Best choice for party of 5

[waymickey]

We are hoping to visit WDW next summer with our DD and our two nieces. That means five .... The girls are 19, 19, and 21. So they are not kids anymore. My DD was there 2 years ago but my nieces have not been there in over ten years.

So is it better to stay at a resort that sleeps five or better to get two rooms? And what do you suggest for either? Money is a factor. We would like to keep costs down. All suggestions are welcomed. Thanks

[AgentC]

Based at on the ages of the girls and since you are trying to keep costs down, I think your best options (depending on how much you want to spend) would be two rooms at a value or a moderate or the AOA suites.

We are usually a party of 5 (my family plus my mom) and we often stay in the Deluxes because most hold 5, but you are still in one room and you only have one bathroom. As my kids get older,w e are finding it more crammed and having been moving up to the villas or two rooms.

I'm thinking with 3 girls an extra bathroom is a huge plus. Plus the extra room gives everyone a bit of privacy.

[tinxmom]

We are a family of five (older teenage and college kids now) and have many times stayed at POP and gotten two rooms. Biggest deal for us is two bathrooms for five people getting up and out in the morning! One time we splurged and did two rooms at POR, which also worked well.

[Skippy]

The suites or two rooms for the sake of having two bathrooms.

[mini]

Least expensive would be two rooms at a value.

[phillydan]

Keep in mind that the cost is also determined on what time of year you are going. For my most recent trip, 1 room at POR for 5 with my PIN code discount was cheaper than 2 rooms at a value.

We have 2 teen girls (16 & 15) and a 10 year old boy; he got the Murphy bed. Everyone was quite comfortable with sleeping.

As mentioned, the only real down side was only 1 bathroom...guess who had to get the last shower each night?? Also, every square inch of the bathroom counter had some sort of beauty product on it!

[azcavalier]

With the youngest in your party being 19, I think that one room at POR would be awful. Two rooms at a value is still cheaper than a suite at AOA or ASM.

Are you opposed to staying offsite? I've heard of some *great* deals for some awesome off-site places.

[eandrsmom]

We are a family of six, and now stay offsite. We were able to get a 2br/2ba condo for a fraction of what Disney charges. I'd recommend staying offsite if you'll have a car.

[LVT]

I do the 2 connecting rooms at POP. Usually cheaper than 1 moderate room.
1. 2 baths
2. More space
3. Fewer "extra adult" charges
4. Older kids can communicate if desired and go their own way on the WDW transporataion.
5. 2 small fridges, rather than 1

[Mitzie]

Absolute bottom dollar for our family of 5 is POR. I think in most cases one room there is cheaper than two at a value. Yes things can get tight and we haven't been there since the reno. I know from pictures I have seen of the new rooms in the AB section, I am glad they changed the sink area..storage there was always rough. If you don't mind cozy..I think that is your least expensive route.

[Tigerinvestigator]

Absolutely the Dolphin. Usually cheaper than the moderates, cheaper than two value and if you are an SPG member (its free), have a teacher, nurse, or gov't employee in your party, have a AAA card, you can stay there for much less than any other resort that accomodates 5 people. It is our home away from home. Easy walk to Epcot, quick boatride to DHS, and you have all of the other resorts that are in easy walking distance including the Boardwalk. Get a balcony and it has some of the best views of WDW.

[azcavalier]

Absolutely the Dolphin. Usually cheaper than the moderates, cheaper than two value and if you are an SPG member (its free), have a teacher, nurse, or gov't employee in your party, have a AAA card, you can stay there for much less than any other resort that accomodates 5 people. It is our home away from home. Easy walk to Epcot, quick boatride to DHS, and you have all of the other resorts that are in easy walking distance including the Boardwalk. Get a balcony and it has some of the best views of WDW.

The Dolphin sleeps five? Whenever I go to the Disney Parks site to look at hotels, it just lists it as having two double beds. And it's in the same price as the deluxe hotels, not the mods.

[natstroop]

Also, does staying at Swan and Dolphin qualify you for free dining during eligible dates?

[waymickey]

Absolutely the Dolphin. Usually cheaper than the moderates, cheaper than two value and if you are an SPG member (its free), have a teacher, nurse, or gov't employee in your party, have a AAA card, you can stay there for much less than any other resort that accomodates 5 people. It is our home away from home. Easy walk to Epcot, quick boatride to DHS, and you have all of the other resorts that are in easy walking distance including the Boardwalk. Get a balcony and it has some of the best views of WDW.

MY DH and I are both Teachers so we could get a discount? My DN is also a brand new teacher. We never thought of staying at the dolphin. We also did not know it slept 5. How much do they charge for parking and do they have bus transportation there?
I would be traveling in the summer. Most likely end of July or start of Aug.
Off site really would not work without a car and the girls are looking to park hop using the buses.
thanks for all the recommendations and please keep them coming we still are trying to decide where to stay. We were thinking about maybe the new little mermaid rooms? Are they crazy $$$ like AOA suites?

[minnie04]

With the girls being 19, 19 & 21 I would stay at the Dolphin or Swan with a discount.
I know the values are probably cheaper, but they are older and probably want to be around young adults rather than little kids...(I know there are all ages everywhere, but still being teachers I'm sure you guys would enjoy the peace and quiet)..

[Tigerinvestigator]

The Dolphin sleeps five? Whenever I go to the Disney Parks site to look at hotels, it just lists it as having two double beds. And it's in the same price as the deluxe hotels, not the mods.

It does sleep five although the Swan is listed at only four, and I assure you with any of these discounts it is much cheaper than a moderate. We stay twice a year and I have never paid more than $159 a night and have rooms as low as $99 per night. Other than holidays when the prices are jacked up it is cheaper than any of the moderate.

[Tigerinvestigator]

MY DH and I are both Teachers so we could get a discount? My DN is also a brand new teacher. We never thought of staying at the dolphin. We also did not know it slept 5. How much do they charge for parking and do they have bus transportation there?
I would be traveling in the summer. Most likely end of July or start of Aug.
Off site really would not work without a car and the girls are looking to park hop using the buses.
thanks for all the recommendations and please keep them coming we still are trying to decide where to stay. We were thinking about maybe the new little mermaid rooms? Are they crazy $$$ like AOA suites?

Yes you would be eligible for that discount if rooms are available. The Swan/Dolphin have the same transportation as the other parks with bus service to MK, AK, DTD, and the water parks. Boat service is to Epcot and DHS, but it is actually quicker to walk to Epcot most of the time. I don't believe you are eligible for the free dining at the Swan/Dolphin but we never go when it is offered anyway.

[azcavalier]

Do Swan & Dolphin patrons also qualify for EMH?

[faline]

Do Swan & Dolphin patrons also qualify for EMH?

Yes

[Tigerinvestigator]

Do Swan & Dolphin patrons also qualify for EMH?

Basically the big differences are that Swan/Dolphin do not participate in Magical Express, you can't have items shipped from the park to your room, and you can't use your room key for charging privileges in the parks (although you can use it at the resort).
They have a Disney guest relations desk in the lobby, a Disney resort store just like the other resorts, and all of the Disney transportation. You just show your room key at the parks for EMH just like the Disney owned resorts.