Hel,p with finding the right Disney resort for my family

[amypooh]

Hello there! Trying to plan a family trip next September and have a few questions. We will have 5 family members travelling: 2 adults, a five year old, a three year old, and a six month old.

I am trying to figure out the best accomodations for us. One option that we have is the Pop Century, but i am concerned that the room would be too small for that crew, especially considering we would need to haul a pack and play or use a crib, which takes up space. Is this a correct assumption?

If we are too big for the value resorts and need to head to the moderate, is there one moderate resort that stands out for kids? I know that we will take a day or two to chill out by the pool, my kids like slides but are too small for the larger slides, does one pool or another in this class stand out? What about other amenities that may make one resort more kid-friendly than another?

Thanks in advance!

 

[pinjim]

We have fallen in love with PO French Quarter. Very relaxing and the pool is my kids favorite. There is a sea surpant type water slide/themeing to the pool area, but the actual slide is maybe 30-40 feet long and not very steep in angel. I've seen many small children go down with mom or dad at the end to catch.
The rooms are a little bigger than the value resorts, which we've also stayed, but in the long run, our opinion is "how much time to you really spend in the room?"
Have run!

 

[Hakunamatata]

Hello there! Trying to plan a family trip next September and have a few questions. We will have 5 family members travelling: 2 adults, a five year old, a three year old, and a six month old.

I am trying to figure out the best accomodations for us. One option that we have is the Pop Century, but i am concerned that the room would be too small for that crew, especially considering we would need to haul a pack and play or use a crib, which takes up space. Is this a correct assumption?

If we are too big for the value resorts and need to head to the moderate, is there one moderate resort that stands out for kids? I know that we will take a day or two to chill out by the pool, my kids like slides but are too small for the larger slides, does one pool or another in this class stand out? What about other amenities that may make one resort more kid-friendly than another?

Thanks in advance!

I personally believe you can do two adults, two children, and an infant in Pop or an Allstar room. We were at Pop and Movies last November and a pack and play/portable crib from guest services does fit in the room. It all depends on how much time you plan on staying in the room. If you are the type that wants to hang out at the resorts more than go to the parks, I would not recomend it. If you spend most of your waking hours outside of your room, it will work just fine. The only thing I am not sure of is if they will let you do five in the room at Pop or the Allstars. I am sure someone on here can confirm that.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

One of the new family suites at the Value resorts might be the way to go, especially if you plan to do a lot of time at the resort. I would recommend a break in the middle of the day if you haven't done this trip before. It will go a long way to preserving sanity with small children! Have fun!

 

[amypooh]

Thanks for the responses!

Thank you all so much for the responses! My wife and i used to go to disney every 2-3 years and stay offsite, so this is new for us in that it will be our first with kids and staying onsite. I anticipate needing a day or tow as "break-time" with this crew.

I have not heard anything on the family suites at the value resorts. Where might i get more info on these, unless it is still believed that the rooms would be too small.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

There is info on the suites on All Ears. http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_asuites.htm They have pics of them also.

I hope you have a wonderful time with your family in WDW!!!!

 

[ljs1691]

We are actually staying at the Pop at the end of the month with 2 adults, 2 kids (9 and 7) and a six-month old. Having stayed at the Pop before, I'd say it should be fine. We are going to use the resort provided crib for the first time this trip but I can't imagine it being a problem to work around.

The value resorts are approx. 260 square feet and the moderates 314 square feet. I think the only thing that stands out to me other than the slightly larger room is the fact you have 2 sinks in the bathroom (except at CSR).

The family suites would get you lots more room and 2 bathrooms, and with an infant, the kitchenette might be the way to go.

I think it depends on your budget more than anything.

 

[RiversideBunny]

Consider Alligator Bayou rooms at Port Orleans Riverside. Check it out. Good luck.

 

[Alztybrn]

The only mod I have stayed at is CBR. We have been there the last 2 summers, last summer with a 6 y/o and 2 y/o. One advantage to the CBR is the rooms are slightly larger than the other Mods. There are also quiet pools around the entire resort that were great for our kids, as well as the main themed pool. Our kids loved playing on the beach, and they also had a playground on the beach as well. We also used a disney supplied pack and play. It was almost brand new. We were able to put it behind the curtain near the sinks so that he could nap/sleep and not be disturbed by others in the room. We loved the CBR and look forward to going back.

 

[slappy magoo]

According to allearsnet.com, there's a max occupancy of 4 people to a room at Pop. Don't know if they'd include a 6-month old in that configuration. And even if people here have stayed in a Value room with 4 people plus an infant in a crib, I'd strongly suggest calling WDW and finding out if this, indeed, kosher. It'd be incredibly awkward to get there and find out that they are now strictly enforcing the occupancy rules.

I'll admit I could be wrong. I'd be happy to be wrong.

Also, I checked out the fact sheets for all the moderate resorts over at allearsnet.com. The only mod fact-sheet that specifies that it's OK to have four people plus a child under 3 in a crib is the Carribbean Beach resort. I'm only regurgitating that info, so again, I'd suggest calling WDW hearing it from them what the policy is regarding occupancy.

As far as recommendations go (assuming I an indeed wrong and any value OR mod would allow 2 adults 2 kids and 1 infant in a crib), I'd say Pop Over All-Stars (unless you opt for an All-Star Suite), and because your kids are so young, POFQ in the mod range. I prefer PO-R, but because the grounds there are so expansive and winding, I would think it'd be easier to keep track of two little ones (while an infant is screaming in your ear & your mind is on so many other vacation-releated details) in POFQ's layout. The only disadvantage would be if they're afraid of the serpent slide in the pool, or the statues/masques of jesters you'll find in the New Orleans theming.

 

[Master Yoda]

You will be able to stay at any of the Value resorts in a standard room. Kids do not count as an "occupant" until they are 3 years old. Guest services will give you a pack and play crib at any of the resorts free of charge.

The room size will be a little cramp at the values but not unbearable.

The value suites IMHO are a little overpriced. They are priced slightly higher than 2 rooms at a value and no available discounts.

For a moderate resort I would highly recommend Port Orleans Riverside. They are the lowest price room on property that will accommodate a family of 5 so even though your party is only a party of 4 in the eyes of Disney you will have a little more room that at the one of the values. PORS also has a food court as well as a table service restaurant. Other activities available at PORS are surrey bikes, horse drawn carriage rides, boat rentals from paddle boats to pontoon boats canes pole fishing and multiple pools. PORS also has a water taxi to DTD.

 

[slappy magoo]

You will be able to stay at any of the Value resorts in a standard room. Kids do not count as an "occupant" until they are 3 years old. Guest services will give you a pack and play crib at any of the resorts free of charge.

The room size will be a little cramp at the values but not unbearable.

Like I said, I'd be happy to be wrong. Thanks for correcting me, and sorry if I caused any consternation.

 

[tunaman68]

The rooms at the Alligator Bayou Port Orleans Riverside were GREAT! The hotel and grounds are beautiful and the pool was great!

The trundle bed, double sinks and nice size rooms were great for our family of 4 (kids age 9 and 12).

In addition you have the ability to use the facilites at PORFQ which is a quick boat ride away. The slide there might be better for a younger kid, (the one at POR is actually long and pretty fast), but we loved this property and will stay there again.

We thought the All Stars were just too Motel 6 and chaotic for us where the Moderates seemed nicer, quieter and more Disneyesque.

 

[amypooh]

Thank you everyone for your advice!

In doing indepth research at all-ears and the posts above, I'm thinking of heading to the moderates (assuming that Disney adds in the meal plan in Sept.). Trying to decide between Coronado Springs and the Caribbean Beach (the theming on those two just pulls me in). Any pros / cons for either of these?

 

[Master Yoda]

Like I said, I'd be happy to be wrong. Thanks for correcting me, and sorry if I caused any consternation.

No problem what so ever. I have 3 girls so I had to become well versed in Disney's occupancy rules.

As to CS or CB it is really six of one half dozen of the other. Both resorts are huge so depending on your location you could have quite a haul to reach the restaurants. Amenities and room size at both are close to identical. CS has a conference center attached to it so depending if there is or is not a convention there during your visit it can book up rather quick.

 

[JimboJones123]

How good do your kids swim?

Pop is great because they have the Goofy Play Fountian and a dedicated Kids Pool. Water slides may be a bit too much for 3/5 yr olds.

We don't even go to the pools most days, just play in the fountians on the way back to the room.