Family of Six, best value?

[MIDisneyFamily]

OK, We want to go the WDW and not break the rules this time. We have 2 adults, and 4 kids, all over 3 y/o. Without going bankrupt, whats the best option for us to stay on the property. We are going in Mid to Late August. We think our only possibilty is the All Star Music Famiy Suite. Any one have any better or cheaper ideas? Thanks in advance. anyone know passholder possiblities that far out, I there are any?

 

[Monty]

OK, We want to go the WDW and not break the rules this time. We have 2 adults, and 4 kids, all over 3 y/o. Without going bankrupt, whats the best option for us to stay on the property. We are going in Mid to Late August. We think our only possibilty is the All Star Music Famiy Suite. Any one have any better or cheaper ideas? Thanks in advance. anyone know passholder possiblities that far out, I there are any?

I would start by contacting Kingdom Konsultants, they're familiar with the occupancy levels for different rooms. I think that you might not need a Value Suite, depending on how big the kids are and whether they'll share a bed... They have rooms that "sleep 5" that you might be able to add a ______ to... I honestly don't know for sure.

I'm sure you won't be the first to ask KK...

 

[mousefan1972]

The cabins at Fort Wilderness sleep 6. That would be the more affordable option, compared to a 2 bedroom villa at one of the DVC resorts. :shrug:

 

[MIDisneyFamily]

The last two time we went, we just didnt register the two youngest at POP. The're getting bigger, and we might need more room. And if the EMH policy changes, we might need all of us to have resort keys. I will get a hold of them. I always get scolded for posting our "4 not 6" guest in a room method. But this will more than double our room cost easily over the 10 nights, just to be newly honest. The Fort Wilderness cabins, are more expensive than the All Star Suites, but are chaeper than any Villa. And i heard getting around there to the busses or pool is a pain with kids.

 

[DisneyJoe]

2 rooms at a Value resort are less expensive than the All-Star Music Family suite and would be your best priced option.

 

[MIDisneyFamily]

2 rooms at a Value resort are less expensive than the All-Star Music Family suite and would be your best priced option.

They told me they dont guarantee ajoining rooms at the All Stars with two adults in the same party. We thought of that, except for that being seperated thing. Anyone know how to get a connect, or at least side by side room guaranteed?

 

[Monty]

They told me they dont guarantee ajoining rooms at the All Stars with two adults in the same party. We thought of that, except for that being seperated thing. Anyone know how to get a connect, or at least side by side room guaranteed?

Unfortunately, special requests are never guaranteed at resorts. That said, they're usually fairly accommodating. If you were prepared, in a pinch to sleep with one adult in each room, chances are it wouldn't be necessary.

 

[lighteningqueen]

All star suites by far..... They have the one queen bedroom and a tv in the bedroom then there are 2 FULL BATHS and the living room. sleeps 4 if they are children. 2 adults and one child slept in ours. We cannot sleep in a full size so we took the 1 twin bed for my husband and the grandson wanted his own twin so we put him in that one and I took the full couch,. It is so nice to come in have enough bathrooms and then sit on a couch and chairs to watch tv or talk about the day. It cost us 200.00 with tax I think so its the best value. Especially the 2 tvs, when the son in law is all about sports and we arn't. Plus the kitchen area was so great we kept items for breakfast in there used the micro for popcorn snacks. We will not spend the extra money for a villa or higher priced Hotel when you can get this value and spend the money on souveniers from the park. The pool was a great asset as well. Dont forget now, that they charge you according to the season so if one or two days are in the middle of your stay they will be more expensive or cheaper for part. It is no longer one price unless you happen to be going totally in the time period that is value season, busy season etc..

 

[One Lil Spark]

I'm in a family of 6 as well. Last time all 6 of us went together we opted for a 6 person Cabin at Fort Wilderness. I was the oldest kid checking in at 20 and the youngest kid was 10. We all fit comfortably and because of the kitchen, we were able to bring drinks, snacks, breakfast food, etc with no hassle or worry. It was peaceful, quiet, private, and yet convenient to bus stops, parks, dining, etc. It's also quite economical and I think it would be well worth it for you to look into booking.

Here's the floor plan (top picture):

Here's a picture of the exterior of a cabin:

 

[Coree]

Perhaps the rules have changed, but the last time we went and had two "juniors" (young kids) in a room by themselves WDW guaranteed the connecting rooms. It was the only time they'll guarantee connecting rooms.

 

[wdwmomof3]

2 rooms at a Value resort are less expensive than the All-Star Music Family suite and would be your best priced option.

I would go with two rooms, and then hunt like crazy for a discount code to save you some money off of that price when it gets closer to time. I saved almost 700.00 dollars. I couldn't believe it.

When we arrived at ASMusic, our rooms were not together but they quickly fixed it for us. They should do the same for you if that happens.

 

[MIDisneyFamily]

Two more questions. besides AAA or an AP discount, what other discounts are there for a family from Michigan not in the Military, and not a school teacher, and not a florida resident, and do not have a bounce back coupon.
Witrh discounts two rooms do sound best cost wise, I still havent heard of any real discounts on the Family Suites, and the FW Cabins are near $300/night. And they're just not what were looking far as far as the busses and pool convienience.

 

[coltow]

They told me they dont guarantee ajoining rooms at the All Stars with two adults in the same party. We thought of that, except for that being seperated thing. Anyone know how to get a connect, or at least side by side room guaranteed?

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but I thought I remembered reading a post form "JPVONDRAKE" awhile back where they do guarantee connecting rooms if you have children. I'm sure at check in they would do their best to get you a connecting room any how or at least rooms next to each other.

 

[Master Yoda]

Your top 3 on property options in order from least to most expensive will be 2 rooms at a value, a value suite and then the cabins at Ft Wilderness.

If the first 2 options will not work for you then this would be one of those rare times that I would recommend you to look into some off property options. You can rent full houses or condos only a few minutes from the parks for considerably less than the Ft wilderness cabins. The down side is you will need a car.

 

[MIDisneyFamily]

Your top 3 on property options in order from least to most expensive will be 2 rooms at a value, a value suite and then the cabins at Ft Wilderness.

If the first 2 options will not work for you then this would be one of those rare times that I would recommend you to look into some off property options. You can rent full houses or condos only a few minutes from the parks for considerably less than the Ft wilderness cabins. The down side is you will need a car.

We couldnt stay off property, We like the late night EMH too much.And it just isnt the same thing.....We did look into though just to see
Thanks Master Yoda, your advice is always wise.....well wise alot anyway

 

[wdwmomof3]

Two more questions. besides AAA or an AP discount, what other discounts are there for a family from Michigan not in the Military, and not a school teacher, and not a florida resident, and do not have a bounce back coupon.
Witrh discounts two rooms do sound best cost wise, I still havent heard of any real discounts on the Family Suites, and the FW Cabins are near $300/night. And they're just not what were looking far as far as the busses and pool convienience.

I checked themouseforless.com everyday until one was there. They would not use the code on a suite but they let me change it to two rooms and use the code.

 

[slappy magoo]

FW cabins are more expensive then getting connecting value rooms or a vale suite, bt the full kitchen might afford you the option of saving a lot of money on food. 2 adults and 6 kids, even a single counter service meal could get over 50 bucks. There are local markets that will deliver groceries. Plan some "at home meals" (even if it's simple stuff like pasta or pizzas, cold cut lunches, cereal muffins & fruit for breakfasts) and stock up on snacks, too. It still might not be the bare-bones cheapest option, but maybe just maybe a more pleasurable one, a dfferent type of WDW vacation than what you might be used to, and one you'd really like. More things for families to do there, the campfires, the movies, ust playing basketball or tennis. And of course, there's something really neat about having ferry service to MK.

I know it's not the answer you were looking for, and I certainly understand the desire and/or need to cut costs. I hope my suggestion isn't as jerky as "Aw, go for a 2 br villa at beach club and charge it, to hell with tomorrow haw de haw haw, that's what rotating credit is for." I just happen to think there's a value in the FW cabins that goes beyond dollars and cents, and there's plenty of opportunities to make one work within one's budget. The cabin would probably be like $70 more a night, but if you could average a savings of 50 bucks a night by using the kitchen, you've possibly got a much nicer homier, familial vacation for only 20 more a night. Looking on this board alone, I see FAR more unpleasant experience comments with value resorts then I do FW cabins. Granted, there are more value rooms than FW cabins, so the ratio of negative comments may still be proportionate. But with so many stories of school groups, youth tour groups, & athletic groups acting like barely-chaperoned zoo animals at value resorts, paying more for a cabin and balancing it out with "home-cooked meals" would certainly appeal to me. Just throwing it out there.

 

[MIDisneyFamily]

We have stayed at POP twice, and ASMmovies twice, and never ever saw any "hooligans" running wilde anywhere. We dont spend much time in the rooms, were at the parks from open to close for the most part. Were park junkies, and spend every minute there pretty much. just the occasional swim when we get back each night.

 

[Disneykidder]

We also are park people. We leave early and come back late and swim each night to cool off and relax. Stayed at Pop and ALL Sports. Sports had the barbarack baseball teams from other countries and were rude and disrespectful. When they left, a few days before us, the resort was much more enjoyable. It was peaceful, fun and clean. Pop was awesome, fun and clean the whole time we were there. I have stayed at 3 Mods, too and loved them all. Other than the teams for a few days, no complaints at any resort.

No matter which you choose, you will have the greatest time with your family in the most magical place on earth!!

 

[disneydudette]

I would consider either the Family Suites or Cabins at FW; we like both for different reasons.

The cabins are a really great idea but we don't really care for the sleeping arrangements, bathrooms set up, or loop location. The cabins are located on the loops farthest from the Lake/boat launch to the MK and are a good walking distance from the main resort amentities. Without a car, we don't really care for the busing system/transportation; you basically need to take two buses to get to a park, one from your stop to a depot, and one from the depot to the park. The cabin's do have their advantages though but for $255 a night, we can't justify the costs over a Family Suite at All Star Music.

The Family Suites have a seperate living area with Queen bed (cabin only has double) which is an ideal "parent retreat" at the end of the night. The room features a desk, sitting chair, additional television and private door. The living area features 3 pullouts: chair, ottoman, and sofa; providing comfortable seperate sleeping arrangements in one area of the room and another television. The suite features two full bathrooms (cabin only has 1) which is great for trying to get ready in the morning. The kitchenette provides you with a small fridge, microwave, and sink which is great for a quick morning breakfast, cold lunch, and evening snack! These suites are located in the 4 closest buildings to the main building/main pool of All Star Music with a simple resort layout resulting in short walks (2-5mins tops).

We loved our stay at ASmu. The pool hosted daily pool games and evening pool side movies on an inflatable screen (they also played wii games) and we never had an issue with bus transportation (with exception to long waits at closing which can be expected at any resort). It was perfect for our needs and we love the amentities of the suite.