Lodging for Family of Six -- Help

[ISUBob]

I can't tell you how difficult it is to find affordable lodging at a moderate or deluxe resort for a family of six without paying through the nose. We were at Disney last summer and stayed at All-Star Sports -- needed two rooms because of six people. It was fine, and we enjoyed the All-Star Sports. We had adjoining rooms and just left the door open in between. However, for an upcoming trip in December, we'd like to try something different. Any suggestions for a moderate or deluxe that can handle a family of six affordably? Most places I've looked at you have to get the top-end suite in order to have six people, or two rooms, which usually costs more than the suite. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge look great, but finding that place to stay for six is difficult. We may try another value resort and get two rooms again, but would like to try something at a moderate or deluxe. Any thoughts are appreciated

 

[tigsmom]

The WL has what used to be called a Jr Suite (now a Deluxe room I believe) and they worked out well for my BIL & his family. There are two queen size beds in the bedroom and a fold out in the living room. They are more expensive, but that is the only way he could stay at that resort.

 

[Yanks07]

I am pretty sure that Pop Century now has family suites, might be worth looking into. :wave:

 

[mousermerf]

What about the Cabins at Ft. Wilderness?

 

[ritchie56]

Do you have to stay on-site? For a family that size, I would look into a vacation home. About the same price as one moderate room gets you a three or four bedroom house with your own pool. It's a great alternative for those with large families.

 

[jesserin]

Here are a couple of choices for you-

The AKL and the WL both have Deluxe rooms which sleep 6 - they are usually better priced than going the 2 room method...

The Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista is a gorgeous resort that I have stayed at (with my family of 6) for years - get a Lanai Suite for a better view - I love this resort b/c it provides complimentary transportation to the WDW parks and also has a full cooked to order breakfast every morning - which saved us alot! And a free managers reception with free cocktails and chips or popcorn... - Not to mention the rooms usually run around $150 a night - so that's some big savings as well...

Another option would be the Wilderness Lodge Cabins - those aren't too bad - for around $300 a night they would allow your family to stretch out a little more and possibly save some $$ if you make your own breakfasts instead of eating out each day...


All in all - a family of 6 just isn't cheap at WDW - but if you plan it right you can come up with something that's not too outrageous!

Hope this helps a little!

 

[Trishnh]

I am right there with you...

We are also a family of six so we go through the same thing!! We find 2 rooms at a moderate works best for us. We have priced suites and larger rooms in the deluxe hotels and they are much more money than the 2 room route. We also stayed at the cabins at FW and that was pretty good--they sleep 6 (a double bed, bunk beds and a murphy bed) and they also have a full kitchen which is nice in theory but we never used:lol: :king: I am on vacation!! The biggest problem we had with the cabins is there is NO storage space for clothing!! They have one TINY 2 drawer end table in the bedroom and that is it. We had to put our clothes in the kitchen cabinets! They really need to figure out something better since they sleep 6! The other advantage of 2 rooms is 2 bathrooms which is always nice:animwink: O just strive to get the best rate I can so 2 rooms is not too expensive.

 

[Enderikari]

Put me down as a vote for the Cabins as well, they are designed to sleep 6, so sounds just about perfect... Just be sure to research FWR&C before signing in, depending on the location of your cabin, you may need to also rent a golfcart.

 

[ISUBob]

Two bathrooms a plus

Interesting...two bathrooms is a plus, I guess I didn't realize that from last summer. The cabins sound nice but I've heard that the place is so expansive that it's hard to get around. And what are the costs for a golf cart? Two rooms at a moderate is much more expensive than at an all-star. I guess it boils down to where you want to spend the money. Frankly, I wish there was a more affordable room at Wilderness or Animal Kingdom Lodge for that larger family.

 

[Enderikari]

Reposted from Allearsnet.com

The 407 Wilderness Cabins (WC) are about 12' x 42'. There is a wood deck outside, with a picnic table and a charcoal grill. Inside, the cabins are laid out as follows: starting at one end: bedroom with with double bed, bunk beds, a nightstand, a chest of drawers, separate vanity with wall-mounted hairdryer, closet space; full bathroom with tub/shower; hall closet; full kitchen with amenities listed below; living area with color television and a VCR, a dining table that seats six, sofa, kids table and two chairs, pull-down Murphy bed, window seats, telephone, locked cabinet (safe).

Kitchen includes:
full-size refrigerator with icemaker
electric stove
microwave
dishwasher
1 4-cup coffee maker (with 1 filter-pack of coffee)
1 10 cup coffee maker (stored in cupboard)
toaster
tea kettle
flatware for 6: forks, salad forks, teaspoons, soups spoons, knives and steak knives
dinnerware for 6: mugs, cereal bowls, dinner plates, dessert plates
6 handled mason jar glasses
1 serving spoon
1 glass measuring cup
1 2 qt. pitcher
1 2 qt. casserole with lid
1 glass baking dish
1 oval platter
manual can opener
bottle opener
corkscrew
cutting board
bread knife
ladle
spatula
1 12" skillet
1 1 qt. saucepan with lid
1 2 qt. saucepan with lid
Dutch oven with lid
metal colander
spoon rest
2 potholders
2 sponges
4 cloth dish towels
fire extinguisher (under sink)
packets of dishwasher soap
liquid dish soap
paper towels (under sink)
trash bags (under sink)

NOT INCLUDED are salt, pepper, sugar (or sweetener), coffee, coffee filters, or small drinking glasses for the bathroom.

Bedroom Features:
wall-mounted hair dryer
vacuum cleaner
iron
ironing board
2 extra pillows
extra blanket

Hall Closet:
portable crib with sheet
broom
dustpan
sponge mop

Fort Wilderness is a large resort area. The Fort Wilderness map says the campground is "one mile as the crow flies" long but some say it's more like 1.5 miles long, one-half mile wide. There are internal buses running within the campground to get you to the marina, the Trading Posts, pools, etc., but bus waits can be up to 20 minutes. It is very much of an advantage time-wise to either have bicycles or to have the electric golf carts. Carts can be rented for $44/day (or $12/hour) at the Bike Barn (407-824-2742); however, the supply is limited so call ahead to reserve a cart. Fort Wilderness carts may be reserved up to one year in advance.

 

[Trishnh]

Fort Wilderness is a large resort area. The Fort Wilderness map says the campground is "one mile as the crow flies" long but some say it's more like 1.5 miles long, one-half mile wide. There are internal buses running within the campground to get you to the marina, the Trading Posts, pools, etc., but bus waits can be up to 20 minutes. It is very much of an advantage time-wise to either have bicycles or to have the electric golf carts. Carts can be rented for $44/day (or $12/hour) at the Bike Barn (407-824-2742); however, the supply is limited so call ahead to reserve a cart. Fort Wilderness carts may be reserved up to one year in advance.

The problem we had with the golf carts is they only fit 4 people--again a disadvantage for a larger family, and they can get very pricey. We were worried about the internal bus system especially since we have a daughter who uses a wheelchair but it actually worked out OK. We didnt usually have to wait that long for a bus.

as for the price of a moderate vs value, they are more expensive and that is why I scope everything out to get the best rate possible--we usually buy 1 annual pass to get the best rate. I would also love to see more affordable accomodations for larger families--not everyone has 1.2 kids

 

[Nicole]

I'm staying at the cabins on my trip in nine days!! I will give you a report when I get back. Yes its more expensive than two values, but you get the full kitchen. With my AP I'm paying $192 per night which is just about what I'd pay for two rooms at a moderate.

 

[Nansafan]

Have you looked at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs or one of the other DVC properties? They can accommodate parties up to 12 and are cheaper than 2 deluxe rooms. We travel in a parties with a minimum of 5 so we are usually looking at 2 rooms.

 

[ISUBob]

No car...

Not interested in a place that you'd need a vehicle to get around. The bus system worked great for us last summer. Are either Old Key West or Saratoga Springs on property...have a bus?

 

[AshAlytwins]

I'm staying at the cabins on my trip in nine days!! I will give you a report when I get back. Yes its more expensive than two values, but you get the full kitchen. With my AP I'm paying $192 per night which is just about what I'd pay for two rooms at a moderate.

Please post a report. We are looking for something different this November when we go....looking forward to how you enjoyed the cabins!!!
Oh....have fun!!!

 

[spike595]

Both OKW and Saratoga are on property in the Downtown Disney/Epcot area. They have 2 bedroom villas that start at $490. I'm not sure if you can get a better deal through package pricing or not.

 

[Tinkershelly]

I don't think that the rumoured Value Suites at the All Stars will be of help for you for this trip, but I am going to be interested in what comes of them. As I understand it, there are a couple of "model suites" that are available to view, but not to book yet. From the reports it looks like they will accomodate up to six people and include a kitchenette and one bathroom. It looks like they are small, I guess that the area of two value rooms equals one value suite. I'm hoping that these model suites generate enough interest that Disney will run with this project and perhaps complete POP's Legendary Years resort as value suites.

Just my opinion.

Tink

 

[ConstanceIrene]

I went to the WDW website to look for a ballpark figure. For a party of 6 with 3 adults, 2 juniors and 1 child staying for 6 nights and 7 days in August, here are a couple of prices:

Coronado Springs Resort: $3785.00

Wilderness Lodge: $4387.00

Both figures include "Magic Your Way" tickets for the stay.

Of course, your party may be different in age and you may have different dates in mind, but it's just a starting figure.

Good luck!