale or through disney, and how many points did you get?

 

[Dug720]

however the risk of having two rooms and them not being adjoining i

Then of course, they could be adjoining but NOT connect - and if you've requested "adjoining" they will politely let you know that your request has in face been granted.

When making hotel reservations anywhere and wanting to request rooms with a door between them, you need to use the word CONNECTING. Adjoining can be across the hall, around the corner, or next to each other, but no door between them. In other words, the easiest way to remember it for requests is this: all connecting rooms adjoinin, but not all adjoining rooms connect.

 

[pinkxray]

I bought resale. 100pt at SSR over the summer. We are the process of adding another 30 pts at BWV resale.

We tend to do either long weekends for RunDisney weekends or if we do a week trip we stay onsite at Universal for a few days so we don’t have as many points as some people.

 

[DWVol]

Then of course, they could be adjoining but NOT connect - and if you've requested "adjoining" they will politely let you know that your request has in face been granted.

When making hotel reservations anywhere and wanting to request rooms with a door between them, you need to use the word CONNECTING. Adjoining can be across the hall, around the corner, or next to each other, but no door between them. In other words, the easiest way to remember it for requests is this: all connecting rooms adjoinin, but not all adjoining rooms connect.

GREAT POINT! Thank you.

 

[DWVol]

I bought resale. 100pt at SSR over the summer. We are the process of adding another 30 pts at BWV resale.

We tend to do either long weekends for RunDisney weekends or if we do a week trip we stay onsite at Universal for a few days so we don’t have as many points as some people.

Do you think it is better to accumulate points from various resorts or have more at one resort?

 

[pinkxray]

Just curious, did you buy them resale or through disney, and how many points did you get?

Do you think it is better to accumulate points from various resorts or have more at one resort?

Everyone is different on how they use their dvc. For us, we like SSR points are for longer family trips. The more we go, the more we spend time at the resort and SSR is a great resort to spend time at.

However, I also love RunDisney weekends and staying at an EPCOt resort for those. The add on at BWV is specifically for quick weekend where we will be in EPCOt and DHS. Booking a studio at BWV in the fall is hard so you need to own there. I didn’t want all BWV bc it expires in 2042.

If you do want to check out DVC and if it might work for you, check out the Purchasing DVC threads. They are extremely helpful figuring out all things DVC.

 

[DWVol]

Everyone is different on how they use their dvc. For us, we like SSR points are for longer family trips. The more we go, the more we spend time at the resort and SSR is a great resort to spend time at.

However, I also love RunDisney weekends and staying at an EPCOt resort for those. The add on at BWV is specifically for quick weekend where we will be in EPCOt and DHS. Booking a studio at BWV in the fall is hard so you need to own there. I didn’t want all BWV bc it expires in 2042.

If you do want to check out DVC and if it might work for you, check out the Purchasing DVC threads. They are extremely helpful figuring out all things DVC.

Thank you so much!