Sleeping Arrangements

[MickeyMad]

Hi all - we like to stay at the WDW Dolphin as a family but now the family has an extra one meaning my son has a girlfriend I was wondering what to do about the sleeping arrangements? We like to Epcot Rosrts so would prefer to stay in that area, there would me myself, hubbie, daughter (20), son & girlfriend (23). Also we would like to do it as cheap as possible ( I know this resort is not that cheap but still!). Would the dining plan be a good option as well if we stayed in a Disney hotel rather than the Dolphin?

 

[luv]

Get two rooms. Those rooms are just not big enough for five adults.

Or stay in an offsite condo or house. The cost would be about the same, probably less than the Dolphin. And you'd have sooo much more space.

I don't know anything about dining plans except that they were always more than I would pay with an AP and TiW card.

 

[Worldlover71]

Two rooms or a suite are a definite must. I just got back from a trip with two adults and a teenager in one room and even that was a little tight. What about the new Art of Animation suites? They can sleep 6, have 3 separate sleeping areas and two bathrooms and probably cost around the same as a room in a delux resort.

 

[Hot Lava]

Are you also wondering about sleeping arrangements regarding your son and the girlfriend? I wasn't sure from your post. If you end up going the two rooms route, and you do not want them to share a sleeping space, the girls could have one room and your son in with you.

 

[MickeyMad]

Are you also wondering about sleeping arrangements regarding your son and the girlfriend? I wasn't sure from your post. If you end up going the two rooms route, and you do not want them to share a sleeping space, the girls could have one room and your son in with you.

Them sleeping together is fine, it was just a case of how we were going to fit 5 comfortably for sleeping and what would be the cheaper option bearing in mind still staying in the Epcot resort area.

 

[HollyAD]

Ok so I have to admit that I usually bring a blow up mattress when in a situation where an unexpected friend comes along. But in this situation I would probably just get two clue resort rooms to save a little money becaus I really do like pop century and hopefully get to try the new art of animation some trip. However I understand you love the dolphin and I do too! So have you looked into become a Starwood resorts member? My husbands job has employee incentives which give him corporate codes for discounts for Starwood resorts which own the dolphin. It brought the price down to about 170 plus resort fees and parking. They also offer an AARP rate so I'm not sure if they have discounts for aaa members but it is worth looking into. I used to use my aaa occasionally and would save a little money here or there on rooms. Recently I have just been using hotels.com and getting reward nights for staying 10 nights and booking with them. Good luck with your planning

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

Have you considered renting DVC (Disney Vacation Club) points?
Check out this link... they are a forum sponser and they rent points. http://www.dvc-resales.com/contact.htm
With 5 people you could stay in a one bedroom - some of the rooms have a pullout chair for the 5th person, but I don't think the EPCOT resorts do. But you would get a full kitchen, so you could do some cooking at the resort if that is something you are interested in.

 

[luv]

If you must stay right near Epcot, I'd think about DVC, too. I won't personally rent points from strangers on the Internet, but it can be booked straight through Disney, too. Get a one bedroom and a blow-up mattress for the fifth person.

You guys will be pretty miserable if you cram 5 adults into one room.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I'd look into a 2-bedroom villa, which will provide you with a separate bedroom for 2, a separate bedroom for 4, and a pull-out sofa in the main living area. If the girlfriend is not paying her own way, I'd have her bunk with your daughter. No sense making her look/feel like a paid escort.

 

[Disvillain63]

I'd say try renting DVC points. We rent from http://dvcrentalstore.com/ and have not had a problem. The EPCOT resorts have plenty of DVC rentals.

 

[RedDad]

With regard to the dining plan, it really depends on your plans for meals, eating habits and the time of year you go. With that many adults, I wouldn't do the DP unless it was during free dining, but then we can usually eat out of pocket for cheaper than the cost of the adult DP. Also depends on your priorities - are you more concerned with getting the best deal or convenience?

If you carefully plan your ADR's to maximize the benefits of the DP (ie., book lots of the more expensive restaurants), then it can be a good deal. Also, do you typically eat a CS & TS meal every day, and dessert at every TS meal? The one thing about the DP that you can't measure is convenience. If you'd like to have everything pre-paid, so no one is worrying about who pays for meals, then it may be a good idea.

Finally, if you're a nerd like me and like to know exactly how much OOP costs vs. the DP, you can use the famous spreadsheet...
http://seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon#!dining-plan-calculator/cxc0

 

[dreamfinder]

I'd definitely look into renting DVC points for a 2 BR. I'd wager that having 2 bathrooms will be greatly appreciated when getting ready in the AM. 2 rooms in the Swolphin may end up costing about the same. But those are going to be your only "legal" options for a party of 5 in the Epcot area.