Sleeping arrangements, value resort, 3 yr old & 9 mo old

[Suwithoutane]

Hi all!
We're headed to Disney next December with our then 3yr old and 9 month old daughters. My SIl is potentially joining us. I know we will fit based on the occupancy rules, but was wondering what people had done to accommodate different bedtimes, where/if a pack n play would fit, etc. I'd prefer to stay on property, but the value resorts are really the only ones in our budget. Thanks!

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Hi all!
We're headed to Disney next December with our then 3yr old and 9 month old daughters. My SIl is potentially joining us. I know we will fit based on the occupancy rules, but was wondering what people had done to accommodate different bedtimes, where/if a pack n play would fit, etc. I'd prefer to stay on property, but the value resorts are really the only ones in our budget. Thanks!

You guys sound a lot like us!

At Caribbean Beach last year, we set up the Pack n' Play in the front half of the bathroom so we could give our son (then 9 months) could be kept behind the curtain since he went to bed earlier than the rest of us.

Now, this April, my daughter (4) got to pick where we stayed and she chose The Little Mermaid - AoA.

Playing around with the scale layout online, it looks like the Pack n Play should still fit behind the curtain. A Pack n Play is 1/4 the size of a double bed. We are going with myself, my wife, my mother (nanny!), plus my daughter and son. It's going to be a little tight, but we'll make it work.

 

[Weather_Lady]

You say you'd "prefer to stay on property, but the value resorts are really the only ones in [your] budget." In point of fact, the Disney value resorts are considered to be on property, and you'll have all the same on-property perks (e.g., bus transportation to the parks, extra magic hours, early FP+ reservation window, etc.) that those in a deluxe resort are getting. This also includes a pack-n-play and sheets on request (assuming availability -- it's best to make the request in advance of your trip).

Still, 5 people (even if 2 are little) is going to be a little bit of a squeeze! The Pack 'n Play can be placed near the door, or in the bathroom vanity area... (There's some info. here: http://blog.touringplans.com/2013/0...d-hotel-room-getting-to-know-the-pack-n-play/)

To accommodate bedtimes (and you'll want to keep them fairly close to what they are at home), I actually suggest going to bed right around the time the kids do. (We found that thanks to all the exercise we were getting at WDW and our desire to get up early for rope drop, we were tired enough to get to sleep around 8:30pm, the same time as our kids! If DH wasn't tired yet, he'd just sit in a chair with his Kindle and read for awhile.) If you can't fall asleep that early, have one adult stay in the room to keep an eye on the kids while the other 2 go for a stroll or even visit a park. (You can rotate who has to stay each night.) If it's in the budget and you'd like to have an "adults evening out" for the three of you, you can try one of the reputable babysitting services (Kids' Night Out is one I hear mentioned often) in the WDW area, who can supervise the kids right in your room, at bedtime and after.

 

[Suwithoutane]

Yes, I definitely mis-spoke (typed?) making it sound like the value were off-property, I was trying to word that we couldn't upgrade to get more space (mod, deluxe) and that if we wouldn't fit in a value we'd have to consider looking off-property. Prego brain!

Thanks to both of you for the tips!

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Yes, I definitely mis-spoke (typed?) making it sound like the value were off-property, I was trying to word that we couldn't upgrade to get more space (mod, deluxe) and that if we wouldn't fit in a value we'd have to consider looking off-property. Prego brain!

Thanks to both of you for the tips!

No worries! Not to get too nosy, but is Value the only option for your budget pricing rack rate, or with discounts? The only reason I ask is that with the current discounts (25% off most Moderates), those mods come close to the Values rack rate.

We called in last year to boom AoA - TLM (my daughter has an Ariel obsession...), and it was actually only $40 or so dollars more ($40 total over 7 nights) to move up to Caribbean Beach.

 

[Suwithoutane]

I'm trying not to assume too many discounts since I've heard a few times that with the slight upturn in the economy, Disney won't have to try as hard to get people in there, but I was factoring in their "standard" discount rate of 10-15% off rack for value vs 20-25% off moderate. I also have a huge family, and depending on how many people end up tagging along, we'll need multiple rooms and all that, so we're trying to be a price conscious as possible, especially when some people are arguing pretty hard for the cheaper rates off-property. I think they're crazy since I'd hate to stay off, but it's easier to just show them that the cost is the same.

 

[lilclerk]

I'm trying not to assume too many discounts since I've heard a few times that with the slight upturn in the economy, Disney won't have to try as hard to get people in there, but I was factoring in their "standard" discount rate of 10-15% off rack for value vs 20-25% off moderate. I also have a huge family, and depending on how many people end up tagging along, we'll need multiple rooms and all that, so we're trying to be a price conscious as possible, especially when some people are arguing pretty hard for the cheaper rates off-property. I think they're crazy since I'd hate to stay off, but it's easier to just show them that the cost is the same.

When pricing off property, make sure you also factor in the price of rental cars, and parking at the parks every day =)
Though with a large group, you may also want to look at renting a vacation home. It could end up being a lot cheaper and more comfortable, even with cars/parking.

 

[Suwithoutane]

When pricing off property, make sure you also factor in the price of rental cars, and parking at the parks every day =)
Though with a large group, you may also want to look at renting a vacation home. It could end up being a lot cheaper and more comfortable, even with cars/parking.

Definitely! We are driving, but did factor in parking, resort fees, taxes, etc. The only reason we aren't talking about bigger spaces (sleep 6, 8, 10 etc) is because my husband and I would like to book our vacation and be all set, and the other people are up in the air and I'd hate to have a large space booked and have the others end up not coming. Such drama, I know!!

 

[luv]

I'd put the crib by the sink and pull the curtain. The curtain isn't floor-to-ceiling, so light will still come through. Those Value rooms are really small, so it's just a matter of a few feet away. Also, anyone needing to use the restroom will have to push the curtain open to get in there and the noise from the toilet will be very close to the baby.

Just some food for thought - I know you want to stay in a Disney hotel, but you all might be so much more comfortable in a condo with bedrooms, baths, living room, kitchen, patio. You guys are going to be really crammed together in a Disney Value room!

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I am.traveling with a 15 month old in September and picked Caribbean beach for the extra space n quieter for her to setup it was only 300 more than pop but I'm also stayinf for 2 weeks

 

[Nemo14]

I'd put the crib by the sink and pull the curtain. The curtain isn't floor-to-ceiling, so light will still come through. Those Value rooms are really small, so it's just a matter of a few feet away. Also, anyone needing to use the restroom will have to push the curtain open to get in there and the noise from the toilet will be very close to the baby.

Just some food for thought - I know you want to stay in a Disney hotel, but you all might be so much more comfortable in a condo with bedrooms, baths, living room, kitchen, patio. You guys are going to be really crammed together in a Disney Value room!

I totally agree - especially since you'll have a car anyway. You can rent a 3 bedroom condo for under $100 per night, and have plenty of space and privacy. Also remember that you'll be charged extra at any of the hotels because you have more than 2 adults in the room.