Questions for Family of Five?? About This Page:

[jakkk2002]

Hi
We are a family of five (kids ages 10,8,5).This is our first Disney trip.
We are confused about which hotels on property will accommodate us. We thought about All-Stars with 2 rooms that connect.? We have heard that getting connecting rooms are hard?? The codes would be great to use so that we could save money on the rooms and use it on food and souvenirs..We would also like to know if you are allowed to bring groceries onto Disney? Like, water,snacks and juices. If you have any other helpful information we love to hear from all of you.
NEW TO THE BOARDS...........BUT LEARNING.......
p.s. I have read alot about transportation to and from the airport. Any suggestions with that, maybe one that allows a grocery stop.

[jakkk2002]

I forgot to say when we planned on leaving..... [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] We are going the 2nd week of December. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Dec. 8th thru the 15th..thanks

[WDW1102]

we are also a family of five w/ kids 11,10, 7 going to Disney in Nov. for the first time. We have reserved 2 rooms at All star music for 6 nights at the $55 pernight rate. With tax, it came to $739. They guaranteed us a connecting room because we have kids. I hope this helps!

[lalapodip]

My 2 cents: Fort Wilderness Cabins! We are a family of 5, kids aged 7, 7, and 9, and stayed there in June. I believe the rate is $139/night when you're going! The kitchen makes a big difference, especially at breakfast time. We loved it there!

Have fun! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[Anne Stepien]

[img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] Since this is your first trip and you have kids, I recommend staying on site if it's in your budget. I find the rooms to be very small at All Stars, and if you have any princesses with you the bathroom facilities might be a problem [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] Check the rates for fall codes. If you can fit it into your budget I think Ft. Wilderness or connecting rooms at CBR are both excellent choices. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Pookas4]

Jakk,
We are a family of 6, (kids are 15,13,4 and 1) so I know what you are going thru. We have stayed at the All-Star movies with 2 rooms and it worked out really great for us. We are doing it again, the same time you are this year and really looking forward to it. We got 2 rooms at the All-Star Music, for the $55 rate. It saved us $507 from the reservation I had at the Movies. I like the 2 rooms because it gives us the extra room so we are not on top of each other and the other bathroom in the morning. We had no problems getting connecting rooms last time and I don't expect to this time. It is an unbeatable price, you get the extra room and get to stay on property. I don't know about the transportation, we are driving in our van ( the oldest 2 are flying) but we always bring snacks in the park with us. Hope you have fun and ask more questions. Feel free to email me if you want, I can help with the all-stars and we will see you there!!!
Tamara Pookas3@aol.com

[Fortissimo]

Hi, Jakk2002!

I would vote for either two rooms at the All-Stars or FW Cabins. Since you have children it will be easier for you to get the connecting rooms at the All-Stars.

Tiffany Towncars also have vans that they use. When you reserve the van ask for a grocery stop.

Here is their website: TTc

Don't forget about the $8 off coupon for TTc in the back of your PassPorter!

[ 07-29-2002, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: Fortissimo ]

[popeyeohoh]

STAYED AT POR ACCOMODATES FAMILY OF 5 WITH COT. WORKED OUT FINE.
COULD SOMEONE PLEASE CLARIFY SOMETHING FOR ME ABOUT ALL STAR.
A FAMILY CAN BOOK 2 CONNECTING ROOMS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE ROOM??
CAN THIS BE TRUE?

[HiddenMickey]

No, you have to pay for 2 rooms. What people usually say though, and what may have confused you, is that for the two rooms at the All Stars, it will cost the same or less than one room at a deluxe where they can handle 5 in one room. -HiddenMickey

[Pookas4]

Hi, just to let you know, we got 2 connecting rooms at the AS Music for $55 a piece. So for $110 a night we get 2 rooms, 4 beds, 2 bathrooms, more closet and bureau space and deffinately the room we need to enjoy each other for 18 days. The 2 bathrooms alone, with a 15 year old daughter is worth it !!!! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Tamara

[Shell_of_the_South]

Just wanted to answer your question about bringing groceries: We've done it every trip, I pack snack in my backpack and take it in the parks. No one has ever said anything, even at the security checks. We usually bring our own drinks and sandwich fixings, too. You can get a fridge in your room for $10/night. Today DH saw an ad in Wal-mart for one of the same exact fridges for $68. So you could probably buy one cheaper than renting at $10/night.

We also have 5 in our family, and I know what you mean. It's harder to find accomodations on property.

[Jean]

Yes, there are good points to each. All Star rooms are 260 square feet. The Ft Wilderness cabin is 500 sqaure feet. Two rooms at All Stars has two bathrooms, the cabins have one. Two rooms at All Stars does not have kitchen, the cabins have a full kitchen with all the appliances and maid service. I just got an AP rate at the cabins for a family at 129.00 night for December. The CKO rate was 139.00. It really depends on what is the most important things for you to have and then go from there. Personally you can't go wrong with either as long as the price is right.
By the way, 68% of the All Star rooms connect.

[Cameron's mom]

I agree with all that have commented on the All-Stars as being a good solution for a family of 5. Our youngest is only 2 so we can get by with 1 room (but barely [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) When they get older we will definately get 2 rooms there.

As for grocery stops, we used Tiffany Towncar and we were very satisfied with their service. Our driver was trying to convince us to go to Publix because it was closer to the All-Stars, but we chose Goodings(near Downtown Disney). It has the best fruit/veggie choices and it has Crispy Creams! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

[CRCrazy]

Another reasonable option is the Contemporary Garden Wing with code rate. I think the code rate is currently about $159 a night, which is slightly more than two rooms at the All Stars, but you are getting a deluxe Magic Kingdom Resort on the monorail. The pool isn't highly themed, but has a slide and two hot tubs for Mom and Dad. The arcade is awesome, best on site, the food and fun court has fairly reasonable prices for that kind of food, Chef Mickey's is right upstairs. You can watch the Electrical Water Pageant on Bay Lake every night, and fireworks can be seen from the beach, or from the 15th floor observation deck - great views!

The rooms are huge with two queen beds, not doubles as well as a twin sized daybed. My thirteen year old slept there all week quite comfortably. Mousekeeping left my kids something special every day, either arranging their beanies into fun displays, or towel animals, etc. It took us exactly three minutes to get back from MK after fireworks and Spectromagic - the lines for the TTC monorail and boats were enormous, we would have walked, but it was quicker to hop onto the resort monorail - first stop is the CR!

Either way, hope you have a great family time!