How does 4 in a room work?

[Matt25]

Sorry if this sounds a little basic but we are a family of 4 (2 girls age 3 & 5) and when we holiday we usually have at least 2 bedrooms (this is what we did when we stayed on site at Disneyland Paris a few years ago - otherwise we have always stayed off site - usually in a villa).

I would love to stay on site in Florida, however Disney seems set up to accomodate a family of 4 (or even 5) in 1 room in 2 Queen beds... does this really work?

Surely this means the adults have to go to bed at the same time as the children doesn't it? (something we never do....)

Is it acceptable in Florida to put the kids to bed and then for the adults to leave the room (perhaps with a baby monitor or hotel reception listening in) to go to the hotel restaurant or the bar?

Are babysitters readily available in all hotels?

Are you guaranteed 2 Queen beds or do some rooms have a single King?

If we went for 2 adjoining rooms at a Disney Hotel are we guaranteed to get 2 rooms together (otherwise the second room would be useless)?

Sorry to ask all these probably stupid sounding questions but unless I can be reassured that the system would work for us we will probably always end up off site becase having several rooms makes for a very expensive break...

Many thanks

Matt

 

[epcotisbest]

Originally posted by Matt25

Is it acceptable in Florida to put the kids to bed and then for the adults to leave the room (perhaps with a baby monitor or hotel reception listening in) to go to the hotel restaurant or the bar?

You're kidding right? Leave a 3 and a 5 year old in the room while the parents go to a resturant or bar? Man, you need to grow up. This is not acceptable in Florida, or anywhere else in the free world.

Do you leave them alone if you have two rooms, or a villa?

I don't mean to sound harsh, but there is no excuse in even thinking about leaving children this young alone while the parents go out.

 

[marypoppins68]

Yes, leaving children, especially a 3 and a 5 year old, alone in a hotel room is definitely NOT acceptable. Parents who have done this before in Florida have been arrested and charged with child endangerment.

When you make your reservations you can request a room with 2 Queen beds. Most of the rooms come like this anyway. You can also request connecting rooms. Another option would be to pay more for a suite. You can get suites at the deluxe hotels.

As for babysitting, I know there are kids clubs at the Polynesian and at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where you can drop your kids off and pick them back up later. Also, there is a babysitting service available where someone will come to your room and watch your kids for you.

I'm guessing you're not from the US. When I was little and my family went on vacation we always all stayed in the same room, kids and parents together. That's why your question about leaving the kids alone seems so shocking.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Matt, I would suggest that if you would like to rooms to get a Jr. suite a the Wilderness lodge or a suite that offers 2 bedrooms. You can also stay at the villas and have 2 bedrooms. I would suggest staying at a deluxe hotel that offers child care or you can use one of the off site babysitting services that will come to your room and stay with the kids. There is a very good one called Sunshine which advertises on my website under links. If you need any help, please e-mail me @ pam@kingdomkonsultant.com

Pam

 

[tigsmom]

Can you say the word "balcony"? Sorry to sound harsh, but you have 2 very small children. DO NOT leave them alone in any hotel room...anywhere. Babysitters are availabe at an extra cost.(from off site, I believe). As far as 2 queens...ask for them when you make your reservations and you will get them. Should you go for 2 rooms you want connecting rooms (door between the 2) not adjoining rooms which may be across the hall.

I have 2 girls 8 & 15 and have always gotten 1 room. (2 queens) and never had a problem (other than the little one kicking the older one). When we are at Disney the kids are usually very tired and fall right to sleep and we are not far behind. If you need to unwind bring something from home (or pick up when you arrive...room service is also an option) and sit on the balcony and enjoy the atmosphere of WDW.

I never leave my kids alone , even at their ages. You never know when something might happen. Call me an over protective mom, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Matt25]

I'm amazed you guys are so shocked at the idea of leaving the kids in a hotel room as it is quite normal in many places we have visited....

For example Mark Warner holidays (a UK operator) has a system whereby you put the kids to bed in your hotel room and then go for dinner (at the hotel) or to the hotel bar 'signing the kids in' at reception. The reception staff then listen in on the kids every 15 minutes or so and come and let you know if they are talking or crying etc.

The adults don't leave the hotel restaurant or bar unless special arrangements have been made for a babysitter to take responsibility.

Other hotels we have been to have had arrangements for the room phone to be left off the hook and then reception monitor the noise in the room letting you know if the children wake up.

Sometimes we have asked for a room near the restaurant so we can hear the kids via our baby monitor if we leave the room while they get to sleep (2 way radio).

Of course we don't leave our kids alone in a villa but when we are in a hotel - so long as they are securly locked in the room and we are nearby and can keep an eye on them we have never found it necessary to sit in the same room as them at all times.

I had heard that there was a different view taken in Florida hence the question about babysitting / reception monitoring.

The balcony point is a good one though - if we could go outside to read etc while they went to sleep then this might be a good alternative. That hadn't occured to me as hotel rooms we have stayed in have rarely had a balcony or if they have it has always been too cold to use it (mainly Europe).

Sorry to rattle some of you guys - I guess the way we work in Europe is a litle more relaxed than in the US but just to reassure you we don't go far away from the kids or leave them unmonitored / babysat.

Your comments are interesting and useful.... keep them coming.

Matt

 

[kal1484]

When we went down when I was younger, me and my sister usually went to bed, and my parents, if not exhausted from the day, would watch tv or my mom would watch us while my dad went out for a walk, and vise versa. That or my grandparents would stay with us.

Never leave your kids alone down in Disney. Although it may be safe in other countries, here it is not.

Personally, I would never leave my child with anyone but disney, even if they were a highly responsible company.

If you have a baby monitor, and want to just, be out of the room, but don't have the money for a balcony room, you could book a room at Port Orleans Riverside, and as for a room in "alligator bayou" These room's don't have your own porch, but you can take the chairs from your room and put them on the walkway. You are infront of your own room, so no one can get in. I know that my parents said they had done that in the past.

 

[tigsmom]

Its not only Florida its the whole US. We just don't do things that way here. Hotel reception is too busy and not set up to monitor the rooms. Saw a home movie ...upper floor balcony. Small child pulls the chair over to look out. I wanted to jump thru the screen to grab the kid. The upper floor balconies in the Wilderness Lodge are solid. The only way a small child can see is to climb on a chair. Accidents do happen and the statistics are there to prove it. Please rethink your options. :wave:

 

[kal1484]

Originally posted by tigsmom
Its not only Florida its the whole US. We just don't do things that way here. Hotel reception is too busy and not set up to monitor the rooms. Saw a home movie ...upper floor balcony. Small child pulls the chair over to look out. I wanted to jump thru the screen to grab the kid. The upper floor balconies in the Wilderness Lodge are solid. The only way a small child can see is to climb on a chair. Accidents do happen and the statistics are there to prove it. Please rethink your options. :wave:

I'd never thought about that! Yikes!
The "balcony" at Port Orleans Riverside is like a walk-way and the farthest off the ground you are is about 2 feet.

 

[epcotisbest]

Originally posted by Matt25
I'm amazed you guys are so shocked at the idea of leaving the kids in a hotel room as it is quite normal in many places we have visited....

Then you're visiting the wrong places, dude...something is seriously wrong with a parent who would leave children this young alone, anywhere.

And you think they would be ok being monitored by reception every 15 minutes or so?...sad, very sad.

 

[Matt25]

Certainly looks as if there is a different outlook on these things in the US as compared to Europe...

As I said it is fairly common (or certainly not abnormal) for hotels to offer a baby (or child) listening service over here so the parents can use the hotel facilities. (Although perhaps less so in recent years as hotels become more reluctant to take any responsibility for this type of service).

Obviously this is not the norm in the US but that doesn't mean that there is something 'seriously wrong' with all the millions of parents who choose to use such facilities.

For details of the service I mentioned in my first post check out the company's website (and it is certainly not a cheap option):

http://www.markwarner.co.uk/childcare/baby_ski.htm

We have used them twice - it is a great company and there is certainly nothing seriously wrong with my parenting (and I do know a fair amount about childcare being qualified as a paediatrician/pediatrician....)

Matt

 

[tigsmom]

different cultures have different ways. I'm sure you do what you think is best for your children as I feel I do what is best for mine.
I'm sure you are a fine doctor (I myself am a nurse with 25 years exp.), we just have different views thats all. I'm sure you have treated many children who were the victims of innocent accidents.

 

[epcotisbest]

Originally posted by Matt25
Obviously this is not the norm in the US but that doesn't mean that there is something 'seriously wrong' with all the millions of parents who choose to use such facilities.

We have used them twice - it is a great company and there is certainly nothing seriously wrong with my parenting (and I do know a fair amount about childcare being qualified as a paediatrician/pediatrician....)

If you read my post closely, you will notice that I said that there is something seriously wrong with a parent who would leave children this young alone, anywhere. That is my opinion and I stand by it. I am not questioning your parenting skills or qualifications....but your lack of judgment. To leave a 3 and 5 year old alone, which is what you suggested in your first post on this thread...

Is it acceptable in Florida to put the kids to bed and then for the adults to leave the room (perhaps with a baby monitor or hotel reception listening in) to go to the hotel restaurant or the bar?

...is wrong no matter how you try to justify it. Please consider a babysitter. Here is a link to some childcare information if you would like some more info.
childcare at WDW

 

[barnum42]

Matt has raised a few hackles on this thread, including some “holier than thou replies”.

I’ll back him up in saying that it’s not unusual this side of the Atlantic to use baby-monitoring services. I recall when staying at Butlins holiday parks; parents could notify staff that they were going out in the evening. Staff would then monitor the chalets and should the parents need alerting illuminated signs would spring to life the various venues to alert the parents who can then get back to the kids PDQ. This was in the Eighties, so can’t say if it’s still in operation, but I would not be surprised if it is.

From what I read, Matt is not suggesting that they will leave the kids on a top floor with open balcony whilst they drive to Downtown Orlando to party the night away at Church Street Station. I think they just would like to nip downstairs to the hotel restaurant, not another world away.

 

[kal1484]

Matt- my best advice is just stay with the kids, and get, if possible, a suite, that way the kids can sleep while you and your wife can be up and about.

We all need to remember that all cultures are different. It might be okay here for me to point with one finger, but if I went somewhere else, I could be thrown in jail. A friend of mine lives somewhere overseas, and he agrees that leaving the children is normal.

 

[jordanyosh]

First of all Matt, Welcome to WDWMagic.

In spite of the welcome you got, this site is usually the friendliest. Hopefully folks didn't scare you away.

In answer to your questions, I would definitely think about a 1-bedroom villa at one of the deluxe DVC properties, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club or Boardwalk. I would suggest the Boardwalk because it will offer you many options. The one bedroom has a king in the bedroom and a comfortable queen sleeper sofa in the living room. This will allow for separate quarters.....

As you can see, the US has different laws concerning small children. Other posters have already suggested some good in-room babysitting services. When you holiday, if your youngest is 4, then you can use the on-site children's club offered at all the deluxe hotels...

Hope this helps.

 

[RogueHabit]

Being from the UK I would like to point out that it certainly IS NOT acceptable to leave young children unattended as described on the Mark Warner site.

I believe that it is actually an offence in Britain, under the child protection act.

Our eldest son is 7 and there is now way that I would leave him unattended, especially in a hotel room.

I was quite appalled by the suggestions on the Mark Warner Holidays website.

 

[Matt25]

Thanks for the interesting views - everyone has the right to their own opinion and if it is not generally felt acceptable to use baby/child listening whilst in Florida then so be it...

(I assume having the children in a connecting room is considered ok though?...)

I might even think twice about using the baby listening next time we go skiing with Mark Warner as well!!!

Now... can anyone tell me at what age children are allowed to travel in the front of a car without seatbelts in Florida?

only kidding ;-)

Matt

 

[djmatthews]

Being from the UK myself, I have never heard of "child listening services", I have stayed in many hotel chains up and down the country, and never seen anything about it - maybe its different across Europe, I don't agree with what Mark Warner holidays. I'm extremely surprised about this service, a very risky business move if you ask me, and something that could easily go wrong and cripple a company if it did. As a child my Grandma always looked after me - taking a relative away to look after your kids could be a good investment.

Personally, I wouldn't leave a child say under 14 for any period of time in a strange location or anywhere for that matter - there are far to many horror stories nowadays about kidnapping and so on, I'm always surprised to see groups of young girls say aged 10 around town by themselves, but hey each to our own. I was never aloud into town by myself until I was like 14.

To answer your question - get a villa, it will work out cheaper, look in a local paper for an advert; it will work out a lot cheaper. I think we paid around £800 for 2 weeks for a three bedroom villa; this shared by 6 was very cheap - cheaper than 3 hotel rooms. We did this privately rather than a tour operator.

If you can afford it and you want to stay on site - go with a suite or ajoining rooms, if you book early enough I'm sure you will get what you want.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

"Now... can anyone tell me at what age children are allowed to travel in the front of a car without seatbelts in Florida?

only kidding ;-)" - Matt

:lol: :lol: :lol: