5 in a room one is a 3 YEAR OLD

[jennyb]

When I was a kid we were 3 children and 2 adults we never were told we needed 2 rooms. For goodness sakes. WHY does disney get their panties in a bunch about this fact? My 3 year old is as big as my foot and they say 4 people per room. ALL 3 of my kids are not as big as an adult so how is it that we cannot share 1 room. Does anyone know of any suggestions.
No, i do not want 2 rooms at the Wilderness Lodge (can barely afford 1) or a room at the GF. Or suites, or conceirge. I cannot afford it. No I do not want POR when I want to stay near the castle for my 3 little girls. ages 3, 5 & 7. Please somebody help me!

[Polynesian Dweller]

Don't think anyone is going to be able to help you here unfortunately. The limits are actually about fire codes and Disney must legally abide by them. I believe the codes allow a variance for babes in arms, but a three year old isn't that. If the codes designate a maximum 4 in a room at the age levels then that's what Disney has to abide by.

[gnomelady]

To be honest 5 people in a room at POP Century would be a crowd even if 3 of them are kids. The rooms are just average size and it's 2 double beds. You couldn't even get a roll away in them. There maybe safety codes that if a room is a certain size it can't have over certain number of people in it. Check the AllStar didn't they recently update some of their rooms to suites? Riverside has trundle beds that might be an option. I can understand your fustration. I hope things work out. Keep us posted.

[chicade88]

You said you wanted to be near the castle which I believe would have to be a deluxe and unless I just hit a fluke in the system, I think you could stay at the Contemporary since their rooms have day beds. Someone else may come along here with more information but if you're looking for a deluxe anyway(to be near the castle), this seems like a good option.

[TiggeRia]

I believe that due to fire codes, you can only have up to four people in certain rooms. I'm pretty sure you can put five in rooms at the Poly, though.

[Tinkermom]

Where are you trying to stay? The Poly has rooms that sleep 5. We are a family of 5 and have stayed at the Poly. There were 2 queen beds and a daybed type sofa.

The Contemporary also offers rooms that sleep 5. Both of these resorts are "near the castle".

[VAdizneefan]

What about Fort Wilderness in a Wilderness Cabin? They hold 6 and are in the Magic Kingdom area. They might be a good fit for your family with the ages of your children.

PM me if you want more info.

[RPHX2NC]

Please don't flame me, I don't mean to upset anyone and don't take this personally. I will not suggest breaking any rules or fire codes. This is my rant.

I have this same issue. I do wonder why great wolf lodge which has the same room setup as WL will allow 5 per room. You should see how many people are allowed on our 19 foot ski boat, and our travel trailer sleeps more people than I know. We are a family of 5 in an inside room on a Carnival cruise, no problem. Talk about tight! Notice I said Carnival not Disney. Disney is twice the price. We can't do it X 5 people. That's the price of a car or a year of college.

We stayed at POR last year during free dining. Never again. Every "large family" in the world was there. NO choice. We had to stand holding sleeping 3 and 5 year old on all buses and waking up the 7 year old to walk. I was almost run over by an employee at night in a small truck thing on the winding path at night carrying my 3 year old. Screeching brakes and all. Pool packed, buses packed, eating packed. But what really gets me is the room is the same size as the CS was. I loved it there. I could choose a different time of year, except we are year round school and Sept is our break.

Why is it 2 rooms at a value? My kids can't sleep in a room by themselves. Only POR for moderate, or an expensive Deluxe. I think Disney is missing the boat. If I had 1 child I could afford the GF. AKL and WL the more reasonable of the deluxes only allow 4 per room.

By the way, people here on intercot are very well versed on Disney. On my cruise forum most people believe 4 per room unless deluxe. It has left a bad taste in my mouth. Any now all these extra package options, deluxe, platinum. Is it all about money?

I'll get flammed, I don't mind. PM me if you want. I feel better. But what has happened is I am looking outside Disney for vacations.

[coloradowendyl]

Due to Florida Fire code, the only moderate that sleeps 5 is Port Orleans Riverside with two double beds and a trundle bed. All Star Music family suites will accommodate 5 in the value category. A cabin at Fort Wilderness will sleep six.

For deluxes the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Yacht and Beach Club, and Boardwalk Inn sleep 5 in a room. Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge will sleep 4 per room.

The only resorts with actual castle views are the 3 monorail resorts: Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian. The theme park views at all three resorts are a higher price per night than a standard view room.

Wendy

[jennyb]

I appreciate all the comments but wow! the issues at Port Orleans definitely makes me think twice about that option! Right on the "money" that it seems to be the only viable monetary option for a family of 5. So its overcrowded, and probably crummy for whichever "adult" ends up in the trundle! Just curious, how does this miraculous "trundle bed" addition make a room safer for the addition of my three year old. Does this mean more square footage than the WL or AKL? Does the trundle transform into a fire fighting super soaker when extreme heat comes near it? Sounds like a whole lotta whooo haaaa to me! But hey we'll see what we can do...still love me some Dis... hate me some double talk. Get me city hall, Mickey Mouse, Donald <snip> Duck I'm an overbearing mom with disney lovin girls look out!

ps. why do the crs and aaa tell me that they are sold out for Contemporary, Poly and GF in the first 2 weeks of December. Still winter "value" season? Are there blocks that may be released in the future? Or are they completely booked up? Seriously, I think I'm being pushed out of the world!

[buzznwoodysmom]

Unfortunately if you insist on being "close to the castle" for your little girls your only options are Contemporary, Poly, Grand Flo, Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness Cabins. All of which have a high price. At WL you'll need either a deluxe room or two rooms and the cabins aren't a cheap option either. It all boils down to what you can afford or are willing to spend. If you don't want to stay any where else there isn't much you can do other than pay the price for where you want to stay. Otherwise you just have to do like everyone else who has more than 2 children, choose a different place to stay that may be more affordable. I am sure there are many people who would love to stay at many of the MK area resorts, especially the monorail resorts, but can't afford it. You could always look into renting points from a DVC member, but the only DVC resort in the MK area at this time is WL. You can get great deals on a one bedroom at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs that will allow you to have 5 people (they just won't provide the bedding for the extra person), but those are not near MK.

This is not directed at the OP, just a general pet peeve I have that has to do with this topic. I never understand when people say that they can't afford to pay for a bigger room to accomodate their family or they want to lie about the age of their just turned 3 year old because they just can't afford one more ticket. If that is the case these people can always wait one more year or 6 months to go so that they have more time to save money for the extra ticket/bigger room or whatever. WDW isn't going anywhere people! I was always taught that I couldn't have everything I wanted right when I wanted it! That seems to be a problem with people today. They don't want to wait for anything, everything has to be now. Sorry for the rant, I just needed to get that off my chest!

[TammiMcMan]

Originally Posted by jennyb

Just curious, how does this miraculous "trundle bed" addition make a room safer for the addition of my three year old. Does this mean more square footage than the WL or AKL? Does the trundle transform into a fire fighting super soaker when extreme heat comes near it?

Hopefully I'll be able to explain this correctly. Room size has nothing to do with room occupancy. The fire code has to do with the maximum number of people versus how wide hallways, corridors, stairways, etc. need to be for moving people out safely in an emergency.

I think the options for 5 to stay onsite were given earlier in this thread, or there are many off site locations which you could look into. Considering you want to be near the castle, those resorts include the Poly, GF and Contemporary. All of which fit 5 very comfortably in a standard room.

[TammiMcMan]

Originally Posted by jennyb

ps. why do the crs and aaa tell me that they are sold out for Contemporary, Poly and GF in the first 2 weeks of December. Still winter "value" season? Are there blocks that may be released in the future? Or are they completely booked up?

The first weekend in December is typically when they film the Christmas parade. This does impact availability at the monorail resorts. Most likely the rooms which aren't booked, are being held. You'll just have to be diligent in calling periodically and checking for cancellations.

[wendy*darling]

Originally Posted by jennyb

So its overcrowded, and probably crummy for whichever "adult" ends up in the trundle!

Just so you know- the trundle is not a full sized twin bed- it is smaller and designed for a child under 5ft tall. It is not meant for an adult.

Also- POR is a very popular resort- and the vast majority of families who stay there rave about it and return time and time again. And I am not talking only about families with 5 people.
If you go at the busiest times of the year- Easter Break, Christmas Week, summer vacation- any resort on property will be crowded, as will the parks, restautrants, etc.
So, please do not let the opinions of one dissatisfied person sway your opinion about Port Orleans- Riverside. Just do a search here on INTERCOT for POR and see how many very happy repeat visitors there are.
It is a very reasonable option for your family.

[jennyb]

seriously friends just venting. Please don't jump down my throat here. I was just pointing out the fact that i found some things a little silly/fishy and i was frustrated at a few hours of diligent research and receiving several totally different answers. I have had a VERY kind person named Wendy working this out with me from Intercot and MAGICAL JOURNEYS She has cleared up many issues for me. Honeys i do not have a problem staying in a moderate, or a value. I just want the best experience for my darling girls (what we are all here to do i think?). I am NOT cutting corners, I DO NOT break rules or encourage others to do so. I am not whining about prices on the monorail or sizes of rooms as there "ARE NO ROOMS AT THE INN" so to speak. I was venting about my LACK of options. I thought my comment was silly and did not mean to <snip> anyone off. I figured I could speak out about frustrations and not get my head bitten off. I apologize wholeheartedly and did not mean to offend. Honestly! Okay can someone stop this thread. People are mad at me and my warped sense of humor.

[RPHX2NC]

Originally Posted by TammiMcMan

Hopefully I'll be able to explain this correctly. Room size has nothing to do with room occupancy. The fire code has to do with the maximum number of people versus how wide hallways, corridors, stairways, etc. need to be for moving people out safely in an emergency.

I think the options for 5 to stay onsite were given earlier in this thread, or there are many off site locations which you could look into. Considering you want to be near the castle, those resorts include the Poly, GF and Contemporary. All of which fit 5 very comfortably in a standard room.

This fire code thing comes up every time someone says family of 5. "how wide hallways, corridors, stairways, etc. need to be for moving people out safely in an emergency." I have stayed at 2 moderates. CSR and POR both are designed the same way. The only difference is the carving on the porches, roofs, exterior "decorations." I have not stayed at CBR so maybe it is different. But both the layout of POR and CSR are rooms that connect directly to the outside causeway/sidewalk with stairs at the ends. These are the same floorplans only the decoration is different. There are no corridors. In case of fire you would step off the sidewalk down 8 to 12" into the landscaping to safety. There is an upstairs, just like CSR. The only time I feared for my safety making a quick exit was on disney buses.

[jonahbear2006]

I have this issue too. I have 4 kids who are all small. It can't be a firecode issue because if you told disney she were 2, she could stay in a crib, so it is all just a rule, I think, that makes them more money by the people that don't want to break rules. Technically, I dont understand what stops people from just buying a separate ticket and not telling disney about that child. I do not, in any way suggest this or condone it, but if they create rules that are going to be petty then they leave themselves wide open for people to want to break them, whether it be a financial choice for them or just plain out of spite. I wish there were a better answer.
I suggest you try to drive one year, and camp, in a really nice 3bdrm tent with all the comforts of home, in your tent. You may find that you really like this, and it is super cheap, AND AND AND>...... It is by the castle! A boat ride away and a jog away from WL. This is what we do. Also, you can split it up and stay at a value resort suite for a few nights then stay at GF or poly for 2 nights, to get your stay by the castle in, but not spend sooo much money by staying there all week. I was told by the conductor of the boat that it used to be that contemporary allowed 5, so this is not a firecode issue. This is a choice that Disney makes for occupancy for each resort, by their own standards.
I realize that at some point it would be a fire code issue, but a 3 yr old is not a firecode problem; the fire code is only an issue when the firemen ask what the occupancy is for a hotel and someone lies. Then they think they got everyone out, when in reality there is a child stuck in the building not on the list.They do this for number count reasons, and obviously you can't allow the rule to be abused. 10-15 in a room to save money would def. cause a prob in the hallways during a fire.
As far as I am concerned, if you pay for a deluxe resort you should get to bring up to 4 children into one room with 2 adults, all under the age of 10. I see no reason why they cannot accomodate this.
The Disney woman told me this too, on the phone, All star music is it that has suites, POR, or campground. I had to tell her, once, to stop pushing POR on me. How unfair to make large families pay this penalty whenever we give them the most money in tickets and food than the smaller families. We will never get to experience AKL, Contemp, WL, BW, or many others because of this rule.It has made me consider not having more kids and what a bummer when loving Disney has talked you out of having 2 more children. That does not sound family friendly. :-(
Another option, in the future, is to bring the grandparents and split the kids up for reservations. This would work.

[Sneaky Pete]

FW to avoid the 2 room problem. That worked great for us.

[r4kids]

We have 4 kids (13,10,7,5) We go every year and we used to just do 1 room value, then 2 rooms value, now NO MORE VALUES FOR US! I can't stand them. We are doing 2 rooms at CSR. We understand that having 4 kids causes more expense, I get that but can they at least have a decent moderate resort for a family of 6. It is either value suite or a deluxe( which we would love but the bank would laugh, hard) anyway I feel your pain OP good luck in your decision.

PS I don't like bugs (cabins) or long walks to my room (cabins)

[megustamex]

I'm confused - don't the moderates have connecting rooms where you can just leave the doors open? I thought they had this at the values and I know they had them at the deluxe resorts. If so, wouldn't this open a family of 5 plus to more options than just POR at the moderate level?