Change from the Poly? Family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids)

[my523]

Long backstory, but I've asked for help on resort/ room before. Grandparents had lots of restrictions, which led us to book a Poly studio. But, now, they will not be able to go on the trip with us. My family will still go. My family is 2 adults and 4 kids (2.5, 5, 7, 10).
However, I'm wondering if it would be better if we switch resorts to have more space, now that we won't have the second room to use at all. Will the Poly studio be too cramped? We were sort of planning on using the extra bathroom for the pack n play or have the 2.5 yr old share the twin murphy bed with a sibling. I anticipate, we will spend most all day in the parks, but don't really know exactly how everyone will fare, considering it is the first visit (and maybe only) for us. Not sure if it's worth it to switch at this point/ if anther resort would be better for us.

I've looked at availability for our dates, and our options are:

• 2 connecting rooms at an All Star (would we get connecting for sure?)
• 2 connecting rooms at POR or POFQ (I'm not a huge fan of the theming on this one, though )
• 2 connecting rooms at CS
• AoA family suite
• 1 BR at OKW
• 1 BR SSR
• Stick with Poly studio

I'm leaning towards the OKW or SSR rooms bc of the fact that it isn't connecting rooms, plus has a washer/dryer! Any help, thoughts, or experiences at the above resorts with little kids would be helpful!

 

[redboat45]

I'd switch if you can. The extra bathroom (the one without the toilet) will be too small to fit a pack n play in. It's just a sink and shower. The room itself is a decent size so it "might" be ok but probably VERY tight with 6 of you! If you really want to stay in that room still you might consider giving the 10 year old the twin murphy and have the other 3 share the other bed.

 

[Marionnette]

Long backstory, but I've asked for help on resort/ room before. Grandparents had lots of restrictions, which led us to book a Poly studio. But, now, they will not be able to go on the trip with us. My family will still go. My family is 2 adults and 4 kids (2.5, 5, 7, 10).
However, I'm wondering if it would be better if we switch resorts to have more space, now that we won't have the second room to use at all. Will the Poly studio be too cramped? We were sort of planning on using the extra bathroom for the pack n play or have the 2.5 yr old share the twin murphy bed with a sibling. I anticipate, we will spend most all day in the parks, but don't really know exactly how everyone will fare, considering it is the first visit (and maybe only) for us. Not sure if it's worth it to switch at this point/ if anther resort would be better for us.

I've looked at availability for our dates, and our options are:

• 2 connecting rooms at an All Star (would we get connecting for sure?)
• AoA family suite
• 1 BR at OKW
• 1 BR SSR
• Stick with Poly studio

Any help, thoughts, or experiences at the above resorts with little kids would be helpful!

I wouldn't put 6 people in a Poly studio. Just too crowded. The Murphy bunk is smaller than a regular twin bed and would not be comfortable to share.

I would favor the OKW 1 BR if you have a car. Having a full kitchen and laundry right in the room is invaluable. However, the resort is very large, spread out and you will need to take a bus to everything - including the feature pool and restaurant - if you don't have a car.

My second choice would be the AoA family suite. That gets you two separate rooms, a kitchenette and Skyliner access to 2 parks.

Connecting rooms at the Allstars are not guaranteed. You can make the request but it's just a request.

SSR is nice for access to Disney Springs and the rooms all have the murphy sofa beds. But the rooms are not as big as OKW. It's also a very big resort and you will have to rely on the internal bus transportation to get around it if you don't have a car.

 

[CharlotteStreet]

If you haven’t stayed at the Poly before, I think you should do it now while you can. When that 2.5 year old gets a little bigger you’ll have to go with connecting rooms or suites. It will be a little cramped but the location/ambiance can’t be beat. As a mom of 4 (including 2 teens), I miss the days when we could cram into a 5 person studio!

 

[Anthony1971]

If you are looking for space OKW is absolutely the way to go. with a 1br my second choice would be AKL Kidani village in a similar price range because it has 2 bathrooms. Less space than OKW but a second bathroom is nice to have. Poly DVC studios are very nice but with 6 you will find it hard to find storage I am not sure if a pack and play will will fit in the second shower room but I can assure you all the draws in that space will be needed.

 

[HopperFan]

Connecting rooms are not guaranteed for you. No way I chance that. If you go that route, pack clothes according to which adult and kids will sleep in each room.

For me a washer & dryer is a HUGE perk!! Especially the packing less.

Honestly your kids would LOVE Art of Animation!

I agree with @Marionnette

 

[Dug720]

• 2 connecting rooms at an All Star (would we get connecting for sure?)
• 2 connecting rooms at POR or POFQ (I'm not a huge fan of the theming on this one, though )
• 2 connecting rooms at CS

Connecting would only be a request, not guaranteed. They will try, but since there are 2 adults, if they cannot get them connecting, you'd be expected to split up between the rooms.

The only way to guarantee you're all together outside of keeping a studio would be a family suite or a 1 or 2 BR.

 

[Boopuff]

We did 5 in a Poly studio and quite frankly, it stunk. Nowhere to move around, the bathroom situation is just poorly planned (why only 1 toilet?) We did AOA and loved it. Two full bathrooms, fun theme. I'd also suggest with a big family (as said above) OKW/SSR will have a bit extra space and washer/dryer!

 

[my523]

I wouldn't put 6 people in a Poly studio. Just too crowded. The Murphy bunk is smaller than a regular twin bed and would not be comfortable to share.

I would favor the OKW 1 BR if you have a car. Having a full kitchen and laundry right in the room is invaluable. However, the resort is very large, spread out and you will need to take a bus to everything - including the feature pool and restaurant - if you don't have a car.

My second choice would be the AoA family suite. That gets you two separate rooms, a kitchenette and Skyliner access to 2 parks.

Connecting rooms at the Allstars are not guaranteed. You can make the request but it's just a request.

SSR is nice for access to Disney Springs and the rooms all have the murphy sofa beds. But the rooms are not as big as OKW. It's also a very big resort and you will have to rely on the internal bus transportation to get around it if you don't have a car.

Very helpful, thank you!

We plan on flying and will NOT have a car. So, not sure if you’d still recommend OKW and SSR? I did see that they both look spread out with multiple bus stops. How is transportation within those?

 

[my523]

If you haven’t stayed at the Poly before, I think you should do it now while you can. When that 2.5 year old gets a little bigger you’ll have to go with connecting rooms or suites. It will be a little cramped but the location/ambiance can’t be beat. As a mom of 4 (including 2 teens), I miss the days when we could cram into a 5 person studio!

Did you feel like you had enough storage for all your things (stroller, etc.) and getting ready space?

 

[Marionnette]

Very helpful, thank you!

We plan on flying and will NOT have a car. So, not sure if you’d still recommend OKW and SSR? I did see that they both look spread out with multiple bus stops. How is transportation within those?

Transportation is as good as any other resort. I really love OKW but having to take a bus to get to Hospitality House and the feature pool can be a real drag. There's something about getting on a bus in bathing suits that just makes me cringe. The resort was designed as your "home away from home" and using the kitchen for meals rather than dining at TS or QS was expected. So there are no other TS locations around the property and only a couple QS. There's boat service to Disney Springs.

SSR is similar but with smaller rooms and balconies. And it has 2 feature pools. Disney Springs is walkable from SSR and there is also boat service.

People stay at both resorts without a car all of the time. But getting around is much easier if you have one.

 

[meremac]

There's some misinformation here about connecting rooms. You actually would be guaranteed connecting rooms since you are two parents traveling with children who are all under the age of 18. This is the only scenario under which connecting rooms is guaranteed. You just need to call and tell them when you're booking. They can even put both rooms under the same confirmation number.

 

[PrincessGenie]

With children the age of yours I would suggest BLT 1 bedroom. The Magic Kingdom will be their primary interest and BLT can't be beat for easy access to the MK. It also has the added extra bathroom.

 

[Willow1213]

• 1 BR SSR
• Stick with Poly studio

I'm leaning towards the OKW or SSR rooms bc of the fact that it isn't connecting rooms, plus has a washer/dryer! Any help, thoughts, or experiences at the above resorts with little kids would be helpful!

I'm going to be the dissent on this one.

We have stayed in a Poly studio with our toddler, and the pack n play DOES fit in the small secondary bathroom with the shower. It worked great for us. It will be tight, but workable. With a family of your size, it will likely be your only chance to do Poly without 2 pricey rooms.

The reason I said SSR 1 bedroom is because of their recent renovations and inclusion of the pulldown sleeper beds. You would have a king bed, a queen murphy bed, and a single murphy bed. Plenty of room for all the kiddos, and still space to put the pack n play if you wanted to. The full kitchen and laundry in a 1 bed is also a game changer.

OKW has the additional sq footage, but one child would sleep on a pullout chair, and 2 on a pullout sofa. Little one would still be in a pack n play.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There's some misinformation here about connecting rooms. You actually would be guaranteed connecting rooms since you are two parents traveling with children who are all under the age of 18. This is the only scenario under which connecting rooms is guaranteed. You just need to call and tell them when you're booking. They can even put both rooms under the same confirmation number.

There are people on this thread who have failed to get connecting rooms in this exact scenario. There is truly no guarantee.

 

[CharlotteStreet]

Did you feel like you had enough storage for all your things (stroller, etc.) and getting ready space?

I think we stayed there for a couple nights before a cruise, and so I put what we needed for that part of the trip in separate packing cubes, which I put in the drawers, and I kept everything else in the suitcases under the bed. I remember there being quite a bit of room under the bed. We just had a little umbrella stroller which fit in the closet. I don't remember the bathroom space being a problem.

I agree with whoever said AofA is great for families. It's true. But at some point (soon) AofA and similar setups will be your only option, so I'd rough it in the studio now while you still can I think with a little one, the convenience of the monorail is pretty hard to beat.

 

[meremac]

There are people on this thread who have failed to get connecting rooms in this exact scenario. There is truly no guarantee.

If you call and have them put both rooms under the same confirmation number, there is absolutely a guarantee provided that 1) There is no more than one adult in each room; 2) All of the children are under the age of 18; and 3) The resort they've chosen would not otherwise accommodate a family that large in the same room. I've done it countless times for clients. I've been told every time that they are guaranteed connecting rooms, and it's never failed.

An added bonus: When both rooms are under the same confirmation number, only one deposit is required!

 

[nonnadisney]

The bottom line is do you want more space? Then pick SSR, OWK or AoA. Or do you want the convenience of the monorail to go back to the resort ( Poly) for a break. Also if you plan on going to MK more often the monorail is so wonderful! With 4 little kids you will have to go with AoA or All Star Music fam suite soon enough. You might want to try the Poly now while you can.

 

[my523]

We have stayed in a Poly studio with our toddler, and the pack n play DOES fit in the small secondary bathroom with the shower. It worked great for us. It will be tight, but workable. With a family of your size, it will likely be your only chance to do Poly without 2 pricey rooms.

Yes, I have seen pictures on this board of the pack n play in the bathroom. However, that does take away a bathroom and storage space.


There are lots of conflicting views on connecting rooms being a guarantee.

I watched some resort videos on OKW and SSR and it looks WAY spread out, although the SSR 1BR looks super appealing. Wondering if the room is worth the downfall of the resort layout.

Feels like it’s AoA vs Poly, with a maybe on the SSR 1BR.

 

[meremac]

There are lots of conflicting views on connecting rooms being a guarantee.

Honestly, if you decide that you would really prefer to do two rooms at a value/mod, I'd recommend just calling Disney. Tell them your situation, ask them to put both rooms under the same confirmation number (this is key, plus then you'll only have to pay one $200 deposit even though you have two rooms), and then just ask them if you would be guaranteed connecting rooms. If the CM you talk to initially doesn't seem to know how to put both rooms under the same confirmation number, I'd recommend ending the call and calling back.

Once your rooms are under the same confirmation number, your "thank you for making reservations" e-mail will look a little different than normal. All of you will be listed together as if you were in one room. There will be one total, one deposit, and one balance. This is designed to ensure that your rooms are connecting.

On the other hand, if this seems like more hassle and stress than you want to deal with (which I totally understand) one of the other options you've been considering might be a better fit for you. They are all great choices, but I really do like a PP's point that you will be limited to family suites and villas pretty soon (assuming you don't want to book two rooms), so this might be the perfect time to try Poly out!